The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

"We're about to go to the imperial palace. A palace maid came to report that the water lilies I had planted last year are blooming exceptionally well this year. Yuan Yuan will surely like them."

Shen Tinghe's eyes lit up immediately: "Really?"

The water lily was as red as the sunset, pure and elegant, which she had always loved.

But just as her joy was beginning to rise, she seemed to remember something else, and softly leaned back on his shoulder, her fingertips unconsciously playing with his collar.

"Forget it, shall we skip the imperial palace this year?"

Xie Yanzhao was taken aback, then his eyes narrowed slightly, and the hand that was stroking her back paused.

"What's wrong? Who upset my Yuan Yuan?"

"No," Shen Tinghe shook her head, her cheek pressed against the skin of his neck.

"With you here, who would dare to make me angry? I was thinking that although the journey to the palace is not far, if there is an urgent matter in the capital, wouldn't you have to travel back and forth? The weather is hot, it would be too hard for you."

Xie Yanzhao's brows relaxed, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but turn upwards: "Yuan Yuan, are you feeling sorry for me?"

Seeing his obviously pleased expression, Shen Tinghe knew that this man was secretly pleased.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice soft and sweet: "Yes, I feel sorry for my brother."

Xie Yanzhao chuckled: "Then Yuan Yuan isn't afraid of the heat?"

Shen Tinghe pointed to the bronze ice vat in the corner of the study, which was emitting a faint chill.

"It's alright, there's ice in the palace anyway."

Xie Yanzhao glanced at the ice tank following her gaze, but his brows furrowed.

"No. The imperial physician said that your body is not suited to excessive exposure to cold. You have already used too much ice recently. If you continue like this, the cold will invade your body, and you will suffer from abdominal pain again."

Shen Tinghe muttered softly, "I think it's alright..."

Before he could finish speaking, he received a light tap on his buttocks.

"If I spoil you, you'll suffer. Listen to me."

Shen Tinghe was unconvinced, so she opened her mouth and gently bit his neck, leaving a shallow tooth mark, and snorted, "I'm just worried about you."

"I know," Xie Yanzhao said, his heart itching from her bites, and he soothed her by stroking her long hair.

"How about reducing the daily ice usage in the palace by 30% starting tomorrow?"

However, the effect of reducing ice was not satisfactory.

With less ice, Shen Tinghe felt stuffy and hot, and when she felt hot, her appetite was poor.

At mealtime, a carefully prepared summer meal was laid out on the table. Shen Tinghe, however, only ate a few refreshing side dishes and silently finished two small bowls of chilled mung bean and lily porridge, barely touching the other dishes.

Xie Yanzhao picked up a piece of tender, deboned fish with his chopsticks and held it to her lips: "Yuanyuan, you can't just have porridge, you need to eat some vegetables."

Shen Tinghe listlessly turned her head away, her lips slightly pursed: "Um... I don't want to eat."

Xie Yanzhao's heart sank. He put down his silver chopsticks and stretched out his hand to her: "Come here."

Shen Tinghe put down her porridge bowl, got up and obediently sat on his lap, nestled her body into his arms dependently, pressed her cheek against his chest, and spoke softly without much strength.

"Brother, I really have no appetite."

Xie Yanzhao tenderly stroked her slightly pale face, then lowered his head and kissed her slightly furrowed brow.

He raised his eyes and gave instructions in a deep voice to Qingyu and Qingxu, who were standing to the side.

"We will depart for the imperial palace as scheduled the day after tomorrow. You should immediately pack and prepare. Make sure to bring all of the Crown Princess's usual clothes, utensils, pillows, and books, and do not forget anything."

Qingyu and Qingxu quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

Shen Tinghe stirred slightly in his arms, but ultimately said nothing more, only wrapping her arms around his waist even tighter.

Xie Yanzhao felt the silent dependence of the person in his arms and nuzzled the top of her head with his chin.

Cuiyao Hall, a summer palace.

Nestled against the mountains and beside the water, the palaces are spacious, and natural hot spring water meanders into the courtyard, making it a favorite summer retreat for emperors and empresses throughout history.

