458 Picnic
âWell then, just lay down all day, the palace is also not busy, and, we may not be leaving tomorrow, all the preparations are not done yet, it is possible that Shin Ya will join us, and Su Lang will stay and guard the palace, even though he objects to that...â
While the Crown Prince was still busy talking, Bai Ying got up and hugged the Crown Prince, instantly making the young man stop his words, confused by Bai Ying who suddenly got up and hugged him.
âYingâ
âYour Highnessâ Bai Ying tightened his embrace, resting his head on the Crown Princeâs shoulder.
âThe weather looks so pretty and nice this afternoon, letâs have a picnic in Pai Hua valley, just like when we were the Peony valleyâ
Luo Xiang stuttered, he raised his hand to caress Bai Yingâs back so thin that he could feel his bones, even though the child really likes to eat. He didnât understand but the man quickly nodded, his eyes glazed over as if he was holding back his tears too. Luo Xiang smiled.
âThat seems like a good idea, letâs have a picnic.â
Bai Ying nodded, he couldnât hold back the tears, but he tried to cover them up with a smile.
âUm yeah, that sounds a really great ideaâ
.....
.....
Beautiful Pai Hua Valley in the afternoon. The sun shone gently behind the thick clouds and a little ash, the cold air blew the tall grass that grew as far as the eye could see in the valley behind the palace compound.
The sound of the wind was blowing quite hard, waving the magnificent clothes of the Crown Prince and Bai Ying who walked in the front with Bei Yau and Xiao Hong behind them, Yan and Bi, and several rows of maids who had joined the picnic that afternoon. The two young maids were at the very front carrying Bai Ying and the Crown Princeâs two warm long fur coats.
Luo Xiang held Bai Yingâs hand tightly. Traversing the path that was all covered in grass, against the wind that blew in front of them, which caressed Bai Yingâs long hair that floated lightly in the air, a light brown colour that shimmered in the afternoon sun.
âItâs a very beautiful place, does Ying like it?â asked Luo Xiang, holding Bai Yingâs hand tightly and occasionally helping him walk through the somewhat rocky path. Bai Ying smiled.
âOf course Your Majesty, just like what I said, all the places with Your Majesty are the most beautiful places in the world, wherever they areâ
Luo Xiang smiled. He poked the tip of Bai Yingâs nose in annoyance.
âThis kid, now youâve become a sweet-talker, come on, letâs sit under the tree over there, it looks quite shadyâ
Bai Ying nodded.
âYes, Your Majestyâ
Luo Xiang got even more excited, hooked Bai Yingâs hand on his arm and walked side by side towards the front of them.
âCome my Ying Yingâ
Before long. Xiao Hong, who was enjoying the atmosphere in the Pai Hua valley, was seen here and there cheerfully, picking whatever flowers he found, chasing butterflies, and even dipping his feet into a small stream with clear water not far in front where Bai Ying and the Crown Prince sit and enjoy the evening air.
âYour Majesty, the water is warm!â Xiao Hong exclaimed.
Bai Ying who was sitting enjoying his meal couldnât stop smiling seeing the face of Xiao Hong who enjoyed their picnic more than anyone else at that time.
âHehehe Xiao Hong, Hong better get out of the water right away, the air is getting colderâ Bai Ying exclaimed.
Bei Yau reached out his hand for Xiao Hong to help him out of the river.
âLet me helpâ
âThank you Guard Beiâ
Luo Xiang couldnât help but stare at Bai Yingâs cheerful face which was so gentle in the wind that brushed past his face. He raised his hand and tucked Bai Yingâs long hair behind his neck until the young man turned to look at him. Bai Yingâs beautiful smile made Luo Xiangâs heart warm and filled with beautiful butterflies flying around his shining face. So pretty.
âI want it every day, all my life, just seeing your face like this, heh, it all enough for meâ
Bai Ying smiled, he held the Crown Princeâs hand that was holding his cheek, long looking at the Crown Princeâs eyes that couldnât take his eyes off him.
