The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The kiss started as a playful response, but quickly turned into a deep and passionate embrace, with the two kissing passionately.

He held her lower lip in his mouth and gently sucked on it, his tongue tasting the lingering fragrance of the plum blossom wine she had drunk earlier.

Shen Tinghe's legs went weak from his kiss, and she instinctively tried to back away, but Xie Yanzhao grabbed the back of her neck with one hand and lifted her off the ground with the other.

She gasped softly, her arms instinctively tightening around his neck.

This position completely put her under his control, forcing her to endure his increasingly deep kisses.

The cold edge of the armor pressed against her soft body, the contrast of cold and heat sending a shiver down her spine.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Yanzhao finally separated from her slightly, panting, and then reluctantly pecked her swollen lips before gently placing her back on the ground.

Shen Tinghe leaned against his chest, breathing slightly heavily, her eyelashes wet and her cheeks flushed.

She paused for a moment before tilting her head back and saying sweetly, "Brother, you've kissed me for so long, you must hunt down the best one for me."

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, tracing the corner of her moist lips with his fingertips.

"What does Yuan Yuan want? A fox, a wolf, or... a headhunting tiger, with its skin spread out in front of our bed?"

"If you want it, your brother will definitely find it for you."

"I don't know either. Anyway... it has to be the most impressive and the most special."

Shen Tinghe said honestly, his fingers unconsciously playing with the buckle on his belt.

"Okay." Xie Yanzhao agreed, then gave a serious instruction.

"Stay in your tent today and don't wander off. Although there are guards outside, the wild beasts haven't been cleared out on the first day, so it's still not safe."

"Mm." Shen Tinghe nodded.

She knows the rules and is also aware of her own abilities.

The first few days are a true contest of skill and bravery among the archers. Once the large, ferocious beasts have been mostly cleared out, it will be time for these noble ladies to go hunting together, shooting rabbits and deer for fun.

Xie Yanzhao hugged her for a while longer, his chin rubbing against the top of her head, inhaling the familiar warm scent emanating from her.

He was reminded that the time had come by the faint neighing of horses and the clanging of armor coming from outside the tent.

The two walked out of the tent hand in hand.

Outside the tent, the autumn sun was blazing.

Dozens of riders were already fully equipped and ready to go. The black-armored guards, military officers, and several other young men and women from military families who had also changed into riding attire were all reining in their horses and waiting quietly.

In the distance, faint sounds of laughter and conversation could be heard from the women's encampment.

Eunuchs and palace maids have already begun setting up tea ceremonies and archery targets for those not participating in the first day of the hunt.

Xie Yanzhao mounted his horse with swift and agile movements.

The jet-black steed "Jingyu" raised its head and neighed, its front hooves lightly pawing the ground.

He sat on his horse and glanced back at Shen Tinghe, who was still standing in front of the tent.

She stood before the bright yellow curtains, dressed in red, and smiled at him, waving vigorously.

Xie Yanzhao smiled slightly, then turned around to face the vast hunting ground.

He raised his riding whip, drawing a sharp arc in the air.

"drive!"

With a clear shout, the black horse shot out like an arrow.

The next moment, dozens of riders started moving at the same time, their hooves rolling across the earth like muffled thunder, kicking up clouds of dust, and roaring away into the depths of the jungle.

After the hunting party left, most of the people remaining in the camp were women.

The tea ceremony was set up under several interconnected open canopies, with brocade cushions on the floor and seasonal fresh fruits and exquisite tea snacks on low tables.

Shen Tinghe changed into a relatively simple rouge-red casual outfit, her long hair styled into a lazy, updo, with a pearl hairpin tucked into her hair.

As she walked over, supported by her maid, the previously quiet conversation instantly fell silent.

The banquet was attended mostly by young noble ladies and wives from various households, dressed in fine clothes and adorned with pearls and jade, their hair fragrant and elegant.

Upon seeing her, everyone rose in unison, curtsied, and said, "Greetings, Crown Princess."

"Get up." Shen Tinghe's voice was gentle, but her gaze had already swept across the entire room.

My mother and maternal grandmother must have had a separate tea ceremony with several members of the royal family, not here.

Her gaze swept over several eager faces that tried to approach her, finally settling on a slightly off-center spot.

Zhou Chenxi sat alone at a table, and following her gaze, Shen Tinghe saw Lady Qi, the wife of the Duke of Rongguo, chatting and laughing not far away.

The elegant lady was affectionately arm in arm with a young girl in pink, who was Fang Xiyan, the eldest daughter of the Fang family.

The future mother-in-law and another woman were chatting and laughing, which made the lonely figure sitting there seem particularly desolate.

A hint of coldness flashed across Shen Tinghe's eyes.

She ignored the smiling ladies who came to greet her and walked straight towards Zhou Chenxi, calling out in a clear voice...

"A-Xi".

Upon hearing the voice, Zhou Chenxi looked up, her eyes instantly lighting up, and she hurriedly tried to stand up and bow.

"Greetings, Crown Princess..."

Shen Tinghe had already taken her arm: "It's been a while, Axi, you've lost weight again?"

Her tone was concerned, but her fingertips gently squeezed her friend's wrist.

She's definitely gotten a bit plumper.

Zhou Chenxi almost couldn't help but laugh.

She tried to keep a straight face and lowered her eyes, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Shen Tinghe's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, and she said in a whisper that only the two of them could hear, "Hold on, I'll back you up."

Then, she raised her voice, loud enough for everyone around her to hear clearly.

"I just remembered that your birthday is next month. A few days ago, Your Highness received two ruby ​​pearls from the South China Sea. They are the size of pigeon eggs and can illuminate a room at night. I know that you are afraid of the dark, so I have had someone select the best one and send it to your residence on your birthday."

As soon as he finished speaking, a suppressed gasp filled the air.

The luminous pearl was already a rare treasure; many of the noble ladies present might not even have seen an ordinary one.

And a ruby ​​luminous pearl? What brilliance that must be!

His Highness the Crown Prince casually gifted such a precious treasure to the Crown Princess for her to play with, and the Crown Princess then turned around and gave it to a close friend, as if it were just a hairpin.

Countless gazes were fixed on Zhou Chenxi, filled with admiration, curiosity, and speculation...

Zhou Chenxi was also taken aback for a moment, then solemnly curtsied and said, "This subject thanks the Crown Princess for her generous gift."

There's no need for thanks between us.

Shen Tinghe smiled warmly, her gaze casually sweeping over the Rongguo Duke's wife and Miss Fang, whose expressions had slightly changed not far away, her tone becoming increasingly gentle.

"Come, let's sit in your tent. The other day, the Imperial Clothing Bureau sent over a batch of new velvet flowers. Could you help me see which ones suit you?"

As they talked, the two walked intimately toward the women's quarters.

Wherever they went, people made way and bowed, but their eyes followed the two figures side by side.

Once the two had walked away, their whispers spread like a tide:

"I've heard that Miss Zhou and the Crown Princess are childhood friends, and it seems it's true..."

"More than that! Giving away such a precious gift so readily, even sisters wouldn't do that."

"The Duchess of Rongguo was just leaving Miss Zhou hanging, but now..."

"Shh—keep your voice down. But then again, with the Crown Princess as her backer, who would dare to look down on Miss Zhou?"

At the edge of the crowd, Lady Qi, the wife of the Duke of Rongguo, had a face that alternated between red and white.

She naturally knew that the Zhou family's daughter and the Crown Princess were close friends, but ever since Shen Tinghe entered the Eastern Palace, she had secretly pondered...

In the wealthy and powerful imperial family, even the deepest affections between women in the inner palace can gradually fade away over time; this is only natural.