After Laojun smiled and let Su Qing put the items away,
he spoke again: "Alright, alright, let this matter end here. Don't overthink it anymore; let's talk about something else."
Laojun did not intend to put any more pressure on Su Qing.
He knew she was the type of person who placed great importance on sentiment.
If he said any more, it would only add more of a burden to her.
"Speaking of which, you have stayed in this Moon Palace for so long, are you used to living here? That Chang'e hasn't bullied you, has she?"
Laojun didn't wait for Su Qing to find words to say, but simply transitioned into a new topic.
After Su Qing sat down, she also quickly composed her feelings.
Perhaps she wasn't skilled in other areas, but Su Qing had always been quite good at managing her emotions.
Hearing Laojun's words, she only smiled helplessly:
"I am naturally used to living in the Moon Palace, after all, it has been such a long time. Sister Chang'e... she hasn't bullied me, she's just a bit different from what I imagined."
Laojun laughed heartily upon hearing this; he had already expected as much.
After all, those who knew Chang'e a bit were well aware of her personality.
The Lunar Deity had often complained to him about this point.
"It is good that you are used to it..." Laojun smiled and said: "As for Chang'e... legends are, after all, just legends. It is not strange that she is different from what you thought."
Su Qing nodded slightly. She was very clear that legends were just legends.
In fact, after so long, Su Qing had already grown accustomed to Chang'e's personality.
She even felt that such a boisterous and cheerful personality was actually quite good.
She didn't feel tired at all when interacting with her.
"Sister Chang'e being like this is actually quite nice, she's very approachable."
"Hahaha, it is good that you think so." Laojun said with a chuckle: "Speaking of which, the fact that the Lunar Deity likes you so much is actually partly thanks to Chang'e."
Su Qing found this somewhat baffling and asked: "Why?"
"Don't you know Chang'e's personality? The Lunar Deity told me that after you arrived at the Moon Palace, Chang'e didn't pester her as often. It gave her a rare bit of peace and quiet... Do you think she would like you or not!"
Su Qing: "......"
How could she have known that...
She thought the senior simply liked her for who she was!
She hadn't expected there to be such a reason behind it.
But thinking about it, it made sense. The Lunar Deity was a quiet, kind, and quite elegant person, while Chang'e was the complete opposite... it would be strange if the deity didn't find her annoying.
One could even say it was a miracle that Chang'e hadn't been beaten after all this time.
"I really didn't expect that..." Su Qing smiled helplessly and spoke the truth.
"It's normal not to think of it... After all, the Lunar Deity's personality is similar to your master's; they are both quite awkward. To your face, it is absolutely impossible for them to praise you or speak normally."
Hearing this, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up. She could actually feel that as well...
After coming into contact with more people, she could encounter all sorts of personalities.
However, Su Qing didn't intend to say much now, only laughing.
After all, who knew if the deity was eavesdropping right now?
Although Laojun had set up a sound-isolating formation, this Moon Palace was the deity's territory. If she wanted to eavesdrop, a casually placed sound-isolating formation probably wouldn't stop her.
Once Laojun started talking, he was quite talkative...
After listening to Laojun speak for a while, Su Qing suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but ask:
"By the way, does Senior Laojun know about the matter of the Moon Laurel in this Moon Palace?"
"The Moon Laurel? You mean that lunar osmanthus?" Laojun took a small sip of wine, stroked his beard, and after a moment of thought, said: "It is actually most appropriate for you to ask the deity about this! I do not know very much. However, if you truly wish to know, I can tell you a bit."
Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly.
She knew she could ask the Lunar Deity, of course, but learning some details from Laojun first didn't seem like a bad thing.
She said: "Please tell me, Senior."
Laojun stroked his beard, nodded slightly, and said slowly:
"As for the matter of Wu Gang, I presume I don't need to say more? There are many legends about it in the mortal world."
Su Qing nodded slightly.
Laojun continued: "Besides Wu Gang, what I know is that the Moon Laurel was not planted by man, but was born here. That is to say, after every Great Heavenly Tribulation, the Moon Laurel is always there, even if the Moon Palace has not yet been rebuilt. Speaking of which, the history of this Moon Laurel is quite ancient."
Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly...
To be honest, this information was almost the same as having none at all.
It only let Su Qing know that the origin of this Moon Laurel was not simple.
Thinking this, Su Qing asked again: "So that's how it is. Is there anything else special about this Moon Laurel besides that?"
