Qiu Ling accepted the necessity of the trial without issue, putting Jing He’s mind greatly at ease. Feeling as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart, he finally calmed down and relaxed in Qiu Ling’s arms.

Now, only a week remained for them to spend together. Whenever he wasn’t preparing for the trial, he should see to it that he split his time between his parents and Qiu Ling. Otherwise, Qiu Ling would feel that he didn’t care about him and would be more likely to reconsider their relationship during the trial. As for his parents, while his mother would certainly understand, his father absolutely wouldn’t, and considering what he wanted to ask of him when he returned … he should better keep his father happy until then.

Jing He looked up at Qiu Ling, wondering how to talk about this. Even though he didn’t doubt that Qiu Ling would understand this as well, that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t feel reluctant to accept it. Certainly, after just not seeing each other for a week, he would rather spend every second together. At the very least, this was how he felt and he hoped that Qiu Ling’s heart was the same.

Jing He’s gaze softened and he finally lowered his head again. Maybe … maybe it would also be alright to spend more time together. Anyway … anyway, he had spent all his childhood days with his parents. What did a week even mean to them? It couldn’t be compared to Qiu Ling who had only been in his life for ten years.

He closed his eyes and Qiu Ling’s heartbeat under his fingertips seemed especially clear. It was strong and steady, making him feel reassured as if nothing could ever change the feelings contained in it.

Qiu Ling didn’t speak either. He looked into the distance, his fingers brushing through Jing He’s hair and down his back. His mind was actually on the trial and what it meant. Getting married afterward sounded good but … that was still a long time in the future. Well, maybe two or three months couldn’t be called long in comparison to the ten years he had already spent wooing Jing He but … they sure seemed like an eternity after he had almost gotten his wish. Also, there was this small but not unimportant matter of not seeing Jing He for these months. It was agonizing just thinking about it.

The past week had been incredibly difficult for him. He hadn’t really known what to do with himself and the only reason he didn’t go completely crazy was that he knew it had to be done. Most of that time had been spent painting portraits of Jing He or preparing gifts he could shower him with after they saw each other again. It could be done for a while but he really couldn’t imagine that while to last longer than a month.

Qiu Ling didn’t know anything about the trials other than what Jing He had told him just now. He wouldn’t argue about their necessity and naturally wouldn’t obstruct Jing He from going but … that also didn’t mean that he would happily lean back and wait. No, rather than that, wouldn’t it be better to take this as an opportunity?

He lowered his head, glancing at the person in his arms. Jing He was young in comparison to him and he loathed the fact that he hadn’t met him earlier. Even if it had only been for the seven years before that banquet happened, meeting on the day he came of age and starting their relationship then seemed so much better. At the very least, he could have witnessed a little more of his beloved’s life.

Now, Jing He would go to the mortal realm and he would have a brand new life that would start from the beginning. Since he had to go, then why shouldn’t he accompany him? He could be there for all those important moments. They could fall in love again and share that life with each other. After Jing He woke up, wouldn’t all those sweet memories still be theirs?

Qiu Ling lowered his head further, burying his face in Jing He’s hair to hide his smile. Yes, this was truly a prime opportunity. He absolutely couldn’t let go of it. His fingers sank deeper into Jing He’s hair and he hugged him tighter. Just imagining being able to deepen their relationship further filled his heart with joy.

The exact way to go about this was still up for debate though. According to what Jing He had said, he wouldn’t remember his life as a god while in the mortal realm. Since that was the case, maybe knowing ahead of time would just make him worry? Then he should keep it a secret for now and simply surprise him.

Qiu Ling turned his head and kissed the top of Jing He’s head once again. Pulling back, he wanted to speak up and encourage him a little but just then, he heard something from the front of the palace. Apparently, some visitor had arrived.

Qiu Ling pursed his lips in dismay, not wanting to let go of Jing He just yet. Yesterday, they had only met for a short moment before Jing He returned to speak to his father. Now, they were once again being interrupted. This wasn’t alright!

He hurriedly hugged Jing He more tightly again, his lips almost touching his ear. “My love, I will miss you so much while you are down there. Let’s spend every minute we can together until you have to leave, alright?”

“Ah, that …” Jing He felt conflicted when he heard this. Even if he really didn’t spend a single second with his father and mother … there would still be a few other things he had to take care of. But seeing Qiu Ling so insistent, he also couldn’t refuse his heartfelt wish. “I will spend as much time with you as possible. But please don’t be angry if there are times I can’t. These days, some preparations still need to be made.”

“Mn.” Qiu Ling hummed and reached up, cupping Jing He’s cheek and making him turn his face toward him. “I could never be angry at you. At most, I would be heartbroken about not seeing you. Especially with such a long time of preparation ahead of us.”

Jing He nodded in a daze, feeling Qiu Ling’s fingers rub against his skin. When he said it like this, he really wanted to do everything he could to just be with Qiu Ling.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the palace, Huang Lan led Shun Tao, the Fate’s Scribe into the palace and brought him to the study. “I will inform His Highness of your visit. Please wait a moment.” He carefully closed the door behind him, his gaze turning to the door on the other side of the main room which overlooked the garden.

Stepping outside, he was faced with their Son of Heaven being tightly embraced by the dragon king. A few years ago, this would have made his fists itch but by now, he simply blinked and walked closer before calling out. “Your Highness, the Fate’s Scribe came to see you. I have let him wait inside the study.”

Jing He who had just been troubled by how to respond to Qiu Ling’s words hurriedly straightened up. “Of course! I will be there in a minute.”

Huang Lan inclined his head and then left the two alone, not wanting to intrude any further. Anyway, the dragon king didn’t seem all that bad after watching him do his best to romance their crown prince for a full ten years and it really was none of his business anyway.

Jing He turned back to Qiu Ling, smiling faintly. “This was what I meant. I am afraid I have to leave for now.”

Qiu Ling nodded but he didn’t let go of his beloved. “I know, don’t worry. Take as much time as you need and then return to my side. I will think of you every second you are gone.”

Jing He’s heart throbbed. He loathed to leave Qiu Ling’s side even more after hearing such words but he couldn’t help it. The Fate’s Scribe was already in his study and he had likely come to speak about the impending trial. How could he ignore this? “Then I … I will leave now.”

“Of course.” Qiu Ling said so but his hands still brushed over Jing He’s body, spreading a comfortable warmth as if he wanted to imprint his presence on him.

Jing He’s gaze flickered and he looked up at his lover, wondering what Qiu Ling meant. The dragon king stayed silent though, leaving his thoughts to his imagination. After pondering for a moment … Jing He finally reached up, his hands brushing Qiu Ling’s lapel.

Knowing his lover and thinking of the past week, he probably wanted some reassurance of his feelings. In that case … He stretched a little and leaned closer, his lips almost touching Qiu Ling’s cheek. Then, he hesitated after all. It would only be a fleeting kiss. No, not even that. It would be more of a peck. Between fiances, it shouldn’t be outrageous but … he finally still couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He took a trembling breath and then slowly exhaled. “I will return as soon as possible. Both … today and also from the trial.” In the end, he could only go with this solemn promise. Then, he finally managed to take advantage of Qiu Ling’s daze and slipped out of his arms, hurrying to his study to greet the Fate’s Scribe.