The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

When Xie Yanzhao returned to his bedchamber, dinner had already been prepared in the flower hall.

To his surprise, the little one, who usually only ate obediently after he coaxed her, was unusually waiting by the door. Upon seeing him return, she went up and took his arm.

"Your Highness~"

Xie Yanzhao paused slightly and looked down at her.

He had never been treated like this before, to be greeted by her.

Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow, wanting to see what she was up to.

Shen Tinghe led him to a seat, then turned and took a small jade bowl from the dining table, presenting it to him like a precious treasure: "This is osmanthus and lotus seed porridge that I cooked myself, please try it."

Xie Yanzhao glanced at the bowl of thick, glistening porridge, a smile appearing in his eyes: "I had no idea Yuan Yuan had learned such a skill?"

She was pampered since childhood and never lifted a finger, so she had never done such rough work before.

Shen Tinghe wasn't flustered. She simply sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and tilted her head with a confident smile.

"I personally supervised the cook, never leaving her side for a moment. I gave her instructions on the heat and the amount of sugar. Doesn't that count as 'personally cooking'?"

Xie Yanzhao chuckled at her twisted logic and naturally wrapped his arm around her waist.

His little darling always has these quirky and clever sayings.

"In that case," he said leisurely, leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her, "then let me have a taste."

Shen Tinghe scooped up a spoonful of porridge, carefully blew on it to cool it down, and then brought it to his lips, being both obedient and adorable.

Xie Yanzhao opened his mouth and swallowed the warm porridge, but his gaze remained fixed on her face, his burning gaze almost melting her.

He felt that his crown princess was completely seducing him.

Shen Tinghe's ears burned under his gaze. Finally, she put down her bowl, buried her face in his neck, and asked his true question: "Are you leaving the palace tomorrow?"

Xie Yanzhao's lips curled into a knowing yet pleased smile.

So that's why.

"Hmm," he replied casually, his fingertips twirling a stray strand of her hair. "Yuan Yuan wants to go too?"

He had originally planned to take her along, but hadn't made it clear yet. He never expected her to be so proactive in "pleasing" him, which was a pleasant surprise.

Shen Tinghe immediately raised her head, her eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Yes!"

Xie Yanzhao's slender fingers gently caressed her delicate cheek. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze deep into hers. His voice lowered, carrying a seductive quality.

"Yuan Yuan knows what I want."

Shen Tinghe bit her lower lip.

What else could this man want? He just wants her to sell her body.

Well, she thought to herself, he's her husband after all, and he's so handsome that she's not at a disadvantage.

Shen Tinghe took the initiative to cling to his shoulders, tilted her head back and kissed his lips, awkwardly but trying her best to please him, probing his mouth with her tender tongue.

By the end of the kiss, Xie Yanzhao had taken the initiative.

He let out a satisfied sigh, his large hand gripping her lower back, pressing her closer to him and deepening the kiss.

His breath overwhelmed her, and their lips and tongues intertwined in an undisguised display of possession and desire.

"Mmm...uh..."

Shen Tinghe's body went limp from the kiss, and her hands, which she tried to push away, were weak and powerless against his chest.

Her tongue was numb from his sucking, and her lips were rubbed raw; soft sobs escaped her lips involuntarily.

When he finally stepped back a little, Shen Tinghe's eyes were already brimming with tears, her lips glistening with moisture and slightly swollen.

She began to sob, feeling wronged: "It hurts... Waaah..."

Xie Yanzhao comforted her tenderly, "Let me see, are you hurt?"

Shen Tinghe buried her face even deeper, refusing to show it to him, and only sobbed as she accused him.

"Alright, don't cry, Yuan Yuan." He patted her back gently, like comforting a child. "I'll take you out of the palace tomorrow, okay?"

Before he finished speaking, the person in his arms immediately raised their head.

Apart from a slight redness around her eyes and the tip of her nose, there wasn't a trace of tear stains. Her eyes were clear and bright, sparkling with the smug satisfaction of a successful scheme.

