Qiu Ling had been staying in Jing He’s palace since the day he finally returned. Even if they weren’t sleeping in the same bed, just being this close comforted both of them and naturally strengthened their anticipation of married life. On the other hand … it was difficult enough to be close while not being able to be close enough. He hadn’t asked Jing He about it but he for one hated being unable to hold him in his arms as they slept. It would be much nicer if that were possible.

Sighing to himself, Qiu Ling went to the small daybed he had placed at the side of the room where he could be considered neither too far away nor too close for the gods’ tastes. At the very least, if anyone walked in on them staying together like this before marriage, they shouldn’t be too scandalized. Well, unless they were the Heavenly Emperor, of course, but Qiu Ling happily ignored that option. Who wanted to think about some old man when a beauty was close by?

He turned to look at the folding screen that separated the bath from the main part of the room and hummed to himself. The screen was opaque so he couldn’t actually see what was happening behind but … oh, he had great imagination and the rustling of clothes helped a lot. In the future …

Qiu Ling continued to stare at the screen in a daze. Actually, ‘in the future’ was not something that should be considered when it came to this. Jing He’s skin was so thin, it was a wonder he was alright with washing up while he was in the same room. Forget doing so where he could see. That simply wouldn’t happen.

Ah, it was a pity but then, it didn’t matter in the long run. As long as they were together, he didn’t care about such details. The important part was not having to separate anymore and seeing each other every day, spending time together in harmony.

Speaking of harmony though … he thought of the next day again. His beloved’s request to woo him again this shortly before the wedding was very much an opportunity to create precisely that harmony. He still wasn’t sure what exactly to do though. He had tried so many things to win Jing He over throughout the years that there didn’t seem anything new and exciting left to do.

After thinking for a moment, Qiu Ling relaxed. To be honest, his beloved might not care about things being exciting at all. Even being new wouldn’t necessarily be a prerequisite to loving what they were doing. No, wanting to be wooed again right before the wedding shouldn’t be about the thrill of actually being pursued but about reliving the sweet memories they had and getting a small taste of how married life would be. Yes, especially the latter seemed to be important.

Qiu Ling’s lips quirked up into a smile and he had trouble not laughing out loud. Ah, to plan a day around what he imagined their married life to be like, that was simply a great joy he should thank Jing He for giving him! They would definitely both enjoy this day to the fullest. He’d make certain of that!

Closing his eyes, Qiu Ling tried to imagine their first day after the wedding ceremony had been held: They’d wake up in the dragon realm, holding each other tightly. When he opened his eyes, what he saw first would be Jing He’s beautiful, peaceful sleeping face right in front.

He’d see his lightly closed eyelids with the long eyelashes casting small shadows on his cheeks, the eyebrows that looked as if they were painted, just as relaxed as the rest of his expression, his lips that were curled into the faintest of smiles even in his sleep … If he stayed silent, he could hear his rhythmic breathing and maybe even the faint sound of his heartbeat. Where he held him, their skin would be warmed by the contact, making him reluctant to move even the slightest bit.

Needless to say, he would indeed stay motionless. How dare he wake up his beloved from his beautiful dreams?! Naturally, he had to make sure Jing He could sleep for as long as he needed to, to feel refreshed and ready to face their first day as a married couple.

Thus, he’d lie there for a while, his gaze resting on Jing He’s face while his thoughts would swirl around how they were married now, officially and known by everyone in the three immortal realms. He’d happily think to himself how nobody and nothing could separate them now for the rest of eternity.

Finally, Jing He would open his beautiful dark eyes and look at him. Maybe he would still be a bit sleepy and his thoughts wouldn’t catch up with him immediately. He’d look at him in a daze, not quite sure how to deal with this new situation. As a qualified husband, he’d help him by kissing him gently, cradling him in his arms, brushing through his hair with his fingertips, and murmuring a sweet morning greeting into his ears.

Knowing Jing He, his beloved would blush and maybe lower his gaze, unsure how to respond. But seeing how he had become just a tiny bit bolder recently, he might raise his head again after a moment and smile at him sweetly, requiting his words with some of his own. Then, they’d hug in bed for a while, just enjoying the moment before finally getting up together, holding hands or embracing each other frequently as they got ready for the day.

Qiu Ling hummed to himself, quite satisfied with this idea of their first day of getting married. After a moment, he raised his brows and then shook his head. Ah, he had totally gotten carried away. The important part wasn’t whether he’d love to have that kind of morning — because, of course, he did! — but if and how this could be used for their special date tomorrow.

The ‘if’ really wasn’t a question at all. He trusted in his ability to make anything work. The ‘how’ had him slightly worried though. He definitely couldn’t climb into Jing He’s bed in the middle of the night or his beloved would feel mortified in the morning. That certainly wasn’t what he wanted!

No, it seemed like he’d have to abstract from this idea. So maybe … if he pretended that he had gotten up early for something, he could just follow the rest of the day as a married couple would. As for why a husband would get up before his spouse when he could still lie in bed with them, obviously, it had to be for the other person’s benefit! And what was beneficial early in the morning? Mn, that should be a sumptuous feast waiting for them on the table or a special surprise that needed to be readied. Thankfully, both were something he trusted himself getting ready.

Qiu Ling once again hummed with satisfaction and then turned to look at the folding screen again. It seemed that his beloved had almost finished bathing. Afterward … maybe he could do his hair again. That was definitely one of the many things he looked forward to being able to do every day when they were married and he sure didn’t mind getting a small taste of it now either. Ah, that sure had to be integrated into his plans for tomorrow as well!