The Ling family learned about the trouble in the Nine Desolate Continent. While Shen Qing was in a coma, the Ling family often sent people to visit.
After learning that Shen Qing had recovered, the Ling family immediately sent someone with a wedding invitation.
After Shen Qing opened the invitation, she learned that Ling Yunchuan had been appointed as the emperor's consort by Yuan Zhao.
"This is really a happy event. It seems we have to go to the mortal world. Li Xian, pack up. We're getting ready to set off!"
Li Xian looked at the highly motivated Shen Qing, smiling indulgently. "Yes, yes, yes. Your humble servant obeys."
After the Ling family encountered trouble, they originally planned to return to the Nine Desolate Continent. But then the Nine Desolate Continent itself had problems, and the divine altar on Kunlun Mountain was sealed. So the Ling family's plan to move back was postponed.
Ling Zhou had now returned. Taking this opportunity, Ling Zhou planned to take Yaoyue back to the Ling family. So the four of them set off together for the mortal world.
Kunlun Mountain had returned to its original appearance. The trees here had grown anew, and the traces on the steps and the divine altar had been completely cleaned up.
If they didn't have the memories, it would really seem like a dream.
The four of them sighed on the divine altar for a while before passing through the mist to the mortal world.
Having had the experience before, Shen Qing was familiar with the way this time. Soon they arrived in Shangjing.
At this time, Shangjing was filled with officials from various states coming to offer their congratulations, as well as envoys from neighboring small countries. The streets and alleys were decorated with red silk and ribbons, looking extremely lively.
The cries of street vendors and the cheers for the jugglers were continuous, making it hard for Shen Qing and Yaoyue to take it all in.
Although this wasn't Shen Qing's first time in Shangjing, the last time she came on a mission and hadn't had the chance to really experience the local customs.
Now that they were like tourists, Shen Qing was definitely going to have a good look.
After Yuan Zhao became the empress, she ordered the main residence of the Ling family to be moved to the main street.
Yuan Zhao also employed hundreds of craftsmen and spent several years building a mansion for the Ling family that was no less grand than the royal residence. It was a form of compensation and consolation for the mistakes the royal family had made against the Ling family.
Walking along the main street towards the Ling family mansion, Li Xian and Ling Zhou found the most challenging part to be the various shops on the street.
The dazzling array of goods made it impossible for Yaoyue and Shen Qing to move forward.
They had prepared silver before coming to the mortal world, so Shen Qing and Yaoyue bought whatever they liked with silver. Ling Zhou and Li Xian didn't dare to use their storage bags, so they had to carry the things for them.
By the time they walked from one end of the street to the other, their arms were filled with a large pile of things, and they could hardly see the road.
Finally reaching the Ling family mansion, after entering, they quickly put the things into their storage bags. They tidied up their clothes before they were presentable.
Ling Kong came out personally to greet them. When he saw Ling Zhou, his eyes lit up. But he also wanted to thank Shen Qing. For a moment, he didn't know where to put his hands and eyes.
Later, Ling Xiuzhu came out and led them into the reception hall.
Ling Zhou's status in the Ling family was now equivalent to that of many great - grandfathers. So along the way, they heard many greetings of "Good day, Grand Master Ling."
These greetings made Ling Zhou's head ache.
Yaoyue was still laughing at Ling Zhou's high seniority, but then she heard the younger generations call her "Grandma." Immediately, she couldn't laugh anymore.
After everyone exchanged pleasantries for a while, a servant whispered a few words in Ling Kong's ear. Ling Kong stood up, made a gesture of invitation, and said, "There is a distinguished guest in the mansion. The guest said that he/she wants to see Fairy Shen."
Everyone looked at each other and immediately guessed who the distinguished guest was.
Shen Qing nodded. After telling Li Xian, she followed the servant out of the hall.
Passing through a long corridor, they came to a flower hall. Shen Qing immediately remembered the first time she met Yuan Zhao.
The servant opened the door and motioned for Shen Qing to enter.
Shen Qing stepped into the flower hall and immediately saw Yuan Zhao in a gorgeous palace dress.
But Yuan Zhao was different from before. Now she exuded an air of nobility, and every frown and smile was full of the aura and dignity of a superior.
As soon as Yuan Zhao saw Shen Qing, she put down the teacup and said with a smile, "Sister Shen Qing, it's been many years, and you haven't changed a bit."
Shen Qing bowed with clasped fists. "I haven't congratulated Your Majesty on ascending the throne yet. I'm being impolite."
"Good. Then I have to think about how to punish you."
After a moment of silence, the two looked at each other and smiled.
Yuan Zhao waved for Shen Qing to sit beside her. "I heard that there was a big event in your immortal - cultivating world, and even the Ling family was in turmoil. Speaking of which, I've heard your name, Shen Qing, quite a few times in the mortal world."
The two chatted from trivial matters to all corners of the world, then from all corners of the world to court affairs. And then the conversation turned to the few male concubines Yuan Zhao had newly taken into the palace.
No... they should be called male consorts.
"These were all sent by the court officials. I couldn't refuse them all. But if Yunchuan doesn't like them, I'll just treat them as decorations. After a few years when I'm firmly in control of the court, I'll send them all away."
"One man is enough for a woman."
As Yuan Zhao said this, she slightly raised the corner of her eye and looked at Shen Qing teasingly. "By the way, do you need some? I can find a few for you."
