Jinde saw Xiang Yu’s expression fall and felt a bit guilty. “I’m not criticizing you. I’m just trying to think on your behalf since I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Xiang Yu hurriedly shook his head. “No, that’s not it.” He didn’t want to talk about his issues with Xin Lan though. Thus, he turned back to Qiu Ling. “Since this won’t work, what else can we do? I’m definitely willing to help!”

Qiu Ling reached out and patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. You already helped me a lot yesterday by allowing me to see my beloved.” He smiled and thought for a moment, suddenly realizing that he still hadn’t gotten that love token that his beloved had handed to that Duan Ming. Ah, well, he’d do so later.

Speaking of Xiang Yu’s help though … “In fact, if you can, I’d be grateful if you could send me back and forth until we figure something permanent out. It’s just not right to not see Jing He for so long.”

Xiang Yu naturally nodded at once. This matter was easy enough. It was hardly even worth mentioning. “I will do it!” Thinking about it for a moment, he couldn’t help but purse his lips. “It’ll still be difficult because of your father-in-law though, right?”

Qiu Ling could only smile wryly. Of course, things would be much easier without the Heavenly Emperor but what was he supposed to do?

Xiang Yu turned to Jinde and put on an innocent expression. “Then … maybe I could send him somewhere? I can open a portal without anybody noticing!”

Jinde laughed but still shook his head. “The idea isn’t bad but with how unreasonable that guy is, he might just use it as an opportunity to strengthen the safety measures in the city or directly around his son. What is Qiu Ling supposed to do then?” He sighed and shook his head. “No, this matter needs to be considered more closely.”

He turned to Qiu Ling, his expression turning serious again. “Give me a few days. I will figure something out for you. Even if it won’t be a perfect plan, I will at least make sure that you can finally marry him. I definitely won’t let you end up like I did back then.”

Qiu Ling nodded but couldn’t help but glance at Leng Jin Yu who was sitting next to Jinde. He hadn’t said much and didn’t react when Jinde dragged out the things from back then either as if he didn’t care at all.

Seeing his gaze, Leng Jin Yu just smiled. “I’ll help if there is something I can do.” As for what Qiu Ling was wondering about … Well, what was he supposed to do? It was true that he had married somebody else in his life as Chun Yin. That was something he would always be guilty of. He also knew how much it had hurt Jinde to have to witness that so he naturally wouldn’t just watch as Qiu Ling had to go through the same. Whatever he could do to prevent that outcome, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it.

Qiu Ling gave a hum and turned back to Jinde. “If you can’t think of anything, I would also understand. I know it’s not an easy situation.”

Jinde shook his head. “No, don’t worry. I promise you I will make it possible. One way or another, you will get your ceremony with the one you love. I’ll never accept another outcome.”

Qiu Ling finally nodded and didn’t say anything else. He could see just how determined Jinde was. In fact, he was a little surprised but then, when he thought of what had just recently happened, he felt like he also understood: Jinde was trying to make up for something. He couldn’t do so with Jin Ling so he was doing it with him.

It felt a bit odd to think about it in these terms but he understood. Jinde had regrets and he needed some way to channel those feelings right now. Naturally, he wouldn’t refuse. Not to mention that this was helping him, he also wanted Jinde to get better. If he needed to pour his feelings onto him for that to happen, then he obviously wouldn’t say a single thing.

Jinde nodded as well but then sighed. “Well, until then, you should try and take your mind off things. It doesn’t help to obsess over this. Is there anything else to do?”

Qiu Ling thought for a moment but finally had to shake his head. “Nothing urgent, at least. There is still the issue with the demon realm but that doesn’t seem like it will be solved anytime soon.”

Jinde tilted his head. “What issue?” Even though Leng Jin Yu and Xiang Yu had told him some of what had happened during the weeks he was out of it, they hadn’t covered everything. Well, they also weren’t aware of everything that had happened considering that they had mostly stayed in the courtyard or their room respectively.

Qiu Ling hesitated when he thought of how this was related to Jin Ling’s death. In the end though, he was sure that Jinde would hear about these things sooner or later. In that case, wasn’t it better to tell him himself?

He sighed and shook his head. “It’s nothing much. Just that the guy who is currently occupying the throne seems to be on some kind of spiritual journey. At the very least, he’s saying that he wants to make peace with everyone. I don’t really trust it though.”

Jinde immediately nodded. “You shouldn’t. If it’s a demon they can never be trusted no matter what they say.” He should know. After all, he had once made this very same mistake and finally paid dearly. Of course, he wouldn’t watch his stepson repeat this mistake now. Not if he could prevent it.