"That is all I know... I am, after all, busy with the affairs of the Heavenly Palace and do not pay much attention to the Moon Palace. If you want to know more, you still have to ask the Lunar Deity."
Laojun laughed heartily, kicking the matter back to the Lunar Deity again.
She didn't know if Laojun truly didn't know or was just pretending.
But whether it was true or false, Su Qing certainly wouldn't be able to get a definitive answer here.
Fortunately, she moved on to ask about other things she cared about, saying: "Speaking of which, I have one more thing I'm curious about..."
"What is it? Just ask." Laojun stroked his beard and said calmly.
He was happy that she was studious and curious.
If she asked him, as long as he could answer, he would certainly answer them one by one.
After all, the more she learned and the more she understood... the stronger her strength became, which was exactly what he wanted to see.
Su Qing said: "Is Wu Gang sent to chop the Moon Laurel after every Great Heavenly Tribulation? What exactly did he do that his crime cannot be cleared even after a Great Heavenly Tribulation?"
Hearing this, Laojun's hand stroking his beard suddenly paused slightly.
He seemed to be considering whether or not to provide a deep answer to this question.
After a moment, Laojun sighed: "Forget it, I cannot explain this matter to you in detail. I can only say that some things are simply fixed fate... things that cannot be changed."
Hearing this, Su Qing also fell silent for a good while.
"Fixed fate?"
"Yes... just like the Great Heavenly Tribulation, some things are simply fixed fate. Even if we know the outcome, we can only accommodate it and cannot change it." Laojun gave a long sigh, smiled, and shook his head, saying: "Enough, enough, let this question end here. If we talk further, it will become somewhat heavy."
Su Qing gave a helpless smile and nodded, only saying: "To be honest, I still feel that so-called fixed fate is somewhat tragic."
But Laojun laughed at this point and said: "What is tragic? What is there to be tragic about? You're just a young girl, yet you think quite a lot."
He stroked his beard, stood up, and looked at the distant Moon Laurel, saying:
"All fixed fates are coming to an end... in the future, there will be no such thing as fixed fate. How to walk and how far to go are things that neither you nor I know."
"So, don't think so much... just walk according to your own thoughts! If you have the time to think about these things, you would be better off improving your strength... and enjoying life."
Laojun's words seemed to have a deep meaning, and Su Qing vaguely sensed it.
In the end, she couldn't help but find it a bit funny, saying: "It seems I am worrying about things that are none of my business."
Everything under heaven has a fixed fate, but she was the only variable... she was someone who could avoid being too restricted by fixed fate.
"Exactly."
Laojun nodded with satisfaction and said:
"By the way, your wine doesn't taste very good. I'll leave you a few jars of fine wine. Some of these were brewed by me, and some are intended for use at the Peaches of Immortality Banquet; they are definitely much better than your wine. I guarantee you won't be able to forget them once you've had a drink!"
Su Qing only smiled. If it were the peaches, she would have been polite for a few words, but for this fine wine, she accepted it without hesitation.
After all, who could refuse fine wine and great brews?
Especially wine from the Peaches of Immortality Banquet...
She didn't care about the effects, only about the taste.
At the same time, she was curious about what Chang'e's expression would be after learning about this wine.
Such fine wine would surely be intoxicating, so Chang'e definitely wouldn't be able to drink it at the Peaches of Immortality Banquet.
After all, with the Lunar Deity watching her, she would never let Chang'e drink at the banquet to avoid her acting like a drunk fool...
"Then I shall shamelessly accept them." Su Qing smiled.
"Has there ever been a time when you were thin-skinned, girl? Keep them well! Drink slowly! When you're finished, just come and ask me for more."
Laojun chuckled and nodded slightly, then looked at the sky and said:
"Alright, alright, I've stayed here with you for long enough. I must head back! If you have anything you want to ask later, just ask the Lunar Deity! If she doesn't answer, then come find me!"
"I understand."
"Oh, right, I almost forgot to tell you. I live in the Tushita Palace within the Thirty-Third Heaven. If you seek me, just go there. If I am not there, ask the Daoist boy; he knows where I am and will lead you to find me."
Hearing this, Su Qing simply nodded.
After Laojun finished speaking, he turned around and vanished.
After Laojun left, Su Qing looked at the jars of fine wine on the table, intending to taste each one.
However, when she picked up one of the jars, she found that this particular jar was light... it didn't seem like it contained wine.
She frowned and thought: "Eh? Could Laojun have made a mistake? Gave me an empty jar?"
