The Old Mother of Mount Li saw her old friend staring at her granddaughter without blinking.
She immediately pulled Su Tingtong away and said, "I'm warning you! Don't you dare get any ideas about my granddaughter."
The Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity rolled his eyes and replied, "I have no interest in taking a disciple!"
The Emperor was somewhat speechless; just now, the Old Mother of Mount Li looked exactly like a young girl afraid of someone stealing her toy.
It was truly hard to imagine the Old Mother of Mount Li in his memory making such a gesture.
However, despite the surprise, the Emperor could see that the Old Mother truly loved this child... and was very satisfied with her.
'What a pity. No matter how great the talent, it doesn't mean much in today's world,' the Emperor sighed inwardly, thinking, 'Still, as Su Qing's daughter, she should have no problem surviving the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth, right?'
"Then I'll leave you seniors to enjoy yourselves here for a while. I have to go back to the Main Hall to keep watch, so please forgive me for not staying," Su Qing said. Although she also wanted to stay and play, she indeed had other matters to attend to.
Thus, she could only apologize to the seniors and take her leave.
Hearing this, the Old Mother of Mount Li glanced at Su Qing and said, "Go on, go on! It's the same whether you're here or not! I'm going to play with my dear granddaughter for a while~".
Su Qing smiled and didn't say much more...
She really wanted to point out that, strictly speaking, the Old Mother should be Su Tingtong's maternal grandmother.
But she didn't bother to mention it. Since both she and Bai Suzhen were women, the seniority and relationships were already muddled.
Calling her whatever felt right was the same anyway.
Su Qing left the bedchamber and returned to the Main Hall.
More guests had arrived in the hall.
Su Qing greeted them with a smile. After a short while, her clone finally arrived with Ao Yiyi and the others.
"Long time no see, Sister Yiyi~", Su Qing walked up to Ao Yiyi and greeted her with a beaming smile.
Ao Yiyi curled her lip and said, "Sister Qing, haven't you been by our side the whole time?"
"Hahaha, in a sense, yes. But a clone is just a clone after all; the real me hasn't seen you in a long time," Su Qing argued playfully.
Ao Yiyi was speechless, but she didn't care too much.
"Of course, the same goes for the rest of you." Su Qing looked at Hu Lin'er and Jin Xin, saying with a smile, "Jin Xin, you're not allowed to be cracking dirty jokes today. If you do, I can't guarantee I won't hit you!"
Upon hearing this, Jin Xin maintained her calm and composed demeanor, nodding slightly. "I understand. I won't make those jokes! But... can I stay tonight?"
"You can, but I won't help you with what you're thinking!" Su Qing saw right through Jin Xin's intentions.
Having her thoughts exposed, Jin Xin wasn't embarrassed. She just touched her cheek and said with a slight air of grievance, "I don't have any hidden thoughts. I just want to stay for a day to meet the other sisters."
Su Qing rolled her eyes inwardly...
She knew Jin Xin; her motives were as clear as day.
She could fool others, but she couldn't fool Su Qing.
However, in front of everyone, Su Qing didn't want to expose her repeatedly. She just twitched an eyebrow and said, "I'll take your word for it then."
Jin Xin forced a fake smile and said, "Of course it's the truth."
Even now, Jin Xin didn't quite understand human emotions...
So she was still mimicking others, acting like a parrot.
Su Qing didn't want to say more; as long as she could maintain a sense of propriety, it was fine.
If she couldn't, Su Qing would help her find it.
"Alright, alright, please take your seats! There's still a long time before the meal starts!" Su Qing said, not wanting to dwell on it.
Seeing this, the others said nothing more, nodding and finding places to sit.
Time passed slowly.
Guests arrived one by one.
Quite a few guests from the Heavenly Court arrived.
However, many deities were still unable to make it.
The Heavenly Court was busy, and Su Qing knew this well.
Therefore, it was no surprise that they couldn't all attend.
After all, many had stated in their RSVPs that they might not be able to come.
Moreover, Su Qing didn't think she had so much face that everyone would drop what they were doing to attend her child's Full Moon Banquet.
