Early the next morning.
When the Crown Prince woke, Cui Rong was already sitting off to one side.
It was as though the way he had held him as they slept last night had been nothing but an illusion.
The Crown Prince silently lowered his eyes.
Had he not been awake at the time, he would have believed it.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Cui Rong greeted him first when he saw that he was awake.
"Good morning, Little Uncle."
The Crown Prince answered as if nothing had happened.
He got up and walked alone to the cave entrance, watching the rain still pattering down outside.
"It looks like we still won't be able to leave today," he said frankly.
In weather like this, even if Emperor Father and Little Imperial Uncle wanted to find him, it would be difficult.
But that was no great problem.
Little Imperial Uncle would surely find a way to locate him.
Seeing that his expression was normal, Cui Rong knew his presumptuous act last night had gone unnoticed. He felt relieved, yet also somewhat disappointed.
He looked at him, his eyes flickering.
Suddenly, he asked, "Your Highness doesn't seem very worried about being unable to leave?"
"Mm. Little Imperial Uncle will definitely find me," the Crown Prince replied calmly.
Hearing the certainty in his voice, Cui Rong went slightly still.
An almost imperceptible shadow passed through his eyes. "Does Your Highness trust Prince Yu that much?"
The Crown Prince gazed blankly at the curtain of rain before him, like strands of pearls.
Then a glimmer of conviction flashed in his eyes. "There's nothing Little Imperial Uncle can't do."
"Little Imperial Uncle is very capable."
Cui Rong fell silent.
He bowed his head and lowered his eyes.
Of course.
After all, Prince Yu had spent every