Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 8: ... Don't Take Chances with Your Rivals (7)

Jing He had never been taught in martial arts and his thoughts were occupied so he hadn't noticed anything going on outside. He still anxiously waited for what his uncle would say.

Qiang Yan gave a low hum as if he had to think about this very hard. In actual fact, he was listening to what was happening outside. It seemed the dragon king was rather wrought up. Could it be this was about what had happened last night? Could there be a misunderstanding going on on both sides?

Well, even if there was, he had no way to go and explain to the dragon king. Furthermore, it was much more important to get some information out of his nephew first. If there really was some progress in their relationship ... he should go and tell sister, lest her husband ruined everything before it could even start.

Qiang Yan leaned back and crossed his legs, casually sipping his tea. "Even if Longjun had that kind of impression, I doubt the relationship between our races would deteriorate just because of that. You shouldn't be too worried."

Jing He didn't calm down after hearing that though. Yes, he naturally didn't want to be the reason the relationship between their races worsened. But even if that didn't happen, wouldn't Longjun still think less of him personally?

Seeing Jing He's expression that hovered between accepting his fate and wanting to retort, Qiang Yan sighed. "Are you worried that he would go and tell other people? That your own reputation would be ruined?"

Jing He hurriedly shook his head. "No. No, I don't believe Longjun is like that." He furrowed his brows, thinking back to the day before. When Longjun accompanied him for the festival, he had felt different. For a short while, he had felt very secure with him. That kind of feeling ... He couldn't have imagined it. The man that could make him feel this way certainly wouldn't go around smearing his reputation. Even if he really thought badly about him.

Jing He couldn't explain his restlessness even to himself. Yes, why was he this anxious? Since it wouldn't impact the gods as a whole and his reputation either, why did he still feel this miserable? Why did he still want to have a chance to see Longjun and convince him that he wasn't like that?

Jing He reached out and gently brushed the windowsill. A year ago, this was the place where the plant Longjun had brought him had stood before the dragon king sneakily took it back. That man ... His impression of him had been rather bad in the beginning but by now, he didn't feel that way anymore. Maybe that was the reason why? Did he actually look up to this man so he didn't want the dragon king to look down on him? But even if he knew, what would it change?

Jing He turned back to the table and slowly walked over, finally coming to stop in front of his uncle. "Uncle, I also can't explain. I'm just feeling very uncomfortable with this. You ... You've been to the dragon realm before. You also fought on the battlefield so ... maybe you understand the dragons better than I do. Is there no way for me to rectify Longjun's expression impression of me?"

Qiang Yan examined his nephew's expression and reached out, lightly brushing his arm. "Jing He, we don't even know what exactly he thinks right now. Maybe you are worrying too much. Actually, I think all this might just be a misunderstanding."

Jing He lowered his head, folding his hands in front of his body to stop them from trembling. "So that's what uncles thinks." His expression said that he didn't believe the same. And how could he? The circumstances had been like that and he had seen the gaze Longjun used to look at him. Such naked contempt ... He certainly hadn't imagined that.

Qiang Yan also saw that his nephew didn't share his impression. He sighed and motioned over to the cupboard where the chest with the bloody heart inside had stood last year. "Back then when Longjun first saw you and just casually took your hands, speaking of marriage right on the very first evening or when he later brought this heart to you, were you not shocked? Didn't you question his intentions?