The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

(This chapter and the next chapter are posted in reverse order, please read the next chapter first.)

When Yu Tuoya followed the palace attendant into the hall, she saw a hazy figure behind the screen. The Crown Prince seemed to be embracing the Crown Princess and whispering something to her.

She dared not look closely and immediately bowed her head in greeting: "Dangyu Tuoya greets His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess."

"Princess, there's no need for such formalities," Shen Tinghe's voice came from behind the screen, tinged with a hint of languor.

Xie Yanzhao's mind was entirely focused on feeding the medicine.

He scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it to warm it, and then brought it to Shen Tinghe's lips.

Shen Tinghe reluctantly took a sip, then looked up in surprise.

The medicine, though bitter, has a subtle sweet aftertaste.

"I had the imperial physician add some acacia honey," Xie Yanzhao said softly, his fingertips brushing against the corner of her lips.

"But the honey might reduce the potency of the medicine, so you'll need to take two more doses." He didn't deliberately lower his voice, and Dang Yu Tuoya outside the screen heard him clearly.

She couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in her heart.

This gentle, patient tone was completely different from the cold, authoritative, and decisive Crown Prince he was in the grand hall of the Thousand Autumn Banquet.

Rumors circulated that the Crown Prince deeply loved his Crown Princess, but now, witnessing these subtle details firsthand, he realized that the rumors were not only true, but perhaps even more so.

"I wonder what brings the princess here at this hour?" Shen Tinghe swallowed the medicine and asked.

Yutoya was speechless for a moment.

Her original intention was to first request a private audience with the Crown Princess and gradually make her move by taking advantage of the slight affection between women. She never expected that the Crown Prince would also be present, and that they would be so intimate.

Even through the screen, the invisible pressure and cold scrutiny sent chills down her spine, and she found herself at a loss for words, unable to utter the prepared remarks.

"The other day, the Crown Princess generously gifted me a kite, which was exquisitely beautiful and I greatly admire it."

She composed herself and chose the safest topic to start the conversation.

"I have prepared some clothing and jewelry with Yuanxia characteristics. Although they are not worth much, they are a token of my appreciation. I hope the Crown Princess will not find them offensive."

Shen Tinghe felt that this was not her true purpose for coming, but she did not press the matter, and only said politely, "Your Highness is too kind. It's just a small trinket, no need to worry about it."

"Good boy, just a few more sips." Xie Yanzhao's attention was clearly still on feeding the medicine, and his voice was gentle.

Hearing the gentle clatter of bowls and spoons and soft, sweet words from behind the screen, Yu Tuoya was caught in a dilemma and could only say, "The gift has been delivered, so I will take my leave now..."

After Xie Yanzhao finished feeding Shen Tinghe the last mouthful of medicine, he placed the empty bowl on a small table and took out a silk handkerchief to wipe the corner of Shen Tinghe's mouth. Only then did he raise his eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through the screen and landing on Dang Yutuoya.

"If the princess has something important to say, she may speak frankly."

His voice returned to its usual calmness, yet it carried a penetrating power that seemed to see through everything.

Who is Xie Yanzhao?

His unwavering resolve, profound thoughts, and keen insight were known throughout the court.

The Yuanxia mission was his doing, and he already knew the backgrounds and personalities of the core members of the missions from various countries.

Princess Yuanxia has survived to this day despite the Queen's deliberate suppression and her brother's wanton bullying. She is meticulous, knows how to endure and bide her time, and is by no means as simple and weak as she appears.

Shen Tinghe gently bit his chin in his arms, as if complaining that he was too direct.

A faint smile flickered in Xie Yanzhao's eyes as he lowered his head and lightly pecked her lips.

Who was he doing all this for?

Now that he was already here, he might as well finish what he was saying. He didn't want this so-called princess to bother his Yuan Yuan any further.

When Yu Tuoya felt exposed by that one glance, she knew that any attempt at evasion or concealment in front of this person would be futile.

