The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Following Qi Lu to the outside of the study, Shen Tinghe pushed open the door.

The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. Xie Yanzhao sat at his desk reviewing memorials, his brows furrowed with a composed and strategic air.

Now the Emperor has partially relinquished power, and he personally handles many affairs of the court.

Hearing the door open, Xie Yanzhao looked up, and the sharpness in his eyes vanished the moment he saw who it was: "Yuan Yuan..."

Shen Tinghe lifted her skirt and ran quickly over, throwing herself into his arms: "Brother~"

Xie Yanzhao's aura softened, and he raised his hand to stroke her long hair, his heart melting completely.

Why is my Yuan Yuan being so clingy today?

Shen Tinghe lifted her head from his embrace and offered him the talisman in her palm: "I don't want this."

Xie Yanzhao frowned slightly: "Does Yuan Yuan want the Tiger Tally? We'll have to wait a while longer, I..."

"No." Shen Tinghe quickly reached out her small hand to cover his mouth.

"We absolutely cannot keep the tiger tally; it's a token for mobilizing troops, and to possess it is treason."

Xie Yanzhao looked at her panicked appearance, but his eyes remained indifferent, as if he didn't think it was anything important.

He grasped her wrist: "Yuan Yuan, you are my Crown Princess, the future Empress. Everything I have should rightfully be yours."

Shen Tinghe placed the talisman on the table and hugged his waist again: "I dare not take it. It's such an important thing. If I accidentally lose it, it will be terrible."

Xie Yanzhao sighed softly, pinching her cheek with his fingertips: "When you were being childish with me, you were quite bold, but now you're scared?"

"That's different," Shen Tinghe muttered.

"How is it different?" Xie Yanzhao looked down at her, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Shen Tinghe raised her head, looked into his deep eyes, and said earnestly, "Brother is different."

Xie Yanzhao leaned closer to her: "Why are you being so sweet-talking today? Let your brother have a taste."

As he spoke, he lifted her chin and lowered his head to kiss her. Her soft lips were captured in his mouth, gently sucked and licked.

His tongue gently hooked hers, with an irresistible blend of strength and tenderness.

Gradually, Shen Tinghe's face turned bright red, her breathing became rapid, and she subconsciously raised her hand to pat his chest, trying to push him away.

Xie Yanzhao reluctantly released her, then gently pecked her lips again: "Why can't you breathe properly? Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"

Shen Tinghe wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck and accusing him, "You're bullying me."

Xie Yanzhao put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and said in an ambiguous tone, "A kiss is considered bullying? What will happen to my precious daughter after we get married?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe shyly snuggled into his arms.

Although she was an unmarried young lady, she was not entirely ignorant.

When they embraced, she could occasionally feel a clear change in him; the burning heat and hardness made her feel both shy and flustered.

"Lin...Lin Fu, please keep it safe, I should go back now."

She had barely pushed him away when Xie Yanzhao pulled her back into his arms.

"Really don't want it?"

"No." Shen Tinghe shook her head firmly.

"Alright." Xie Yanzhao conceded, his tone tinged with indulgence.

"Then I'll give it to you after the wedding. You must keep it then."

Shen Tinghe pouted, wanting to say something more, but Xie Yanzhao lowered his head and covered her mouth.

His eyes held a smile, as if to say: Say it again, and I'll kiss you again.

Shen Tinghe couldn't stand his appearance like this; his deep eyes were filled with nothing but her image, making it impossible for her to resist.

Xie Yanzhao turned her around, supporting her waist, and picked up a calligraphy brush from the table, handing it to her: "Let me see if your calligraphy has deteriorated in recent days."

"No way!" Shen Tinghe straightened her back.

"I practice diligently every day."

She held the calligraphy brush and casually wrote a few characters on the rice paper.

Her handwriting was taught by Xie Yanzhao, and it was somewhat similar to his, but it was more delicate and gentle, lacking some of his domineering and sharpness.

Xie Yanzhao stood behind her, the two pressed tightly together. He could clearly smell the fragrance of her hair and feel her soft body against him.

I felt a slight tremor run through my body, and the desire in my heart grew stronger.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "We're still two months away from getting married, that's too slow."

Shen Tinghe turned her head to look at him: "Were you even looking at it properly?"

Xie Yanzhao then turned his gaze to the Xuan paper, and seeing his own shadow in her handwriting, a smile appeared on his lips.

This is his little girl, whom he personally trained, and from now on, she will only belong to him.

The two were entwined in the study, the atmosphere warm and ambiguous.

A respectful voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Minister Wang of the Court of Judicial Review requests an audience."

Shen Tinghe heard the sound and tried to break free from his embrace.

"Brother Crown Prince, someone's here."

Xie Yanzhao held her waist firmly, his voice lazy yet domineering: "Let him wait."

Outside the door, Qi Lu and Lord Wang Xude stood quietly.

Wang Xude was a perceptive man. Hearing no movement from inside for a while, he whispered to Qi Lu, "Eunuch Qi Lu, who is His Highness meeting?"

Qi Lu wore a standard, impeccable smile and bowed slightly: "This humble servant does not know either. His Highness has instructed that no one may enter without being summoned."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xude simply smiled faintly and did not ask any further questions.

We're all shrewd people; there are some things we know, but we can't say them, and we don't need to say them.

Inside the study, Xie Yanzhao held Shen Tinghe's hand and wrote a few more characters on the Xuan paper.

The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, contrasting sharply with Shen Tinghe's slightly more delicate handwriting next to it.

"Is this the result of daily practice? Your wrists feel weak and lack strength; you've clearly regressed compared to last month."

Shen Tinghe puffed out her cheeks and argued, "Tomorrow is the Thousand Flower Banquet, and I haven't practiced much these past few days."

Xie Yanzhao gently bit her small earlobe, then ground it with his teeth as if punishing her, causing Shen Tinghe to tremble slightly.

"Yuan Yuan always has an excuse."

His voice was hoarse, with a captivating magnetism.

Shen Tinghe reached out and pushed, trying to put on a stern face, and earnestly advised, "Your Highness is not married yet, you should also be mindful of propriety, there is a difference between men and women."

"Your Highness?" Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in his deep, dark eyes, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Even in such intimate moments, his innate imperial aura would inadvertently emanate from him, carrying an undeniable arrogance and domineering presence.

Shen Tinghe felt a jolt in her heart under his gaze, and she felt a little intimidated.

She turned around, put her arms around his waist, then stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed him on the chin.

"Brother, there are still people outside. Please let go of me first."

Xie Yanzhao looked down at her, clearly dissatisfied.

"This little treat isn't enough, Jiaojiao."