Su Qing couldn't possibly agree to anything with Chang'e here...
Furthermore, she had no intention of discussing those things with her.
That was why she left so quickly.
She knew that once certain topics began, they would become incredibly overwhelming.
Naturally, she had to slip away fast.
After parting ways with Chang'e, Su Qing rode her Somersault Cloud straight toward her Daoist Academy.
The speed of the Somersault Cloud went without saying.
In just a short while, she had returned to her Daoist Academy in the Northern Continent.
Upon returning, Su Qing did not head straight to the study to begin new work.
She wasn't a particularly hardworking person...
She wasn't about to throw herself into work the moment she got back.
She returned to her private chambers, found Su Tingtong, and chatted with her for a bit.
They made a pact that when they had time, they would go to that hot spring together...
Of course, they would have to bring Bai Suzhen along as well.
After all, if Bai Suzhen was missing, it would feel like something was lacking.
As for the others...
They would go in shifts, perhaps?
The main goal was fairness! Keeping the bowl level.
There was no helping it; who told Su Qing to be such a flirt? With so many wives, she naturally had to find ways to treat everyone equally.
Otherwise...
Su Qing would be the one suffering.
After chatting with Su Tingtong for a while, Su Qing went to have a brief, intimate moment with Bai Suzhen...
Although Bai Suzhen still stayed at the Daoist Academy, she was quite busy. Aside from the occasional intimate night, they rarely had time together during the day.
Therefore, when it was time to visit, she still had to go...
Of course.
Since it was broad daylight, the two of them didn't do anything shameful.
After all, if someone overheard them, even Su Qing would feel a bit embarrassed...
Yes, for the most part, Su Qing still cared about her reputation.
After staying in the palace for a while, Su Qing felt sufficiently rested.
So, she headed toward the study.
As for Su Tingtong, seeing that Su Qing was going to work, she naturally followed her to the study as well.
Although Su Tingtong liked to slack off when Su Qing wasn't around, now that Su Qing was back and heading to work, she naturally went to help just as before.
The little girl's thoughts were actually quite simple...
She didn't care much about how Liu Xixi was doing, but she was quite concerned about whether her mother was overworking herself...
However, if there was a particularly heavy workload during a certain period, Su Tingtong would go and help Liu Xixi even when Su Qing wasn't there.
Of course, this still wasn't out of pity for Liu Xixi's hard work...
It was purely because she felt that if Liu Xixi couldn't finish it, her mother would end up having to work hard alongside her in the end.
Therefore, she helped.
To put it plainly...
She only felt bad for Su Qing and happened to feel bad for Liu Xixi by extension.
Su Tingtong was just such a straightforward girl.
They arrived at the study.
Inside, Liu Xixi was still processing official documents...
Although the current volume wasn't more than before—it could even be called quite light—it still required a significant amount of time when Liu Xixi handled it alone. It just wasn't as exhausting as it used to be.
Liu Xixi wasn't working with absolute focus, so she noticed immediately when Su Qing arrived.
She turned to look at Su Qing, smiled slightly, and said, "Has the Sovereign returned? Did you have a good time?"
She knew Su Qing had gone out to play the day before...
However, she felt no resentment toward this. In her view, it was good for Su Qing to take a proper rest every once in a while.
After all, the burden on Su Qing's shoulders was very heavy...
If Liu Xixi herself collapsed, there were others who could fill in.
But Su Qing was the supreme commander of this Northern Continent Daoist Academy.
If she collapsed, the problems would be immense.
Therefore, no matter what, she hoped Su Qing could have an easier time...
Of course.
Su Qing didn't see it that way...
After all, if Liu Xixi collapsed, Su Qing would be the one in real trouble.
Returning to the topic at hand.
Seeing Liu Xixi asking her, Su Qing couldn't help but nod with a smile and say, "Yes, it was actually quite good! Although there was a small hiccup, overall, it was very nice."
Su Qing's response was, of course, truthful...
