Honesty

I came to see the Bodhisattva, of course. You didn't think I came all this way just to catch a honey thief, did you? Su Qing asked with a playful retort.

The Black Bear Spirit scratched his head and gave a silly grin. "I see, I see. However, the Bodhisattva isn't in the Purple Bamboo Grove right now. Her Ladyship has gone out."

Su Qing arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Where did she go?"

"How would I know? I only heard her mention that something had happened near the South Sea."

"Is that so?" Su Qing rubbed her chin and nodded. If it was something that required the Bodhisattva to handle personally, it likely wasn't a small matter. It was probably related to the signs of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth. However, it didn't have much to do with her, so she didn't bother prying further. This fellow likely didn't know the details anyway.

"Oh, right. I noticed the lingering Sanskrit chants and the dense spiritual energy here; it feels like someone is breaking through. Who is it? Chen Chaoyan or someone else?" Su Qing asked, moving on to other matters.

She was quite concerned about this. After all, the stronger Chen Chaoyan became, the better her chances of survival would be when the world grew even more turbulent in the future. Guanyin Bodhisattva was indeed protective and powerful, but she was only one person and couldn't watch over the girl every second. To live well, one ultimately needed their own strength.

The Black Bear Spirit nodded quickly. "You're right! It's Big Sister Chaoyan! Her understanding of the Buddhist Dharma improved recently, and she gained some insights. She's currently in seclusion to break through."

The Black Bear Spirit didn't dare hide anything from Su Qing, telling her everything he knew.

"So it really is Chaoyan?"

Su Qing was momentarily stunned, then smiled and murmured to herself, "I really didn't expect it. That girl always seems so lazy with her cultivation, always thinking about playing whenever she's with me, yet she's breaking through before I knew it. Her talent is truly enviable!"

The Black Bear Spirit didn't dare comment aloud, but he couldn't help but grumble silently. 'If we're talking about talent, who could possibly compare to you? You reached the Heavenly Immortal realm at only a thousand years old and gained recognition from both the Buddhist and Daoist sects. In tens of thousands of years, you're probably the only one. And you're envious of others? Others are crying from envy of you!'

Su Qing didn't know what the bear was thinking; she was just a bit disappointed to have missed her friends. "Well, since everyone is either busy or away, I won't stay to disturb them. However, I need you to pass on a message for me."

Hearing that Su Qing had a task for him, the Black Bear Spirit was momentarily dazed. He then nodded vigorously. "Please give your orders, Sovereign! I will certainly deliver the message."

He didn't dare refuse. Su Qing nodded in satisfaction and told him what she wanted to say. Fearing the bear might be unreliable, she emphasized it again, telling him to make sure he didn't forget.

"Don't worry, Sovereign! I'll deliver it, I definitely will! If I forget, may Heaven strike me with five bolts of thunder..."

In this era, oaths carried genuine weight. Since the Black Bear Spirit had sworn an oath—especially here in the South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove—he truly would be struck by lightning if he failed to deliver the message.

Su Qing gave a helpless smile and shook her head. "There's no need for such a poisonous oath. Just remember to pass it on."

The Black Bear Spirit scratched his head. What else could he do? She clearly didn't trust him! Still, he didn't dare complain and simply laughed to ease the awkwardness.

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say and asked what I wanted to know. It's time for me to go." Su Qing rubbed her chin. "Remember the message."

"I remember, I remember!"

Seeing this, Su Qing said no more. She summoned a cloud and left the Purple Bamboo Grove, heading for her next destination. She had many places to visit today. Although she could have simply sent messengers, she felt it was more sincere to personally invite her important friends and seniors.

A single day was short. Between all her running around, it was soon over. Though visiting each friend individually was a bit troublesome and time-consuming, Su Qing's Somersault Cloud was fast, and she didn't have a vast number of close friends, so she finished most of her rounds within the day.

Among the immortals, only Lady Chang'e and Yuer remained to be notified. However, it was getting late, so Su Qing decided to visit the Moon Palace the next day. She planned to spend the whole day there with Lady Chang'e as well. After all, it had been quite a while since she last visited.

