49 As Sharp as Expected

Qiu Ling turned to the window. Stars already littered the sky, glinting on the edges of the roof tiles and illuminating the streets of the capital. Down there, nobody could be seen, building a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle, that dictated the capital in the day. Such a night … really evoked memories.

In such a night he had encountered Jing He for the first time and madly fallen in love. One glance had been enough, only listening for a bit …

"Just ask", he said in a low voice, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere.

"Maybe it's too much of a personal matter, but … that person you talked about, could it be … you were in love with him?"

Qiu Ling's smile broadened. Both my future mothers-in-law are so sharp! Is that the intuition of a woman? "What if I said, you are right?"

Madam Zhong shook her head. "I just want to know."

"Aren't you afraid, that this might be a problem for your son? What if I insisted to continue with whatever happened with that person?"

"Then my son would be incredibly lucky." She smiled and looked with him out at the stars. "From how you talk about that person, it's obvious that he must have meant very much to you. And considering how you helped Jing'er and us on more than one occasion, even though Jing'er isn't that person himself, but only his reincarnation, it can be seen, that you treat those you love with care and sincerity. Having such a person by my son's side … How could I protest to that?"

Qiu Ling nodded. Indeed. "You are indeed right. That person … I love him deeply, I still do. There is nothing that can change that. So … Madam Zhong, you don't have to worry. For as long as Jing Yi lives, I'll watch over him. I won't let anything bad happen to him. I'll make sure, he is happy."

Madam Zhong could hear, that this wasn't just him promising to keep her son out of trouble, but she didn't ask further. Her son was too young now. Even if the man in front of her had any intentions to really pick up, what couldn't be finished in her son's last life, he would still have to wait for her son to grow up. She could still worry about these things, when that time came. For now, keeping him safe was all she cared about. "Will you always know, if he is in danger?"

"Mn." Of course he would. He was always at Jing Yi's side. How could he miss any danger?

"That's good then. I shouldn't delay you any longer."

"I don't mind." Qiu Ling smiled at her again, then turned around and vanished down the corridor.

Madam Zhong stood motionless next to the window and watched him disappear. She had always had a good feeling about him and had only been worried about his intentions in regards to her son's future. Now that she knew, she could be unconcerned. She didn't have to let her son go and he wouldn't have any expectations placed on him. He could decide, whatever he wanted to do. This man, he really was their savior.

She went back to the room and had a look at her son, who was still sleeping peacefully. Yes, it felt good to have her doubts dispelled. And in regards to him someday requiting that man's love or not … She wouldn't worry about it. After everything she had seen, she didn't think Qiu Ling would force her son. Everything could just take its natural course. If Jing Yi ever fell in love, it was alright, but it would be alright, too, if he didn't.

Mister Zhong came over and stood next to her, likewise looking at their son. "Do you believe, what he said?"

Madam Zhong lifted her brows. "Who was the one asking, if our son had been a dragon in his last life?"

Mister Zhong scratched his head and laughed. "He was talking about previous lives and the dragon folk. What else should I have thought?"

"If dragons really came to our realm before, then one certainly didn't need to be a dragon to encounter them."

Mister Zhong slowly nodded. "So it turns out in the end … our son was the emperor."

Madam Zhong stared at her husband exasperatedly, unable to say anything else.

Qiu Ling, who had already returned and sat quietly at the table, put a hand to his forehead. How come, his mother-in-law was so sharp, while his father-in-law could make up such unbelievable nonsense? How had those two fallen in love in the first place?!