Qiang Yan still had his doubts but he couldn’t do more than offer his help and make sure. Since Jing He didn’t want to speak about it, he could hardly force him. Anyway, they wanted this child to make his own decisions and become more outspoken. Since that was the case, they had to listen when he actually gave his opinion for once. Thus, even if it didn’t sound believable at all, he had to just accept it as the truth and follow along.

He quickly inserted the last pieces of jewelry into his hair and then nodded. “Alright, I’m done. You’re done. Get up and let me have a look.”

Jing He glanced in the water mirror, feeling that his uncle’s handiwork had nothing to complain about. Everything was in place and he wouldn’t feel ashamed meeting Qiu Ling like this. Feeling relieved, he got to his feet and turned around, letting his uncle make sure as well.

Qiang Yan looked him over, his gaze softening. This child had only come of age a few years ago. It was almost unbelievable that he was about to be married now. But clearly, he was happy with Qiu Ling. Happier than he had ever been before. So watching him take this step was also a relief.

Qiang Yan sighed deeply and reached out, putting his hands on Jing He’s shoulders. “I’m not worried. He clearly loves you and treats you very well. Being with him, you certainly won’t be made to suffer. If anything ever happens though, you know that you can rely on your mother and me as well. It doesn’t matter if it’s because of Qiu Ling or despite him, we’ll be there for you with no questions asked.”

Jing He nodded. He knew that his mother and uncle would help him with whatever happened in the future but he wasn’t worried. Qiu Ling indeed treated him well, probably better than he deserved to be treated, and he was strong enough that he didn’t have to worry about him. Not to mention that Qiu Ling had his advisers who would certainly help at once if Qiu Ling ever was in a difficult situation. Still, he was grateful for his uncle’s reminder.

“Should anything happen, you will be the first I reach out to. I know how much you have done over the years.” Yes, his mother and uncle had helped him a lot when it came to his relationship with Qiu Ling, and before that, they had always been there when anything happened to him, calming him down afterward or protecting him when the situation occurred. After Qiu Ling, they were the people he trusted most.

Qiang Yan gave a hum, patted his shoulder, and then motioned at the door. “It’s good if you know. Now, we should probably go. Your fiance is already waiting.”

Jing He’s eyes widened when he heard this and he turned to stare at the door in disbelief. “Is he already there?” He hadn’t noticed anything and suddenly, he didn’t feel prepared at all. He turned to take another look in the water mirror, wondering if he really looked good enough.

His uncle watched him panic and smiled to himself before reaching out and patting his back. “Yes, he has been waiting for a little while so let’s not keep him waiting even further. You look good enough. Even if you weren’t ready yet and just got up, he’d still love you nonetheless. In the future, he’ll be your husband so you should stop worrying this much. Qiu Ling isn’t that shallow.”

Sure, he might care about looks but he mostly cared about keeping up his own. In his mind, Jing He was always beautiful, no matter what. And, well, his nephew … it couldn’t be said that he had ever seen him have a bad enough day that he couldn’t be counted as such in the slightly more than two thousand years he had lived. No, Jing He had been blessed with good looks and he had cultivated a temperament that was naturally suited to match with them. Looking bad would be a feat of its own.

Jing He also didn’t think that his husband-to-be was shallow but he still wanted to look his best for him. He wished he could have taken a few more minutes to prepare but his uncle was right that it wouldn’t be good to let him wait. Not to mention … he himself didn’t want to wait either. He wanted to see him.

Jing He’s cheeks flushed faintly and he hastily walked to the door, making his way to the hall in the front of the building, his steps quickening the closer he came.

Over there, Qiu Ling who was standing in the same spot he had stopped at when he came in slowly turned in the direction of those steps. The soft sound seemed to tug at his heartstrings, making it beat in the same fast rhythm. Yes, surely, that was what was happening. He absolutely wasn’t panicking now that the moment to get married had arrived. No, how could that be?

Qiu Ling clenched his hands into fists and took a deep breath. He had to stay calm. He definitely couldn’t make any odd expression. He couldn’t behave rashly.

Jing He turned the corner and stopped in the doorway, looking at the man waiting for him with a shy expression. He had thought it would be nice if Qiu Ling could be stunned when he saw him in his wedding attire but … he had to admit that he might be the one rooted to the spot.

He had never seen Qiu Ling like this: The tall body was wrapped in a white robe that suppressed the otherwise solemn atmosphere around him, only leaving the regal feeling he gave off after years of being king of the dragon race. Blue embroidery snaked up from the hem onward until it reached the belt with its golden thread, highlighting his straight stature. The light colors at the top contrasted with the black hair that was styled in the same way as his own, partly hanging down his back as usual but partly tied up. The golden jewelry guided one’s gaze to the handsome face, making the intense gaze from those dark eyes even more impressive.

For a moment, he could hardly even breathe as he looked at him and his limbs trembled, making him unable to take another step forward.