Old Friends

Su Qingyu smiled helplessly upon hearing this, feeling that Su Qing still treated her like a child at times.

She said with a sigh, "I know, I know. Master, you really are something. I'm already in my seventies or eighties, yet you still treat me like a child."

Faced with Su Qingyu's helplessness, Su Qing merely chuckled and shook her head. "Never mind seventy or eighty; even if you were over a hundred, you would still be nothing more than a child to me."

Su Qing's words weren't just a casual remark. In her eyes, a seventy or eighty-year-old was indeed no different from a small child.

Su Qingyu gave a helpless smile at Su Qing's words, then rubbed her head. "Master truly is Master!"

With that, she fetched a cup of water and swallowed the pill in one go...

As the pill entered her stomach, there was no particular sensation...

It felt as if she hadn't eaten anything at all.

She truly didn't know what use this thing had.

However, according to Su Qing's usual habits, it was likely some kind of tonic for the body.

Thinking this, she didn't pay it much more mind.

Regardless of what it was, Su Qing would certainly never harm her.

After taking the pill, Su Qingyu looked at Su Qing and asked again, "By the way, Master, since you're already here, why not stay for a few more days?"

Although Su Qing had come back after only a few days, Su Qingyu naturally wanted to keep her for a bit longer now that she was here...

However, Su Qing had no intention of staying. She shook her head and said, "I'll pass. I only came to deliver these things because I suddenly remembered them. There are still many matters unfinished on the other side!"

Su Qing didn't plan to stay; she intended to head back right after delivering the items...

After all, if she were to stay, she would have brought everyone along with her.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingyu felt a bit reluctant but still nodded. "If that's the case, then I won't force you, Master. But next time you come, remember to stay for a few more days! After all, now that I'm missing someone here, I've become quite bored."

Li Yichou was gone.

There was one less person to chat with on a daily basis... naturally, things had become much duller.

Su Qing didn't refuse and simply nodded. "That's only natural. Next time I come, I'll definitely stay for a few days."

Her next visit would likely be several years later.

Therefore, she would naturally have to stay for a few days then.

Seeing that Su Qing had agreed, Su Qingyu smiled and nodded. "In that case, I can rest easy! So, when do you plan to leave, Master? If you won't stay for a few days, at least stay for lunch before you go!"

Although Su Qingyu had given up on keeping Su Qing for several days, she still didn't want Su Qing to head back so soon. If she left without even having lunch, it would be far too quick a departure.

At this, Su Qing nodded helplessly. "Very well, since you insist, I'll leave after lunch. But let me say this first: I don't plan on doing the cooking."

"That doesn't matter. If Master doesn't want to cook, you can just wait to eat."

Su Qingyu naturally wouldn't force Su Qing to cook. She only wanted Su Qing to stay for the meal; whether she cooked or not was the same. She wasn't keeping Su Qing just to have her make a meal.

Su Qing gave a helpless smile and nodded.

With that, the matter was settled.

Thus, Su Qing and Ao Yiyi only left Su Qingyu's place after they had finished lunch.

After leaving, Su Qing suddenly remembered something else.

So, she simply floated in mid-air, not yet leaving Xingyang City.

Su Qing turned to look at Ao Yiyi and asked, "There's still one pill left. Accompany me to see another person first! Let's see if she's still alive."

Ao Yiyi initially looked at Su Qing with a slight bit of confusion, but after a moment of silence, she suddenly remembered something. "Does Sister Su want to go see the ruler of this country? That Ye Qingyu?"

Su Qing didn't have many friends here, and most of the closer ones were people whose names Ao Yiyi knew.

Therefore, remembering who it was wasn't a difficult task...

No matter how slow Ao Yiyi might be, her memory couldn't be that poor.

Seeing that she had guessed who they were going to see, Su Qing didn't deny it and simply nodded. "Yes, I do plan to go see her."

"If I remember correctly, life-extending pills shouldn't be given to rulers or those in power, right?" Ao Yiyi asked, tilting her head as she thought about it.

Su Qing smiled and shook her head. "That's true, but based on her current age, even if she's still alive, she would have long since retired from the center of power. It's impossible for her to still be the queen."

Su Qing knew the rules regarding this matter better than anyone.

After all, one of her wives was a former queen herself.

Hearing Su Qing say this, Ao Yiyi nodded slightly, indicating she roughly understood.

"I see... then let's go to the palace and take a look." Ao Yiyi didn't refuse to follow Su Qing to check on the situation; it wouldn't take much time anyway.

Su Qing gave an affirmative hum, then rode a cloud toward the palace.

After a moment's thought, she landed in the study where Ye Qingyu used to spend her time.

Inside the study, the current queen was handling memorials, her face full of helplessness.

Beside the queen stood another woman, assisting her with official business.

That woman was dressed in luxurious, noble attire; she was clearly not a common maid.

The empress looked at the memorial in her hand, seemingly seeing some news that gave her a headache. She couldn't help but exhale a breath of turbid air and let out a sigh...

She was about to speak to the woman beside her to complain about the situation in the memorial when she looked up and saw two strangers suddenly appear in the study.

This gave the queen quite a shock...

If it weren't for her years of self-cultivation keeping her calm, she probably would have started crying for help.

"Who are you? How did you appear here?"

Although the queen was startled, the woman beside her was not.

Instead, she very respectfully gave the two of them a bow.

"Your Majesty, do not be rude. They are people whom even your mother must respect," Liu Qian said flatly. "They are messengers under the One-Leaf Bodhisattva, and the ones who helped your mother establish this kingdom."

Hearing these words, the queen was instantly stunned.

Although she knew of some past events... she had only thought of them as legends and hadn't taken them too seriously.

