The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The shopkeeper looked at the two distinguished guests with a troubled expression and said with a forced smile, "I'm really sorry, gentlemen, this is the only fairy-faced figurine left... Please take a look..."

The two spoke almost simultaneously, and judging from their clothes, they were young masters and ladies from wealthy families. The shopkeeper had no idea who they were selling to.

Shen Tinghe: "I'll pay more."

The girl in pink was none other than Zhao Yunxu, the daughter of the prefect of Bingzhou. Upon hearing this, she immediately raised her eyebrows: "Add money? Who's short of a few coins? Brother Yanxing, we..."

The "Brother Yanxing" she spoke of was named Wei Yanxing, but at this moment she seemed somewhat dazed.

A gentle breeze swept by, lightly stirring the thin veil of the woman's hat across from me, and carrying with it a refreshing and sweet fragrance.

Even more coincidentally, in the instant the wind stirred the veil, he caught a glimpse of her half-hidden face.

Her skin was as white as snow, her lips as red as cinnabar, and her eyes were as clear as water, as if they held all the beauty and spirit of the world.

It felt like something had gently bumped into his heart. Wei Yanxing stood there, stunned, and forgot to speak.

This is roughly what is meant by love at first sight.

In the brief moment he was lost in thought, Shen Tinghe had already placed the money on the stall, taken the exquisite "fairy figurine" from the shopkeeper's hand, turned and left, her skirt swaying slightly, leaving behind a faint fragrance.

"Hey! Brother Yanxing!" Zhao Yunxu was furious and tugged hard at Wei Yanxing's sleeve.

"What happened to you? The clay figurines have been taken away by that fox!"

Wei Yanxing suddenly came to his senses and saw that the beautiful figure had already merged into the crowd. He subconsciously wanted to take a step to chase after her.

"Brother Yanxing!" Zhao Yunxu grabbed him tightly, her tone filled with grievance and dissatisfaction.

"Let's go take a look over there. I don't want that figurine anymore! Today is my birthday, and you promised your aunt you'd spend quality time with me."

She looked aggrieved, but in her heart she had cursed Shen Tinghe countless times: Where did this vixen come from, daring to seduce Brother Yanxing!

Wei Yanxing looked at Zhao Yunxu's hand tightly gripping his arm, a barely perceptible hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes, and then pulled his hand away from hers.

"Miss Zhao, there is a difference between men and women, please have some self-respect."

If his father hadn't worked under Prefect Zhao and if his parents hadn't pressured him repeatedly, how could he have agreed to accompany the spoiled daughter of the prefect on a trip?

Not to mention the marriage that was being discussed, which was not what he wanted at all.

"Brother Yanxing, you know what our two families mean..." Zhao Yunxu pretended not to notice his aloofness and tried to pull him forward.

Wei Yanxing stepped aside, his tone becoming somewhat indifferent: "Miss Zhao, aren't we going to have our meal?"

Zhao Yunxu suppressed her anger and forced a smile again: "Yes, yes, Cyclamen has already prepared a private room, let's go quickly."

She never failed to get what she wanted, and Wei Yanxing was no exception.

Sometimes, things in this world are just that coincidental.

When Zhao Yunxu dragged the reluctant Wei Yanxing into the "Cyclamen" tavern, Wei Yanxing immediately spotted Shen Tinghe in the corner by the window.

She still hadn't removed her veil, sitting quietly alone in a corner, out of place with the surrounding noise, yet inexplicably attracting his attention.

Zhao Yunxu followed Wei Yanxing's gaze, her smile instantly freezing, her nails digging into her palms.

It's her again! She's like a persistent ghost!

The innkeeper, with his sharp eyes, recognized Zhao Yunxu and hurriedly came forward with a beaming smile: "Miss Zhao, it's an honor to have you here! Please come upstairs; a private room has always been prepared for you!"

Zhao Yunxu raised her chin and deliberately raised her voice, as if she wanted the whole hall to hear: "Hmm, send a pot of your lotus leaf dew to my room first, and be quick."

