The Lantern Festival

After Su Qing and Chang'e departed, Wukong watched them disappear into the distance.

He rubbed the back of his head, thinking to himself, 'Why did Big Sister come here with Chang'e of all people?'

Wukong found himself completely baffled.

After pondering for a long while, he finally arrived at an answer that seemed plausible to him.

'Could it be that Big Sister is even making a move on Chang'e now? Hiss, Big Sister really is something else.' Wukong rubbed his jaw, his mind gradually reaching its limit.

However, he soon stopped overthinking it.

Realizing he wouldn't find the real answer, he simply took the food back into the pagoda and began distributing it to his master and fellow disciples.

"Sovereign Su made these?" Bajie stared at the dumplings in his hand, momentarily stunned. "I didn't think your Big Sister had such skills."

"My Big Sister has many skills! Also, keep your mouth shut. If I hear you say anything unpleasant... hmph," Wukong warned, knowing Zhu Bajie's temperament.

Bajie shook his head hurriedly. "How could I dare say anything? I can't afford to provoke her Ladyship!"

Wukong snorted twice before speaking again. "Master, once we've finished sweeping the pagoda, why don't we go wander through the Lantern Festival in Jinping Prefecture? My Big Sister said the festive lanterns here are quite beautiful. We've been traveling for so many years and haven't properly celebrated a holiday yet!"

Hearing Wukong's words, Tang Sanzang remained silent for a moment before nodding with a smile. "Since the Bodhisattva says the lanterns are beautiful, then once we finish sweeping the rest, let's go see the Lantern Festival!"

Upon receiving Tang Sanzang's answer, Wukong beamed with joy. "Great, great! Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"

Not only was Wukong happy, but Bajie and Sha Wujing were also delighted. After all, it was rare for them to celebrate a festival, so they were naturally thrilled.

Tang Sanzang smiled as he watched his disciples' excitement. Having experienced so much, he had finally undergone some changes himself.

On the other side, Su Qing and Chang'e rode the Somersault Cloud and quickly left Xi He Niu Zhou Aparagodaniya. Before long, they arrived in the skies above Li Shan Mount Li.

Looking down at the all-too-familiar Old Mother's Hall, Su Qing lowered the cloud with a thought and landed in the bamboo grove behind the hall.

In the bamboo grove, the young Daoist was waiting there just as before—or rather, waiting wasn't quite the right word.

When he saw Su Qing arrive, he looked quite surprised.

"Big Green Snake, why are you here? And you even came with Sister Chang'e?!" the young Daoist exclaimed, staring at Su Qing in shock.

The young Daoist truly hadn't known Su Qing was coming; he was only there to slack off.

As it turned out, while he was idling, he happened to run right into her.

Seeing the young Daoist's surprised expression, Su Qing explained with a light chuckle. Meanwhile, Chang'e reached out and began messing with the young Daoist's hair, turning it into a tangled mess in just a few strokes.

Realizing his hair was ruined, the young Daoist glared at Chang'e with deep dissatisfaction. However, he only dared to glare; he didn't dare scold her.

After all, he truly couldn't afford to provoke Sister Chang'e.

Most other seniors wouldn't bother with him, but the icy Chang'e was the type who actually would. Despite her cold and aloof appearance, she was exceptionally petty.

The young Daoist didn't understand it, but that didn't stop him from being wary of her.

"So, Big Green Snake, you brought me tangyuan and dumplings?" The young Daoist decided to ignore Chang'e and spoke directly to Su Qing.

Su Qing nodded with a smile. "Yes! But I didn't bring them just for you; there's a portion for Little Bai too!"

Hearing this, the young Daoist nodded eagerly. "I knew you wouldn't bring delicious food just for me! Come, come, let's go find Little Bai and eat together!"

Seeing the young Daoist in such a rush, Su Qing felt both helpless and amused. This fellow was impatient about nothing else except this.

"Alright, we'll go now!" Su Qing said cooperatively.

