Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 6: Boiling the Frog in ... Scalding Hot Water? (3)

Qiu Ling followed Jing He around not only on that day but also in the following ones. Early in the morning, he would run over to the Nine Heavens, sneak past the guards and pop up in front of his beloved with a brilliant smile, hoping that he would one day reciprocate.

The crown prince winced the first few times but after several weeks of being surprised like this, he got used to it. Qiu Ling had the habit to turn up at about the same time every day so by then, he began to expect his visits.

The two of them would greet each other, sit down for a cup of tea and then go out into the garden. Jing He would tend to his flowers and Qiu Ling would follow behind, pointing at a random flower every now and then to have an excuse to talk with his beloved.

Jing He didn't mind the questions even though it was obvious the dragon king had no actual interest in his garden. Just look at how his eyes almost never strayed from his face! In fact, talking about the flowers and feeling that burning gaze leave his figure at least for a moment was a welcome change. Thus he patiently gave their names and described their most prominent features, making sure he tied them to the flowers' appearances so Qiu Ling had to look at them.

Well, a certain dragon king indeed glanced at the flowers but they could never hold his interest. Actually, he just wanted to hear Jing He's voice. Ah, who could fault him? It really was too soothing to hear! If he could, he would listen to Jing He the entire day.

Unfortunately, his beloved didn't seem too fond of talking. If he didn't ask anything, then Jing He would be content just quietly tending to his garden without saying a single word for hours. Only sometimes would he turn around, smile lightly and ask if there was something he could do for him. A cup of tea perhaps? Or maybe he wanted to sit down for a while?

Most of the time Qiu Ling shook his head, explaining how he didn't want to hinder Jing He in doing what he normally did. His beloved never insinuated in any way that he bothered him but then again, he had never heard his beloved say anything bad about anyone. Ah, his beloved was such a good person!

Qiu Ling smiled happily at the person in question. By now, a year had gone by. They still weren't married and much to his dismay, he still wasn't allowed to hold Jing He's hand. Well, at least they were spending time together.

Qiu Ling looked around and tried to find a flower he hadn't asked about yet. Unfortunately, he came up empty-handed. All the flowers around them had already been explained, some of them even twice. If he brought them up a third time, his beloved might wonder if he didn't listen to him properly.

Qiu Ling tightened his lips. He had to come up with something else!

Jing He looked up when the typical burning gaze directed at his profile disappeared. Seeing the dragon king's gaze dart around, his lips curved slightly. "We've been out here for a rather long time. How about taking a break?"

Qiu Ling looked up, his confusion about what to do replaced by gentleness. "Sure ..." If that is what you want, my love! I'll do anything you want, my love!

Jing He continued to smile and motioned toward the stone pavilion at the edge of the garden. The two of them walked over, shoulder to shoulder.

"Please take a seat, Longjun. Would you like some tea?"

"Mn." Qiu Ling watched excitedly how his beloved brewed the tea and finally poured each of them a cup.

Ah, he couldn't get enough of this! His beloved was so elegant when he did this! Not that he wasn't elegant while doing other things. It was just that he was especially elegant when pouring tea.

Jing He took a seat opposite Qiu Ling and looked at the tea in his cup. By now, they had changed from the leaves of the Summer Sun Tree to one made from the Midnight Lotus. The blueish color in contrast to the golden one made this indeed seem like the difference between night and day.