strictlysupreme Chapter 369 His Highness the Crown Prince is Outstandingly Talented (7)
Chapter 369 His Highness the Crown Prince is Outstandingly Talented (7)
"Peng—"
It felt as if something exploded in my mind, or as if my heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.
Emperor Qi felt a sudden tremor in his heart, and his blood seemed to freeze at that moment!
Snow King!
These two words, like a thunderclap, resounded in his ears!
In my memory, that figure once planted a tree branch in the snow and laughed with boundless pride, "Look, his name is Snow King."
Two voices, one belonging to memory, clear and resonant, the other belonging to the present, childlike and loud.
They spanned a long period of time, and at this moment they overlapped, crashing into the depths of Emperor Qi's soul.
Those scenes, long buried by time and suppressed by power struggles, surged forth like a flood bursting its banks.
The person stood in the snow, his eyebrows raised high, laughing with a triumphant air, as if even the ice and snow in the world would melt for him. The figure was clearly close at hand, yet it seemed as if it would ride the wind away at any moment, impossible to grasp or hold onto...
A profound sense of disorientation gripped Emperor Qi, causing him to instantly forget his imperial majesty and everything around him.
He suddenly squatted down and almost lost his composure, pulling Lin Shen tightly, tightly into his arms again. His arms tightened so much that it was as if he wanted to knead this small, warm body into his own bones and blood, as if only in this way could he confirm that what was in front of him was real and dispel the cold phantoms from the past.
Lin Shen was a little breathless from the sudden hug, his little head buried in his father's robes which smelled of ambergris, a question mark on his forehead.
isn't it?
Could it be... that the Emperor knows about the "Snow King" milk tea brand?
impossible!
When he first arrived in this world, System 003 clearly informed him that this small ancient world had been under closed management for many years, and in order to ensure the purity of the mission, no other mission participants would be sent in.
Logically speaking, it is impossible for people in this world to know about commercial brands in another modern time and space.
What exactly caused Father's violent reaction?
The cold wind swirled the snowflakes, making them dance beneath the palace eaves.
The palace lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed in the wind, casting flickering halos that made Lin Zhi's shadow appear longer and shorter, making her seem even more lonely.
He stared blankly into the distance.
The young crown prince was almost entirely wrapped in a black cloak embroidered with gold dragon patterns by Emperor Qi, with only his delicate, snow-white face showing.
Emperor Qi held him so tightly, his chin resting gently on Lin Shen's head, his eyes filled with a focused gaze that still held lingering fear after something was lost and then regained, as if the person in his arms was not his grown son, but a fragile and rare treasure.
That strong atmosphere of "filial piety and parental love" acted like an invisible wall, keeping Lin Zhi out.
The icy snowflakes landed on Lin Zhi's brow bone, bringing a chilling clarity.
He lowered his eyes slightly, concealing any emotion that might be revealed in them, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke in a calm, even voice.
"Father, Your Highness, I shall return now."
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to break the warm atmosphere.
Lin Shen seemed to want to struggle out of his father's embrace and say something, but the arms holding him were like iron clamps. The slightest movement only made him feel even tighter. All the words he didn't say were stuck in his chest, and he could only look at Lin Zhi with a helpless and slightly apologetic gaze.
Lin Zhi received the message, but he didn't respond. He simply nodded slightly again, then turned around decisively and stepped into the swirling snow.
Are you feeling sorry for him?
What a surprise...
The blue figure walked further and further away in the snow, its steps steady, yet each step exuding a deep-seated loneliness.
On the snow, only a clear line of footprints was left, which was quickly covered and erased little by little by the new snow.
It seemed that Emperor Qi only noticed Lin Zhi's departure at this moment, or rather, he never really cared about it at all.
He held her for a while longer before seemingly snapping out of his reverie, loosening his grip slightly and realizing that his actions had been somewhat inappropriate for an emperor.
He coughed lightly, then casually put his arm around Lin Shen's thin shoulder, and with an unquestionable air, led him around and into the warm and cozy Zichen Palace.
