Faced with the complaints from Ao Ying and Leng Xiang...
Su Qing naturally had no intention of arguing back, nor did she have the ability to. She could only listen helplessly.
After all, she had indeed been unfair in this matter.
What right did she have to argue?
Besides, if a scolding from them was all it took to turn the page...
That would be an excellent outcome for Su Qing.
In that way, she could avoid even worse situations.
Su Qing gave a sheepish laugh and said, "Well, things always have a way of taking unexpected turns!"
Seeing Su Qing's shameless response, Ao Ying couldn't help but sigh softly.
"I really don't know what to do with you... but since it's already happened, there's no point in lecturing you further. Since that's the case, let's decide on a punishment! After all, Sister Xiao Qing, you really are too good at making people angry! Don't you agree, Leng Xiang?"
Leng Xiang was still immersed in the fact that her master had found another sister, but she was suddenly pulled back to reality by Ao Ying.
Speaking of punishment...
Leng Xiang was naturally at a loss.
After all, she could never think of a way to punish her own master.
However, when she saw the mischievous smirk on Ao Ying's face...
She seemed to understand what Ao Ying was planning.
Since she didn't know what to say, she simply nodded in cooperation.
Su Qing was also a bit dazed when she heard about the punishment... especially seeing Ao Ying's expression, which made her feel a bit apprehensive.
Though she knew Ao Ying wouldn't do anything truly extreme, she still felt a lingering sense of dread...
Furthermore... she really couldn't imagine what Ao Ying would do.
She asked, "How do you plan to punish me?"
Ao Ying simply let out a mischievous laugh and said, "Don't worry, Sister. I certainly won't do anything that hurts."
Su Qing blinked, still confused, not quite sure what Ao Ying was up to.
But since she said it wouldn't be painful, it likely wouldn't be anything too over the line.
Yet, looking at that smirk and the strange glint in Ao Ying's eyes, Su Qing remained slightly worried.
Su Qing pondered for a moment before deciding not to overthink it.
She simply continued chatting with Ao Ying and the others about different topics...
Because they were chatting while eating, lunch went by very slowly.
But because it was slow, Su Qing was able to tell Ao Ying and Leng Xiang about her experiences and the things she had seen on the road...
Naturally, the sights and sounds of over a decade couldn't be summed up in a single meal.
But Su Qing picked out some of the more interesting stories to share with them.
She did this not just to share her experiences with her family, but also as a way to summarize the events of those years for herself.
After lunch, Su Qing sat in the courtyard as usual.
She played with Yudie and Su Ying'er...
And took the opportunity to tease the Little Sparrows.
Sitting there, Su Qing couldn't help but feel like she had returned to the old days...
Life was still so pleasant and quiet.
As they were playing, Ao Ying suddenly walked up behind Su Qing and rested her head on top of Su Qing's.
She asked, "Now that you're back, have you gone to tell Xiao Bai?"
Su Qing wanted to look up at Ao Ying but remembered her head was being held down, so she could only shake it slightly.
She explained, "Not yet. Once I finished what I was doing, I came straight back to the Changbai Mountains! I haven't gone to Li Shan to see Xiao Bai yet. But I expect Xiao Bai already knows I've finished my work and returned. Li Shan Lao Mu should have told her."
"Still, you should go see Xiao Bai," Ao Ying said with a nod.
"I know that, of course... I planned to go see her tomorrow to tell her I've completed my work." Su Qing smiled.
How could she possibly forget Xiao Bai?
If it weren't for having so many things to handle one by one, she certainly wouldn't have waited until tomorrow.
However, Su Qing was quite surprised...
She hadn't expected Ao Ying to remind her to see Xiao Bai.
"Good, as long as you remember," Ao Ying pouted. "And remember not to hide the things you've done from Xiao Bai... as for how to appease her, that's your business. Anyway, Leng Xiang and I have already agreed on how to punish you!"
Su Qing raised an eyebrow and couldn't help asking, "So what exactly are you planning to do?"
"I'm not telling you yet! If I tell you now, it'll lose its meaning."
