Whether it was a dream or not, an embrace from his beloved had to be requited. Thus, after a moment of shock, Qiu Ling wrapped his arms tightly around Jing He’s waist and closed his eyes, just enjoying that he finally had this opportunity again.

Neither of them spoke as if just this gentle hug alone could express everything they wanted to say. Well, maybe this was the case. Both of them were happy that this matter of Jing He’s fall was now over and that he was finally back, allowing them to be together again.

Unfortunately, they only had a few minutes before the voices of the guards rang out again. For a moment, both of them stiffened, afraid that his father had come to make trouble again. But then, hearing that the one being greeted was Jing He’s mother instead, they relaxed.

Jing He raised his head and looked at Qiu Ling. He would have liked to spend more time alone after everything. That second vision had spooked him and if possible, he wanted to know more. He didn’t know how to bring it up yet but just knowing that there was such a possibility for the future … he felt that he couldn’t ignore it. Of course, his mother had never been against them so he also couldn’t bring himself to ignore her.

Bai Fen didn’t know what the two of them were doing right now so she carefully walked in, peeking behind the standing screen. If these two were … busy with something, she’d walk right back out and wait in the garden until she got a glimpse of them.

Seeing that the couple had stopped a mere two steps behind the screen and was simply hugging, she didn’t know what to say. This … Wasn’t this too lackluster? After being separated for months, shouldn’t you show a bit more enthusiasm? But then, Jing He had never been the outspoken type so she probably shouldn’t be surprised.

She coughed and smiled as if she hadn’t just thought about that. “It seems like you two didn’t get all too far. How about we sit down to talk?”

Jing He nodded at once while Qiu Ling looked at her. Huh, so even his mother-in-law was part of this dream. Somehow, that made things seem a lot more real. But then again, he could imagine what she wanted to talk about and if that really was the case … this might indeed be a dream after all.

The three of them walked over to the table in the main room and sat down.

Bai Fen looked at the couple that had sat down side by side without saying a word and heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed that Jing He had really made up his mind. Well, she had figured as much when he actually dared to say to his father’s face that he’d elope with his lover if he didn’t agree to their marriage. It was nice seeing this assumption confirmed though.

Lowering her gaze, she thought about how to bring up what she intended to say. Most likely, straightforward was best?

“Well …” She turned to her son. Right now, he looked rather calm. He should probably be able to have this conversation now? “I just got rid of your father so he shouldn’t be bothering you for a while. Maybe you indeed want some time to rest but seeing what you told him just now, I felt the need to say something first.”

Jing He had no idea where his mother was going with this. She seemed rather serious though which made him worry. He hesitated and then reached over to Qiu Ling beneath the table, hoping to hold his hand.

Naturally, Qiu Ling didn’t need to be prompted twice. He took the offered hand, gently entwining their fingers.

“I hope you know that, contrary to your father, I have always supported your relationship with Qiu Ling. I know you decided to marry him quite some time ago and this is just reaffirming this. I am happy to see this as well. I believe he is a good choice and you will be happy with him.”

Jing He looked at her and couldn’t help but feel that the unspoken part after her words was the comparison to her own marriage. She had made a choice back then but it was one she regretted. She didn’t want that for him and she sincerely believed that Qiu Ling might be the one who could give him the lasting happiness she had missed out on. Well, he thought the same.

He looked up at Qiu Ling again, unable to see anything that should worry him for the future. Apart from the issues his own father had caused, had there ever been a reason to doubt this relationship? At this moment, he certainly couldn’t remember any. He simply felt content being at his side, able to look at him and see him well.

Bai Fen watched her son making doe eyes at his fiance and barely held back a laugh. It seemed she really didn’t need to worry. Whatever had happened during his … absence had only worked to strengthen his belief in this relationship of his. And with Qiu Ling’s personality, she could rest assured. She had thought so before and after living in the same palace for a while, she was even more certain. This man was dependable, no matter how he may have looked in the beginning.

With a smile, she figured she might as well get it out with immediately. “Looking at how the two of you were just standing there before, I assume Qiu Ling didn’t say anything yet?”

Jing He looked at her in confusion and shook his head. They hadn’t talked about anything and he couldn’t imagine what might have happened that both of them might want to discuss right after his return.

Bai Fen gave a hum and looked at Qiu Ling. “Shall I tell him or do you want to?”

Qiu Ling looked a bit sheepish but still cleared his throat and turned to Jing He. “Well … please don’t misunderstand, my love. It’s not that I was trying to make your decisions for you. It’s just … well, just in case, we kind of … planned our wedding while you were away.”