Did The Young Prince’s Kingdom Get Destroyed Today? Chapter 50

Chapter 50

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

The sound of the window being pushed open and the child falling was quite loud.

Originally sleeping deeply, Ling Yi was startled awake and sat up immediately.

A lamp was still burning in his room, and by its light, he looked at the floor.

There, he saw the little child.

The little child was rubbing his bottom and looking at him.

“Good evening, Third Brother.”

Their eyes met, and the little child gave him a soft, obedient smile. “I came to see if you were asleep.”

After rubbing his bottom, the little child got up from the floor.

He didn’t notice his Third Brother’s shocked expression at all. He walked on his short legs to his brother’s bed. “Third Brother, why don’t you sleep at night?”

Ling Yi: “…”

Ling Yi’s face, which had turned pale with fright, turned a bit green when he saw who it was.

The little child’s bottom hurt from the fall. After climbing onto the bed, he leaned towards his Third Brother and asked him to rub it: “My bottom hurts.”

Ling Yi was still in shock.

While mechanically rubbing the child’s bottom, he tried to find his voice. “Little, Little Seven, how did you come back?! No, why did you come back at this hour?”

“This is just when I came back.”

Ling Rui laid on the bed, squinting his eyes and stretching his small arms and legs, looking quite comfortable.

In the middle of the night, Ling Rui soon became sleepy lying on the bed.

He turned over and hugged his Third Brother’s hand.

“Third Brother, you need to sleep well next time.”

The sleepy child continued to lecture his brother, but he quickly fell silent as sleep overtook him.

Ling Yi still had many questions for him.

But hearing the child’s snores, he couldn’t bear to wake him up.

“If you scare me like this a few more times, I’ll die of fright even if I don’t get sick.”

Ling Yi looked at the sleeping child, gritted his teeth, and said in a low voice.

The child had returned to his brother’s side. Perhaps thinking of their parents and siblings here, he slept very securely.

Ling Yi looked down at his small face.

“At least you haven’t lost weight.”

He looked for a while, then reached out and pinched the child’s chubby face, which felt as good as ever.

After lightly pinching the little face, he leaned over and gave it a kiss.

The lamp beside the bed burned dimly.

Ling Yi’s heartbeat slowly returned to normal. He laid down again and held the little child in his arms.

“You little scamp… it’s good you’re back.”

Even though this little child often tried to scare him to death, Ling Yi still hoped to see him every day.

On this night, Ling Yi felt he slept better than any other night.

The next day, Ling Yi was woken up by someone pushing him.

He opened his eyes and saw a little chubby face right in front of him, looking a bit panicked. “Third Brother, you, why didn’t you wake me up?”

It seemed he had woken up a bit late.

If he tried to climb out the window at this time, he might run into the Empress.

Seeing his panicked little face, Ling Yi lazily said, “Don’t worry, my royal mother isn’t coming.”

“She went to Lingshan to pray and won’t be back for a while.”

Hearing this, the little child who had just sat up fell back down with a plop.

Ling Yi: “…”

Ling Yi poked his chubby waist with a finger. “Are you really that afraid of my mother?”

The little child nodded honestly. “Yes, very much.”

Out of all the consorts in the harem, Ling Rui was most afraid of the Empress.

The Empress, with her prayer beads, seemed to be devoted to Buddhism, but Ling Rui was very scared of her.

“It’s already daylight outside, you should get up too.”

Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Ling Yi decided to tickle his chubby waist. “Get up quickly, go see Father and Noble Consort Yi.”

Hearing about Father and Noble Consort Yi, the little child lying in bed finally got up.

Since he got up, Ling Yi naturally had to get up too.

Ling Yi dressed him and called for hot water to be brought for washing.

However, when it came to washing his face, Ling Yi was not very skilled, causing Ling Rui to constantly pull his face away.

The maid who brought in the hot water was visibly surprised to see Ling Rui.

“Alright, all done.”

