The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Inside the study of the Eastern Palace, wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner.

Behind the desk, Xie Yanzhao wrapped his arms around Shen Tinghe from behind.

His chin rested gently on her slender shoulder, and he set aside his vermilion pen, which was used to review memorials. He seemed to cherish this moment of intimacy, and occasionally pecked her cheek with kisses.

When Xie Yanzhao was with Shen Tinghe, the usual solemnity and majesty between his brows would melt away like ice melting in spring.

A sense of grounded joy filled his heart, captivating and even becoming an addiction.

It seemed that only by holding her in his arms and feeling her warmth and breath could his heart, which was always weighing and scheming, find true peace.

Shen Tinghe was intently holding her pen, trying to depict the first blooming crabapple tree in front of the window.

But this purple brush, which could depict landscapes with the grace of a dragon and snake in Xie Yanzhao's hands, always seemed to disobey her when it came to her fingers.

She finished the last stroke with a determined air, glanced at it first, and felt a little uneasy, but still looked up at him and asked, her voice unconsciously soft and coquettish: "How is it?"

Xie Yanzhao's gaze fell on the "Begonia Painting," and a barely suppressed smile flashed across his eyes.

The flowers and branches in the painting are simple and unadorned, and the ink blots vary in shade, giving them a unique childlike charm.

He tightened his arms around her waist, his voice low and pleasant: "Yuan Yuan, don't ever say that I taught you this painting skill when we go out."

"You're making fun of me!" Shen Tinghe pouted and twisted her body, pretending to break free from his embrace. "You're not allowed to hug me anymore."

Xie Yanzhao was unwilling to let go, and he chuckled softly.

"There was no mockery."

He softened his voice, as if coaxing his most beloved treasure, "How could I laugh at Jiaojiao?"

After saying that, he placed his right hand over her hand holding the brush, added a few wisps of wind to the blank space on the paper, and then lightly swept and blurred the ink with varying shades.

Instantly, the originally somewhat dull floral imagery came to life.

"What I mean is that Yuan Yuan's paintings have a unique, innocent charm that others can't imitate even if they try."

Shen Tinghe's decision today was indeed made on a whim.

Of the four arts of qin (a stringed instrument), qi (chess), shu (calligraphy), and hua (painting), she only formally learned "qi" and "shu" in her childhood, and both of these were taught and promoted by Xie Yanzhao.

Madam Shen had to give up because her hands hurt from playing the zither, and Xie Yanzhao was there to protect her.

As for painting, she had little interest in it when she was young, and was obsessed with reading medical books. She even made a fuss about learning martial arts for two years.

His interests were diverse but not specialized, so he only ever dabbled in painting.

Now that he had made amends and heard those words, her slight resentment turned into an interest in trying again.

She took out a brand new sheet of Xuan paper, laid it out, turned around, hooked her slender fingers around Xie Yanzhao's fingers, and gently shook them: "Husband, you guide me in painting."

Xie Yanzhao's smile deepened, and he indulgently replied, "Okay."

He pulled her back to a more upright position, his large hand enveloping her small hand that was holding the pen.

As the brushstrokes flowed, soft contours, lively eyebrows and eyes, and slightly pursed, smiling lips were outlined.

It turned out to be a vivid portrait of her.

After finishing the painting, Xie Yanzhao sat back in his large chair and continued reviewing the memorials.

Shen Tinghe naturally sat sideways on his lap, holding up the small portrait with the ink still wet.

"How come you do everything so well?"

She sighed, her tone filled with pure admiration and reliance.

She had been with Xie Yanzhao since childhood, and had seen him study, practice martial arts, and manage affairs and make decisions. She seemed to have never seen him study hard or scheme for anything.

Yet he was able to handle all sorts of matters with such ease and skill that it was truly admirable.

Xie Yanzhao looked away from the memorial, raised his hand and gently pinched her chin, then kissed her soft lips.

He kissed her briefly, then pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes deep: "Yuan Yuan, are you praising me?"

Shen Tinghe extended her fingertip and touched his slightly moist lips, her eyes curving into a smile: "Brother, teach me to draw."

Once she got interested, she decided to learn it properly.

Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face: "Are you sure? I can be very strict when I teach. Yuan Yuan was the most intolerant of this when she was little."

When she was a child, she also made a fuss about wanting to learn to paint, but in the end, she never did.

Shen Tinghe straightened up, looking determined: "This time I'll definitely study hard!"

Xie Yanzhao stared into her bright eyes, a deep, dark glint flashing in his eyes.

He understood her better than he understood himself, knowing that her passion could come quickly and go just as fast.

However... it doesn't matter.

In any case, he gained quite a few "benefits" from this teaching process.

His Highness the Crown Prince instructed me.

He cleared one side of the desk, laid out the paper, prepared the brush and ink, and had Shen Tinghe sit on a specially made brocade stool. He began by teaching her the most basic techniques of holding the brush, moving her wrist, and distinguishing the five colors of ink.

He then returned to his seat and continued to handle government affairs.

At first, Shen Tinghe was very enthusiastic and followed his instructions to practice long lines and dots meticulously.

But after only half an hour, his wrist began to ache, and the lines he drew began to tremble uncontrollably.

She rubbed her wrist, turned her head, and saw Xie Yanzhao's focused profile.

He lowered his eyes to peruse the memorials, occasionally picking up his pen to make annotations, his expression calm and composed, seemingly completely immersed in them.

Shen Tinghe decisively put down her pen, moved to his side, and skillfully climbed onto his lap, nestling into his reassuring embrace.

She yawned slightly, nuzzled her cheek against his neck, found the most comfortable spot, closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually became even and long.

Xie Yanzhao remained silent throughout, only opening his arms naturally when she approached, and a knowing yet doting smile spreading across his eyes as she slept.

He put down his pen, pulled her closer to him, and carefully adjusted her position so that she could sleep more peacefully.

After a while, Xie Yanzhao turned his head and gently touched her forehead with his lips to confirm that she had fallen asleep.

He then slowly stood up, supporting her back with one hand and putting the other under her knees, and lifted her up in his arms.

He walked steadily toward the sandalwood screen on the inside of the study, where there was a couch for him to rest.

When Shen Tinghe was placed on the bed, she unconsciously hummed twice, rubbed her cheek against the soft brocade cushion, and then fell into a deep sleep again.

The candlelight cast a warm glow on her profile, her long eyelashes drooping like butterfly wings, and a hint of innocent smile playing on her lips.

Xie Yanzhao stood by the bed, quietly watching her sleeping face.

After a long while, he leaned down, one hand supporting himself on the edge of her pillow, the other fingertips lightly brushing against her slightly warm cheek, as if touching a fragile treasure.

The kiss landed, initially just touching those soft lips, then slowly deepening the kiss, lingering and sucking.

Finally, he stepped back slightly, but reluctantly bit her lower lip, leaving a faint blush.

"Yuan Yuan is so alluring even when she's asleep."

His deep, husky voice echoed in the quiet room. He ran his fingertips across her moist lips, carefully tucking the blanket around her, before turning and leaving.

In the outer room of the study, Xie Yanzhao sat in the shadows, his features clearly defined. Yuan Chi entered silently, head bowed, awaiting orders.

"What happened to the Crown Princess outside today?"