The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Shen Tinghe dared not think too deeply, feeling as if something was blocking her chest, making her feel suffocated. She lowered her eyes to hide the bewilderment in them.

Seeing her like this, Xie Yanzhao felt a surge of panic rise up his spine.

He cupped her face in his hands, and the usual gentleness vanished from his deep eyes, replaced by a fierce possessiveness and an unwavering determination.

"Yuan Yuan, you know I won't let you leave."

Shen Tinghe felt her body burning under his gaze. His eyes were too intense, too direct, revealing his love and obsession without reservation, leaving her somewhat at a loss.

She raised her hand to cover his eyes: "Don't look at me like that..."

"Why don't you want to?" Xie Yanzhao pulled her hand down and lowered his head to press her fingertips to his lips.

"My feelings should have been clear to you. Yuan Yuan, if it weren't for the mourning period for my grandmother, we would have gotten married last year."

In this dynasty, with its open-minded society, it's common for girls to marry at seventeen or eighteen. Families who dote on their daughters might allow them to stay for a couple more years.

But Shen Tinghe is already twenty, and it's not advisable to delay any longer.

Moreover, Xie Yanzhao, as the crown prince, should have married upon reaching adulthood according to ancestral rules. It was only because he was waiting for her, and then the Empress Dowager passed away, that the marriage was abruptly postponed until now.

Xie Yanzhao is four years older than her and is now twenty-four.

It's rare to find someone this age who isn't married yet.

"You should have been my Crown Princess long ago."

Xie Yanzhao's voice was deep and husky, his lips still pressed against her fingertips.

"Our wedding has been in preparation for two whole years. The phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, the ten miles of red bridal procession—I have already made all the preparations. The wedding date is set for June, only two months left."

"Yuan Yuan, you can't escape."

Xie Yanzhao's words carried an undeniable domineering air, just like his personality.

Looking into his eyes, Shen Tinghe felt a growing sense of unease, replaced by warmth.

She doesn't want to think about this issue now.

Shen Tinghe rubbed against his brocade robe and wrapped her arms around his waist: "I'm sleepy."

Her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the jade belt at his waist, making her very clingy.

Xie Yanzhao lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her fair profile.

The candlelight outlined her soft jawline, her long eyelashes like butterfly wings, her nose delicate and upturned, and her lips a natural pinkish hue, exuding an alluring softness.

His eyes darkened, and before she could react, he gripped the back of her neck and lowered his head to capture her long-awaited soft lips.

Xie Yanzhao's kisses were always forceful and domineering, lacking any of the restraint expected of people from ancient times.

The moment their lips touched was a complete possession; their lips pressed tightly together, his tongue forcefully prying open her teeth, entwining with hers in a passionate embrace.

Caught off guard, Shen Tinghe couldn't push him away and was forced to tilt her head back, enduring his aggressive kiss.

His breathing became rapid, and even the corners of his eyes welled up with tears.

After a long while, Xie Yanzhao reluctantly released her, his voice hoarse and magnetic: "Sleep now, fall asleep, I'll take you back."

Shen Tinghe's eyes were red at the corners, and with a touch of shyness and naivety from being kissed, she collapsed back into his arms as if all her strength had left her.

She couldn't understand it; her soul was that of a modern person, and kissing was one thing when in love.

Xie Yanzhao, a true ancient man, didn't care about etiquette between men and women in the slightest.

Taking advantage of his status as the crown prince and their betrothal, he acted with such impunity, frequently embracing and kissing her.

Unfortunately, he was also a skilled kisser and incredibly handsome, making him irresistible. Every time he kissed her, she would become dizzy and disoriented.

The food was so good, it was really hard for her to refuse.

Xie Yanzhao felt the slight trembling of the person in his arms, placed his palm on her back, and gently patted her back, skillfully coaxing her to sleep.

Shen Tinghe grew increasingly sleepy, and soon fell asleep in his warm embrace and with gentle pats.

