Su Qing's Somersault Cloud maintained its speed, and in the blink of an eye, she had already arrived in Chang'an City.
Since the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties, Chang'an City, with its three prefectures blooming like brocade and eight rivers flowing around it, was a famous place, and moreover, the capital of a nation, truly bustling with prosperity.
Su Qing descended from the clouds, formed a spell, and then transformed into the appearance of an ordinary young lady, blending into the crowd...
Upon arriving, Su Qing didn't intend to immediately attend to her main task.
Instead, she first sought to understand what era it was, what time, and who the current emperor was.
After gaining some understanding of the environment, she would then proceed with her main task, as this would be more prudent.
Of course, there was another reason...
Although Su Qing had arrived, the person she was looking for had not actually been born yet...
So Su Qing needed to stay here for a while, so that she could directly find the person she was looking for later.
Su Qing entered an inn, casually ordered some dishes, and then began to question the waiter.
However... she didn't know until she asked, and when she did, Su Qing was truly bewildered.
Su Qing had originally thought that the current era was already the Tang Dynasty, and even if it wasn't the time of Li Shimin, it would at least be after the founding of the Great Tang.
But what she never expected was...
This era was not the Great Tang.
It was the Great Sui...
The current emperor was not Li Shimin, nor Li Yuan, but Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang.
And Yang Guang had only recently ascended the throne.
The current reign title was only Daye Year Two.
Learning of this, Su Qing couldn't help but feel a headache, but at the same time, she also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Although there were some unexpected turns, since the time difference was so significant, the person I need to send to Spirit Mountain must truly have no connection to Xuanzang."
Indeed, things had somewhat exceeded her expectations, but this wasn't entirely a bad thing.
At the very least, Su Qing confirmed that she wasn't sending Xuanzang on the pilgrimage, nor had she truly been tricked into joining the pilgrimage team; instead, she was genuinely sending the reincarnation of a disciple to the Western Heaven.
Su Qing thought to herself, nodding.
Then she said to the waiter, "Thank you for your trouble! This is your reward."
Su Qing took out some silver coins and placed them on the table. Just as she was about to dismiss the waiter, she suddenly remembered something else.
She quickly asked, "Oh, right, one more thing. Do you know which brokerage in this city is good?"
The waiter held the silver coins in his hand, examined them carefully, and then quickly replied, "This... Miss, are you looking to buy servants, or a residence?"
"Both."
"Hehe, then there's plenty this humble one can recommend. However, I must also remind Miss that Chang'an City is not like outside... Miss should consider things carefully."
The waiter was also a practical person; after receiving Su Qing's generosity, he was quite diligent and responsible.
He answered all of Su Qing's questions thoroughly, as if afraid of missing anything.
Soon.
After Su Qing received the information she wanted, she took Yudie and left the inn together, heading to a brokerage to buy a courtyard.
Land in Chang'an City was as precious as gold; houses in any district were not cheap.
Fortunately, Su Qing didn't need to worry about money...
Although she didn't have any substantial assets, she was a cultivator after all, and money was indeed something she didn't lack...
Especially mortal gold and silver... she had absolutely no shortage of it.
Therefore, Su Qing didn't spend much effort and successfully bought a residence in Chang'an City.
However, unlike before.
This time, Su Qing didn't plan to hastily establish any businesses...
After all, she wouldn't be staying in Chang'an City for long.
Once the person she was looking for was born and grew to a certain age.
Su Qing would then leave Chang'an and go to Spirit Mountain.
So, even if she were to set up businesses, they would surely end up closing down eventually. Thus, Su Qing simply didn't bother with such elaborate endeavors.
Just finding a place to live was enough.
Su Qing's residence was still chosen for its tranquility, a relatively secluded large courtyard...
However, although the courtyard was large, because she had bought several servants...
This vast courtyard didn't seem too empty.
Su Qing actually didn't want to buy any servants at first, as being an immortal cultivator, having a few mortals in the house always brought some inconveniences...
But in such a large courtyard, with only Su Qing and Yudie...
No matter what, it would inevitably strike people as a bit strange.
Therefore, to avoid unnecessary trouble...
Su Qing simply bought some servants to help manage the courtyard.
Of course, to avoid unnecessary trouble...
Su Qing also set some rather clear restrictions on their areas of activity.
After all, she needed to reserve a place where she could perform her spells, didn't she?
A day quickly passed.
And Su Qing finally settled down.
Su Qing sat in the study of her new home and took out a scroll that Maitreya had given her back then.
This scroll was Maitreya's tool for her to find the reincarnation of the Buddha's disciple...
It had been at the bottom of a chest until now, and finally, it had a chance to be used.
When the scroll was unrolled, it was initially blank...
Only after spiritual power was infused into it did some characters appear on it.
The scroll read: "Next year's top scholar in the imperial examination, Chen Anshan is his father, and his wife Luo Zijuan is his mother."
Looking at the text, Su Qing paused slightly, her lips twitching involuntarily as she muttered to herself:
"Because the person hasn't been born yet, it first tells me who her father is? That's quite intelligent... But it seems she's currently queuing for reincarnation, huh? I just wonder when she'll be born."
Su Qing thought, and couldn't help but smile...
She then put away the scroll.
There was still plenty of time...
Su Qing still had ample time to prepare.
After putting away the scroll, Su Qing continued her ordinary life.
Day after day, without realizing it, Su Qing had been in Chang'an City for over half a year.
During this half-year period.
Su Qing didn't continue to be a homebody as she had been in the Changbai Mountains.
Instead, she often moved around the vicinity...
And maintained harmonious relationships with her neighbors.