The young Daoist nodded and happily pulled Su Qing toward Bai Suzhen's residence.

Watching the messy-haired young Daoist lead Su Qing away, Chang'e found it hard to stifle a laugh. However, she managed to hold it in. If she failed to restrain herself, it would ruin her public persona.

After all, Chang'e's image to the outside world was one of extreme coldness.

The three of them moved quickly and soon arrived at Bai Suzhen's courtyard.

Bai Suzhen was very surprised to see Su Qing and Chang'e. She called out, "Sister Xiao Qing, why have you come? And Sister Chang'e came too. But why did Sister Chang'e come with you, Sister Xiao Qing?"

Although Bai Suzhen rarely left Li Shan Mount Li, it didn't mean she didn't recognize a famous figure like Chang'e.

Su Qing smiled and said, "I came to bring you tangyuan and dumplings for the Lantern Festival! As for Sister Chang'e, she just followed me on a whim to see you."

Bai Suzhen tilted her head and looked at Chang'e, then nodded with a smile. "I see. Bai Suzhen greets Sister Chang'e."

Regardless of Chang'e's reason for coming, proper etiquette had to be maintained. After all, it was a matter of Su Qing's face.

Hearing this, Chang'e gave a light chuckle and nodded slightly, still maintaining her aloof persona.

'As expected of Su Qing's wife, she really is beautiful.'

Aloof as she was, Chang'e was not stingy with her praise. Praising someone and being cold were not mutually exclusive.

Su Qing turned to glance at Chang'e. She hadn't expected Chang'e to insist on maintaining her persona even now. However, she said nothing more.

She simply looked at Bai Suzhen and said, "Come, Little Bai, let's eat the tangyuan and dumplings. If we wait any longer, they won't taste as good."

Bai Suzhen nodded quickly. "I know, Sister Xiao Qing!"

Although Bai Suzhen was curious about Chang'e, neither Chang'e nor Su Qing seemed inclined to say more, so she didn't press the matter. Moreover, with Chang'e present, it wasn't the right time to ask.

Once Chang'e left and she was alone with Su Qing, she would have the chance to chat properly. For now, she would follow Su Qing's lead and start eating.

Even though the extra company meant she couldn't have Su Qing all to herself, the fact that Su Qing thought of her no matter what made her very happy.

Su Qing chuckled and brought out the food. At the sight of the dishes, the most excited person was none other than the young Daoist.

He had been looking forward to this the entire way. Now that the food was out, he was naturally thrilled. He was almost unable to stop himself from reaching out the moment the food was placed before him.

If not for a shred of lingering rationality, he probably would have started devouring it regardless of anything else. It had to be said that this fellow was truly obsessed with food. One had to admire him; while others were blinded by money, this guy was blinded by the rice vat.

Su Qing noticed the young Daoist's thoughts and movements, but she didn't tease him. Since she knew him so well, how could she not know his temperament?

She simply laid everything out and said, "Alright, go ahead and eat!"

"Do you only want that much, Sister Xiao Qing?" Bai Suzhen asked, seeing that Su Qing's bowl held very little.

Su Qing nodded. "I have to eat again when I get back, so I won't have too much. You two should eat your fill."

Su Qing didn't hide the fact that she was heading back for another meal. Hearing this, Bai Suzhen felt a bit of regret that Su Qing couldn't stay the night, but she still nodded with a smile.

"In that case, I won't be polite!" Bai Suzhen said.

Su Qing laughed. "Since when did you need to be polite with me?"

Bai Suzhen smiled with squinted eyes and then tasted Su Qing's cooking. It had to be said that Su Qing's skills were excellent; even the simplest food tasted wonderful. As for just how good it was—one only had to look at the young Daoist wolfing it down.

However, while Bai Suzhen also found the taste excellent, she spent more time chatting with Su Qing. She knew Su Qing would be leaving soon, so she couldn't let this time go to waste.

