Hearing those words, the maid nodded and said, "Indeed. Their fate was quite ordinary, and they hadn't crossed paths for a long time. That is why we had to intervene slightly."
Miss Zhu rolled her eyes at this. "And here I thought you invited me over for something interesting!"
"I expected we’d be playing tricks on the pilgrims, but it turns out we’re just here to deceive that girl Su Qing. Aren't you worried she'll come to your place and make a scene once she finds out?"
"She won't find out!"
The maid—or rather, Guanyin Bodhisattva—replied, "Even if she does make a scene, it doesn't matter. I’ll simply ignore her. Besides, since she gained something from this, why would she complain?"
Hearing this, Miss Zhu—the Old Mother of Mount Li—said helplessly, "True, that girl's temperament isn't the type to come looking for trouble... But honestly, hoodwinking her is quite dull. I don't understand you. You clearly hate it most when she lures women away, so why are you sending one right to her?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva let out a sigh.
"I don't hate her taking wives; I'm just frustrated that she keeps whisking away my disciples."
"I only have a few disciples to begin with, and she’s already lured away several of my personal ones! Can you blame me for being annoyed?"
"Besides, who told you it was my idea to send Princess Jade-Face to Su Qing?"
The Old Mother of Mount Li raised an eyebrow. "Not your idea? Then whose was it?"
"The Buddha’s, of course," Guanyin said with a roll of her eyes.
The Old Mother of Mount Li nodded. This wasn't entirely surprising.
Given Guanyin’s status, there were very few people besides the Buddha who could actually command her.
However, the Old Mother of Mount Li still didn't quite understand the purpose behind the Buddha's actions.
He surely wouldn't send someone to Su Qing for no reason, especially not by specifically tasking Guanyin to accelerate the process.
"So, what exactly is the Buddha thinking?"
The Old Mother of Mount Li didn't like guessing; if she could ask and get a clear answer, she would.
Guanyin pondered her next move on the chessboard while answering, "It’s all for the sake of stability!"
"For stability?"
"That girl is a crucial figure in the Westward Journey, you know? She is one of the key factors in the falling out between Wukong and the Bull Demon King."
"You mean?"
"Su Qing has completely disrupted the fixed fate of this segment. Wukong never fell out with the Bull Demon King, and Princess Jade-Face never married him in the first place."
"I understand that... but isn't it better the more she disrupts things?"
"That only applies to the events of the Westward Journey itself. We can choose not to intervene there. However, we must try our best to control the other variables that arise from those disruptions. If we aren't careful, we might overdo it and cause 'that day' to arrive prematurely."
"Then where is the limit?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"Mhm, I have no idea at all." Guanyin nodded. "Even the Buddha and the others haven't calculated it clearly... to what extent disruption will trigger the premature awakening of the Will of Heaven and Earth. We are all beings within this world... trying to fathom the thoughts of Heaven and Earth is simply too difficult."
The Old Mother of Mount Li fell silent for a moment before nodding. "So, you intend to place restrictions on those who have leaped out of their original destinies because of Su Qing?"
"Precisely."
Guanyin continued, "But Su Qing is a rather unique existence... so, placing people with her is actually a very good choice. That is why the Buddha wanted to place this person by her side."
"I see." The Old Mother of Mount Li nodded, finally grasping the Buddha's intent. "But only women can be placed with her, right?"
"Yes! Only women work."
"What about the others on the Westward Journey? What are your plans for the Bull Demon King’s family?"
"There’s no need to worry too much about them... Their daughter has been influenced by Su Qing since she was young. As long as nothing goes wrong with the girl, the family won't become too much of a problem. Besides... the Buddha has also sent people to manage the situation on that end," Guanyin said after a short silence.
The Old Mother of Mount Li nodded. "I didn't realize you were so busy on your side... I thought only the Heavenly Court was overwhelmed."
In the Westward Journey, the Heavenly Court was mainly responsible for assistance.
