At this time, the eunuch carrying the lantern also came over. The light dispelled the darkness amidst the heavy snowfall. The little dumpling also squatted in front of the snowmen and excitedly told him how she made them. When she turned her head around, she was abruptly stunned.
Emperor Lin was tilting his head and listening to her talk. Seeing she had stopped, he smiled and asked, “What’s the matter?”
He saw her eyes fall on his clothes.
Due to the formality of today’s event, he was dressed in black and red robes, with dragons embroidered on the front.
The little dumpling’s lovely brows gradually frowned as she looked at the dragon pattern, and then at him. After a long time, she hesitated and asked in a low voice, “Are you… Are you… Your Majesty?”
What a smart little snow dumpling.
Emperor Lin smiled and said, “What do you think?”
Suddenly, the little dumpling’s light and lovely expression disappeared. She seemed to be a little nervous and a little scared. She moved backwards in a daze. She stood a little farther away, not as close to him as she was just now, and then knelt down on the snowy ground, paying her respects to him.
“This little one pays homage to Royal Father.”
Listening carefully, he could hear there was still some tremor in her milky voice.
It seems that he had frightened her.
Emperor Lin walked over and pulled her up, squatted in front of her and looked carefully, and said with emotion, “My Fifth Princess, so this is how you look like.”
The lively little dumpling now lowered her eyes, and did not dare to talk to him like she did before. The little figure shrank inside her cloak, and even the little buns on her head looked a little pitiful.
Emperor Lin patted her head and could not help but let out a soft voice, “I am your father, you do not have to be afraid of me.”
She looked up at him, then quickly lowered her head.
The eunuch next to him reminded, “Your Majesty, the time is up. It is time to return.”
After all, tonight’s event was the Great Reunion Banquet. Since he had left halfway through, he had to return to continue socializing with his relatives.
As soon as Emperor Lin nodded, he heard the little dumpling eagerly saying in a low voice, “This little one bids Royal Father farewell”
Emperor Lin happily replied, “Oh, you’re shooing me away?”
She hung her head and shook it vigorously.
Emperor Lin stood up, dusting the pile of snow off his body. He instructed the eunuch beside him, “Find two people and send the Fifth Princess back to her palace. The road is slippery in the dark, do take care.”
The eunuch had not spoken yet when the little dumpling replied anxiously, “I won’t go back! I’m still waiting for someone!”
Emperor Lin glanced at her, “Oh? Who are you waiting for?”
Now that she knew he was her royal father, she did not dare to hide it, and whispered, “Wait for Fourth Brother to bring me food…”
Emperor Lin almost laughed out loud.
This little dumpling was as greedy as a pig. No wonder his fourth son was fidgeting inside the banquet hall and looking out frequently. It seemed like they had a prearranged agreement.
Tonight was supposed to be a merry night of celebrations, it was better not to put a damper on their little acts of fun. This little dumpling was a little scared when she first saw him, so it was best not to worsen her image of him any further.
There were many palace guards on the New Year’s patrols, so the palace should be safe. Thinking of this, Emperor Lin did not force her, and after asking her a few words, he left with the eunuch. When he returned to the banquet hall, looking in the direction of Consort Xian, Lin Jingyuan had already left the table.