This Cup of Wine

After seeing off the two seniors, Su Qing turned to look for Chang'e.

However, after searching the banquet hall, she didn't find Chang'e, so Su Qing went to ask the Lunar Deity.

After all, there was almost nothing in the Moon Palace that the Lunar Deity didn't know.

Asking her about Chang'e would certainly not be a problem.

Indeed.

After asking the Lunar Deity, Su Qing learned Chang'e's whereabouts.

Without further delay, she turned and went to find Chang'e...

Outside Chang'e's study.

Su Qing knocked on the door...

Footsteps soon sounded from within, and then someone pushed the door open. The one who emerged, of course, could be none other than Chang'e herself.

Upon seeing Su Qing, Chang'e immediately smiled, then grabbed Su Qing and pulled her into the study.

"Guess why I called you over?" Chang'e asked with a playful smile after pulling Su Qing into the study.

Su Qing rolled her eyes and said, "How would I know what you called me for, Sister Chang'e? I'm not a mind-reader."

"Hmph, how boring! Can't you at least try to guess?" Chang'e pouted, speaking exasperatedly.

Hearing Chang'e say this, Su Qing spread her hands helplessly and said, "Then I'll guess you, Sister Chang'e, are simply bored."

Chang'e pouted and said:

"Fine, you clearly have no intention of guessing seriously, so I'll just tell you. I called you over because I wanted to have a private feast! The Star Lord's banquet didn't let me eat my fill. All those immortals meant I had to maintain the image of the Moon Palace Mistress, so I couldn't drink or eat properly!

So I had the imperial chefs prepare more food and send it to my study! I'm planning to have a private feast and eat again."

"But eating alone is a bit dull, so I decided to call you over too."

"I'm good to you, aren't I? I didn't forget you even for a private feast! In the future, if you have any good wine, you mustn't forget your elder sister."

Chang'e smiled, her charm captivating. She reached out and poked Su Qing's forehead, saying, "Come on, let's go eat some good food!"

Although Chang'e spoke in a straightforward manner, her appearance was anything but simple; it was utterly captivating.

The title of the most beautiful woman in the Moon Palace was truly well-deserved!

No wonder so many people were utterly smitten by Chang'e.

Su Qing looked at Sister Chang'e and sighed helplessly...

Sister Chang'e was so beautiful, and her good friend, how could she refuse her good intentions?

"Alright, alright, I get it. You just need a drinking buddy, don't you?" Su Qing said helplessly, following Chang'e towards the table.

Chang'e chuckled softly upon hearing this, saying:

"No~ I didn't seek you out, Xiao Qing, because I couldn't find anyone else; I sought you out because I only wanted you. See, you're very special to me. So~ no overthinking allowed! Just keep me company and drink."

"If you get tired, there's a bed in this study. Just sleep if you're sleepy. One day away from the Northern Continent won't cause any problems. Great Emperor Zhenwu's subordinates are not incompetent... Nothing major will happen just because you're gone for a day."

"So, just stay with me obediently! I won't shortchange you."

Su Qing's mouth twitched at Chang'e's words...

So, Sister Chang'e, do you really know what you're saying?

Well.

Chang'e didn't know that much.

She simply wanted Su Qing to stay the night.

Su Qing smiled helplessly, propping her cheek, and said, "Alright, alright, I understand, Sister Chang'e... But let me warn you first, if you start acting crazy when you're drunk again, I'll call the Lunar Deity."

Hearing Su Qing's words, Chang'e puffed out her rosy cheeks, showing a hint of displeasure, and said, "How could you be like that? I always think of you when there's something good, and you're thinking of reporting me to the Star Lord. What good does that do you?"

Su Qing pouted and said, "Who told you, Sister Chang'e, that every time you get drunk you talk nonsense and get handsy?"

This was what frustrated Su Qing most about Chang'e...

She was talented and loved to play.

Although the sight of her when drunk was exceptionally beautiful, even alluring, this was her good sister, whom she regarded as her own flesh and blood. How could she harbor any improper thoughts towards her?

Su Qing declared that she was pure as ice and clean as jade.

What? You're talking about those rumors outside?

Only a part of those rumors was true!

