A Balanced Approach

Although Su Qing inwardly complained, complaints were complaints, and Su Qing didn't actually believe the girl had such destructive capability.

After all, the most unreliable thing she currently knew about the girl was merely her gluttony.

So she didn't intend to ask the Old Mother more about the Daoist boy.

Besides, she hadn't come here today for the Daoist boy.

So, Su Qing nodded and smiled, saying, "I see. I didn't expect the Old Mother to have such concerns, which is why Senior has kept her by your side all this time?"

"Haha, that's right. But that's secondary. The main reason is that she genuinely can help me," Li Shan Lao Mu replied. "After all, while that girl can be a bit exasperating at times, in her areas of expertise, she's quite reliable."

Although Li Shan Lao Mu had complained about her Daoist boy, she hadn't truly dismissed her.

If she truly thought the Daoist boy was incompetent, how could she insist on bringing her along for such important matters?

If she was truly worried about her demolishing the place.

Sending her to someone else would be the correct approach.

Not taking her to do even more important things.

Su Qing nodded, looking at the Old Mother.

The Old Mother's answer didn't surprise Su Qing. She had always known the Daoist boy's strength was not low; even if she showed no signs of it normally, Su Qing had never underestimated her.

She was a Daoist boy who had been by Li Shan Lao Mu's side for countless years...

Her strength absolutely couldn't be low.

At most, she was just unreliable in some aspects.

Plus, this fellow always liked to pretend to be a child.

So, Su Qing sometimes couldn't help but treat her like a child.

"I see... No wonder the Old Mother keeps her by your side," Su Qing said.

Li Shan Lao Mu nodded at Su Qing, then smiled, "Alright, enough about that girl. Tell me, you didn't come to see me this time, did you?"

Li Shan Lao Mu and Su Qing had chatted for a while, and now that everything that needed to be said was said, she naturally had no desire to continue small talk.

So she simply got straight to the point.

As for why this was the "point."

It was because she understood that Su Qing hadn't come to see her, but to see Bai Suzhen.

All their conversation had merely been an opening.

The true purpose was still to see Bai Suzhen.

But this wasn't surprising, as the girl hadn't visited Bai Suzhen for some time...

Hearing Li Shan Lao Mu's words, Su Qing nodded and said, "Forgive me for making you laugh, Senior. I did indeed come for Little Bai. How has Little Bai been lately?"

Su Qing naturally knew what Li Shan Lao Mu understood her purpose for coming was...

And she knew Li Shan Lao Mu brought it up because she didn't want to chat anymore.

However, this suited her perfectly.

After all, Su Qing's goal was to see Little Bai.

Seeing Li Shan Lao Mu was merely a formality.

Who could blame her when Little Bai was with Li Shan Lao Mu?

So every time she came to see Little Bai, Su Qing had to seek out the Old Mother first, speak with her... and only then could she see Little Bai.

While troublesome, it was a necessary step.

Moreover, Su Qing had grown accustomed to it.

"Her? She's quite well, no big difference from usual. But she misses you a lot... After all, you've gone even longer without seeing her this time," Li Shan Lao Mu replied after a moment of thought.

Because Su Qing had gone to the Northern Continent to help...

This time, a long period had passed without her visiting Bai Suzhen.

It would be strange if Bai Suzhen didn't miss her.

Besides, Bai Suzhen's nature was such that she would miss someone dearly after just two or three days apart.

Hearing this, Su Qing couldn't help but say, "Good, as long as she's well."

"Alright, alright, I have nothing more to say, and you want to see your Little Bai, so let's end our chat here for today! Go see your Little Bai!"

Li Shan Lao Mu looked at Su Qing, smiling, and said:

"Also, there's no need to seek me out again when you leave... I knew you'd likely come today, so I took the time to manifest this clone. Tomorrow, I'll be busy again, so there's no need to disturb me a second time. Just tell my disciple when you leave, and that will be enough..."

Hearing Li Shan Lao Mu say this, Su Qing naturally nodded.

After all, she truly had nothing more to say; going to see Little Bai quickly was the main priority.