Ling Yi washed his little face and hands clean, then took his hand and walked out.

As they were leaving, Ling Yi’s gaze fell on his window.

It was only then that he belatedly asked, “Wait, who broke my window? Little Seven, you shouldn’t have that much strength.”

Last night, all his attention had been on Little Seven’s sudden appearance, making him completely overlook the state of his window.

He vaguely remembered his window seemed to have been pushed open with a single slap.

Ling Rui looked at the broken window, his face showing a bit of guilt.

“Third Brother, I-I’ll fix it for you.”

Ling Rui shook his hand, trying hard to make up for Ah Wu’s actions. “I’ll fix it for you later, and make it good as new.”

Ling Yi: “…”

Ling Yi looked at him, not expecting such a small child to be able to fix the window.

He sighed and resigned himself, “Alright, as long as you promise Third Brother not to come asking if I’m asleep in the middle of the night again, I won’t make you pay for the window.”

The two of them walked along, heading first to see Emperor Ling.

“Little Seven, after you disappeared, Father was very worried about you.”

Ling Yi talked to him about what happened after he went missing. “Noble Consort Yi was also very worried. They were so worried about you that they were in a bad mood.”

“When you see them, be sure to comfort them.”

“Yeah! I know!” Ling Rui nodded his little head in agreement.

After walking for a while, they finally arrived at Emperor Ling’s residence. Even before entering, they could hear the sound of silk and bamboo instruments.

Ling Yi explained, “Royal Father’s headaches have occurred several times recently. Officials from Luocheng sent some skilled musicians to play soothing music, saying that this kind of music can alleviate Royal Father’s headaches.”

This explanation was quite serious, and Ling Rui nodded, believing it.

When they reached the door of the residence, Lu Guang saw Ling Rui and his eyes lit up.

“Oh, Little Highness, you’re back!”

Lu Guang was very happy, looking him up and down as if to check if he was safe and sound.

Ling Rui was also very happy to see Lu Guang.

He opened his little hands and let Lu Guang pick him up.

“Gonggong, is my father inside?”

“He is, he is. His Majesty doesn’t know you’re back yet. Little Highness, I’ll announce your return.”

“Gonggong, let’s go.”

Ling Rui hugged Lu Guang’s neck, not letting him announce but instead letting him carry him in directly.

This was how Ling Rui used to find Emperor Ling.

Every time he came back, he couldn’t wait. If Lu Guang didn’t carry him in, he would run in himself.

Emperor Ling also knew that the little guy didn’t like to be announced. He wasn’t surprised by his unauthorized entry.

Seeing that the little prince was about to go in, Lu Guang put him down and let him run.

Lu Guang called after him from behind, but he seemed unable to catch up to the little prince and just let him run in.

“Daddy!”

The little prince, running inside, shouted even before he saw Emperor Ling.

Emperor Ling, who was listening to the music, instantly opened his eyes upon hearing the voice.

The musicians sitting and playing below were all very beautiful. They had carefully selected a piece and dressed up meticulously, just waiting for Emperor Ling to notice them.

But before Emperor Ling could take a look at them, the little prince had hurriedly interrupted their music.

“Father, I’m back!”

The little child didn’t bother looking at the musicians. Like a small cannonball, he charged straight to Emperor Ling.

He climbed onto Emperor Ling’s lap, sat down, and hugged his neck. His bright black eyes looked intently at Emperor Ling: “Father, did you miss Little Seven?”

Emperor Ling: “…”

Emperor Ling was momentarily stunned.

Under the little child’s urging, his gaze shifted, and he finally reacted.

“Little Seven?”

“Yes!”

Ling Rui answered happily, looking up at Emperor Ling with his beautiful little face, and asked again, “Father, did you miss Little Seven?”

After several days apart, Ling Rui had indeed missed Emperor Ling a bit; despite his initial reservations due to his foresight visions, his affection for his father had dulled slightly.

But being such a young child, he instinctively relied on his father and mother.

