Qiu Ling accepted the necessity of the trial without issue, putting Jing He’s mind greatly at ease. Feeling as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart, he finally calmed down and relaxed in Qiu Ling’s arms. Now, only a week remained for them to spend together. Whenever he wasn’t preparing for the …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 55: Well Prepared Is Halfway Finished (5)

Qiu Ling hunched down a little, resting his chin on Jing He’s shoulder to make sure his beloved would know that he still felt just as close to him. Well, of course, it was also just nice to lean against him like this. He could feel the satiny strands of his hair brush against his …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 55: Well Prepared Is Halfway Finished (4)

Jing He managed to sleep through the night without issue. Maybe it was that the relief of finally seeing Qiu Ling again was bigger than the worry over tomorrow’s conversation or maybe he had simply been too exhausted to fret for another night but his sleep was uninterrupted until the early morning hours. When he …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 55: Well Prepared Is Halfway Finished (3)

Jing He nodded but inside, he still felt tangled. In the past, he wouldn’t have doubted his mother’s words but after the long separation he had just experienced, always worrying whether he would ever see Qiu Ling again or not … he just couldn’t help but feel that it wouldn’t be that easy. He took …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 55: Well Prepared Is Halfway Finished (2)

His steps indeed first led Jing He to his mother’s palace. This was a matter of course. For one, he should tell her that his departure for his trial had been decided. And two, right now, he needed her advice. Just earlier, he had promised Qiu Ling to get married and to bring this topic …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 55: Well Prepared Is Halfway Finished (1)

“Ah?” Jing He couldn’t utter anything more intelligible than that. His mind was completely blank at the moment, unable to grasp what was going on. Hadn’t they been talking about his upcoming wedding? Why was his father suddenly … The hope that had ignited in his heart suddenly extinguished and he lowered his head. Right. …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 54: Try to Grasp the Future in Your Hand (3)

Jing He took a moment to consider his words carefully, not wanting his father to erupt before he even managed to get to the important part. “I am not sure how to say this but these days, I can’t help but reflect on how time passes. I remember when I was young, there were a …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 54: Try to Grasp the Future in Your Hand (2)

The two of them bid farewell and Jing He watched as Qiu Ling left. He still stood on the bridge, unable to return to himself or leave this place for a while. Unbeknown to him, Qiu Ling only vanished from sight but still stopped close by. Seeing his beloved still standing there, he also waited …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 54: Try to Grasp the Future in Your Hand (1)

Qiu Ling’s happiness was almost palpable. Jing He was glad he had finally followed his heart and let him know as well. With the reaction of the man he loved added, his heart seemed to swell, unable to contain all the feelings assailing him. He held onto his shoulders as if only Qiu Ling’s presence …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 53: Make Bold Decisions When the Time Is Ripe (3)

Jing He stiffened. Qiu Ling had always been bold in his treatment of him but … it had still never been like this. Neither of them had even said a word yet but here they were, hugging and kissing as if there was no question about the status they had in regard to one another. …

Continue reading RSH Stratagem 53: Make Bold Decisions When the Time Is Ripe (2)