Another Twenty Years

Leaving the Osmanthus Tree.

After a moment's thought, Su Qing returned to Chang'e's room.

She came here, naturally, to bid Chang'e farewell.

It was about time, and her business here was finished, so it was time to head back. She had to say goodbye; otherwise, if she left silently, Chang'e would surely nag her about it later. So, she came.

However, when she arrived at Chang'e's room...

Chang'e was still fast asleep.

She seemed to be sleeping quite comfortably...

Seeing this, Su Qing thought for a moment and decided to wake her up to say goodbye anyway.

And so, in a state of utter confusion, Chang'e was pulled out of bed by Su Qing...

"So, the reason you woke me from my beautiful dream was just to say goodbye?" After being woken up and learning Su Qing's purpose, Chang'e didn't even know where to begin complaining.

Su Qing nodded with a smile. "I'm just trying to avoid having you wake up, find me gone, and then come running to complain to me, Sister Chang'e."

"Am I really that kind of person?" Chang'e asked, rubbing her head in exasperation.

She suspected Su Qing wasn't afraid of being nagged at all; she was clearly just doing this to tease her.

Su Qing chuckled and stroked her chin. "Sister Chang'e, don't you know yourself what kind of person you are?"

"I feel like you're implying... Forget it. Since you've told me, go if you want! Once you're gone, I can get back to resting." Chang'e just wanted to rest now and didn't want to talk much with Su Qing.

Partly because she was truly tired from the wine, and partly because of the information she was hiding.

Su Qing nodded. "Alright, alright. Since you want to rest, I won't disturb you. I'll be going... But since you're resting, please actually rest. Don't think about those things anymore. I won't ask about what you're hiding, so I just hope you can move past it quickly."

Chang'e rolled her eyes and said dismissively, "Don't worry about that. My mental fortitude is countless times stronger than yours! I was just a bit stressed at the time. After that drink, I'm already feeling much better."

Although Chang'e knew Su Qing was worried, she still felt she was being a bit long-winded.

Seeing this, Su Qing shrugged and stopped talking, turning to leave the room.

After leaving Chang'e's quarters.

Su Qing left the Moon Palace and returned to her own quarters in the Northern Continent.

Su Qing was also a bit tired today and didn't want to dive straight into official business upon her return.

So, she rested for a while first...

Once she felt refreshed,

She headed to her 'post.'

In the study,

Liu Xixi and Su Tingtong were both busy.

Each was busy with their own tasks. Though they didn't coordinate much, their efficiency was excellent...

So the official documents were being processed quite quickly.

Su Qing walked into the study and couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Why did you come here to work while I was away?" Su Qing walked up behind Su Tingtong and patted her head, asking with a grin. "Thanks for your hard work. You too, Liu Xixi."

Su Tingtong curled her lip. "It's because after you left, Mother, all the paperwork fell on Sister Liu Xixi. If I didn't help, it would have piled up by the time you got back, and you'd have to work yourself to the bone. So of course I had to help! Besides, I've been helping you for so long; handling things with Sister Liu Xixi without you isn't that hard."

Su Tingtong's help wasn't out of concern for Liu Xixi's workload; she was simply worried about Su Qing.

Aside from Su Qing, there weren't many people or things she truly cared about.

Hearing the girl's words, Su Qing naturally understood what was going on.

She gave a helpless smile, rubbed the girl's head, and offered a few more words of praise.

Receiving Su Qing's praise, Su Tingtong grinned like a little fool...

Then she pulled on Su Qing. "Now that Mother is back, hurry up and help me with these documents! There are so many. Lately, matters in the mortal world have been ridiculously frequent. All sorts of documents, big and small, are being sent here... Honestly, couldn't they just handle the obviously simple things themselves?"

Su Qing laughed and patted her head again. "They've already handled them. They only send them over to report. You don't need to take them too seriously... I explained this to you a long time ago, didn't I?"

Su Tingtong nodded. "Of course I haven't forgotten. I just wanted to complain a bit. It really is quite ridiculous!"

Su Qing chuckled and didn't pay it much mind, simply nodding and sitting down to process the documents with her.

Time passed.

Soon, it was time to finish.

Su Qing took Su Tingtong home.

She wasn't a workaholic; even if there were still documents left unread, she had no intention of continuing once it was time to rest.

So, she just took her daughter home.

On the way,

Su Tingtong tugged at Su Qing's sleeve and asked with a mischievous grin, "Mother... this time up there, did you finally win over Auntie Chang'e?"

Su Qing was momentarily speechless at the question. She shook her head. "What are you thinking? I've told you, I don't have those kinds of intentions."

"Eh? So Mother failed this time? It's alright, Mother, we can try again next time!" Su Tingtong stroked her chin and nodded thoughtfully.

Su Qing: "..."

She gave up struggling.

Let the brat guess whatever she wanted.

She knew her own heart best.

Seeing Su Qing give up, Su Tingtong beamed and pulled her along faster.

Su Qing gave a helpless smile, and the two soon arrived home.

After that, life continued as usual.

Everything proceeded according to plan...

And the days slipped by.

In the blink of an eye,

Another twenty years had passed.