Ao Ying smilingly cupped Su Qing's face and tilted her head back so they could look into each other's eyes. She said:
"I just love this confused expression of yours, Sister Xiao Qing~ But don't worry, I won't make it hard on you. At most, it'll just be a bit tiring~ After all, I love you the most, Sister."
"..." Su Qing looked at her mischievous expression, feeling even more uneasy.
Seeing Su Qing's reaction, Ao Ying smiled with satisfaction, then leaned down and planted a kiss on Su Qing's forehead.
Then, she skipped away.
Su Qing touched her slightly damp forehead and turned to watch the departing Ao Ying.
She couldn't help but feel... after following her for hundreds of years, this girl's personality had changed quite a bit. She was getting better and better at teasing people.
She shook her head slightly, only then noticing that Jingyue was staring at her.
She tilted her head and smiled at Jingyue, saying, "Sorry you had to see that."
Jingyue simply shook her head and smiled. "It's nothing to be sorry for... if anything, I'm a bit envious."
"Envious? How so?" Su Qing looked at her with a hint of confusion.
"It's hard to say~ and a bit embarrassing to put into words," Jingyue said with a smile. "In any case, just consider it me being envious of everyone's bond."
Su Qing nodded slightly, then stood up. "It's alright... you'll get along just as well with everyone in the future."
Jingyue nodded with a smile and didn't say anything more.
Seeing that she had no more to say, Su Qing quietly returned to her own thoughts...
Today she would stay here obediently and spend the day with Ao Ying and Leng Xiang. Tomorrow, she still had to see Xiao Bai and tell her everything.
Peaceful and harmonious times always flew by.
In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.
Su Qing and Leng Xiang were busy in the kitchen...
Although cooking had always been Leng Xiang's job, Su Qing would help out when she was idle. Besides, she felt her skills were improving and wanted to show off a bit.
Meanwhile...
In the South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove.
Morning Glory had returned to Guanyin Bodhisattva's side after seeing her parents.
"Well? Did you reveal yourself to your parents?" Guanyin Bodhisattva asked while feeding the small fish in the pond.
Morning Glory shook her head and answered honestly, "No... although I really wanted to, after thinking it over, I only went to see them from afar."
"Why not reveal yourself?"
"Doing so now would only disturb the peaceful life they already have."
Morning Glory pursed her lips and said:
"It's better to let them continue believing that I am dead..."
Guanyin Bodhisattva turned to look at her, then slowly nodded. "It is good that you have your own plans. Since you are unwilling to reveal yourself to them, then in the days to come, stay here in my Purple Bamboo Grove and focus on your cultivation!"
Hearing this, Morning Glory was stunned for a moment. After a brief silence, she said, "I... want to go to my godmother's side. By the way, when I went to her place today... she was no longer in Chang'an. Master, can you take me to the Changbai Mountains to find her?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva's brow twitched when she heard this.
Whenever she heard Su Qing's name... she felt a sense of foreboding.
Even though she had allowed the girl to hang around with Su Qing, if Su Qing really ended up spiriting her away, it would still make her somewhat unhappy.
After all, this was her disciple...
Guanyin Bodhisattva said helplessly, "With your current strength, you wouldn't be able to help with anything even if you went to the Changbai Mountains. It's better to stay here and cultivate properly for a while."
"But I don't want to leave my godmother... and I'll still cultivate properly at her place," Morning Glory said firmly, shaking her head.
Hearing Morning Glory's words, Guanyin Bodhisattva knew in her heart... she likely couldn't stop this girl.
However, she still said, "I won't stop you from going to the Changbai Mountains, but you must still return here to cultivate! You practice Buddhist arts. Although Su Qing knows some Buddhism, it is not her primary focus, so she cannot teach you. Normally, you will stay here obediently, and only visit your godmother every once in a while!"
Upon hearing this, Morning Glory immediately broke into a smile.
From the start, she hadn't expected to be able to leave her Master and follow Su Qing all the time.
The reason she had been so firm about going...
