The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Xie Yanzhao wanted everyone to see that she was not only the precious pearl he had kept hidden in the Eastern Palace, but also a woman who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him between heaven and earth.

"Brother...I'm sleepy." Shen Tinghe had put down her storybook at some point, turned around and hugged his neck affectionately, her voice soft and sweet.

Xie Yanzhao held her waist firmly, letting her move as she pleased.

Her eyelashes cast a soft shadow under her eyes, and every inch of her skin radiated a lustrous glow from the pampering he had given her.

Xie Yanzhao's eyes softened like spring water.

His Yuan Yuan is always like a kitten; every lazy little movement tickles his heart.

Once she found a comfortable position to lie down, Xie Yanzhao lowered his head and nuzzled her cheek: "Go to sleep."

Shen Tinghe rested her head on his shoulder, her breathing gradually becoming even and long.

Xie Yanzhao gently patted her back, as tenderly as if soothing a baby.

I went to bed late last night and practiced archery for most of the day today, so I really should be sleepy.

The person in his arms had already fallen asleep, but Xie Yanzhao was wide awake.

He had thought that marriage would alleviate his sleepless nights of longing.

Little did he know that beneath the red curtains, every unconscious whisper of hers and every time she nestled close in her sleep only fueled his desire.

Xie Yanzhao looked down at her sleeping profile, his fingertips lightly brushing across her still slightly red palm.

"Hang in there for a few more days, Yuan Yuan. On the day of the autumn hunt, you will be the most dazzling phoenix in the entire arena."

He would stand beside her, take her hand, and together they would draw their longbows and shoot into the sky.

Xie Yanzhao held the person in his arms even tighter, wanting her to shine, yet also not wanting her beauty to be discovered by others.

This conflicted feeling will likely accompany him for the rest of his life.

On September 18th, frost covered the forests.

The Great Zhao Dynasty was founded on military strength; its former emperor had won the empire on horseback.

Despite the passage of decades, the spirit of war and conquest remains; the Autumn Hunting Ceremony has never been just a men's event.

The daughters of military families who once guarded the border with their fathers and brothers, and the heroines who left their names in history, brought a romantic atmosphere to this hunting grounds, with women in red riding horses.

This year's autumn hunt is particularly different.

His Majesty suddenly fell ill three days ago and is now bedridden. Therefore, the important task of presiding over the ceremony has fallen on the shoulders of Crown Prince Xie Yanzhao.

As the imperial procession of bright yellow ceremonial guards marched out of the imperial city, countless pairs of eyes exchanged meaningful glances in the shadows.

The spot under the Kowloon Umbrella may soon change hands.

On the northern slope of the hunting grounds, the sky is high and the land is vast.

The sound of horns echoed from the distant mountains, deep and desolate, startling crows into flight.

The nine-dragon umbrella is held high, and the bright yellow tassels flutter in the wind.

Beneath the umbrella, Xie Yanzhao wore a black-and-gold embroidered prince's court robe, the twelve symbols of imperial authority shimmering in the autumn sun.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and when his gaze swept across the boundless grassland before him, he exuded an understated majesty.

Shen Tinghe stood beside him.

She was wearing a modified version of the Crown Princess's court dress.

No longer in elaborate palace attire, but in a black, fitted outfit covered by a crimson riding and archery robe, with phoenixes embroidered in gold thread poised to take flight, and her long hair tied up in a high bun, secured only by a jade hairpin.

This attire is both in accordance with etiquette and allows for easy riding.

On the left and right sides, princes and high-ranking officials in crimson and purple brocade robes stood with their reins in hand, while black-armored generals stood solemnly in formation.

Further on, riding outfits in crimson, dark blue, pale yellow, and snow white spread out like a colorful brocade.

Those were the women from various households.

Unlike previous years, this year they stood closer to the center, and many people's gazes were fixed not on the depths of the hunting grounds, but on the red-clad Crown Princess.

Xie Yanzhao grasped Shen Tinghe's hand and led her three steps forward.

