“So you're saying that because Wukong was dissatisfied with the position of ‘Bimawen,’ he smashed the official desk and ran back to Flower-Fruit Mountain?”
In the Lunar Palace, Su Qing was also slightly stunned when she heard this news.
To be honest, she was quite surprised.
She had thought Wukong would discover that ‘Bimawen’ was a very lowly position within ten or twenty days at the latest, but she hadn't expected him to actually stay in it for decades.
While reflecting, Su Qing suddenly realized:
“Wait, no, the time in the Heavenly Palace and the Lunar Palace is different… For Wukong, it really has only been ten or twenty days.”
But speaking of the fact that one day in heaven is one year on earth, Su Qing couldn't help but think:
“In that case, Wukong being suppressed under the Five-Finger Mountain for five hundred years would only be equivalent to a two-year prison sentence for the people in the Heavenly Palace? He trashed the Heavenly Palace, and yet he was only sentenced to two years of fixed-term imprisonment…”
As she was thinking, Chang'e, sitting opposite her, smiled slightly.
She poured herself a bowl of osmanthus wine and said thoughtfully:
“That is what the people from the Imperial Stables said…”
Hearing Chang'e's voice, Su Qing also withdrew from her thoughts and commented:
“Wukong is proud and arrogant; naturally, he would be dissatisfied with the minor post of ‘Bimawen.’”
“Moreover, he was a Monkey King at Flower-Fruit Mountain, yet after going to heaven, he was just a horse groom, and an unranked minor official at that. He was bound to be dissatisfied.”
“So, this departure is not surprising.”
Su Qing subconsciously took a sip of wine.
Actually, Su Qing felt that if the monkey hadn't discovered that the position was an unranked minor post, he might have truly stayed in those Imperial Stables for a long time.
If he had stayed properly in the Imperial Stables, the subsequent events naturally wouldn't have happened.
There would be no major incidents like the Havoc in Heaven.
However… looking at it now, everything really is following its destined path.
Chang'e laughed: “It's not surprising, but his reckless departure and his trashing of the Imperial Stables have provoked those who were already dissatisfied with him to be even more so. They have all petitioned His Majesty to go and deal with that monkey…”
As Chang'e spoke, she looked at Su Qing with an excited face, looking like she was saying ‘quickly ask me what happened next, quickly ask me what happened next.’
Chang'e was someone who couldn't sit still. Having consumed quite a bit of drama these days, she naturally couldn't help but want to share it.
In this Heavenly Palace, the Lunar Deity knew everything, so there was no need to tell her.
Others would only be respectful and submissive when they saw her, not daring to speak out of turn.
As for Yuer… after her tasks kept increasing, she rarely had free time.
In the end, she could only share it with Su Qing.
And since Su Qing was right in front of her and they happened to be talking about recent events, she naturally had to seize the opportunity.
Being stared at by Chang'e like this, how could Su Qing not read what Chang'e meant.
She could only give a helpless smile and then ask: “Did His Majesty grant it? Who did he send?”
“His Majesty did grant it.”
Chang'e said with a chuckle:
“But he only ordered Heavenly King Li and his son to take about a hundred heavenly soldiers to Flower-Fruit Mountain. That monkey's strength is quite good; Heavenly King Li, his son, and even the Giant Spirit God could do nothing against him. They suffered a bit of a loss and then returned to the Heavenly Palace.”
Su Qing was naturally not surprised to hear this.
Setting aside the monkey's strength, just based on the meager number of people sent out, one could tell that the Jade Emperor didn't actually intend to kill Wukong.
Instead, it felt like he just sent some people out randomly to appease the officials.
Su Qing glanced at Chang'e and asked again:
“And after that? What plans did His Majesty make? Surely he didn't send out more heavenly soldiers and generals?”
“Originally, someone suggested sending more heavenly soldiers and generals. After all, that monkey said he wanted the title of ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven,’ which made many people in the court dissatisfied.”
Chang'e said with a chuckle:
“But in the end, that Taibai Jinxing emerged and acted as a peacemaker.”
“He said that considering his ignorance, they should just give him the title without any actual power or the corresponding salary.”
“They would just trick him into the Heavenly Court, find a random position, and swap it for the name of ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’ for him to hold.”
Upon hearing this, Su Qing couldn't help but think of the trouble this monkey would cause after entering the Heavenly Palace for the second time.
She couldn't help but shake her head and say, “I think that's a rotten idea.”