Xie Yanzhao carried her through the quiet corridor. The moonlight, like water, shone on the bluestone slabs, reflecting his tall and straight figure.

Before long, they arrived at her Jiangxi Courtyard.

The boudoir exuded luxury and elegance. Thick velvet carpets covered the floor of the inner room, and exquisite jewelry was displayed on the dressing table.

Gold hairpins, jade hairpins, pearls, and agates—a dazzling array of items—clearly belonged to a young lady who had been pampered and spoiled since childhood.

Xie Yanzhao placed her on the brocade-covered couch and pulled down the thin gauze curtain hanging beside it.

A light blue gauze curtain hung down, obscuring the figure on the couch and isolating them from the outside world.

He removed his outer robe and lay down beside her, his gaze fixed intently on her sleeping face.

Xie Yanzhao reached out his fingertip and gently touched her eyelashes, feeling the subtle tremor, and a burning desire welled up in his heart.

He whispered her name in his heart, unable to suppress his eagerness and obsession.

Yuan Yuan, I can't hold back any longer, please marry me!

His fingertips gently slid down her cheek, carrying with them tenderness and certainty.

Our names will be recorded together in history, for all eternity, never to be separated again.

The next day, sunlight streamed through the carved window frames, casting dappled shadows on the bedroom floor.

Shen Tinghe was still fast asleep on the couch, wrapped in a silk quilt. Her long hair was scattered on the pillow, and her long, thick eyelashes trembled gently with her even breathing.

The moon-white nightgown she wore had slipped loosely down to one shoulder, revealing her delicate, jade-like skin.

It was Xie Yanzhao who changed her clothes last night.

A soft footstep sounded outside the courtyard, accompanied by the maids' low greetings.

Princess Xie Yu of Hualan wore a pomegranate-red palace dress with gold trim. The skirt was embroidered with intricate patterns, and the gold embroidery shimmered as she walked, accentuating her slender figure and graceful demeanor.

She took her mother's surname, Princess Zhaorong, Xie. Her features possessed both the nobility of a royal lady and the strong, decisive nature inherited from the Grand Princess.

Beneath her gentle and refined exterior lies an undeniable air of dominance.

Followed by two personal maids, the group marched in a grand procession toward Shen Tinghe's bedroom.

Qingyu and Qingdai were standing respectfully under the eaves. Upon seeing the lady, they quickly curtsied and greeted her, saying, "Greetings, Madam."

Madam Shen nodded slightly, gesturing for them to open the door: "Yuan'er is still not awake?"

Qingyu: "Reporting to Madam, Miss has not yet woken up."

The carved wooden door was pushed open, and a faint, calming fragrance wafted out.

Upon seeing this, Qingxu and Qinglan, who were waiting outside, also stepped forward to pay their respects.

Madam Shen walked slowly into the inner room and immediately saw her daughter curled up on the bed.

The brocade quilt wrapped her up like a round dumpling, with only her fluffy little head peeking out, making her look charming and adorable.

Madam Shen's eyes were full of affection as she walked to the bedside and sat down, gently brushing the stray hairs from her daughter's forehead with her fingertips.

"Yuan'er, get up, it's already past 9 am and you're still sleeping."

Shen Tinghe was awakened by that gentle voice. She opened her eyes groggily and saw that the person in front of her was her mother.

Shen Tinghe propped herself up, reached out and wrapped her arm around Madam Shen's, then rested her head against her shoulder.

"Mother... I'm not fully awake yet, can I sleep a little longer?"

Madam Shen gently tapped her forehead with her index finger, her tone tinged with a touch of doting reproach.

"You've really been spoiled by me."

Eight years ago, the Prince of Dingshan's mansion had many masters, but after that incident, there were hardly any left.

Currently, only the reclusive Prince Dingshan, Shen Jun, his heir Shen Xuan, his wife Xie Yu, and Shen Tinghe and her younger brother Shen Chengzhou remain.

The eldest son, Shen Chengbo, went to Wu'an County in Lingzhou to take up his post a year ago.