Naturally, she couldn't say what kind of hiccup it actually was.
If she said it, that would be when real trouble started.
Hearing this, Liu Xixi revealed a smile and said, "I see. It's good as long as the Sovereign had fun!"
"I certainly had my fun, but you're still busy here! How about this? Since I'm back and my daughter is here too, the two of us will cover for you for a day. You should go and get some good rest. What do you think?" Su Qing reached out and patted Liu Xixi's shoulder, leaning close to her cheek as she spoke with a beaming smile.
The breath from Su Qing's words blew gently across her ear, making her feel itchy and uncomfortable... Her earlobe inadvertently turned a shade of red.
She shook her head and said, "Sovereign, you're leaning too close! Besides, there's no need for rest... I get plenty of rest every day! Moreover, the Sovereign has only just returned. If I let the Sovereign toil immediately, it would be my failing as an assistant official."
Perhaps because of the previous influence, Liu Xixi's logic was a bit muddled.
Fortunately, Su Qing had spent enough time with her to understand what the girl was trying to express.
She gave a helpless smile and said, "You~ Fine, have it your way. Since I'm back, I'll be helping with the documents regardless! As for resting, we can talk about it later!"
Su Qing didn't force the girl...
Sometimes, saying too much was pointless.
Of course.
If possible, she didn't mind teasing Liu Xixi a bit more...
After all, this child's reactions were very similar to Yuer's, yet she was better at hiding them... Therefore, it was quite amusing.
The only thing to worry about was whether the girl would be teased to the point of losing her cool.
Yes.
Just like Yuer...
Su Qing froze slightly as she thought of this...
Her thoughts just now were truly a bit dangerous.
Was it because she had broken through that barrier with Chang'e that she was suddenly being influenced by her?
Yes, it must be!
How could a pure and noble person like herself come back and immediately think about flirting with Liu Xixi for fun?
That would be completely out of character!
Ah, wait. If others were looking, wouldn't flirting with Liu Xixi be exactly in character for her?
Su Qing's mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, jumping through all sorts of nonsense...
These thoughts were but a flash; though she thought much, only two breaths of time had passed.
Su Qing quickly snapped out of it.
She immediately reined in her mind, assuming her usual relaxed state, and said with a beaming smile, "Alright, alright. In that case, let's start working now! Once the work is finished, we'll talk about other things!"
Seeing Su Qing suddenly ready to work, Liu Xixi was momentarily dazed...
She didn't know why Su Qing had suddenly become so serious.
However, she didn't say much. After all, work was something that needed to be done properly.
She simply nodded with a smile and began working seriously alongside Su Qing.
And Su Tingtong, though she didn't speak, was also quite serious once the work formally began.
Soon.
Time passed just like that.
Under the joint efforts of the three of them, the official documents were quickly processed.
Perhaps because there weren't many documents lately, the sun hadn't even set by the time they finished.
Looking at the still-pleasant sunlight outside the window, Su Qing couldn't help but sigh. "This is truly rare! It's been a long time since we've finished work this early!"
Hearing this, Liu Xixi turned to look at Su Qing and said with a smile, "Indeed! It's all thanks to the Sovereign, and... little sister Su Tingtong!"
At those words, Su Qing shook her head with a smile. "It's also due to your own hard work. Alright, since the documents are finished, let's all head back together! Hmm, I've got it. You probably haven't eaten yet, right? How about coming to my place for a barbecue? I'll cook it myself! It just so happens I haven't eaten that kind of thing in a long time."
Since they finished early and she had nothing else to do, Su Qing simply invited Liu Xixi to her home for a meal...
Hearing this, Liu Xixi was momentarily stunned. She looked at Su Qing, remained silent for a moment, then shook her head with a smile. "I think I'll pass! I won't trouble the Sovereign. I'll just go back and make something for myself. Besides, my mother is at home... with her there, she can help me cook!"
