The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Shen Tinghe was so weak from the kisses that she collapsed completely into Xie Yanzhao's arms, but he showed no sign of letting up.

A sharp pain shot through his collarbone, and he bit down hard on that delicate skin, leaving clear teeth marks.

He pressed his ear against her reddened earlobe, his voice deep and cold: "What are you going to do when you come back? Are you going to plead for him again, to spite me?"

Shen Tinghe raised her neck, her eyes welling up with tears of pain, her voice soft and trembling: "Husband, it hurts..."

Xie Yanzhao paused, released his mouth, but then gently pressed his lips against the fresh tooth mark and lightly kissed it.

But this tenderness lasted only a moment before he buried his face in her neck again, his lingering kisses gradually intensifying, mixed with licks and gentle bites.

Like a trapped beast confirming its ownership, it carries a possessive desire to tear her apart and devour her.

Shen Tinghe raised her hand to hold his head, her fingertips digging into his thick hair. Her cheeks were flushed, and she complained breathlessly, "Brother doesn't love me anymore..."

Xie Yanzhao raised his head, panting heavily, a deep, dark look swirling in his eyes.

He ran his thumb over her lips, which were red, swollen, and glistening from being kissed, and said in a low, husky voice, "It's clearly Yuan Yuan who's being disobedient, yet she's turning the tables on me."

She sat softly on his lap, pleading with him in her usual coquettish manner.

Normally, if she looked like this, Xie Yanzhao would have already softened completely, and he would have done anything for her, even if it meant plucking stars from the sky.

But at this moment, she was speaking up for another man, begging him to be lenient.

Xie Yanzhao's eyes turned cold. He had no intention of backing down on this matter, no matter how much Yuan Yuan begged for mercy.

Yuan Yuan is simple-minded and easily swayed by external things.

It's okay, he has plenty of patience. He will teach her slowly, so that she can only have eyes for him and in her heart.

Shen Tinghe grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him towards her, her eyes red-rimmed, like a spoiled little kitten throwing a tantrum.

"In the forest, in the cave... all I could think about was you."

"I knew you must be worried about me. Things that were new and interesting at first faded because of this worry. At that time, I thought, if only you were here with me... If you were grilling fish, I could snuggle in your arms for warmth; if you were by my side, I wouldn't be afraid of anything. With my brother around, I've always felt at ease."

"I finally got back," she said, tears streaming down her face, landing on the back of his hand, "and you still treat me like this... Husband, let's not argue over trivial people, okay?"

Xie Yanzhao's eyebrows twitched slightly, and the pent-up anger in his heart dissipated a little because of the words "it's insignificant".

He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye: "Yuan Yuan, are you trying to comfort me?"

Shen Tinghe tilted her head back, looking directly into his eyes without flinching. Her eyes, reflecting the candlelight, were clear and bright: "Don't you know me? Have I been lying?"

Xie Yan gazed into her eyes, a faint smile curving his lips.

He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her trembling eyelids.

Those eyes were so clear; his Yuan Yuan hadn't lied to him.

But he still wouldn't let it go easily. He leaned close to her soft lips and whispered, "My darling, you're the best at sweet talk, you can make your brother dizzy with delight."

Shen Tinghe noticed that his anger had subsided considerably, so she took the opportunity to lean in and gently suck on his lower lip.

Just as Xie Yanzhao was about to deepen the kiss, she deftly stepped back a little and pressed her fingertips against his lips.

Her fingers slowly slid down, the fingertips almost imperceptibly tracing his bobbing Adam's apple, brushing past his sharply defined collarbone, and finally resting on his firm chest, where she gently pressed down, her eyes shimmering with a tender light.

"Is Your Highness still angry?"

Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened, and he narrowed them dangerously.

He grabbed her misbehaving hand and pressed it hard against his chest.

"Is Yuan Yuan seducing me?" His voice was hoarse beyond recognition.

"Who taught you that?"

His Yuan Yuan would never have been so bold and flirtatious before.

Shen Tinghe blinked, her expression innocent and pure, with only a hint of cunning in her eyes: "I learned it all on my own when it came to my brother."

— (vb: Xiaobaiyang218)

As dawn broke, servants were already quietly packing their belongings in the courtyard of the post station.

With the affairs of Lingzhou settled, today is the day the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will set off to return to the capital.

Breakfast was served in the small flower hall. Shen Tinghe, thinking of this parting and not knowing when she would see her brother again, specially invited Shen Chengbai to have breakfast together.

During the meal, she talked with her elder brother while naturally opening her mouth to eat the snacks or side dishes that Xie Yanzhao offered to her lips.

Her hands were casually draped over her shoulders, but her little mouth kept moving, talking about everything from interesting things in the capital to what she saw and heard along the way.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince served her food and soup with practiced ease, showing no sign of impatience. Instead, a faint smile played on his lips, as if he thoroughly enjoyed taking care of her.

Shen Chengbo witnessed all of this and was deeply shocked, his expression even slightly stiffening.

Is this how A-Yuan and His Highness the Crown Prince usually get along?

"Brother," Shen Tinghe swallowed a mouthful of porridge and asked, "We're about to head back. Do you have any letters or items you'd like me to bring to Father and Mother, and also to Xiaozhou?"

Shen Chengbo was still in a daze and did not answer for a moment.

"Big brother?" Shen Tinghe raised her hand and waved in front of him.

Xie Yanzhao raised his eyes and glanced at Shen Chengbai indifferently.

Although his gaze was calm, it carried an invisible pressure. Shen Chengbai suddenly came to his senses and hurriedly said, "Ah, yes, it's already written. I'll bring it to you in a bit."

Shen Tinghe nodded, wanting to say more, but Xie Yanzhao's chopsticks were already at his lips.

She habitually opened her mouth to eat, but after chewing twice, she frowned and turned her head to spit it into the prepared small dish.

"Hmm... this beef doesn't taste right, I don't like it." She pursed her lips, a hint of disgust in her voice.

Xie Yanzhao's gaze fell on the bit of beef she had spat out on the plate, and his brows furrowed slightly.

His daughter Yuan Yuan has always loved eating beef in the palace, so it must be that the cooks here are clumsy and don't cook it well.

His eyes flickered slightly, and the servant standing to the side immediately understood, silently stepping forward to remove the plate of beef.

Shen Chengbo's chopsticks were just reaching into the air when he saw this and had no choice but to silently retract them.

Well, I'm not worthy to try it.

Shen Tinghe didn't notice this little incident. Her gaze drifted to the door and landed on Ye Xin, who was standing quietly under the eaves.

The girl stood tall and straight, like a sword hidden in its sheath.

Shen Tinghe only recently learned that Ye Xin had a tragic past. She was once of low social status, and her mother died tragically. Fortunately, with the help of her elder brother Shen Chengbai, she was exonerated and freed from her low social status.

After that, she insisted on following Shen Chengbai to repay his kindness by serving as his bodyguard.

Despite Shen Chengbo's repeated rejections, she persisted, and eventually Shen Chengbo agreed.

Watching Ye Xin's figure, Shen Tinghe's heart stirred slightly, and some words lingered on the tip of her tongue.