So Su Qing happily said, "Then I shall take my leave, Senior."

"Go on, go on!" Li Shan Lao Mu waved her hand, and before Su Qing could say anything more, she transformed into a wisp of green smoke and vanished.

Her departure was indeed hasty...

It seemed she was genuinely quite busy.

Seeing this, Su Qing could only sigh, then got up and left the hall.

Stepping out the door.

Outside the door, Si Lingxiu was sitting on the steps, staring blankly at the distant clouds, clearly bored.

She was clearly quite bored.

Seeing this, Su Qing couldn't help but let out a light cough.

After hearing Su Qing's cough.

Si Lingxiu finally snapped back to attention.

She stood up, bowed to Su Qing, and said, "Senior, have you finished speaking with Master?"

"Yes, we've finished," Su Qing nodded and said, "Next, I'm going to find Bai Suzhen. You don't need to come with me. You can go back to your own tasks!"

Su Qing didn't intend to have Si Lingxiu escort her like the Daoist boy used to...

After all, she wasn't familiar with Si Lingxiu.

And she was already very familiar with the area.

Even without guidance, she could find Little Bai's bamboo grove courtyard.

In fact, Su Qing hadn't needed the Daoist boy to lead the way before.

It was just that the Daoist boy insisted on escorting her, so every time she went to see Little Bai, the Daoist boy would lead the way.

As for why the Daoist boy did this, it was merely for a bite of a snack.

Now that the Daoist boy wasn't here, there was naturally no need for it.

Hearing Su Qing's words, Si Lingxiu didn't say much, just nodded and replied, "This junior understands! I shall take my leave now."

Su Qing nodded and said, "Go on!"

Si Lingxiu bowed to Su Qing, then departed.

Su Qing watched Si Lingxiu leave and couldn't help but nod.

"This girl is quite like me... unbelievably polite," Su Qing thought to herself as she watched Si Lingxiu leave.

Although Su Qing's thought might have seemed a bit narcissistic, Si Lingxiu was indeed unbelievably polite, very much like Su Qing in her early days. Su Qing saw a hint of her past self in the other girl.

Of course, it was mainly in the aspect of politeness.

Su Qing smiled inwardly at the thought, then shook her head and set off to find Little Bai.

Su Qing followed the familiar path all the way to the bamboo grove courtyard.

Before long, she passed through the bamboo grove, reached the stream, crossed the small bridge, and saw the bamboo grove courtyard.

Su Qing paused slightly to observe, and saw a white figure in the courtyard wielding a long sword... seemingly practicing swordplay.

This white figure, naturally, needed no further explanation.

Other than Little Bai, Bai Suzhen, it could be no one else.

Seeing this, Su Qing couldn't help but smile.

She then quickly walked over.

In the courtyard.

Bai Suzhen, who was earnestly practicing her sword, also sensed someone's arrival.

She subconsciously stopped the sword she was wielding, then turned her head to look in the direction of the newcomer.

But upon seeing the person, she couldn't help but freeze, her beautiful eyes wide with surprise.

"Sister Xiao Qing!" Bai Suzhen naturally recognized the newcomer at a glance, which was why she was so surprised.

After a brief moment of surprise, joy followed... she then dropped the long sword and quickly ran over, throwing herself into Su Qing's arms with a big bear hug, nearly knocking Su Qing to the ground.

It was clear how happy the girl was.

Su Qing steadied herself, patted Bai Suzhen's back, and said with a happy yet slightly helpless smile:

"I'm sorry for not coming to see you for so long! You've waited a long time."

Su Qing still felt a little guilty towards Bai Suzhen.

After all, they couldn't see each other every day... and after this trip to the Northern Continent, they hadn't been able to meet for an even longer time.

This made Bai Suzhen wait for a very long time.

In fact, every time Su Qing had commitments that prevented her from traveling freely, this girl was the hardest to see.

And besides this girl, the hardest to see was Bai Yuhe...

After all, neither of them was by her side.

So it was naturally difficult to meet.

Su Qing actually wanted to keep both of them by her side.

