Jing He finally pulled his attention away from the study. Even though he felt guilty because he had disappointed the years of care his father had given him, he also yearned to see Qiu Ling again. Thus, with another wave, the scene in the water mirror changed and showed Qiu Ling walking down one of the corridors in his father’s palace.

Jing He’s expression immediately lit up and the despair from just now seemed forgotten. Seeing the one he loved, his mood naturally calmed down, and even turned jubilant when he thought of how he could go to him in just a moment.

Qiu Ling reached the door to his room and turned around. Shou Quan was a few steps behind him, following silently as always since they had come to the Heavenly Emperor’s palace. “Well, I’ll retire for today. Switch with someone every now and then and get in touch with your wife. You’re not the only capable person here.”

Shou Quan inclined her head. “I’ll do that, Your Majesty.” Of course, what she would do was the getting in touch with her wife part. She’d still stay in position. Even if the others were good, they weren’t as good as her, and she didn’t want to take a risk where their king was concerned. But then, this didn’t need to be said out loud.

Qiu Ling didn’t think that she would be having other thoughts and simply nodded before turning around again and stepping into the room, closing the door behind him. He leaned against it and sighed deeply, already feeling unbearable now that he was alone in the silence of the room.

Maybe he should contact Jinde and Leng Jin Yu and see how things were going? By now, half the time until the birth of their child should have passed. He could imagine how excited they had to be. Plus, Jinde was the type who knew how to amuse himself so he sometimes had stories to tell from the palace.

He hadn’t even finished the thought before he had taken out the transmission stone and imbued his spiritual energy.

Clearly, the other side wasn’t busy at the moment because the response came at once and Jinde’s projection appeared above the stone. “Bear child, did you finish your work for today already?” Qiu Ling would never contact him while in a place where others could watch so unless it was early in the morning or after he had done everything he had to and escaped the evil clutches of the Heavenly Emperor, he never reached out and the two of them wouldn’t bother him either.

Qiu Ling wanted to respond but just then, he saw the air opposite open up and any thought he had had before flew away. “I … will get back to you about that.” Then, he simply threw the transmission stone aside, and rushed over, reaching out and pulling his beloved out of that portal and into his arms.

Please excuse him, but he really couldn’t wait any longer than this. It had been too long, entirely too long. Even if it had only been a few weeks, when had he ever been separated from Jing He for such long stretches of time? Since they met all those years ago, the period after his fall was the only time. Even the trial couldn’t compare to the agony he currently felt because, at the very least, he had been with Jing Yi then. Now, he was completely alone and didn’t know when all of this would end either.

Finally having the chance to see Jing He again, he wrapped him tightly in his arms as if he never wanted to let go again. His hands brushed over his lover’s back, wanting to reassure himself that he wasn’t just imagining it. Honestly, he wasn’t completely sure of that. Maybe after longing for him all the time, his mind was simply playing tricks on him. But no, it seemed as if the person he had wanted to see had indeed come to see him.

A smile lit up Qiu Ling’s features and he leaned closer, gently grasping Jing He’s chin and tilting it upward. Finally, their lips met in a sweet kiss. He hummed and only pulled back after lingering for a moment, taking a long look at Jing He’s face. “My love, how are you doing?”

Jing He felt ready to melt into Qiu Ling’s embrace. He had wanted to tell him about his recent conundrum quickly but … right now, he couldn’t bring himself to say any of those words. Instead, he simply leaned closer, his hands moving up to rest on his chest while his gaze roamed about Qiu Ling’s face, unable to be torn away.

Qiu Ling smiled and tilted his head, giving him another kiss. “I’ve missed you. Every day, I’ve missed you.” He knew he shouldn’t rush him but there indeed wasn’t a single day he didn’t think of him and didn’t long to see him again. He only wished that Jing He could recover sooner and return to his side sooner as well. Even if it couldn’t be done completely, it was also good to just see each other for a short time in between. Anyway, he didn’t want to be without him.

He held his lover tightly and finally sighed. Well, Jing He was clearly still a fallen god so this was indeed only temporary. It was alright though. He could live with this. As long as he could embrace him for a while, it was enough.

He continued to rub Jing He’s back but then figured that standing around like this didn’t seem right. “Let’s go and sit down.” He didn’t wait for a response either and simply picked Jing He up. Holding him in his arms like this … he had to admit that it was very nice.

His gaze slipped from one side to the other, wondering if he should go to the bed or the desk. The former seemed to be a bit presumptuous as if he wanted to insinuate that Jing He would stay the night. But then, this was indeed what he hoped for and even if it wasn’t that, then it should still be more comfortable.

In the end, he still carried him over and gently put him down on the edge of the bed before sitting down next to him. Then, he grabbed his hands at once, interlacing his fingers with Jing He’s. “So … how are you doing?” This question, Jing He still hadn’t answered it.