Xie Yanzhao immediately noticed it. Like soothing a baby, he gently patted her back and said toward the other side of the screen, “Now that this matter has been settled, you may return. There will naturally be someone in Yuanxia who will contact you and help you accomplish what you need to do.”
Dangyu Tuoya prostrated herself on the ground. “Thank you for Your Highness’s grace! It’s just that… my royal brother…”
“He will never return to Yuanxia again.” Xie Yanzhao’s tone was utterly calm, yet firm and decisive.
The heavy stone in Dangyu Tuoya’s heart finally fell.
The Queen was extremely jealous, and her father had few children. Aside from her, the neglected princess, there were only the Queen’s children the prince Dangyu Chaoge and the princess Dangyu Mile.
Once Dangyu Chaoge was dead, the remaining Dangyu Mile, who was spoiled and foolish, would never be her match.
She bowed her head to the ground once more before respectfully leaving the bedchamber.
When she walked out of the Eastern Palace, the afternoon sunlight bathed her from head to toe. The warmth was so comforting that she nearly burst into tears.
From now on, she and her mother would finally be able to see a different future.
Inside the palace, Xie Yanzhao lowered the bed curtains, then lay down with Shen Tinghe in his arms.
“Go to sleep. I’m right here.”
Shen Tinghe nestled into the crook of his neck, found a comfortable position, and peacefully closed her eyes.
As the night deepened, Shen Tinghe was still fast asleep.
Xie Yanzhao lay on his side beside her, one arm wrapped around her while he used the light from the bedside lamp to read through several memorials.
The candlelight flickered across his deep-set brows and eyes, softening the sternness he had worn during the day.
A very faint knock came from outside the door. It was Yuan Chi.
Xie Yanzhao slowly withdrew his arm and carefully tucked the blanket around Shen Tinghe before getting out of bed and walking into the outer room.
“Your Highness,” Yuan Chi reported in a low voice, “as you instructed, all of Dangyu Chaoge’s teeth have been pulled out.”
“Can he still speak?” Xie Yanzhao asked calmly, as though he were merely asking about the weather.
“He can still mumble a few words.”
“Then cut out his tongue as well. Handle it cleanly.” Xie Yanzhao’s voice remained completely emotionless. “Leave no traces.”
“Yes. This subordinate understands.”
Yuan Chi bowed and accepted the order.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the inner room, accompanied by Shen Tinghe’s sleepy, soft call.
“Brother Xie Yanzhao…”
Yuan Chi immediately lowered his head even further and silently hurried away.
There were some sounds he simply had no business hearing.
Xie Yanzhao had already turned around and strode back to the bed. He lifted the covers, climbed in, and pulled her back into his arms.
“Did I wake you? It’s my fault.”
He whispered beside her ear and kissed her sensitive earlobe soothingly.
Half-asleep, Shen Tinghe rubbed against his chest unhappily.
“Where did you go…? You weren’t staying with me.”
Her little face scrunched up, her tone full of childish grievance.
Xie Yanzhao placed his palm over her lower abdomen.
“I was taking care of a few things. Does it still hurt, Yuanyuan?”
Shen Tinghe was actually hardly in pain anymore, but she was addicted to his care and affection, so she mumbled, “It hurts… Rub it…”
How could Xie Yanzhao fail to see through her little scheme?
His eyes were filled with indulgent amusement. He obediently softened the pressure of his hand and gently massaged her again and again.
Shen Tinghe let out a comfortable sigh and, under his rhythmic soothing, once again sank into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Within the curtains, warmth filled the room. Only their faint, intertwined breathing remained, along with the quiet tenderness that enveloped the chamber.
Xie Yanzhao had endured for four or five days, and Shen Tinghe’s period had finally ended.
That night, he looked like a wolf that had been starving for a long time, his eyes dark and intense.
Steam filled the bathing pool as Shen Tinghe was rocked about.
“Mm… slower… slow down.”
Her broken, soft pleas slipped from her lips, trembling with her breath.
The way she called him “Brother” made Xie Yanzhao’s spine tingle. He narrowed his eyes in pleasure, yet still coaxed her to call him something else.
“Jiaojiao, call me husband.”
Shen Tinghe’s consciousness had become hazy from his relentless teasing. She only wanted to beg for a reprieve, and she was willing to say anything obediently.
“Husband… husband…”
Her voice was soft and delicate, carrying a pitiful little breath.
She would call him whatever he wanted, as long as he let her rest for a while.
No one knew how much time had passed before Xie Yanzhao finally carried her out of the bathing pool.
Shen Tinghe was so exhausted that she could barely move her fingertips. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, leaving her completely clinging to him.
Every step he took sent a sweet yet torturous sensation through her. All she could do was bury her burning face against his damp neck.
When they returned to the bed, their intimate entanglement continued, seemingly without end.
Layer upon layer of curtains fell around them, concealing the passionate scene within and the sounds that made one blush.
The next day at noon, Shen Tinghe finally managed to open her heavy eyelids.
For once, Xie Yanzhao had not gotten up either.
Her entire body was securely held within his embrace.
When Shen Tinghe moved slightly, soreness swept through her whole body as though her bones had come apart. Her arms and collarbones were covered with varying shades of ambiguous red marks.
Remembering everything that had happened the previous night, she became annoyed and lifted her foot to kick Xie Yanzhao.
A warm, large hand accurately caught her ankle.
Xie Yanzhao opened his eyes. His gaze was completely clear, without the slightest trace of morning grogginess.
He chuckled, his voice hoarse from sleep.
“How does Yuanyuan still have the strength to kick people? Your husband is almost completely drained by you.”
Shen Tinghe glared at him.
“I’m obviously the one who was bullied! Bastard! You demon!”
At her words, the smile in Xie Yanzhao’s eyes deepened.
His Jiaojiao always went through the same few insults whenever she cursed at him.
He simply sat up. The brocade quilt slipped down, revealing his well-defined upper body.
A clear bite mark stood out prominently on his broad chest, while several faint red marks stretched across his abdominal muscles.
They were all her handiwork from when she had lost control of herself the previous night.
Shen Tinghe’s scolding abruptly stopped, and her cheeks instantly flushed bright red.
Aside from being completely exhausted, she had truly gotten quite a feast.
Shen Tinghe had never been one to deprive herself. Her hand unconsciously reached over, and her fingertips brushed over his clearly defined abdominal muscles.
Xie Yanzhao’s eyes held a teasing smile as he caught her mischievous little hand.
“What is my little naughty kitten doing?”
Shen Tinghe blinked and pretended to be innocent.
“I’m just touching.”
Yet her fingertips reluctantly pressed against his abs once more.
He leaned closer and coaxed her teasingly.
“Does Yuanyuan dare to move a little lower?”
His gaze was burning with undisguised anticipation.
Shen Tinghe’s eyes instinctively glanced downward.
Any farther down would be dangerous territory.
As though she had been scalded, she quickly pulled her hand back.
“I’m not touching anymore!”
Xie Yanzhao felt a little disappointed.
His Jiaojiao had plenty of curiosity but not enough courage.
He pulled her back into his arms and gently stroked her smooth back from time to time.
“In a few days, I have to go to Lingzhou to take care of some matters. Do you want to come with me, Yuanyuan?”
The trip might take some time, and he truly could not bear to leave her alone in the Eastern Palace.
Besides, there was not much danger involved in this journey, so there was no harm in bringing her along.
Hearing this, Shen Tinghe’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Lingzhou? I want to go!”
Her eldest brother was there.
She could also leave the palace, travel around, and experience the local customs and culture of a new place. Naturally, she was more than willing.
She had never been to Lingzhou before.