The heavy palace doors kept out the wind, snow, and bitter cold outside. Inside, the underground heating was burning brightly, and the warmth instantly dispelled the chill clinging to the two of them, even melting the snowflakes on their clothes into tiny water droplets.
However, even amidst this warm and cozy atmosphere, Emperor Qi still did not let go of Lin Shen, his arms still tightly around him, as if afraid that if he loosened his grip, the man would disappear.
He started rambling on and on, asking Lin Shen if he liked today's meal, reminding him not to study too late at night, and complaining that he had been lazy during the riding and archery class the day before yesterday... His tone was natural and intimate, as if the moment of stillness in the snow and Lin Zhi's departure had never happened.
Since he didn't say anything, Lin Shen didn't ask either.
In this deep palace, who doesn't have secrets? Especially the emperor, who holds the power of the world and has a deep mind.
Excessive investigation is not a wise move.
The hall was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood incense, and so quiet that only the occasional crackling of charcoal fire could be heard.
Lin Shen suddenly remembered something, looked up, and asked with a natural concern in his voice, "Father, speaking of which, it seems I haven't seen Consort Yuan much these past few days?"
He clearly felt the arm around him stiffen almost imperceptibly for a moment.
Emperor Qi's gaze paused slightly, a sinister glint flashing in the depths of his eyes. Though it was only fleeting, it was enough to make one's heart tighten.
His voice remained steady, yet carried a chill: "Consort Yuan is ill and needs to rest. She won't be able to visit A Bao during this time."
Lin Shen nodded obediently, already understanding.
Sick? In this cannibalistic harem, "being sick" is often the prelude to a silent disappearance.
Given the original owner's favor with the emperor, she would have been angered and reprimanded if anyone failed to serve her properly. The original concubine's actions had likely been thoroughly investigated long ago, and she was destined to die of illness.
The meaning behind such a casual remark as "I'm sick" is self-evident.
A complex and indescribable feeling welled up in Lin Shen's heart.
It was a mixture of envy and pity.
His memory had long since become blurred, and he could no longer recall the faces of his real relatives. The only vivid image deep in his soul was that of someone who died protecting him, a figure both intense and tragic.
He suppressed these surging emotions and simply nodded again in agreement with Emperor Qi's words.
Her fair cheeks were flushed red from the intense heat of the charcoal fire inside the hall, like those of a ripe apple.
Looking at him like this, Emperor Qi felt a little itchy and couldn't help but reach out and pinch his warm and delicate cheek, his tone clearly sour: "What? You're only thinking about that Consort Yuan and have forgotten about your father?"
These words sounded like a joke, but Lin Shen knew they were full of probing and possessive intent.
He was almost certain that if he dared to say even half a word of pleading for Consort Yuan at this moment, the next second, what awaited Consort Yuan would probably not be "dying of illness," but rather an even faster "dying on the spot."
He immediately looked up, revealing a dependent smile, his voice soft and sweet: "Father is naturally the most important. Your subject just... just thinks that her features are somewhat similar to Mother's."
These words precisely soothed the Emperor Qi's momentary displeasure.
Emperor Qi wasn't really angry, he was just... jealous.
He looked at the person in front of him, his expression somewhat dazed.
This child really looks just like him.
That person... was kind to everyone, always gentle and pleasant, as if surrounded by a warm and soft light, attracting countless people to draw near like moths to a flame.
Back then, I personally witnessed how many people tried every means to offer themselves as a concubine, just to get a glance from that person.
However, none of those people ultimately succeeded.
And he was so fortunate to have seen that man's gentlest expression and received his most sincere protection and smile during the man's most spirited and radiant years.
But back then, he was too young, so young that he could only look up at him; there wasn't enough time...
Emperor Qi tightened his arms, pressing the warm body in his embrace—the one that carried all his longing and obsessions—even deeper, as if trying to embrace, through this similar skin, the soul that had long since passed away and whom he could never have.
Outside the palace, the wind and snow intensified.