He had written to Jing He in the past while still trying to woo him. It had only been once or twice though and the content couldn’t be compared. Yes, thinking about it now, it seemed that he had sent him a poem once and then a secret message when his father had put him under house arrest for the first time because he thought they were getting too close.

Qiu Ling huffed slightly. That father-in-law of his was really too unreasonable. Well, he’d work on that slowly. For now, other things were more important.

The tip of the brush hovered over the scroll before it slowly descended. The words ‘my beloved’ were pinned on paper in a flash but then, Qiu Ling hesitated once again. He thought of how Jing He always doubted everything around him. Could he really address the letter just like this?

Smiling to himself, he moved the brush once again, adding his lover’s name before he continued to write.

[A week has passed since I last saw you in person. My heart is in pain at the thought that you are up there all alone. I left An Xin with you so you would not feel completely abandoned but I suppose that is of little comfort to you just like how your parents’ presence is of little comfort to me whenever I miss you. Of course, you should not doubt that my missing is continuous.

These days, when I wake up in the early hours of the morning, my first thought is always toward you. I have wondered whether you have awoken from your slumber yet and if you have, how you might be doing. Are you scared? Do you feel alone? Do you feel any pain after what happened?]

The brush paused and Qiu Ling closed his eyes. He gulped and then faintly cleared his throat, taking a glance at the image in the water mirror above. His beloved was still sleeping peacefully, reassuring him. He sighed and dipped the brush into the ink again, continuing his letter.

[Each day that I didn’t know, I could only silently try to keep up my hopes and to keep my hands and mind busy with other matters.

You don’t know but I have moved into your father’s palace after you’ve disappeared. I know it might be delusional to think this but I hope he will come to dislike me a little less after being in close quarters for some time.

Surely, there is nothing objectively abominable about me so what he resents should be the image of me he has in his mind. After having to watch me up close for a time, he might change his assumptions and then give me an honest and fair appraisal. At that time, he certainly won’t have anything bad to say.]

Qiu Ling smiled to himself, wondering what Jing He would say when he read these words. In front of him, he had never shown the side of him that feared to be rejected or was doubtful about his own right to exist in this world. Yes, Jing He had only ever seen his confidence and strength. In the future that, too, might need to change.

[There are many things I want to tell you. It is a pity that right now, I can’t be with you. If I could, I’d fly to your side right away but Tian explained to me that that would do you more harm than good. So while I want to be with you desperately, I will restrain myself for your sake. Short-term satisfaction can’t compare to our long-term happiness, after all. I still want to see you again in the future, to marry you, and be with you forever. I could not risk that future with you.]

Qiu Ling glanced up at the water mirror again and then froze. Jing He seemed to have woken up. It was still the middle of the night, judging by the hint of pale moonlight that fell in through the window pane but couldn’t quite illuminate the inside of the palace. Still, Jing He had turned in bed and finally sat up, obviously unable to get to sleep.

Had he realized?

That thought immediately rushed to the forefront of Qiu Ling’s mind and his heart raced. Whenever Jing He found out what had happened to him, it would surely shock him greatly.

At such a time, he had no leisure to think about writing letters. He put the brush aside that was still stained with ink and watched Jing He closely, trying to look for any clues. His beloved was keeping quiet and he couldn’t simply ask so it was up to his observation ability to find out what was bothering him.

He watched silently as Jing He wandered around his palace in a way that seemed random. Well, maybe the right word to use should be lost. Even if Jing He hadn’t realized it yet, he might subconsciously have an idea that something was wrong but didn’t know where to find the answers he desired. Thus, he could only walk from one side of the palace to the other, unable to settle down.

In the water mirror, Jing He pulled out the painting scroll with the couple in the garden. His own gaze was focused on the figures hidden amongst the shrubbery but Qiu Ling’s gaze was attracted by the faint lines of words instead.

The eyes of the dragons were better than those of the gods so he had no issue deciphering them even in the faint light that Jing He had created. He closed his eyes as soon as he did, silently cursing himself. It almost felt as if this was why Tian had shown him what was happening on Jing He’s side. And yes, it seemed that there was more to add to his letter after all.

He silently picked up the brush again and contemplated as he watched Jing He continue to roam silently, the words on the top of the scroll echoing in his mind.

[Heaven and earth may not know but no secret can be kept hidden from the world when the world consists of two hearts alone.]