âYes, if only time could stop, Ying also wished that we could stay like this foreverâ
Luo Xiang saw Bai Yingâs face for a moment, and almost shed tears if he didnât immediately pull Bai Ying into his arms.
âHeh, we can definitely have it, after all this is overâ
Bai Ying raised his hand and paused for a moment before grabbing the Crown Princeâs arm.
âYour Majesty, letâs leave here, return to Liu Yang, or to Yue Yang, or stay at the Hua family home in Chang San, letsâs spend our time thereâ
Luo Xiang stroked Bai Yingâs back. Kiss his head.
âWell, if we could just do that, be normal people and live alone, things would be very different. Brother hopes, we can be selfish and just run away, but, is that what Ying Ying wants?â
Bai Ying didnât make a sound. He just held the old Crown Princeâs arm and was silent.
âYour Majesty, should we go over there and face that black snake? Canât we be selfish? What if something bad happens to us later? And, what if, one day, His Majesty was forced to choose, between Ying, and everyone in Yue Yang? Who will Your Majesty choose?â
Bai Yingâs question made Luo Xiang stop his movements. As if holding his breath for a moment, before lowering his head he saw Bai Yingâs face which looked uninspired as he said that, as if forced to say words that did not come from his heart.
âWhat, will Ying Ying do? If you really are in that position? Who will Ying Ying choose?â
Bai Ying clenched his fists.
âYour Majesty, just answer me, why Your Majesty is asking back?â he asked.
Luo Xiang held his breath for a moment, and he smiled.
âHeh, because, when that happens, big brother, might be very selfish, letting everyone be the victim, as long as I can be with my Ying Yingâ
Bai Ying raised his head, let go of the Crown Princeâs embrace and looked at him with big round eyes.
âYour Majesty, that, is it true?â
Luo Xiang nodded.
âYeah, thatâs exactly what will happen, I donât want to care about anything as long as I have my Ying Ying with me, thatâs what we agreed with, isnât it?â
Bai Ying averted his gaze, trying to hold back his tears from falling, but clearly, his face looked disappointed.
âI know, thatâs not what Your Majesty would do, I know Your Majesty very well, that I know that Your Majesty is not one who would abandon all of your people, sacrifice everything just for Ying aloneâ
Luo Xiang stuttered, he was about to touch Bai Yingâs arm and pull him towards him, but Bai Ying brushed it off.
âYing Ying, but, whatâs the point of living without my Ying Ying? All of that would be meaningless.â
Bai Ying didnât move, staring straight ahead where the wind was blowing so hard that the dense leaves growing on the trees around them seemed to be swaying as if dancing. He would almost shed tears if it werenât for the Crown Princeâs two arms hugging him from behind.
âYing, then, we really canât think of ourselves? And, all our happiness is completely meaningless? After what weâve been through, we canât even enjoy all our boring lives, is it too big for us to ask for a little happiness?â
Bai Ying held the Crown Princeâs two hands tightly hugging him. Finally, he couldnât hold back the tears from falling.
Luo Xiang slowly turned the young manâs body towards him, he could feel his body shaking like he was crying, and sure enough, the young manâs smooth cheeks were already wet with his own tears, even though he tried to wipe them so that the Crown Prince would not see them.
Luo Xiang smiled, he raised his hand to caress Bai Yingâs cheek.
âWhat, is Ying Ying going to do? If you are in such a position? Is Ying really not going to choose this brother of yours?â
Bai Ying raised his head to look at the old Crown Prince.
âServant, wishing I could also leave everyone behind and flee with Your Majesty to the ends of the world, escaping from everything and just the two of us going through our boring days, but, I think, Your Majesty, wonât be happy. Even if we live as bored as we want, still, we wonât get that happiness, Your Majesty wonât be able to feel relieved even after doing so.â
Luo Xiang smiled, looked at Bai Yingâs gentle face and smiled with a pair of teary eyes.
âHehe, my Ying Ying has grown up, what a very wise Viceroy, heh, how can I be so lucky to have you in my lifeâ
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