When they first met in Shuiyuan Town, Lin Qingwan thought he was an immortal, noble and elegant. At the inn, he suppressed her poison, and upon learning he was the current crown prince, Lin Qingwan found him unsmiling and difficult to understand.
At the Ministry of Rites, the Crown Prince escorted her to the pavilion, reminding her not to easily trust Prince Jing. Now, thinking back on it, she realized that the Crown Prince probably had everything under his control.
She was able to escape the flower garden alive because Guard Tong rushed in and fought a bloody battle against Prince Jing's guards.
How could Jiang Mingting have just happened to drive a farmer to his death on that day? How could he have just happened to run into the Crown Prince's men? How could he have just run into the flower garden? How could everything have been so perfectly coincidental?
Lin Qingwan knew the truth perfectly well, but she had to admit that the Crown Prince was exceptionally kind to Feng'er. Even when he had a cold face in front of Feng'er, he couldn't hide the tenderness that emanated from his bones.
Just like the fragrance of angelica on his body, it is elegant and fragrant, revealing a gentle and delicate side that is different from his usual self.
Even if the Crown Prince isn't entirely virtuous, he's certainly not like Prince Jing or Jiang Su.
"About the time it takes to drink two cups of tea," Lin Qingwan said softly, only Zhao Cong could hear, "He's been waiting for you."
Zhao Cong's eyelashes fluttered, as if he wanted to take Feng'er from her arms, but... he didn't know where to start.
"I'm late. I promised him we'd have a reunion dinner and stay up all night together." His tone was tinged with helplessness. He then looked at Lin Qingwan, who was pale and holding Feng'er outside in the wind. "Thank you for comforting him."
Lin Qingwan was flattered and overwhelmed; she was hardly worthy of His Highness the Crown Prince's words of thanks.
"The little prince is very well-behaved and doesn't need to be coaxed."
Zhao Cong's brow twitched slightly, suspecting she was just being polite. Could this guy really be obedient?
Lin Qingwan felt that with the Crown Prince blocking her way, not a breath of cold air could get in, and the brazier beside her made her sweat. "He hasn't eaten or lit a lamp, but His Highness insisted on waiting for you."
Zhao Cong lowered his head, frowned, and sighed softly.
That was the father's regret at failing to fulfill his child's wish.
A faint look of surprise flashed in Lin Qingwan's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
Zhao Cong took off his cloak, revealing a bright yellow dragon-embroidered robe that fit snugly against his body, with a waist belt that accentuated his slender waist and long legs.
He said, "I will light the lanterns, and you can wake Feng'er up later."
Lin Qingwan said instinctively, "It's so late..."
Zhao Cong had already taken the tinderbox from Cang Ying, saying, "He doesn't have to study tomorrow."
The tone... sounds like the Crown Prince is jealous that his son can sleep in because he has to get up early.
But at that moment, Zhao Cong's face was not cold.
There were at least thirty or forty lanterns in the courtyard, and as they lit up one by one, it gave the illusion that dawn was approaching. Zhao Cong was tall, and he could reach the lanterns with his hand outstretched, and his shadow under the lanterns gradually lengthened.
Lin Qingwan's arm was a little numb. She first shook Feng'er, then gently rubbed his eyes, "If he doesn't wake up soon, there won't be any New Year's Eve dinner."
Zhao Cong, who was below, was slightly taken aback when he heard this and unconsciously looked over.
Cang Ying boldly raised her head, because waking the young prince was harder than fighting a war, especially when he wasn't fully awake...
but!
Lin Qingwan just said that, and Feng'er whimpered and climbed up from her shoulder, "Daddy's here?"
Lin Qingwan nodded, "The Crown Prince personally selected the lanterns."
Feng'er suddenly woke up and turned around to see the courtyard filled with dazzling lights, like a reflection of the Milky Way. There was no bustling crowd on the street, nor the palace maids and guards standing on both sides of the palace. It was peaceful and quiet.
This is the home that Feng'er wanted.
He scrambled down from Lin Qingwan's arms, but then remembered something and grabbed Lin Qingwan's hand, "Don't you think my father is prettier than a lantern?"
Lin Qingwan's smile froze, and she couldn't open her mouth.
Zhao Cong never expected that the kid's first words would be this!
"Is she pretty or not?" Feng'er insisted on getting an answer.
Lin Qingwan pleaded softly, "Your Highness, please spare me."
Zhao Cong walked over, his face cold, "It's the New Year, don't force me to memorize things."
Feng'er shrank her shoulders, but there was no fear in her eyes. She skillfully hugged Zhao Cong's leg and said, "Father is the most handsome, the bravest, the most powerful, and loves Feng'er the most."
Zhao Cong sighed helplessly, "Cang Ying, bring the food."
"His Highness is talking nonsense because he's hungry."
Lin Qingwan couldn't help but chuckle, feeling quite envious.
Most of the dishes on the table were Zhao Cong's favorites, while the other half were some of the dishes that Lin Qingwan had eaten with Feng'er at the inn and the Minister's residence.
Feng'er served her some food, saying, "Eat it while it's hot."
Lin Qingwan and the Crown Prince sat facing each other, still feeling restrained.
Seeing that she was only talking to Feng'er and hadn't touched her chopsticks, Zhao Cong, though also hungry, ate a few bites and left.
"Isn't Father eating?" Feng'er asked, chewing on a piece of fish.
Zhao Cong turned his head and said, "Consort Ning is unwell, and Father has ordered that no fireworks be set off until the fifth day of the month. I will have someone prepare a Kongming lantern for you."
Feng'er's eyes lit up, "Wow! I have the best dad in the world!"
As soon as Zhao Cong left, Feng'er snuggled up to Lin Qingwan. Without even saying a word, she already knew what to say, and covered her mouth as she said, "The Crown Prince is very handsome."
"The Crown Prince is the best father!"
Feng'er's eyes were full of excitement, "You won't lose out by following my father, you'll get such a cute son like me for free! I won't bully your own children in the future!"
"Think it over carefully."
Lin Qingwan blushed and quickly ladled soup for him, saying, "Your Highness can release the Kongming lantern after you finish eating."
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Lin Qingwan led Feng'er to the courtyard and reminded the eunuch to put a cloak on the young prince, "He sweated a little from drinking soup, so it's better to be careful."
Zhao Cong, who was about to give instructions to Cang Ying, swallowed his words upon hearing this.
"Why are there two?" Feng'er asked in confusion.
Zhao Cong remained calm. "One for you and one for Miss Qingwan."
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