A Miscalculation

The Northern Continent.

The guests in the Daoist field had mostly departed.

Only the likes of Li Shan Lao Mu and Taishang Laojun remained, though they were also preparing to leave.

Before departing, Li Shan Lao Mu spoke to Su Qing. "By the way, it seems Zhen Wu will be delayed for a few more years. You may have to continue serving as the guardian here for a while longer."

Su Qing was momentarily stunned by the news, but she eventually nodded. "That is no problem. Serving as the guardian here has brought me many insights and gains."

Though she had been reluctant to take the job initially, she had grown accustomed to it over the years and had indeed reaped several benefits.

Seeing her lack of objection, Li Shan Lao Mu nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Since you have no issues, I will pass the word to Zhen Wu. Furthermore, remember to treat Bai Suzhen well. Do not let her suffer any grievances."

While both were individuals the Old Mother held in high regard, her own disciple naturally held a higher place in her heart than Su Qing.

Consequently, she did not want her disciple to be mistreated here.

Even though things were fine for now, a reminder or two never hurt.

Su Qing could only nod in response. "Rest assured, how could I possibly let her suffer? I would not let anyone under my roof be mistreated."

Upon hearing Su Qing's answer, Li Shan Lao Mu finally nodded. "It is best that it remains so. Well then, I shall take my leave. Laojun, if you have anything else to say, say it now. I have nothing left to attend to here."

Li Shan Lao Mu was quite busy herself; now that the event was over, she naturally had to return to her own affairs.

As she turned to leave, Taishang Laojun let out a helpless smile.

"She has always been that way. I imagine you are used to it by now," Laojun said cheerfully.

Su Qing nodded. "I understand the Old Mother's concern for Bai Suzhen, so I do not mind. But Senior Laojun, do you truly have something important to discuss?"

Laojun shook his head. "It is not exactly important, just a small matter."

"A small matter?" Su Qing was puzzled. "What would qualify as a small matter to you, Senior?"

"I simply want you to keep an eye on the situation in the mortal world."

"The mortal world?" Su Qing tilted her head.

"Yes. Although I have many temples in the mortal realm, I am not physically there. You know my situation; I may look idle, but I am actually busier than you think. It is just that I have many incarnations, so there are always one or two who seem to have nothing to do. In truth, I do not have the energy to pay attention to everything."

Laojun continued, "I could leave mortal affairs to others, but I find I trust you more."

"Wait, wait. I just want to know exactly what you want me to watch for," Su Qing said. She wasn't going to refuse, but she wanted clarity.

Laojun stroked his beard. "Anything regarding anomalies or mutations in the human world—you can report them to me. Also, take this mirror. It is a miniature version of the mirror you used to speak with me from Tushita Palace. Here is the accompanying incantation; it functions exactly like the larger one."

As he spoke, Laojun pulled out a small, exquisite copper mirror and handed it to her.

Su Qing took the mirror and immediately tested it with the incantation.

A moment later, she saw Laojun pull an identical copper mirror from his sleeve.

Within her own mirror, Laojun's current image appeared.

Su Qing's lip twitched slightly. Why did this feel so strangely familiar?

Su Qing stopped the flow of magic and looked up at Laojun. "Does this thing have a function to call a specific person? For example, if I enter a password, can I call someone specific?"

Su Qing didn't quite know how to explain the concept, so she kept her description vague.

However, with Laojun's intellect, understanding such things was hardly a challenge.

Laojun stroked his beard and shook his head. "At the moment, it can only communicate with its paired artifact. But your suggestion is a good one; I may consider adding that feature later! It certainly is not possible right now, though."

Su Qing wasn't surprised by his answer. She simply nodded and said, "Fair enough. But I am curious about one thing—could you teach me the refining method for these?"

"Why wouldn't I teach you?" Seeing her interest, Laojun immediately agreed. "If you want to learn, I will certainly teach you. But you weren't interested before; why the sudden change of heart?"

