Qiu Ling who had been solemnly looking ahead up until now couldn’t help but turn to glance at his beloved. He had to say … he liked those customs of the gods more and more. For the second time in a day, he heard his beloved say sweet love words. Even though this time, they weren’t directly addressed to him, he was still talking about him where he could hear. How could he not be happy with that?

He hastily retracted his gaze, not wanting Jing He to become self-conscious. No, if his beloved wanted to say a few more words, he’d gladly wait his turn and just listen. In fact, if Jing He wanted to monologue for an hour or two, he’d also see no issue in that.

Jing He wasn’t quite ready for such a lengthy speech. He only wanted to add these few words so his ancestors would have a good impression of Qiu Ling. Of course, he could detail more of what he had done but … there was so much that he didn’t even know where to begin. Thus, Jing He turned to look at Qiu Ling instead, signaling that he had finished saying what he wanted to and that he could start now.

Qiu Ling glanced back and smiled faintly before turning to the first jade tablet of his own family. Everything had been explained to him and he had also listened to Jing He’s words just now so this couldn’t be called a difficult task. It was just … actually looking at it and knowing that one of the names recorded in this jade tablet was his father’s … it actually made him unable to get out a single word at first.

He didn’t like to speak about the past. He didn’t like to remember it either. Whenever he thought of it, it hurt. His father had made too many mistakes but he had still loved him and the time they spent together had been much too short. Even though there was Leng Jin Yu now who actually remembered his past life as Chun Yin, it wasn’t the same. Not to him, at least. He would have preferred having his actual father in his life, the one who he had experienced those things with.

Now, looking at this jade tablet, he was once again reminded that the person was long gone. No matter what important milestone he reached in life, he wouldn’t be there. He hadn’t been when he acceded to the throne. He wasn’t now that he was getting married. He wouldn’t be when they had a child in the future. That time had passed once and for all.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t known. He had lived without him for several millennia. He genuinely couldn’t say that it pained him as much as it once had. But still … in moments like these, he still wished his father could have been there to watch, just like Jinde was. But then, asking for more than one miracle for his family might be a little much.

He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, similar to what Jing He had done just minutes earlier. Then, his expression turned even more solemn as he stared at the jade tablet. “Greetings … ancestors.” He fell silent for a moment and lowered his gaze. His ancestors … he didn’t care that much about them and the one person he did care about had already started over. In fact, he only stood a few steps away and could hear every word he said.

“Father.” Qiu Ling wasn’t sure if he should say this out loud but, to be honest, if he couldn’t even greet his own father in this ritual, then it seemed to make little sense.

Jing He looked at him and gripped his hand, trying to silently reassure him.

Qiu Ling squeezed his hand back, his emotions calming down somewhat. “I am Qiu Ling, son of Chun Yin. Today, I kneel before you to announce that in three days, I am going to marry the person next to me, Jing He.” He glanced at his beloved, his smile brightening before he turned back. “I hope that you will give the two of us your blessing.”

Of course, he had seen Chun Yin and spoken to him when he returned for those precious few hours during the time Leng Jin Yu incorporated the last memories of his past life. At that time, they had naturally talked about Jing He as well so he didn’t doubt for a moment that his father would disagree. Anyway, they were both dragons so they naturally understood the fatal attraction one’s lover had to one of them. What more with how Chun Yin had lived through a long period of separation. He certainly wouldn’t want that for his only son.

Qiu Ling finally sighed again when he thought of that night. Yes, he had already received his father’s answer and even if he hadn’t, he would still know it in his heart. Even if the person wasn’t at his side any longer, he had lived with him long enough to know him and how much he had loved him. And yes, whatever faults his father had had, he had never doubted that.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he silently bid goodbye to him once more. Even if he knew that his father wouldn’t be able to hear or perceive it in any way, he owed this moment to himself. This chance to quietly think of the things he’d want to tell his father had he still been around, that was what made this custom special to him even if that might not quite be the intention behind it.

Finally, he turned to the other jade tablet and the somewhat somber feelings just now lifted considerably. There was even a faint smile on his lips as he addressed this side of the family. “Greetings, ancestors. I am Qiu Ling … son of Jinde.”

Yes, even if it was not by blood, this was who he was and nobody could take that from him.