As long as her most important friends were there, it was enough.
As for the others, they were mainly there to add to the atmosphere.
More people meant a livelier and more interesting event.
Su Qing was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a cow's lowing.
She looked up and saw Taishang Laojun riding the Green Ox, slowly descending into the hall.
Seeing this, Su Qing walked up and said, "Laojun, you've finally arrived! But I'm quite surprised that Senior Green Ox came as well."
Taishang Laojun stroked his beard and said with a chuckle, "I was definitely coming, but I had to handle some business on the way, which delayed me. Otherwise, I would have been even earlier! As for this ox of mine—hey, since I'm here, I couldn't leave him behind."
The old ox mooed twice, then transformed into human form, scratched his head, and said, "I was dragged here!"
"Hey, you ugly ox!" Laojun scolded with a laugh. "Ah, what a pity. I originally planned to drag your master over too, but I couldn't catch him."
Laojun had naturally tried to invite Patriarch Bodhi, but Patriarch Bodhi's whereabouts were unknown, so he couldn't be brought along.
Of course, the fact that Patriarch Bodhi had vanished could not be told to Su Qing.
If Su Qing knew, she would surely be worried sick.
After all, that was her master.
So this matter had to be kept secret.
Keeping it secret was best for everyone.
Upon hearing Taishang Laojun's words, Su Qing shook her head and said, "Thank you for the thought, senior. But Master has always been like that. If he says he won't see us disciples, he truly won't. I understand."
Laojun felt a bit of heartache seeing this...
What a good disciple!
Why didn't that Bodhi fellow know how to cherish her more?
Sigh, what a pity he let Bodhi take this advantage back then.
If he had known, he would have kept her as his own disciple!
"Hah, it's fine. That old fellow has always been a man of tough words but a soft heart. His refusal to see you this time is likely because he truly has things to attend to! Otherwise, even I wouldn't have failed to catch him," Taishang Laojun said with a laugh.
Su Qing nodded and said, "Don't worry, senior, I understand."
Laojun sighed inwardly, then said, "Ahem, aren't you going to invite us to sit?"
"Laojun, what are you saying? Even if I didn't say anything, wouldn't you find a seat yourself?" Su Qing exhaled and said with a smile.
Laojun curled his lip and acted like a rogue. "I don't care about that. If you don't point out a seat that satisfies me, I won't agree!"
Su Qing gave a helpless smile and found an excellent seat for Laojun.
Only then did Laojun nod in satisfaction, sitting down and pulling Su Qing into small talk.
However...
They had only been chatting for a short while when the sounds of zithers and harps drifted from outside the hall, accompanied by wafts of fragrance that left the gathered immortals in a daze.
Sensing this familiar scent, Su Qing knew who had arrived.
She looked up and saw Palace Mistress Chang'e leading Yuer slowly down from a carriage...
At this moment, Palace Mistress Chang'e's expression was cold. She was like a cold pool in the coldest part of the world, devoid of any emotion.
Yet even so, her face was still impossible to look away from... leaving the surrounding immortals staring in awe.
Unfortunately, Palace Mistress Chang'e was very cold, treating everyone with an icy demeanor that kept them at a distance.
People only dared to admire this beauty from afar, not daring to harbor any improper thoughts.
Only a few people who knew Chang'e's true nature were currently struggling with all their might to hold back their laughter.
However, no matter how hard it was, they had to hold it in. If they failed, it would be a disaster.
Chang'e walked slowly to Su Qing. Her expression shifted only slightly upon seeing Su Qing's face.
"You invited me, so I came," she said tonelessly. "Where is your daughter? Take me to see her!"
Looking at this icy version of Chang'e, Su Qing felt a sense of novelty...
Indeed, this look was also quite wonderful.
But for now, they had to play their parts well.
As professional actors, Su Qing couldn't let the play fall apart.
Su Qing nodded slightly and said, "Sister Chang'e, please follow me."
Hearing this, Chang'e nodded gently and followed Su Qing out of the hall with Yuer.
Once they left the hall, Chang'e breathed a small sigh of relief.
However, she still didn't show her true, everyday self.