This answer naturally didn't satisfy Su Qing. She grabbed Liu Xixi's hand and said, "This is an invitation from me as your superior. How can you refuse? Or do you think my cooking is bad, and that's why you don't want to go?"
"No, no, no, of course not! I know the Sovereign's cooking is excellent! It's just... I don't want to trouble the Sovereign," Liu Xixi quickly shook her head and replied.
Su Qing smiled and pulled her toward the door, while also waving to Su Tingtong. "It's no trouble at all! I'm the one who wants to eat barbecue; inviting you is just a side thought."
Su Tingtong looked at Su Qing, then at Liu Xixi, and said helplessly, "Sister Xixi, just come along! If you don't go, Mother will be very angry. After all, she's a very petty person!"
Although Su Tingtong didn't like Liu Xixi—or rather, didn't care much for her—since Su Qing had invited her, she naturally helped Su Qing by saying a few words...
Of course, while helping, she didn't mind roasting her own mother a bit.
After all, she didn't really want to help.
She only did it because she didn't want Su Qing to be unhappy.
Seeing that Su Tingtong had also spoken up, Liu Xixi thought for a moment before nodding helplessly. "Then... I shall trouble the Sovereign! Next time, I will treat the Sovereign to a meal!"
Su Qing was amused by Liu Xixi's words. This girl... did she really have to keep everything so strictly balanced?
She shook her head and said, "I truly can't do anything with you. Fine, then you can treat me to something good next time! By the way, it has to be truly delicious~"
Su Qing said this intentionally, mainly to put the girl at ease.
Hearing this, Liu Xixi quickly nodded and said, "Mhm! I will certainly make sure the Sovereign is satisfied!"
With that, Su Qing set off, pulling Liu Xixi along.
At the same time, she also quietly pinched Su Tingtong beside her...
She sent a Sound Transmission: 'You little brat, you didn't forget to roast your own mother while helping, did you? I'll remember this. Next time, I'll roast you right back!'
Hearing her mother's words, Su Tingtong gave Su Qing a surprised look, then replied via Sound Transmission: "Mother, are you still a child?"
Su Qing was speechless. Just who was the one acting like a child here?
Helpless, Su Qing didn't bother roasting her further and simply reached out to mess up the girl's hair.
Su Qing rubbed quite vigorously, turning Su Tingtong's hair into a bird's nest in just a few strokes.
This left a look of speechlessness on Su Tingtong's face...
Her mother truly was quite childish sometimes.
However...
She didn't hate her mother being like this.
A childish mother was also very interesting.
Watching Su Qing mess up Su Tingtong's hair, Liu Xixi was a bit confused, not knowing why Su Qing had suddenly done that.
However, she couldn't say much. She just smiled at Su Tingtong and said, "In a bit... I'll help you comb it out."
Hearing Liu Xixi's words, Su Tingtong gave her a surprised look. After a moment of silence, she nodded and said, "Thank you."
"No need for thanks, it's just a small thing. You don't need to thank me for something like this," Liu Xixi said, shaking her head.
The three of them moved quickly.
In a short while, they had returned to the courtyard of Su Qing's palace.
Upon returning, they couldn't start the barbecue immediately...
Before barbecuing, some preparations were required.
Su Qing thought for a moment, then summoned several Dragon Girls and gave them the necessary orders...
"Yes, Master." After receiving their orders, the Dragon Girls immediately went to prepare.
After dismissing the Dragon Girls, Su Qing thought for a moment, then went to fetch some scrap iron and forged a barbecue grill...
Yes.
Su Qing even prepared the barbecue grill on the spot...
Because her desire to eat these things was entirely a whim, she hadn't prepared anything beforehand. Naturally, everything had to be prepared right then and there.
Seeing this, Liu Xixi couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything I can help with?"
Hearing this, Su Qing thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "There is. Go and help me skewer the meat!"
Seeing that Liu Xixi wanted to help, Su Qing knew that if she didn't give her something to do, she would feel very awkward. So, she assigned her a task.
Rate on N.U.
