Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 12: Sometimes It's Good to Be Audacious (1)

Jing He had mixed feelings about the situation but he couldn't deny that his heart was beating faster in anticipation. Just once. Just once he would indulge in this type of behavior. After today, he would go back to doing what his father expected of him. Just a few hours, that shouldn't be asking for too much, should it?

In the end, Jing He didn't dare to ponder it too deeply. He nodded in answer to Qiu Ling's question and gave a smile. "Since Longjun already prepared, I would be letting you down if I rejected."

Qiu Ling smiled as well and happily squeezed his hand. "Then let's go." He didn't wait for an answer and pulled him to the door into the garden, evading the guards at the front door once again. Anyway, these guys hadn't noticed that he came in so they had to be pretty useless. And he didn't want anyone to spy on them while they had their romantic outing so he definitely wouldn't give them an opportunity to find out and alarm somebody. If that old man found out and came to bother them ... It would truly be too unlucky!

Qiu Ling stopped in front of the door though and turned to Jing He. "We'll have to walk a bit. Would you like me to carry you?"

Jing He couldn't help but look up, staring at Qiu Ling's face in a daze. Carry him? How could that be? Sure, Longjun had indeed carried him before but that had been because he didn't have any time or opportunity to tell him off beforehand. He couldn't let that happen now. Even if he was already a little daring and going with him despite his father forbidding him to do so, he couldn't go that far.

Jing He shook his head and hastily lowered his gaze again. Looking at this man ... It wasn't too good. More often than not, he would have trouble looking away afterward. The best course of action was not to look in the first place.

Qiu Ling was a little disappointed. Even though he hadn't held much hope that his beloved would agree, it still would have been a very good feeling to pick him up and carry him in his arms. Well, today was just one day of many. He would have opportunities to carry him in the future. Thus he tugged at Jing He's hand and pulled him away from the palace. "Let's go by foot then."

Jing He nodded and kept his gaze trained on the ground, following Qiu Ling quietly.

Qiu Ling really would've liked if his beloved looked up at him more often but right now, it wasn't too bad. After all ... He had no idea where the site for their romantic picnic had been prepared! He still needed to find out.

Qiu Ling looked around and finally managed to spot a dragon not too far from them. He pursed his lips, wondering what he should do now. Having somebody lead the way would make it too obvious that he hadn't personally prepared things. Then maybe his beloved would be disappointed? After all, it would definitely seem that he cared more if he did everything by himself. Mn, he shouldn't let him find out.

Qiu Ling waved at the dragon, signaling for him to stay away.

The dragon froze for a moment but then thought of what Xiang Yong had told him: His Majesty didn't like other people getting close to his lover. That's ... Well, they weren't married yet, so that wasn't a wonder. Thus the man stayed in the distance and even consciously tried to hide so the crown prince wouldn't see him. He still led the way though, making Qiu Ling slowly follow him through the streets of the capital and finally to the outskirts.

Qiu Ling looked around and felt that Xiang Yong had done quite well with preparing this. Outside of the capital, there was undisturbed nature. There was a forest in front of them, a green meadow with vibrant flowers to their feet, a stream not too far away ... This was a very scenic spot. Just perfect for his purpose!

Xiang Yong had indeed expended a lot of energy to find the spot. He hadn't done so on short notice though. As soon as their king expressed his interest in the Son of Heaven, he had some people scout the capital city of the Nine Heavens, as well as the surrounding area and compiled some documents detailing the information that he had found.