“I also think it's a rotten idea. I feel that if this continues, that monkey will cause trouble sooner or later…”
“Why is Sister so sure?” Su Qing couldn't help but ask curiously upon hearing this.
She knew the future, so she knew it wasn't a good idea, but why did Chang'e feel this way?
“If you let a monkey guard the Peach Orchard of Immortality, can things go without trouble? And anyone with eyes can see that the monkey isn't the type to follow discipline… much less someone who would be dedicated to his duties.”
As a bystander, Chang'e saw the matters very clearly and simply said so.
“I wonder what His Majesty is thinking…” Su Qing smiled helplessly.
“I can't fathom the thoughts of those in high positions… Anyway, they must have their own plans.”
Chang'e just smiled. The Lunar Deity had told her some things, so she knew in her heart what the Jade Emperor's plans were.
It was just that she couldn't tell Su Qing these things for the time being…
As they chatted, Chang'e suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but laugh:
“By the way, Xiao Qing, I remember you are that monkey's Big Sister?”
Su Qing was slightly stunned. Looking at Chang'e's expression, she seemed to have an ominous premonition. She nodded slightly and said:
“That's true, but why did Sister suddenly bring this up?”
“It's nothing, just remembered something.”
Chang'e laughed:
“Didn't I just say that monkey head got the nominal title of ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’?”
“I don't know what that monkey was thinking, but after learning you were an official in the Lunar Palace with a mediocre idle post, he clamored and helped you get the title of ‘Azure Spirit Sovereign.’”
Hearing this, Su Qing almost sprayed out the wine in her mouth, choking and coughing as she asked:
“He helped me get the title of ‘Azure Spirit Sovereign’? Cough cough cough, His Majesty didn't agree, right?”
At this moment, Su Qing only felt a headache…
This name was just a title she had come up with randomly when she was being pestered and annoyed back then.
She had also told Wukong not to go around spreading her title.
Now, she didn't know what kind of madness had seized the monkey's brain that he actually spoke the title out and even helped her get an official post.
Now it was great; she probably became famous in that court this time.
Su Qing was a bit depressed. Being famous in the court might be a good thing for those who wanted to be officials, but for her, it was truly unnecessary and would only be a hassle.
Speaking of this matter, Chang'e also had a face full of amusement and said:
“His Majesty… he agreed. He even praised him quite seriously, saying something like ‘although this monkey head causes trouble, he does have a heart that respects his elders,’ and then he granted the request.”
“The civil and military officials originally had some complaints, but seeing that His Majesty said this was just a nominal title to appease the monkey, they didn't say anything more.”
Su Qing listened with a constipated expression, not quite understanding what was going on in the Jade Emperor's head.
How could he agree so easily…
She really couldn't understand the thoughts of those in high positions.
Fortunately, she didn't have to navigate the court; if she really did, she would probably be beheaded before long just because her left foot stepped into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall first.
Seeing Su Qing's expression, Chang'e turned and sat beside her, hooked an arm around Su Qing's neck, pulled her close, and said:
“Oh, don't have that expression! Sister Azure Spirit Sovereign~ This title and whatnot is just a nominal thing.”
“Besides, even if someone in the court is dissatisfied with you, they won't dare to do anything to you~ Don't you still have Sister covering for you!”
“Furthermore, even if Sister can't cover for you, isn't there still the Lunar Deity? The Deity's status is extraordinary; with her around, who would dare to do anything to you?”
“If all else fails, there's still Laojun! In terms of backing, your background is bigger than many people in the court!”
“Since His Majesty gave you this title, you don't need to think too much; just take it.”
“And in the future, when you return to the human world, having such a title will also make it convenient to collect the incense power of all living beings.”
Su Qing sighed slightly, patted Chang'e's wrist, and said:
“Sister Chang'e, please be a bit gentler. If this continues, I'm going to be smothered to death by you.”
Hearing Su Qing's words, Chang'e then patted her own flushed face, chuckled, and let go, saying:
“In short, just don't have a long face. You're in the Lunar Palace! Whatever happens in the Heavenly Palace doesn't matter much. Just keep me company properly.”
Su Qing gave a helpless smile and said, “I don't actually care much about the title. Although it is indeed a bit speechless, it's actually acceptable. It's just… this title was just something I thought of randomly, and it doesn't sound very good.”
“I think it's quite good! Anyway, it's already settled, and you can't change it. Just consider it as gold-plating yourself! At least it's a title personally acknowledged by His Majesty,” Chang'e said with a beaming smile.
