Liu Xixi's Stubbornness and Ao Ning's Visit

Liu Xixi was momentarily stunned by Su Qing's words.

She then asked in confusion, "Did the Sovereign not encounter General Tortoise and General Snake?"

Su Qing's brow twitched as she tilted her head. "No... I didn't see them. Wait, you asked them to follow me? So that's it... I was wondering why everything went so smoothly this time. It turns out that was the reason."

Previously, Su Qing had thought her success was due to good luck, her own strength, and the fact that the Black Water Bodhisattva was relatively slow-witted, with only the black water itself putting up a fight. She hadn't expected someone to be working in the shadows to handle all the trouble besides the main target.

"Yes... because I truly couldn't set my mind at ease, I disobeyed the Sovereign's orders and went to ask the two seniors to intervene..." Liu Xixi nodded, making no attempt to lie. "I just... didn't expect the two seniors wouldn't show themselves and would instead work quietly behind your back..."

"They probably didn't want you to get punished for it!" Su Qing mused, quickly understanding why the two generals hadn't revealed themselves.

General Tortoise and General Snake were both very fond of their juniors. Moreover, they had a good relationship with Liu Xixi's father and likely viewed her as a granddaughter. It was perfectly natural for them to be so considerate of her.

However, Su Qing guessed the two seniors hadn't expected Liu Xixi to be so honest and law-abiding.

She had actually come to confess of her own accord.

"But since I did something wrong and disobeyed the Sovereign's orders, I would have come to accept my punishment even if no one knew," Liu Xixi said, looking at Su Qing with a helpless sigh. Then, she composed herself and said firmly, "Therefore, I ask the Sovereign for punishment."

Liu Xixi was a stubborn and persistent person. She cared deeply about rules and respected Su Qing's orders immensely.

This wasn't the same kind of affection Leng Xiang felt. It was more of a rigid adherence to the rules of her position—so rigid it made Su Qing feel a bit helpless.

Su Qing did like people who followed rules, but someone as extreme as Liu Xixi was a different story. While Su Qing respected rules, her approach was to have fun within the boundaries they allowed, whereas Liu Xixi wanted to conform to them perfectly.

Su Qing shook her head and sighed. "You didn't do anything wrong, so why should I punish you?"

"But I did disobey the Sovereign's order!" Liu Xixi insisted, shaking her head.

"You did disobey me, but your intention was for my sake. If I punished you for that, I would be far too unreasonable," Su Qing explained.

"But if the Sovereign doesn't issue a punishment... won't your orders become meaningless? That simply won't do..."

"Sigh, sometimes I really don't know what goes on in that head of yours! Why are you so thick-headed?" Su Qing said helplessly. "Fine, since you insist on being punished, I'll punish you... As for how, I'll tell you once I've thought of something. For now, go back to your paperwork... I'll come with you."

Su Qing didn't actually plan to punish Liu Xixi; she just agreed to it to end the argument. If the matter could just be forgotten later, that would be for the best. It would save her a lot of trouble.

Liu Xixi seemed slightly dissatisfied with this answer, saying, "But Sovereign, how is that any different from no punishment at all?"

Su Qing crossed her arms, already having a counter-argument ready. "How I punish you is my business. Why are you so worried about it? Isn't your most important task right now to handle the official documents? Or is it that... you don't want to listen to my words?"

Hearing this, Liu Xixi sighed and finally relented.

There was no helping it; the person in front of her was her superior. Whatever she said went. It wasn't as if Liu Xixi could refuse to listen.

Helplessly, Liu Xixi nodded. "I understand. I will return to handle the paperwork with the Sovereign immediately!"

"That's more like it! You said yourself there's still a lot of paperwork to finish... if you only focus on seeking punishment and forget such important matters, it would be a poor trade!" Su Qing nodded with satisfaction and a smile. "Alright, let's go!"

Liu Xixi said nothing more and followed Su Qing to the study to handle the remaining official documents.

As for the specific punishment, she still had no clue. However, once she started working on the documents, her mind gradually drifted away from the punishment and focused on the tasks at hand. After all, the work required a great deal of mental energy, leaving her little room for other thoughts.

And so, Su Qing and Liu Xixi worked together until evening.

When evening arrived, Su Qing prepared to leave, having no intention of staying longer for paperwork.

Seeing Su Qing about to go, Liu Xixi hurriedly asked about the punishment again, only to be brushed off once more.

After stalling Liu Xixi, Su Qing left without looking back, showing no intention of staying to discuss it further.

Watching Su Qing leave, Liu Xixi sighed, realizing Su Qing probably had no intention of punishing her at all.

But this was clearly unacceptable. Without rules, there is no order. Although she was an assistant official, it was wrong for her to go unpunished for a mistake.

With this thought, Liu Xixi decided to ask Su Qing again the next day.

Time passed.

The next day, Liu Xixi stubbornly found Su Qing again to ask about the punishment.

Su Qing, who had just woken up and was yawning while drinking tea, was speechless. 'Sister, just how obsessed are you with being punished? Are you a masochist?'

Su Qing was helpless and tried to stall again, but Liu Xixi, having been brushed off twice, clearly wasn't falling for it anymore. She insisted on a clear arrangement.

"I really can't do anything with you..." Su Qing sighed. "Fine, fine. Since you really want to be punished, I punish you to cook me a lavish dinner!"

Su Qing truly had no other options, so she just picked a random task to serve as the punishment.

