The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Tang Chu himself stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the private room. His face showed no suppressed resentment, but rather a deep sense of reverence.

He bowed deeply and respectfully towards the private room.

"All sounds are guests, my sleeves are the warmth of spring..."

The crowd downstairs recovered from their shock, muttering and repeating themselves, and a burst of discussion erupted.

"What incredible spirit!"

"Who exactly is in this private room?"

"Master He has already stood up! But I didn't hear what he just said."

"Could it be... some prince?"

Inside the room, Xie Yanzhao seemed oblivious to the uproar that was raging downstairs.

He maintained the posture of holding Shen Tinghe's cheek, his gaze fixed solely on her face.

It was as if that earth-shattering poem was just a love confession spoken to her alone.

"Yuan Yuan, how does it compare to that line, 'Where is there no spring sunshine?'"

Shen Tinghe looked into his deep eyes, where her small shadow was reflected.

And the kind of composure that only you can see in him, the composure that comes with complete control.

The slight ripple in her heart caused by appreciating others' poems had long been washed away by the more expansive phrase "Yangchun" (springtime).

All that remained was a surge of excitement and pride.

She flashed a radiant smile, leaned closer, and gave Xie Yanzhao a quick peck on the lips.

"My husband's love is the best in the world."

Xie Yanzhao smiled with satisfaction.

Even the most domineering person becomes childish in front of their loved one.

His casual verses, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippled across the lobby.

All eyes and whispers drifted toward the private room on the second floor with its bamboo curtains hanging, speculating about the identity of the person inside.

Before long, even the current high-ranking official, Lord He, hurriedly arrived at the door and bowed respectfully.

"May I pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Xie Yanzhao's calm voice came from inside the door.

"I was merely traveling incognito outside the palace. Lord He, please return."

Lord He dared not disturb him further and left as instructed.

Shen Tinghe pouted and glared at him: "Are you doing this on purpose?"

Now that we can no longer stay, we have no choice but to return to the palace ahead of schedule.

Xie Yanzhao gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips, his eyes seeming to shimmer with starlight, and he whispered a sigh.

"I couldn't help myself; I just didn't want Yuan Yuan's gaze to linger on other people."

The two quietly left through a hidden door on the other side of the private room, leaving Jing Cang to clean up the mess.

After they left, Jing Cang walked to the window, held up the gold medal representing the supreme status of the Crown Prince, and said loudly:

"Crown Prince's Edict: Today's poetry competition has showcased a wealth of talent, with all the students displaying remarkable literary skill. I hope that you will not waste your learning in the provincial examinations and achieve top honors. If you rise to positions of power in the court in the future, I hope you will always maintain a pure and loyal heart, be loyal to the emperor and love your country, bring blessings to the people, and revitalize our Great Zhao Dynasty!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent, followed by a surge of shock.

A royal decree!

Inside that private room were actually the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess!

As if waking from a dream, everyone turned towards the private room, bowed and kowtowed, their unified voices filled with excitement and reverence.

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess!"

"Long live Your Highness and Her Majesty!"

Although I have not had the honor of seeing the Emperor's face, being able to sit in the same hall with the Crown Prince and personally receive his instructions is already a great honor.

Today's poetry contest is destined to become an unforgettable topic of conversation for them.

Shen Tinghe fell asleep in Xie Yanzhao's arms on the carriage back to the palace.

Xie Yanzhao held her tightly the whole way, his fingertips occasionally brushing against her loose hair.

Back at the East Palace, he carried Shen Tinghe into the bedroom.

When they settled her on the brocade couch, she unconsciously curled up closer to the quilt.

At this moment, Yuan Chi's voice came from outside the door:

"Your Highness, I have something to report."

Xie Yanzhao entered the outer room: "What is it?"

"The one in the dark room is probably not going to make it."

Xie Yanzhao raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.

Xie Xuancheng.

When this name flashed through my mind, it evoked a sense of distant reverie.

These days, with heavy court affairs and his heart completely focused on Yuan Yuan, he almost forgot about her.

"Understood, you may leave now."

Xie Yanzhao stood silently in front of the door for a moment, raised his hand to rub his temples, and then turned back into the inner room.

The person on the bed was still asleep, but a thin layer of sweat appeared on their forehead, dampening a few strands of hair.

Xie Yanzhao sat down by the bed and reached out to stroke Shen Tinghe's cheek, which was warm and damp to the touch.

He got up, took a silk-faced bamboo fan, leaned back against the headboard, and pulled her closer to his arms.

He let her rest her head on his lap, while he held a fan in his other hand and slowly waved it.

Xie Yanzhao leaned against her like that, his gaze like delicate brushstrokes, tracing her outline again and again.

How could there be someone who so perfectly suits his taste?

Just watching her sleep peacefully fills my chest with tenderness.

She occupied more than just his heart; she occupied all his desires and his Achilles' heel.

Xie Yanzhao was afraid that his Yuan Yuan would panic and be scared if she woke up and couldn't see him.

So even though he had countless things to do, all he wanted to do at that moment was stay by her side and wait for her to wake up.

About half an hour later, Shen Tinghe slowly woke up.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly; she wasn't fully awake yet, but the familiar, refreshing scent surrounding her made her feel incredibly at ease.

Almost instinctively, she reached out and softly wrapped her arms around the waist of the person in front of her, pressing her cheek against him and rubbing it against him.

A low chuckle came from above.

Xie Yanzhao's hand stroked her soft, long hair, slowly combing through the strands.

"Why did you hug your husband as soon as you woke up?"

His voice was low and husky, and exceptionally alluring.

Shen Tinghe looked up at him, her eyes still a little dazed.

She stretched out her arms to him, like a fledgling bird seeking its nest.

Xie Yanzhao's smile deepened, and with a slight pull, he lifted her onto his lap.

Shen Tinghe felt weak all over and snuggled into his arms, resting her chin on his shoulder and muttering unconsciously.

"Um... Brother..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was lightly tapped on the buttocks.

Xie Yanzhao whispered in her ear to correct her: "You called me by the wrong name, Yuan Yuan."

Shen Tinghe pouted in the crook of his neck before changing her tone, her voice soft and drawn out.

"My husband—"

Xie Yanzhao was satisfied and raised his hand to signal.

A palace maid waiting outside brought a warm handkerchief and then silently withdrew.

He still had one arm around her waist, and with the other hand he took a handkerchief and gently wiped her forehead and cheeks.

He took her hand again and patiently wiped each of her fingers.

After doing all this, he cupped her face, gently kissed her lips twice, and then kissed the tip of her nose.

"Are you awake now?"

Xie Yanzhao asked, his forehead touching hers.

Shen Tinghe was mostly awakened by this intimacy and nodded heavily: "Mm."

Xie Yanzhao then led her to the table. A bowl of warm soup was emitting a light fragrance.

Shen Tinghe hesitated, saying, "I'm not hungry."

Xie Yanzhao pressed her down onto a cushioned stool and picked up the small jade bowl himself.

"You ate quite a few snacks outside the palace today, so you shouldn't eat too much for dinner, but you can't skip it either."