Without waiting for him to finish, the little girl gave a surprisingly strong push, making Lin Qing speeding all the way down the slope.
Cold wind ran through his hair, blowing up the corners of his clothes, and snowflakes flew by around him as he slid down the slope. His heart seemed to have dropped from the sky, and after a moment of tension, he felt a rush of joy and the ease of release.
This entire process was extremely short, but the feeling was unprecedented. An inexplicable thrill and excitement ran all over his body.
Lin Qing, still holding onto the edge tightly when the basin reached to the bottom of the slope and stopped, was stunned.
Until he heard the sound of Little Fifth Princess’ laughter coming from the slope behind him.
“His Royal Highness, this is Little Fifth Princess’ gift, it’s happiness!”
The gift that others could not take away – is the happiness that belonged to him alone.
Since he was the crown prince, he was always vigilant, prudent in his words and deeds, and did not dare to make the tiniest mistakes, out of fear of displeasing his royal father.
The mother queen always warned him that countless people were waiting to snatch away his position, and this even the commoners of the world who looked up to him. Not only can he not make mistakes, but he must be equipped with both morals and talents, be cautious in his words and deeds, and become a role model to all the other princes – only then he would be worthy to bear and shoulder the title of a crown prince.
It was the principle, the framework that was built entirely around him, and he would always live in that framework to never commit any single mistakes.
This framework had ward off many malicious attacks against him, but it also took away his freedom and happiness.
There was another swoosh of wind behind him, and Lin Feilu slid down next to him, chuckling. She was lighter so she did not slide as far as he did. She crawled out of the basin and pulled the corner of his clothes, “His Royal Highness, let’s go. Let’s climb up and slide again!”
Lin Qing turned to look at her.
The little girl was wearing a pink dress, with two adorable knots on her head. Crumbled snow now scattered all over her as she smiled happily and genuinely, with little sparkles in her eyes.
Lin Qing paused for a moment, and finally broke through his daze with a bright smile, picked himself up and the basin as well and replied, “Let’s go!”
The two played until evening. Finally, Lin Feilu was too tired. She laid down on the snow with her limbs spread out, and spoke weakly and softly, “His Royal Highness, Little Fifth Princess is too tired, there’s not an ounce of energy left.”
Lin Qing laughed out loudly, pulled her up from the snow, and tenderly patted the snow off her clothes, “Then let’s go back to the palace.”
The two left the “ski resort”. Because the East Palace and Mingyue Palace were in two different directions, Lin Feilu stacked the basins and placed them by her feet, cupping her fists in salute “Little Fifth Princess will leave now.”
Lin Qing nodded, and when she was about to leave, he stopped her again, “Little Fifth Princess.”
Lin Feilu turned around, with the two little knots that were a little loose from their afternoon merrymaking laid limp on her head.
Lin Qing asked, “How do you address Fourth Brother?”
Lin Feilu was taken aback for a moment, and whispered, “… Brother Jingyuan.”
Lin Qing asked again, “Then how do you address me?”
“His Royal Highness.”
Lin Qing stared at her silently.
Lin Feilu observed his expression, hesitating, “Brother… Crown Prince?”
Lin Qing smiled, “En.”
She also pursed her lips and smiled, and waved to him obediently, “Goodbye, Brother Crown Prince.”
Lin Qing briskly walked away.