Jing He indeed enjoyed himself. They had been here before so their return visit stirred up memories as soon as he sat in the boat. The only difference apart from the fact that they had gone at night back then seemed to be that they had sat on different sides of the boat in the beginning when they set off. Now, they were next to each other which seemed to show how much closer they had gotten as people.

Yes, going from acquaintances to lovers to now being engaged and set to marry … the difference was huge. Sometimes, it still seemed impossible to believe but every moment they spent together was proof that they had indeed made it this far. And soon, even the last hurdle to their perfect happiness would be taken.

Jing He’s heart fluttered once again and he raised his gaze to the umbrella above, unable to focus on the person next to him or even the breathtaking scenery in front. Unfortunately, it didn’t help much. The sun shone from behind them, lighting up the thin oil paper and making the serene painting on the other side shine through: a branch in full bloom that might seem to sway with the wind if he moved the umbrella.

He continued to look at it and finally reached up, lightly tracing the lines with his fingertips. He liked this type of painting which inevitably made him wonder if this umbrella had been specifically picked out for him or if it had simply been something Qiu Ling carried around just in case. Knowing his husband-to-be … the former didn’t seem impossible.

Jing He retracted his gaze and took back his hand, turning to Qiu Ling. He wanted to ask but then, he would likely receive more sweet words in return and while he enjoyed them, his skin was a little too thin to take more. Rather than that, it would be best to talk about more serious topics. Especially so since the painting had reminded him of something.

“Have you decided on the flowers yet?” He gripped the handle of the umbrella tightly, suddenly worried. When he returned, Qiu Ling had said that everything was taken care of, constantly reassuring him that getting married in another seven days wouldn’t be an issue. But this … he actually hadn’t heard anything about it.

On the day of the wedding ceremony, the couple would start by taking a ritual bath infused with flowers and usually, those were chosen by the couple. But he hadn’t been there when the rest of the wedding was planned and while everything else was just as he would have wished it to be, he couldn’t help but wonder about this aspect.

Had Qiu Ling chosen them already? It might not be impossible. He knew him well enough that Jing He didn’t doubt for a moment that he could make a choice he’d like. Not to mention that there was also his mother who could give her opinion and offer some advice if he was unsure which ones to pick.

Qiu Ling also turned to look at him and faintly shook his head. “No. Your mother said that they are usually picked the day before so I didn’t feel the need to rush it and I wanted us to choose together.” After Jing He returned, they had mostly talked about the recent things that had happened though as that seemed to be the most important. Of course, the wedding was also a big topic between them but it had mostly been about all the things that had already been dealt with. And frankly, apart from this last remaining decision and procuring the flowers afterward, there was nothing else left to do.

“It’s good that you are mentioning this now. I suppose we can pick something and in two days, I’ll go and get them. That … should be how it’s done, shouldn’t it?” He raised his brows, still slightly unsure. Bai Fen had told him a lot but he wasn’t familiar with most customs of the Nine Heavens so it was a lot to take in and he didn’t doubt that he might not get some of the more intricate details.

Jing He nodded though. “Yes, usually, the couple goes to retrieve them the evening before. Of course, they can also be gathered earlier and kept in a box until then.” It somewhat depended on the flowers you chose. Those that were more difficult to get naturally wouldn’t be left until the very end or you might be unable to get them in time while those that could be found close by weren’t an issue at all.

Qiu Ling hummed happily. “So, we’ll go and take care of it together?” Did this mean going on a small journey out of the city together? Just thinking about it made him excited!

Jing He saw his face light up and hesitated. “Well … depending on what we choose, some of them might be available in my garden or maybe in my mother’s.” He understood that Qiu Ling would like to take him out for something more but … that would be the day before their wedding. He wasn’t all that sure about it. Wouldn’t his presence just slow things down? He’d rather not have that happen.

“Oh.” Qiu Ling hastily reined in his excitement when he noticed that Jing He seemed uneasy and nodded. Feeling that it wasn’t enough, he tried to think of the positives to cheer himself up. “Well, that’s also good. That way, we can be sure that we’ll get everything before the ceremony and we’ll also be able to enjoy some quiet time the day before. That’s really not bad.”

Jing He nodded hesitantly.

Seeing that he didn’t quite seem to believe it, Qiu Ling cleared his throat and then raised his brows. “So … have you already considered what flowers to use?”

Jing He was successfully distracted but could only shake his head. “No, not really. This decision really depends on the specific couple in my eyes and … well, I wasn’t sure we would ever …” He stopped talking and lowered his head. Before he knew Qiu Ling, it never made sense to think about this aspect and after getting to know him and falling in love, it had always seemed doubtful that they would get married at all. How dare he imagine the specifics of their wedding? So it was only now that he seriously considered it.

Qiu Ling hummed, not too concerned about that. Anyway, this meant they could decide this together. Wasn’t that nice as well? “Your mother mentioned they should be symbolic but I suppose the scent should be important as well.” After all, they were supposed to bathe in them. So really, it should be something fragrant, right? Something he’d love Jing He to smell like on the day they got married …

Qiu Ling’s hands stilled and the boat slowly came to a stop.

Jing He looked up in confusion and found Qiu Ling’s expression rather peculiar. “What’s the matter?” He hadn’t said anything wrong, right? But no, Qiu Ling had just said … “They should indeed smell pleasant but most flowers do, don’t they? As for the symbolic meaning, it is usually tied to love and happiness or specific blessings you’d like for your future spouse and yourself and the life you are building together. It is meant like a good luck charm you infuse into your own bodies to draw the right kind of thing to yourself or keep the virtues you admire in each other.”

Qiu Ling nodded but the movement was still somewhat mechanical. Please excuse him but … ah, he just couldn’t get over the beautiful image in his mind right now. His Jing He … on their wedding day … with the fragrant scent of flowers all over his soft skin and satiny hair … how was he supposed to seriously consider what flowers to suggest now?!