Chapter 402: Ao Tingxin

Near midday.

Gu Qing, attended by the Seventh Princess, adjusted his robes and stepped out, arriving at the main hall, where Yaoji sat upright, a silk cloth spread before her, four dolls neatly arranged. Gu Qing frowned slightly, stepped closer, and asked in surprise, “Ginseng fruit?”

Yaoji’s gaze flickered with mild astonishment. “You have some knowledge. These were brought this morning by Sun Wukong as an offering. You…,” she glanced sidelong at Gu Qing, “these two newlywed women indulging in marital affection is understandable, but why are you endless too?”

At these words, Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess both blushed, but Gu Qing burst out laughing.

“What?”

Yaoji frowned, fixing him with a piercing stare.

“Nothing.”

Gu Qing waved a hand. “You’ve only ever loved mortals, never immortals—you don’t understand the difference between them…”

Before he finished, Yang Chan stepped forward and clapped her hand over his mouth.

Yaoji shot Gu Qing a furious glare, her cheeks flushed with anger.

“Auntie, let’s talk about the ginseng fruit instead.”

The Seventh Princess changed the subject.

Yaoji avoided looking at Gu Qing, lowering her eyes to the ginseng fruit. “These are celestial treasures from Zhenyuanzi’s Wanshou Mountain Wuzhuang Temple. They bloom once every three thousand years, fruit once every three thousand years, ripen once every three thousand years—it takes nearly ten thousand years for one to mature. Merely smelling one grants three hundred and sixty years of life; eating one grants forty-seven thousand years.”

“Zhenyuanzi is an extraordinary being. The Three Pure Ones are his friends.”

Only after saying this did Yaoji meet Gu Qing’s gaze.

Clearly, Sun Wukong had caused trouble again.

“Simple!”

Gu Qing said, “We won’t eat these. Let each of us smell them two hundred times, then return them.”

The lifespan gain is better than eating them outright.

Yaoji stared fixedly at Gu Qing. “You know how to manage a household.”

Gu Qing smiled, took the ginseng fruit, and bit into it cleanly. The flavor was sweet, the divine qi swirling. The fruit’s essence flowed into his body. Since learning the “Six Ding Divine Fire” in the Doulou Palace, his body had become a furnace; the fruit’s essence rolled within him, eventually refined into substances of Golden Immortal caliber.

These would serve as catalysts upon reaching the Golden Immortal realm.

“Eat.”

Gu Qing handed the ginseng fruit to Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess. Holding the last one, he looked at Yaoji and asked, “Is this the monkey’s gift to his… Grandma Yao?”

Gu Qing deliberately paused after “Yao,” prompting Yaoji to recall Sun Wukong’s previous address to her.

Yaoji shot him a glare, took the fruit, and bit into it. “He had over a dozen in his arms. Supposedly all meant for his mother.”

“….”

Yang Chan and the Seventh Princess, mid-bite, froze and turned to Gu Qing.

“I know you’re eager, but don’t rush. Let Zhenyuanzi be the one who panics first.”

Gu Qing silently counted: these dozen ginseng fruits, excluding Ruishui and Chang’e, likely covered all the female immortals of the Jie Sect.

After all, in Sun Wukong’s eyes, these female immortals had been beaten by Gu Qing due to his association.

“What if Zhenyuanzi really panics?”

Yaoji asked with a smile.

Zhenyuanzi, who mastered the “Hunyuan Dao Fruit,” was not far from Golden Immortal status.

“We can handle it.”

Gu Qing spoke with certainty, then pinched Yang Chan’s cheek, wiping the ginseng juice from her lips into his own mouth.

In the current Three Realms, the Divine War raged fiercely. But unlike the Divine War in this world, Li Jing and Nezha first accepted heavenly amnesty and became immortals before descending to wage the Divine War below. To the mortals, this meant all immortals sided with the Western Zhou, and naturally, they voted with their feet—Western Zhou surged forward like a flood.

Gu Qing lived in Guanjiangkou and never ventured into the war zones. He spent his days helping villagers reclaim wasteland, inventing tools, building roads, curing illnesses, and landscaping gardens—his life was peaceful.

Yaoji had lived this way in Guanjiangkou for over a decade. When with Yang Tianyou, she sought only fleeting comfort. But watching Gu Qing lead the people to carve roads, construct canals, and teach them how to use tools, she felt a grand, world-shaking ambition.

“What is this?”

Ao Tingxin, the Fourth Princess of the Eastern Sea, stood at the mountain’s foot, watching water flow through several pipes, spraying upward and carrying water to higher ground.

“This is my husband’s invention—the water hammer pump.”

Yang Chan, nearby, explained its principle to Ao Tingxin.

Ao Tingxin, hearing talk of water flow and mechanical effects, felt dizzy, yet she saw how this device lifted water into canals to irrigate fields—benefiting countless villagers.

