After dealing with the chaos following Prince Ning's rebellion, His Highness the Crown Prince finally had some free time. His weary face held a hint of anticipation as he decided to visit Lin Qian at the Prime Minister's residence. In his heart, Lin Qian was not merely an ordinary woman, but the person he deeply cherished, and he longed to take this opportunity to express his long-hidden feelings to her.
The Crown Prince, accompanied by several guards, rode a fine horse and slowly arrived at the Prime Minister's residence. The gates of the Prime Minister's residence were wide open, and the guards at the gates immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the Crown Prince's arrival. The Crown Prince nodded slightly and walked straight into the residence.
In the garden of the Prime Minister's residence, flowers bloomed in profusion, each vying for attention. Colorful butterflies danced among the blossoms, their fragrance weaving a scene of poetic beauty. Birds sang merrily in the branches, seemingly celebrating the wonders of spring. Lin Qian, dressed in an elegant simple dress, stood quietly by the stone table, intently preparing a meal. Sunlight bathed her, casting a soft glow, and her hair swayed gently in the breeze, adding to her ethereal beauty.
The moment the Crown Prince stepped into the garden, the whole world seemed to fall silent. His gaze was instantly drawn to Lin Qian, her familiar figure stirring a complex mix of emotions within him. However, as he drew closer and examined her more closely, an indescribable sense of loss washed over him. The Lin Qian before him, though her appearance was identical to the one in his heart, lacked that unique charm in her eyes, that captivating light that had once moved him. He knew that the girl he had longed for was gone from this world.
A flicker of pain and helplessness crossed the Crown Prince's eyes. He slowly walked up to Lin Qian, his voice trembling slightly: "You... are not her." Lin Qian looked up, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. She didn't understand the meaning behind the Crown Prince's words. The Crown Prince gazed at her, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He sighed, trying to conceal his sorrow: "So be it. Perhaps this is fate's arrangement."
Having said that, the Crown Prince turned around, his steps heavy as he prepared to leave. At that moment, his guards followed closely, their faces full of doubt, and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, aren't you going?" The Crown Prince paused slightly, stopping in place, a deep helplessness in his eyes. He gazed at the gates of the Prime Minister's residence, as if trying to see through them the departing figure. After a long silence, he finally replied faintly, "She's gone. What's the point of going?" With that, he turned and left the Prime Minister's residence without looking back, leaving behind only a lonely silhouette.
In the years that followed, the Crown Prince devoted all his energy to governing the country. Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight fell on the palace eaves, the Crown Prince would already be sitting in his study, carefully reviewing the mountains of memorials. His gaze was focused and resolute; he pondered every word and every sentence, afraid of missing any detail concerning the safety of the nation and the well-being of the people.
In the imperial court, the Crown Prince and his ministers engaged in a heated discussion about the nation's major policies. He listened attentively to the opinions of all sides, weighed the pros and cons, and made the wisest decisions. His voice was steady and powerful, full of confidence and determination, instilling in the ministers a deep sense of faith in the nation's future.
Under the Crown Prince's efforts, the country gradually embarked on a path of prosperity. In the fields, crops grew strong and healthy, and farmers' faces beamed with the joy of a bountiful harvest; in the streets, shops lined the streets, offering a dazzling array of goods, and people's lives became increasingly affluent; in the border regions, well-trained armies protected the country's security, allowing the people to live and work in peace and contentment.
However, behind this prosperity, only the Crown Prince knew that there was always an unfillable void in his heart. Whenever the night was still and he sat alone in his study, gazing at the bright moon outside the window, a deep longing would well up within him. He recalled every moment he had spent with Lin Qian; those beautiful memories, like sharp blades, pierced his heart time and time again.
Years later, on a cold night, the Crown Prince lay on his sickbed, his face as pale as paper. His vision had blurred, but the longing in his heart remained clear. He knew his time was running out. In his final moments of lucidity, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, as if he saw Lin Qian's figure beckoning to him. He whispered, "Lin Qian, I've come to find you." With that, he slowly closed his eyes, a peaceful smile on his face.
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