The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The girls stood in rows, their clothes elegant and their hair swaying, their ornaments jingling. Each had their own thoughts, but they all knew that the main event was about to begin.

Consort Ming smiled and looked at her son: "Cheng'er, go. After looking around for so long, do you have someone you like? According to the rules, whoever you like, you shall bestow the corresponding flower upon her."

At the opportune moment, a palace maid brought over a tray covered with bright yellow brocade, on which lay a magnificent and elegant peony and two delicate and vibrant pink roses.

The peony symbolizes the position of the principal wife, who is unique; the rose represents the secondary wife, who is only two in number.

Xie Xuancheng stood up, straightened his sleeves, and took the bright and beautiful peony from the tray first.

His gaze swept over the group of shy, expectant beauties in front of him.

Shen Yunlan's heart nearly leaped out of her throat, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the handkerchief.

She watched Xie Xuancheng, holding a peony, walk steadily toward her, and she was thrilled.

Here it comes, he's finally going to choose her!

Once she becomes the Princess Consort of Prince Cheng, she will instantly become the most favored among her sisters, second only to Shen Tinghe.

Xie Xuancheng stopped in front of her. To be precise, he stopped in front of He Qingsui, who was standing beside her.

Without the slightest hesitation, he handed the peony in his hand to He Qinghui.

"Miss He," he said calmly.

He Qinghui's cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling with shyness and joy. She gracefully curtsied and accepted the peony with both hands.

"Your Highness, I am very grateful for your kindness."

The color drained from Shen Yunlan's face instantly, and she stared wide-eyed at the scene in disbelief.

How could this be? His Highness clearly... clearly showed affection for her before!

That chance encounter in the back garden of the Duke of Changguo's mansion that day, he spoke gently and praised the unique begonia hairpin she wore. Were they all fake?

Xie Xuancheng seemed oblivious to her lapse in composure and turned to return to the table to retrieve the rose.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred.

Suddenly, a pure white lion cat darted out from some corner, moving with lightning speed, and pounced straight at Shen Yunlan's face!

Shen Yunlan screamed in fright and instinctively dodged backward. She lost her footing and fell straight backward.

In her panic, she flailed her arms wildly and grabbed the sleeve of a woman in blue standing to her left.

Caught off guard, the woman cried out in surprise and was pulled down to the ground by her, her hairpins and jewelry scattered, leaving her in a disheveled state.

The incident happened suddenly, and a murmur of surprise rippled through the park.

He Qinghui reacted quickly and took a step back to the side. Xie Xuancheng also quickly reached out to support her, which helped her regain her balance and prevent her from falling.

The scene became somewhat chaotic for a moment.

From her vantage point, Consort Ming took in everything, her gaze darkening.

Where did such a reckless wildcat come from in the palace? And why did it pounce on Shen Yunlan? This is too much of a coincidence.

Her mind raced, and her gaze swept quickly over her seemingly shaken niece, already convinced that she was likely involved in the incident.

However, she naturally sided with He Qinghui.

Consort Ming's face darkened, her voice carrying an air of authority: "Disrespectful behavior before the palace! What kind of decorum is this!"

Shen Yunlan and the blue-clad woman who had been implicated hurriedly scrambled to their feet. Forgetting to straighten their disheveled clothes and hair, they both knelt down and stammered, "Your Majesty, we have been disrespectful! Please forgive us!"

Shen Tinghe calmly picked up her teacup, concealing a barely perceptible smile from the corner of her lips.

This trip was definitely worthwhile; I witnessed such a good show.

Just as Consort Ming was about to reprimand them again, Xie Xuancheng stepped forward and said gently, "Mother, please calm down. It seems that a stray cat from somewhere in the palace bumped into the two young ladies, and it was not their intention to be impolite. Someone, help the two young ladies up."

His tone was calm, and the eunuch quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Xie Xuancheng walked back to the table, picked up the two roses, and handed them to Shen Yunlan and the woman in blue who had just stopped standing.

"I was frightened," he said succinctly.

He Qinghui tightened her grip on the peony, her fingertips turning white with effort, barely managing to maintain a composed expression on her face.

Shen Yunlan made a fool of herself in front of the palace, losing all composure, yet His Highness still chose her as a concubine.

Shen Tinghe raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

Unexpectedly, Xie Xuancheng, who seems so gentle, is actually attracted to someone like Shen Yunlan... who could cause trouble? Or does he have ulterior motives?

Consort Ming's heart sank slightly.

She knew her son well; he was by no means someone who would be blinded by lust.

This action...her gaze lingered on Shen Yunlan's face, which vaguely resembled Shen Tinghe's but was now pale and tearful.

She glanced at Shen Tinghe, who stood calmly to the side, and a vague thought flashed through her mind, causing her to frown.

Shen Yunlan took the rose in a daze. The petals were tender and the color was bright, but it felt like a small knife stabbing into her heart.

No matter how nicely you put it, a concubine is still just a mistress.

How did she view her concubines and half-sisters when she was in the manor? Now, is she also destined to become a concubine?

Overwhelmed by immense humiliation and resentment, she could barely hold onto the flower.

The selection of imperial concubines was now complete. Just as Consort Ming was about to say something to ease the tension, a clear and loud announcement came from outside the garden:

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Everyone was startled and turned to the source of the sound.

Crown Prince Xie Yanzhao, dressed in a black robe embroidered with dark gold dragon patterns, stepped calmly into the garden.

His handsome face was like a sculpture, with an innate noble and dignified air between his brows, and his whole demeanor was profound and awe-inspiring.

Its appearance immediately overshadowed all the flowers and jewels in the garden, and an invisible pressure seemed to permeate the air.

The crowd knelt on the ground and said in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Consort Ming immediately stood up as well.

Xie Xuancheng bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"rise."

Xie Yanzhao's gaze swept straight past everyone and landed on Shen Tinghe. The ice in his deep eyes melted away, turning into a barely perceptible gentleness.

He reached out his hand to her.

Shen Tinghe stood up and walked lightly to his side, placing her hand in his large palm with a natural and intimate gesture.

Xie Yanzhao grasped her hand tightly and nodded slightly to Consort Ming: "I have come to escort the Crown Princess back to the palace. You may continue."

Shen Tinghe smiled and greeted Consort Ming, saying, "Your Highness, I shall take my leave now."

Consort Ming hurriedly smiled and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince has come to fetch you personally; how thoughtful of him. Your Highness, please go quickly."

Xie Yanzhao said no more, took Shen Tinghe's hand and turned to leave.

Throughout, Xie Xuancheng wore a gentle smile, and no one could see the monstrous rage within him.

The two walked side by side, their silhouettes harmonious and well-matched; the man was dignified and noble, while the woman was elegant and composed.

The noble ladies kneeling in the garden secretly looked up, gazing at the receding figures, their eyes filled with deep envy and longing.

The Crown Prince, a man of such stature and power, cherishes and dotes on his Crown Princess so much. How can anyone not be moved and swayed by his affection?