When she returned to her bedchamber, the courtyard was exceptionally lively. Su Qing had already brought the little ones back, and now the place was bustling, sounding almost like a marketplace.

However, this kind of commotion was rare here. Rather than being annoyed, Su Qing wore a faint smile.

'If only these peaceful days could last forever,' Su Qing thought. She then looked up at the night sky. 'Unfortunately, that fellow behind the Thirty-Sixth Heaven won't let me live in peace...'

Su Qing shook her head and went back to sipping her tea, watching the others play.

"Sister Qing..." Bai Suzhen walked up behind Su Qing and leaned against her back, her soft weight pressing firmly against her. It was incredibly pliant.

Su Qing asked, "What is it?"

"Do you like this atmosphere, Sister?" Bai Suzhen asked with a smile.

"Yes, of course." Su Qing nodded. "Watching from the side truly brings joy to the heart."

"Then... how about I give you a few more daughters?"

"Huh?"

Bai Suzhen's words were so startling that Su Qing was momentarily stunned.

Seeing her reaction, Bai Suzhen's face turned slightly red. "No, it's nothing... I just meant that if you like it, I'll spend more time with you."

Su Qing had clearly heard what she said the first time. Seeing her try to brush it off, she smiled and reached out to pinch her cheek.

"Do as you like. If you're willing, why would I have any complaints?"

Bai Suzhen blinked, unsure if Su Qing was answering her first question or her second. She didn't feel comfortable asking, so she just smiled and kept her guesses to herself. Perhaps the answer applied to both.

Time flew by, and soon it was the next morning.

Su Qing rose early and went to the study to wait for Liu Xixi.

"Sovereign... why are you here earlier than me?" Liu Xixi was shocked to see Su Qing already there. Usually, she was the first to arrive; Su Qing being early was unprecedented.

Su Qing shrugged. "Nothing special. I just have a few things I need you to arrange."

"More tasks?" Liu Xixi wondered inwardly. However, she didn't complain and simply asked, "What do you need me to do?"

As Su Qing's assistant official, it was her duty to handle whatever Su Qing requested.

"Send people to notify these individuals. Tell them to come for a full moon banquet in a few days." Su Qing handed over a scroll.

Liu Xixi nodded, not finding the task particularly difficult. "That's simple enough; just a matter of giving orders. But Sovereign, why didn't you just tell them yourself? Why come to me?"

"Well, I'm used to giving you orders, so I just handed it to you directly."

"..." Liu Xixi was speechless. "You really are... Fine. Since you've given it to me, I'll find some time to handle it for you."

A smile appeared on Su Qing's face. "Then I'll leave it to you."

"It's no trouble," Liu Xixi said, shaking her head. "By the way, are you going out again today?"

"Yes, to the Moon Palace." Su Qing didn't hide it. "Lady Chang'e is my sister, after all. I should invite her in person. As her younger sister, I need to show a bit more sincerity."

Of course, her main goal was to drink and chat with Lady Chang'e, lest the woman corner her next time and complain endlessly until Su Qing's persona crumbled.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xixi instinctively recalled the rumors about Su Qing and Lady Chang'e. It was said that the relationship between the two was... unusual.

Thinking of this, she shook her head inwardly. 'Lady Chang'e has always been cold, even colder than the Moon Palace itself. How could she fall for someone? It must be another rumor, just like the one about the Sovereign being obsessed with women and taking every one she sees...'

Liu Xixi still didn't believe such gossip. After all, if they were true, how could she herself still be untouched? Looking at Su Qing, Liu Xixi let out a long breath and suppressed her wandering thoughts. "I see. So you're going to see Palace Mistress Chang'e..."

"Alright, I've said enough. I'm off." Su Qing was someone who didn't like to linger once her business was done. After entrusting the task, she prepared to leave.

