After her bath, Su Qing entered the room.
At that moment, seeing Su Qing arrive, Leng Xiang’s expression softened with tenderness. Her vermilion lips curved into a smile as she said, "Since Master has finished washing, I shall go as well... Please wait for a moment."
Leng Xiang did not want to make Su Qing wait long, and naturally, she was a bit eager herself. After all, she was not someone without desires; on the contrary, when she was near the person she loved, her interest was piqued. Thus, she was unwilling to waste too much time and keep herself waiting.
In fact, had the bathtub not been too small to fit two people—and had Yudie not been nearby—she would have wanted to bathe with Su Qing. Although she wasn't particularly skilled in 'water combat,' she had no problem following someone else's lead. It would have offered a unique flavor of its own.
Time was like shifting sand, slipping away in an instant. Before long, Leng Xiang had finished her bath and returned to the room.
She approached Su Qing, her face flushed, and whispered, "Master, I am ready..."
She wore only a thin, peach-pink inner robe. Beneath the faint pink fabric, her graceful silhouette was visible, enough to make one’s pulse race. Combined with her blushing cheeks and eyes filled with watery tenderness, she was utterly irresistible—not to mention that voice, which carried a 'Master' so soft it seemed to melt into one's bones. Let alone Su Qing, who could see such a scene and not be moved?
"Then, come to bed!" Su Qing looked at Leng Xiang, sitting cross-legged. She patted the blankets beside her with a smile and said, "It's time for sleep."
Leng Xiang smiled faintly and reached out to untie the sash of her robe. The silk garment slid smoothly off her skin. She then walked slowly toward the bed and said, "Yes, it is time for sleep."
That night, wanton sounds echoed continuously, though fortunately, they were stifled by a sound-isolating array. They did not reach Yudie’s room or disturb her peaceful slumber.
The night had no moonlight. Dark clouds shrouded the entire sky. Before long, rain began to fall. The raindrops, like beans, pelted the earth incessantly. The rain fell on the roof and the leaves, as if composing a moving melody, while the droplets became dancers performing in the storm.
However, the protagonist of this night was not the rain. Even the storm was merely an accompaniment for them.
The next morning, the rain had stopped. The washed courtyard gave off the scent of earth—not exactly pleasant, but hard to dislike. The peach blossoms that had bloomed yesterday still carried a faint, clear fragrance, which helped dissipate the earthy smell.
Su Qing pushed open the door and stood in the courtyard. Looking at the eaves still dripping with water, she couldn't help but say, "Last night, it truly was a good rain..."
"Master..." Leng Xiang stood behind Su Qing, her brows lifting slightly as she asked with suspicion, "Was that another double entendre?"
"Well, you guess! Whether it was or wasn't is all in your mind," Su Qing laughed, her fingertip lightly touching Leng Xiang’s red lips.
Leng Xiang’s face showed a trace of helplessness. Her Master was perfect in every way except for this one habit. Perhaps from spending too much time with those cryptic old seniors, her Master had become a bit of a riddle-maker herself. It was quite vexing.
However, she didn't hate it. No matter what her Master became, she would love her; there was no possibility of dislike. She simply said helplessly, "I can't guess..."
"Then don't guess," Su Qing shook her head and said with a smile, "Alright, go wash up! We'll head into the city for another stroll today."
"Master wants to go into the city again?" Leng Xiang was puzzled. She had thought Su Qing would be leaving soon, but now she heard her Master wanted another stroll. Clearly, Su Qing intended to stay a bit longer. Naturally, Leng Xiang was happy about this, but she also wanted to know how much longer Su Qing would stay.
Su Qing nodded and said, "I plan to leave this afternoon. Since there's still time, we might as well walk around the city again. Besides, it's a good way to compensate that girl Yudie."
Su Qing didn't want to leave so abruptly. Since she had come all this way, she wanted to spend more time with them. However, she had other places to visit and couldn't stay away from her domain for too long, so she couldn't linger indefinitely. Fortunately, once Su Qing finished her busy tasks, she would have time to see her again. It wasn't as if this meeting was their last, so there was no pain of parting—just a simple desire to stay a little longer.
Leng Xiang’s smile remained as she nodded and said, "As long as Master has a plan! I will do as Master says..."
Su Qing smiled and nodded, then said, "Go call Yudie. That girl will certainly love to come along."
"Yes, I'll go right now," Leng Xiang agreed.
Sure enough, Yudie, who had been sleeping in a daze, immediately perked up upon hearing they were going into the city. She hurriedly got up and washed, appearing before Su Qing fully ready in no time.
Yudie looked at Su Qing, her gloom from yesterday completely gone. With an excited face, she said, "There were so many places we didn't visit yesterday! We must have a good look today! We've already eaten everything on the East Street; how about we go to the West Street this time?"
In the short time it took to wash up, Yudie had already arranged the day's itinerary. This made Su Qing a bit helpless. She patted the girl's head and said, "Whatever makes you happy..."
Yudie laughed even more joyfully and said, "Then... it's settled! Let's go! No time to lose; opportunity doesn't wait!"
It was clear Yudie was very excited. Su Qing smiled helplessly but nodded, taking Leng Xiang’s hand as they set out.
During that half-day, Su Qing took Yudie to many places and tasted all sorts of delicacies; it was a very fruitful outing. Of course, Yudie was the happiest. This child was the easiest to understand and the easiest to handle—the way to make her happy was the simplest. As for Su Qing and Leng Xiang, seeing Yudie so happy naturally put them in a good mood. After all, no matter how one looked at it, she was their daughter!
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon. It was time for Su Qing to leave, and for Leng Xiang and Yudie to continue handling the matters of Incense Power and prayers.
