The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

That panicked, futile attempt to cover up the truth was more convincing than any argument.

The tent was deathly silent, then a low murmur of discussion arose.

By this point, everyone present already knew the truth.

Ji Yunzhan hurriedly denied it: "No, I...I..."

Xie Yanzhao had lost patience with her explanations. His gaze was as cold as a blade as he gave the order directly:

"The Ji family murdered their husband; the evidence is irrefutable, and they are sentenced to death. Guan Yi abused his power and fabricated evidence to frame the royal family; his crime is the same..."

"Royal brother," Xie Jiayu suddenly interrupted, taking a step forward.

"Guan Yi, my fiancé, colluded with others to frame me. Should I personally deal with such a treacherous person?"

Xie Yanzhao glanced at her sideways. Her eyes burned with ruthlessness and determination, vaguely revealing the fierceness inherent in the Xie family.

We never show mercy to those who are disloyal.

He nodded slightly: "Approved."

Ji Yunzhan collapsed to the ground, and when she heard the word "death penalty," the last glimmer of light in her eyes was completely extinguished.

Why... why is it that every time she's just one step away from success, someone from the Shen family always appears and destroys everything she has!

She slowly turned her eyes, her gaze fixed on Shen Tinghe who stood quietly to the side, her eyes filled with a venomous hatred.

Anyway, she couldn't escape, and before she died, she was determined to tear off Shen Tinghe's elegant and dignified facade!

Shen Tinghe was not a simple person either, considering what happened at the Duke of Changguo's mansion back then.

Ji Yunzhan suddenly pointed at Shen Tinghe, her voice shrill: "What gives you the right to be so high and mighty? What kind of good person are you! (The rest of the text is cut off.)"

"presumptuous!"

Before he finished speaking, Xie Yanzhao's eyes turned cold, and he casually picked up a hard fruit from the table and flicked it with his fingertips.

"Ugh!"

The fruit shot out and struck Ji Yunzhan's throat hard!

She immediately clutched her neck, the excruciating pain causing tears to well up in her eyes, and her subsequent words turned into broken sobs.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger!"

The entire tent was filled with people who knelt down in a rush, holding their breath and bowing their heads, none daring to provoke the Crown Prince.

"The Ji family insulted the Crown Princess and was torn apart by five horses as a warning to others. The Marquis of Wuyin's family was stripped of his title and the entire clan was exiled a thousand miles away. Except for the Grand Tutor, all members of the Ji family were sent to be enslaved and never pardoned."

"No...no...!" Ji Yunzhan collapsed to the ground, then suddenly threw her head back and laughed maniacally and shrilly.

"Fine...fine! Die...die with me...!"

The Ji family, the Song family... those who drove her to her death, none of them will get away with it!

Inside the tent, the relatives of the Ji and Song families were already pale with fright, and cries of wailing and begging for mercy suddenly rose up.

"Your Highness, have mercy! Your Highness, spare my life—!"

The guards quickly stepped forward and dragged all the crying and struggling people out of the tent.

In the midst of the oppressive atmosphere, Shen Tinghe gently reached out and grasped Xie Yanzhao's hand, which was hanging by his side.

She looked up at him, smiled slightly, and silently comforted him.

Xie Yanzhao gripped her hand tightly, said nothing, and led her straight out of the tent.

Back in the main tent, the curtains were drawn, isolating them from the outside world.

Xie Yanzhao pulled Shen Tinghe into a tight embrace: "Were you frightened just now?"

Shen Tinghe gently shook her head in his arms, her cheek obediently pressed against his chest.

"no."

Unbeknownst to her, Xie Yanzhao's gaze was as deep as the night, with an unyielding killing intent surging within his eyes.

Dismemberment by five horses... that's too lenient on that woman.

No one dared to try to harm Yuan Yuan in front of him.

This has never happened before, and it will never be allowed again.

Shen Tinghe tilted her head back, her voice soft with weariness: "I'm sleepy..."

It was already late at night. After watching the excitement, the novelty wore off, and sleepiness washed over me like a tide.

Xie Yanzhao didn't say anything, but simply picked her up and carried her to the bedside, gently setting her down.

The quilt was soft, but instead of coaxing her to sleep as usual, he held her tightly in his arms.

His fingertips brushed her cheeks, and his kisses landed lightly on her brow and the tip of her nose. His palms massaged her back with a force that was both irresistible and clingy.

Disturbed by his presence, Shen Tinghe couldn't help but push his shoulder, her voice soft and slightly tearful with grievance: "What are you doing... bullying me..."

Xie Yanzhao: "Jiaojiao always turns the tables. This isn't bullying; it's clearly affection."

His actions became increasingly audacious.

Shen Tinghe became even more anxious, burying her face in his clothes, her voice muffled: "It was Ji Yunzhan who made you angry... why are you taking it out on me..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Yanzhao stopped moving.

The tent suddenly fell silent, with only the occasional crackling of the candle wick.

He stepped back slightly and looked down at her.

His gaze was deep and unfathomable, like a bottomless pool at night.

Shen Tinghe felt her heart tighten under his gaze. Before she could say anything more, he suddenly turned her over and gave her two light pats on the buttocks.

"Slap, slap."

Two crisp sounds, particularly distinct in the silence.

Shen Tinghe trembled as she heard his voice coming from above her head, but she couldn't discern any emotion in it.

"In Yuan Yuan's eyes, am I just a stupid idiot who can't tell who's who and throws tantrums randomly?"

He used the word "lonely".

Shen Tinghe shrank back, realizing that he was genuinely annoyed.

She quickly turned around and hugged his neck tightly, pressing her whole body against him, her voice so soft it could melt water: "Brother... I was wrong, please don't hit me..."

His palm was still pressed against that spot, the warmth seeping through the fabric, making it slightly hot.

Xie Yanzhao pinched her chin, forcing her to raise her face, and asked slowly and deliberately.

"If we made a mistake, what should we do?"

Shen Tinghe pouted, her eyes slightly reddening.

But she still slowly climbed up, tilted her face up, and gently kissed his lips.

Xie Yanzhao tightened his grip on her slender waist, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

After Shen Tinghe stepped back, she leaned on his shoulder, breathing heavily, her eyelashes wet, as if she had really been bullied badly.

Xie Yanzhao's fingertips caressed the soft flesh of her waist, his voice low and seductive: "Jiaojiao, this isn't enough."

She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, and said reproachfully, "You're so annoying!"

Despite saying that, she still leaned in again and obediently kissed him even more deeply.

Her tongue timidly peeked out, only to be calmly taken into his mouth, and he took the initiative.

Shen Tinghe was practically pampered and raised in his palm.

She could act spoiled and throw tantrums in front of him all she wanted, but once he really frowned, she couldn't hide the fear in her heart.

Xie Yanzhao let out a soft chuckle, pulled her back into his arms, kissed her cheek and then her earlobe, and whispered, "Little coward."

Shen Tinghe felt weak all over, feeling both wronged and ashamed, her voice trembling: "I...I'm really going to get angry..."

"Is that so?" Xie Yanzhao's palm slowly moved down her back, his voice tinged with mockery.

"But Jiaojiao is so soft and delicate, how come I can't feel anything at all, brother?"

After playing around for a while, Shen Tinghe was so sleepy that she couldn't keep her eyes open. No matter how much he rubbed and kissed her, she couldn't stay awake and her consciousness was fading.

Finally, she lay drowsily in his arms, her breathing gradually even, and she fell asleep.

The tent fell completely silent.