Jing He was still tangled up in his own thoughts so he didn’t notice how Qiu Ling’s expression changed. He simply nodded absentmindedly, hoping that his husband-to-be was right. Jinde had indeed not said anything bad to him and hadn’t indicated any dislike in another way either so Qiu Ling was probably right that he didn’t need to fear their relationship being bad. And yet … just knowing this person’s importance to Qiu Ling, he didn’t dare to relax.

He hesitated to speak, taking a shaky breath before exhaling and then giving it another try. “I … I just want a good relationship with my in-laws.” He looked up, his brows slightly drawing together. “I know how tough it was for you to try and please my father so he’d weaken his stance. To still not have reached that goal …” He shook his head. “I know it isn’t your fault but his. He is too stubborn. Father-in-law shouldn’t be like that but …” He sighed. “What if he finds me disappointing? He might accept me as your spouse but he might also wish you could have found someone better.”

Qiu Ling immediately shook his head. He let go of Jing He’s hands and reached up, cupping his cheeks instead. “My love, there is nobody better in this world. You …” He hesitated what to say, afraid that if he praised too much, Jing He would find his words unbelievable. Also, it couldn’t just be anything. No, he needed to find the right words.

In the end, Qiu Ling simply shook his head again. “Where do I even start? Obvious things like your status and looks aside, you bring me so much happiness. I feel at home with you, like this is where I belong. You’re the family I didn’t have for so long and Jinde knows very well how important this is to me. So just knowing that I have found this connection with you will make him accept you wholeheartedly.”

Jing He nodded, albeit with some doubts lingering in his heart. He always felt that he was lacking. His biggest flaw was certainly that he was too indecisive and even now that he had finally made his choice and was ready to settle down with Qiu Ling against his father’s wishes, he felt that this couldn’t be said to have lessened much. In comparison to Qiu Ling who always knew what he wanted and should do, it seemed like an even worse attribute to have. How could his family not be dissatisfied with that?

Qiu Ling also noticed that Jing He’s agreement wasn’t all that fervent. Clearly, he wasn’t yet reassured. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do much besides saying a few more words, and knowing Jing He, it wouldn’t actually help much. Only after interacting with Jinde more and seeing that he was treated exactly the same as him would he start to calm down. Until then, he was afraid it had to stay like this.

Seeing as he couldn’t do anything about this, Qiu Ling decided to simply change the topic. “In-laws aside, the most important is our own relationship right now. After all, we’re about to get married. Let’s enjoy the last two days before while we anticipate our wedding day and then the married life following after. I am sure it’ll be beautiful. All of it.”

Jing He nodded, this time without any trace of doubt visible. Yes, whether it was getting married to Qiu Ling or spending the rest of his life with him, he just knew that it would be great. His husband-to-be simply was the type of man to make sure of that even if circumstances weren’t ideal. So how could there be any unhappiness?

He smiled as he thought of how their relationship would change and reached up to hold Qiu Ling’s hands. “Two days seem very short but also very long simultaneously. I am looking forward to that time. To finally be with you as your spouse … I have longed for this for so long. I just don’t know if I can enjoy the next two days until then in the way you’d like me to. I am still afraid something might go wrong. Only on our wedding day …”

Qiu Ling shook his head. “Don’t think like that. Everything is going to go well. Just think of all the people on our side who will help us make this work: You’ll stay with your uncle that day and he has a whole army of people willing to distract your father and make him run around if it’s for your sake.

“Your mother is going to keep your father as busy as possible anyway and your uncle’s best friend is the one overseeing the ceremony and making sure that everything on the square is set up according to standards. And with his personality, what could go wrong?” He didn’t know the God of Justice that well but from the little he had seen of him so far, he was someone who was very detail-oriented and didn’t allow shoddy work. With the officials from his palace preparing the venue, what could go wrong? And aside from that …

“Also, don’t forget that the first guests will likely arrive by tomorrow afternoon at the very latest. From that time on, your father won’t have as much time to worry about my being close to you. He’ll have to greet the new arrivals and make sure that everything is prepared for them to stay here so it won’t reflect badly on him and the capital city. Just think of how much he loves saving face! He wouldn’t do anything to make himself look like a bad host.”

Jing He nodded. “I guess it’s true …” His father was honestly the only issue that could come up but it was one that still worried him immensely. Qiu Ling was right though: There were enough people to keep him busy and enough people to take care of all the tasks the day of. He only had to get through these two days, then follow the last remaining customs, and finally get married. He had nothing to worry about, had he?

Qiu Ling saw that he was slowly calming down a little and nodded sincerely. “It is. So don’t worry about it. Instead, you should really try to go to sleep now. Tomorrow, I’ll make you forget all about your worries. You’ll have a splendid day with your husband-to-be and won’t get a moment to think about other men. Not even your father.” He leaned in and kissed Jing He’s forehead again before brushing his cheek with his thumb and motioning to the bed. “Come on, lie down. Let your future husband do you the honor of pulling up your blanket.”

Before Jing He could react to his words, Qiu Ling had already stood up and took the blanket, indicating that he wasn’t joking about this. Anyway, while it might not be much, maybe it could occupy Jing He’s thoughts instead of those worries.

Jing He’s thoughts were indeed led astray. He gingerly laid down, looking up at Qiu Ling. Something about the situation seemed a little wrong but he couldn’t say exactly what.

Qiu Ling didn’t give him the time to ponder either and quietly pulled up his blanket, looking at him with a smile. “Goodnight, my love. Tomorrow … we’ll have a beautiful day together. I’ll make sure of it. So just rest up now and don’t think about anything else. If you can’t sleep though, you know I’m never far away.”

Jing He nodded and watched as Qiu Ling retreated to the day bed he had put up. Seeing him take off his outer robe and then lie down, he indeed felt a little calmer. Yes, his husband-to-be was close by. What could happen with him around? These days and also in the future, he didn’t have to worry too much any longer.