And besides, it was always the other girls who made the first move; she was passively active!

Seeing Su Qing say this, Chang'e couldn't help but cross her arms, let out a cold snort, and tug at the corner of her lips to reveal a haughty expression, saying:

"Hmph, if you dare to report me, I won't let you leave this room! Although I rarely make a move, my strength is not weak! Even if I'm drunk, I can definitely control you. Once I have you under control, what I do will be entirely up to me. Hehehe..."

The expression was haughty, but the words were simple-minded, and the final laugh had a hint of a foolish villain.

Leaving Su Qing momentarily speechless.

Su Qing shook her head and said, "Sister Chang'e, you look so silly when you laugh!"

Hearing this, Chang'e lightly tapped Su Qing's head with slight displeasure and said, "Who are you calling silly? You, how do you seem to be getting less and less respectful of me? No matter what, you should call me 'sister', so you mustn't speak to me like that!"

Chang'e's fierce demeanor didn't appear very frightening; it lacked the majesty a Palace Mistress should possess, instead giving a sense of playful scolding.

This, of course, didn't scare Su Qing...

Su Qing smiled slightly and said, "Alright, alright, I understand~"

As she spoke, Su Qing picked up a piece of fish cake from the tray, put it into Chang'e's mouth, and said, "Eat! Perhaps only these things can shut you up."

Chang'e rolled her eyes at this fellow, saying she understood, but her actions remained the same.

However, she didn't plan to say anything more...

After all, the person before her was one of the few friends with whom she could truly be herself...

Such an attitude from the other party at least showed that she genuinely regarded her as a good friend.

Chang'e propped her head, poured a cup of wine for herself and Su Qing, then brought the cup to Su Qing's lips, saying, "Hmph~ Never mind, let's just drink! You, too, should talk less and stop always complaining about me."

Su Qing smiled at this, then took a couple of sips of wine and accepted the cup.

As Su Qing drank, she also asked, "By the way, how is Gongsun Zhixue doing now?"

When Su Qing passed the osmanthus tree today, she didn't see Gongsun Zhixue, nor the ginkgo tree. She hadn't had time to visit her since, so she suddenly asked about Gongsun Zhixue.

Hearing this, Chang'e propped her rosy cheek, seemingly pondering for a moment, then slowly spoke, using her chopsticks to tap her lips, "I don't know... You'll have to go see for yourself to know for sure. After all, she and I aren't close; I'm just helping you keep her company."

Su Qing nearly spat out the wine she had just drunk...

Seeing Chang'e's thoughtful expression earlier, she had thought the other party was recalling and organizing her words!

But who knew she was overthinking it...

The other party simply wanted to tease her.

And Chang'e, seeing Su Qing's expression, knew that her act had indeed fooled Su Qing.

She said, "Anyway, Gongsun Zhixue and the osmanthus tree are both there. You can see them anytime you want. Just go check tomorrow yourself."

Su Qing pouted and said, "It feels like Sister Chang'e has started teasing people too!"

"Is that so? I didn't tease you," Chang'e said with a charming smile, "You just misunderstood."

Su Qing smiled helplessly; what she said seemed to be true.

"Fine, I'll go ask her myself tomorrow," Su Qing said.

Chang'e curled her red lips in satisfaction, then poured more wine and started chatting about other things.

The two drank cup after cup, and before they knew it, they had already had a dozen or so.

However, Su Qing showed no signs of intoxication, while Chang'e's cheeks were already flushed, and she seemed a bit hazy.

Su Qing wasn't surprised by Chang'e's appearance... This one was easily drunk, and the wine they were drinking was immortal wine, which was inherently more intoxicating than mortal wine, so it wasn't strange for her to get drunk so quickly.

However, it had to be admitted...

Although Su Qing had seen this one drunk countless times, she still had to admit that every time she saw it, she found it very beautiful.

This was not surprising, as Chang'e was indeed a very beautiful woman.

"It's a good thing I'm a proper gentleman... no, that's not right, I should say pure as ice and clean as jade. Otherwise, this appearance would be far too tempting."

Su Qing smiled slightly, casually picked up a piece of meat, and offered it to Chang'e's rosy lips.

