The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Madam Shen was speechless at her eldest daughter's blunt words, and stared blankly as that straight and aloof figure disappeared outside the moon gate.

It took her a while to come to her senses, and she couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "They've really grown wings! Now that they've married a marquis and become his wife, they don't even care about their parents anymore! Ungrateful wretch..."

She had two daughters and one son. Her eldest daughter, Shen Yunshu, married the Marquis of Boyang, but she was never very close to the family. Her son, Shen Chengxi, studied hard but failed the imperial examinations twice. He spent most of the year at the academy and could not be relied upon.

Only her youngest daughter, Shen Yunlan, was sweet-talking and considerate, always by her side, and the object of all her hopes and glory.

Although she always publicly proclaimed her family's close relationship with the Prince of Dingshan's mansion and showed disdain for the mere position of concubine, deep down she secretly craved the prestige and prospects that this royal marriage would bring.

Now, her position as a concubine has been lost, her daughter's appearance is ruined, and her future is bleak.

Madam Shen felt dizzy and overwhelmed with fear and the pain of real loss.

She hesitated in the courtyard for a long time, but in the end, she didn't dare to push open the door from which cries and curses kept coming.

It wasn't that she didn't care about her daughter, but... when she forced herself to go in and comfort her two days ago, she saw Shen Yunlan's face with her own eyes.

Even as a mother, what surged up at that moment, besides heartache, was also a trace of uncontrollable horror and... avoidance.

That appearance was truly terrifying.

Shen Tinghe was completely unaware of these matters. She had been in her bedchamber for several days without even stepping out of the door.

Xie Yanzhao found many storybooks from somewhere, all of which were stories she had never read before.

He even moved his memorials into his bedchamber, as if he wanted to completely transform this space into a sweet and private cage for him and her.

At this moment, Xie Yanzhao sat leaning against the headboard on the large bed, his white nightgown casually open, revealing his well-defined chest.

Stacks of imperial edicts were piled on the small table beside the bed, and a red ink brush lay to the side.

Shen Tinghe lay quietly on the inside, completely absorbed in the book in her hands. She wore only a light red soft silk bodice, with a brocade quilt loosely covering her waist.

A fair, smooth back was laid bare before Xie Yanzhao's eyes.

After their passionate night together, he held her as they fell asleep without helping her put on her nightgown.

It was the height of summer, and the ice-cold air inside the palace was slightly cool, but she didn't feel cold at all; on the contrary, she felt more comfortable this way.

Xie Yanzhao picked up a plum and brought it to her lips.

Shen Tinghe kept her eyes glued to the book, only slightly parting her lips to take it in. Her cheeks puffed out.

Instead of withdrawing his fingertips, he slowly stroked down the smooth curve of her back, feeling the warmth beneath her skin.

His Yuan Yuan, how could she be so well-behaved and adorable?

Like a carefully raised sparrow, given a beautiful cage, a clear spring, and delicious food, she would happily fold her wings and gently peck at his palm.

She's such a precious little darling.

Initially, Xie Yanzhao did consider using a more drastic method to imprison her.

He had crafted a delicate gold chain for her years ago, lined with soft velvet, but he couldn't bear to part with it.

There's no reason for Yuan Yuan to be angered by someone else's mistake.

So they resorted to this roundabout method. They gathered a lot of interesting stories, prepared all her favorite pastries and snacks, and found some exquisite and rare trinkets.

They were laid out before her, one by one, weaving a soft and invisible net.

She willingly indulged in it, never leaving the house and spending all her time with him.

These past few days we've been inseparable, sharing a room during the day, our breaths mingling, and at night we're even closer, our body temperatures mingling.

Xie Yanzhao felt that a restless emptiness in his heart was being filled little by little by her quiet presence.

He felt completely relaxed, his heart filled with a deep sense of satisfaction.

Shen Tinghe felt an itch, a fine, dense tickling sensation, as if feathers were gently scratching her back.

She couldn't help but twist her body, rubbing against the soft brocade quilt, before finally sitting up.

She looked at Xie Yanzhao beside her, said nothing, and simply reached out her hand to him.

Xie Yanzhao let out a soft laugh, reached out and pulled her into his arms, letting her sit sideways on his lap.

His palm rested on her back, his voice deep and slightly hoarse with satisfaction: "Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Tinghe leaned on his shoulder, nodded, and softly hummed in agreement.

Xie Yanzhao grasped her arm and gently massaged her reddened elbow.

"Brother said that lying like this for too long will make your arms hurt, but Jiaojiao just won't listen."

Shen Tinghe rarely looked away from her storybook. She tilted her head back and gently bit his chin, leaving a slight dampness and tickle.

"My brother just wants to hug me."

Xie Yanzhao was not annoyed when he was exposed; instead, he chuckled softly.

He raised his hand to lift her chin and gently sucked on her soft lips.

"Jiaojiao is so smart." He pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling, his eyes revealing undisguised satisfaction and pleasure.

Not long ago, a romantic affair had just ended, and I felt completely refreshed, both physically and mentally.

But Xie Yanzhao was always a greedy person, and he could never have enough of her.

The room was bathed in warm, shimmering light, which gently cast their embracing figures onto the screen, creating a shape that suggested their deep intimacy.

Shortly afterward, Shen Tinghe lay limply on Xie Yanzhao, breathing lightly.

A languid and weary aura enveloped her, her consciousness lingering in the afterglow of tenderness, almost drifting off to sleep.

At this moment, Qingxu's voice came from outside the door: "Reporting to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, someone from the Shen family has come, saying that they have something important to tell the Crown Princess in person."

Xie Yanzhao frowned slightly, his arms wrapped around the person in his arms, his fingertips idly combing through the loose black hair down her back.

He intended to wave the people away and say that everything would be discussed tomorrow.

Shen Tinghe stirred against his chest and opened her eyes, still misty with tears: "What is it?"

There was a moment of silence outside the door, followed by the voice of someone from the Shen residence: "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, Old Madam Dou passed away three days ago."

Shen Tinghe immediately became more sober.

"Understood. You may leave. If there are any other matters in the manor, report to me immediately."

"Yes."

The footsteps faded into the distance, and silence returned to the hall.

Shen Tinghe buried her face back into Xie Yanzhao's warm chest, nuzzling him like a cat that had retracted its claws: "Hmph, it should have been gone long ago."

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, gently tapping her rosy lips with his finger, his voice filled with both affection and warning: "You can't say these things outside."

Although Lady Dou was a foolish and vicious woman, she was still Yuan Yuan's grandmother in name only, and according to human relations and etiquette, she had to maintain appearances.

"I'm not stupid," Shen Tinghe glanced at him, a hint of spoiled arrogance flashing in her eyes, "I'll say that in front of my brother."

Xie Yanzhao was naturally aware of this old story about the Shen family, and even knew it more thoroughly than many members of the Shen family.

Lady Dou was the second wife of Shen Jun, the Prince of Dingshan.

Shen Jun and his wife were deeply in love and had a son and a daughter, namely Shen Tinghe's father Shen Xuan and her aunt Shen Rong.

Madam Shen passed away not long after giving birth to her daughter.