AMLFS Chapter 69
by VolareChapter 70: Farewell
Upon learning that Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district was departing for Hanzhou,
Lin Rugui specially arranged a farewell dinner for Zhao Fangye.
During the meal, the entire family was observing Song Huaixi’s reaction.
Hanzhou was currently in a dangerous situation, and everyone was worried about Zhao Fangye’s trip. It was thought that the most worried person should be Song Huaixi.
But unexpectedly, Zhao Fangye must have said something to Song Huaixi.
Song Huaixi appeared relatively calm.
Sitting at the table, Song Huaixi put the fish that Zhao Fangye placed in his bowl into his mouth. His lowered eyelashes fluttered, and faint glimmers of tears could be seen.
But when he looked up, they were gone.
The steamed crucian carp on the table was very delicious. Song Huaixi did not like eating fish.
Because he had once choked on a fish bone as a child, and afterwards, he had to drink vinegar and induce vomiting.
This had led him to have no good feelings towards eating fish and therefore he never touched fish.
Zhao Fangye placed a piece of fish belly for him, and he ate it. The fish meat was tender, fresh, and sweet.
However, crucian carp had many bones, so Zhao Fangye patiently picked out all the small bones from the fish before placing it in Song Huaixi’s bowl.
The fish in his mouth was very fresh and sweet, and there were no bones at all. However, Song Huaixi felt it had no flavor. His favorite dishes seemed to have lost their taste, just like the fish in his mouth.
Zhao Fangye’s meticulous care was like a habit. Thinking that after tonight, it would be a long time before he saw Zhao Fangye again,
Song Huaixi wished time could pass more slowly.
At night, the candle in front of the small table had burned down a lot.
The night was already deep.
But Song Huaixi kept his eyes wide open, hugging Zhao Fangye and burying his head in his chest.
He stubbornly fought off his sleepiness and kept chattering to Zhao Fangye.
He wanted to feel the warmth of his body. This was their first separation.
Holding him, Zhao Fangye did not fall asleep either, and spoke to him softly and gently.
He gently stroked his back. Zhao Fangye knew that he was reluctant to part with him. He lowered his head and looked at his gradually drowsy eyelids.
He gently patted his back, “Huaixi, aren’t you going to sleep? If you don’t sleep, you won’t be able to wake up tomorrow. I’m still waiting for you to personally see me off.”
Hearing this, Song Huaixi’s eyelashes trembled.
His eyes were heavy with sleep, as if he could finally not hold on any longer, and he slowly closed his eyes, “Want to sleep… Want to see off…”
Seeing him close his eyes, Zhao Fangye lightly kissed his forehead, “I will come back as soon as possible, wait for me.”
The next morning, Song Huaixi woke up very early.
He looked around and Zhao Fangye was no longer in the room. Song Huaixi hurriedly put on his clothes and rushed out.
Lin Rugui saw his anxious look and guessed why he was like this.
She quickly stopped him and said, “Don’t worry, the Prince hasn’t left yet.”
Hearing that Zhao Fangye was still there, Song Huaixi’s anxious heart calmed down. He grabbed Lin Rugui and asked, “Where is Zhao Fangye?”
“He’s at the gate, waiting for you.”
After speaking, Song Huaixi hurriedly ran towards the gate.
Zhao Fangye’s men were ready and waiting for the order to set off immediately. Zhao Fangye was not in a hurry, standing in front of his horse and instructing Deputy General Sun.
“Zhao Fangye!”
He was interrupted by Song Huaixi’s voice. Turning his head, he saw Song Huaixi running straight towards him.
He threw himself into his arms, his voice filled with grievance, “I thought you left. Why… why didn’t you call me…”
He noticed that the clothes on his body were not properly worn, and it was obvious that he had hurriedly gotten out of bed and ran over.
Zhao Fangye lowered his head to tidy up his collar and comforted him softly, “I didn’t not call you. I came out to explain something, and I was about to go into the house to call you when you came.”
