The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

She gently tugged at Xie Yanzhao's sleeve beside her, giving him a look that was both coquettish and pleading.

A knowing smile flashed across Xie Yanzhao's eyes as he picked up a piece of fish meat, carefully removing all the bones, and held it to her lips.

Shen Tinghe obediently ate it, looking at him with her watery eyes, appearing exceptionally well-behaved.

"Everyone, get out of here and close the door," Xie Yanzhao ordered in a calm tone.

Qinglan and Qingdai immediately knelt in response, quietly stepped out of the door, and closed the door behind them.

Besides Ye Xin, there were also guards such as Yuan Chi and Jing Cang outside the door.

As soon as the door closed, Yuan Chi and Jing Cang exchanged a glance and tacitly stepped back several paces until they could no longer hear the ordinary conversation inside.

That's the rule.

Jing Cang looked at Ye Xin, who was still standing in the same spot, and said in a low voice, "Miss Ye Xin, please."

Ye Xin paused almost imperceptibly, her gaze sweeping over the closed door, before silently taking a few steps back.

Inside the flower hall, seeing that the bystanders had left, Shen Tinghe turned to Shen Chengbai and got straight to the point.

"Brother, that Miss Ye Xin... does she have feelings for you?"

Caught off guard, Shen Chengbo choked on the congee in his mouth, coughed a few times, and blushed with embarrassment.

"Don't talk nonsense, nothing...that's not true."

Shen Tinghe shook her head. Her elder brother was astute in matters of career and economics, but always so oblivious when it came to matters of love and romance.

Xie Yanzhao scoffed lightly and bluntly uttered a two-word comment: "Dull-witted."

Shen Chengbo blushed, but he couldn't refute it, since this man was the crown prince.

Shen Tinghe, however, refused to accept it. She glared at Xie Yanzhao reproachfully, patted his hand lightly, and even turned her head away from the delicate pastry he offered her.

"I don't want to eat this," she said, throwing a tantrum.

Seeing this, Shen Chengbo straightened his back a little.

Yes, my younger sister is here today.

Xie Yanzhao could only smile helplessly and put the pastries back on his plate.

Shen Tinghe looked at her brother again, her expression becoming more serious: "Brother, I mainly want to ask about your feelings. If you have no feelings for her, it's best to make it clear as soon as possible, lest you ruin the girl's life."

She had observed these past few days and found that Ye Xin's feelings, though silent, were not without trace.

However, given Ye Xin's background and cold temperament, she is indeed ill-suited to be the future matriarch of the Shen family. Moreover, her elder brother is already married.

"Sister Xu is still waiting for you in the capital..."

Mentioning this matter, Shen Tinghe couldn't help but feel a little annoyed again.

The eldest brother's marriage to Miss Xu was supposed to take place two years ago, but Miss Xu's grandfather passed away just in time.

According to custom, one must observe a period of mourning. This period could have been shortened at the discretion of the authorities, but because Shen Chengbo was about to be transferred to Wu'an County, he couldn't bear to see the young lady suffer with him. In the end, he decided to let Miss Xu observe the full three-year mourning period, and then get married and settle down after Shen Chengbo returned to the capital.

Now Shen Chengbo has been transferred to Lingzhou, and his return date has been postponed again.

Thinking about it, Shen Tinghe couldn't help but give Xie Yanzhao another haughty glance: "It's all your fault."

Xie Yanzhao's eyes were full of indulgence as he went along with her, saying, "Alright, alright, it was my fault. Here, have another sip of porridge."

He scooped up another spoonful of warm porridge and patiently coaxed her.

Shen Tinghe drank from his hand, then looked at Shen Chengbai and said solemnly, "Brother, you must not let Sister Xu down. Our Shen family has no rule against taking concubines."

Miss Xu is already twenty-one years old this year, but it has been delayed until now because of waiting for Shen Chengbai.

Shen Chengbo's expression also became serious, and he nodded, saying, "I understand. I have a plan in mind, so don't worry."

He was usually engrossed in his official duties and hadn't given it much thought.

Now that my sister has pointed it out, it really needs to be handled properly.

Since there was no intention to keep her by his side, he shouldn't let Ye Xin stay under the guise of repaying a debt of gratitude. Otherwise, it would be inappropriate, both in terms of etiquette and sentiment, for him to always have a female bodyguard by his side after he got married.

After breakfast, the carriages and horses were ready, and it was time to set off.

Outside the mansion, Lin Yao, the governor of Lingzhou, came to see them off, his face hesitant, and he hesitated several times before speaking.

Shen Chengbo knew that he probably still wanted to plead for Qi Zaiqing's life one last time, but he was afraid of angering the Crown Prince and harming Qi Zaiqing in the process, so he was in a dilemma.

Shen Chengbai knew the inside story; his sister had already won over the Crown Prince, and now all she needed was a suitable way to make amends.

He stepped forward at the opportune moment, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, Qi was originally sentenced to exile in the cold northern lands. However, he is originally from Huainan, and is weak and afraid of the cold. I would like to presume to ask for a favor on his behalf: could his sentence be changed to the southern barbarian lands? Although it is exile, the climate is more suitable, and there is hope for his survival."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanzhao glanced at Shen Chengbo indifferently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Just then, he felt his cuff being gently tugged, and his palm being playfully tickled by a few slender fingers.

He glanced sideways and met Shen Tinghe's upturned face. Her eyes were clear and bright, with a hint of ingratiation and full of trust.

Xie Yanzhao reminisced about the wonderful night before, a smile flashing across his eyes. He took her mischievous fingers in his hand, squeezed them gently, and without saying anything more, led her straight to the luxurious and spacious carriage.

After the Crown Prince and his wife boarded the carriage and it slowly started moving, Xie Yanzhao's voice drifted over on the wind, revealing no emotion.

"You can decide the matter of Lingzhou yourselves. It's such a trivial matter, why bother asking me?"

Lin Yao stood there, pondering those words carefully.

Shen Chengbo smiled slightly and advised, "Lord Lin, the affairs of Lingzhou are naturally under your jurisdiction as the governor. As for the details of the placement of these criminals, His Highness is too busy with state affairs to concern himself with them."

Lin Yao suddenly understood, and a look of gratitude immediately appeared on his face. He bowed deeply to Shen Chengbo in the direction the carriage had gone, saying, "This humble official understands. Thank you, Lord Shen."

The carriage drove away smoothly, gradually leaving Lingzhou City behind.

The car was covered with thick carpets, which insulated it from the bumps of the road.

Shen Tinghe leaned against Xie Yanzhao's chest, then suddenly tilted her head back and kissed his well-defined jawline.

"My husband is the best." Her voice was soft and sweet, filled with undisguised dependence and sweetness.

Xie Yanzhao looked down at her, a subtle undercurrent in his eyes.

He raised his hand and pinched her delicate chin, then lowered his head without a word and kissed her soft lips deeply: "Releasing that person is 'the best thing'?"

Shen Tinghe's skill in pleasing him has now reached a level of perfection.

Instead of backing down, she sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck like a water snake, pressing herself even closer into his embrace.

"No, that's not true. My husband has always been the best person. He's the very best one in my heart."

These words struck Xie Yanzhao right where it hurts.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and the last bit of bitterness and resentment he felt because of her pleading for others was finally soothed by this open and ardent dependence.

He sighed softly, tightened his arms around her, and held her tightly against his chest, then lowered his head to find her lips.

It was no longer the slightly punitive peck, but a tender and deep caress, filled with endless affection and possessive satisfaction.

Qi Zaiqing was arrested and imprisoned in a daze, and spent two days in the cell in a daze before being released in a daze.