The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Shen Tinghe noticed the lingering melancholy in Yu Tuoya's eyes and felt a pang of sadness, but for a moment she couldn't find the right words to comfort her.

At this moment, Qi Lu hurriedly arrived at the Imperial Garden and bowed to the two: "This servant greets the Crown Princess. His Highness was looking for you and specially ordered me to come and fetch you back."

Shen Tinghe muttered softly, "They've only been out for half an hour..."

Qi Lu smiled broadly: "His Highness is worried when he doesn't see you for even a moment, and has asked about you several times at the Eastern Palace."

Shen Tinghe could only give Yu Tuoya an apologetic smile, her smile gentle: "Princess, please make yourself at home. I'll take my leave now."

Yu Tuoya hurriedly rose to greet him.

Shen Tinghe glanced at the paper kite beside her and said softly, "If Princess Paper Kite likes it, then please keep it."

A look of flattery flashed in Yu Tuoya's eyes, and she quickly thanked her, "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness."

In a world where women face numerous constraints, Shen Tinghe is willing to show them, as fellow women, a reasonable level of consideration and kindness, without crossing any lines.

Shen Tinghe returned to the East Palace and went straight to the study.

Xie Yanzhao was standing behind a large desk, concentrating on practicing calligraphy. Hearing familiar footsteps, he looked up, reached out his hand towards her, and his expression softened.

"Come here, Yuan Yuan."

Shen Tinghe walked over and placed her slightly cool hand in his palm. He gently pulled her into his arms.

She buried her face in the brocade python pattern on his chest, her voice muffled and tinged with coquettish reproach: "I've only been gone for half an hour..."

Xie Yanzhao's large hand rested steadily on her waist, caressing it through the thin fabric of her clothes.

He leaned down and kissed her rosy cheek: "Half an hour isn't long enough?"

Xie Yanzhao didn't want his Yuan Yuan to know the dark and obsessive thoughts in his heart.

In reality, he wished he could keep her by his side at all times, never leaving her side.

I wish Yuan Yuan could stay with him like this forever.

But he also knew that doing so would only break her wings and make her unhappy.

Even though he had many ways to confine her to a small place, Xie Yanzhao preferred to give her a seemingly free sky within the territory he controlled.

A faint, sweet fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, and he raised an eyebrow slightly: "Have you been drinking?"

Shen Tinghe stiffened almost imperceptibly, then turned around in his arms, leaving only the back of her neck exposed, and denied in a soft voice, "No."

She was eager to change the subject, her gaze falling on the powerful characters on the rice paper, and she exclaimed in amazement, "My husband, your calligraphy is truly excellent."

Xie Yanzhao's lips curved into a knowing yet indulgent smile. He gently tapped her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to turn her face. He then lowered his head and covered her lips with his own, which were trying to argue.

He pried open her teeth and entwined his tongue with the sweet taste of fruit wine until she was breathless. Then he pulled away slightly and licked her slightly swollen lower lip with lingering pleasure.

"With such a strong smell of alcohol, you still dare to lie to me?"

Shen Tinghe nestled softly in his arms, breathing heavily, her eyes filled with a dreamy glow.

Xie Yanzhao picked her up and sat down in the large chair, placing her on his lap.

"You're just using this as an excuse to kiss me..." she complained softly, her breath still uneven.

Xie Yanzhao remained noncommittal, but instead, with an undeniable possessiveness, he gripped her chin again.

He kissed her rosy lips twice, his voice deep and domineering: "My Crown Princess, may I not kiss you?"

The study was filled with tender and romantic atmosphere when Qi Lu's voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Lord Lin is outside requesting an audience."

Disturbed by the good deed, Xie Yanzhao clicked his tongue in displeasure, his brows furrowed.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Shen Tinghe broke free from his embrace.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were glistening with tears, and her lips were an excessively vibrant color; anyone who saw her could tell what kind of intimate encounter had just taken place.

Hearing voices outside, she felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She leaned over and bit Xie Yanzhao's neck hard, leaving a shallow tooth mark, before getting off his lap.

As soon as I took a step, my wrist was firmly gripped.

Xie Yanzhao pulled her back, his gaze sweeping over her slightly disheveled clothes and reddened eyes, a mixture of helplessness and indulgence in his expression: "You think you can go out looking like this?"

After saying that, he personally tidied her disheveled clothes and hair.

As the crown prince, he was remarkably adept and natural at handling these trivial matters.

Shen Tinghe mimicked him, pinching his cheek with her small hands and feigning anger: "Don't bully me in the study next time."

Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened, and he narrowed them dangerously: "Yuan Yuan has grown increasingly bold these days, daring to order me around?"

Shen Tinghe wasn't afraid of him. She just gave him a coquettish glance before nestling back on his shoulder, like a spoiled cat.

The feigned imposing manner in Xie Yanzhao's eyes instantly turned into a smile.

What does it matter if he's a prince or the crown prince? In her eyes, he's nothing more than her brother and husband, someone she can be capricious with, someone she can completely rely on, and someone she can even throw a tantrum with.

He patted her back gently, his voice softening: "Take your time before going out."

Once the flush on Shen Tinghe's face had subsided and her breathing had calmed, she left without a second thought.

Xie Yanzhao watched her graceful figure from behind, shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were full of doting affection.

I've really raised a little devil.

Outside the door, Lord Lin had been waiting patiently for some time. Upon seeing the Crown Princess emerge, he immediately understood.

He quickly bowed and greeted the Crown Princess: "Your subject greets the Crown Princess."

Shen Tinghe nodded slightly and left with light steps.

Only then did Xie Yanzhao's emotionless voice come from inside the study: "Come in."

Lord Lin bowed and entered, presenting the memorial with both hands: "Your Highness, there is an urgent report on the corruption case in Xingzhou."

Xie Yanzhao took the memorial and read it carefully with his eyes down.

Lord Lin stood respectfully below, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the Crown Prince's collar, where he saw the clear bite mark.

Lord Lin was deeply shaken and hurriedly lowered his eyes, not daring to look any longer.

Those...those marks! Are they something that can be seen on His Highness the Crown Prince?

Heaven bears witness, he must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today! If he had known this would happen, even if it was a matter of great importance, he should have come to report it at another time!

A thin layer of sweat beaded on his forehead. Although the study was warm, he felt as if he were standing on pins and needles.

When Shen Tinghe returned to her bedchamber, two palace maids entered with neatly folded clothes, bowing as they came in.

"May the Crown Princess be well."

Her gaze fell on the dark brocade robe with subtle patterns, recognizing it as Xie Yanzhao's usual casual attire when leaving the palace. A question arose in her mind: "This is...?"

The head palace maid replied respectfully, "Your Highness, this is a casual garment that His Highness just ordered to be aired and ironed."

Ordinary clothes? Shen Tinghe's heart stirred slightly. Was he going to leave the palace?

"Is Your Highness going out of the palace on business tomorrow?" she pressed.

The palace maid looked embarrassed: "This...this servant doesn't know."

Seeing this, Shen Tinghe didn't ask any more questions and gently waved her hand: "I understand, you can go now."

After the palace servants left, she gazed at the brocade robe, a sly glint in her eyes.

He wants to leave the palace alone? That won't do.

She turned and beckoned to her personal maids, a playful smile curving her lips: "Qingyu, Qingxu, come with me to the small kitchen."