The Mortal World

Su Qing didn't know why Chang'e had immediately jumped to that phrase.

However, in a sense, telling her to sit at the kids' table wasn't entirely wrong.

Although that hadn't been Su Qing's original intent, now that Chang'e had brought it up, Su Qing didn't mind playing along.

"Isn't it because you're such a lightweight, Sister Chang'e?" Su Qing teased. "The immortal wine in the Heavenly Palace is one thing, but you'll get just as plastered if you drink too much of the wine from the mortal world. So, you might as well sit at the kids' table; that way, you won't have to drink at all."

Su Qing was only teasing her, but Chang'e took it somewhat to heart.

She immediately huffed in dissatisfaction. "I am not a lightweight! I simply choose to get drunk. If one doesn't get drunk while drinking, then what is the point of it? Even if one doesn't get dead drunk, reaching that state of being pleasantly buzzed is a wonderful feeling. You, oh you—you truly don't understand the joy of it at all."

Hearing this, Su Qing spread her hands. "I really don't. All I know is that you always end up dead drunk, Sister Chang'e. But if you insist on drinking, I won't stop you... as long as you don't end up in that state again. Also, one more thing: don't you dare encourage the little ones to drink."

While Su Qing enjoyed a drink herself, she neither liked getting drunk nor did she like encouraging her daughters to drink.

Even if they really wanted to try it, she would never let them get intoxicated.

Drunks were the hardest people to look after.

Chang'e was the perfect example.

Su Qing's words made Chang'e curl her lip. She waved a hand and said, "I never thought about asking them to drink; drinking by myself is enough. Though, it would be even better if you could join me."

Drinking alone wasn't nearly as fun. The whole reason Chang'e had asked Su Qing for a private meal was to drink with her.

However, Su Qing clearly had other things to attend to, so Chang'e couldn't keep pestering her.

As long as there was wine, it would have to do.

Su Qing nodded. "I'd like to, but as you know, I have to finish the business at hand first. If I'm to drink with you, it'll have to wait until tonight. I don't mind, but can you stay until then, Sister Chang'e?"

Chang'e fell silent for a moment, then shook her head with a bitter smile.

"That Moonlight Bodhisattva will definitely call me back."

With no Star Lord around, she now had Moonlight Bodhisattva to deal with. Chang'e felt her life was truly bitter.

But this was a situation of her own making.

After all, who told her to always act so recklessly? She simply refused to behave like a proper Palace Mistress of the Moon Palace.

Su Qing laughed. "In that case, I'm afraid I won't be able to drink with you today. In a few days, when I'm free, I'll visit the Moon Palace to drink with you. Don't worry, I'll bring several gourds of wine."

Hearing this, the slight dissatisfaction in Chang'e's heart vanished completely.

She nodded. "As long as you don't forget your promise, then all is well."

Su Qing gave a firm nod. "How could I forget? I've always been a person of my word."

Whether Su Qing was actually a person of her word was something Chang'e knew all too well.

Most of the time she was, but there were still those certain moments when she wasn't...

So, heaven only knew what she would actually choose to do!

Still, since Su Qing had said it, Chang'e couldn't press further.

She gave a soft snort and nodded. "Fine, fine. Go on then, busy bee! I have no idea what you could possibly have to be so busy with every day."

"Perhaps I'm different from you, Sister Chang'e. I still have to manage this place and handle things personally," Su Qing replied with a grin, before making her escape. "I'll go whip up a few dishes for you all before I leave!"

She and Chang'e shared many similarities, and if the goddess caught onto that point, it would be her own loss. So, she decided to slip away.

Su Qing could have easily ordered the servants to do it, but since she had said she would help prepare, she intended to cook herself.

Making a few dishes was no difficult task for her.

In just a short while, Su Qing had finished several dishes and brought them to the table.

At the same time, the other food prepared by the servants was also ready.

As the dishes hit the table, the most excited ones weren't Chang'e, but Yudie and the sparrows. After all, they were the biggest foodies.

"Alright, I'm off. As for the wine, I'll have someone bring it to you in a moment, Sister Chang'e."

Having finished this, Su Qing was truly ready to go.

Chang'e finally nodded in satisfaction. What they ate wasn't important; what they drank was.

After Su Qing left, she gave the necessary orders, keeping her word.

When she arrived back at the main hall, many of the immortals had already departed.

There were only a few left engaged in conversation.

It was likely they would be leaving on their own soon as well.

Su Qing found Ao Yiyi, who was currently with Jin Xin and the others.

Seeing Su Qing arrive, Ao Yiyi walked over with a smile.

"Sister Su Qing, have you finished your business?" Ao Yiyi asked.

Su Qing nodded. "I have. Come, it's time to send you all back."

Ao Yiyi nodded, while Jin Xin said with a smile, "Sister Su Qing, you promised me~".

Su Qing glanced at her. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I'll send you back tomorrow."

Jin Xin smiled with satisfaction, though it remained that rehearsed, formulaic expression. One could never tell if her smile was genuine or just a polite mask.

Su Qing didn't dwell on it. She turned to Hu Lin'er and said, "After we return, I'll need your help to fool the others with me."

Hu Lin'er nodded, indicating she would help.

In truth, even if Su Qing hadn't asked, she would have complied. She was only a maidservant, after all; if she didn't perform well, she might be sent back.

She had no desire to return to her father's side.

Being with Su Qing was much more liberating.

As for her virtue?

Setting aside the fact that Su Qing hadn't actually made a move on her in all this time—and even frequently rejected Jin Xin—Hu Lin'er wouldn't have minded even if she did.

After all, she was willing.

Su Qing didn't know what was going through Hu Lin'er's mind. Seeing her nod, she summoned the Somersault Cloud and took them toward Xingyang City.