The group returned to the temple. Several Little Sparrows chirped and flew to their side, seemingly complaining that Su Qing and the others had forgotten them in the temple, leaving them afraid to go home last night and forced to make do in the temple for the night.
Upon learning this, Su Qing finally remembered what she had forgotten all this time... It was these fat Little Sparrows! Previously, she had been so focused on her daughter and her lover that she had forgotten the Little Sparrows who had followed her for so long, even failing to bring them along for the delicious food.
"Big Green Snake is simply too much! How could you forget us? Leaving us here was so hard on us!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"Big Green Snake, you must compensate us properly! Who told you to forget your friends for your lover and leave us here for so long?"
"Yes, yes, compensation is due! Compensation is due!"
Several Little Sparrows chirped incessantly in Su Qing’s ear, voicing their dissatisfaction from the previous day. Facing these little creatures, Su Qing felt a bit embarrassed, but her expression remained exceptionally calm. Were the Little Sparrows easy to handle? Naturally, they were! Su Qing only needed to give them a few small things to make these chirping birds forget their previous worries and unhappiness, even making up with her completely.
She looked at them with a smile. With a flip of her hand, she brought out a pile of snacks that these little ones loved. She said, "Since you want compensation, then let this be it. What do you say?"
Hearing Su Qing say this, the Little Sparrows first pretended to deliberate. Finally, one of them flew in front of Su Qing and said in somewhat broken speech, "We'll reluctantly forgive you... We're not forgiving you for the sake of these snacks, mind you; it's just that we are magnanimous."
Su Qing chuckled and nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, I know it is because of your magnanimity that you have forgiven me."
The Little Sparrows gathered around the snacks, each chirping their forgiveness. Su Qing wasn't surprised at all; she just nodded with a smile and said, "In that case, that’s wonderful!"
After settling the chirping Little Sparrows, Su Qing turned to look at Yudie. Seeing the girl’s 'that’s how you solved it?' expression, she couldn't help but laugh. She said, "These little ones are just like you—greedy for treats."
Yudie looked at Su Qing, hands on her hips, and said, "Wait, I'm not like them. I'm not as fat as they are, and I don't get fat from eating."
Yudie was a Sword Spirit, so naturally, she wouldn't get fat. Su Qing nodded and said, "That is true... but you don't deny being greedy for treats!"
"...I want to argue, but it's the truth," Yudie pouted with dissatisfaction.
At this, Su Qing patted her head and said, "Alright, that's enough. I should go! You and Leng Xiang work hard on collecting Incense Power. I'll come see you again in a few days."
Hearing this, Yudie didn't try to make her stay. She just said softly, "I understand. Have a safe trip, Mother, and remember what you promised me."
Su Qing nodded, then looked at Leng Xiang. Leng Xiang only smiled as she saw her off, not saying much. Seeing this, Su Qing felt at ease. She performed an incantation and departed on her Somersault Cloud.
After leaving, Su Qing didn't rush back to Great Emperor Zhenwu's domain. Instead, she planned to visit the Women's Kingdom first. She had intended to go there all along, but various incidents had delayed her. Now that most things were settled, it was finally time to go.
The Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast. Before long, she was above the Women's Kingdom. The kingdom was as it always was; Su Qing didn't see any demons causing trouble along the way. Clearly, her reputation was useful; those who knew better wouldn't dare cause trouble in the Women's Kingdom. As for those who didn't, they had already gone to report to the Underworld.
"Peace is for the best," Su Qing nodded with satisfaction, then with a thought, she descended into the palace of the Women's Kingdom.
It wasn't morning, so there was no need for a court session. Thus, Bai Yuhe was very easy to find. One could find her just by going to the Imperial Garden. Even if she wasn't there, Su Qing could find her with a sweep of her magic power.
Su Qing landed by the pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Leaning against the pavilion's edge, she looked at the person inside with a smile.
Inside the pavilion, Bai Yuhe sat drinking tea. Opposite her, a beautiful maid was nursing a child.
"Why don't you nurse her yourself?" Su Qing asked with a smile.
Bai Yuhe, who was drinking tea, had already noticed Su Qing’s arrival. Su Qing had appeared openly without any concealment; it would have been hard not to notice. The reason she wasn't surprised or startled was simply that she was used to it. The nursing maid, however, was startled, but because of the royal daughter in her arms, she didn't move away.
Facing Su Qing’s question, Bai Yuhe simply said flatly, "She bites, it hurts."
Su Qing was momentarily stunned by the answer and said, "That’s interesting. Other mothers love their children to death, but you seem to be raising a pet."
Bai Yuhe put down her teacup, shook her head, and said, "Not so. I am simply raising the next heir of this kingdom. She must learn to be independent from a young age... Otherwise, I wouldn't feel safe letting her take over this country."
Su Qing laughed and said, "I imagine that isn't the only reason?"
"Oh? Who knows?" Bai Yuhe smiled mysteriously.
There were indeed other reasons why Bai Yuhe wasn't close to the child, but she couldn't just say them. As for whether Su Qing could guess the specifics, she didn't know. Let her guess. If she guessed right, that would be fine too.
Su Qing spread her hands and said, "As you wish! Regardless, she is a piece of your own flesh..."
"Yes! If not for that, why would I raise her?" Bai Yuhe chuckled and shook her head, then said, "But what about you? Why have you suddenly found the time to visit me? You haven't been here for a month!"
Su Qing scratched her head and said, "That is indeed my fault... I've just been avoiding some things lately."
"What things? Forget it, I doubt you'd say..." Bai Yuhe shook her head and said, "Why don't you just tell me how you plan to compensate me!"
"As always?"
"That works..." Bai Yuhe nodded and said, "Then, my Empress, do you have any new ideas?"
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