Originally, he should have left at this hour, but the troops were still waiting in front of the Song Mansion.
The accompanying people were originally wondering why Prince Ning had not spoken yet, as it was getting late and the sun would be coming out soon, making it difficult to travel.
It turned out that it was for Prince Ning’s consort.
It seemed that Prince Ning really did love Prince Ning’s consort as much as the rumors said.
The Song family and the accompanying people all watched the two of them embrace in the long street. Song Huaixi completely disregarded everyone’s gaze and hugged Zhao Fangye tightly, not letting go.
His eyes were wet, and his voice was nasal, “Zhao Fangye…”
He originally thought that he could be very sensible, but he seemed unable to do so now.
Grabbing Zhao Fangye’s collar, he held back the tears in his eyes and secretly wiped the tears that accidentally flowed out on his clothes made of expensive material.
After a long while, Song Huaixi looked up. His eyes and the tip of his nose were slightly red.
He looked at him expectantly, “Zhao Fangye, can… can you… take me with you…”
Seeing him like this, Zhao Fangye’s heart softened. For a moment, he only wanted to throw away all the grudges, power, money, and secular things.
He only wanted to take Song Huaixi to a peaceful place without strife and live quietly.
But he couldn’t. Song Huaixi was already tightly entangled with him. He could only protect his peace for a lifetime by ascending to a high position without restraint.
Holding his face, Zhao Fangye’s fingers gently stroked the corners of his eyes, his tone helpless, “No, Huaixi. Hanzhou is too dangerous. Be good, I’ll be back soon.”
Hearing the answer, Song Huaixi seemed to have deflated.
He slowly retreated from his embrace and wiped away his tears. He said sensibly, “Okay, then you have to come back quickly.”
Zhao Fangye’s arms emptied, and his hands hung by his sides.
Looking at his sensible appearance, his heart ached. He stepped forward and touched his head, “Okay.”
After speaking, Zhao Fangye flipped onto his horse. The team began to move forward.
Lin Rugui stepped forward and hugged Song Huaixi, “The Prince will be back soon, Huaixi, don’t worry.”
Song Huaixi looked at Zhao Fangye’s gradually receding figure, and the emotions in his chest surged out like a flood.
“Wuwu… Zhao Fangye…”
Song Huaixi looked at the team and shed tears, tears constantly sliding down his face, “Ugh… I don’t want to cry… but I… I… can’t help it…”
Song Huaixi’s voice choked, and Lin Rugui was also helpless. She could only hug him and comfort him.
It turned out that this child was pretending to be so calm in front of others.
It seemed that their Huaixi had become a little different.
So this was the taste of parting. For ordinary people, it was just a melancholy feeling.
Song Huaixi was different. He had not experienced these things, and his mind was simple. He had become accustomed to Zhao Fangye’s company day and night, and suddenly separating made him feel very uncomfortable.
After Zhao Fangye left for more than half a month, Song Huaixi was listless every day in the Song Mansion.
He stayed in the house all day, and even though the weather was getting warmer, he was not seen going out to play.
It was as if his heart had followed Zhao Fangye to Hanzhou.
Seeing him so depressed, Song Lianyu and Zhao Qiongwan asked him to go out for a walk to relax.
As soon as they entered, they saw him sitting on the soft couch in the room with a picture book in his hand. His eyes were unfocused, and he seemed to be lost in thought.
“Huaixi, what are you thinking about?” Song Lianyu and Zhao Qiongwan entered the room and walked up to him.
Coming back to his senses, Song Huaixi looked at them, “Brother, sister-in-law! You’ve come.”
Zhao Qiongwan sat in front of him, “The weather is getting warmer, how about Huaixi goes out with sister-in-law to fly a kite?”
Song Lianyu also nodded, “Yes, Huaixi, didn’t you often make a fuss about flying a kite when you were young?”
The two of them looked at him expectantly.
But Song Huaixi thought for a while and suddenly said, “Brother, is Hanzhou very far?”
“I wish I were a kite.”