At full speed, the Somersault Cloud reached the city in no time.

However, Su Qing didn't drop them off at the house; she let them down on a street outside.

"Alright, I'll be going now." Having delivered them, Su Qing didn't intend to stay. She planned to head back, as there were still other matters to attend to in her domain. "See you later, Sister Su Qing!" Ao Yiyi said, watching her.

"Mhm, see you later!" Su Qing nodded.

Then, she departed on her cloud.

At that same moment, in a certain residence in Xingyang City, Su Qing's clone stretched and let out a yawn.

"Time to go pick them up. Sigh, I'll have to fool that girl Su Qingyu later."

Su Qing sighed inwardly, feeling a bit troubled. Su Qingyu was getting older and harder to deceive.

After all, not everyone was like Su Ying'er and Yudie, who seemed to never grow up.

'Still, if everyone coordinates their stories, it shouldn't be too hard to trick her,' Su Qing thought as she stood up and walked to the stables, preparing to lead the horse out and take the carriage to find them.

The horse was a spirit horse. After being raised for so many years, its spiritual nature had grown stronger and stronger.

Though it was still a long way from achieving transformation, it was already as clever as a human.

Su Qing didn't plan on giving it a Transformation Pill. For one, a new person suddenly appearing in the household would look suspicious. Secondly, achieving transformation through a tribulation combined with a pill would yield better results and a higher level of attainment.

Well, there was one more major reason.

This horse was very strong; a single horse could pull the large carriage. So... for now, it would have to keep working hard.

While the horse was clever, it was also exceptionally loyal. Its only flaw was being a bit of a glutton.

Of course, its gluttony was for pills and spiritual items; it wasn't like Yudie and the others who only wanted delicious food.

Even so, the horse had grown quite plump under her care.

Fortunately, though it had put on weight, its strength hadn't diminished. In fact, it was stronger and faster than before.

"Let's go, time to pick them up," Su Qing said, patting the horse's head. "I'll reward you with two pills when we get back."

Su Qing didn't specify which pills, but the horse's motivation surged upon hearing the offer.

The horse snorted. Once Su Qing had hitched the carriage, it set off with her.

In truth, the horse didn't mind the work; it actually enjoyed going out. It was just that life at home was too comfortable to leave.

The horse pulled the carriage, carrying Su Qing forward. Soon, they found Ao Yiyi and the others in the city.

Ao Yiyi smiled when she saw Su Qing coming to meet them.

Su Qing's main body had only just left, and here was the clone.

It truly was a 'see you later'...

"How was the meal?" Su Qing asked Ao Yiyi with a smile. "Was it pleasant?"

Ao Yiyi nodded. "Yes, it was quite nice. Mostly, I discovered that my master has changed..."

"Is that so? Well, I didn't notice anything different, but you know her better than I do. If you say she's changed, then perhaps she really has! Alright, let's head back."

Su Qing beckoned to the two of them and asked, "Or would you like to wander around the city a bit more?"

Ao Yiyi shook her head. "No, there's no need for that. Sister, please just take me to Rendong... I wonder if things went smoothly for her today."

Seeing that Ao Yiyi didn't plan on going straight home, Su Qing didn't force the issue. She nodded and said, "Alright, alright. You really do care about Rendong as much as ever! Tsk tsk, looking at you, you've truly taken Rendong as your own disciple."

Hearing this, Ao Yiyi climbed into the carriage and nodded. "We all taught her together, but Yichou and I taught her the most. In our eyes, she truly is our disciple. Besides, is there anything wrong with that?"

To Ao Yiyi, Rendong was a good child.

She was quite satisfied with her.

Naturally, she was happy to teach her more and cared for her deeply.

Su Qing fell silent for a moment before saying, "This might sound like a bit of a killjoy, and it might be a bit discouraging. But I still have to remind you—we will have to leave sooner or later. And a mortal's lifespan is limited... My point is, you can teach her and treat her like your own disciple, but you'd better be mentally prepared for that."

Lifespan was an unavoidable topic when it came to immortals and mortals.

Su Qing didn't want to bring it up to worry Ao Yiyi, but thinking of her own past, she felt a lingering concern and couldn't help but offer a reminder.

Hearing this, Ao Yiyi's expression remained relaxed. She said calmly, "Actually, I'm aware of all that. But compared to me, I'm more worried about you, Sister Su Qing. Your relationship with Su Qingyu is much closer than mine with Rendong, isn't it? When the time comes to part, won't you be the one who finds it harder?"

Ao Yiyi's words caught Su Qing off guard. She hadn't expected such a response.

She was left momentarily speechless, having suffered a bit of a setback.

She wasn't upset, just a bit helpless.

After all, Ao Yiyi had hit the nail on the head.

Never mind Ao Yiyi; even she herself had become somewhat entangled in it!

She sighed, thinking of Su Qingyu with a hint of sorrow. "Yes, you're right. When the time comes to part, neither of us will find it easy."

"But when it's time to go, one must go."

"If one keeps delaying, it only becomes harder and harder to leave."

"There's no longer much need to stay here."

"Now, the only thing left is to fulfill the wishes of some believers to maintain the connection with them."

Speaking to this point, Su Qing paused.

In truth, she could have left long ago. Having fulfilled wishes here for so long, the accumulated Incense Power was more than enough for her to use an incense avatar to help people with their prayers.

The only reason she hadn't left yet was because of Su Qingyu.

Su Qing shook her head and sighed softly. "Forget it, let's not think about that for now! There's still some time before we leave... We can finish this period properly before going. But when that time comes, it will truly be time to sever the ties."

Ao Yiyi was slightly stunned. She hadn't expected such an answer from Su Qing.

However, she didn't bicker further and simply nodded.