The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe slowly turned her head.

Because of the alcohol, her eyes were less cold and more hazy than usual. She glanced at Zhao Yunxu indifferently, as if she were looking at something annoying but insignificant, not a person.

Before Shen Tinghe could speak, a cold glint flashed in Qingdai's eyes as she stood by.

Wei Yanxing and Zhao Yunxu only felt a blur before their eyes as a silver light "whooshed" past.

With a soft "thud," a strand of hair fell beside Zhao Yunxu's ear, and a thin, willow-leaf-like throwing knife was deeply embedded in the wooden pillar behind her, the hilt still trembling slightly.

Qingdai stepped forward, blocking Shen Tinghe's way. Her cold gaze locked onto Zhao Yunxu and Wei Yanxing, as if she were looking at two dead men. The chilling aura emanating from her was something no ordinary maid could possess.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Yunxu belatedly touched her ear and found a strand of hair broken. Only then did she realize what had happened. Her legs went weak and she almost collapsed. She opened her mouth but could not make a sound.

Wei Yanxing was horrified and hurriedly supported the swaying Zhao Yunxu, bowing repeatedly in the direction of Shen Tinghe.

"Please forgive her, young lady! Yunxu spoke without thinking and had no intention of offending us! Please forgive her!"

He half-supported, half-dragged Zhao Yunxu, who was terrified, back to the private room.

As soon as the door closed, Zhao Yunxu finally found her voice, screaming in a tearful tremor, "She dared to hurt me! I'm going to tell my father to throw them all in jail! And that maid, I'm going to cut off her hand!"

Wei Yanxing had a terrible headache. He lowered his voice and said, "Enough! If you hadn't insulted me first, things wouldn't have come to this. Those two maids are no ordinary people; don't provoke them anymore!"

"You actually sided with her?" Zhao Yunxu asked incredulously.

"I'm trying to help you!" Wei Yanxing's face was grim.

"Do you really think that being the daughter of a prefect can intimidate everyone? Those three servants have an extraordinary air about them; their backgrounds are probably not simple!"

Zhao Yunxu was both afraid and resentful, but seeing Wei Yanxing's solemn expression, she knew that the flying knife was no joke, yet she refused to admit defeat.

"I don't care! You have to finish this meal with me today, and... and you have to draw me a portrait! Otherwise, I'll tell my father that you're ganging up with outsiders to bully me!"

Wei Yanxing knew Zhao Yunxu's character of keeping her word. If he didn't agree, she would definitely not let it go, and might even use the prefect's power to make trouble for that girl.

Left with no other choice, he could only suppress his impatience and nod in agreement.

Inside Shen Tinghe's private room, the two pots of lotus leaf dew had long been empty.

She originally bought two pots, intending to drink one herself and bring one back for Xie Yanzhao, but she ended up drinking the whole thing herself.

As Shen Tinghe's intoxication intensified, she propped her forehead up with her hand, gazing dazedly at the deepening twilight outside the window. No matter how Qinglan and Qingdai tried to persuade her, she refused to get up and return to the mansion.

"Your Highness, it's really getting late." Qinglan said worriedly.

If His Highness the Crown Prince finds out that the Crown Princess not only failed to return on time but was also out drinking, it would be a small matter if the two of them were punished, but the Crown Princess would probably also be "taught a lesson" by His Highness.

Qingdai had already asked the kitchen to prepare a hangover soup, and then, half-coaxing and half-persuading, she fed Shen Tinghe some of it.

After lingering for a long time, until the city lights came on, Shen Tinghe was finally helped out of Xiankelai by the two men, her steps somewhat unsteady.

Just as she stepped out of the gate, Wei Yanxing's voice came from behind her: "Please wait, young lady!"

Wei Yanxing quickly chased after him, with Zhao Yunxu following reluctantly behind.

"Miss," Wei Yanxing cupped his hands, his tone sincere, "all that happened before was a misunderstanding, and it was my fault. As for Miss Zhao... I have already persuaded her not to cause you any more trouble. Please forgive me."

