The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

His heart felt as if it were being silently soaked by hot spring water, rippling with soft, gentle waves.

"Yuan Yuan, my Yuan Yuan..."

Xie Yanzhao turned his head to the side, his lips brushing against her sweaty temple, his voice low and hoarse, filled with lingering emotions and a sigh of satisfaction.

"What a nice view."

She looked so beautiful, nestled peacefully in his arms.

Beneath him, her eyes were red-rimmed, and she trembled with a dazed look, making her even more beautiful.

He called her name tirelessly, his breath hot against her earlobe, his fingertips twirling her loose hair.

Shen Tinghe was disturbed in her hazy sleepiness, and her brows furrowed.

In a daze, she raised her limp hand and gently brushed it against his cheek, more like a lazy touch.

"Ugh...it's so noisy..." she mumbled a complaint in a soft, sweet voice.

Xie Yanzhao smiled instead of getting angry. He grabbed her hand that was about to fall and brought it to his lips, kissing it tenderly from her fingertips to her palm.

With a hint of punishment, it gently bit and licked, causing her to unconsciously curl her fingers even in her dream.

Seeing that she was so exhausted that she didn't even have the strength to respond to his teasing, Xie Yanzhao stopped his jest.

He pulled her closer to him, drew the quilt over them, and kissed the top of her head: "Sleep well, Jiaojiao."

Shen Tinghe subconsciously nuzzled against his neck, absorbing his reassuring scent, and softly pleaded in a sleepy voice, "You have to stay with me..."

She sensed that he was acting differently tonight.

More intense and more persistent than ever before.

But she was too tired to think, and even the most important things could wait until she woke up.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened, and the dark light intensified.

"Okay. I'll stay with Yuan Yuan and not go anywhere."

After listening to Qi Zaiqing's explanation, Shen Chengbo finally understood the whole story.

It turns out that the younger sister's disappearance was caused by this boy.

Although it was a misunderstanding, Shen Chengbo's heart sank.

He could understand it himself, but Xie Yanzhao would never think that way.

Given Xie Yanzhao's obsession with A Yuan, coupled with that man's consistently ruthless and decisive nature, this kid in front of him is probably in grave danger.

Shen Chengbo turned to Ye Xin, who was standing to the side, without changing his expression, and gave her instructions in a low voice.

"You stay outside and don't let anyone get close. Brother Qi and I hit it off immediately, and we'd like to have a long talk tonight."

Ye Xin bowed her head and accepted the order: "Yes."

The door was gently closed, and the candlelight inside flickered, casting the silhouettes of the two people.

As night deepened, a solitary lamp remained lit in Xie Yanzhao's room, indicating that he was still awake.

He leaned against the edge of the couch, and Shen Tinghe slept peacefully in his arms, her breathing light and shallow.

He held in his hand the secret report that Yuan Chi had just sent, which clearly described every detail of Shen Tinghe's disappearance and return.

When Xie Yanzhao's gaze fell on the three characters "Qi Zaiqing", a cold, sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

At the end, Yuan Chi added: Qi Zaiqing is currently in Lord Shen's room, and the two are having a late-night talk behind closed doors.

Xie Yanzhao gave a very light chuckle, a mocking smile curving his lips.

Shen Chengbo wanted to protect him?

If she really wanted to do something, how could Shen Chengbo stop her?

Xie Yanzhao casually placed the letter aside, lowered his eyes to look at Shen Tinghe who was sleeping peacefully in his arms, brushed his fingertips through her hair, and gently kissed her lips.

His expression was indifferent and contemptuous, as if he held everything in the world in his hands.

The remaining trivial matters could be decided with just a word.

Qi Zaiqing did not stay in Shen Chengbai's room for long before Jing Cang arrived with his personal guards.

Qi Zaiqing didn't even have time to explain before being taken away in complete bewilderment.

Shen Chengbo pulled Jing Cang back: "Is this His Highness's intention? There is indeed a misunderstanding..."