The Old Mother of Mount Li was even more of an outsider, only helping when occasionally invited by Guanyin.
Thus, she wasn't very familiar with many of the arrangements within the Buddhist Court.
"Oh? I thought you were usually quite idle."
"Hahaha, I’m just good at slacking off. Besides, it’s not like every day is busy."
The Old Mother of Mount Li laughed, then added, "Even so, knowing all this doesn't mean I’ll let you off the hook for deceiving me! Tricking me into coming here just to help you fool Su Qing and making me play a sickly young lady—this cannot be settled so easily."
Guanyin’s mouth twitched at those words, and she replied irritably, "I’ve already played the role of your maid. Isn't that enough?"
"Ahem, ahem~" As they spoke, the 'Old Ghost' nearby suddenly coughed twice. "Stop complaining, both of you. I’m the one who’s truly unfortunate here! Guanyin tricked me into coming by saying there was something fun to do, and I’ve ended up doing chores the entire time! I cooked the meals, I cleaned the rooms... I’m the one who should feel aggrieved!"
As the 'Old Ghost' spoke, both Guanyin and the Old Mother of Mount Li glared at him simultaneously.
"Laojun, shut up! You’re the one who insisted on following us," Guanyin said.
Taishang Laojun curled his lip and obediently fell silent.
After all... they were right.
He had joined of his own volition.
He just hadn't expected that his inclusion would result in him taking over Muzha's original role, essentially becoming a handyman.
The Old Mother of Mount Li chuckled. "Who told you to be such a busybody?"
Taishang Laojun’s mouth twitched as he huffed, blowing at his beard. "Didn't I get tricked by you two?"
The Old Mother of Mount Li gave Laojun a roll of her eyes and then continued her chess match with Guanyin.
Time passed minute by minute.
The bickering between these old fogies remained unknown to anyone else.
Su Qing had no idea that her 'chance encounter' with Bai Rou’er was an inevitability orchestrated by Guanyin and the others.
However, even if she had known, she would likely have felt nothing more than a bit of speechlessness. At most, she would have complained about them again.
After all, it wasn't like she could actually fight them.
Inside the room, Su Qing and Bai Rou’er chatted for quite a while, officially becoming acquainted.
By the time they finished their conversation, the bored Yudie had already fallen asleep.
The girl's sleeping posture was quite a sight to behold.
While it was cute, it also left Su Qing feeling a bit helpless—this little girl really didn't have any grace when she slept.
Su Qing moved the girl further onto the bed before she could settle down to sleep herself.
Once Su Qing was in bed, Bai Rou’er naturally joined her.
She didn't feel any embarrassment. If she were facing someone shy or overbearing, she might have felt awkward, but Su Qing was simply too gentle.
Not only did she look gentle, but her personality was just as kind. Naturally, there was no reason to feel out of place.
Su Qing didn't know what the girl was thinking, nor did she mind her sleeping close by.
It wasn't like anything was going to happen; they were just sleeping. Rather than worrying about that, she preferred to get a good night's rest so her main body could better handle tomorrow's affairs.
There had been quite a lot to deal with lately!
Soon, everyone drifted off to sleep.
However... Bai Rou’er didn't sleep well. Because there was a certain little one whom Su Qing couldn't keep pinned down, and this little one spent the night rolling all over the bed.
There was no way Bai Rou’er could sleep comfortably.
As for Su Qing... this was merely a clone. She slept like the dead; there was no way Yudie could affect her.
The only thing to be thankful for was that Bai Rou’er was a demon, so a single night of poor sleep wouldn't cause any major issues.
It wasn't like the kind of exhaustion Su Qing had experienced back at the Changbai Mountains. That sort of thing was what truly drained one's energy.
In the early morning, led by the maid, Su Qing and the others returned to the living room to meet with Miss Zhu once more.
After a few brief pleasantries, Su Qing brought up their departure.
