The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The interior was warm, with a subtle blend of medicinal and calming scents.

Xie Yanzhao leaned against the headboard with a soft pillow behind his back.

He wore only a loose, plain white undergarment, the collar slightly loose, and his dark hair was unbound, falling loosely over his shoulders.

Shen Tinghe leaned against him, in a completely dependent posture.

She was practically nestled in his arms, one arm wrapped around Xie Yanzhao's waist, her cheek pressed against his chest, fast asleep.

Occasionally, when she furrows her brow slightly in her sleep, she will immediately receive a soothing touch from his fingertips.

Xie Yanzhao's hands loosely encircled her shoulders and back, stroking her long, loose hair intermittently.

His gaze lingered most of the time on her peaceful sleeping face, or on her hands wrapped in fine cloth, his eyes sometimes filled with tenderness, sometimes with darkness.

Outside, Jing Cang's extremely low voice, barely audible, came through the heavy tent.

"The letter has been delivered to the western tent without any obstruction, and they accepted it."

Immediately following was Yuan Chi's voice.

"The unrest in the army has been investigated and found to be mainly caused by General Zhang Cong stirring up trouble and spreading rumors. The spies sent to Xingzhou have also sent back secret reports that the Prince of Qi has indeed been making unusual moves recently. His 10,000 elite troops are frequently reorganizing and there are obvious signs of mobilization. It is now semi-public."

Inside the tent, Xie Yanzhao leaned against a soft cushion, holding the soundly sleeping Shen Tinghe in his arms. As he listened to the reports, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, and his voice was soft yet laced with biting sarcasm.

"He naturally thought that I was doomed to die this time."

His grandfather, the founding emperor of the Great Zhao Dynasty, was revered by all for his civil and military achievements.

But in Xie Yanzhao's view, this was the only decision his brilliant grandfather made in his later years that could be described as foolish.

Because he felt guilty towards his son, the King of Qi, he issued a special decree before his death allowing him to raise 10,000 private soldiers.

This imperial edict, like a sharp blade buried beside His Majesty's bed, was a huge provocation to the imperial power of future generations.

His father was kind and gentle, and for many years he had been lenient with his uncle, who held great military power.

But Xie Yanzhao was different.

He was designated as the crown prince at a young age, and all his learning and experience were about how to govern this vast country and how to eliminate all hidden dangers.

If this restless imperial uncle dies, those 10,000 elite troops should naturally return to the court and be under his command.

Before his thoughts could even process it, Xie Yanzhao had already given the order in a deep voice.

"As for Xingzhou, there's no need to alert them yet. With General Ye keeping them in check, the Prince of Qi won't dare to act rashly. Gu He."

"Your subject is here," another steady male voice replied from outside.

"The chaos in the army is entirely your responsibility. Zhang Cong has betrayed his lord; you should understand what to do. Don't disappoint me."

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will tear this traitor and his accomplices to pieces!"

Zhang Cong, who had once served under him, secretly defected to the Prince of Cheng. This was not only a betrayal of the Crown Prince, but also a severe slap in his face.

Xie Yanzhao then whispered a few more instructions regarding the follow-up arrangements, evidence collection, and possible political shifts in the court. His instructions were clear, logical, and meticulous.

After everything was explained, he said, "Go down and proceed according to plan."

"Yes."

The footsteps outside faded away, and silence returned.

Xie Yanzhao put down the secret report in his hand, a deep and cold light flashing in his eyes, like a beast lurking in the dark night, quietly waiting for its prey to step into the trap.

Tomorrow, those restless, scrambling "ants" will start to emerge one by one.

His thoughts drifted away from the cold, calculating power struggles. He lowered his eyes, and when his gaze fell upon the person in his arms, all the chill and sharpness transformed into doting affection and tenderness.

Shen Tinghe was only wearing a silk nightgown.

Because of his sleeping posture and his subtle movements just now, his clothes were slightly loose, and his collar was slightly open, revealing a small section of his delicate collarbone and some smooth skin.

Xie Yanzhao's fingertips lingered on her long, flowing hair, his gaze tracing her sleeping face.

With his lover in his arms, so unguarded and affectionate, his heart overflowed with tenderness, yet another surge of warmth quietly stirred within him.

These past two days, Shen Tinghe has been unusually clingy to him, almost never leaving his side.

Although Xie Yanzhao's arrow wound in his back had not fully healed, he had received the best medicine, and given his good physical condition, he was already able to move around.

However, to put her at ease, he stayed with her in the small room and did not step out.

All matters shall be handled outside, just as they were just now.

At this moment, with a warm and soft woman in his arms, and her scent filling his breath, Xie Yanzhao was indeed finding it difficult to control himself.

He lowered his head and gently kissed the top of her head, then followed her forehead, showering her cheeks and ears with kisses.

His hands, through the thin nightgown, gently roamed over her body, filled with boundless affection and tenderness.

Shen Tinghe was fast asleep when the constant, subtle disturbances made her uneasy, and she groaned a few times in her sleep.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes, just awakened, were misty with tears, carrying a sense of bewilderment and languid charm.

Upon seeing that it was him, her little mouth unconsciously pouted, her voice soft and sweet, like a kitten that had been tickled and was feeling annoyed.

"Ugh... I hate it..."

She said she hated it, but her body betrayed her by pressing herself even closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and almost embedding herself entirely in his embrace.

Shen Tinghe was still sleepy, and subconsciously adjusted her posture, straddling his waist and abdomen in a half-dreaming and half-awake state.

She buried her face deep into his neck and rubbed against him, as if she still wanted to sleep.

Xie Yanzhao's heart melted at her completely dependent and incredibly charming actions.

The fleeting, romantic thoughts she had just had were replaced by a deeper affection.

His large hands supported the back of her head and waist, afraid she would slip down. At the same time, he turned his head and gently touched the tip of her ear with his lips, coaxing her softly.

"I can't sleep anymore. Otherwise I won't be able to sleep tonight."

Shen Tinghe lay on Xie Yanzhao's chest, her eyelids half-open, her whole body limp, as if she had not yet completely emerged from her dream.

Xie Yanzhao looked down at her, his heart softening completely. He gently brushed away the slightly messy strands of hair on her cheek with his fingertips, his voice low and soft.

"Why are you being so well-behaved?"

Before he could finish speaking, he had already lifted her chin and kissed her.

The moment their lips touched, a warm sensation enveloped them.

He took those two soft, rosy lips into his mouth and gently sucked on them, then probed deeper, hooking her tongue around his and entwining it tenderly.

His breathing grew heavier, and the kiss gradually became moist and forceful.

Shen Tinghe unconsciously hummed softly, her fingers clenching the fabric of his chest as she tried to respond.

After a long while, the two separated slightly, a strand of silver thread connecting their lips, which also shimmered with a fine sheen.

Xie Yanzhao let out a satisfied sigh, his forehead pressed against hers, his breath hot.

The kiss made him tremble with desire; he wished they could do something even more passionate.

The two embraced tightly, nestled together like mandarin ducks with their necks intertwined, their body heat passing through their clothes.

Xie Yanzhao stroked her long hair, asking a question he already knew the answer to, a smile flowing from his deep voice.

Why is Yuan Yuan so clingy?

He was clearly the one who was happy, yet he asked her in such a doting and teasing tone.