The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The severed tongue lay in the dust, a horrifying sight.

His accusation, however, struck like a thunderbolt, resounding in everyone's hearts.

Countless gazes were directed at Xie Xuancheng, the Prince of Cheng, whose face had turned deathly pale.

Amidst a chorus of suppressed gasps, Xie Yanzhao let out a very soft laugh.

"Oh."

That sound was more piercing than the cold winter wind.

Xie Xuancheng suddenly knelt down, banging his head on the ground: "Your Majesty, please see the truth! This villain is spewing venomous lies and turning on his enemies in his dying moments! Someone must have secretly instructed him to frame me, attempting to sow discord within the imperial family and shake the foundations of the nation! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, you are innocent!"

His voice trembled, but his heart was filled with overwhelming hatred.

I hate Zhang Cong's stupidity, and I hate even more why the person in front of me isn't dead!

He wouldn't have used this idiot if there were other options available.

Xie Yanzhao slowly walked up to Xie Xuancheng, the corner of his black robe stopping at the edge of Xie Xuancheng's lowered gaze.

He leaned slightly forward, his voice not loud, but loud enough for the people nearby to hear clearly.

The contempt in those words was as if they were looking at filth at one's feet.

"My brother," he sighed, seemingly with regret.

"You're really desperate these days. You think this kind of trash is even worth using?"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I have never harbored any disloyalty towards you! This must be a trap set by a treacherous person!"

Xie Xuancheng looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, his emotions so sincere that he was almost in tears.

Xie Yanzhao straightened up, no longer bothering to hide the annoyance in his eyes.

Dealing with such a character is a complete waste of time.

"Where are the Central Commander and the Minister of Justice?"

Ning Zai & Minister of Justice: "Your Majesty, we are here!"

Xie Yanzhao: "I don't need to teach you what to do next, do I?"

"Your Majesty, I obey! I will thoroughly investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice!"

Xie Yanzhao turned back to the main hall, and the curtains fell, completely isolating him from the bloodshed, noise, and scheming of the outside world.

He went straight to the inner room.

The ruthless methods and chilling killing intent from outside vanished completely the moment the curtain of the inner room was lifted.

His Yuan Yuan did not sleep peacefully.

She sat on the couch, wrapped in a brocade quilt, her dark eyes gazing absently at the top of the canopy.

Her slender white fingers idly twirled around the corner of the blanket, like a child who was bored and waiting for a playmate.

That obedient appearance caught Xie Yanzhao's eye, instantly melting his heart.

Shen Tinghe turned around when she heard the noise. When she saw it was him, her eyes lit up, but then became misty with tears.

She opened her arms to him with a pitiful expression, like a fledgling bird seeking shelter.

"You've been gone for a long time~"

The soft, sweet tone at the end of her voice carried an unconscious dependence and reproach, gently scratching at Xie Yanzhao's heart.

As he strode forward, he deftly removed his dark outer robe, which was damp with the chill of the outside air, and casually tossed it onto the screen beside him.

Wearing only a plain white undergarment, all that remained of him was the crisp scent of pine and cypress.

He bent down and pulled the person on the bed into his arms, holding her tightly.

"It's my fault for keeping Jiaojiao waiting so long."

Shen Tinghe snuggled closer to him, finding a more comfortable position, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Brother, let's... never be apart again, okay?"

These words, like a drop of honey, precisely landed in Xie Yanzhao's heart.

He felt an almost trembling pleasure surge up his spine.

This assassination attempt was certainly dangerous, but it unexpectedly earned her such attachment and clinginess...

Xie Yanzhao narrowed his eyes almost contentedly, the violence and murderous intent in his heart completely enveloped and soothed by this sweetness.

"Yes, we'll never be apart."

He responded with utmost solemnity, as if making a vow, tightening his arms to hold her even more securely in his embrace.

Xie Yanzhao held her as they lay down together, pulling the quilt over them.

Their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling.

Xie Yanzhao patted her back and asked softly, "Do you want to sleep a little longer?"

Shen Tinghe looked up at him: "You have to coax me."

She made her demands with a sense of entitlement, as if she were being favored.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, a pleasant vibration emanating from his chest.

"good--"

He enjoyed it immensely.

Shen Tinghe closed her eyes with satisfaction, snuggling into his arms, her nose filled with his fresh and pleasant scent, which made her feel incredibly at ease.

Shen Tinghe: "Can I open my eyes and be back in the Eastern Palace?"

Xie Yanzhao kissed her forehead.

"Sure. Whatever Yuan Yuan wants, your brother will make it happen."

His gaze fell on her gradually calming sleeping face, but a cold, sharp glint flashed in his deep eyes.

Yes, he will clear away all obstacles as quickly as possible and take her back to the safest and most magnificent palace.

The storms and bloodshed outside should not taint his beloved in the slightest.

And everyone who frightened his Yuan Yuan should pay the price.

Inside the hot spring pool at the East Palace, steam rises like mist, and the white jade pool walls are warmed by the geothermal heat.

As soon as Shen Tinghe returned to the palace, she went straight into the bathhouse, her hair loosely tied up.

Xie Yanzhao met with several trusted ministers in his study and finalized the general strategy for the subsequent investigation and the stabilization of the court. He could no longer sit still.

He dismissed the crowd and returned to his bedchamber with a pace much more hurried than usual, only to find the inner chamber empty and the curtains silent.

"Where is the Crown Princess?"

The palace attendant bowed respectfully and replied, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess is in the hot spring pool in the rear hall."

The coldness in Xie Yanzhao's eyes melted away, replaced by a gentle smile.

"You may all leave. There is no need for service."

He waved his hand to dismiss those around him and walked alone toward the rear hall.

As he walked, he casually loosened the jade belt at his waist and removed the black brocade robe that symbolized the majesty of the crown prince.

Outerwear, undershirts... one by one they fell onto the smooth floor leading to the poolside.

The hot spring water murmurs gently, and mist swirls around it.

He spotted Yuan Yuan at a glance, who was comfortably lying on the smooth, warm jade platform by the pool, her arms crossed and her chin resting on it.

Warm spring water washed over her slender waist, and her bare back was dazzlingly white, like the finest mutton fat jade.

The heat gave off a faint pink hue, and the shape of her shoulder blades was delicate and fragile.

A few strands of wet, jet-black hair clung to the side of her neck, meandering into the alluring shadows underwater.

The impact of this scene instantly filled Xie Yanzhao's eyes with a deep, dark color.

He slid into the water, the warm spring water enveloping him and making a soft sound.

Shen Tinghe then came to her senses and turned around.

Upon seeing him, her face lit up with unreserved joy, her eyes glistening with moisture.

"Brother~"

She called out, her voice sweeter and softer, moistened by the moisture in her breath.

Xie Yanzhao had already come to her side, and with a stretch of his long arm, he pulled that soft and smooth body into his embrace.

Shen Tinghe, as usual, found a comfortable position, obediently nestled against his chest, her back pressed against his burning chest, and sighed contentedly:

"Mmm~ That feels so good."

Soaking in the hot spring was incredibly enjoyable. Now, leaning against her brother's chest, supported by his strong arms, she didn't have to exert any effort at all, and it was so comfortable that her toes curled up.

Xie Yanzhao felt the unhindered intimacy and dependence in his arms, and a feeling of contentment welled up from his body and soul.

He gently stroked her damp hair with his chin and responded in a low, husky voice:

"Yes...it feels so good."

However, the hand that was wrapped around her waist began to move restlessly.