The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Xie Yanzhao bestowed rewards upon the top three finishers.

Shen Chengzhou obtained a sharp and exquisite dagger, with a blade as smooth as an autumn chest and a handle inlaid with warm jade.

He stroked the delicate cloud patterns on the scabbard, a smile flickering in his eyes.

Xie Yanzhao stood on the high platform, his black robes billowing sharply in the wind.

His gaze swept over the crowd below, and his voice was deep and resonant: "You are all fine sons of our Great Zhao. Martial arts and hunting are essential for national prosperity. I hope you will remain steadfast in your efforts to safeguard our land. Tonight, a bonfire feast will be held in the camp. You may enjoy yourselves to the fullest before you depart."

A unified shout immediately rang out from all directions: "Martial arts bring prosperity to the nation, glorify our Great Zhao!"

The sound was like a surging tide, startling several birds flying in the forest.

After the ceremony, Xie Yanzhao returned directly to the main tent.

As soon as the curtain was lifted, Shen Tinghe was seen sitting at the table, holding a porcelain bowl and sipping soup, chatting and laughing softly with Qingyu and Qingxu beside her.

Xie Yanzhao took the damp cloth handed to him by the maid, slowly wiped his knuckles, waved to dismiss the others, and sat down beside her.

He reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his voice soft: "Are you feeling unwell today?"

"I don't feel uncomfortable."

Shen Tinghe shook her head and reached out to tug at his sleeve: "Qingyu just said that Azhou got third place in this year's hunting competition?"

Xie Yanzhao calmly hummed in agreement, then took the soup bowl from her hand, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to her lips.

"Yes, it's not bad."

Shen Tinghe drank it from his hand, her eyes crinkling with joy.

"As expected of my brother, he's really amazing. He's shown outstanding talent in horseback riding and archery since he was a child..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xie Yanzhao gently pressed a spoonful of soup to her lips.

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have complimented her earlier.

He put down the bowl, then suddenly pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Yuan Yuan, when I was fifteen, I had already won first place in the hunting competition twice."

Shen Tinghe was taken aback, then blinked: "Oh."

Xie Yanzhao remained silent, gazing at her quietly with deep eyes, like a still pool shrouded in mist.

Shen Tinghe couldn't help but chuckle at his gaze, finally bursting out with a "pfft" and gently pinching his cheek with her fingertips.

"Why would you even be jealous of this kind of vinegar?"

She leaned closer, her soft breath brushing against his ear.

"My husband has always been the most amazing in my heart; why should I compare him to others?"

The mist in Xie Yanzhao's eyes finally dissipated, and a clear smile appeared on his lips.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips, savoring the taste of her lips, his kiss deep and intense.

After a long while, Shen Tinghe pushed him away forcefully, her lips red and moist, and the corners of her eyes tinged with a blush.

"...You always kiss so hard, you're not allowed to kiss me anymore!"

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, his voice tinged with a lingering hoarseness.

"That's not up to you, Yuan Yuan."

He gently pecked her lips one soothing kiss after another, their faces very close, their breaths mingling.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and they could almost feel each other's heartbeats through their clothes.

"What's Yuan Yuan thinking? Her eyes are practically blazing with anger. Is she really upset?"

Shen Tinghe was about to scold him, but when she looked up, she saw his handsome and charming face and met his deep eyes.

Her eyes curved slightly at the corners, and her gaze was like water, reflecting her image so tenderly it was almost drownable.

"...You...you don't even try to comfort me."

She managed to squeeze out just that one sentence, her voice unconsciously lowering, carrying a hint of coquettishness that she herself didn't even realize.

Xie Yanzhao's large hand slowly caressed her lower back.

"Hasn't your brother been comforting you the whole time?"

Shen Tinghe turned her head away, pouting her lips: "You need to coax me more gently."

Xie Yanzhao's gaze fell on her slightly upturned lips, and his eyes darkened.

"Yuan Yuan should really see herself now. She's like a little fox, and a very seductive one at that."

Shen Tinghe turned back and glared at him, her eyes shimmering.

"If I were a fox, I would eat you first, so you wouldn't bully me."

"Eat me?"

Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow, then gently sucked on her lower lip.

"That's great, but... who eats whom is still uncertain."

Shen Tinghe's ears burned, and she wanted to say something, but his next kiss silenced all her voice.

It was a very gentle kiss, yet it still carried an absolute sense of possession and tenderness.

Shen Tinghe finally closed her eyes, her fingers unconsciously clenching the fabric of his shirt. Her little bit of temper melted away in this long and tender kiss.

On the third day of the autumn hunt, the forest was no longer as noisy as it had been the previous two days.

Large, ferocious beasts are becoming increasingly rare; now, it's mostly noble ladies and young men from aristocratic families who are not skilled in archery and horsemanship who are playing and shooting willows.

Shen Tinghe and Xie Yanzhao also came out.

She and Xie Yanzhao rode together on a jet-black steed, strolling slowly through the woods.

Xie Yanzhao's arm was loosely wrapped around her, his palm holding the reins.

Behind them, Jing Cang and Yuan Chi, along with several guards in black robes, maintained a respectful and vigilant distance.

"I must shoot the next arrow myself."

Shen Tinghe pouted slightly, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness.

Every arrow she shot today was guided by Xie Yanzhao from behind, who held her hand, drew the bow, aimed, and released the string. Every arrow hit its mark, but she always felt that something was missing—the joy of achieving it herself.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled: "Alright, whatever you say. But Yuan Yuan has to promise that if she misses, she won't take her anger out on her brother."

Shen Tinghe turned her head away from that annoying breath, her ears turning slightly red: "Hmph, I wouldn't be so unreasonable."

"What else does Yuan Yuan want to hunt today?"

Xie Yanzhao's voice was languid and indulgent.

"Palas tahrix!" Shen Tinghe's eyes lit up as she turned to look at him, her eyes filled with anticipation.

I want to keep one of those fluffy Pallas's cats.

"Okay," Xie Yanzhao agreed with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the somewhat empty surroundings.

"Let's venture deeper into the area; we'll definitely hunt something that Yuan Yuan is satisfied with."

As he spoke, he casually swung his left arm, which was around Shen Tinghe's waist, back slightly twice.

A guard at the rear of the procession understood, silently reined in his horse, and disappeared into another path in the blink of an eye.

Xie Yanzhao wasn't sure if there were still wild Pallas's cats in the hunting grounds that had been repeatedly cleared, but he never intended to disappoint his Yuan Yuan.

If not, he immediately sent someone to find it.

In short, he would give her whatever she wanted.

The deeper you go into the forest, the farther away the human voices become, and the quieter the surroundings become; even the chirping of birds becomes sparse.

After walking for a long time, we didn't see a single Pallas's rabbit, or even a squirrel.

Just as Shen Tinghe was about to complain, Xie Yanzhao suddenly tightened his arms around her and covered her mouth.

"Don't speak."

His deep voice rang in her ear, and the previous languor vanished, leaving only solemnity.

Almost simultaneously, the guards behind him also slowed their breathing and quietly placed their hands on their weapons.

The air seemed to freeze suddenly, spreading a faint, chilling danger belonging to iron and blood.

Shen Tinghe stiffened and instinctively shrank into the strong embrace behind her, her heart pounding.

"Don't be afraid."

A faint hint of mockery and coldness flashed across Xie Yanzhao's deep eyes.

Is he really that impatient? He originally thought he could play around for a while longer.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!"