"The previous one was too large and inconvenient. This one is small and exquisite, much easier to use, so naturally, I am interested," Su Qing answered honestly.

"I see, I see... However, while this item is useful, it is not particularly easy to refine. You should be mentally prepared for that."

Though Laojun didn't refuse to teach her, he gave her a fair warning.

Su Qing nodded. "Don't worry, I never expected these things to be easy to make! By the way, once I learn it, may I teach it to others?"

"As you wish. Once you learn it, it is yours. You can teach whoever you like. I would be more than happy if you taught more people! It would be one more of my legacies circulating in the world," Laojun said with a wave of his hand, completely unbothered. He even seemed quite pleased.

Su Qing smiled and nodded.

She knew Laojun had this kind of personality; he was someone who was willing to teach anything to anyone.

"Very well, Laojun. I accept the task you have entrusted to me!"

Laojun chuckled, then recited a formula, teaching Su Qing the method for refining the copper mirrors.

As for whether she could actually learn it, he didn't know.

He couldn't stay here to tutor her until she mastered it.

"If you cannot learn it or if there is something you do not understand, you can find me at the Heavenly Palace or at my Daoist field. My incarnation is always at the field, but I am not always at the Heavenly Palace."

Laojun spoke these final words before departing.

Su Qing nodded. "Understood. If I run into something I don't understand, I will come looking for you."

Laojun nodded, performed a hand seal, and departed on a cloud.

After Laojun left, Su Qing looked over the refining manual.

She discovered...

Well, she really couldn't understand much of it.

But that didn't matter.

If she really couldn't refine it herself, she could always ask Lin Jiu for help.

After all, Lin Jiu was like a versatile brick—ready to be moved wherever she was needed!

Besides, she happened to be very skilled in the art of artifact forging.

With Laojun gone, there were no more guests left at the Daoist field.

Su Qing found Liu Xixi and told her to have the servants clear the area.

Then, she returned to her bedchamber.

The mess in the chamber had already been cleared.

Chang'e had already left.

That wasn't surprising.

The only thing that did surprise her was that Red Boy had actually been drinking. Her tolerance was even worse than Chang'e's, and she was currently fast asleep in her own room.

"Why did she drink?" Su Qing asked.

Yuanyuan gave a brief explanation of what had happened, and Su Qing immediately understood.

As it turned out...

She had been provoked by a provocation so simple it was clumsy.

Then again, given Red Boy's personality, it wasn't strange at all that she had fallen for it.

It would have been stranger if she hadn't!

Su Qing shook her head helplessly. "I'll go check on her. Oh, right—remember not to take what Jin Xin says too seriously. If you do, you'll be the ones who lose out."

After speaking, Su Qing turned to find Red Boy.

Jin Xin stood not far behind Su Qing, her face still wearing its usual smile, seemingly unbothered by Su Qing's words.

Instead, Jin Xin smilingly greeted the children. "You can just call me Jin Xin... I am, emmm, Su Qing's lover."

Su Qing, who hadn't walked far, nearly spat out a mouthful of blood when she heard that.

Fortunately, Yuanyuan didn't believe her. "You're lying... If you were Mother's lover, you wouldn't say it out loud."

Jin Xin remained smiling. "Indeed, I was lying. Actually, I am her employee. I'm responsible for solving certain troubles for her. Troubles of all kinds."

Su Qing was relieved to see that Yuanyuan hadn't fallen for it, but she soon realized she had relaxed too early.

This woman was not a reliable person at all.

She hurried back and dragged Jin Xin away.

Watching Jin Xin being smilingly pulled away, the children were left in a daze, thinking that this sister was indeed a strange but beautiful lady.

Chao Yan looked at Jin Xin, stroked her chin, and said, "Actually... in a sense, she could be considered a Buddhist cultivator! The magic flowing through her carries a hint of Zen. She must have been raised and trained within the Buddhist gates."

