The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The shadow in Xie Yanzhao's eyes dissipated at her appearance, replaced by a smile. He raised an eyebrow: "Is Father truly saying so?"

"You don't believe me?" Shen Tinghe pretended to pull her hand back, but he grabbed it tightly.

"I believe you." He enveloped her soft hand in his palm, pressed it against his heart, and looked at her intently.

"My Yuan Yuan should naturally be cherished and treasured for a lifetime."

That night, red candles burned brightly in the Eastern Palace's sleeping quarters, and brocade curtains hung low.

For some reason, Xie Yanzhao was more aroused and more unrestrained than usual, as if he wanted to confirm something, possess something, and brand her with his mark inside and out.

"Brother... Husband... Please be gentle..." Shen Tinghe's eyes welled up with tears, and she pleaded in a broken voice.

Xie Yanzhao hugged her tightly from behind, his hot breath spraying against her ear and neck, his voice hoarse as he stubbornly asked, "Jiaojiao, whose are you?"

Shen Tinghe was delirious, and sobbed as she replied, "It's my brother's...it's my brother's..."

He was still not satisfied, so he bit her earlobe and demanded, "Call me by my name."

"Xie Yanzhao... Xie Yanzhao..." she called out to him again and again with a sob in her voice, which was met with an even deeper embrace, as if they wanted to crush each other and then merge into one.

The candle wax slowly accumulated, and the spring atmosphere inside the tent was so thick it seemed impossible to dispel.

At the height of his ecstasy, Xie Yanzhao held her tightly as she trembled, burying his face in her sweat-dampened neck, each word etched into her very being:

"Yuan Yuan, you are mine."

Life after life

Spring was in full bloom in the Imperial Garden, and Shen Tinghe sat half-sitting by the railing of the pavilion overlooking the water.

Feeling somewhat bored in the Eastern Palace, she didn't dare go to Xie Yanzhao's study.

She didn't want to be pinned down on the desk piled high with official documents and memorials again, blushing as she listened to him call her "Yuan Yuan" in a low, husky voice with a smile.

"Your Highness, please try these newly arrived rose pastries. They were just delivered by the Imperial Kitchen." Qingyu poured a cup of tea and pushed a plate of delicate pastries in front of her.

Qingxu held a silk tapestry fan tightly, gently fanning herself beside her. The butterfly and flower pattern on the fan surface came to life in the light and shadow.

On the open lawn outside the pavilion, Qinglan and Qingdai were flying a huge butterfly kite.

The kite was exquisitely crafted and brightly painted. It soared up against the azure sky, as if it were about to come alive and flutter away.

"Qinglan, let the string go longer so it can fly higher!" Shen Tinghe was drawn in and leaned against the railing, laughing loudly.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Qinglan replied, skillfully controlling the spool.

Just then, a slender figure, following the kite in the sky, hesitantly approached the Imperial Garden.

As Yutoya looked up at the magnificent butterfly soaring in the wind, her eyes revealed pure amazement and longing.

Unconsciously, she followed the direction to the outside of the pavilion and immediately saw the elegantly dressed woman surrounded by maids inside.

Today, Shen Tinghe wore a light rosy palace dress with a matching light gauze over it. She only had a delicate white jade hairpin in her hair, which made her skin look even whiter than snow and her eyebrows and eyes look like a painting.

She leaned there leisurely, and as she turned her head to speak to her maid, her eyes and brows exuded a languid and radiant quality that came from being pampered and unaware of her own care.

Yutoya was momentarily lost in thought as she watched.

She only learned of this man's identity today.

She is not only the Crown Princess of the current dynasty, but also the legitimate daughter of the Prince Ding's mansion, the apple of the eye of the Grand Princess Zhaorong, and the emperor's niece.

She was pampered and spoiled from childhood, married the crown prince, and the couple were deeply in love.

It turns out that there really are women in this world who seem to be blessed by heaven to the extreme, living like the most precious pearl, shining brightly and untouched by dust.

