The Mountain Hot Spring

After leaving Flower-Fruit Mountain...

Su Qing quickly returned to the Changbai Mountains.

Upon her return, Yudie immediately sought out Su Ying'er and Chaoyan to go out and play with the sparrows—or rather, to share some delicious treats. Yudie was not one to keep good things to herself; whenever she had something tasty, she would find Su Ying'er and the sparrows to share it with. Now that Chaoyan was also living in the Changbai Mountains, she didn't forget to include her either.

While Su Qing often felt helpless regarding Yudie’s various bad habits, she had to admit the girl still had many commendable qualities.

Ignoring Yudie for the moment, Su Qing went to her study first. She placed the seemingly useful items the Dragon Mother had given her inside. The room was filled with a disorganized collection of books; some were gifts from the Dragon Mother, while others had been gathered incidentally over time.

Su Qing wouldn't just flip through the secret manuals from the Dragon Mother for no reason. After all, she had some sense of propriety. She would only look at them when necessary.

After putting everything away, Su Qing stretched and walked out of the room.

In the courtyard, Jingyue sat on a stone stool, quietly watching the leaves drift from the ginkgo tree.

Seeing her serene appearance, Su Qing walked over silently and sat down beside her, pouring her a cup of wine as she did so.

"I never imagined... that I would actually be living here with you, Big Green Sister. Thinking about it now, I can't help but feel a bit sentimental," Liu Jingyue said, sensing Su Qing's arrival.

Su Qing smiled faintly but didn't respond directly. Instead, she looked at the ginkgo tree and said, "I wonder when Gongsun Zhixue will finally emerge from seclusion."

"That ginkgo tree?"

"Yes... I don't think I've ever told you Gongsun Zhixue's story, have I? Since we have nothing else to do, I might as well tell you now."

"That would be lovely."

Although Su Qing had other matters to attend to, there was no need to rush. Now that she was back, taking a moment to rest and chat with Liu Jingyue was perfectly fine.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the sky had darkened.

Su Qing and Leng Xiang finished preparing dinner.

During dinner, Ao Ying learned that Su Qing had visited the Dragon Palace and met the Dragon Mother before returning today. She couldn't help but say, "Next time you go, take Ying'er and me with you."

"I do intend to..." Su Qing nodded with a smile. "But do you really want to go back to the Dragon Palace?"

"I'm going back to see my Mother Queen, not my father," Ao Ying said, shaking her head slightly. "Besides, as her daughter, it's hardly proper for me to always have her travel here to see me, is it?"

Su Qing nodded in agreement. "I was thinking the same thing."

"Speaking of which... when you went to the Dragon Palace this time, my Mother Queen didn't say anything strange to you, did she?"

"You know what your mother's personality is like, don't you?"

"It seems her old habits have flared up again."

"It wasn't too bad," Su Qing said. "She's just a bit over-concerned, that's all."

Ao Ying gave a helpless smile. She didn't ask exactly what her mother had said while the children were present. However, even without asking, she had a fair idea. She knew her mother's temperament and what kind of things she was likely to say. After all, she was her daughter; how could she not understand her own mother?

After chatting with Ao Ying for a while, Su Qing moved on to other topics with the rest of the group.

Dinner ended amidst laughter and joy. By the time they finished, the sun had set and the moon had climbed into the night sky.

Tonight, the moonlight was exceptionally gentle.

Perhaps inspired by the moonlight, Su Qing had a sudden whim and decided to take everyone to the mountain hot spring for a soak.

Su Qing enjoyed bathing, and soaking in a hot spring was particularly comfortable. While she didn't believe hot springs had as many miraculous benefits as mortals claimed, one thing was certain: they could wash away physical exhaustion and soothe the mind.

Before she had left the Changbai Mountains, Su Qing used to visit the mountain hot spring frequently. For one, it was comfortable, and for another, it saved her the trouble of heating water.

The hot spring in the Changbai Mountains was no longer in its primitive state. Over the years, Su Qing and Leng Xiang had made some modifications. At the very least, the area had been enclosed to prevent small animals from wandering in unexpectedly.

