The gods had more magical abilities compared to the dragons but their bodies weren’t as durable and there certainly was no possibility to do anything like this. If he had to help teach a child to gain an understanding of this … he genuinely didn’t know if he could do it.

Jinde retracted his hand, the scales vanishing at once. He could naturally see Jing He’s expression and guess what was going through his mind. “Don’t worry. Even though it is something they need to learn, it is still an inherent ability. Even without deliberate guidance, they’ll figure it out someday. At most, it’ll take a little longer but then, you’re not alone in this.

“Not to mention Qiu Ling and me, there are the advisers around, as well as the soldiers and their families, and any guests that come to stay over. They’re bound to pick up things from them as well. The easiest is always to have children of similar age around though.”

He picked up the teapot, adding another cup for himself. Glancing at Jing He’s expression it seemed that he had hardly even taken a sip so he put the pot down without a sound. Thinking back, Jin Ling hadn’t had many children around since his own advisers had been done having children by that time and while there naturally were soldiers who were younger, they were somewhat removed from the son of the king. It couldn’t be helped.

“I remember Qiu Ling had quite a few children around him back then. My advisers were all of similar age to me and Chun Yin and happened to get married at similar times to him, with only a few coming later. He should be able to tell you more about that time and how it was for him. I’m sure his own perspective is the most valuable for your own child.”

Even though Qiu Ling fell on the side of the dragons, he had inherited some magic from the demon side. Considering that he had been quite quick to learn, this was something he himself might have noticed although Jinde couldn’t claim to be certain of that. It had been so long ago and even though he would have considered himself close to Qiu Ling back then, he still hadn’t been his parent so many things were still left unknown to him.

Jing He nodded, grateful for this tip. “I will, father-in-law.” Qiu Ling had started to share more about his own past with him over the years, adding much more after he had fallen. Those letters gave him a clearer picture of how his husband had spent his youth and grown up but there were still many areas that he knew little about. Being reminded by Jinde about important times the people of the dragon race would go through was helpful. In the future, he could indeed ask Qiu Ling about this and further his understanding of him.

Jinde smiled. He really didn’t feel that it was anything much but if Jing He found it helpful, he was also glad. “Well, apart from figuring out these things, there are still a lot of other things to learn. You also know that our people cherish strength so all children will learn at least something about how to defend themselves or attack if they are in danger. Usually, their parents teach them but especially if you are living in the palace, it is easy to send them to the soldiers so they get a professional education.”

Jing He knew little about fighting so he was happy to hear this. In his opinion, Qiu Ling shouldn’t have the time to carefully teach their children since his other responsibilities were already this heavy. Having the option to let their children learn from others without compromising on what they would learn was great.

On the other hand, Jing He felt somewhat lost. There seemed to be so much that he couldn’t help with because he knew nothing about it at all. It made him wonder if he’d manage to do even a half-decent job at raising their children in the future. “They … they do learn other things as well, don’t they?” Surely, there had to be something they ought to be taught that he was good at! He had learned so many things over the years, it couldn’t be that anything their children would need was in his blind spot. He didn’t want to believe that.

Jinde smiled. “Of course. There are still many things they’ll need for their everyday life just like learning to read or write. Apart from those things, there are also the things they get interested in. I remember Jin Ling …” He trailed off, his expression tensing somewhat. “Well, I guess it was because he saw me interested in refinement, so he started to take an interest in my herb garden and would like to help.

“Many children are like that: They watch what their parents or their peers do and follow along. Sometimes, they might pick up something in the city or elsewhere if you go out and travel with them. Whenever they find something they like, they’ll naturally want to try. It pays to let them. It’ll keep them busy and who knows when they’ll be able to use it? Life is long, so we ought to encourage these things.”

Jing He nodded. “I suppose our children might also be interested in things in the Nine Heavens. Although …” His expression turned tangled. With how he had secretly prepared to marry Qiu Ling, his father likely wouldn’t want to see him. In fact, maybe he would be banished from the realm for his disrespect. In that case, he wouldn’t even be able to show his children the place he came from. It truly … made him feel lost.

Jinde turned the teacup in his hand, also thinking of the Nine Heavens. “The Nine Heavens and the lives of the gods have much to offer. Naturally, for a child that hails from there as well, they ought to learn more about it. You should never hold back in teaching them those things. It’s just as important as everything in the dragon realm is.” If you didn’t, then you got something like the shock Qiu Ling had suffered after his mother’s betrayal and no child should go through that.