Hearing this, Su Qing could only nod helplessly; what she said was indeed true.
It was already settled and couldn't be changed.
This time it really was thanks to Wukong; this randomly thought-up name would likely become the title she would use for a long time in the future.
Thinking about it, Su Qing suddenly remembered another matter and asked: “Speaking of which, at my current realm, do I still need to collect incense power?”
“Of course, why wouldn't you? You should know that very few immortals reach the realm of a Heavenly Immortal purely through their own cultivation. While it's not impossible, the price, time, and effort required are immense.”
Chang'e took a sip of wine, pinched Su Qing's face, and said seriously with a flushed face:
“Your own cultivation is like the foundation, the ground, while incense is the necessity for you to reach higher levels and build taller buildings.”
“Even an immortal like Erlang, who has trained his body to the limit and consolidated his foundation to the extreme, would still find it difficult to reach the level of a Heavenly Immortal without enough incense.”
“So, incense is incredibly important for immortals. It's the same for you! Otherwise, why do you think everyone has temples in the mortal world and accepts offerings?”
Hearing this, Su Qing couldn't help but lower her head in deep thought.
She had always been stubbornly focused on cultivating herself and didn't pay much attention to incense cultivation.
Or rather, deep down, she looked down on that bit of scattered incense.
But now, after hearing Chang'e's words, her heart couldn't help but undergo some changes.
As she was thinking, she heard Chang'e say again:
“Your cultivation has entered a bottleneck period now. You should have felt it yourself; compared to your previous cultivation, your progress has slowed down a lot now.”
“If you want to go a step further, it's best to collect some incense…”
“I know you won't stay in the Lunar Palace forever; you'll have to return to the mortal world to cultivate sooner or later.”
“So after returning to the mortal world, you should also find a temple, protect the local people, and then collect some incense.”
“Cultivating both yourself and incense, that is the right path for the later stages.”
Chang'e might usually seem quite unreliable or even a bit boisterous.
But in terms of cultivation, Chang'e was a genuine senior.
She indeed knew much more than Su Qing…
These words also completely woke Su Qing up, making her understand the importance of incense.
Su Qing nodded slightly and said seriously: “I understand. I will pay more attention to incense cultivation in the future.”
“That's good, that's good! But don't just put all your mind into cultivation; you should also pay more attention to other things.”
Su Qing patted away Chang'e's wandering hand and asked: “For example?”
“Tch… it's nothing, it's nothing. A little touch won't make you lose any flesh! You're so big, what's wrong with letting me have a feel~” Chang'e curled her lips and said with a look of displeasure: “Forget it, forget it, you unromantic little thing!”
Su Qing's mouth twitched slightly. Although she wouldn't lose any flesh, she didn't want to be groped by a drunkard.
Of course, another aspect was the worry that her own interest might be piqued.
If she started fooling around with Chang'e, the rules would be broken.
She said helplessly: “Sister Chang'e, you're drunk.”
“I'm not drunk; I'm perfectly sober! How could a mere Three-Thousand-Year Brew get me drunk? What a joke,” Chang'e laughed loudly.
The laughter echoed through the entire Lunar Palace!
The next moment, a familiar figure appeared behind her and slapped her on the head.
“Watch your image; don't always be so undisciplined! You are the Mistress of the Lunar Palace!” the Lunar Deity said coldly.
“I apologize for the embarrassment, little friend.”
The Lunar Deity habitually patted her hands and resumed her elegant appearance, saying:
“Chang'e is like this sometimes; don't mind her. She has a poor tolerance for alcohol yet loves to drink. Usually, I don't allow her to drink, but today I looked away for a moment and she stole some again.”
Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly. After all these years, she had long since gotten used to Chang'e's behavior.
The Deity also used this same explanation every time.
But most of the time, it was the Deity who intentionally left a jar of wine for Chang'e.
Then she would come out to clean up the mess when the time was right.
Purely the image of a good mother.
“It's nothing. Sister Chang'e actually taught me a lot of things just now.” Su Qing bowed slightly and smiled.
“As long as you don't mind!” The Deity smiled, then dragged Chang'e away and disappeared.
Seeing that Chang'e and the Deity had both left, Su Qing also took a sip of wine and then left the Lunar Palace to return to her own residence.
But just as she arrived at her residence, she saw an acquaintance again.
“So, what kind of day is today…” Su Qing thought helplessly.
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