“I am Ao Tingxin, Fourth Princess of the Eastern Sea.”

Ao Tingxin, sensing Yang Chan’s distinction, introduced herself.

“I am Yang Chan.”

Yang Chan stated her identity naturally.

Ao Tingxin’s eyes brightened. “You’re the sister of Yang Jiao and Yang Jian?”

Yang Chan nodded.

“You’re also the one who gave birth to the stone monkey.”

Ao Tingxin added.

Yang Chan glanced around, then nodded subtly.

This secretive gesture made Ao Tingxin laugh. “You know how much trouble your own monkey caused—stole the Sea-Stabilizing Needle from the Dragon Palace, and stole dozens of ginseng fruits overnight, making Zhenyuanzi chase him across the Three Realms.”

Yang Chan smiled faintly. You have no idea how much trouble my husband causes outside.

Ao Tingxin and Yang Chan chatted, finding their interests aligned. Xin Xin, tied to Yang Jian, was also Ao Tingxin’s cousin; their bond deepened with every word.

“It’s nearly noon. Come eat with us.”

Yang Chan smiled and invited, “My husband is cooking today—he’s made some peculiar desserts. You must try them.”

Ao Tingxin gladly accepted, accompanying Yang Chan to the Yang family home in Guanjiangkou. Upon sitting, she saw the house was immaculate, the furnishings elegant: fresh flowers in vases, delicate patterns on teacups. Even a princess of the Eastern Sea felt like a peasant entering the imperial palace—everything was utterly unfamiliar.

“The craftsmanship of these teacups and bowls is exquisite.”

Ao Tingxin held the teacup, studying the translucent bamboo leaf pattern that came alive as tea was poured in.

Yang Chan covered her mouth, smiling. “The Eighth Princess of Heaven secretly visited here and said Heaven had seen our porcelain and teaware and was now rushing to replicate them as imperial wares.”

Ao Tingxin studied the cup again, then sipped the tea.

As a dragon princess, Ao Tingxin had an exquisite palate for water. The tea was clear, crisp, and refreshing, cleansing her marrow. Its fragrance lingered long in her mouth. She looked at Yang Chan, astonished.

“This is my husband’s ‘Three Light Divine Water.’ He originally intended to imbue it with miraculous properties, but after countless trials, it remained water—only infused with divine qi, making it tastier.”

Yang Chan spoke calmly.

Ao Tingxin sensed the difficulty behind it, studying Yang Chan… According to Nezha, after Yang Chan married, Wangmu came to summon Gu Qing, saying mortal love was fleeting and suffering eternal. Yet Yang Chan had been married for years—and her life grew sweeter.

As she pondered, servants began serving dishes. Ao Tingxin glanced around. Yang Chan said, “Today, our mother went to Mount Hua, and the Seventh Princess went with her. Only my husband and I are home.”

Hearing this, Ao Tingxin relaxed. As dish after dish arrived, Gu Qing walked in.

“Oh, it’s you.”

Gu Qing, seeing Ao Tingxin, said to Yang Chan, “When the monkey stole the Sea-Stabilizing Needle, he called her ‘Mom.’”

Yang Chan smiled faintly.

Ao Tingxin was annoyed. “That monkey has no conscience. He stole so many ginseng fruits but never thought he stole the Sea-Stabilizing Needle from the Eastern Sea.” In talking with Yang Chan, Ao Tingxin learned the monkey had given all the ginseng fruits to “moms.”

As they chatted, Gu Qing began describing the dishes.

Gu Qing’s cooking mastered modern marketing: large plates, small portions, straw stems, sauce smears, scattered crumbs. Though not sold for eight thousand eight to Hu Ye, the plating, sauces, and garnishes were utterly alien to Ao Tingxin—unseen, untasted.

She ate until eight-tenths full, yet her eyes narrowed in deep satisfaction.

“Try this new thing.”

Gu Qing brought forward a dish. Ao Tingxin stared at the smooth, slightly quivering dessert, touched it with her spoon—it bounced back gently. One bite: silky, sweet, dazzling.

“What is this?”

Ao Tingxin asked in wonder.

“Milk jelly.”

Gu Qing briefly explained its preparation. Ao Tingxin nodded repeatedly.

“Even in cuisine, one can pursue such refinement.”

Ao Tingxin looked at Gu Qing with admiration, then at Yang Chan—with growing envy.

Now Ao Tingxin fully understood why the Jade Emperor’s daughters abandoned all to marry Gu Qing.

After the meal, servants cleared the dishes. Ao Tingxin looked at Gu Qing and whispered, “Your water hammer pump is brilliant—villagers can easily lift water into canals to irrigate fields. But won’t this make them stop respecting the Jade Emperor?”

The Jade Emperor is no good.

