The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Having said that, she seemed to have grown tired of this one-sided oppression, and with her palace maids, she gracefully flew away like a proud peacock.

On the pavilion, Shen Tinghe withdrew her gaze, her expression calm and undisturbed.

Such scenes are nothing new in the palace.

Xie Jiayu had only taken a few steps when Xie Jiaran's voice came from behind her.

"Elder sister, you know perfectly well... Guan Yi doesn't like you at all."

Xie Jiayu paused, then turned around with a light laugh, as if she had heard something absurd: "You don't like me?"

She raised an eyebrow, her bright face in the sunlight radiating an air of self-righteous pride.

"I have no interest in him, so what's the point of his affection? He only needs to remember that his legal wife is Princess Rou'an, and that's enough."

These words pierced Xie Jiaran's heart, hitting her most painful spot.

Her forbearance, concessions, and cherishing of that hazy affection were so insignificant in the other person's eyes, and even became a handle for ridicule.

"Does my elder sister really enjoy taking my things?"

"Rob?"

Xie Jiayu's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Xie Jiaran, you dare use that word?"

She approached step by step, and seeing that her younger sister, who had always been meek and obedient in front of her, dared to show defiance and hatred in her eyes, her anger flared up instantly, and she raised her hand to slap that pale face.

This girl is just like her lowly mother, who dares to take advantage of anyone who gives her a little attention!

However, just as her hand was about to strike, Xie Jiaran suddenly turned towards the artificial hill and pavilion, and curtsied deeply.

"Jia Ran greets Your Majesty."

Hsieh Chia-yu's arm froze in mid-air as she turned to look.

Shen Tinghe?

She was looking down at them quietly, her sky-blue dress fluttering in the wind, her face beautiful and her expression serene, exuding an unspoken dignity.

Xie Jiayu felt a chill run down her spine.

No matter how arrogant she was, she wouldn't dare to be presumptuous in front of Shen Tinghe.

She quickly withdrew her hand, forced a smile, and bowed in return: "Rou'an greets Your Majesty."

Shen Tinghe took in the situation of the two of them, her gaze lingering for a moment on Xie Jiaran, who seemed frightened and humble, and a trace of helplessness flashed through her heart.

Is she some kind of hot commodity? Why are so many people trying to use her influence to drag her down?

No need for formalities.

Her voice was languid, devoid of any discernible emotion, as if she had merely happened to pass by and witnessed an insignificant scene.

After saying this, she withdrew her gaze, took Qingxu's hand, turned around and walked gracefully down the stone steps of the pavilion, showing no intention of interfering in the quarrel between the sisters.

A look of astonishment and disbelief flashed in Xie Jiaran's eyes.

In her hazy childhood memories, Shen Tinghe... shouldn't be like this.

That pampered princess, who was said to have an excellent temperament, is now the Crown Princess. How can she remain indifferent to such bullying?

She deliberately pointed out its existence, wasn't she just expecting that the other party would at least say something to stop it?

Xie Jiayu gave a soft chuckle.

After Shen Tinghe's figure disappeared behind the artificial hill, she suddenly turned around and unleashed the slap she had been holding back for so long.

"Snapped!"

Xie Jiaran was knocked to the side by the blow, and her cheek quickly swelled up and burned with pain.

Xie Jiayu grabbed her chin, forcing her to lift her face, coldly enjoying the humiliation and tears in her eyes: "Trying to use her? Xie Jiaran, you're such a fool!"

She leaned closer, her tone filled with undisguised sarcasm and warning.

"You should be glad that Shen Tinghe has never been one to meddle in other people's business. Otherwise, with your little scheme just now, if she had noticed and displeased you, she could have just casually mentioned it to your elder brother, the Crown Prince, and you wouldn't even know how you died."

Xie Jiayu shook off her hand as if she had touched something dirty, and took out a handkerchief to wipe her fingertips.

"Remember your place, behave yourself, and perhaps there will still be a way out."

She left with those cold words, no longer looking at Xie Jiaran who stood there dumbfounded, her face ashen, and strode away with her maids.

Xie Jiayu was naturally envious and jealous of Shen Tinghe, but it was precisely because she had a brief encounter with Shen Tinghe when she was young that she had a deeper understanding of her.

She knew how much her cold and domineering elder brother cared for Shen Tinghe; to touch him would mean certain death.

Therefore, no matter how arrogant she is, she would never dare to cross this line.

Xie Jiaran was the only one left by the lotus pond.

My face burned with pain, and my heart was filled with icy hatred and humiliation.

She stared intently in the direction Shen Tinghe had left, then glanced at the path where Xie Jiayu had disappeared, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Why does everyone bully her? Is it because her mother is of low status and her maternal family has no support?

Even someone like Shen Tinghe, who seemed to be above the clouds and showered with love, turned out to be just like Xie Jiayu.

Their eyes are only on the high places, and they are stingy with even a shred of pity for the struggles of such a lowly person as her.

None of them are good things.

Shen Tinghe left the pavilion and slowly walked back along the stone path covered with green shade.

Qingxu, who was standing beside her, finally couldn't help but whisper, "The Fifth Princess still looks the same as before, always so preoccupied."

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe simply smiled faintly: "Living in the palace, without any support or imperial favor, one would find it difficult to even gain a foothold if one lacked cunning and deep scheming. Her mother's situation was like walking on thin ice, so naturally she would have taught her these survival skills early on."

Her tone was calm, without much praise or criticism, more like stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

His Majesty's offspring are not numerous, with four sons and two daughters.

Aside from Crown Prince Xie Yanzhao, the only people Shen Tinghe had known since childhood were Xie Xuancheng and Xie Jiayu.

The fourth prince, Xie Xuanke, was born to Consort Yun. He was born with a weak constitution and spent most of his time recuperating in the deep palace, rarely appearing in public.

The sixth prince, Xie Xuanning, was born to a palace maid named Mei, who did not even have a proper rank and whose face was covered with large red birthmarks.

He was an accidental encounter after His Majesty got drunk, but because His Majesty disliked his mother's appearance, even though she gave birth to a prince, the two of them were still forgotten in the most remote corner of the palace, and their situation was miserable.

As for the Fifth Princess Xie Jia Ran, her mother, Consort An, was of low rank, and her family was insignificant. In the deep palace, where snobbish people gathered, she lived a cautious and humble life.

These people's life trajectories are like parallel lines to Shen Tinghe's, almost never intersecting.

Compared to Xie Jiaran, Xie Jiayu, though spoiled and willful, was more approachable to Shen Tinghe because she wore her heart on her sleeve and her thoughts were clearly written on her face.

Xie Jia Ran fought back tears as she returned to the secluded side hall of the palace where she and her mother were temporarily residing—Lan Chi Hall.

As soon as she stepped into the room, she rushed to the square table by the window, and suppressed sobs finally escaped her lips intermittently.

An Cairen was doing needlework when she saw this. She quickly put down her work and hurried to her daughter's side, her eyes full of worry and heartache.

"Ran'er, what's wrong? You were fine when you went out, who upset you?"

Xie Jiaran lifted her tear-streaked face and threw herself into her mother's thin but warm embrace, her voice broken and shattered.