Liu Xixi nodded reflexively and watched Su Qing depart. Once Su Qing was far away, Liu Xixi tucked the scroll away and mused, "Strange. Why do I feel a bit jealous of Palace Mistress Chang'e? Sigh, why think so much... I just hope the Sovereign returns soon. Without someone to work with, it's certainly quieter, but I'm not really in the mood to get things done."

Liu Xixi shook her head and sat down in her usual spot.

Meanwhile, Su Qing rode her cloud straight toward the Moon Palace. It wasn't far, and she arrived at the gates in moments.

As usual, she exchanged a few words with the female generals guarding the entrance before entering. The Moon Palace was as desolate as ever, with few people moving about. The lack of life and the cold air made it truly live up to its reputation as the coldest place in existence—in more ways than one.

Su Qing thought for a moment and headed toward the main hall to see if Lady Chang'e was there. However, before she could reach it, she caught a whiff of a fragrant breeze, and a warm body suddenly lunged into her arms.

Caught off guard, Su Qing was knocked backward and fell right onto her backside.

"Sister Chang'e, you're really quite heavy." Su Qing knew exactly who had jumped on her; only Lady Chang'e possessed that distinct, slightly boozy scent of Chinese roses.

Lady Chang'e, displeased by the comment, reached out with a 'dragon claw' to give Su Qing's cheek a pinch. "Who are you calling heavy? Your cultivation must have regressed if you're calling me heavy! If you had paid any attention, there's no way I could have knocked you down! What, are you trying to use this chance to do something? I..."

Su Qing quickly covered Lady Chang'e's mouth, looking helpless. "Sister Chang'e, you're as silver-tongued as ever! I say one sentence, and you fire back ten!"

Lady Chang'e laughed and stood up to straighten her skirt. She then reached out to pull Su Qing up. "Who told you to call me heavy? Don't you know a woman cares most about her weight? You're lucky it's me; if you said that to anyone else, they might have hit you!"

Su Qing remained silent. No one else could hit her anyway; only Lady Chang'e was strong enough to do so.

"Fine, fine, it was my fault. But how did you know I was here?"

"This is the Moon Palace, and I am the Palace Mistress. Isn't it normal for me to know you've arrived?" Lady Chang'e said with a smile, crossing her arms. "What? Did you think my perception couldn't even cover my own palace?"

"No... I just didn't expect you to be paying attention to palace affairs."

"Well, I'm bored, aren't I? Since Yuer came back, I've had nothing to do. I don't want to work, so I just look for things to occupy my time."

Lady Chang'e was incredibly honest, saying exactly what was on her mind, which left Su Qing at a loss for words.

"Sigh, the main problem is that I can't just leave the palace whenever I want. If I could, I would have gone to find you directly, and then I wouldn't be so bored." Lady Chang'e complained again. "I really don't know why that Moonlight Bodhisattva is so meddlesome. She's always breathing down my neck; she's even more annoying than the Star Lord."

Lady Chang'e's complaints about the Moonlight Bodhisattva made Su Qing burst into laughter. "Sister Chang'e, you really are being watched over no matter what!"

"Why do you look so happy about my misfortune?" Lady Chang'e pouted and grabbed Su Qing's arm. "Alright, enough of that! You haven't visited in so long, I've missed you to death! Come! You're going to drink with me! That Moonlight Bodhisattva is a bore and won't drink with me, and Yuer is always too busy to keep me company... I wanted to play dress-up with her, but I couldn't even do that. Fortunately, you're here, so I won't be bored anymore!"

Hearing her mention Yuer, Su Qing felt helpless. "Didn't you give all the work to Yuer yourself? That's why she doesn't have time to play with you."

"That's true..."

Except for when she was drunk and stubborn, Lady Chang'e rarely argued back. Instead, she admitted it quite cheerfully.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. Let's go drink, let's go drink!"

Before Su Qing could say anything, Lady Chang'e pulled her toward the main hall. Su Qing sighed inwardly; she hadn't even stated the reason for her visit yet! Oh well, since it was her Sister Chang'e, she would drink with her for a while before bringing it up.