The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The rippling hot spring water seemed to provide him with the best cover and indulgence.

His calloused palms traced along the delicate skin of her waist.

Carrying a scorching heat, it climbs upward little by little, the fingertips lingering lightly or heavily on its exquisite curves.

"Hmm."

Shen Tinghe trembled slightly, her cheeks flushed red, more beautiful than the crabapple blossoms by the pond.

She hurriedly pressed down on his mischievous hand through the water, her voice soft and trembling, filled with pleading.

"How about evening? I haven't had dinner yet..."

Xie Yanzhao looked down and could see her blushing ears and trembling eyelashes.

His eyes were as dark as unyielding ink, and the surging desire within them almost devoured a person.

His gaze was so intense that Shen Tinghe's legs went weak, and if he hadn't been holding her, she would have almost slipped into the water.

Instead of stopping, he took advantage of the position she was holding down, grabbed her slender fingers with his other hand, and inserted them into his vagina along with hers…

At the same time, he lowered his head, his lips brushing against her burning ear, his voice seductive:

"Jiaojiao, how about your brother shows you something fun?"

Shen Tinghe's whole body went limp, her voice barely audible:

"Wha...what's so interesting..."

……

……

The curtains hung low, and the candlelight flickered on the embroidered curtains, casting a hazy glow.

The brocade quilt was disheveled, and the warm, cozy atmosphere had not yet dissipated.

Shen Tinghe lay on Xie Yanzhao's sweaty chest, her slender fingertips unconsciously covering his chest.

Her eyes were misty with tears, her breathing was shallow, and she was still immersed in the afterglow of the lovemaking.

After a long silence, she suddenly looked up and asked, "Brother, why am I not pregnant yet?"

They had been married for some time, and Xie Yanzhao treated her like a precious jewel, their intimate moments in the boudoir were endless.

He was so energetic, almost every night he wouldn't let her off easy... but her belly remained flat as ever.

Shen Tinghe's fingertips trembled slightly as she thought, "Could it be that there's something wrong with my body..."

Before she could finish speaking, a warm hand gently covered her lips.

"Don't talk nonsense," Xie Yanzhao interrupted in a low voice.

He stroked her slightly cool cheek and pulled her closer into his arms.

Like a young animal seeking protection, Shen Tinghe snuggled into his arms, burying her face in the crook of his neck, absorbing his reassuring scent.

"elder brother……"

She called out softly, her voice tinged with grievance. This was a habit she had developed since childhood.

If you feel wronged, go to your older brother; he always has a solution.

Xie Yanzhao's hand stroked her smooth back, the calluses on his palm causing her to tremble slightly.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked calmly, "But who has been gossiping about Yuan Yuan?"

"No, it just suddenly occurred to me..."

Xie Yanzhao sighed softly, gently combing her sweat-dampened temples with his fingertips.

"Yuan Yuan is just recuperating; there's no rush for having children, they'll come naturally."

He kissed her slightly furrowed brow, his voice growing softer and softer.

"My Yuan Yuan is the healthiest, and she will definitely be able to give birth to our child in the future."

After saying that, he gently took her lips in his mouth, initially just a soothing, light kiss, but then gradually deepened the kiss, their breaths mingling, lingering and tender.

When she loosened her grip, Shen Tinghe's eyes sparkled, and even her voice was sweet and soft.

"Really?"

"When has my brother ever lied to Yuan Yuan?"

She finally felt at ease, curled up in his arms and fell into a deep sleep, her breathing gradually becoming even.

Xie Yanzhao, however, was wide awake and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face for a long time.

His fingertips lightly traced her eyebrows and eyes, his gaze filled with tenderness and affection that almost overflowed.

It would be best if Yuan Yuan herself just happened to remember this today...

If he knew that someone was spreading rumors behind her back and disturbing her peace of mind...

A cold glint flashed in Xie Yanzhao's eyes. He was determined to teach that person a lesson about what it meant to make a fool of oneself.

Life in the Eastern Palace remained incredibly pleasant.

Shen Tinghe, dressed in a soft, pale yellow silk spring gown with her skirt fluttering, was playing shuttlecock with Qingyu and Qingxu in the small garden.

Just as they were having a great time, they heard rustling voices coming from the path beside the artificial rockery. Two palace maids carrying brocade boxes walked by with their heads down, their voices carried on the wind:

"I really want to see outside the palace... The imperial examination is approaching, and I've heard that the capital is quite lively these days."

"Indeed, Tianlu Residence hosts poetry competitions every day, attracting countless talented scholars, and the aroma of their wine can waft across three streets..."

Shen Tinghe stopped.

"Green dogwood".

Qingyu understood, smiled, and turned to beckon to the two palace maids: "You two, come here and give me your answer."

The palace maid turned around upon hearing the voice and saw that it was the Crown Princess. Her face turned pale instantly, and she hurriedly knelt down, placing the brocade box aside.

"This servant greets the Crown Princess. What are Your Highness's instructions?"

Shen Tinghe bent down to pick up the shuttlecock, gently weighing it in her palm with a gentle expression.

"Don't be afraid, I'm not going to punish you. I just heard you talking about the poetry contest at Tianlu Residence, is that true?"

Seeing that she showed no anger, one of the bolder palace maids secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied...

"Your Majesty, it's absolutely true. I have a sister who works in the Imperial Kitchen. She went out to shop yesterday and saw it with her own eyes. She said there were layers upon layers of people, and the cheers could be heard across the street. There were also many novelties..."

As Shen Tinghe listened, she felt the lively atmosphere outside the palace walls, the vibrant exchange of ideas, and the free wind... all gently drawing her in.

"Okay, go ahead." She waved her hand.

After the palace maids left, Shen Tinghe tossed the shuttlecock into Qingxu's arms, her eyes sparkling.

"Let's go to the study."

Qingyu and Qingxu exchanged a knowing glance, their smiles revealing their mutual understanding.

With the Crown Princess looking like this, His Highness is probably going to find it "difficult to handle" again.

Before the eunuchs standing outside the study could even bow in greeting, Shen Tinghe pushed open the door and entered.

She never needed to announce herself to enter this study.

"My husband~"

The soft, sweet tone swirled and drifted into the room filled with the fragrance of ink.

Upon seeing this, Qi Lu, who had been standing beside Xie Yanzhao, lowered his head shrewdly and quietly withdrew, closing the door behind him.

Xie Yanzhao put down his vermilion brush and spread his arms as soon as she entered.

His brows furrowed with a habitual indulgence.

Shen Tinghe nestled into his arms with practiced ease, sat on his lap, and naturally wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Why did you suddenly come over, sweetie?"

"My lord, I've heard that the capital is quite lively lately! Shall we go out of the palace for some fun? Especially at Tianlu Residence, there's a poetry competition; it's sure to be very interesting."

Xie Yanzhao sighed and pinched her soft cheek: "Want to leave the palace?"

"Come on, come on, my brother loves me the most..."

Xie Yanzhao deliberately frowned, feigning difficulty: "But there are still so many memorials..."

"No way!"

Shen Tinghe pouted, her eyes and eyebrows drooping, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice, yet her eyes were also watery and alluring to him.

Xie Yanzhao's Adam's apple twitched slightly.

He has never been able to resist her in this state.

Without saying another word, he lowered his head and took those two alluring rosy lips into his mouth, seizing the sweetness and breath from her lips.

He only reluctantly loosened his grip a little when her breathing became slightly erratic.