In the prequel to the Lotus Lantern, when Yang Jian learned San Shengmu bore a child, he initially refused to capture her, even considering abandoning his post as Heavenly Judge. But in the mortal realm, if any place disrespected the Jade Emperor, he would decree its destruction. To protect the people, Yang Jian reluctantly captured San Shengmu, using his authority as Heavenly Judge to shield them.

“It’s fine.”

Gu Qing smiled. “The places I’m in lie beyond heavenly law.”

His confidence was so absolute, Ao Tingxin stared at him, motionless.

“Husband…”

A fragrant breeze swept in, hurling a green-clad woman into Gu Qing’s arms.

Ao Tingxin recognized her as the Seventh Princess. She stood quietly aside, watching as the Seventh Princess, heedless, leaned in to kiss Gu Qing.

“I’ll take my leave.”

Ao Tingxin sensed the tension and quickly withdrew.

Gu Qing nodded. Yang Chan rose to see her out. No sooner had they stepped outside than Ao Tingxin heard the Seventh Princess’s loud cry inside: “Gu Qing, what’s that stinking slut doing here?”

Ao Tingxin froze, her face burning.

The words were addressed to Gu Qing—but meant for her! “Stinking” referred to her natural sea-born odor.

This insult was a clear rejection.

Ao Tingxin clenched her fists, wanting to go back and argue with the Seventh Princess, but then she saw Yang Chan, who stood before her, uneasy and anxious. After a moment’s thought, she unclenched her fists and forced a smile at Yang Chan. “Yang Chan, this has nothing to do with you.”

Yang Chan, truly at a loss, said, “Seventh sister isn’t usually like this.”

Ao Tingxin glanced sideways. The curtain hung low; she didn’t know what was happening inside, but she guessed the Seventh Princess was smug. She bit her lip, then comforted Yang Chan: “It’s fine. I’ll come visit you another day.”

Hearing this, Yang Chan finally relaxed.

Ao Tingxin transformed into a dragon and departed. Yang Chan turned around and hurried into the room—only to see the Seventh Princess with her arm around Gu Qing’s neck, sitting on his lap. She had lost all her earlier arrogance and was now feeding grapes into Gu Qing’s mouth.

“Seventh sister, why did you suddenly yell at her?”

Yang Chan asked, puzzled.

“She was staring at him like a leech. If not her, who should I yell at?”

The Seventh Princess looked pitiful, but her face was naturally that of a villain. Now, she suddenly changed expression, speaking with absolute certainty: “Cousin, someone in our family has to play the black role, or everyone will try to crawl into our home.”

The Seventh Princess’s words were reasonable. Yang Chan had no reply. She turned her gaze to Gu Qing and asked, “Husband, you…”

“Don’t believe him on this!”

The Seventh Princess said, “Auntie taught me.”

This silenced Yang Chan completely. Gu Qing wrapped his arm around the Seventh Princess and silently counted: how many times had Yaoji caused him trouble now?

There must come a day for settling accounts!

Among the clouds, Ao Tingxin leaped repeatedly, her eyes red, tears of grievance streaming down, bringing sudden rain to the mortal world.

Had she not cared, a scolding from the Seventh Princess would have been met with a sharp retort. But after visiting Yang Chan’s home, she had begun to care—and now, with this scolding, Ao Tingxin felt both wounded and furious.

Damn that Seventh Princess! You dare call me a flirt in front of Gu Qing? I’ll make you green with envy one day!

As she drifted, Ao Tingxin found herself at a fairy mountain beyond the Eastern Sea. Her gaze sharpened, she naturally took human form, landing among the flower beds.

“Who are you?”

From among the myriad flowers, a woman suddenly appeared, eyeing Ao Tingxin with caution.

“You must be the legendary Immortal of a Hundred Flowers.”

Ao Tingxin looked at the woman, breathing in the sweet fragrance around her. Her heart stirred. She stepped forward and introduced herself: “I am the Fourth Princess of the Eastern Dragon Palace, Ao Tingxin.”

“So you’re the princess.”

The Immortal of a Hundred Flowers bowed slightly. “I’m no Immortal of a Hundred Flowers—just someone who likes tending flowers.”

At this stage, the Immortal of a Hundred Flowers had not yet been officially appointed by the Heavenly Court.

“Then it’s you I need.”

Ao Tingxin hurried forward and pleaded with the Immortal of a Hundred Flowers: “Your flowers smell the strongest. Please, smell me—tell me which fragrance can mask my scent. Better yet… better yet, make me smell as sweet as you!”

The Immortal of a Hundred Flowers radiated fragrance. Ao Tingxin, close beside her, felt her body and spirit instantly soothed.

“You want perfume?”

The Immortal of a Hundred Flowers asked.

“Yes!”

Ao Tingxin nodded, her eyes burning with anger.

The Seventh Princess dared call her a flirt? Then Ao Tingxin would smear on powder, douse herself in scent, walk up boldly, steal Gu Qing’s affection, and drive her mad!

(End of Chapter)