Was simply to get her Master to compromise.
As for who she had learned this from...
Who else could she have learned such tricks from besides Su Qing?
After all, besides the Guanyin Bodhisattva before her, her only other teacher was that total troublemaker, Su Qing.
"Just like before?" Morning Glory asked quickly.
"Just like before," Guanyin Bodhisattva said, giving the girl a helpless glare.
There was nothing for it; she had to spoil her own disciple...
But that Su Qing was truly detestable.
She had actually managed to spirit her disciple away.
She was even setting her sights on her Pearl-Bearing Dragon Girl...
"Thank you, Master! Master is the best." Morning Glory was overjoyed and threw her arms around Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Ever since she learned that Guanyin Bodhisattva was the same Master she had in the mortal world...
Morning Glory no longer acted with the same extreme solemnity she once had before Guanyin's statues... she was now incredibly close to Guanyin Bodhisattva herself.
It was because of this that she dared to hug her Master directly.
In her eyes, the Guanyin before her was the same Master she had spent over a decade with.
No matter what form she took, she was still her Master.
Just like her godmother.
Even if she was the god of the Changbai Mountains, wasn't she still her godmother?
As long as she still acknowledged her, that was enough.
Guanyin Bodhisattva felt both gratified and helpless seeing the girl's happy state...
Fine.
Actually, following Su Qing didn't have many downsides.
Aside from being a bit too fond of beautiful women, that girl was quite good in other aspects.
As long as this child didn't forget to cultivate properly.
If her strength was too low...
Even if they found a way to transcend the tribulation,
She likely wouldn't be able to withstand the initial wave.
Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head helplessly, patted the child's head, and said, "Since you want to find Su Qing, I will take you to the Changbai Mountains tomorrow. Since she isn't in Chang'an, she has most likely returned there."
"Thank you, Master~ Master really is the best," Morning Glory said with a grin.
Guanyin Bodhisattva gave the girl a sidelong glance and said, "It would be nice if you could always remember your Master's kindness."
"How could I ever forget it?"
"You silly girl." Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled.
At that moment, the Pearl-Bearing Dragon Girl, who had been listening nearby, suddenly spoke up. "Master... when you go to see the Yuanjun tomorrow, I would like to come along as well."
Guanyin Bodhisattva: "..."
"What business do you have with her?"
"There are some things I don't understand that I would like to ask the Yuanjun about."
"..." Guanyin Bodhisattva felt a bit helpless, but she eventually nodded and said, "Fine, if you want to go, then come along!"
She figured that with her watching, Su Qing wouldn't likely try anything with her disciples right in front of her.
Guanyin Bodhisattva felt a bit gloomy. Why did it feel like her disciples were starting to stop listening to her as they grew up?
Meanwhile, at the Changbai Mountains.
Su Qing had finished preparing dinner.
The family was now happily eating together.
Everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the unpleasantness of the past, choosing instead to talk happily about the future.
"By the way, Sister Xiao Qing, what are your plans for later?" Ao Ying asked curiously. "Now that you're back, do you intend to stay in the Changbai Mountains for good?"
Su Qing nodded and said, "I'll be staying here most of the time, but for now, there are still a few things I need to do. I'm seeing Xiao Bai tomorrow, and after that, I need to escort Jingyue back to Flower-Fruit Mountain."
"Jingyue won't be staying here?"
"I did come from Flower-Fruit Mountain, after all. I haven't been back in so many years, so I really want to see how it is now," Jingyue said with a smile. "But after I've seen it... I still want to come to the Changbai Mountains. I just don't know if you sisters will welcome me."
Hearing this, Ao Ying's brow twitched slightly, and she said, "Of course you're welcome. If you want to come, I'll find some time to build a house for you."
Jingyue nodded with a smile and said, "Then I shall trouble you, Sister."
"It's no trouble, just building a house. For those of us who cultivate, it's not a difficult task," Ao Ying replied with a smile.
Su Qing listened to their conversation while silently eating.
She didn't know why... but she suddenly felt a faint smell of gunpowder at the dinner table.
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