Xie Yanzhao had ordered people to tidy up the palace early on, and the water lilies that had been specially transplanted and cultivated in the courtyard were in full bloom.

Double petals and overlapping stamens, standing tall and graceful, gleaming with a soft luster in the sparse sunlight, and carrying a faint fragrance when the wind blows.

Not long after arriving at the temporary palace and settling in, Xie Yanzhao was summoned to the council hall by an urgent matter of the previous dynasty.

Shen Tinghe rested for a while in the Qingliang Hall. Seeing the pleasant scenery outside the window, he became interested.

"Green dogwood, green catkins, come and do my hair and makeup. Let's go out for a stroll and see the scenery of this imperial palace."

Qingyu and Qingxu smiled and agreed. One picked up a jade comb to comb her long hair, while the other opened her dressing case to select hairpins and rings.

Qinglan and Qingdai took out light summer clothes from the trunk and carefully ironed them flat.

Before long, Shen Tinghe was dressed up, wearing a soft, light blue silk dress with a moon-white gauze shawl over it. In her hair, she wore a kingfisher feather hairpin with a hibiscus ornament and a few pearl hairpins. She was elegant and graceful, which complemented the lotus flowers in the pond.

She strolled towards the lotus pond in the garden.

The pond is spacious, dotted with early-blooming pink lotus flowers, creating a pleasant and expansive landscape.

Shen Tinghe did not linger by the pool, but instead climbed the winding stone steps to a pavilion built against an artificial hill.

The location is slightly elevated, offering excellent views. A gentle breeze blows through the pavilion, carrying moisture and the fragrance of lotus blossoms, instantly dispelling the summer heat.

As she leaned against the railing gazing at the distant mountains, she could faintly hear voices coming from the other side of the rockery path beneath the pavilion.

Shen Tinghe looked down and saw two young girls in palace attire standing on the path by the pond.

It turns out they are His Majesty's two princesses.

Princess Rouan and the Fifth Princess.

Princess Rouan, Xie Jiayu, was born to Consort Xian, whose maternal family had considerable influence. From a young age, she was the most favored princess in the palace, which fostered her bright and dazzling personality and her uncompromising nature.

As for the Fifth Princess Xie Jia Ran, her mother, Consort An, came from a humble background, and her father was merely a low-ranking official of the sixth rank stationed in a remote area. The mother and daughter were always like shadows in the palace, with a very weak presence, and they didn't even have a formal title.

Xie Jiaran saw Xie Jiayu and wanted to take a detour, but Xie Jiayu called out to her.

"Fifth Sister," Xie Jiayu's voice was clear and crisp, yet it carried an undisguised air of superiority.

"Why do you try to leave as soon as you see me? Where have you learned your manners?"

Xie Jiaran stopped in her tracks, then turned around, curtsied respectfully, and said in a low voice, "Greetings, Third Imperial Sister."

Xie Jiayu didn't tell her to get up. Instead, she slowly walked forward, circled around Xie Jiaran, and critically scanned her slightly worn clothes and simple hair accessories. A bright yet dazzling smile appeared on her lips.

"Speaking of which, I will be getting married next April."

Xie Jiayu paused deliberately, admiring Xie Jiaran's suddenly pale face, her tone full of smugness and mockery.

"I have to thank you for this, Fifth Sister. If it weren't for you, how would I have noticed that handsome young man from the Guan family? Now that Father has bestowed marriage upon me and Guan Yi, I will remember this 'merit'."

Guan Yi? Shen Tinghe raised an eyebrow slightly as she listened from the pavilion.

She vaguely remembered that he seemed to be the eldest son of the Guan family, a noble family in the capital. He was excellent in both talent and appearance, and was the ideal son-in-law for many families.

Xie Jiaran clenched her hands tightly at her sides. She lowered her head, trying to keep her voice steady, but she couldn't even manage a forced smile.

"...Congratulations, Your Highness, on your good match."

Seeing her restrained yet embarrassed appearance, Xie Jiayu felt even more pleased. He chuckled and finally said with great compassion.

"Get up. Take your time to choose your future husband. Although... the choices are limited, he is still the Emperor's daughter, so he can't be too bad."