Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 168 Returning to the old place
Chen Qing had already seen through the story of Mu Xianniang on the Qinhuai River, and the Mu girl had already acknowledged it. But this time, Chen Qing actually met the real person.

The beautiful woman in front of me does indeed resemble Miss Mu by seven or eight points, and she is well-maintained, looking to be only in her thirties or forties.

In this era, the average life expectancy is not high. The difference between those in their thirties or forties and those in their fifties is enormous. Only those who do not engage in productive labor are likely to experience this.

Chen Qing remained calm and entered the courtyard with Yan Cong.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Miss Mu came out to greet him, bowing slightly to Chen Qing with a hint of something unreadable in her voice: "Greetings, young master."

Chen Qing glanced at the two of them and said with a smile, "If Miss Mu hadn't said that you two were mother and daughter, you would look like sisters standing together."

Miss Mu clutched the hem of her dress and remained silent.

The beautiful woman chuckled softly, “I have heard many stories about Lord Chen recently. When Lord Chen was in Huzhou more than half a year ago, he was still in dire straits. After arriving in the capital for a few months, he underwent a dramatic transformation.”

She looked Chen Qing up and down and said softly, "Your Excellency has now undergone a remarkable transformation, and your achievements are truly extraordinary."

Chen Qing narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "No need to flatter me. I'm just a minor official in the Zhenfu Division now, with no official rank or title. What are you talking about, some kind of upheaval?"

The beautiful woman said softly, "Your experience in just these few months is already better than that of countless people who have studied hard for more than ten years. Not to mention those who failed the exam, even among those who passed the imperial examination, after becoming officials, even if they work hard for another ten or twenty years, probably only one in ten can reach the power and position of you."

What the woman said was true; Chen Qing's current position of power is already quite high, far surpassing that of his father, Chen Huan.

The biggest difference between him and the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) is that the status and power of the Jinshi often come from the outer court, from their academic achievements, or from the imperial system. Their status is more secure.

Chen Qing's position was entirely based on imperial power, its foundation was weak, and it was somewhat like a castle in the air.

If it weren't for this, Chen Qing wouldn't have been able to reach his current position so quickly.

However, Chen Qing obviously wouldn't get caught up in these things with a woman. He looked at Miss Mu and said calmly, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go inside and talk."

The Mu mother and daughter both looked at Chen Qing and then invited him inside.

Chen Qing led Yan Cong into the main hall of the courtyard, and then sat down in the main seat without any ceremony. After sitting down, he glanced at the mother and daughter, and finally looked at Miss Mu, and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, I have known Miss Mu for so long, but I still don't know Miss Mu's real name."

Miss Mu frowned slightly but did not reply.

But the beautiful woman said softly, "She wasn't originally surnamed Mu. Later, she took my surname and gave her a new name, Xiangjun."

"Mu Xiangjun".

Chen Qing nodded slightly and said, "A good name."

Miss Mu seemed a little embarrassed and lowered her head slightly without saying a word.

The beautiful woman looked at Chen Qing again and sighed, "Originally, she only wanted to travel around the capital on this trip north, and she was supposed to return to Yingtian in the second half of the year. Unexpectedly, she was tied to this capital by Lord Chen."

Chen Qing didn't respond to her words, but instead smiled and said, "Speaking of which, Miss Mu previously had the title of the Holy Mother of the Southern White Lotus Sect. But upon closer inspection, this Holy Mother of the White Lotus Sect may not actually be her, but rather you, Madam Mu."

"Yes."

The beautiful woman did not shy away, but said softly, "I am the Holy Mother of the White Lotus Sect. However, our White Lotus Sect in the South is much more gentle and leans more towards the Luo Sect. We have never had any enmity with the imperial court."

Chen Qing looked at her and asked, "So, Master Yang also knows your and your mother's identities?"

Now, Chen Qingcai finally understood why, after Mu Xiangjun arrived in the capital, the only person she came into contact with was a hall master of the Northern White Lotus Sect, and why she, the Holy Mother, had no intention of being on equal footing with that Sect Leader Yang.

The beautiful woman nodded slowly, her expression calm: "His return to the capital most likely means he already knows that I have arrived."

Chen Qing nodded.

"That's perfect, then we can all sit down together and have a good talk about this."

The beautiful woman looked at Yan Cong and said with a smile, "Lord Chen, could my daughter and I have a private talk with you?"

"No."

Chen Qing said calmly, "Your daughter almost killed me last time. Being alone with her is already dangerous enough."

In this era, even men need some skills to navigate the world, let alone women. Mu Xiangjun herself was quite skilled, but who knows what abilities this true "White Lotus Saint Mother" might possess.

Chen Qing would not risk his life.

The beautiful woman stretched out both hands and said with a smile, "How about you tie up my daughter and me, then we can have a proper chat?"

This mother and daughter had both frequented the Qinhuai River area for many years. Although they were dressed as female Taoist priests, their speech and behavior still carried a certain flirtatious air.

