The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Since experiencing that life-or-death ordeal, Shen Tinghe has never wanted to leave his side.

She tilted her head back, obediently placing two affectionate kisses on his chin, and asked softly, feigning ignorance:

"Doesn't my brother like it?"

Xie Yanzhao's eyes suddenly darkened, surging with an undisguised longing and affection.

His voice was terribly hoarse: "I love it. My brother loves it to death."

It's a genuine love, the kind of love that I'd be willing to risk my life for.

Shen Tinghe hurriedly reached out and covered his mouth: "Don't say that word."

Xie Yanzhao's heart tightened, and a wave of tenderness washed over him.

He took her hand and kissed her fingertips.

The assassination attempt ultimately terrified her.

If it were her who was injured... he didn't even dare to think about it; he was afraid he would go crazy.

Okay, I won't say.

He agreed gently, his gaze falling on her hands.

"It's time to change the medicine you're wearing."

Shen Tinghe flinched, looking at him pitifully, "It hurts..."

Xie Yanzhao also felt extremely sorry for her, hugging her and kissing her while comforting her.

"It's precisely because it hurts that we need to change the dressing. Be good, brother will be gentle."

He got up to get the medicine box, and when he turned around, he saw that the person who had been sitting on the edge of the bed had now shrunk to the innermost corner.

A brocade quilt completely covered her body, leaving only her small head with fluffy black hair showing.

Shen Tinghe had been pampered since childhood, and the wound on her hand caused by a raptor was an immense pain for her.

She could usually tolerate it to some extent, but in front of Xie Yanzhao, she couldn't hide her spoiled nature, nor did she want to.

Even if she knows that changing the dressing is for her own good, she still has to wait for him to coax her and make her feel pain before she will agree.

Xie Yanzhao walked to the bedside, and seeing her like this, a indulgent smile appeared on his lips.

He opened his arms: "Come here, Yuan Yuan."

Shen Tinghe's gaze lingered on his for a moment, and her slight resistance crumbled.

She loosened her grip on the blanket, slowly moved over, and obediently nestled into his open embrace.

Xie Yanzhao stood by the bed, holding her firmly in his arms.

Her soft, yielding body and the way she nestled against him soothed his heart.

She was spoiled, but he enjoyed it immensely, even secretly hoping she would be even more spoiled so he could pamper her more.

Xie Yanzhao embraced her slender waist, lowered his head to press his forehead against hers, and their breaths mingled.

"I'll be as gentle as possible. If it still hurts, bite my shoulder, okay?"

The last syllable rose slightly, carrying its usual languidness, and even more so, an alluring and indulgent tenderness, making Shen Tinghe's ears burn.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck and responded almost inaudibly, "Mmm..."

Xie Yanzhao carefully removed the old gauze, revealing the still-unhealed wound, which stung his eyes.

He frowned slightly, a subtle ache rising in his heart.

When the cool ointment touched the wound, Shen Tinghe trembled slightly, then hugged his neck even tighter, her eyes closed.

Shen Tinghe: "When are we going back to the palace?"

"I can go back tomorrow."

As he answered, he focused intently on applying and wrapping the new gauze, approaching each step with utmost patience.

"That's good."

She breathed a sigh of relief, as if returning to a familiar place gave her a greater sense of security.

Once everything was in place, Xie Yanzhao did not immediately release her, but instead lifted her face.

The kisses landed gently on her brow, the tip of her nose, and finally covered her lips.

This kiss was devoid of lust, filled only with tenderness and praise.

He stepped back slightly, looked into her shimmering eyes, and praised her without reservation.

"My Yuan Yuan is so brave, she didn't cry at all."

"Good girl."

Shen Tinghe felt a little shy from his praise, but her heart was filled with sweetness.

Xie Yanzhao sometimes coaxed her like he was coaxing a young child, but that unique pampering made her completely addicted.

The tent was warm and cozy, with flickering candlelight and whispered conversations filled with tenderness.

Beyond the heavy curtains, the night was still, and the guards stood solemnly. No one knew what tender intimacy was flowing within this space.

To the west, inside Xie Xuancheng's tent, the lights were dim.

Two days have passed, and there has been no news from the main tent. He is also being held in a state of partial imprisonment here. Despite his extreme anxiety, he can only endure it.

At this moment, Changyi entered the tent, took out a secret letter from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands.

"Your Highness, it was just delivered from outside."

Xie Xuancheng snatched the secret letter and quickly scanned the few words on the paper.

He froze for a moment, then a surge of ecstasy burst through his calm exterior like magma.

The paper clearly stated: Xie Yanzhao was struck by a poisoned arrow, the arrowhead of which was coated with "Jiuyuan San," an antidote for which there is no cure.

"Ha...hahaha..." A low laugh escaped from his throat.

His shoulders shrugged, as if the massive mountain that had been pressing down on his back for more than twenty years, called "eldest son," "legitimate heir," and "crown prince," had collapsed and shattered into dust at this moment!

The image of the dragon throne and Shen Tinghe seemed to already appear before my eyes.

Xie Xuancheng turned around and lit the secret letter by candlelight.

"Jiuyuan Powder... Excellent, superb!"

"The feigned calm at the main camp is nothing more than a desperate struggle to stabilize morale and buy time. How long can a corpse be concealed?"

"Congratulations, Your Highness, your great undertaking is nearing completion," Changyi said at the opportune moment.

Xie Xuancheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the void with an air of disdain.

"Now that the Crown Prince has passed away, how can we keep his death a secret? We should send the Emperor to the imperial mausoleum."

He instructed Changyi: "Go, contact General Zhang and Vice Minister Liu, and leak the news. Tomorrow, we will go... to 'clear my brother's name' and send him off on his final journey."

"yes!"

Chang Yi accepted the order, his voice filled with the excitement of about to climb the ladder of power.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Inside the main tent, Xie Yanzhao embraced Shen Tinghe, and the two were fast asleep, nestled together in the warm quilt.

Suddenly, a cacophony of voices came from outside the tent, growing louder as it approached.

Xie Yanzhao opened his eyes abruptly as soon as the sound began, and his first action was to gently raise his hand and cover the ears of the person in his arms.

His eyes were calm as still water, yet a cold understanding and mockery flickered in their depths.

Some people don't even have the patience to wait a moment longer; they are so eager to "verify" his "death".

"Brother..." Shen Tinghe was still startled, and she opened her eyes groggily.

"Why is it so noisy outside?"

Xie Yanzhao withdrew his hand and stroked her cheek.

"It's nothing serious, just some unruly people making a fuss. Brother will go and handle it, Yuan Yuan can sleep a little longer."

As he spoke, he began to get up.

But her sleeve was gently tugged by a soft hand.

Worry filled Shen Tinghe's eyes as she looked at him, "Brother..."

Xie Yanzhao's heart softened, and he leaned down again, pulling her and the blanket into his arms, whispering in her ear.

"It'll be quick. Didn't Yuan Yuan want to return to the palace soon? Once we've taken care of these trivial matters, we can set off. Lie down quietly and wait for me to come back."

Shen Tinghe understood something from his eyes and words, so she didn't ask any more questions. She simply nodded and obediently let go of his hand.

Xie Yanzhao tucked her in, then gently kissed her forehead and cheeks before turning away.