However, Su Qing hadn't added a roof. After all, there was nothing more pleasant than soaking in a hot spring while admiring the moon.

When they arrived, Jingyue's face flushed when she realized everyone would be bathing together. Although she knew they were coming to the hot spring, she hadn't quite considered this aspect.

"Don't be shy... we're all girls here, no one's going to eat you," Su Qing said to Jingyue with a playful grin. "But if you're really uncomfortable, there are bath towels prepared over there. You can wrap yourself up if you like."

Liu Jingyue’s face remained red as she gave Su Qing a slightly disgruntled look, but in the end, she didn't refuse. It was a rare opportunity, even if it was a bit embarrassing.

Seeing that Jingyue was still mentally preparing herself, Su Qing didn't push further. Her own views on such things were quite progressive, but she understood that others might not feel the same, so she wouldn't force anyone.

She simply gave Liu Jingyue a nod and stepped into the hot spring first.

The hot spring wasn't divided by gender; since it was for their family and there were no men among them, there was no need. Because of this, the spring was exceptionally large and spacious. Even with more people, it wouldn't feel crowded.

Su Qing, Ao Ying, and Leng Xiang were the first to enter the water. Yudie and Su Ying'er followed suit, jumping in like they were competing in a diving contest. The resulting splash completely doused Su Qing.

Though speechless, Su Qing wasn't angry. Ao Ying, however, was a bit more irritated. She stood up, grabbed Su Ying'er, and took her aside for a lecture. It was likely the girl's bottom would be sore again.

"Poor child..." Su Qing shook her head, muttering to herself.

She didn't actually pity the girl; Su Ying'er really did need some discipline, otherwise, she’d be tearing the roof off the house. Even Yudie was better behaved—mostly. Of course, Yudie needed a talking-to occasionally as well, but since she was a sword spirit, physical punishment was useless. That was why Ao Ying didn't even bother trying to discipline her that way.

Su Qing soaked in the water, leaning against the edge of the pool as she looked up at the bright moonlight. Leng Xiang stayed quietly by her side, saying nothing. She seemed to be enjoying the soak, but mostly, she just wanted to be near Su Qing.

"Are Chaoyan and Jingyue still not in yet?" Su Qing felt a bit helpless, but she didn't rush them. Accepting new things always took a bit of time.

"Master..."

While Su Qing was thinking about Chaoyan and Jingyue, she suddenly heard Leng Xiang call her name.

Su Qing turned her head and asked, "What is it?"

"What are your plans... for that Liu Jingyue?"

Although Leng Xiang didn't want to admit it, she knew Su Qing's nature well. She was curious about why Su Qing had invited Liu Jingyue to stay. Although the two didn't seem particularly close yet, Leng Xiang was sensitive enough to perceive Liu Jingyue's feelings for Su Qing.

Su Qing didn't immediately grasp Leng Xiang's meaning.

"Hmm? What do you mean by plans?"

Su Qing thought for a moment, then said, "If I had to say... I suppose my plan is just to let her live here in the Changbai Mountains. Things have changed too much at Flower-Fruit Mountain; she can't seem to get used to it anymore. Besides, most of her old friends are gone. We're all she has left."

Though she didn't fully understand Leng Xiang's intent, Su Qing explained her thoughts.

Leng Xiang looked at Su Qing seriously. Realizing that Su Qing didn't seem to have any intention of taking another partner for now, she decided not to press the issue. However, Leng Xiang also knew that while there were no such plans now, that might change in the future.

Still, Leng Xiang was quite open-minded about it. As long as her Master still had a place for her in her heart and wouldn't abandon her, it was fine. After all, she was her Master's first.

With that thought, Leng Xiang leaned her body against Su Qing, her expression peaceful and content.

At that moment, Chaoyan and Jingyue finally overcame their sense of shame. Wrapped in bath towels, they stepped into the hot spring together.

