The Heavenly Emperor still had some things to do but he spent as much time with Jing He as he could. Finally having his son back to chat between those arduous meetings with the titled gods or whoever was having an issue again was a joyous matter. Taking some time away from his duties to play a game of weiqi or listen to his son reading something could also be described as heavenly bliss. The best thing about the situation was that this apparently wasn’t just a one-off lucky chance.

When Jing He left that evening, Rong Su loathed to part from him, always feeling that he probably wouldn’t get to spend time with him like this anytime soon. After all, there was always that pesky dragon king hovering around him and if he wasn’t, then his wife usually found out first and hogged Jing He to herself. As a father, Rong Su really felt neglected.

The next day around the time the sun reached the highest point in the sky, Rong Su was once again informed by one of the servants that his beloved son had made his way over to see him. Hearing this, he immediately shot to his feet and rushed over to where his son was still waiting for his permission to enter.

“Jing He!” He happily grabbed his son’s arm, smiling from ear to ear. “Father is glad to hear that you have time to accompany me again for a while.”

Jing He nodded. “Of course, father. Since it makes you happy this is what I should do. And there is nothing else to take care of anyway.” Yes, this morning, Qiu Ling once again hadn’t come. It made him feel anxious again. Yesterday, his mother’s advice had still been fresh in his mind and he told himself that he only needed to wait long enough for Qiu Ling to return. But with yet another day having passed, his worry grew again.

Rong Su had been looking at his son while walking toward the study and noticed his expression. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you happy to spend time with me?” Somehow, his son looked a little forced as if he truly didn’t enjoy this.

Jing He hurriedly shook his head. “Of course not, father. I’m always glad to make you happy.”

“Then what’s the matter?” He hadn’t imagined that his son looked down, had he?

Jing He opened his lips but then hesitated. His father disliked Qiu Ling. This wasn’t any news. If he told him that Qiu Ling hadn’t come by, wouldn’t he make more out of that? But then again, his father should have guessed that Qiu Ling had stayed away. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had time to come by, would he?

Rong Su raised his brows when his son didn’t answer and stopped before they entered the study. “Did something happen?” His brows furrowed when he thought of that. Something happening to his son … it could only be because of that bastard from the dragon realm! “Did that Longjun do something to you?!” He grabbed Jing He’s arm, making him tense.

“No …” Jing He hurriedly shook his head again. “There was nothing like that.” He had no idea how his father had come up with that either. Had Qiu Ling ever done something harmful? He didn’t think so. “It’s just …” He hesitated again but seeing that his father was already enraged by whatever scenario he had made up in his mind, he knew that he couldn’t keep quiet.

“He hasn’t come by for several days. I’m a little worried.” He didn’t elaborate on what he was worried about. The truth wouldn’t go over well and his father could probably find a suitable reason by himself.

Rong Su let go of his son’s arm and looked oddly. “What’s there to worry about? Isn’t it good that he is finally staying away? He’s been bothering you since what feels like ages ago. It’s best he never comes back!”

Jing He lowered his head, trying not to show how much his father’s words hurt. He missed Qiu Ling. If he could, he would have gone over to the dragon realm himself to see him. But his father didn’t even want him to wait for Qiu Ling to return here. How could he calmly accept that?

Rong Su saw his son stay quiet and furrowed his brows even further. “It couldn’t be that you don’t agree?” He grabbed Jing He’s shoulder again, wondering if he really had to talk sense into his son again.

Jing He hurriedly shook his head. Of course, he indeed didn’t agree but his father already looked angry. He didn’t dare to say his true thoughts out loud.

Rong Su narrowed his eyes, staring at Jing He’s expression carefully. That Longjun was really dreadful! He was making use of his son’s young age and corresponding naivety to make him question his own father’s words. Clearly, he was trying to drive a wedge between them so Jing He would be at his mercy.

Of course, this would never work. He wouldn’t just abandon his son because Jing He lost his way. No, he would patiently continue to advise him so he could regain direction, turn his back on that dandy, and find somebody better someday in the future.

Anyway, Jing He was still much too young to think about relationships. While it couldn’t hurt to think about what kind of son-in-law he’d prefer, this absolutely wasn’t something that needed to be solved soon. No, right now, he only needed to ensure that he wouldn’t be led astray by some dazzler.

Rong Su pursed his lips and finally pulled his son into the study, for once closing the door behind them that usually stayed open. Jing He might have shaken his head just now but with his behavior yesterday and now after arriving today, he didn’t quite trust that that bastard hadn’t managed to make him have some doubts again.

He gritted his teeth when he thought of that but then took a deep breath to calm down. He couldn’t let that guy succeed. That meant that he had to tread carefully. Who knew what exactly he had tried to convince Jing He of? So it was important to stay calm and do this with understanding. He had to show Jing He that he could always come to him and would get the right advice.

Making up his mind, he took Jing He’s hand and patted it in what was supposed to be a reassuring manner. “Jing He, you know I love you, right?”

Jing He looked at his father, feeling that he probably wouldn’t like where this was going. Still, he nodded his head. “Of course, father.”

“Well, then you should also know that I always want what is best for you.”

Jing He nodded again but it already felt more difficult this time around. He indeed didn’t doubt that his father loved him and he couldn’t deny either that his father likely wanted the best for him. The problem was that his father’s opinion of what was best didn’t quite coincide with his own. This was bound to cause problems between them.

Rong Su felt satisfied when his son reacted as intended. “Longjun isn’t a good influence on you. I’ve already said that a decade ago. It’s a pity our races are tied too closely together. Otherwise, I would have made sure long ago that he can’t come here to disturb your peace.

“Now, he has finally given up and isn’t coming up all on his own. That’s a good thing. Do you hear that?” He raised his brows at his son, trying to see if he really got that. His precious son was just too kind. He would even worry about a dandy like that.

Jing He didn’t agree but under his father’s scrutinizing look, he could only nod his head.

“Alright. It’s good if you understand. Anyway, there is nothing for you to worry about. Leave that to the people in the dragon realm. He is their king so they have to deal with him. As for us … you can just go about life as usual before you met him. Isn’t that nice? You’ll finally be able to live as you want! You should see this as a chance.”

Jing He made a sound that his father took as agreement. Actually, he tried to imagine such a future and felt horrified. Hopefully, Qiu Ling would return soon or he didn’t know how he was supposed to go on.