She suddenly knelt down, no longer hesitating, and revealed her most daring plan:

"I beg Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess to lend me a hand! If I one day come to rule Yuanxia, ​​I will surely represent the Yuanxia royal family in submitting to the Great Zhao, paying tribute every year, and never betraying it! Yuanxia is a great power in the South Seas, and at that time, all the countries in the South Seas will surely follow the lead of the Great Zhao!"

Xie Yanzhao's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "The countries of Southeast Asia are now also paying tribute to the Great Zhao. What benefit do the princess's words bring to me?"

When Yu Tuoya took a deep breath, she revealed a deeper secret: "Your Highness is wise. It is precisely because of the natural barrier of the Southern Heavenly River that my father has harbored rebellious intentions in recent years. In fact, he has long harbored the idea of ​​cutting off tribute and establishing his own kingdom."

The vast and turbulent Nantian River lies between Dazhao and Nanyang, with complex water conditions.

Although the Zhao navy was strong, a long expedition was no easy task.

How could Xie Yanzhao not know this? The spies who had infiltrated Yuanxia had already reported the Yuanxia King's thoughts, but due to geographical constraints and the lack of a suitable opportunity, they had not yet taken any major action.

Xie Yanzhao's gaze swept over the kneeling figure under the screen again, his fingertips unconsciously stroking Shen Tinghe's loose hair.

This could be an opportunity.

Shen Tinghe whispered in his ear, her breath sweet and fragrant, "Brother, please help her..."

It's so rare for a woman to be queen.

Moreover, she disliked that Yu Chaoge.

Recalling that man's sticky, lewd gaze, she couldn't help but frown.

Xie Yanzhao patted her on the back to indicate that he understood.

Shen Tinghe understood him; this was an agreement, but he must have a deeper scheme behind it.

He never does business at a loss.

"I can help you," Xie Yanzhao's voice came clearly, "but on one condition."

When Yu Tuoya's heart tightened: "Your Highness, please speak, Yu Tuoya will obey without question."

"Seventy percent of the annual proceeds from all black sand mines within the Yuanxia territory must be paid to the Great Zhao."

Black sand! This caused Toya's pupils to shrink slightly.

When this substance is added to smelting, it can make swords and blades extremely sharp and durable, making them vital military and national weapons.

This type of mine is rare within the territory of Dazhao, but has abundant reserves in the Yuanxia region.

However, only the Great Zhao knew about this smelting technique; they only had black sand but no method, so it was useless to them.

Moreover, Yuanxia was far inferior to Dazhao in both territory and military strength, and they were far behind Dazhao in many aspects.

My father is foolish and only cares about short-term gains. In reality, only by following the Great Zhao and learning their technology can Yuanxia become more prosperous.

She hesitated for only a moment, then kowtowed deeply: "I promise!"

This is Yuan Xia's opportunity, and even more so, hers.

"Very good." Xie Yanzhao's tone remained calm, but he called out, "Qi Lu."

Qi Lu, who had been standing silently in the shadows, stepped out in response, holding a small ebony box. He walked up to Dang Yu Tuoya and opened the lid.

Inside was a pill the size of a longan, dark in color.

When Yutoya's face turned pale, she immediately understood.

The prince will never truly believe her unless she accepts this "offer of sincerity."

"As long as the antidote is taken on time, this medicine will not harm the body."

Xie Yanzhao's voice was devoid of emotion: "But if the medicine is not taken by the due date, the meridians will reverse, and the patient will die from bleeding from all seven orifices."

When Yutoya saw the pill, she almost didn't hesitate, reached out, took it, tilted her head back, and swallowed it.

A faint, metallic bitterness lingered in my throat.

Being controlled by the Crown Prince of Da Zhao is better than living a precarious life in the royal palace, at the mercy of others.

Moreover, she had no intention of disloyalty to the Great Zhao, so this medicine was of no use to her.

Shen Tinghe nestled quietly in Xie Yanzhao's arms, not interrupting these political plans.