The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

But just now, the Crown Princess walked towards Zhou Chenxi as if no one else was around, and bestowed such an amazing gift upon him in front of everyone. Her words and actions were full of protection and affection.

Where is there even the slightest hint of alienation?

She misunderstood.

A look of annoyance and renewed reconciliation flashed in the eyes of the Duchess of Rongguo.

Fang Xiyan watched Zhou Chenxi and Shen Tinghe walk away hand in hand, her eyes revealing a look of jealousy.

If she had known this would happen, she should have put more effort into getting closer to Shen Tinghe when she was still a young lady.

She suppressed the bitterness in her heart, turned around and took the arm of the Duchess of Rongguo beside her, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"Aunt, it's getting a bit too sunny. Let's go take a look under the shade over there."

The Duchess of Rongguo seemed not to hear, her gaze still fixed on the distance, her brows slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.

Fang Xiyan's hand stiffened, an awkward expression appearing on her face. She gently shook the other woman's arm, lowering her voice, "Aunt..."

Lady Rongguo then came to her senses and turned to give her a faint smile.

Fang Xiyan's heart tightened, and she clearly felt that her aunt's warmth towards her had quietly faded away.

At this moment, the Duchess of Rongguo was weighing the options repeatedly in her mind.

She used to dislike Zhou Chenxi somewhat, partly because she preferred her own niece to be her daughter-in-law, and partly because she had some disagreements with Zhou Chenxi's mother from years ago.

But the situation is different now.

Such deep affection for Shen Tinghe and the future Empress Dowager is enough to make all the petty grievances insignificant.

A daughter-in-law who can have such a profound impact—how could her contribution to the family be compared to her past selfishness?

It seems I should change my attitude towards Zhou Chenxi from now on.

On the other side, Shen Tinghe and Zhou Chenxi were walking towards the camp.

As I rounded a birch grove, I unexpectedly came across a lone figure walking alone.

Shen Tinghe did not recognize the person at first.

In just over six months, Ji Yunzhan seemed like a completely different person.

She used to have an indelible arrogance in her eyes, but now all that remains is a silent, gray desolation, and even the color of her clothes has dimmed.

Her whole being was like a pearl covered in dust, having lost its luster.

Their eyes met briefly in the air.

Shen Tinghe paused only slightly before calmly shifting her gaze, as if she had caught sight of an insignificant stranger.

Ji Yunzhan seemed to be nailed to the spot, her face burning, unable to move forward or backward.

What surged in my heart was belated regret and gnawing jealousy.

Just by looking at Shen Tinghe's pampered demeanor, her radiant cheeks, and her clear eyes, one could tell how well she was protected.

And what about myself...?

She simply lowered her head, gave a bitter laugh, and hurriedly turned back the way she came.

After the person had gone some distance, Shen Tinghe asked softly, "Just now... was that Ji Yunzhan?"

It's her.

Zhou Chenxi tightened his grip on her arm, his tone calm and unreadable.

To them now, Ji Yunzhan is a thing of the past, someone who is no longer of interest.

Shen Tinghe: "How did she become like this?"

There was no schadenfreude or excessive pity in Zhou Chenxi's words.

"She married into the Marquis of Wuyin's household and became Song Yisheng's wife. You've probably heard of Song Yisheng's reputation; he indulges in all sorts of vices, from eating and drinking to gambling and whoring. The title of Marquis of Wuyin will only be passed down to his father, and once the old Marquis passes away, he will be nothing more than a commoner."

She paused, lowering her voice even further: "That's not the worst part. Ji Yunzhan has no children to this day, and the Lady of Wuyin Marquis has somehow found Song Yisheng's illegitimate son, registered him under her name, and forced her to raise him as her legitimate son. This matter caused an uproar in the Marquis's mansion, and in the end, Ji Yunzhan gritted her teeth and accepted it. Her current situation... is truly pitiful, but thinking back to the past, it also makes one feel that it is a kind of karmic cycle."

Shen Tinghe's eyes widened slightly: "How do you know so much about such private matters within the household?"

Zhou Chenxi smiled and said, "Since you're in the palace, these kinds of messages naturally can't get in. This matter is no secret in the capital; it's a topic of conversation at banquets and tea parties everywhere."

After hearing this, Shen Tinghe simply said "Oh" and moved on from the topic.

Before long, the hunting party returned.

Qi Lu found Zhou Chenxi's tent and whispered, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, has returned and is looking for you."

Shen Tinghe and Zhou Chenxi bid each other farewell with smiles. When they lifted the curtain and stepped out, dusk was already gradually spreading across the horizon.

She returned to the main tent, where a maid lifted the curtain.

On the carpet inside the tent, there was a cage woven from bamboo and silver thread.

A flame-like shadow in the cage stirred.

It's a fox.

Its entire body is crimson like maple leaves, its fur is beautiful and eye-catching, and its fluffy long tail is like a cloud or a piece of satin.

What's most captivating are her eyes; the amber pupils reflect the flickering candlelight, alert yet clear-eyed.

Shen Tinghe's breath hitched, and she involuntarily took a few steps closer, crouching down in front of the cage: "My God...it's so beautiful."

Xie Yanzhao emerged from behind the screen, now dressed in a moon-white robe, his dark hair loosely tied up, exuding a refreshing aura from his bath.

He quietly approached, wrapped his arms around Shen Tinghe's waist from behind, and gently pressed his chin against her temple: "Do you like it?"

Shen Tinghe naturally placed her hand on the back of his hand: "I love it so much... Can I hug it?"

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, his warm breath brushing against her ear:

"Not now. It has an arrow wound in its leg and is still wild. It will only be friendly with you after the animal trainer has tamed it."

"Does Yuan Yuan want to keep it, or just want its fur?"

"Of course we'll keep them!" Shen Tinghe turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling.

"How could we bear to harm such a spiritual being?"

"it is good."

Xie Yanzhao smiled and turned her around with a slight effort, then lowered his head to gently touch her forehead with his.

"Then Yuan Yuan...how should she thank me?"

Shen Tinghe blinked, deliberately pursed her lips, and showed a slightly aggrieved expression: "Ah, if my brother gives me a gift, do I have to get a reward too?"

"Quick-witted." Xie Yanzhao pinched the tip of her nose, but his eyes suddenly darkened.

Before she could say anything more, he had already picked her up and carried her horizontally.

Shen Tinghe gasped softly, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, her cheeks flushed: "You promised me..."

Before setting off on the autumn hunt, she made a pact with him: their camps were adjacent, and with many eyes and ears around, they must not be intimate with each other.

Recalling those passionate nights before leaving the palace, she buried her face in his shoulder in embarrassment, her voice growing softer.

"I clearly... I clearly spoiled you so much before we left."

Xie Yanzhao walked steadily into the inner room, the candlelight in the tent casting a long shadow of him, swaying and falling on the felt carpet.

"It's all because Yuan Yuan is too addictive."

Xie Yanzhao's voice was slightly hoarse, as if it contained countless unfinished sighs.

Shen Tinghe was both annoyed and embarrassed, clutching his collar and muttering softly, "It was clearly my brother himself..."

A thick fox fur was spread on the couch. Xie Yanzhao put her down, but did not leave. Instead, he bent down and wrapped her completely in his arms.

The kiss landed, as light as a feather, yet gradually deepened, swallowing up all her subtle protests in its gentle embrace.