After saying that, he raised his glass again, this time not to escape, but to celebrate the challenges and growth that were about to come.
The wine gleamed alluringly in the light, just like the inextinguishable flame in his heart, illuminating his path forward.
He felt a little drunk, his head was spinning, and all the suppressed emotions in his heart burst forth.
He looked at Rong Ning, his eyes filled with grievance and sorrow.
He said, "A-Ning...born into the royal family, there isn't much genuine affection to speak of. But you and Yang'er are the two people I least want to let down in this half of my life."
When my mother passed away, I was old enough to remember things. I remember her holding my hand and telling me that I must protect my two younger sisters, but I failed to do so.
When Yang'er left, I was confined to the Eastern Palace by my father.
At that time, I was thinking, what was the point of me traveling all the way back from the south?
Isn't it just to prevent Yang'er from being sent on a political marriage?
But from the moment I returned until the moment Yang'er left, I was unable to do anything.
They just watched helplessly as Yang'er left.
Five days after you left, and only after you were sure I could not catch up, did Father Emperor release me and remove the guards from the Eastern Palace.
Those five days were incredibly agonizing for me.
I often think over and over again, is it really okay to be trapped in the East Palace like this, unable to do anything?
Are we really just going to accept that?
I've been thinking that if I were to go all out and have a huge fight with my father, it probably wouldn't really matter. At most, he would just be too disappointed in me and remove me from the position of crown prince.
My father is strict with me, but I am truly his most valued son. Even if I make a grave mistake, he won't take my life.
The Crown Prince never said these words to anyone, because there was no one to listen.
He usually didn't dare to tell Rong Ning, because he was afraid she would hate him for being incompetent and cowardly.
But now, perhaps because of the alcohol, he desperately needs an outlet for his emotions.
He took another swig of wine and continued, "But I'm also afraid, afraid of my father's wrath, afraid that he will use the fate of the people and the country to suppress me."
I am the Crown Prince, and I cannot jeopardize the affairs of state for my own selfish reasons.
Even though I know it's wrong.
So I went through a lot of torment and struggle during those days.
By the time my father lifted my confinement, my heart was already numb.
I feel that I am no different from those people in the court; we all use Yang'er's sacrifice to fulfill our own goals.
Ah Ning… Many times, I wish I could be like you, doing whatever you believe is right without hesitation. Hesitation only slows you down.
Rong Ning looked at him and listened to his rambling, but her emotions remained unmoved.
She has a poor ability to empathize with others, and apart from her older sister, she often cannot truly understand the difficulties and pain of others.
Just like now, she couldn't quite understand the Crown Prince's emotions.
His sister has already gone to marry a foreign ruler, and the fact remains that he couldn't stop her. There's no need to dwell on how long it lasted; it was a matter of family conflict and inner struggle.
The fact that my sister went to marry a foreign ruler has not changed, so there is no point in talking about it now.
"After Yang'er left, I vowed in my heart that I would protect you and ensure your safety for the rest of your life. I have already lost one sister, and I cannot lose another one."
But I've discovered that you're even more outstanding than me. Your perseverance and intelligence have earned my utmost respect as the older brother.
Actually, if you were a man, you would be more suitable to be the crown prince than I am.
Rong Ning raised an eyebrow, thinking he was really drunk. "Big brother, don't talk nonsense. If someone hears this, it will cause me a lot of trouble."
The Crown Prince smiled, patted Rong Ning's head, and said gently, "A Ning, I'm not just talking nonsense."
The title of "ruler of the world" is incredibly prestigious, but not everyone aspires to it or is willing to bear the weight and loneliness that comes with it.
It is not just a title, but a responsibility, a commitment that requires us to be prepared at all times to face storms and the vicissitudes of life.
But now that I'm in this position, there's no turning back.
No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, we must grit our teeth and face the challenges head-on.
The path to the palace has always been fraught with thorns, filled with unknowns and dangers.
The allure of power is like an abyss, drawing countless people to it one after another.
The wickedness of human nature is even more unpredictable and impossible to guard against.
I was caught in this whirlpool before, but I didn't know what I really wanted. I was just being pushed around by my father and the court officials.
But now, I only have two original intentions: one is to protect you, no matter the wind, rain, thunder, or lightning, to make you have the happiness and peace you want;
Secondly, we must protect this land, live up to the expectations of the people of the North, and fulfill the legacy of our ancestors in the Southern Dynasty. We must make the Southern Dynasty prosperous and strong, with a powerful army, so that it can become a regional hegemon. Then, we can bring Yang'er back, reunite our family, and enjoy the happiness of family life.
The Crown Prince looked at Rong Ning, his eyes shining with sincerity. He knew the hardships and difficulties of this path, but he had even more faith in our strength and determination.
He said firmly, "No matter how bumpy the road ahead may be, I believe that as long as we work together, these visions can be realized."
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Rong Ning felt a surge of warmth in her heart. This tacit understanding and trust were the most precious treasure between them. She nodded gently, and although she didn't speak, her eyes conveyed her determination and conviction.
A night breeze brought coolness and tranquility.
It took away the aroma of the wine, but it couldn't take away the deep understanding and trust between us.
The prince seemed to have a lot more to say, but perhaps because he had a low alcohol tolerance, or perhaps because he drank too quickly and too much, he soon became drunk.
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