Jing He still felt self-conscious about what had happened before but he was too embarrassed to bring it up as well so he could only stand in front of Qiu Ling silently, not sure how to continue.

Qiu Ling looked at him for a moment and finally lowered his head with a smile. “Well, I suppose that means it’s time to go and say goodbye to your family before …”

Jing He nodded, relieved that the previous topic wasn’t brought up again. Maybe they could both forget that it had happened or at least pretend that they had. “Yes, I … I should go to my mother first and then see my father. He … might keep me a little longer.”

Qiu Ling gave a hum and stepped closer, reaching out to grasp Jing He’s hands. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait and … also take care of a thing or two in the meantime.” Since he wanted to accompany Jing He’s soul to the mortal realm, he couldn’t at the same time protect his body which wasn’t any less important. Considering that he himself had constantly managed to get around the guards in the Nine Heavens, he wouldn’t feel reassured if he didn’t make a few preparations of his own regarding this.

“Alright.” Jing He felt that Qiu Ling was likely just trying to accommodate him but didn’t want him to waste time here waiting. “I will try to make it fast.”

Qiu Ling didn’t say anything to that and simply leaned closer, kissing the top of his head. Such a short moment of separation was nothing compared to the two or three months he wouldn’t get to see the real him. Why would he be anxious about that?

Jing He gave him a last look and finally pulled back, leaving his palace through the main entrance and walking to his mother’s palace at a brisk pace. Soon … he would have to leave. To him, returning faster from saying goodbye to his family meant spending slightly more time with Qiu Ling before he left. That seemed to be the right choice to make. After all, his family would always be there but Qiu Ling … that wasn’t certain.

He sighed to himself and tried not to think about it. They had known each other for so long and he had already promised Qiu Ling that he would marry him after his return. He had to trust that Qiu Ling would wait just this little bit longer.

He soon reached his mother’s palace and had one of the servants announce himself while he slowly trailed behind. His mother would certainly understand his wish to return sooner to be with Qiu Ling but his father was very different. Managing to actually get away would be difficult. Knowing him … he might even want him to start his trial while at his palace instead of going back to his own.

Jing He’s brows faintly furrowed but he told himself not to worry too much. He would certainly find a way to explain to his father that he had to go back first. As long as Qiu Ling wasn’t mentioned, he was usually easy to talk to.

Jing He finally reached the room next to the garden where his mother usually liked to sit. This time as well, he found her at the table with a cup of tea in her hands, looking out at the flowers she had planted in the past, a faint smile on her lips. “Mother.”

Bai Fen turned her head, her smile brightening. “Jing He, come here. Sit down.” She turned back around, once again looking at the garden. “Today is the day you will descend to the mortal realm.”

Jing He took a seat and nodded. “Yes. I will be gone for a while. I am sorry that I won’t be able to accompany you during those weeks.”

Bai Fen shook her head. “We all need to go on these trials. And as tough as they can be … I feel that they aren’t always a bad thing either. You should try to see yours … as an opportunity. An opportunity to experience a different kind of life, one without the responsibilities that have been weighing on your shoulders since the day you were born, one with … new people around you and new experiences. In this life, you’ll have a different identity, maybe a family with siblings and many cousins. You’ll be able to make friends without having to worry and … find a purpose in life that hasn’t been set from the start. I think … it’ll do you good.”

Jing He listened quietly and finally nodded. “It might be good.” He just wished it hadn’t happened now. If he had known, he would have done his trial right after he came of age, years before he even knew Qiu Ling. Then, he wouldn’t have needed to worry about the potential fallout. Although then again, he also might not have prepared for everything that should be prepared so maybe … maybe it was good the way it had happened.

Bai Fen sighed. “I went on several trials and each of them taught me something about myself or the world. I hope that yours will be the same.”

“I will do my best.” Jing He wasn’t sure what else to say. While on his trial, he wouldn’t have any memories of his life as the crown prince of the Nine Heavens. There would be no ‘trying his best’ because he wouldn’t know that this mortal life he lived was only a trial and what he should use it for. All of it … would truly feel like the life he was meant to live, with no sign of what lay beneath.

Bai Fen was naturally aware of that. She put down the cup and looked at him, smiling faintly. “Don’t put pressure on yourself. A trial …” She shook her head, not even sure what to say. “Yours should have been written by the Fate’s Scribe but even without that, fate will find a way to unfold. Whatever you should experience, you will. I trust in that.”

She took a deep breath and then reached out, grasping his hand. “I wish you luck. The life during the trial isn’t easy but I hope you can still find some happiness during those years. And after that … maybe this life will seem a little easier as well. I certainly hope so for you.”

Jing He nodded even though he wasn’t sure if he understood completely.

Bai Fen looked at his face for a moment and finally sighed. “Well, you’re not a child any longer and this is just a part of life. Since you’ll be gone for a while, I suppose you’ll want to bid farewell to Longjun as well. Don’t let me keep you. Go and be with him.”

Jing He’s cheeks flushed but he still nodded in the end. “I still need to go and say goodbye to father.”

“Oh.” Bai Fen raised her brows, feeling a bit worried. “Then you’d better not let him keep you for too long. If he tries … you tell him that you still need to come and see me.”

Jing He felt scandalized at the idea of lying to his father but … that would indeed be an effective way to make him let him go so he simply stayed silent in the end and bid farewell, leaving his mother’s palace to go and speak to his father instead.