As for Chang'e, to maintain her persona, she didn't speak much during the process, silently eating while observing Bai Suzhen. Simply put, she was just watching the show.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the food Su Qing had brought was nearly finished. At this point, it was time for Su Qing to head back. After all, there were many others waiting for her at home; it wouldn't do to stay away.

"It's about time. I should be heading back," Su Qing said.

Bai Suzhen felt a pang of reluctance. "Going back so soon? I really hate to see you go, Sister."

Su Qing shook her head with a smile. "It's not as if we won't see each other again. At most, I'll be back in another half-month."

"Half a month is still a long time," Bai Suzhen pouted, speaking with dissatisfaction.

Su Qing said helplessly, "You silly girl."

She didn't say much else, only tapped the tip of Bai Suzhen's nose. "Alright, I must go!"

Seeing this, Bai Suzhen stopped protesting and nodded. "Fine. Since you're leaving, Sister, let me walk you out. Although I can't leave the courtyard for now, I can at least see you to the gate."

Su Qing had no objection. She stood up and prepared to leave. Chang'e followed closely behind her.

And so, Su Qing and Chang'e left the small courtyard where Bai Suzhen resided. On the way out, the young Daoist suddenly waved at Su Qing.

"Big Green Snake, next time you come, remember to bring me more delicious food!"

Hearing this, Su Qing laughed. This fellow really was a glutton. She said, "Alright, alright, I know! You don't have to remind me every single time I leave."

The young Daoist scratched his head. "I'm just worried you'll forget."

Su Qing rolled her eyes. "Do I look like the type of person who forgets?"

The young Daoist nodded, then shook his head. "It's just to be safe."

Su Qing was momentarily speechless but didn't bother teasing him further. No matter how much she teased him, he would always be the same. The three of them walked on and soon reached the bamboo grove where they had arrived.

Once there, it was time for Su Qing to say goodbye to the young Daoist. As they were leaving, the young Daoist suddenly waved to Su Qing and said, "Thank you for coming to spend the festival with us today. Also, your food was delicious! Your skills are truly great."

Su Qing smiled. "I know my own skills best. If you find it tasty, I'll bring you more when I have the chance."

Hearing this, the young Daoist nodded with a satisfied grin. "Great, great! You must remember!"

Seeing his happy expression, Su Qing nodded with a smile. "I know, I know. I'm the one who suggested it, so how could I forget?"

Having received Su Qing's promise, the young Daoist smiled even more brightly. He waved to her and said, "Goodbye then, Big Green Snake!"

Su Qing nodded, formed a hand seal, and with a thought, the Somersault Cloud carried her and Chang'e toward the Northern Continent.

On the way, Chang'e, who had been stiff the entire time, finally dropped her facade. She exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

Then, in a very regretful tone, she said, "I really regret coming along with you on this trip. I intended to wander around with you, but I only remembered after we arrived that I had to maintain my public persona. I didn't get to have any fun at all."

Chang'e was incredibly frustrated. How could she have forgotten such an important thing?

Su Qing couldn't help but laugh. "Who told you to forget something so important? However, Sister Chang'e, you are quite impressive. Even without the Lunar Deity watching, you didn't let your true nature slip."

Hearing this, Chang'e spoke with some dissatisfaction. "Look at what you're saying, as if I wouldn't know how to put on an act without the Lunar Deity! I just prefer to be casual when she isn't watching, but that doesn't mean I've become incompetent!"

Listening to Chang'e's disgruntled reply, Su Qing didn't take it to heart. She only looked at her with a beaming smile. "I know you haven't become incompetent, Sister Chang'e. I just thought you didn't like hiding your true self in public."

"Hmph, I certainly don't like it, but what choice do I have? This act has been going on for so many years. If I quit halfway, the Lunar Deity will definitely never let me hear the end of it when she returns."

"So the main point is that you're afraid she'll scold you?" Su Qing asked, amused.