Jing He took a moment to consider his words carefully, not wanting his father to erupt before he even managed to get to the important part. “I am not sure how to say this but these days, I can’t help but reflect on how time passes. I remember when I was young, there were a lot of things happening. Oftentimes, I felt so frightened, I dared not think about the future.”

Rong Su looked a little uncomfortable when his son brought this up. The reason Jing He’s life had been like that was because of the curse on their family. It wasn’t something that could be changed but as his father, he naturally hated that his precious son had to go through this just because he shared his blood.

Jing He kept his gaze lowered, afraid to look at his father as he spoke. If he did, maybe his expression would scare him off talking further. “Of course, I am well aware how much mother and you did to keep me safe. At your side, I always felt more secure as if no matter what happened, it certainly wouldn’t be as you accompanied me.”

He lowered his head further, his fingers rubbing over the hem of his sleeve. “Over the years, I believe I got used to living this kind of life. Yes, there was danger but it didn’t seem unbearable and only seemed like a matter of course. In the past, our family committed a great wrong and it should be like this.”

This was something he didn’t just say for his father’s sake. He truly believed it. It had been his family that pushed Xing — the supreme sovereign’s beloved — to the point where he became a fallen god. Naturally, they should be cursed for that, suffering the consequences just as he had. Just this little was already Tian showing mercy.

“When I finally came of age, I even felt a little unaccustomed. I know that now, the curse is not active and is in a dormant state instead. But knowing this and living life each day without the constant fear had me confused for a while.”

Rong Su cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable when Jing He brought this up. His son had never been outspoken so this matter, they had never talked about it. To suddenly hear about this after several years … he didn’t know what to do with that.

Jing He pretended not to notice his father’s discomfort even though he was well aware that the mood in the study seemed to have changed. He didn’t dare to dwell on it and started to push the topic in the direction of what he truly wanted to talk about. “Well, this was only my initial feeling.

“After living like that for a few years, I also realized that the time of living with the curse is now over. I am free of the danger now and will be going forward. I will always be grateful for everything you and mother did for those two millennia. It was your guidance and help that allowed me to reach this age and have this type of peace.

“Of course, reaching adulthood and then having a few years to get accustomed to such a huge change, I am also realizing that now, I need to look at the future. I am not a child any longer and there are matters that should be planned.” Jing He’s fingers clenched tightly around his sleeve. Now was the moment of truth. He had to put his words well so his father could accept what he was saying.

“I have learned a lot from you and mother and I take inspiration from the great example you have been to me every day.” Of course, he could also see that there were some issues between them but the truth was that his father had chosen his mother not based on what his father had originally wanted and arranged for him but because his own heart told him that it was the right choice. He hoped that his father could extend the same courtesy of choice to him as well.

“I hope that in the future, I can live up to the standard you have set for me. Whether that is as a person, in regard to my position in the Nine Heavens, or as a partner in a relationship.” Jing He finally raised his head, taking a quick look at his father’s expression to ensure he wasn’t angry. So far, it didn’t look like it.

In fact, Rong Su was anything but angry. Inwardly, he even felt a bit excited. Ah, look at his son! He really had grown up now. Such a serious attitude just to express his thanks for the years of guidance they had given him and to ask for further help along the way. Clearly, they had raised this child extremely well!

With his father staying quiet, Jing He lowered his gaze again and pressed on. “By now, almost eighteen years have passed since I came of age. Realizing this, I feel that maybe it is time to put behind the fears of the past and look courageously toward the future. What I mean is that …” He took a deep breath, trying to calm down his heart that was beating madly. “I believe it might be time for me to take the next step in my life as an adult.”

Yes, he was ready for this. He was not a child any longer and he could start a relationship. He didn’t have to stay quiet about his feelings and could openly admit his admiration for the man he loved. He could make a promise to him both in private and also make the matter public. There was no need to wait any longer and it was time he made clear that this was what he thought.

Jing He raised his head again, looking at his father nervously. So far, he seemed to have taken it well but … as soon as he truly brought up Qiu Ling, it seemed like this would change. Still, it had to be said. Even if his father didn’t accept immediately, it could at least pave the way for the conversation Qiu Ling intended to have with his father.

This time, when Jing He looked up, his father’s expression had changed a little though. It wasn’t angry but … looked a little sad, almost pitying. Jing He was taken aback and for a moment, he wasn’t sure how to react.

Before Jing He had time to find back his bearing, his father already reached over the table and covered his hand with his palm. “I know. I have already thought about it for a while.”

Jing He blinked his eyes in surprise. “Father has also … thought of this?” He really didn’t know what to think. He had thought his father wouldn’t want to see him get married or even enter an official relationship for at least a few hundred years. But now he was telling him that he had actually been considering this as well? It seemed he had misjudged him …

While Jing He felt his guilty conscience raising its head for thinking of his father badly, Rong Su sighed deeply. “Well, you are indeed not getting any younger. As you said, originally, your life was already fraught with danger so I never even wanted to entertain the idea. Then, you came of age and the danger was finally over. I really didn’t have the heart to press the issue. But now, it has been a few years and you are indeed right that it is time to take that step. It’s my fault for taking too long to make this decision so you had to bring it up by yourself.”

Jing He nodded in a daze. He … could hardly believe what he was hearing. Had his father actually been thinking of his marriage since he came of age? Why had he never known? He was too surprised to even say a single word and could only quietly listen.

Rong Su sighed again and patted his son’s hand. “Well, you have always been this sensible. It’s no wonder you would ponder this and bring it up when you felt it couldn’t be delayed any longer. Since you’re already aware, let’s not waste any time. I’ll have one of the servants call the Fate’s Scribe over. He can begin the preparations immediately. This way, you can descend to the mortal realm as soon as possible.”