Qinglan and Qingdai's faces were as cold as frost; they felt that this scholar was pedantic and meddlesome.

Why should the Crown Princess need him to worry about mediating?

Shen Tinghe was still slightly drunk and reacted a little slowly. She looked up at Wei Yanxing with hazy eyes, tilting her head in confusion: "Who... are you?"

She lost her footing and staggered slightly.

Wei Yanxing subconsciously reached out to help her wrist.

However, the moment his hand touched the sleeve, a gentle yet irresistible force came from afar, pushing him away.

It was the maid named Qingdai who had stepped in between them, her gaze sharp as a blade: "Young master, please have some self-respect."

Wei Yanxing blushed and was about to explain when he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves and cart tracks approaching from afar and stopping in front of the tavern.

An invisible yet chilling pressure then spread out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a man bent down to get out. He was tall and imposing, wearing a black brocade robe that shimmered with an air of majesty in the twilight and lamplight.

His face was incomparably handsome, but his eyes were deep and his aura was imposing. As soon as he appeared, it seemed to suppress all the light and sound around him.

Zhao Yunxu instantly forgot her earlier fear, and her eyes shone with amazement and infatuation.

This man... was a hundred times more outstanding than Brother Yanxing! His appearance, demeanor, and even the subtle air of nobility about him all stirred her heart.

Wei Yanxing felt a jolt in his heart, and a chill suddenly ran down his spine.

The man merely stood there, and with a casual glance, he felt as if an invisible hand was choking him, his knees went weak, and he almost wanted to kneel down.

It feels like the absolute power that only those who have long held a high position and wield authority can possess.

The person who arrived was Xie Yanzhao.

His gaze swept past the others and landed directly on the young woman with hazy, drunken eyes. Seeing that she was at peace, the coldness in his eyes softened slightly.

But seeing her slightly flushed cheeks and staggering figure, that gentleness was quickly replaced by melancholy.

"Yuan Yuan." He spoke, his voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears.

Shen Tinghe, who was still in a daze, suddenly brightened up when she heard the voice, as if starlight had been reflected in her eyes.

She broke free from Qingdai's support, took two quick steps towards Xie Yanzhao, and softly, with an unconscious dependence, called out, "Husband~!"

Husband?! Wei Yanxing was struck as if by a heavy blow, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

Zhao Yunxu was also stunned, her mouth agape. Such an outstanding man was actually this vixen's husband?!

Shen Tinghe threw herself into Xie Yanzhao's arms, which opened just in time, and rubbed against his firm chest contentedly, murmuring, "You came to pick me up..."

Xie Yanzhao's expression was calm, but his eyes were turbulent.

He held his wife's slender waist firmly with one hand, and with the other hand he took out a snow-white silk handkerchief from his sleeve, picked up Shen Tinghe's wrist that Wei Yanxing had almost touched, and carefully and slowly wiped it, as if it were stained with something unclean.

After wiping, he loosened his fingers, and the fine silk handkerchief floated to the ground, landing not far from Wei Yanxing's feet.

This action, though silent, was filled with utmost contempt and declaration.

Immediately, Xie Yanzhao raised his eyes, his gaze like a cold, sharp arrow, shooting straight at Wei Yanxing.

With just a glance, Wei Yanxing felt his soul tremble, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner shirt.

Xie Yanzhao no longer glanced at them, as if they were just dust on the roadside.

He picked up the somewhat drowsy Shen Tinghe and turned to walk towards the carriage.

Shen Tinghe in his arms shifted restlessly, finding a more comfortable position, her breath carrying a faint scent of lotus leaf wine.

Xie Yanzhao looked down at her unguarded, drunken face, and almost gritted his teeth as he whispered a warning in her ear, his voice low and dangerous.

"You secretly drank behind my back and didn't come home on time... Yuan Yuan, just you wait, I'll settle the score with you properly when we get back."

The carriage curtain fell, blocking all view. The dark carriage smoothly drove into the depths of Bingzhou City's night, leaving two people behind.

One looked ashen-faced and lost in thought; the other gritted his teeth and stamped his feet, filled with resentment.