In his understanding, parents, whether human or beast in the world, had a natural instinct to protect their offspring.

He could discern good from bad, but Emperor Ling had never harbored any ill intentions towards him.

Whenever Emperor Ling showed affection, it was genuinely heartfelt.

Emperor Ling had never shown suspicion, overthinking, or manipulation towards him.

During this disappearance, Emperor Ling had genuinely worried about him.

Among the many princes and princesses in the palace, this little prince was uniquely different to Emperor Ling.

He was the little prince personally cared for by Emperor Ling.

“Daddy, you—”

“Daddy missed you.”

Before Ling Rui could ask a third time, Emperor Ling answered.

The musicians who had been attending were dismissed by Lu Guang, who had followed them in.

One of the most beautiful musicians still felt somewhat resentful. 

She had played just now, catching Emperor Ling’s eye. Without the little prince’s interruption, she felt she might have caught Emperor Ling’s attention.

Now that they were leaving, with the newly returned little prince accompanying Emperor Ling, Emperor Ling might never remember them again.

Thinking this, the musicians took their instruments and, as they walked away, the most beautiful one slipped and sprained her ankle. Supporting her ankle, she looked pitifully towards Emperor Ling.

She was looking at Emperor Ling, and Ling Rui was looking at her.

Ling Rui’s small eyebrows wrinkled slightly. He instinctively didn’t like the way the musician looked at Emperor Ling. He pressed his soft little face against Emperor Ling and asked, “Why did you fall?”

Sometimes Ling Rui himself fell when he ran too fast. His mother said it was because he was too young, so he easily fell.

This sister on the ground looked like an adult, but walking on such a flat ground, she unexpectedly fell.

The musician’s eyes were truly emotional and attractive. Perhaps in different circumstances or at another time, Emperor Ling might have been tempted.

But at this moment, with the little rascal sitting on his leg, he didn’t like that look.

“Unworthy behavior, what kind of discipline is this?” Emperor Ling’s tone was displeased, prompting Lu Guang to take her away.

The musician wanted to plead, but Lu Guang quickly covered her mouth.

After all the musicians had left, Ling Rui pulled on Emperor Ling’s face, urging him to continue looking at him. “Daddy, look at Little Seven!”

Emperor Ling looked at him, then stood up and gently lifted him. “You’ve lost weight. Let’s have the kitchen prepare more delicious food for you to make up for it. Have you visited your royal mother?”

“No.”

Ling Rui shook his head, sticking close to Emperor Ling without any intention of leaving.

With father and son separated for so many days, Emperor Ling’s mood had changed with his condition.

Now that the little guy was back, sitting in his arms again, Emperor Ling’s changing mood finally settled into happiness.

He was genuinely happy that his only beloved little one was back.

They spent quite a while being affectionate together. Eventually, Emperor Ling personally carried him and went to find Noble Consort Yi. “Yi Er, look who I brought to see you!”

Since the little one went missing, the atmosphere between Emperor Ling and Noble Consort Yi had been deteriorating.

Noble Consort Yi harbored some resentment towards Emperor Ling. 

After all, the assassins had come for Emperor Ling, and everyone emerged unscathed except her son. How could she not have some resentment?

Her indifference towards Emperor Ling was palpable, and Emperor Ling could feel it.

Overall, there was a rift between them.

Fortunately, with Ling Rui’s return, Emperor Ling found a way to ease their strained relationship. Holding the little rascal, Emperor Ling watched as he smiled and cried while facing Noble Consort Yi.

The little one’s crying was quite loud.

“Mother, the little one missed you so much!”

Initially, the little one hugged Noble Consort Yi and cried. Soon afterward, he also hugged Emperor Ling. The three of them embraced tightly, and from the back, they looked harmonious.

However, not long after, the crying gradually subsided, and Noble Consort Yi tentatively asked, “Little Seven… has he fallen asleep?”

“Yes, he has.”

Emperor Ling glanced down and confirmed.

