A faint smile remained on Jing He’s lips, with not a hint of worry on his face. “I will be married to Qiu Ling. Of course, I should stay there. Anyway, the dragon realm isn’t that different from the Nine Heavens.” Sure, some things differed but … overall, they weren’t so different that he would feel uncomfortable with that. Not to mention that Qiu Ling would be there with him. That made every hardship he may face worth it, didn’t it?

Qiang Yan’s hands stopped moving, still holding onto one of the black strands. “Uh … that wasn’t what I meant.” He really felt defeated after hearing this response. Did he have to be more obvious?

Jing He blinked his eyes, not getting what his uncle meant. He wanted to turn his head to look at him but was afraid it would ruin the work his uncle had done so far so he could only remain sitting the way he was. He hesitated but still couldn’t help but inquire when his uncle wouldn’t speak up again. “I am afraid I don’t understand. What is uncle referring to?”

Qiang Yan sighed, audibly this time, and started to move his hands again. “You probably don’t want to talk to me about this either, but … after staying in the dragon realm … and after being married to him according to our customs … well.” He didn’t dare to look at the water mirror again and focused all of his attention on the black hair in his hands, making sure that he didn’t slip up and ruin Jing He’s hairdo.

Meanwhile, the person in question was suddenly reminded of something he had forgotten about due to his father’s worrisome behavior: If the ceremony in the Nine Heavens went off without a hitch and they were indeed married, then … then the ceremony in the dragon realm would follow that same day.

His eyes widened and his whole body tensed. They had talked about it before but hadn’t really come to a conclusion. Qiu Ling had wanted to adjust the ceremony for him, saying that he wouldn’t feel comfortable with it for sure. At that time, he had just reiterated his wish to be with Qiu Ling forever, glad that they had finally reunited after the trial’s unfortunate ending. He had insisted that he was ready to go through with it exactly the way it was intended. Even though the thought indeed made him uncomfortable, he wanted to prove his worth to Qiu Ling, so how could he deny him the chance to have the ceremony that was usual for the dragon realm?

Back then, Qiu Ling’s way of convincing him turned practical but they were surprised by his father, leading to the renewed separation which finally ended in his fall. The original question … it had never been resolved. So how the ceremony in the dragon realm would or wouldn’t look today … Jing He actually didn’t know.

He clenched his hands into fists, trying to calm down again. His heart suddenly beat madly when he thought of the evening. He wasn’t sure what Qiu Ling had decided on or if he had at all. Maybe he had left that decision for later and wanted to make it only this evening after their return to the dragon realm. In that case, he had to be ready by then to face whatever was to come. As for what was more likely …

Qiu Ling struggled with his demon blood so following the dragons’ customs to the letter ought to be the right choice. It would affirm his identity while also showing the dragons that he as a god accepted his role among them fully. How could he not follow their customs when Qiu Ling had followed those of the gods’ without blinking an eye? It wouldn’t be right.

It was true though: He didn’t feel all that comfortable with the idea. In his mind, exposing himself to anyone but his husband would be shameful. But then, Qiu Ling would be his husband by then and he was the one asking him to do this. Of course, he should follow what his husband said. Wasn’t that what he had promised himself he would do? To be a good husband, he had to listen to Qiu Ling.

Behind him, Qiang Yan finally finished tying up the last strands of his hair. All that was left was to insert the prepared jewelry. Seeing Jing He sitting there stiffly, he was sure that he had understood what he meant. He was probably just embarrassed by the topic so he didn’t say anything. It was to be expected, considering Jing He’s usual behavior. Still, there was little time left until tonight so if there was anything to talk about, it had to happen now.

He stepped forward and opened the box with the jewelry, taking out the first hairpin. “Is there anything you’d like to ask?” He was sure that his parents hadn’t bothered with that before and knowing Jing He, this wasn’t the type of knowledge he’d seek out on his own. Chances were, he wouldn’t even know what to do when the time came.

Jing He was pulled out of his thoughts but only felt startled when the words registered. Anything he’d like to ask? What should he ask? “I … I don’t think so …”

Qiang Yan nodded faintly but wasn’t so sure if this was the truth. “Are you sure? It’s alright to speak about this. I might not be into men myself but … I mean, I’ve also seen things.” In fact, he had seen more than he would have liked to. Having grown up in the Palace of War for the most part, walking in on two men was something that just happened sometimes and he didn’t care much about it. Walking in on his best friend’s son while naked and … busy was something that made him want to pluck his eyes out though and he’d had the displeasure of exactly that happening several times already. On the bright side, he would know what he was talking about if Jing He just asked.

Unfortunately, his nephew didn’t want to do so. “It’s alright. It’ll be … alright.” He hung his head and bit his lip, not sure if it would be. But this kind of thing … he couldn’t see himself discussing it with his uncle. He should just let Qiu Ling take charge and follow whatever he said.