However, perhaps because it was her first time not being a homebody, Su Qing heard many interesting gossip stories during this half-year.
Although most of them were useless tidbits, some inevitably contained genuinely useful information.
One day.
Su Qing, as usual, chatted with her neighbor about daily matters.
"Oh, by the way, I'll be moving in a few days," the neighbor suddenly said as they chatted.
"Moving? Why? Has something unexpected happened?"
"No, it's just that I plan to go to Jiangnan for business..." the neighbor said with a chuckle.
"I see. But if you leave, I'll have one less person to chat with," Su Qing said with a faint smile upon hearing this.
"Hahaha, it's fine, it's fine... After I leave, there'll be a new occupant here!" the neighbor said. "And this person's status is quite extraordinary!"
"Oh?" Su Qing heard this and couldn't help but feel a little curious, asking, "You're moving out and selling the house at the same time?"
"Hehe, I'm a businesswoman! More importantly, aren't you curious who will be living here next?"
"Who is it?" Su Qing smiled and asked, playing along.
Although she actually didn't care who her neighbor was, seeing the other person so eager to tell her, she simply asked.
It was merely to satisfy her soon-to-be-departed friend's desire to share.
"Chen Anshan!" the neighbor said with a chuckle. "Let me tell you... this person is a great talent, the top scholar in the provincial examination!"
"Oh? That amazing?!" Su Qing was slightly taken aback when she heard the name, but she still maintained a calm expression, smiling as she spoke.
The neighbor seemed to get excited and continued, "Yes! He's really impressive! I'm telling you, even if he doesn't become the top scholar this time, he'll definitely be granted an official position and title. Then, you'll have an official as a neighbor."
Su Qing heard this, smiled charmingly, and said, "That's quite interesting. However, I still prefer my current neighbor... after all, we get along well."
"Haha, you always know what to say! It's a pity, though, I have to go to Jiangnan with my husband. I won't be able to chat with you anymore."
"Yes, it really is a shame," Su Qing shook her head helplessly and said, "And I imagine my daughter won't want to leave either!"
"Ahem, alright, alright, let's not talk about these things anymore... How about we discuss the imperial examination this time?" the neighbor said with a smile.
Su Qing nodded slightly upon hearing this, and didn't continue discussing those matters.
After a long while, Su Qing parted ways with her neighbor and returned to her study.
Seeing Su Qing return, Yudie poured her a cup of tea and said, "Mother, are you troubled again?"
"No... I just find fate quite interesting," Su Qing said with a slight smile, shaking her head.
"Huh?"
"Alright, don't worry about these things. How did you handle the task I gave you?"
"Hmm, it's done. I've killed those man-eating demons in Chang'an City, and, well, left no traces," Yudie recalled, nodding slightly.
Having stayed in Chang'an City for over half a year, Su Qing had naturally heard many interesting legends...
Many of these legends appeared to be mere tales... but in reality, they were just demons causing mischief.
"That's good."
Su Qing nodded slightly, then couldn't help but sigh, saying:
"But I really didn't expect... that the world has become so chaotic now, even in a place like the capital, there are demons and evil spirits causing trouble."
"Mother?" Yudie tilted her head and asked, "Before... weren't there demons in places like this?"
"There were, but not many... and those demons wouldn't dare to cause trouble in a place like the capital," Su Qing shook her head and said.
"I see." Yudie pondered, not quite understanding, but just smiled and said, "Well, if I encounter those bad demons again, I'll just slay them."
Su Qing heard this, smiled, nodded, and said, "Alright, go see if dinner is ready, I'm a bit hungry too."
"Mm!" Yudie nodded and turned to leave the study.
After sending Yudie away.
Su Qing sat at her desk and took out the scroll.
After unrolling the scroll, she reconfirmed its contents.
After a long while, Su Qing's lips twitched slightly as she muttered to herself:
"Fate truly has its own course... I was originally worried about how to get involved with Chen Anshan, but I never expected that Chen Anshan would become my neighbor. While it certainly saved a lot of trouble, I can't help but feel as if someone is deliberately helping from behind the scenes."
Thinking this, Su Qing couldn't help but shake her head.
In fact, she already knew in her heart...
And knew who was fanning the flames.
She was just too lazy to confirm it.
Days passed one by one...
Soon, the neighbor, just as she had said, truly moved out.
Not long after the neighbor moved out, a group of people arrived at the neighbor's house... they began cleaning the courtyard and also replaced the plaque on the gate with the character 'Chen'.
Although Su Qing hadn't gone out these past few days, she knew... that Chen Anshan and his family were likely moving in.
A few more days passed.
Su Qing was practicing calligraphy in her courtyard when she suddenly heard that someone had come to visit.
Su Qing paused slightly, but quickly understood who had come to visit, so she nodded and got up to meet the visitor.
The visitor was naturally Chen Anshan.
As a new neighbor... visiting the previous residents was a custom and a courtesy.
After inviting Chen Anshan into the courtyard.
Su Qing glanced at him briefly, then couldn't help but frown...
Su Qing frowned, not because Chen Anshan's appearance was strange... but because she was puzzled that this person, though still very young, was already surrounded by a dark aura.
A dark aura was not a good omen.
One must know, if Su Qing could perceive a dark aura emanating from someone... it meant that person was not far from death.
This kind of aura was usually seen on elderly people in their twilight years, or on those critically ill... it was truly rare to see it on a young person.
However, Su Qing didn't know how to bring up the matter, so she merely casually calculated Chen Anshan's fate while exchanging pleasantries with him.
But she didn't know until she calculated; once she did, Su Qing was utterly stunned.
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