Amidst her thoughts, she peeled off the mud seal and looked inside the jar.
She saw several jade bottles placed inside. The bottles were sealed with magic, yet a faint, delicate fragrance still seeped out.
Clearly, something good was contained inside.
Su Qing raised an eyebrow, took out a bottle, uncorked it to sniff, and then immediately resealed it.
"......"
Su Qing looked at the jar and shook her head helplessly for a long time.
"Senior Laojun really went to a lot of trouble."
She smiled helplessly and brushed her sleeve, taking the jars of fine wine and the jade bottles into her Sleeve Universe.
She owed the seniors too much gratitude.
She couldn't even remember how much.
But she also knew... the seniors must have high expectations for her.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be so good to her and cultivate her in this way.
She patted her face and composed her emotions again, thinking: "Don't think too much, just work hard at cultivation... my strength is too weak, there is too little I can do."
After a long time, Su Qing exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Then she glanced at Gongsun Zhixue and said: "Where are those little fellows?"
"Yo? You've come back to your senses? I saw you staring blankly for quite a while!"
Gongsun Zhixue had sat down in front of her at some point and said:
"Those little fellows have run off somewhere! But I'm a bit curious, what exactly did you and that senior chat about! You blocked me out while you were talking; it was a bit much."
"It was just talking about some tree-planting techniques, nothing special."
"Tree-planting? It wasn't tree-chopping, was it?" Gongsun Zhixue raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced.
Su Qing smiled slightly, too lazy to explain... she only said: "Are you able to eat anything?"
"I can't, I can't! How can I, a tree, eat anything?" Gongsun Zhixue curled her lip and said: "Sigh, I really want to transform soon so I can taste the delicacies of the world, instead of watching you all eat in front of me..."
Hearing this, Su Qing couldn't help but find it funny, saying: "If you want to transform quickly, then cultivate well! How is it that after so many years, you still haven't cultivated to the point of transformation?"
"Soon, soon! With my talent, I'll be able to transform in just a few years! Don't you be in a hurry!" Gongsun Zhixue said with a bit of a guilty conscience.
Seeing this, Su Qing only smiled and didn't continue to tease the girl.
Instead, she turned and handed half a Peach of Immortality to Leng Xiang, saying: "Taste it, the peach sent by Laojun. The flavor is quite good."
Leng Xiang was momentarily stunned, then shook her head helplessly and said:
"Master, have you forgotten? Leng Xiang is only a spiritual body and cannot eat. I am not fundamentally different from Gongsun Zhixue, I am just more solid."
Hearing this, Su Qing was stunned, then smiled awkwardly.
"I almost forgot about that..." Su Qing looked at the peach in her hand and also shook her head, then began to eat it herself.
Leng Xiang watched from the side, only smiling slightly.
She recognized the Peach of Immortality; even if she could eat it, she certainly wouldn't have accepted it.
However, she was very happy that her master had thought of her.
The Peach of Immortality entered her mouth; the taste was actually just a bit sweeter than a regular peach.
Perhaps she was just unrefined and couldn't distinguish its special flavor.
As for the other effects of the Peach of Immortality, Su Qing felt that her perception was not strong. The only thing she felt was an improvement in her cultivation.
But the improvement wasn't particularly large... she only vaguely felt that her sensitivity to the surrounding spiritual energy had increased slightly.
As for the life-extending property of the Peach of Immortality, Su Qing felt nothing at all...
But then again, she had already jumped out of the Three Realms and was no longer within the Five Elements. Her lifespan was nearly infinite, so how could she feel the life-extending effect of the peach?
After finishing one peach, Su Qing looked at the peach pit in her hand, which was covered in purple patterns, and thought amusedly:
"The taste of this Peach of Immortality is just so-so, but the pit is actually quite good-looking."
Smiling, she also put the pit away, thinking that since she was idle anyway, she would try to see if she could grow it in the future.
The night grew deeper, and the sparrows returned after playing a round.
And Su Qing, just as she had originally intended, divided a peach into four and gave it to the four little fellows.
The four little ones didn't recognize the Peach of Immortality and only thought it was an ordinary fruit, so they each took their piece and ate it slowly.
After eating the Peach of Immortality, the four little fellows didn't seem to have any particularly special changes...
It was just that their feathers, which had looked a bit coarse in the past, now appeared even more sleek and lustrous.
Just like how they had looked when she first met these little fellows.
Su Qing looked at them with a smile on her face: "This one matter on my mind is finally settled now."
Rate on N.U.