Jing Cang raised his hand expressionlessly to stop him: "Lord Shen, it is true that Qi Zaiqing disrespected the Crown Princess. His Highness asked me to pass on a message to you: do not meddle in other people's business."

Shen Chengbo stood there, staring in the direction Qi Zaiqing had been taken away, and let out a long sigh.

From a young age, he felt that Xie Yanzhao's obsession with his sister was too deep. It was not like the affection between childhood sweethearts, but more like a silent devouring.

He had disapproved of his sister marrying into the Crown Prince's palace back then, but the Emperor's mind was made up, and it was not something he alone could stop.

Now, the only one who can save Qi Zaiqing is probably A Yuan.

The next morning, Shen Tinghe woke up in a warm embrace.

Xie Yanzhao leaned against the headboard, one arm around her waist, the other holding several secret letters for a close reading.

The morning light shone through the gauze curtains onto his profile, making his eyebrows and eyes appear as dark as ink, and his expression focused.

Shen Tinghe shifted lazily, letting out a soft nasal sound: "Mmm..."

Xie Yanzhao immediately put down the letter, lowered his head and chuckled softly, his warm palm gently stroking her cheek: "Yuanyuan, are you awake?"

Shen Tinghe nuzzled against his chest, her voice still soft and sweet from just waking up: "You've really always been there for me..."

At this hour, he would usually be in his study dealing with government affairs; he had never had such a leisurely and intimate moment.

Xie Yanzhao kissed the top of her head: "How dare I disobey the Crown Princess's order?"

A sweet feeling welled up in Shen Tinghe's heart. She tilted her head up and kissed him on the chin, cheek, and lips, her eyes sparkling: "This is a reward for you."

Xie Yanzhao's gaze suddenly deepened, and his voice was low and gentle: "Thank you for the Crown Princess's gift."

His gaze was so tender and passionate that Shen Tinghe's ears turned red, and she buried her burning face in his neck.

After breakfast, Xie Yanzhao helped her adjust her outer robe: "I'm going to the study to take care of some things. The matter in Lingzhou is settled, and I can return to the capital soon."

Shen Tinghe nodded obediently: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

The atmosphere in the study was solemn.

Xie Yanzhao sat behind the desk, while Shen Chengbo and Lin Yao, who had just woken up, stood below.

Lin Yao already knew the cause and effect, and thought he was doomed to die, but he never expected to survive.

Even more unexpectedly, it was the Crown Princess, whom he had only seen once in the Eastern Palace, who saved him.

Xie Yanzhao's voice was calm and unwavering: "With the affairs of Lingzhou concluded, Lin Yao is hereby promoted to Governor of Lingzhou, in charge of all subsequent matters."

He turned his gaze to Shen Chengbai: "Shen Chengbai, I intend to transfer you to the position of Prefect of Lingzhou. Are you willing?"

In fact, if he had been transferred normally, he could have returned to the capital to take up his post six months later. Although his rank was not as high as that of a prefect, he would still be a close minister of the emperor.

Shen Chengbo bowed and said, "Your subject obeys."

Xie Yanzhao glanced at him indifferently and said nothing more.

He knew that Yuan Yuan would probably grumble at him after finding out about this arrangement.

"Go down. The future of Lingzhou is in your hands."

Lin Yao suddenly stepped forward, knelt down, and pleaded, "Your Highness, Qi Zaiqing is a close friend I met in the martial world. His disrespect towards the Crown Princess was a misunderstanding. I beg Your Highness... to show leniency."

Shen Chengbo also knelt down, saying, "Your Highness, the situation was urgent at the time, and he did not intend to offend us. Your Highness may punish him with caning, but I beg you to spare him the punishment of exile."

Xie Yanzhao gently set down the teacup in his hand.

"Are you teaching me how to do things?"

The tone was not loud, but it was chilling to the bone.

Shen Chengbo and Lin Yao suddenly prostrated themselves on the ground: "Your Majesty, we dare not."

Before he could finish speaking, the study door was suddenly pushed open.

Shen Tinghe walked in, her eyes glaring at Xie Yanzhao: "You want to exile Qi Zaiqing? Why?"