Qiu Ling came out of his thoughts and shook his head. This and that were two completely different things. Just because his other mother-in-law had been right back then this mother-in-law wouldn't necessarily be right, too. No, he needed to stay vigilant!
Under Madam Zhong's watchful eyes Qiu Ling continued to sit at his table, held his cup of tea and pretended to drink. His concentration was completely on the door on the other side and his nerves were high-strung.
Wasn't that his beloved crying right now? He started to move, but one glance from madam Zhong pushed him back down.
Damn this! I shouldn't have come here. I should have stayed invisible. Then I could accompany him at least, even though Jing Yi wouldn't be able to see him. But there was no merit to Jing Yi seeing him anyway. The boy had more or less ignored him.
Just what was he to him?
Qiu Ling felt like crying, but he still had the slight hope that everything would get better soon. That merchant's son would certainly disappear, that wild girl would lose interest and Jing Yi would grow up and finally take interest in him! Mn, yes. It would certainly happen.
Just when he had successfully brainwashed himself into thinking like that, the two boys left the preparation room. Shao Hai was holding onto Jing Yi's hand and both of them were smiling brightly. When Shao Hai looked at Jing Yi …
Qiu Ling grabbed his chest. Why did he feel like he was seeing some pink haze around them? This … This was so wrong!
He looked at Madam Zhong accusingly. You said nothing would happen! Now look at this! Someone is trying to take away my beloved! What do you have to say to your defense, mother-in-law? Make this up to me!
But however many signals he send her with his eyes, it couldn't change the fact that Jing Yi had indeed taken a liking to that 'brother Shao Hai' of his.
The two boys went to the upper floor and searched for Shao Hai's father.
"What is it, Xiao Hai?" His father tussled his hair and smiled back.
"I want to show Jing Yi the capital! Can I?"
"All alone? Alright, but be careful." Mister Shao was definitely not an overly cautious man. He didn't mind letting his child run around alone outside. In fact, he was quite happy his son was already this independent at such a young age.
Shao Hai was happy. He pulled Jing Yi back down and went to Madam Zhong next. "Auntie! Can I take Jing Yi outside? I want to show him the capital!"
"Alone?" Madam Zhong's gaze flitted to Qiu Ling.
Hmph. Now you know how to look for me. What if I said no? He crossed his arms and closed his eyes to indicate his refusal. He certainly wouldn't help his love rival!
Madam Zhong repressed a laugh. Considering how his appearance seemed to change nearly every time she saw him, she had no idea how old he really was. But a man who was able to do all that would probably be quite old already. So, why did it seem like her seven year old son was sometimes more mature than him?
She bent down to the children, smiled and patted both their heads. "Alright. Go on. But be cautious, alright?"
"Mn!" Jing Yi nodded and Shao Hai pulled him outside.
Qiu Ling's smug smile collapsed. His eyelids twitched. You're … too despicable, mother-in-law! I can't win against you!
He opened his eyes, threw her a glance and stood up. Without another word he put some silver down on the table and left the teahouse after the children. Of course, he hid his form as soon as he could, following the two of them like a shadow, unseen by mortal eyes.
The longer the children went through the capital, the gloomier Qiu Ling got. Jing Yi, his Jing He … had fun. And quite a lot. When the children returned in the evening he was laughing. Laughing! The only thing Qiu Ling had ever gotten from Jing He was a soft chuckle accompanied by a gentle gaze. And he had done a lot to make him laugh.
But this damned brat just had to show him around the capital a bit, tell him some stories and get him something sweet to eat and his beloved already laughed and hung at his arm! What was with this unfair treatment?!
"Argh, I should have taken him to my realm. I really should have done that. I could have showed you that capital! It's at least a thousand times more interesting than this dumb mortal city!"
He grumpily walked into the teahouse behind them and threw an accusing glare at his mother-in-law, but of course she couldn't see it. He'd have to come back as a guest to the teahouse tomorrow and throw her another one!
"Auntie, we're back! Is father still here?" Shao Hai ran to Madam Zhong, pulling Jing Yi along with him.
Seeing her son smiling happily, Madam Zhong, too, smiled at the boys. "Mn, he is upstairs with Zhong Gang. Did you two have fun?"
Jing Yi nodded and hugged Shao Hai's arm even tighter. Behind him, Qiu Ling cracked his knuckles. This called for severe measures!
With a fluid motion he turned around and procured a smooth stone from his spatial ring. He put some of his energy into it and the surface lit up.
In a beautifully decorated palace in the nine heavens two dragons flinched. Both their gazes slowly found their way to the bracelet one of them was wearing. The big smooth stone inlaid there had started to glow.
Qiang Wei cleared his throat. "Ahem, that … is that the transmitter stone His Majesty gave you?"
Yi Zan nodded. "I think so. I had it embedded right the next day."
"Maybe you mistook another one for it?"
"But it's the only one I ever got. How could I have mistaken it? Show me yours! They looked exactly the same."
Qiang Wei nodded solemnly and took out a chain hanging around his neck. The pendant attached was indeed another smooth stone. "They do look the same, but mine's not glowing."
"Maybe he's only trying to reach me?"
"Why would he?"
"Why would he try reaching any of us anyway? He's in the mortal world with the crown prince."
The two stared at each other. Indeed, why would he? Whenever he was with the crown prince his subjects were less than air for him. They were hindrances, parasites robbing him of his precious time. He normally treated them like an infectious disease! Why would he contact them of his own volition now?
Qiang Wei furrowed his brow. "Maybe something happened?"
"Was there a large scale invasion of the human world through the demons?"
"Not that I know of. I could ask Fu Min?"
"No, let's just hear what he wants." He put some of his energy into the stone and was instantly greeted by Qiu Ling's frowning face.
"Why did you take so long?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I felt too overwhelmed being bestowed with your favor of —"
"Yes, yes, stop it with that. I'm calling for a reason."
His expression became grim, making Yi Zan's heart beat faster. Maybe there really is an invasion? That would be bad.
"Yi Zan, if I remember correctly … your sister is quite the beauty?"