The Banquet

In the time that followed, Su Qing accompanied Chang'e for another round of drinks in the Moon Palace.

Once Chang'e was drunk again, Su Qing handed her over to Yuer.

She knew that Chang'e only liked to act like a drunken fool around her; in front of Yuer, the goddess was actually quite well-behaved.

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the next day.

Su Qing rose early to find Chang'e still sleeping in. She unceremoniously roused her from her dreams.

Awakened, Chang'e was in a complete daze.

This time she wasn't faking it; she was truly groggy.

"What are you doing so early in the morning?"

Chang'e was naturally displeased that Su Qing had woken her. After all, she rarely rose this early, and even more rarely was she disturbed by anyone.

Consequently, her face currently wore an expression of annoyance and slight anger.

However, even with such an expression, she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

Especially since she had just woken up, carrying a lingering air of confusion... it made her even more alluring.

Fortunately, Su Qing had long since developed a strong immunity to Chang'e's charms. As long as the situation wasn't utterly outrageous, she could hold her ground.

After all, Su Qing was a woman who had been seasoned by the presence of many beauties; how could her defenses be so weak?

Su Qing looked at Chang'e and said with a chuckle, "It's nothing, really. I just came to tell you that I'm preparing to leave."

Hearing that Su Qing was leaving, Chang'e froze for a moment, then asked, "Leaving so soon? Didn't you say you'd stay until the second day?"

"Technically, it is the second day! You really are sleeping your mind away!" Su Qing gave a light laugh and said, "Alright, regardless, I have to go back. My domain needs my help! I'm not like you; I actually go and help out. Besides, I can't be absent for the preparations of the Full Moon Banquet, so it really is time for me to go."

Chang'e let out a long yawn upon hearing this.

She rubbed her head.

Having been hungover all night, her brain still throbbed slightly.

After a long while, she finally nodded and said, "Fine! Since you have to go back, I won't say more... but when I come for the banquet, you must give me some special treatment!"

Hearing this, Su Qing just felt like laughing.

This woman, Chang'e—no matter the time or place, all she thought about was drinking.

There was truly no doing anything with her.

Su Qing even wondered if the Chang'e who had spoken those words to her under the starlight was the real one. Perhaps this Chang'e, whose head was filled with wine every day, was the true version.

Su Qing gave a helpless smile, nodded to her, and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely give you special treatment. You are my Sister Chang'e, after all! If I don't give it to you, who would I give it to?"

Giving Chang'e some extra perks wasn't difficult, nor was there any reason to refuse.

After all, Chang'e was the easiest person to satisfy.

One just had to prepare some good wine for her.

As for the rest, she didn't care at all.

At these words, Chang'e nodded in satisfaction and said, "As expected of my Little Qing... you're so good to me! Alright, if you're going, then go! I'm... going back to sleep."

Evidently, Chang'e hadn't had enough sleep yet.

Although for immortals, resting and sleeping were merely ways to relax and had little impact if skipped, Chang'e was clearly the type who enjoyed her slumber.

Of course, a more important reason was likely that she hadn't fully sobered up yet.

What she had consumed wasn't mortal wine, but immortal brew.

That kind of alcohol would leave even Su Qing feeling tipsy if she drank too much, let alone Chang'e, whose alcohol tolerance was laughably low.

Therefore, it was perfectly normal that she wasn't fully sober yet.

Su Qing shook her head with a light laugh and said, "Fine, fine, then I shall take my leave! Sister Chang'e, remember the date and be sure to come for the drinks."

Chang'e naturally heard Su Qing's words. She gave a slight nod and said, "Don't worry, I've told Yuer; as long as she remembers, it's fine."

"You really do leave everything to Yuer... forget it, have it your way." Su Qing shook her head. The two of them were like a willing master and a willing servant; she couldn't interfere too much.

Instead of worrying about them, she was better off tending to her own family matters.

After bidding farewell to Chang'e, Su Qing left the Moon Palace and returned to her domain in the Northern Continent.

Before long.

Su Qing was back in the bedchamber of her domain.

The bedchamber was as lively as ever.

Everyone was busy with their own tasks, and it seemed no one noticed Su Qing had returned.

