The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Perhaps due to the effects of the medication, coupled with the exhaustion from the abdominal pain, she gradually felt tired and covered her mouth to let out a small yawn.

Xie Yanzhao immediately noticed and gently patted her back as if soothing a baby, saying to those outside the screen, "Now that this matter is settled, you may return. Yuanxia will have someone contact you to help you succeed."

When Yutoya prostrated herself, she said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness! But... my brother..."

"He will never return to Yuanxia." Xie Yanzhao's tone was calm, yet resolute.

The weight was finally lifted from Toya's heart.

The queen was jealous, and her father had few children. Apart from her, the unfavored princess, the only other offspring were the queen's son, Dangyu Chaoge, and the princess, Dangyu Mile.

With Chaoge dead, the remaining Mi Le is arrogant and foolish, no match for her.

She kowtowed again and respectfully withdrew from the bedchamber.

As she stepped out of the East Palace gate, the afternoon sun bathed her in warmth, almost bringing her to tears.

From now on, she and her mother will finally be able to see a different future.

Inside the palace, Xie Yanzhao lowered the bed curtains, embraced Shen Tinghe, and lay down together, saying softly, "Sleep, I'm here."

Shen Tinghe found a comfortable spot on his neck and closed her eyes peacefully.

As night deepened, Shen Tinghe remained fast asleep.

Xie Yanzhao lay on his side beside her, one arm around her, the other hand flipping through several reports by the light of the bedside lamp.

The candlelight flickered between his deep-set eyes, softening his daytime coldness.

A very light knock came from outside the door; it was Yuan Chi.

Xie Yanzhao slowly withdrew his hand, carefully tucked the blanket around Shen Tinghe, then got up and went to the outer room.

"Your Highness," Yuan Chi reported in a low voice, "as you instructed, all of Chao Ge's teeth have been extracted."

"Can you still speak?" Xie Yanzhao asked in a flat tone, as if asking about the weather today.

"He can only vaguely say a few words."

"Then cut off the tongue as well, and make sure it's clean," Xie Yanzhao said in a completely flat voice. "Leave no trace."

"Yes, I understand." Yuan Chi bowed and accepted the order.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the inner room, accompanied by Shen Tinghe's sleepy, soft voice calling out, "Brother~ Xie Yanzhao..."

Yuan Chi immediately lowered his head even further and quietly and quickly retreated.

There are some sounds that he cannot hear.

Xie Yanzhao turned and strode back to the bedside, lifted the covers, got into bed, and pulled her back into his arms. "Did I wake you? It's my fault."

He whispered in her ear and kissed her sensitive earlobe, a gesture meant to soothe her.

Half-asleep, Shen Tinghe nuzzled against his chest in dissatisfaction and complained, "Where have you been... you haven't been with me at all."

She scrunched up her little face and spoke in a very coquettish tone.

Xie Yanzhao placed his palm on her lower abdomen: "Are you still in pain after taking care of some things? Yuan Yuan."

Shen Tinghe was actually not in much pain anymore, but she craved his care and mumbled, "It hurts... I need you to rub it..."

Xie Yanzhao could easily see through her little scheme. His eyes were full of indulgent smiles as he readily softened his pressure and massaged her gently.

Shen Tinghe sighed comfortably and, under his rhythmic soothing, drifted back into a deep sleep.

Inside the curtains, warmth filled the air, with only their soft breaths mingling and the room filled with tranquil tenderness.

Xie Yanzhao endured it for four or five days until Shen Tinghe's period finally ended.

That night, he was like a starving wolf, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

The bathtub was filled with steam, and Shen Tinghe was being tossed around.

"Hmm...**, slow down, slow down."

A broken, soft plea for mercy spilled from her lips, trembling in her voice.

Xie Yanzhao felt a chill run down his spine from her calling him "brother," and he squinted his eyes in pleasure, but still coaxed her to change her address: "Jiaojiao, call me husband."

Shen Tinghe was so tormented by him that she was in a daze and just wanted to beg for mercy. She was willing to say anything obedient: "Husband...husband..." Her voice was soft and sweet, with a pitiful breath.

Call her whatever you want, as long as it lets her rest for a while.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Yanzhao finally carried her out of the bath.

Shen Tinghe felt weak even in her fingertips, and instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, hanging herself completely on him.

Every step he took was a sweet yet agonizing thrill for her, and all she could do was bury her burning face in his wet neck.

Back in bed, another tireless and passionate embrace ensued.

Layers of curtains fell, concealing the springtime atmosphere and blush-inducing sounds in the room.

The next day at noon, Shen Tinghe finally managed to lift her heavy eyelids.

For the first time ever, Xie Yanzhao had not yet gotten up.

She was held tightly in his arms.

Shen Tinghe moved slightly, and her whole body felt like it was falling apart, with soreness all over her body. Her arms and collarbone were covered with ambiguous red marks of varying depths.

Recalling everything that happened last night, she couldn't help but feel angry, and kicked Xie Yanzhao.

His ankle was precisely grasped by a warm, large hand. Xie Yanzhao opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, without a trace of the haze of waking up.

He chuckled softly, his voice hoarse from the early morning: "Yuan Yuan, how do you still have the energy to kick people? Your husband is almost drained dry by you."

Shen Tinghe glared at him: "I'm the one who was bullied! You bastard! You devil!"

Xie Yanzhao's smile deepened upon hearing this. His darling tossed and turned, but her insults were limited to just a few phrases.

He simply sat up, and the brocade quilt slid off, revealing his well-defined upper body.

On his full chest, a clear tooth mark was clearly visible, and several faint red marks were also visible on his abdominal muscles.

These are all masterpieces she left behind last night when she couldn't control her emotions.

Shen Tinghe's cursing stopped abruptly, her cheeks flushing red.

Aside from being too tired, she was actually eating very well.

Shen Tinghe never shortchanged herself, and her hand involuntarily reached out, her fingertips tracing his clearly defined abdominal muscles.

Xie Yanzhao smiled and took her mischievous little hand in his. "What are you doing, you little rascal?"

Shen Tinghe blinked, feigning innocence: "I just wanted to touch it." But her fingertips lingered and pressed it again.

He leaned closer, his voice seductive: "Yuan Yuan, would you dare go a little lower?"

His gaze was intense, filled with undisguised anticipation.

Shen Tinghe's gaze unconsciously drifted downwards; below that lay a dangerous forbidden zone.

She quickly pulled her hand back as if burned: "I won't touch it anymore!"

Xie Yanzhao felt a little regretful that Jiaojiao had the desire but not the courage to act on it.

He pulled her back into his arms and gently stroked her smooth back.

"In a few days, I will be going to Lingzhou to handle some business. Would Yuan Yuan like to come along?"

This trip might take some time, and he really couldn't bear to leave her alone in the East Palace.

Besides, there's no real danger on this trip, so it's fine to bring her along.

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe's eyes lit up immediately: "Lingzhou? I want to go!"

Her older brother was there.

She was more than willing to leave the palace to travel and experience new customs and cultures.

She hasn't been to Lingzhou yet.