Miss Zhu wasn't surprised. She let out a few soft coughs and asked, "Why not stay for a few more days?"
Su Qing shook her head. "There is no need to stay longer; we still have a journey to complete. Besides, staying here would only disturb you, Miss."
Su Qing had no intention of lingering; there was nothing to be gained. Moreover, if she stayed, she wouldn't be able to resist the urge to uncover the truth behind this mansion.
Lately, Su Qing didn't want to waste too much energy on such matters. Her priority remained Linzhou City and the affairs of her main body.
In truth, Miss Zhu didn't want Su Qing to stay either, as they had other things to attend to.
"In that case, I won't insist." Miss Zhu shook her head with a smile. "When do you plan to set out? Why not leave after breakfast?"
Hearing this, Laojun’s mouth twitched. He desperately hoped Su Qing would refuse so he could do less manual labor.
Su Qing shook her head. "That won't be necessary. It’s better if we set out and get on our way!"
"Breakfast won't take long," Miss Zhu continued.
While they couldn't have them stay longer, they could at least keep them for breakfast to prank Laojun one last time. It wouldn't take much time anyway.
Su Qing fell silent for a moment, and Yudie couldn't help but tug at her sleeve.
Fine.
While Yudie didn't care about much else, she was extremely invested in eating.
Su Qing gave a helpless smile. "Then I shall accept your kind offer."
Miss Zhu nodded and smiled. "Wonderful! Breakfast should be ready soon. We can head over in a moment."
Laojun: "..."
Laojun was somewhat speechless, but he obediently went to prepare breakfast.
He could have easily conjured up plenty of food, but things created by magic were illusions. To serve Su Qing and the others real food, he had to prepare it properly.
Fortunately, the cooking process could be accelerated with magic. So, while it was a bit of a hassle, it was ready very quickly.
However, Laojun still made a mental note of this grudge, planning to find an opportunity to get his revenge later.
He would take it out on the Old Mother of Mount Li, of course. Su Qing was just an innocent bystander who knew nothing. How could he blame her?
And so, thanks to Laojun’s hard work, Su Qing and the others enjoyed a hearty breakfast before their departure.
After finishing their meal, they officially left the mansion and continued toward their destination.
On the way down the mountain after leaving the estate, Chen Mei let out a long, deep breath.
"Finally, we’re out of there."
Seeing Chen Mei’s look of immense relief, Su Qing said helplessly, "It seems you likely didn't sleep a wink last night. Were you really that worried?"
Chen Mei nodded. "Yes! I didn't sleep at all. Even though they didn't seem threatening... one can never be too careful! Besides, they were all ghosts and monsters! I couldn't let my guard down... If they had actually made a move, I had to be ready to protect you! If I were alone, it wouldn't have mattered; even if I fell asleep, I’m confident I could react in time. But you were in the next room!"
Hearing this, Su Qing couldn't help but look at Chen Mei. "You were that worried about me?"
"Of course!" Chen Mei nodded. "You are so gentle and kind! It would be such a pity if you died at the hands of ghosts... and Yudie is still so young."
Seeing Chen Mei’s serious expression, Su Qing couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Did you forget? Bai Rou’er was right there with me!"
Chen Mei glanced at the smiling Bai Rou’er. "I don't trust this one! I was even worried she might be in league with them..."
Facing Chen Mei’s bluntness, Bai Rou’er shook her head. "I am not with them... Sister Su is my savior. I would protect her even at the cost of my life."
"I know you're not with them now, but I couldn't be sure last night," Chen Mei said with a huff. "Besides, I don't trust your abilities either."
Bai Rou’er gave a light chuckle. "I am a demon; I’m certainly more powerful than you."
"But you lack sufficient vigilance."
"But you are weak."
Watching the two of them bicker, Su Qing rubbed her temples.
She didn't understand how things had suddenly turned out like this.
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