"A gentleman's word is his bond!" she added impatiently.

"I also want to drink Tianluju's autumn flower wine and eat the shepherd's purse and fresh meat wontons from that old stall in Xishikou."

Xie Yanzhao chuckled, shook his head helplessly, and lightly tapped her nose with his fingertip: "Alright, whatever you say."

Shen Tinghe immediately smiled and struggled to get out of his arms.

"Where are we going?" Xie Yanzhao tightened his grip on the person, "We haven't finished feeding him the porridge yet."

"You can drink it yourself, why do I have to feed you?" she said matter-of-factly.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly. Well, the little ancestor has used her and then discarded her, no longer willing to serve her.

"Alright then," he said, steadily supporting her with his arm, and picked up the still-warm bowl of porridge with his other hand.

"Then I'll feed you."

Shen Tinghe didn't refuse and leaned comfortably against him, ordering, "I want to eat the steamed shrimp and tofu first."

Xie Yanzhao did as she asked, picked up the smooth tofu, blew on it carefully to cool it down, and then put it into her mouth.

He did it meticulously and naturally, as if it were perfectly inappropriate for a prince to personally serve his wife a meal.

The next day

When Shen Tinghe woke up, Xie Yanzhao beside her was still fast asleep with his eyes closed.

She turned to her side, inching forward under the quilt, until she finally nestled against his chest, then peeked out from under the covers with her rosy cheeks from sleep.

"Wake up, my husband, it's time to get up."

Xie Yanzhao slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was her lying on top of him, her eyes bright.

A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but his arm had already instinctively wrapped around her waist.

"That's strange," his voice was slightly hoarse from the morning, "it's the first time I've seen Yuan Yuan wake up earlier than me."

After washing and changing their clothes, the two boarded a carriage leaving the palace.

As the carriage drove out of the palace gate, Shen Tinghe couldn't wait to get to the window and lift a corner of the curtain.

The long-lost atmosphere of everyday life is palpable. Shop signs along the street sway gently in the morning breeze.

Even though it's a place I've visited before, it feels completely new and exciting now.

She had only been married into the palace for a little over ten days, yet it felt like so much time had passed.

"So happy?" Xie Yanzhao's voice came from the side.

Shen Tinghe: "Yeah, the air outside feels so fresh. It's so stuffy in the palace. It's so much freer outside."

Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened upon hearing her words.

He suddenly disliked her liveliness, feeling she was like a bird, as if she were about to fly away from him at any moment.

This is something Xie Yanzhao will not allow, absolutely not.

As soon as Shen Tinghe finished speaking, she felt a tightness around her waist, and was pulled backward by an irresistible force, falling into a firm embrace.

"What's wrong?" Shen Tinghe looked up blankly, gazing into his deep eyes.

Xie Yanzhao suppressed the dark emotions surging in his heart, trying to raise the corners of his lips into his usual gentle smile, but his fingertips unconsciously tightened their embrace.

"Don't lean against the window," he said, keeping his voice as calm as possible. "It's windy, and the wind will give you a headache."

"I'm not that delicate," she muttered softly.

Xie Yanzhao lowered his head and kissed her lips, using intimacy to cover up his momentary loss of composure: "Not spoiled? Who was crying last night...?"

Shen Tinghe's face flushed, recalling fragments of their passionate encounter last night, and she buried her face in his chest in embarrassment: "Don't tell!"

Xie Yanzhao held her, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head. From an angle she couldn't see, the forced gentle smile on his face completely vanished, and his eyes darkened like rain-soaked clouds.

The warmth and softness of her body in his arms could not quell the raging possessiveness in his heart.

Perhaps it would be better to take her out less often in the future.

If she experiences too much freedom, she might become wild and unruly, and then turn out to be disobedient.

At that time, he might do some things that Yuan Yuan doesn't like.