The shopkeeper's expression froze, revealing a troubled look: "This... it's really unfortunate, Miss Zhao, the last two jugs of lotus leaf dew for today were just ordered by that girl in the corner."

He gestured in Shen Tinghe's direction with his gaze.

Just then, the waiter carried a mahogany tray and placed two celadon wine pots steadily on Shen Tinghe's table.

Cyclamen only sells ten jugs of lotus leaf dew a day; that's the rule.

A sinister glint flashed across Zhao Yunxu's face. Normally, she would have already sent someone up to "discuss" the matter.

In this city of Bingzhou, who would dare refuse her anything she set her sights on?

But with Wei Yanxing by her side today, she had to maintain a certain "ladylike" demeanor.

She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and took a few steps toward Shen Tinghe, her tone "kind" but every word laced with barbs.

"Young lady, is this your first time in Bingzhou? This lotus leaf dew is quite rare, so it's only natural that you want to try more. As the daughter of the prefect, I have quite a lot stored in my family's storeroom. If you like, I can give you two jugs without any problem."

These words, ostensibly humble and generous, are actually a veiled insult implying the other person's lack of worldly experience and etiquette, while also subtly highlighting the speaker's own distinguished status.

Shen Tinghe felt like laughing when she heard her words.

What was the name of the prefect of Bingzhou?

Oh, Zhao Yi, she remembered him as a good-for-nothing idiot.

She poured herself a glass of wine, took a sip from under her veil, and said casually, "For Miss Zhao to say such things, it seems the prefect's family upbringing is rather poor. I dare not drink this wine, for fear of catching something contagious."

"You!" Zhao Yunxu was so angry that she blushed and her face turned red. She had not expected the other party to talk back so bluntly.

The surrounding diners were beginning to notice them. Wei Yanxing felt embarrassed and stepped forward to pull Zhao Yunxu aside, whispering, "That's enough, don't cause any more trouble."

Zhao Yunxu realized she had lost her composure, glared at Shen Tinghe, and barely managed to maintain her composure as she dragged Wei Yanxing up to the private room on the second floor.

Feeling the probing gazes around her, Shen Tinghe sighed softly.

I just wanted some peace and quiet, but now I've become the center of attention.

"Qinglan," she instructed, "go ask the manager if there are any quiet private rooms upstairs."

Outside the private rooms at Cyclamen Restaurant, there is a section of carved railing that extends outwards, allowing you to lean against it and overlook the street scene.

Shen Tinghe entered the private room, finally took off her veil and hat, leaned against the railing, and casually looked at the bustling streets below.

A pot of lotus leaf dew was emptied without anyone noticing.

She was usually kept under Xie Yanzhao's control and rarely drank so freely. Now, as the alcohol took effect, her snow-white cheeks were flushed with a rosy blush, and her eyes were misty with tears, making her look even more charming and languid than usual.

In the next private room, Wei Yanxing was being pestered by Zhao Yunxu, and feeling annoyed, he made an excuse to get some fresh air and went to the railing.

He was stunned in place at just one glance.

I was already amazed by the fleeting glimpse just now, but now that it's all exposed, I know what true beauty is.

The setting sun cast a soft glow around her, making her look stunning, and even the bustling street scene became a blurred background.

Suddenly, a line of poetry he had read somewhere popped into his mind: "A beauty that could topple kingdoms, neither flower nor mist, walking alone for ten miles in the spring breeze."

I thought it was just an exaggeration, but now I know that such a beauty really exists in the world.

"Brother Yanxing, what are you looking at?" Zhao Yunxu walked over suspiciously and followed his gaze, only to see an absolutely beautiful woman.

Looking at the two maids standing beside her, Zhao Yunxu realized that she was the woman wearing the veil.

Blinded by jealousy, Zhao Yunxu forgot to hide her true feelings and blurted out some sharp words.

"Who do we have here? It's that ill-mannered girl downstairs. With her hat off, she really does have a vixen-like face, always seducing men! What are you up to, following us all this way?"