Who would have thought... that such extraordinary beings would actually appear today?

"Is... is that true?"

"Your Majesty, when has this official ever lied to you?"

"Didn't you often lie to me when I was a child?"

"Not anymore."

"..."

Su Qing watched the two of them bicker and gave a helpless smile, speaking up to interrupt, "Alright, none of that is a big deal... More importantly, I'm curious, where is Ye Qingyu? Is she still alive?"

At this, Liu Qian nodded and said, "She is still alive, but she doesn't have many years left."

"As long as she's alive. Just take me to see her; it's been so many years since I've seen her, I wonder if she'll still recognize me?"

"She will certainly recognize you, but after you see her, I'm afraid you might not recognize her," Liu Qian replied with a helpless smile.

Su Qing nodded, knowing the reason behind those words...

"That's true... Let's go. I've brought some gifts; let's go see her." Su Qing didn't intend to continue chatting idly with Liu Qian and prepared to handle the main business first.

Liu Qian naturally didn't dare say more and quickly nodded. "Yes, please follow me."

With that, she asked the queen, "Does Your Majesty wish to come along?"

Upon hearing this, the queen went silent for a moment before nodding quickly. " I'll go as well. I haven't visited Mother in many days."

Seeing this, Liu Qian said nothing more and simply walked beside Su Qing, leading her toward Ye Qingyu's location.

On the way, Su Qing looked at the queen on her other side and couldn't help but ask, "Is this Ye Qingyu's child? I remember she didn't intend to marry?"

Liu Qian shook her head. "Her Majesty is not her biological child, but a child she picked up..."

Su Qing nodded. "I see. It seems she truly went her whole life without a partner!"

"She only had the country and the world in her heart; she had no interest in romance, so naturally, she wouldn't marry," Liu Qian replied with a shake of her head. "Even though the officials urged her again and again, there was nothing to be done."

Su Qing nodded helplessly. In an era that valued bloodlines and family ties, it was truly remarkable that she could achieve such a thing.

"I actually wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps, but unfortunately... my mother said she wouldn't let me take that path." The queen beside them listened to their conversation and seemed to want to join in.

Clearly, this empress was not the steady type; her personality was perhaps a bit lively.

As for how she actually handled her duties, Su Qing couldn't tell.

After all, this was their first time meeting.

Su Qing nodded slightly at the queen's words. She didn't completely ignore her just because they weren't familiar; after all, no matter what, this child was the queen.

"If you want to follow your mother's path, you'll probably have to manage this country well first."

"I think I'm doing quite well..." she said. "Besides, I have Liu Qian helping me."

To the side, Liu Qian let out a helpless sigh. "I apologize for the display... she's usually fine, but in front of acquaintances, she's a bit too unrestrained."

"That doesn't matter. As long as she maintains her seriousness in front of the civil and military officials," Su Qing said with a chuckle, not offering any reprimand.

This person was the queen, after all; she had to give her some face...

Her relationship with the other party wasn't particularly close, so there was no need to act like an elder and constantly lecture her.

Hearing this, the queen looked pleased.

Liu Qian, however, still just shook her head helplessly.

Seeing this, Su Qing changed the subject. "Still, I didn't expect you to still be assisting the ruler of this country. I thought you would have left eventually!"

Su Qing's words caused Liu Qian to recall some things from the past. Finally, she shook her head with a smile and said, "I have nowhere else to go, so I might as well stay here! Besides, staying here means I still have your protection..."

Su Qing laughed and shook her head. "Your way of thinking is quite interesting... but do as you please. I was only speaking casually."

Liu Qian nodded and didn't argue with Su Qing.

The four of them walked at a moderate pace, chatting as they went.

After walking for a good while, the group finally arrived at Ye Qingyu's residence within the palace.

Ye Qingyu lived in an extremely quiet little courtyard; it was a very pleasant place...

As a residence for retirement, it was indeed excellent.

The four of them entered the courtyard.

The layout of the yard was very minimalist, yet it didn't feel simple.

In the courtyard, Ye Qingyu was currently lying on a rocking chair, comfortably soaking up the sun.

She seemed to hear footsteps.

Without even looking up, she asked, "Is it Liu Qian and the girl?"

Liu Qian replied, "Yes, it's us, but there are other guests as well."

Hearing this, Ye Qingyu finally looked up...

She then saw Su Qing and Ao Yiyi.

Seeing the two of them, she was momentarily stunned.

Clearly, she hadn't expected to see them again at her age.

For a moment, she even forgot how to speak.

"You... you've come?" Ye Qingyu asked.

Su Qing smiled and nodded. "Yes, I've come. I didn't expect that after so many years, you would have aged into this state."

At this, Ye Qingyu smiled. "You, on the other hand, haven't changed a bit. You're just as beautiful as you were decades ago..."

"How have you been all these years?" Su Qing came to her side, found a place to sit, and asked with a smile.

"How else could I be? Busy with state affairs, one day after another," Ye Qingyu said with a shake of her head. "But what about you? Where have you been all these years? You never came back."

Su Qing had returned many times, but she had never sought out Ye Qingyu...

And Ye Qingyu naturally didn't know about her returns.

It wasn't that she had forgotten Ye Qingyu; she simply hadn't intended to look for her.

For one, she didn't want to create more attachments, and for another, she didn't want to bring unnecessary influence upon her, so that she wouldn't keep thinking of Su Qing...

As for why she had suddenly decided to visit today...

The reason was simply that she wanted to bring her some benefits and compensation.

Since she had refined three pills and had one extra, it was useless for her to keep it, so she might as well use it to extend Ye Qingyu's life.

After all, she had helped her with many things over the years.

One had to know...

This country was still the one where her incense power was most abundant.