Shen Qing quickly shook her head and looked around, afraid that Li Xian would hear.
Yuan Zhao burst into laughter.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. I've been out of the palace for a long time. It's time for me to go back. Shen Qing, we'll meet again, right?"
"Of course."
Shen Qing watched Yuan Zhao leave.
The once simple and innocent princess had now become an emperor with the power of life and death. But all these changes in Yuan Zhao were for the better.
Looking at the booming purple aura surrounding Yuan Zhao, Shen Qing knew that the country would thrive in the future.
After seeing Yuan Zhao off, Shen Qing returned to the guest room to meet Li Xian.
Yuan Zhao had chosen the first day of the Lunar New Year for her wedding.
Tomorrow was New Year's Eve. That night, it started to snow in Shangjing.
Although Shen Qing wasn't afraid of the cold, she still wore a cotton - padded jacket and a cloak like the others.
After a night of rest, early the next morning, Shen Qing gradually heard the sound of firecrackers outside.
The servants of the Ling mansion hung red lanterns and pasted new couplets on the mansion.
In the evening, the Ling family set up several tables and invited Shen Qing and the others to have the New Year's Eve dinner.
Although Shen Qing had spent a few years in the mortal world when she was young, the villagers in Xiaolin Village weren't very wealthy. As the New Year approached, there was no meat on the table, only a few leaves of vegetables.
Not to mention setting off firecrackers and pasting couplets. Young Shen Qing had never felt the atmosphere of the New Year.
During the New Year's Eve dinner, the younger generations took turns to toast Ling Zhou. The children ran around the tables happily. After dinner, the elders started to distribute red envelopes, and Shen Qing also received a few.
Shen Qing sighed that the regrets of her childhood were now being made up for.
During the New Year, the curfew in Shangjing was lifted. Ling Zhou had already taken Yaoyue out for a stroll. Li Xian didn't really want to join the fun, but he knew Shen Qing wanted to go, so he accompanied her to the street.
"Li Xian, try this candied hawthorn. The hawthorns are sour and sweet. They're so delicious."
"Li Xian, look at these two lucky dolls. They're so cute! Let's buy them!"
"Li Xian, this lantern is also very interesting. I want one."
Li Xian obediently paid the silver for Shen Qing and carried the things she bought.
The light of the passing candles shone on the two of them, making them seem less otherworldly and more like ordinary people.
The two then came to the largest restaurant in Shangjing. The Ling family had already reserved the largest and highest - level room for them.
The door opened, and Shen Qing was surprised to see Hong Chaoyang, Xiao Jinglan, Xue Ling, and You Lang inside.
"Why are you all here too!" Shen Qing said in surprise.
Hong Chaoyang said excitedly, "What? Are we not allowed to come and have some fun just because you're here in the mortal world?"
"Come quickly. The fireworks are about to start!"
Hong Chaoyang pulled Shen Qing to the window and occupied a great spot. They looked at the star - filled sky and waited for the fireworks.
Xiao Jinglan, Xue Ling, and You Lang sat at the table with Li Xian, opened a jar of good wine, and started to drink.
"You've already started drinking without waiting for us?"
A voice came from the door. Qing Qing and Jiang Zhijun had also changed into mortal clothes and came hand in hand.
After they entered the room, Chu Lanqiu and Xian Shiyu also peeked in. "Shen Qing, you're so ungrateful. You came to the mortal world to have fun by yourself and didn't even tell us."
Seeing everyone there, Shen Qing was overjoyed. "You... all came."
"And us."
Bai Long was holding two jars of good wine and led Jin Long, Qing Long, and Yan Long in. They were dressed dashingly, and Qing Long was holding a folding fan.
After they all came in, Shen Qing noticed a tall woman following the four of them.
"Who is this?"
Qing Long pulled the woman over and put his arm around her shoulder. "This is our sister, Zhan Long."
Everyone was shocked.
No one had expected that Zhan Long was a woman.
Zhan Long blushed and smiled shyly. "About the previous things, it was all..."
"Come on. Today is a happy day. Let's not talk about these things. Come, let's drink!"
Shen Qing affectionately pulled Zhan Long over and let her sit with them.
Everyone sat around the table. Looking at everyone present, Shen Qing's heart was filled with warmth.
She was the first to raise her glass, looked around at everyone, and said loudly, "After going through so much, I've finally realized that I've never been alone. I have you all by my side."
"I'm so lucky to have met you all in this lifetime!"
"Everyone, I wish you all smooth sailing and all your wishes come true!"
Everyone raised their glasses and said in unison, "Smooth sailing and all your wishes come true!"
At the same time, the fireworks exploded outside the window. The twinkling lights illuminated the sky and dispelled the darkness.
At this lively moment, all the relatives and friends were by their sides.
Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate and talked merrily over the wine.
In a corner where no one could see, Shen Qing leaned on Li Xian's shoulder and watched the brilliant fireworks in the sky with him.
Li Xian lowered his head and kissed Shen Qing on the forehead. "Shen Qing, having you in this lifetime is my greatest fortune. From now on, after experiencing all the beauty in the world, I know that the mortal world is worth living in."
Shen Qing smiled and opened her palm. There was a phoenix flower lying quietly inside.
"My heart is the same as yours."