The God of Love patiently waited at the side as the couple said their oaths and then gave them another few moments to embrace quietly. Doing this ceremony at the Tree of Love was always intimate and outsiders were likely more of a disturbance. If he didn’t feel that they would appreciate receiving the leaf from the Tree of Love, he might not even have bothered coming.

When he felt that enough time should have passed for the next part, he finally stepped forward and walked up to the tree. He looked up at the silver leaves that sparkled in the sunlight as if they wanted to showcase just how special this place was.

The God of Love smiled and reached up, gently plucking off one of the leaves. Holding it in his hand, he imbued some spiritual energy and mumbled the incantations that had been passed down in his palace which would allow the leaf to show the secrets it guarded.

The leaf shone in response and faint lines emerged on its surface. When he opened his hands, it showed the names of the two people behind him. Whether it was because fate had this in store for them or because they had made the decision to get married themselves, from now on, these two were already bound together.

Turning around and walking up to the couple, the God of Love offered the leaf up to them with both hands. “Your wedding ceremony may still be a few days away but the Tree of Love and the Great River that nourishes it have already perceived your love and your fate is now entwined. Going forward, whatever happens, it will always be a part of your story.”

Qiu Ling and Jing He both inclined their heads.

Jing He reached out and carefully took the leaf, looking at their names next to each other with his heart fluttering. He hadn’t dared to believe that this would be possible for a long time but now, here they were: Officially a couple even if the actual ceremony was still missing.

Well, in a way, he should have expected this. After all, even if he couldn’t simply trust in the future the same way Qiu Ling did, Tian himself had said that he perceived their fate, hadn’t he? Or, well, he had spoken of his fate specifically and not necessarily their fate together but he hadn’t seemed to doubt that this fate would include Qiu Ling. Since the literal Supreme Sovereign accepted their relationship, why would he think it might not come to pass?

Obviously, his own doubts were too deep. Even now that he held this leaf in his hands, he could hardly believe it. But this was literal proof that he had seen with his own eyes and held in his own hands. Nobody could take that from them.

Next to him, Qiu Ling took out an exquisitely carved jade box. An array was hidden in the carving, ensuring that whatever was placed inside would remain in the same state forever. He opened the lid and smiled at Jing He, waiting for him to put the leaf inside before he closed the box again. Then, he handed it over and covered Jing He’s hands holding it with his own. “You should be the one to keep it. Whenever you feel doubts, take it out and look at it. It’ll be a beautiful reminder of everything we have managed to overcome.”

Jing He nodded and tightened his grasp on the box. He wasn’t sure if he would need to do that. After they were married, he hoped that those doubts would be gone forever. But even if he finally felt secure that they would indeed have a future together, this leaf was a beautiful memento. Naturally, he was happy to hold onto it.

The God of Love watched the two of them, his smile brightening. “There isn’t more for me to do other than to wish the two of you happiness. I know that it wasn’t easy to get here but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Each ordeal a couple goes through strengthens the bond between the two people and a strong bond is necessary to face the struggles of daily life and the ups and downs of the millennia.

“The two of you have gotten a small taste of what awaits you in the future and you have managed to come out of it on the other side as better people and a more committed couple. Even if it has caused pain at times, it was a blessing in disguise. I hope that the two of you will reflect on the lessons you have learned during this time and use them to ensure that your marriage will be a blessed one in which being together makes life better every day and you aspire to be your best version for both your own sake and that of your partner.”

He turned to Jing He specifically and kept quiet for a moment before sighing. “I have seen the love fate of many mortals and from what I know, you have gotten a short glimpse of how such a life might play out. Even though our lives differ from theirs in many ways, the way we love isn’t any different so take it to heart and reflect on it, even if not all of it might be applicable to your situation now. I believe that the basis of a good relationship can be found no matter one’s race and situation.”

“I will. Thank you for your guidance, God of Love.”

Yang Zan nodded and turned to Qiu Ling next, keeping quiet even longer this time around. In the end, he simply sighed. “I don’t have anything special to say. I have seen some dragons in my lifetime and if there is one thing they are better at than us, then it is being in love and having successful relationships. Their straightforwardness is impressive, even if it sometimes feels brusque to us gods. Longjun should cherish this ability and not try to temper it just because your husband-to-be is a god.”

“Thank you, I certainly will keep that in mind.” Anyway, he was trying to teach Jing He that he could be just as open with him, so he would never do that differently. Maybe in the future, they would indeed be able to have the kind of relationship where anything could be said without needing to think, strengthening this relationship just as the God of Love had said.