Chang'e instinctively bit down, refusing to let go of the chopsticks... This was certainly not because she was drunk, but simply because she wanted to contend with Su Qing.

Su Qing wasn't annoyed, merely saying, "Sister Chang'e, your alcohol tolerance hasn't improved at all. Several centuries have passed, and it's still so poor."

Chang'e's rosy lips curved slightly, and she said with alluring, silken eyes, "I just love this slightly tipsy feeling. I always feel that after getting drunk, all the unpleasant things I've seen vanish like smoke. Besides, don't I look beautiful like this? Don't you like beautiful women the most? Don't I look good enough like this? Why do you still look dissatisfied?"

Chang'e's words made Su Qing a little helpless. She said, "Sister Chang'e, you are naturally beautiful, and indeed stunning. And I admit that you, Sister Chang'e, in this state, are truly alluring. However... Sister Chang'e, you are my good sister, like a blood sister to me. How could I harbor any improper thoughts towards you?"

Chang'e rolled her eyes, let out a hiccup, tilted her head, and giggled, "Hmph~ Who asked if you had improper thoughts about me? Even if you did, if I wasn't willing, even if I were drunk, you wouldn't succeed~ But, seeing as you admit I'm beautiful, I'll let you off."

Su Qing was speechless. She picked up another piece of meat and stuffed it into the vexing beauty's mouth, saying, "You've only had so little to drink, and you're already talking nonsense. Even good food can't shut you up."

Chang'e was truly vexing...

With her alluring appearance, if Su Qing's resolve hadn't been firm, she might truly have been captivated by her.

In fact, Su Qing disliked drinking with Chang'e for this very reason...

After all, anyone being enticed by such a beautiful sister would find it difficult.

Even other girls couldn't bear it!

Chang'e smiled charmingly, then continued to drink...

"By the way, hiccup... Xiao Qing, do you know that after this, you and I might not see the Star Lord for a very long time?" Chang'e suddenly spoke as she drank.

Su Qing was startled upon hearing this...

"What do you mean by that, Sister Chang'e?"

"It means exactly what it says? This banquet, in a way, is also a farewell banquet. That's why the Star Lord hosted it so grandly~ hiccup. Otherwise, do you think that old woman's personality would host such a banquet?" Chang'e said, "It's because after this, there might be little chance to meet again, that's why she did it."

Su Qing frowned and said, "Sister Chang'e, what kind of business does the Star Lord have after this?"

"What else could it be? Naturally, it's that matter that all the older generation must take responsibility for," Chang'e was drunk, but at this moment, she also seemed sober, making it hard to tell if she was truly drunk or clear-headed.

Su Qing was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood what Chang'e was referring to.

"Is it that matter again?" Su Qing couldn't help but say.

"Of course, it's that matter... Now, the older generation are all working hard for it. Going against Heaven and Earth is a very difficult thing." Chang'e took a sip of wine, a hint of melancholy appearing on her face, "Although your existence did indeed stir up stagnant water, delaying the Great Tribulation that was originally coming very soon... what must come will still come. To get through that day, everyone still needs to work together."

Su Qing looked at Chang'e, reached out and touched her face, saying, "Are you very worried about the Lunar Deity? Don't you hate being managed by her?"

Chang'e let out a hiccup, revealing her true feelings, "I hate her managing me, but I don't hate her. She's my elder, like a mother to me. How could I hate her? So, of course, I'm reluctant, of course I'm worried."

Su Qing nodded and said, "Don't worry, everything will go smoothly."

Chang'e chuckled, speaking drunkenly, "Yes, you're right, everything will go smoothly, but... what if?"

Chang'e paused, then said melancholically, "The Moon Palace, it's really cold~"

Su Qing was silent for a moment, then smiled charmingly and said, "There is no 'what if'... Even if there were, aren't I still here? If the Moon Palace is cold, I'll be here to keep you company, Sister~ As long as I'm warm, isn't that enough?"

Hearing this, Chang'e was startled. Her red lips curved into a smile, and she suddenly pushed herself up from the table, then leaned towards Su Qing.

Seeing her fall, Su Qing instinctively reached out to catch her.

After all, when this woman was drunk, she was capable of anything.