When it came to bidding farewell to his father, Jing He was a lot more reluctant. What his mother had said about his father trying to keep him there … he indeed worried about that. There definitely was a possibility for that to happen. But no matter what, he couldn’t leave for his trial without going to see his parents before. That just wasn’t right.

He sighed to himself and walked up to the gate, inclining his head toward the guards. “Is my father busy seeing anyone?”

“No, Your Highness. His Majesty should be in the study. Should we announce you?”

Jing He shook his head. If there was somebody else there, he’d have preferred that but if his father was alone, it didn’t matter. Anyway, the study was only a few steps away from the main gate, unlike his mother’s usual place further inside her palace so the servants had enough time to inform her before he actually arrived.

The guard nodded and didn’t say more. Anyway, they were all used to the crown prince’s visits and the Heavenly Emperor’s attitude toward him. In short, even if the crown prince barged in while there was an important discussion, he still wouldn’t say a bad word. But then, their crown prince would never.

Jing He walked into the palace, his steps still a little hesitant. He forced himself to walk further though. He had to do this. Anyway, if he found the right words, he could do this in a few minutes. He didn’t have to worry.

Stepping into the study, Jing He put on his usual smile again, not wanting his father to see how distraught he actually felt. How could he? It was shameful enough that he thought like this in the first place. To dare and actually expose those feelings … he naturally couldn’t.

“Father.” Jing He stopped behind the door, not wanting to bother in case his father was too busy to receive him. Even if there was nobody else, who knew what he was working on? It might need to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Of course, Jing He was thinking too much. If he could, Rong Su didn’t want to do all these thankless tasks anyway and was always happy about being given an excuse to shirk his responsibility. That happiness was naturally doubled when the one providing that excuse was his precious son.

Hearing Jing He’s voice, Rong Su automatically pushed away the documents and raised his head at the same time, motioning for him to come over. “Jing He, you’ve come to see me. Come and have a seat. Have a cup of tea. How have you been doing these days? I feel like I have hardly seen you …”

Jing He gingerly stepped closer, already fearing the worst when his father asked one question after another. He wouldn’t get out of here as fast as his mother had let him go, would he? No, it seemed like he’d have to make Qiu Ling wait for a long time. Thinking of this, he could only sigh and sit down obediently, trying to think of a way to at least cut down the time slightly.

“I am sorry for not coming to see you more often, father. These days, I was busy preparing for the trial. Today, I also came here to say goodbye before I leave for the mortal realm since it will be some time until we can see each other again.”

Rong Su furrowed his brows when he heard this. Had the seven days already passed? Was his son about to leave? How could that be? He reached over the table and covered the back of Jing He’s hand. “We should spend some time together right now then. Let your father impart you with some wisdom before you go on your trial.”

Jing He gave a wry smile. To be fair, his mother had pretty much done the same but she had kept it to a few sentences that were mostly meant to encourage him and not have him feel too worried before he left and after he came back until his memory recovered. He somehow couldn’t expect the same when it concerned his father. No, knowing him, he might go on to tell him a long-winded story about each of his own trials, pointing out for each of them what he should take into consideration for his own. That … was naturally unacceptable. He didn’t have that kind of time today.

Even though Jing He didn’t want to hear any of it, how to refuse his father’s good intentions was still a matter he needed to consider. His performance now would decide whether he could leave early or not, after all. Usually, it was best to leave his father in a good mood. If he accidentally angered him, he would only want to talk more to admonish him and exhort him to do better in the future.

Thinking of that, Jing He lowered his head, not daring to look into his father’s eyes. “Father … even though I would love to hear about your experiences during your trials, I won’t remember any of it when I am in the mortal realm. It … might be better to speak about this after I return. Then, couldn’t I make use of that to make sense of the memories I recover?” To be honest, he doubted that it would make much of a difference but his father clearly wanted to talk about this so he couldn’t refuse completely. Making him postpone this talk was a little better since he could find a convenient time to have it. At the very least, it wouldn’t be at a moment when Qiu Ling was waiting for him to return.

Rong Su who had just gotten ready to delve into all of his experiences suddenly deflated when Jing He stopped him. Of course, he couldn’t deny that his son was right but … ah, he had just wanted to share a few memories!

Jing He glanced at his father’s expression and felt even more guilty. His thoughts were really too unkind and he truly hadn’t spent much time with his father recently. He deserved to be scolded for that and yet, his father only wanted to help him. Even if he was a little long-winded in doing so, the one at fault was still him. He truly was too unkind to his father.

Feeling that nothing he had done so far was right, Jing He figured that he should make up for his mistakes. Thinking for a moment, he picked up the teapot and filled his father’s cup again. “After I come back and recover my first memories, we can take a few days and slowly talk about everything. I know a little about father’s and mother’s trials but you have never told me everything. At that time, I would love to hear everything you have gone through during your mortal lifetimes and also share what I have experienced during my stay. I am sure there will be many valuable lessons to learn.”

Rong Su regained his heart when his son painted such a beautiful picture for him. “Yes … Yes, we can get together with your mother and talk it through slowly. What’s the rush indeed?”

Jing He hastily nodded. “Yes, anyway, this kind of thing should be done with one’s full attention. Today, my mind will always be partly on having to leave for my own trial. It doesn’t seem quite right. Speaking of which …” Jing He saw the opportunity as soon as the words were out of his mouth and put on a troubled expression. “The sooner I leave, the sooner I will return. I should go back to my palace and descend. Everything has already been prepared and all that is left is to take the water from the River of Forgetfulness so my memories won’t interfere with my mortal identity.”

Rong Su sighed. “Is it already time? Well, I guess that can’t be changed then.” He sighed again, even more deeply this time, and reached out to pat Jing He’s hand again. “I am sure you will do well. I am just a little worried …” He always worried about his son but today was a special occasion. Anyway, Jing He would be gone for several weeks. How could he not be uneasy? Thinking of that, his mind turned and then, his expression lit up. “Ah, how about staying here to descend? I would feel a lot more comfortable if I could look at you to make sure you are alright.”

Jing He stiffened and so did his smile. He had almost feared that this would happen and here it truly was. “I … would love to do that, father, but the array has been prepared in my palace and the vial with the water is also there. I am afraid it would be inconvenient. Also …” He thought of his mother who was the only one who could rein his father back in again when he made a troubling decision and finally felt that it was still best to pull her out. “Mother will likely take care of my garden while I am away and will certainly check on me when she does as well so you don’t have to worry.”

“Oh, so your mother has already planned, I see.” Rong Su pursed his lips but if this was what his wife wanted … He sighed and patted Jing He’s hand again. “Then should I accompany you back to your palace?”

Jing He hurriedly shook his head and got to his feet. “I am honored that father thinks so much on my behalf but you were busy and I shouldn’t distract you any longer. It isn’t far to my palace anyway so I can go that short distance on my own.” Anyway, he couldn’t risk his father running into Qiu Ling.

Rong Su had nothing to argue with and only sadly nodded his head. “Well, then … you descend early and come back early.”

“Of course, father.” Jing He inclined his head and then left as fast as he could without seeming hurried.

Rong Su sighed sadly and tapped the table. Ah, he was still worried about his precious son … Thinking for a moment, he finally called in one of the servants. “You go and get me the Fate’s Scribe. I want to hear what exactly he has come up with for my son’s trial.” Anyway, he at least had to make sure that everything would go well.