Chen Qing looked at the woman in front of him, each with two hands outstretched, and couldn't help but imagine the scene of the mother and daughter being tied up.

However, this idea only briefly crossed Chen's mind before he dismissed it.

The things he needs to do now are not only related to the future of the White Lotus Sect, but also to the future of his entire Thousand Households, and even the lives and fortunes of many people.

It's definitely not something to laugh about.

Chen Qing remained calm, took a sip of tea, and said, "Actually, there's nothing to talk about. Miss Mu was previously colluding with the White Lotus Sect in the north. If she hadn't been willing to abandon her evil ways and embrace the light, she would already be a victim of the executioner's blade at Caishikou." "As for you, Madam Mu..."

Chen Qing looked at her and slowly said, "Now that we're in the territory of the Zhenfu Division, it's a matter of whether we take it or not."

The beautiful woman said softly, "But my daughter is already in this position, and Lord Chen also hopes that she will become the leader of the entire Northern White Lotus Sect, doesn't he?"

"The White Lotus Sect has been developing for many years. Although the various levels are not closely connected, they are not so ignorant as to not know who their leader is. Currently, the White Lotus Sect has only restrained itself in the capital area because of the previous suppression by the Zhenfu Division. Outside the capital, the White Lotus Sect is still thriving."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow: "What does Madam Mu mean?"

The beautiful woman looked at Chen Qing, then at Yan Cong, and slowly said, "Lord Chen, what I mean is that if we meet with Master Yang, we don't necessarily have to kill him. We can subdue him and then have a proper talk."

Chen Qing asked with a smile, "What are you talking about? Are you asking him to pass the leadership of the sect to Miss Mu?"

The beautiful woman looked up at Chen Qing without saying anything, but Chen Qing already understood what she meant.

She wanted Chen Qing to find a way to recruit this Master Yang to his side as well.

"No need for further explanation."

Young Master Chen lost his patience. He looked at Mu Xiangjun and said, "Miss Mu, since that man surnamed Yang wants to see you, then go and meet him. Whether we can capture him or not is a matter for our Zhenfu Division."

Young Master Chen stood up abruptly, his hands behind his back.

"Now, all I need is the time and place for you to meet."

This mother and daughter were people from the martial arts world and were indeed quite intelligent, but unfortunately, they didn't understand the imperial court, let alone know that the big shots in the Zhenfu Division had no interest in spending several years to completely subdue the White Lotus Sect.

It's taking too long, and it's affecting their chances of being commended.

However, they were very interested in the head of that cult leader, Yang.

There's no room for negotiation on this matter anymore.

Before the beautiful woman could speak, Miss Mu stood up and bowed to Chen Qing.

"We'll get on it right away."

…………

Two more days passed, at the Zhenfu Division.

Zhao Mengjing, dressed in official robes, entered the Zhenfu Division prison accompanied by Zhenfu Envoy Tang Can.

Upon entering the Zhenfu Division prison, Chief Censor Zhao frowned and shook his head, saying, "I really didn't expect to be back in this old place so soon."

"Revisiting this place again is really not a good experience."

Tang Can followed behind him, smiling as he said, "As I just said, I can take the person out; there's no need for you to come in personally."

Zhao Zongxian said, "Since we are cooperating on the Zhou Pan case, I naturally have to come and see how Zhou Pan is doing. I originally planned to look for Chen Qing, but Chen Qing has been missing for two days."

He looked at Yan Hu and asked with a smile, "Commander Tang, where did Chen Qing go?"

Tang Can hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Lord Zhao, you may not know this, but Chen Qing has two imperial missions. One is to monitor officials in the capital like Zhou Pan, and the other... is to suppress and eliminate the White Lotus Sect in the north.”

"Currently, Chen Qing is busy with something else."

At this point, Tang Can said softly, "Didn't Lord Zhao notice just now that the Zhenfu Division is almost empty? Yan Hu and the others have all left the city."

"The White Lotus Sect..."

Zhao Mengjing stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Chen Zizheng really has a lot on his plate."

As they spoke, the two arrived at Zhou Pan's prison. Lord Zhao put his hands behind his back and looked into the prison, where the former Prefect of the Capital, Zhou Pan, was already dressed in rags and looked pale.

"Zhou Pan".

Zhao Mengjing said slowly with a cold face, "Listen carefully, the Censorate has been ordered to cooperate with the Garrison Command in handling your case."

Lord Zhou, inside the imperial prison, looked up at Zhao Mengjing standing outside the cell and gritted his teeth: "Chief Censor Zhao has been imprisoned here for three or four years. He's really become quite obedient. Now he's colluding with the people from the Garrison Command!"

Zhao Zongxian frowned and looked back at Tang Can.

Tang Can lowered his head slightly and said slowly, "He's very stubborn and won't say a word."

"He has been in prison for several days now."

He looked at the still-bleeding wound on Zhou Pan's forehead and shook his head.

"He has attempted suicide several times."

(End of this chapter)