Of course, that might have been because her return was quite low-key.

Su Qing glanced around the courtyard, then walked inside, intending to check on the little girl, Su Tingtong.

In the inner room.

Bai Suzhen sat beside Tingtong, looking at her in the cradle with an exceptionally gentle gaze.

It was a rare sight of a virtuous wife and mother.

Su Qing's lips curled upward as she said, "I'm back..."

Bai Suzhen was startled for a moment upon hearing Su Qing's voice, then said with a smile, "Sister, you're back? Is everything finished?"

Bai Suzhen's voice wasn't loud, just enough for Su Qing to hear clearly.

The little one was sleeping, and she didn't want to wake her.

If the little girl woke up, it would be quite a handful.

"Things are mostly settled. Next, I can focus on the domain's affairs and the Full Moon Banquet." Su Qing nodded with a smile, took her hand, and asked, "How has life been here? Specifically, how have you been getting along with Ao Ying and the others?"

Bai Suzhen's face also carried a smile, without a hint of distress. She said with a laugh, "The two sisters have been very good to me... naturally, we are getting along well."

Although Bai Suzhen didn't know much about the ways of the world, she had at least learned a bit from the Old Mother of Mount Li.

Therefore, she wasn't completely clueless.

When facing Ao Ying, she naturally knew how to respond.

Of course, the main reason was that Ao Ying had no intention of targeting her.

After all, doing such a thing would be far too petty.

So, as long as Bai Suzhen didn't do anything excessive or threaten her too much, Ao Ying could maintain a very good attitude toward her.

This was why Bai Suzhen and Ao Ying had been able to get along well during this period.

As for Leng Xiang...

She was even simpler.

Though she could be jealous at times, she was also the easiest to satisfy.

As long as Su Qing still had a place for her in her heart and was willing to use her, she was content.

Naturally, she had even less reason to oppose Bai Suzhen.

Even if she didn't particularly like her.

But as long as Bai Suzhen didn't deliberately look for trouble, she wouldn't initiate any either.

If this family were filled with envious people...

Then even a surface-level harmony would be impossible!

Moreover, this family wasn't just harmonious on the surface.

Inwardly, there were no schemes or sabotage.

Everything was based on merit.

Su Qing nodded slightly upon hearing Bai Suzhen's answer and said, "That is good."

Although Su Qing understood Leng Xiang and Ao Ying, she had still been somewhat worried.

'Perhaps I shouldn't have thought of them that way... I should find an opportunity to make it up to them.'

Su Qing thought to herself.

Even though they wouldn't necessarily know what she was thinking...

She knew it herself and felt a sense of guilt, so she naturally wanted to compensate them.

Furthermore, these two were her bedfellows.

With this thought, Su Qing made her decision.

However, she certainly wouldn't voice what was on her mind.

She simply continued to chat with Bai Suzhen for a while.

Once they were done chatting.

She went to find Leng Xiang and Ao Ying.

She intended to chat with them as well and, while she was at it, ask for their thoughts on Bai Suzhen.

Su Qing talked with Leng Xiang and Ao Ying for a good while.

She learned their thoughts from their own mouths.

Their answers were surprisingly consistent.

Both said, "As long as Bai Suzhen isn't someone who loves to stir up trouble, why would I be unable to tolerate her?"

As for their other views...

The two of them differed.

But overall, their impression of her was quite good.

Ao Ying looked at the tea leaves floating in her cup, smiled, and said:

"Though I don't know her very well, since she is one of your wives and married you on the same day we did, I believe she wouldn't be a bad person. Besides, after getting to know her, I actually think she's quite pleasant."

Leng Xiang also nodded and said, "Me too."

Leng Xiang wasn't much of a talker. Seeing that Ao Ying had said everything she was thinking, she simply went with "me too."

Su Qing glanced at Leng Xiang, then looked back at Ao Ying with a smile. "That's good! In that case, I can be completely at ease. I was originally worried you wouldn't get along!"

"You were worried for nothing," Ao Ying said, shaking her head with a smile.

"Indeed... I just felt I owed you both."

"Oh? Why?"

"For thinking you were petty."

"That's nothing... it's normal to worry."

