Night finally fell completely.
After finishing a full day's work, Cui Yue quietly returned to the courtyard where the two little ones were staying. He greeted the guards outside, then tiptoed in.
He had just been about to call out to the two little ones when a faint snore drifted through the rather heavy bed curtains.
Cui Yue: "..."
In an instant, the aching back, sore waist, and cramping legs he habitually ignored... all came sweeping back. Cui Yue drew a deep breath and, out of his profound sympathy for his Prince, briefly forgave this world in which he alone suffered.
He slowly approached and softly called to the two soundly sleeping little dumplings.
Lin Jinshu woke with instant alertness. Once he saw that it was Cui Yue, his expression turned relieved and a little dependent, and he reached out to nudge Jiang Yingcheng beside him.
Cui Yue visibly froze. A moment later, the purest affection in the world healed his aches once again, leaving him feeling as though he were treading through clouds and mist, so dreamlike that none of it seemed real.
Deep guilt rose in his heart.
How could I have blamed the two little ones just now?! They're only children, still growing. It's perfectly normal for them to get a little extra sleep!
What have they done wrong?!
"Mmm..."
Jiang Yingcheng sat up too, forcing her eyes open a tiny crack. The moment she made out the scene before her, her eyes opened wide, little sparks of light shimmering in them. "Grandpa Cui!"
Cui Yue: "..."
Even Cui Yue's heartbeat stumbled for a moment.
H-how could such adorable creatures as little children exist in this world!
He gave a delighted hum. "Come along. Grandpa Cui will take you to pick out some wood!"
Both little ones