The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The outside world is so big.

Qi Zaiqing was a cheerful and outgoing person. Seeing that this girl from the capital with an extraordinary demeanor was interested in matters of the martial arts world, he began to tell her some interesting stories and anecdotes he had encountered while traveling around.

What is the legend of the镖局 (escort agency) under the desolate desert, the light-footed kung fu competition in the Jiangnan water town, and the sword-making master hidden in the border town?

He spoke vividly, though not as refined as a storyteller, but with a lively and untamed spirit.

Shen Tinghe listened intently, occasionally asking for details, her eyes sparkling with an unprecedented brilliance.

These stories, far removed from the imperial court and vibrant in the streets and mountains, were completely different from the noble and elegant court she had heard about since childhood. They were like a window that opened for her to another vibrant world.

Qi Zaiqing handed over the fish, grilled to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, its aroma irresistible. He grinned and said, "Miss Ayuan, have a taste. Though it can't compare to the delicacies of the capital, it's fresh and has a rustic charm!"

Shen Tinghe took it, blew on it to cool it down, and carefully took a bite.

She squinted her eyes and sincerely praised, "It's delicious."

She chewed the fish gently, her gaze fixed on the deep night outside the cave.

Xie Yanzhao must be frantically searching for her right now, right?

Thinking of his possible anxiety and rage, a complex and heavy sense of concern welled up in my heart.

In the middle of the night, Shen Tinghe was fast asleep when she was suddenly awakened by a series of urgent, soft calls.

Qi Zaiqing: "Miss Yuan, wake up, there's a noise outside."

Shen Tinghe opened her eyes, and the lingering sleepiness instantly dissipated.

Listening intently, one could faintly hear the rustling of leaves being moved outside the cave, interspersed with hushed calls.

"Madam...Madam..."

That sound...

Shen Tinghe's heart skipped a beat. It was Yuan Chi!

"They're looking for me!" Her eyes lit up.

"Let's get out of here quickly."

She and Qi Zaiqing quickly ran out of the cave. The moonlight was hazy, and the shadows of the trees were swaying. They saw Yuan Chi leading several black-clad guards hurrying towards them, the light from their torches flickering.

"Madam!" Yuan Chi visibly relaxed upon seeing Shen Tinghe unharmed, and quickly stepped forward to bow with clasped hands.

"Your subordinate has finally found you! Your Excellency has practically turned Lingzhou upside down."

Shen Tinghe learned from Yuan Chi that Li Qu had been captured and the turmoil had temporarily subsided.

A guard silently and steadily carried the still unconscious Lin Yao on his back, and the group quickly descended the mountain, where a carriage was already waiting by the roadside.

On the way back to the city, extreme fatigue and belated relaxation swept over me.

Shen Tinghe leaned against the side of the bumpy carriage, her eyelids closing heavily, and she fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.

At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), all was quiet in Lingzhou City, except for Xie Yanzhao's residence, which was brightly lit.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, the curtain was forcefully lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Xie Yanzhao spotted Shen Tinghe curled up in the corner at a glance.

She leaned her head against the car wall, her eyes closed, with a few streaks of grime still smeared on her cheeks.

Her dress was stained with dark brown bloodstains, her hair was loose, and a few strands of black hair fell to the side of her neck. She looked fragile and disheveled.

He leaned over and slipped into the carriage, gently pulling the person into his arms.

The moment that familiar, soft body fell into his arms, Xie Yanzhao's heart, which had been hovering on the edge of an abyss, seemed to finally be pulled back to reality by a thin thread.

He took a deep breath, the unique fragrance emanating from her lingering around his nose, and the wild beast raging in his chest finally began to subside.

In her sleep, Shen Tinghe instinctively snuggled closer to the source of warmth, rubbing her cheek against his chest in a dependent way, and mumbled indistinctly, "Husband..."

This unconscious whisper, like a feather brushing against Xie Yanzhao's heart, stirred up a surge of pity and an almost obsessive possessiveness.

He tightened his arms, holding her firmly in his embrace, as if he had found a priceless treasure that had been lost and then regained.

Xie Yanzhao carried her down from the carriage, ignoring the stares of the people around them, and strode straight toward the bedroom in the inner courtyard.

At this moment, even the most important matters must take a backseat to Yuan Yuan.

Shen Chengbai watched his sister being carried away, his tightly clenched fist slowly loosened, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

He turned to the travel-worn Qi Zaiqing beside him, cupped his hands, and said, "My name is Shen Chengbo. And you are?"

Qi Zaiqing returned the greeting with clasped hands, stating succinctly: "Qi Zaiqing, a wandering swordsman. A friend of Lord Lin."

"Brother Qi, please come with me and rest for a while." Shen Chengbo led him inside and then directed people to carefully settle Lin Yao into a guest room.

Shen Chengbo was filled with emotion. His younger sister, who had been pampered since childhood, had grown up quietly and was able to save Zhao Yin and the imperial officials in times of crisis.

Shen Tinghe was awakened by a warm and peculiar feeling of fullness.

In her hazy state of consciousness, she found herself in a bath filled with white mist, her body enveloped in warm water.

She was sitting in Xie Yanzhao's lap, her back pressed against his firm chest, his arms wrapped around her waist, completely imprisoning her in his embrace.

What made her cheeks burn even more was... that undeniable, intense possessiveness.

"Hmm... Husband?" Her voice was hoarse from just waking up and trembled with a hint of helplessness.

Xie Yanzhao's kiss lingered on her delicate neck, and she slowly raised her head upon hearing this.

In the misty steam, his face remained as handsome as ever, but his dark eyes were churning with intense emotions that Shen Tinghe had never seen before.

Beneath the ecstatic joy of regaining what was lost lurks a terrifying crimson and a hint of near-shattering madness.

His lips curled slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it revealed a cold, stubborn tenderness.

"Yuan Yuan, my Yuan Yuan..."

He repeated it in a low voice, his voice hoarse, as if he had suppressed a thousand words, which were finally condensed into these few simple words.

Shen Tinghe was startled by the undisguised obsession and vulnerability in his eyes, and subconsciously raised her wet hand to gently touch the corner of his eye.

She asked haltingly, "What...is wrong?"

Xie Yanzhao took her fingers and put them between his warm lips, gently licking them with his tongue, but his gaze remained fixed on her.

"Yuan Yuan, we will never be apart."

forever.

Regardless of life or death, regardless of the circumstances, he would never allow her to leave his sight again.

This incident alone was enough to drive him to the brink of madness.

Rippling water, swirling mist, and the deep, unyielding darkness and longing in his eyes gently and completely enveloped Shen Tinghe.

Inside the curtained room, the dim candlelight cast shadows of two intertwined figures on the light gauze, before gradually subsiding after a long while.

Shen Tinghe felt weak all over, with no strength left, and lay on Xie Yanzhao's sweaty chest, breathing softly.

Stray hairs clung to her cheeks, her eyelashes drooped, and she was in a daze.

Xie Yanzhao's hands did not stop, his palms slowly stroking her smooth, slightly cool back, again and again, as if he were tracing a cherished piece of porcelain.

She was so small and nestled in my arms, her breath soft and warm.