"Still, I must compensate you both." Su Qing stroked her chin and said, "In a few days, I'll prepare a surprise for you! As for what it is, I won't tell you for now, otherwise the surprise would lose its meaning."

Hearing this, Ao Ying smiled.

Su Qing could be infuriating at times, but it had to be said that she also knew how to make people very happy.

"Alright," Ao Ying nodded, asking no further questions.

Leng Xiang was silent for a moment before saying, "Me too."

Well, it seemed today's Leng Xiang couldn't say anything other than "me too."

Su Qing thought to herself with amusement.

Time slipped away.

Soon, it was afternoon.

Su Qing didn't stay in the courtyard in the afternoon.

Instead, she walked to the study in the domain where official documents were handled.

In the study.

Liu Xixi was looking over documents... her expression was incredibly serious, and once again, she didn't even notice Su Qing's arrival.

Su Qing marveled at how hard-working she was.

She walked to her side, patted her shoulder, and said, "I'm back to help."

Liu Xixi wasn't startled by Su Qing. She simply turned her head calmly and said, "The Sovereign is back? Since you're back, help me stamp this portion of the documents!"

"Sure, that's not a problem," Su Qing nodded.

After saying that, Su Qing took the documents she handed over.

Liu Xixi continued, "By the way, I've already assigned the tasks the Sovereign gave me. The notifications should be delivered within the next few days. As for the banquet arrangements, I've also set those in motion. The kitchen will help with the preparations..."

Liu Xixi had meticulously completed every task Su Qing had given her.

And she had done them very well.

Su Qing nodded in satisfaction and said, "Well done, thank you for your hard work! I won't be going out again for the next few days; I'll stay in the domain and handle the remaining paperwork with you. With me here, you should be able to relax a bit, right?"

"Actually, whether the Sovereign is here or not doesn't make my work much easier," Liu Xixi said, shaking her head. "But I am naturally happy that the Sovereign can stay and help!"

Liu Xixi enjoyed having Su Qing by her side, especially when they handled paperwork together.

For some reason, it made her interest in work much higher.

Su Qing nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, with me here, you'll definitely have it much easier!"

Liu Xixi looked up at Su Qing, her pale pink lips looking exceptionally alluring. She let out a light cough and said, "Alright, let's get to work! Sovereign, if you keep just chatting with me, you won't be helping at all."

Su Qing scratched her head and nodded, getting to work.

For some reason...

At times, she felt like she wasn't the superior.

Liu Xixi felt more like the boss!

Honestly...

Was she gradually becoming like Chang'e?

She was being led astray by her.

Chang'e really was a bad influence!

Su Qing thought to herself, then set to work in earnest.

Time flowed on.

Soon, the day of the Full Moon Banquet arrived.

On this day.

High up in the heavens.

Old Mother of Mount Li found the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity.

"Come, let's go for some drinks!" Old Mother of Mount Li said with a chuckle.

The Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity raised an eyebrow and asked, "Drinks? What drinks?"

"The Full Moon Banquet for my disciple's daughter! Have you forgotten?"

"When did I ever say I would go?" the Great Emperor asked with a frown.

The Emperor was not one to join in on festivities, so he didn't recall ever agreeing to go drinking with her.

Old Mother of Mount Li chuckled and shook her head. "You indeed never agreed, but I wanted to invite you to join the fun."

"Not interested..." The Emperor shook his head, looking up at the Jianmu Tree. "I'd better keep an eye on this fellow. Although the situation with the Jianmu Tree has gradually stabilized, I can't feel at ease if I don't watch it for a day."

"You've been putting too much pressure on yourself lately. It's better to go out and relax! There's still so much time before the Great Tribulation. As one of our top combatants, you cannot afford to collapse!"

Old Mother of Mount Li said helplessly:

"Proper rest is for the sake of better work. Don't you understand this principle?"

"As for the Jianmu Tree..."

"There are plenty of people watching it!"

"Nothing major will happen if you don't watch it for one day."

Hearing this, the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity rubbed his temples and said:

"Perhaps you are right. By the way, what is your disciple's daughter's name? I recall it seemed to be the same as the woman I encountered in the Thirty-Sixth Heaven?"