Seeing Yudie and Su Ying'er playing in the water, Chaoyan’s face turned red, and she silently swam over to Su Qing’s side. Seeing this, Jingyue also sat down not far from Su Qing, her expression appearing quite calm.

At least, that’s how she looked on the surface. However, her beet-red face and the way her eyes darted toward Su Qing from time to time revealed that she was anything but calm.

"How is it? The hot spring is very comfortable, right?" Su Qing knew the two were still embarrassed, so she took the initiative to start a conversation to help them relax.

Chaoyan looked at Su Qing and gave a slight nod. Although it was her first time in a hot spring, she had to admit it was indeed comfortable. More importantly...

Her godmother had a wonderful figure.

Though the steam made it hard to see clearly, she could still make out enough. Looking at her, the heart that had just begun to settle started to flutter again.

In truth, the reason Chaoyan had been hesitant to enter wasn't that she was worried about Su Qing seeing her body—after all, Su Qing had bathed her when she was a child and had gotten herself all dirty. She was worried that she would start having improper thoughts.

"No, no... what am I thinking? She is your godmother; how can you have such thoughts? That would be a grave act of filial impiety."

Chaoyan shook her head quickly, reciting the Heart-Clearing Incantation in her mind.

Seeing this, Su Qing felt a bit dejected. She was trying to distract them so they could enjoy the spring, but it seemed Chaoyan had become even more restless. Su Qing rubbed her chin, feeling a bit puzzled, but she didn't dwell on it.

She went back to enjoying the water, even taking out some Monkey Wine she had brought back from Flower-Fruit Mountain. Drinking wine while soaking in the spring—this was the life.

Time ticked away.

Chaoyan’s mind remained a mess. She couldn't even tell if her cheeks were burning because of the hot spring or if her face was making the water feel even hotter.

Perhaps her earlier thoughts had been like a fuse, suddenly igniting a powder keg within her heart. That was why her mind was in such turmoil.

After soaking for a long time, Su Qing felt she had had enough. She stood up and stretched, saying, "That was refreshing. Chaoyan, I'm about done. What about you? Do you want to play a bit longer? Don't worry about the time; the courtyard gate won't be locked. You can come back whenever you've had your fill."

Chaoyan, lost in her chaotic thoughts, looked up instinctively when she heard Su Qing's voice. This only made her heart race even faster. She felt as though her very soul was wavering.

"I... I'll head back in a bit," Chaoyan managed to reply, despite her inner turmoil.

Seeing this, Su Qing said no more. She reached for a towel and began drying her hair. "Then I'll head back first. Leng Xiang, what about you?"

Leng Xiang’s choice went without saying; if Su Qing was leaving, she wouldn't stay. Ao Ying also seemed to have had enough and nodded, following Su Qing back. The younger ones, however, clearly hadn't had enough and planned to play a while longer.

After Su Qing and the others left, Jingyue opened her eyes and sighed softly. She lamented her lack of courage to do anything out of line in front of Leng Xiang and the others—she couldn't even bring herself to get closer to Su Qing.

She stared silently at the moon in the sky. Then, she stood up, wrapped herself in her towel, and left the pool with a heavy heart, heading back up the mountain after dressing.

After Jingyue left, only the youngsters remained in the vast hot spring. Yudie saw that Chaoyan was still soaking in the water and swam over. "Sister Chaoyan?"

Chaoyan snapped out of it. "What is it?"

"Your face is so red," Yudie said with a giggle. "Is it because you've been soaking too long and feel unwell?"

"No... no... yes, it is." Chaoyan intended to answer truthfully, but then she worried about being questioned further, so she changed her answer to yes. For a moment, Yudie wasn't sure what she meant.

However, Yudie didn't mind. She simply said, "Mother has already left! Let's go too."

"Ah... okay!" Chaoyan nodded and stood up, her mind still preoccupied.

Just then, Yudie quietly leaned into Chaoyan's ear and whispered a few words. Those words caused Chaoyan, who had been deep in thought, to suddenly reveal a look of strange surprise.