After checking that the little one was asleep in his arms, Emperor Ling looked up at Noble Consort Yi. “I can see you haven’t been sleeping well lately. Let’s rest together for a while.”

He said this, and Noble Consort Yi remained silent for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.

Soon after, Emperor Ling accompanied Noble Consort Yi and the little one to bed. The two adults and the little one ended up taking a nap together.

Their nap lasted until midday.

After waking up, Ling Rui rubbed his belly and asked Noble Consort Yi for food. Since leaving Noble Consort Yi this time, he hadn’t had such exquisite food.

Even compared to the kitchens of the border generals’ mansions, the palace cooks were much better.

The little one ate a bowl and a half of rice.

Seeing him eat so much, Emperor Ling’s gaze towards him changed compared to before. “Little Seven has really suffered this time. In the past, he wouldn’t have been able to eat this much.”

With Emperor Ling and Noble Consort Yi personally accompanying him, Ling Rui spent the whole day very happily.

Night fell.

Emperor Ling stayed at Noble Consort Yi’s place, with both adults sitting on the bed, accompanied by the little one. He played with his glass beads and wooden toys, his smile never fading from his face.

For several days straight, Emperor Ling remained at Noble Consort Yi’s place.

Those who had previously thought there might be trouble between Noble Consort Yi and Emperor Ling, silenced themselves under Emperor Ling’s continuous stay. They dared not speculate further.

Ling Rui wasn’t very clear about the affairs of adults.

He only knew that he was very happy now.

After being happy for a few days, Ling Rui received an invitation. Looking at the invitation letter, he, who still didn’t recognize many characters, looked confused.

“Your Highness, I can read!”

Jiang Yan, who hadn’t had much to do for several days, took the letter and read it to him: “This is an invitation from the Li family. They have many children and are inviting you to play with them.”

After Jiang Yan finished reading the letter, Ling Rui still looked puzzled.

He didn’t know the Li family, so why were they inviting him?

“Your Highness, the Li family is the family of Consort De, and it is also the family of the Fourth Prince’s maternal grandfather.” With this explanation from Jiang Yan, Ling Rui finally understood.

He nodded and agreed, “Then let’s go.”

The Li family had not only invited him but also the Sixth Prince, Ling Fu.

Before departing, Ling Fu carefully checked the followers accompanying them.

Seeing Ling Fu being so meticulous, Ling Rui became a bit nervous: “Sixth Brother, why are you checking so thoroughly?”

Ling Fu replied seriously, “I’m making sure there are enough people. If there are too few and we encounter bad guys, we’ll be in trouble!”

Upon hearing this, Ling Rui quickly joined him in counting the number of followers.

Ah Wu was already gone, so if he got lost again and couldn’t be found, it would indeed be a disaster.

The two little princes finished counting the followers and reviewed various precautions against being kidnapped before finally getting into the carriage to go to the Li family.

Perhaps because they talked too much about bad guys on the way, when they arrived at the Li residence, they almost mistook the people who came to receive them for bad guys.

“Little Seven, don’t worry.”

Ling Fu held Ling Rui’s small hand tightly and assured him, “This time, Sixth Brother will definitely protect you. With me here, you won’t encounter any danger again!”

Ling Rui: “…”

Although Ling Rui didn’t think he would encounter any danger at Fourth Brother’s maternal grandfather’s house, he still held Sixth Brother’s chubby hand and said earnestly, “Little Seven will also protect Sixth Brother.”

The two of them held hands at the entrance, while inside the Li residence, everyone was waiting for them.

The steward of the Li family led the way and, seeing how small Ling Rui was, asked, “Your Highness, would you like me to carry you?”

Ling Rui shook his head: “No need.”

He wasn’t the type of child to let strangers carry him.

Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 5 more chapters of Did The Young Prince’s Kingdom Get Destroyed Today? right away or get access to early chapters of all the available BL novels translated by Lazy Girl T! Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>