But Li Shan Lao Mu wouldn't let go of Bai Suzhen, and Bai Yuhe couldn't leave the Women's Kingdom for now, which made things difficult.

The only thing to be thankful for, perhaps, was that Su Qing's Somersault Cloud was fast enough...

Whenever she missed them, she could ride the Somersault Cloud to see them.

Otherwise, that would truly be troublesome!

Su Qing's words made Bai Suzhen pause slightly, and she couldn't help but feel a little wronged in her heart...

But she still smiled and said, "No, it's fine, as long as Sister Xiao Qing doesn't forget me. Little Bai will wait obediently for Sister Xiao Qing to come find me!"

Su Qing shook her head at this and said, "You silly girl, I could never forget you... And if you feel wronged, just say it directly, don't force yourself to be strong."

Su Qing had some understanding of Little Bai's situation, so she knew exactly what the girl was thinking.

As Su Qing spoke, she also gently rubbed her face.

She felt a bit helpless with this girl; she clearly didn't think that way in her heart, yet she insisted on saying it... Why force herself?

Hearing Su Qing say this, Little Bai, who had been trying to be strong, immediately couldn't hold back.

She hugged Su Qing and poured out all her grievances.

This outpouring of grievances lasted for more than half an hour.

During this time, Su Qing patiently stayed with the girl, listening to her complaints... earnestly comforting her.

Even though Su Qing wasn't good at comforting people, she did her best to console Bai Suzhen.

After venting the frustrations in her heart.

Bai Suzhen was finally able to smile.

She looked at Su Qing, smiled, kissed her, and then said, "Thank you, Sister, for listening to me so much."

Su Qing shook her head and said, "It was my fault to begin with, so how could I not listen to your complaints properly?"

Bai Suzhen gave a silly smile and said, "But I'm still very happy that Sister Xiao Qing could come today! I wish Sister Xiao Qing could visit me often in the future."

Su Qing nodded and said, "Yes, I will. The Northern Continent is quite peaceful now, so as long as there's nothing urgent keeping me, I'll definitely come to see you often. I won't make you wait this long again."

Su Qing wasn't just saying this to comfort her; she genuinely had this intention...

After all, the situation in the Northern Continent was much more relaxed than Su Qing had anticipated, and she had a reliable assistant official there.

So, as long as there weren't any important matters keeping her, Su Qing definitely couldn't just stay idle in her Daoist monastery; she had to go visit her wives.

Hearing Su Qing say this, Bai Suzhen's face couldn't help but break into a joyful smile.

She looked at Su Qing and said with a beaming smile, "Since Sister has said so, you absolutely mustn't break your promise. If you do, you'll have to swallow a thousand needles."

Su Qing paused, surprised that the girl still remembered that. She nodded seriously and said, "Don't worry, I definitely won't break my promise."

Seeing this, Bai Suzhen became even happier.

Su Qing then continued, "Oh, and by the way, I actually brought you a gift this time."

The gift Su Qing spoke of was, naturally, the Marriage Lock she had obtained from Yuelao.

After all, Leng Xiang and Ao Ying already had theirs, so others naturally needed one too; she couldn't show favoritism...

Hearing this, Bai Suzhen, who was leaning against Su Qing's chest, looked up at Su Qing and asked curiously, "What gift did Sister Xiao Qing bring me?"

Bai Suzhen wasn't actually very concerned about what kind of gift it was... After all, as long as it was from Su Qing, Bai Suzhen would definitely like it, so she naturally didn't care about the specific type.

Seeing this, Su Qing took out the item, placed it in Bai Suzhen's hand, and explained its origin.

After listening, Bai Suzhen's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but ask, "Is this gift from Sister Xiao Qing something everyone has, or is it just for me?"

Su Qing paused, then honestly replied, "Everyone has one."

Hearing this, Bai Suzhen felt a slight pity. She naturally liked the gift, but if it had been exclusively for her, she would have liked it even more.

After all, everyone wanted to be the most special one.

However, even though she wasn't the most special, and it wasn't unique to her, at least Sister Xiao Qing hadn't shown favoritism; she had treated everyone equally.

Therefore, she was still very happy to receive this gift.