She kept her face stiff, maintaining her high-and-mighty persona.
Yuer was the same, wearing a cold expression as if mimicking Chang'e.
Since they hadn't reached Su Qing's bedchamber yet, the two naturally had to continue the act.
They didn't want outsiders to find out.
Fortunately, it wasn't far.
In a few moments, they arrived at the bedchamber.
There weren't many people in the bedchamber.
Only Su Qing's child, her wife, and the two seniors.
Unfortunately, because of one of the two seniors, Chang'e still had to maintain her persona.
This made Chang'e feel exceptionally uncomfortable...
Because the reason she wanted to see the child was simply to relax in a place with only close friends and then ask Su Qing for some wine to drink.
Who would have thought...
There were other seniors here?
But there was nothing she could do. Who told her to have such a public persona?
However... Chang'e was a bit speechless. Why hadn't Su Qing notified her in advance?
She gave Su Qing a slightly dissatisfied look.
The expression was very faint, but Su Qing still read the meaning Chang'e was conveying.
Seeing this, Su Qing felt a bit sorry for Chang'e, but she couldn't exactly kick anyone out. After all, this was the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity!
Even if she had a mountain of courage, she wouldn't dare drive him away!
So, she could only return a faint look of apology.
Chang'e felt helpless, but she had no choice but to keep acting...
However, because of Chang'e's cold expression, the temperature of the atmosphere here dropped significantly.
Fortunately, the Old Mother knew Chang'e's nature and didn't care about her cold face, continuing to tease the child.
At the same time, she waved to Chang'e and said, "Come over and see, isn't this child adorable?"
Well, no matter the time, a grandmother always wants to show off her granddaughter.
Seeing this, Chang'e nodded helplessly and walked over.
She looked at today's little protagonist.
It had to be said that the little one was indeed adorable, as exquisite as carved jade.
Unfortunately, no matter how cute she was, Chang'e felt she wasn't as cute as her fine wine.
She still wanted to drink.
Su Qing scratched her chin, feeling she shouldn't stay here.
She simply found an excuse to leave.
She left the situation for the Old Mother of Mount Li to handle.
In any case, the Old Mother was much more capable than she was; she would surely handle everything perfectly.
Su Qing left, and the Old Mother didn't say anything about it.
She just presided over the scene.
After a short while, she managed to shoo away the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity.
She told him to go wait in the hall first.
Although the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity was speechless, he indeed felt that staying here was somewhat inappropriate and uncomfortable.
So he followed the Old Mother's suggestion and went to the hall.
Once the Emperor left, Chang'e was finally able to shed her disguise.
She relaxed.
In the hall, Su Qing saw the Emperor arrive.
She wasn't surprised, knowing this was the Old Mother's doing.
She just went up to chat for a few moments before continuing to see other guests.
However, after a short while, a series of extraordinary fragrances suddenly wafted through the air.
Sanskrit chants echoed throughout the hall.
Everyone naturally knew what this strange occurrence meant.
Aside from the arrival of the Buddhists, there was likely no other possibility.
Sure enough, turning to look, they saw a group of Buddhists slowly descending on clouds.
Among them were many formidable seniors.
It could be said that aside from the Buddha himself, most of the Bodhisattvas had come.
Guanyin, Maitreya, Medicine Master, and others had all arrived.
Even the Victorious Fighting Buddha was there.
The gathered immortals couldn't help but look at Su Qing in surprise...
They knew Su Qing had an excellent relationship with the Buddhist faction, but they never expected it to be this good.
A single Full Moon Banquet had actually drawn so many Bodhisattvas.
Su Qing was also slightly surprised to see these Bodhisattvas...
Although Su Qing had sent invitations to everyone as a matter of etiquette, she hadn't expected many Bodhisattvas to actually show up.
After all, she didn't have many close relationships on the Buddhist side.
Most were just slight acquaintances through the Buddha.
So she hadn't expected many people.
She had even thought that aside from Guanyin and her goddaughter, no other Buddhists would come.
However, the result was clearly unexpected...
What Su Qing couldn't figure out was why that stinky monkey was also in the Buddhist delegation.
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