A feeling of envy and melancholy suddenly rose in her heart. Just as she was about to quietly retreat, the gaze of the person in the pavilion turned towards her.

"Princess Yuanxia?" Shen Tinghe smiled faintly, her voice clear and gentle. "Now that you're here, would you like to come and sit down?"

Dang Yu Tuoya was slightly taken aback, but not wanting to refuse, she could only walk into the pavilion and curtsy, saying, "Dang Yu Tuoya greets the Crown Princess."

"Princess, there's no need for such formality. Please have a seat." Shen Tinghe gestured to Qingyu to add a seat and pour wine.

"This is Yuhuchun tea from the Great Zhao Dynasty. It is pure, mellow, and sweet. Princess, please try it."

When Yu Tuoya took the white jade cup with both hands, she took a small sip.

The wine is mellow and has a floral and fruity aroma, completely different from Yuanxia's strong and pungent wine.

Her eyes lit up slightly, and she sincerely praised, "Excellent wine."

Shen Tinghe smiled and took a sip of her drink.

A moment of silence followed.

When Yu Tuoya put down her cup, her fingers unconsciously tracing the smooth surface, she finally mustered her courage and whispered, "Please forgive me, Your Highness, for what happened at yesterday's Celebration Banquet. I..."

She wanted to explain that it wasn't her own intention, but that she was coerced by her brother, but the words felt weak and inadequate, as if she were trying to excuse herself, so she lowered her voice.

"It's alright," Shen Tinghe said calmly, as if she were talking about a trivial matter. "I know that was not what the princess truly wanted."

Yu Tuoya looked up in surprise: "Crown Princess...how did you know?"

Shen Tinghe looked at her, her gaze clear and insightful: "Your expression at the time was as calm as a still pond, with no eagerness in your eyes to curry favor or compete for attention. You seemed more like a puppet helplessly in the face of adversity. On the other hand, your brother was unusually excited when you spoke."

A single, simple sentence seemed to strike at the very vulnerability that Yutuoya was trying so hard to hide.

A self-deprecating smile curved her lips. The bitterness she had suppressed for so long suddenly made her want to pour it out in front of this noble yet not oppressive Crown Princess.

"Your Highness, please understand." Her voice was even softer, with a hint of etherealness.

"I am just an insignificant princess of Yuanxia. I was only brought to Dazhao by my brother because I learned some dance skills from my mother since I was a child and have a skill."

"My brother... ordered me to find a way to get close to His Highness the Crown Prince. He said that even if I only get the lowest rank, it will be of great benefit to Yuanxia. In this way... my mother's days in the palace might be a little easier."

After she finished speaking, she subconsciously looked at Shen Tinghe, expecting to see disdain or wariness.

However, the other person just listened quietly, without much change in expression. Her beautiful eyes reflected the sky and water outside the pavilion, still exuding a reassuring tranquility.

Yes, Yu Tuoya suddenly realized that the predicament she considered a shackle on her life, a predicament she found difficult to speak of, was perhaps just a passing breeze to the Crown Princess who was born with everything.

Shen Tinghe took the wine pot and personally filled her cup before asking slowly, "Why did the princess tell me all this? This... can also be considered Yuan Xia's intention."

As Yu Tuoya held the warm wine glass, feeling the warmth seep into her palm, she whispered, "Because I think the Crown Princess is a very good person."

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe smiled gently, her smile as bright as spring sunshine: "It's just inviting the princess for a cup of wine and some snacks, and you've already received such praise? The princess is truly straightforward."

Yutoya simply smiled and offered no further explanation.

This crown princess, who grew up surrounded by love, may not understand the significance of a glass of wine, a piece of pastry, or an invitation.

For her, this was one of the few acts of respect and kindness she had received in this cold world, apart from her mother, that were free from any ulterior motives.

During her more than ten years in the Yuanxia Palace, she tasted the bitterness of being ignored and despised. This little bit of warmth was enough to make her feel grateful, and she was even willing to take a little risk to reveal some truths.