The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Xie Yanzhao walked quickly and heavily, and Shen Tinghe almost had to jog to keep up, her wrist aching from his grip.

She couldn't help but complain softly, "Slow down... you're walking too fast, my legs hurt."

Before she could finish speaking, the world spun around her, and Xie Yanzhao had already lifted her up steadily in his arms.

His arms were strong and powerful, his jawline was taut and stiff, and he walked silently back to his bedroom.

The door was tightly closed behind me.

Xie Yanzhao placed her on the edge of the bed and reached out to unbutton her clothes.

Shen Tinghe instinctively grabbed her collar: "What are you doing?"

"Let me see," Xie Yanzhao said in a low voice, his eyes deep and unfathomable, fixed on her.

"Are you hurt?"

Heaven knows what violent and sinister turmoil surged in his heart when he first saw her blood-stained appearance.

When she was young, she would wear her fingertips raw from playing the piano, and she would hide in his arms and cry for days on end, so aggrieved that she refused to go home.

Over the years, Yuan Yuan, whom he cherished and pampered, had never experienced such a seemingly "miserable" situation.

Even if the blood wasn't hers, he couldn't feel at ease until he saw with his own eyes that her skin was intact.

Shen Tinghe softened her tone and nudged his tense arm: "I'm really fine, not a scratch. I just want to change these clothes; they smell awful with the blood on them."

Xie Yanzhao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed the lingering fear and anger in his heart. He had been too hasty.

He bent down and pulled her back into his arms, his grip softening, and gently kissed her lips tenderly: "I'll carry you to wash up."

The warm steam from the bathtub rose in a gentle mist.

Shen Tinghe leaned on Xie Yanzhao's shoulder, the tension from a whole night's work gradually dissipating in the warm embrace of the water, and she sighed softly with satisfaction.

Xie Yanzhao's palm lingered and caressed her slender waist, bringing a slight itch.

Shen Tinghe couldn't help but squirm, "It itches..."

Xie Yanzhao raised his hand and lifted her delicate chin, forcing her to look into his deep eyes: "Now, tell me, what exactly happened tonight?"

Shen Tinghe's eyes lit up, and she immediately became energetic, vividly recounting the story, only changing "Spring Breeze Pavilion" to "Nine Heavens Inn".

If he finds out he went to that brothel, he'll definitely give him a severe scolding.

Finally, she raised her small face, looking at him with a boastful expression, her eyes sparkling: "How was it? Didn't I do a great job!"

Xie Yanzhao listened quietly, already understanding the situation.

That woman was probably the one Lin Yao had secretly contacted and who possessed evidence of Li Qu's crimes.

Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, he was saved by his Yuan Yuan.

He looked at the girl in his arms, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she awaited praise, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

He suddenly raised his hand, his slender fingers lightly encircling her delicate neck, without applying force, yet carrying a strong sense of control.

He then lowered his head and gently bit her lower lip, grinding it lightly.

"So," his breath brushed against her lips, his voice low and husky, "why does Yuan Yuan insist on going out dressed as a man?"

Shen Tinghe was taken aback, not expecting him to grasp this detail: "Is...is this the key point?"

Isn't the main point that she saved a key witness and obtained important clues?

"Yes." The gentle smile in Xie Yanzhao's eyes vanished completely, leaving only a deep, all-knowing look.

Shen Tinghe's eyes darted around, and she casually replied, "It's more convenient to go out in men's clothing. I was just... just having a little fun."

Xie Yanzhao gave a very faint smile, but there was no smile in his eyes, only a deep sadness.

He took her right hand, placed it against his lips, and gently kissed her delicate fingertips.

Then, it bit down lightly, causing a slight sting and a strong warning.

"Yuan Yuan," he spoke slowly, his gaze fixed.

"You know what? Every time you lie to me, your right hand always unconsciously rubs something."

While she was narrating, her right hand had been unconsciously drawing circles on his chest.

Shen Tinghe stiffened and secretly glanced at his expression. She saw that his eyes were dark and unfathomable, surging with a familiar, dangerous aura.

She immediately deflated, and decided to give up entirely. She stretched out her arms and hugged his neck, burying her face deep in the crook of his neck like a child trying to escape punishment.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, his hand stroking her smooth back, patting it lightly and casually, his tone unreadable.

"Weren't you so smug just a moment ago, like a little peacock spreading its tail feathers? What happened to you now?"

Shen Tinghe nuzzled against his neck, her voice muffled, full of grievance and softness: "Brother is going to be mean to me..."

"If you keep your head down, will I stop being mean to you?" Xie Yanzhao's voice was right next to her ear, carrying the steam of hot water.

Shen Tinghe raised her head, trying to explain and act coquettishly: "I was really obedient tonight. I only drank three glasses of wine, and only asked a few pretty girls to dance, play music, and tell stories..."

"You called for a girl?" Xie Yanzhao's brows furrowed suddenly. "You went to Chunfeng Pavilion?"

"...Hmm." Shen Tinghe's voice was barely audible; she knew she couldn't hide it any longer.

Xie Yanzhao's expression darkened completely. The hand that was originally around her waist slid down and lightly patted a soft spot, causing a splash and a soft gasp from her.

"I've really spoiled you too much." His tone sounded calm, but beneath that calm, it was as if an undercurrent was surging.

"I only called for a woman, not a male prostitute..." Shen Tinghe tried to make a last-ditch effort.

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Yanzhao sealed his lips completely.

The kiss overwhelmed all her breath and defenses.

Even women are not allowed. Just the thought that his treasures had been touched by others almost caused his violent possessiveness to break through the cage of reason.

If it were a man… a chill ran through his eyes.

Tomorrow, the name "Spring Breeze Pavilion" will no longer exist in Lingzhou City.

The water in the bath rippled violently, spreading out in circles of ambiguous waves, accompanied by intermittent sobs and low gasps.

Shen Tinghe ultimately could not escape this long and physically demanding "punishment".

After an unknown amount of time, she was carried back to bed, wrapped in a soft nightgown, exhausted. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her wet hair clung to her cheeks. She nestled obediently in Xie Yanzhao's warm embrace.

The storm in Xie Yanzhao's eyes had subsided, replaced by a languid smile of satisfaction, as he savored the sweetness and fear she had just experienced.

He lowered his head and kissed her sweaty forehead, his voice low and husky with a hint of laughter: "Wasn't it all me doing the moving just now? What else is there to be dissatisfied about, Jiaojiao?"

Shen Tinghe was so tired that she didn't even want to lift her fingers. After a while, she mustered up a little strength, stretched out her fingertips, and pinched a spot on his chest as if in revenge.

"Although I went to Chunfeng Tower... I saved people and even helped you obtain important evidence..." she muttered softly, trying to regain some ground.