Liu Xixi was dissatisfied upon hearing this. "What kind of punishment is that?"

"Do it until I'm satisfied..." Su Qing added, seeing her expression. "My standards for food are very high... if it's too poor, I won't be satisfied!"

Su Qing knew that if she didn't add some difficulty, Liu Xixi wouldn't be content. In truth, this wasn't much of a punishment at all, nor was it a difficult task for Liu Xixi. If the girl hadn't been so insistent, Su Qing wouldn't have even bothered to ask her to cook.

Liu Xixi fell silent for a moment.

Su Qing continued, "You didn't commit a major crime, and what you did actually helped me. A heavy punishment would be heartless, which is why I'm having you cook... and don't look down on it; there's a lot of skill involved, it's not simple. Besides, how I punish you is my decision. It's not right for you to talk back, is it?"

Liu Xixi sighed. "I understand, Sovereign. I will prepare dinner for you tonight..."

Liu Xixi finally agreed. Although the punishment seemed simple and strange, since Su Qing had issued it, refusing to listen would be another mistake on her part.

Seeing this, Su Qing nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Now go do your own things!"

Liu Xixi nodded, bowed to Su Qing, and left.

Once Liu Xixi was far away, Su Qing let out a long sigh and muttered to herself, "Dealing with such a thick-headed person is truly a headache..."

She shook her head and stood up to practice her spear techniques. She had very little paperwork to handle herself, so she had plenty of free time. Using the opportunity to practice her spear was a good way to strengthen her combat power.

Time flew by, and it was soon afternoon.

Su Qing was in the middle of some paperwork when someone suddenly arrived to report that a princess from the North Sea Dragon Palace wished to see her.

Su Qing was dazed for a moment but quickly remembered. The North Sea Dragon King had indeed said he would reimburse the resources she had consumed at the palace. This princess was likely here for that.

With that in mind, Su Qing went to receive her. As for Liu Xixi, Su Qing told her to continue with the paperwork. It wasn't a major matter, so there was no need for Liu Xixi to come along.

In the main hall, Ao Ning stood below, looking up at Su Qing seated on her chair. She bowed and said, "Greetings, Sovereign!"

"There's no need for such formality... we are friends, and such politeness makes me feel a bit awkward," Su Qing said with a smile, shaking her head.

Even though they had only known each other for a few hours, Su Qing still called her a friend.

Ao Ning smiled and shook her head. "Your status is the Guardian of the Northern Continent; I should naturally face you with the attitude appropriate for a Guardian!"

Su Qing let her have her way. "Fine, fine, as you wish! Use whatever attitude you like for business! But why have you come this time? Are you here to deliver the items?"

Ao Ning nodded. "My father ordered me to return the resources the Sovereign consumed that day. The Sovereign did such a great service for the Dragon Palace; it would be improper for you to bear the cost of the array yourself... Besides that, my father also asked me to discuss the matter of Incense Power with you."

"Oh? What specifically?" Su Qing asked, raising an eyebrow.

"How we should collect Incense Power for the Sovereign?"

"That... the Dragon King can arrange that himself. Why come to discuss it with me?"

"This is a matter of great importance, so we cannot be careless... therefore, the Sovereign should decide which method to use." Ao Ning's tone when discussing business was very similar to Liu Xixi's. If their temperaments weren't so different, Su Qing might have thought Liu Xixi had come over.

Su Qing shook her head. "The Dragon King can use whatever method he likes... I don't care about the details, as long as he can help me collect the Incense Power. I only care about the result, not the process... as long as the people don't suffer, it's fine."

"Then I understand. I will convey the Sovereign's words to my father exactly as spoken," Ao Ning said calmly, cupping her hands.

"Good. Is there anything else?" Su Qing asked.

Ao Ning shook her head. "There is nothing else to say..."

Seeing this, Su Qing nodded. "Just that? I thought there would be more! Alright, since the business is done, drop the act... walk with me and chat for a bit, how about it?"

Su Qing walked down the steps to Ao Ning's side.

Ao Ning smiled cooperatively, dropping her humble expression and returning to the way she was when they first met at the Dragon Palace. "Since the Sovereign has said so, I naturally cannot refuse!"

Su Qing smiled and nodded, then led the way as they wandered around.

Along the way, Su Qing and Ao Ning talked about many things, covering topics from across the world.

As they talked, the conversation naturally turned to the rumors about Su Qing and the misunderstanding the North Sea Dragon King had that day.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect the Old Dragon King to have such thoughts. But it's not surprising; those who don't know me well always think I'm like the rumors say. He was practically guarding his daughter like a hawk, afraid I'd spirit her away."

Su Qing didn't care at all about what the Old Dragon King had said or done. If she did care, she would have caused Havoc in Heaven long ago like Sun Wukong.

Ao Ning gave a helpless smile and shook her head. "Rumors truly are harmful! To think they caused the Sovereign to suffer such unmerited grievances..."

"It's alright... I'm used to it," Su Qing said with a slightly pained smile.

How could she not be used to it after all these years? And she couldn't even beat the culprit behind them. What else could she do?

Hearing this, Ao Ning felt a bit of sympathy for Su Qing. It turned out that even a powerhouse like her had things she was helpless against.

"The Sovereign need not be vexed. Since I now know your true nature, I will certainly do my best to refute those rumors... and strive to clear the Sovereign's name as soon as possible."

Ao Ning knew her words carried little weight and might not be able to eliminate the rumors, but saying such a thing was enough to make Su Qing feel better and happier.