This revelation left everyone even more confused.

Only Bai Suzhen, standing inside the doorway, had a slight flicker in her eyes as she pondered something.

Perhaps she believed Jin Xin's words, or perhaps it was something else.

After dragging Jin Xin away, Su Qing gave her a brief lecture and a few warnings before letting her go.

She couldn't actually do anything to her; after being together for so long, there was some level of affection. Of course, if she kept acting this way, Su Qing wouldn't mind tossing her back to Xingyang City this very day.

After letting Jin Xin go, Su Qing went into the room to check on Red Boy.

Red Boy had clearly had quite a lot; Su Qing could smell the faint scent of wine as she approached.

Su Qing felt helpless, but she didn't wake her. She simply made a mental note to teach Chang'e a lesson next time.

Seeing that she was asleep and seemingly fine, Su Qing covered her with a blanket and left.

Returning to the courtyard, Su Qing saw that Jin Xin had returned to the children.

Bai Suzhen was standing behind them, watching quietly, her thoughts unknown.

Su Qing walked up, but before she could speak, she heard Bai Suzhen smile and shake her head, sending a Sound Transmission. 'I know nothing happened between you and her. She is completely inexperienced.'

Su Qing was stunned. While she felt relieved, she was also curious as to why Bai Suzhen would say that and how she could tell.

She sent a Sound Transmission back to ask.

The reply she got was: 'I don't know, but I can just tell. Perhaps it is because she is so easy to read in every aspect?'

Su Qing was thoroughly baffled by Bai Suzhen's answer.

However, she didn't bother pressing further. As long as the outcome wasn't bad, it was fine.

As long as the misunderstanding was resolved, it was a good thing.

Though the misunderstanding was resolved, Su Qing still gave Bai Suzhen a brief explanation of Jin Xin's background.

Upon learning the truth, Bai Suzhen nodded slightly but said nothing more.

She simply stood there watching Jin Xin play with Yuanyuan and the others.

As for Chao Yan, she didn't join the group but stood aside like Bai Suzhen, watching.

When she saw Su Qing arrive, she smiled and asked, "Godmother, how is Red Boy?"

"She's asleep. She probably drank quite a bit," Su Qing said with a shrug. "Anyway, remember: if you can't drink, don't. Fortunately, she's here with me; if it were anywhere else, something might have gone wrong."

Chao Yan nodded. "My master never lets me drink."

"That is good!" Su Qing nodded.

She then added, "Keep an eye on Jin Xin. Nothing good ever comes out of that woman's mouth."

Su Qing had been tormented by Jin Xin enough to know how exasperating her words could be.

She wasn't annoying in the way Chen Nianxin was; she simply enjoyed making suggestive comments.

Chao Yan nodded, promising to complete the mission.

Su Qing gave a slight nod, then went inside to check on Su Tingtong.

Seeing the little one sleeping soundly, she went off to work.

She had already left too much to Liu Xixi; she really needed to help share the burden of the official duties.

Of course, before leaving, Su Qing asked Bai Suzhen to help explain Jin Xin's situation to Ao Ying and the others as well.

Still, Su Qing couldn't help but feel a bit of regret for agreeing to let her stay.

In the study, Liu Xixi saw Su Qing let out another sigh and pushed a cup of tea toward her.

"I do not know what is troubling you, Sovereign, but perhaps you could tell me? I might be able to help ease your worries," Liu Xixi said. As an assistant official, she had much to do.

Su Qing shook her head. "It is nothing. You are busy enough as it is; there is no need to add unnecessary worries to your plate. Besides, it is just a small matter. It will be resolved by tomorrow."

Liu Xixi nodded and didn't press further.

At that moment, it wasn't just Su Qing who was troubled.

Jin Xin also let out a helpless sigh as she looked at the setting sun in the west, thinking to herself, 'I miscalculated. With so many people around, how am I supposed to pull off a night raid?'