"Autumn is high and the horses are fat; bows and arrows are ready."

Xie Yanzhao's voice was not loud, but it clearly resonated in the wind.

"Following ancestral traditions, we will hold the Autumn Hunt Ceremony. I wish to share with you all this: Peace is achieved through archery and horsemanship, and national security comes from sharpening one's blade!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch stepped forward to offer wine.

Xie Yanzhao took a cup first, raised it high to the sky: "The first cup is to Heaven and Earth—to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests!"

"The second cup is offered to our ancestors—to commemorate the hardships and difficulties they faced in expanding our territory!"

"The third toast is to our soldiers—may every arrow hit its mark, and may our victory songs resound forever!"

Three cups finished.

At this moment, the guard presented a longbow.

This is the most crucial ceremony of the grand event.

The first arrow of the hunt.

According to tradition, the emperor or crown prince should shoot the arrow alone.

But at this moment, Xie Yanzhao took the bow and turned to face Shen Tinghe.

He took her right hand, gently placed the bow handle in her palm, then wrapped his arms around her from behind, covering the back of her hands with his own.

This gesture is as intimate as an embrace, yet as solemn as a ceremony.

"Yuan Yuan, look ahead." He whispered in her ear, his breath brushing against her temple.

Shen Tinghe focused his mind and drew the string.

His strength steadily supported her movements, and the two forces merged into one.

"call out--"

The sound of something cutting through the air was sharp as a whistle. In the distance, a lone goose that had been soaring across the sky landed in response to the sound.

Immediately, the eunuch's drawn-out voice rang out: "Open the—siege—!"

The heavy gates at the four corners of the city—east, west, south, and north—suddenly burst open.

The earth began to tremble, and a muffled, thunderous thud of hooves rose from the depths of the earth. Deer, gazelles, foxes, and rabbits scattered and fled...

Smoke and dust billowed into the sky, and the smell of grass and soil filled the air. The entire hunting ground was instantly swept up by primal wildness and vitality.

Xie Yanzhao released his grip, but did not let go of Shen Tinghe.

He turned his head to look at the woman in red beside him, a smile playing on his lips in a way only she could see.

"It has begun, Crown Princess."

Under the umbrella, their figures standing side by side were deeply etched into the eyes of everyone present.

The Autumn Hunting Ceremony has officially begun.

The afterglow of the opening ceremony still lingered over the hunting grounds, and the real hunt would begin after noon.

Inside the main tent, the charcoal fire dispelled the chill of early autumn.

Xie Yanzhao had changed out of his solemn court robes and into a set of light black armor.

The armor plates were not as thick as those on the battlefield, but rather made of soft steel that had been skillfully hammered and forged, conforming to the upright figure, with dark gold cloud patterns inlaid on the shoulders and wrist guards.

His dark hair was tied up high, and a sword and bow quiver hung from his waist belt. He had shed the majesty under the umbrella, but gained a sharp edge like a general on the battlefield.

Shen Tinghe, who was sitting in front of the bronze mirror combing her long hair, stopped when she saw his outfit in the mirror.

She put down the jade comb, got up and walked over, snuggling into his arms: "Husband, you look so good in this."

Her voice was soft and sweet, like melted honey.

Xie Yanzhao narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile spreading across them.

His Yuan Yuan usually calls him "brother, brother," but when she calls him "husband" so formally, it's usually because she needs something from him.

Or... like right now, my heartstrings are touched by certain aspects of him.

He put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him: "Yuan Yuan is still a little pervert."

His deep voice carried a hint of mockery, yet his fingertips affectionately pinched her flushed cheeks.

Shen Tinghe didn't refute, but instead stood on tiptoe, pouted her soft lips, and took the initiative to lean in.

Those eyes, which always held a deep, clear look of autumn water, were now brimming with bright affection and joy.

Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened, his breathing became slightly heavier, and he lowered his head to seize the sweetness offered to him.