There were a lot more things to tell about Jing He’s past but after another story or two, the steps of the Heavenly Emperor finally sounded outside. Qiu Ling pulled a face, currently feeling even worse about this future father-in-law of his while Bai Fen and Qiang Yan both figured that it wouldn’t be a good idea to continue talking about this in front of him.

Even though they should all be on the same side when it came to matters regarding Jing He, they obviously had very different opinions. To discuss this kind of matter in front of Rong Su just seemed like inviting an argument and neither of the three wanted to risk it. It was already great that he had only been huffing a bit whenever he saw Qiu Ling and wasn’t constantly making a fuss.

Qiu Ling took a deep breath, tried not to think about the issues of the past too much, and greeted the Heavenly Emperor. Even though this guy was hardly his favorite person and even though his image had dropped another level this morning, he was the Heavenly Emperor nonetheless and his future father-in-law to boot. While he might not want to talk to him, he at least had to greet him.

Rong Su didn’t seem to be of the same opinion. Just as expected, he huffed and then decided to complain. “I see you are here again. One could think you didn’t have a place of your own.”

Qiu Ling only smiled faintly and didn’t remind him that they had agreed to this so he wouldn’t have a reason to accuse him of lying about Jing He’s whereabouts and condition. Instead, he turned back to the table he had arranged for himself, and took out a paper scroll, intending to do something more rewarding with his task.

Qiang Yan cleared his throat and glanced at his sister. “Well, I should get going and take care of my palace. You …”

“I’ll stay here and …” She thought for a while, not sure what she could do while at this place. She didn’t feel like babysitting her husband even though Qiu Ling could probably use somebody in his corner to give him a bit of rest. Looking at him though, it seemed that he was able to keep busy and would just ignore her husband. “Well, I think I’ll go and accompany your son and his fiancee.”

Qiang Yan hummed, his gaze a little wistful. He would also like to completely take off and just accompany Bai Mu and Nie Huang every day but … he also couldn’t bring himself to do so. The Palace of War was important, after all. The safety of the people in the capital and even the whole of the Nine Heavens relied on it. He didn’t have the luxury of just taking off because he wanted to. “I’ll join you later when everything has been taken care of.”

Bai Fen nodded and got to her feet. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

Qiang Yan nodded, got up as well, and then walked out of the room with her after another glance at Qiu Ling.

At the other desk in the study, Rong Su pursed his lips. He didn’t know when the two of them had gotten here but it seemed as if they had been sitting there for a while. Now, he arrived but his wife actually left. It wasn’t fair. He really didn’t get her recent behavior. They had no proof that Jing He really was a fallen god save for that dandy’s words and even if he was right … it wasn’t like that was his fault!

He angrily glared at Qiu Ling but the person in question didn’t pay him any heed. He had picked up a brush and was quietly writing as if this was his study in his own palace and this was a normal thing to do. How … pretentious! Rong Su huffed again and then pulled out a few documents, intending to show him that he couldn’t look down on him at all.

As for Qiu Ling, he wasn’t actually working. He wanted to but his thoughts were swirling around the stories Bai Fen and Qiang Yan had told him. In the end, he figured that he might as well write another letter to Jing He. Anyway, he had been a model king the last week and completed every single matter that Xiang Yong sent over. There wasn’t much to attend to right now.

Not to mention that even if he tried to work, he probably wouldn’t be able to focus and might make mistakes. Of course, that couldn’t be allowed. Even when he had deliberately pretended not to be a good king and thrown things to his advisers, he had still made sure that they were competent and handled the tasks given to them well. He wouldn’t let his past cause others to suffer as well.

Having made up his mind, the words currently flowing onto the scroll of paper were thus addressed to the one he loved again.

[My beloved Jing He, not even a day has gone by since I wrote my last letter to you. In fact, it has only been a few hours since I put it in an envelope and stored it in the spatial ring you have given me.

You might be wondering what has caused me to dip the brush in ink yet again. Was there something I hadn’t mentioned to you in the previous letter? But rest assured, my confession was true and in its entire scope. I did not leave anything out or add anything. Of course, you can ask me about any details you want to know after you come back and read the letter.

Either way, what actually made me pick up the brush again was my conversation with your mother and uncle just now.]