Qiu Ling stared at Jing He, his breath catching in his throat. He was really … getting the full experience today, wasn’t he? When had Jing He ever dared to act this sweet with him before? But now, he could not only hear a direct love confession and start the process of getting married, but even these kinds of words seemed to come much easier to his beloved. And this was even before they were truly married. It left him even more hopeful for the future.

Jing He pursed his lips when his fiance said nothing. “Did I … say the wrong thing?”

Qiu Ling quietly shook his head and let go of his hands, pulling him into his arms instead. “No, not at all.” He reached up, his fingers trailing through Jing He’s black hair. “You said … something very right.” And really, he should know it best. Hadn’t he always come here because he felt the same? Even that familiar capital city of the dragon realm was nothing to him compared to Jing He. Home really was with him.

Qiu Ling closed his eyes and smiled, turning his face and kissing Jing He’s cheek. “It’ll be great. I will show you the city and the palace, of course. We’ll start on one end and then won’t stop before we reach the other side. I’ll show you all the places I’ve loved when I grew up there and even the hideouts I’ve used to get away from my advisers.”

Jing He hugged him back, smiling to himself. He wanted to see all this. He wanted to hear the stories of those places as well. They were all part of Qiu Ling’s life, after all. “There must be a lot to see.”

Qiu Ling nodded. “Yes, it shouldn’t be too little. Mn, there are many stories I can tell you as well. Jinde can probably tell you even more. He’d likely be happy about it.” Some things from his childhood, he also wasn’t that clear about anymore even though he had clung to those memories as best as he could. It was just … ten thousand years was a long time and he couldn’t even tell how much longer he had lived. For a child living much of their life out in the wilderness, those memories of a better past would slowly grow faint or take on a different feeling. Maybe some of it had been idealized while other things had been forgotten. He couldn’t tell at all.

Jing He nodded. “I hope we’ll get along well. With your advisers as well and the people of the dragon realm in general, of course.”

Qiu Ling opened his eyes and leaned back, looking at Jing He’s face. Seeing the worry in his eyes, he lightly shook his head. “Don’t worry. They’ll love you. All of them. If they don’t … they clearly lack vision.” He leaned in and pecked Jing He’s lips before pulling back just as fast. “Now, let’s go back for real. Otherwise, we’ll truly be caught.”

Jing He touched his lips and nodded faintly. They had been outside for a while. Under the current circumstances, that wasn’t a good idea at all but it was easy to get caught up in the moment. Just like right now, he simply wanted to continue lying in the arms of his husband-to-be, instead of having to think about hurrying elsewhere, once again hiding as if what they were doing was somehow reprehensible.

Qiu Ling reluctantly let go of him and only grasped his hand again but when he wanted to continue walking, his beloved still stood there, motionless. Qiu Ling raised his brows and looked at him in confusion. Seeing his reluctant gaze though, he understood: Jing He didn’t want this moment to end. Just like him, he’d much prefer continuing to walk through the streets calmly, stopping when they felt like it, talking and hugging if the atmosphere was right.

And shouldn’t they? Even though today wasn’t officially their wedding day, they had done those rituals only lovers did to prepare for the big ceremony ahead. They were already planning their life together. Just because one person couldn’t stand their happiness, were they supposed to hide all the time while still here? It didn’t seem right either.

Qiu Ling lowered his gaze to their hands. Since his beloved felt like this … why not do him the favor? Even if they couldn’t be too high-profile, was there really something speaking against finding a somewhat more hidden spot and enjoying each other’s company? The Heavenly Emperor didn’t seem to move in the capital city much either so … surely, they could evade him with a little bit of caution. After all, hadn’t he done that for more than a decade before Jing He’s trial even started?

Thinking of this, Qiu Ling’s lips curved into a mischievous smile and he stepped closer to Jing He again, leaning in. “My love …”

Jing He looked up and his hand lowered almost on instinct as his thoughts flashed back to the kiss on his lips just now. Qiu Ling … might be thinking about it as well. He blinked his eyes and leaned closer as well. They were still alone here and since they had to leave, what was one more kiss? Even if it was in public and he was still a little afraid of being seen … he still wanted to feel close to him.

Unfortunately for him, Qiu Ling didn’t catch his lover’s drift. Seeing that Jing He looked at him trustingly, he let go of his hand and then directly picked him up, holding him in his arms with the same bright smile. “Let me show you how to sneak around in the capital city!”

Jing He hastily held onto his shoulders, his expression confused. This … Where was the promised kiss? Surely, it couldn’t be just him who had thought of that … right?

Before he could come to a conclusion, Qiu Ling had already jumped up, lightly landing on one of the thick branches of a tree close by and surveying their surroundings. In the past, he always sneaked in alone so evading the guards was incredibly easy. Just keep paying attention, wait when you have to, and move when the timing is right. With Jing He in his arms, things were slightly more difficult as his beloved likely didn’t know how to do either of these things. But then … well, maybe that was part of the fun this time around.

Qiu Ling chuckled to himself and gave Jing He another bright smile. “I’ll bring you to a spot you’ll like. Well, it won’t be anything new. I’d rather not risk it today.” His expression turned somewhat wry but he cheered up just as fast. Anyway, just as home was wherever his beloved was, a beautiful spot was beautiful whether it was known or not, especially so if Jing He was there. Even an ordinary spot could be good with him so why make a big issue out of it?

Thinking like this, Qiu Ling slowly maneuvered through the streets of the city or, well, it was probably more appropriate to say that he navigated the roofs and treetops above the streets, happily evading the guards patrolling beneath. As he did, he did have to admit that there were actually many more than usual. It seemed that the preparations for their wedding were going well.

Ah, what a nice thing to realize when sneaking around with your beloved! It made this whole adventure even more worth it.