Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

Eunuch Cao shook his head and explained:

"Not at all. An old physician, Zhou Youguichen, whom the late emperor knew, heard that the late emperor's son was seriously ill, so he came to treat him. A master's skills are extraordinary. The emperor actually woke up for a moment and then wrote an edict ordering me to protect him here."

Empress Pei's heart tightened, but she maintained a natural expression, showing little change in demeanor. After nodding in admiration of the physician's skill, she pressed for an answer:

"Has Eunuch Cao seen the Emperor? How is the Emperor's health recovering?"

"I was unable to see him, as I only acted according to the Emperor's edict. However, I heard from that divine physician that the Emperor's illness was extremely serious, and he could only be forced to circulate his internal energy to keep him awake for a moment. By the time I arrived, the Emperor had already fallen into a coma again. Your Majesty, please take care of your health and do not let your worries about the Emperor wear you down. Please go back and rest."

Eunuch Cao's gentle gaze shifted to the palace maid accompanying the Empress, and the maid trembled.

"You lot, why aren't you escorting Her Majesty the Empress back to rest? If Her Majesty falls ill, you will be the first to be held accountable."

"Yes!"

Empress Pei returned to her palace, dismissed the palace maids, and her expression was stern.

She hadn't even heard a word about the so-called miracle doctor's visit!

...Was the emperor ever lucid?

With Cao Shengxi, the chief eunuch of the Nightblade Division, present at the Emperor's palace, it's impossible to gather intelligence there now.

As long as the five elements of spiritual energy exist, and the power of extreme yin and yang exists, this world is a world where the strong are respected. Secular dynasties are extremely easy to become vassals of various sects and forces. However, Eunuch Cao is the kind of person who can make various sects sit down and talk about interests with the Heavenly Extreme Empire in a peaceful manner.

This chief eunuch had not been seen for a long time. The last time he appeared was when the current emperor ascended the throne. There were even rumors that he had reached the end of his life. But now he appeared because of a handwritten edict!

After returning to her palace, Empress Pei sat quietly in front of her dressing table. The most beautiful woman in the world reflected in the bronze mirror bit her lip until it turned white. It wasn't until a palace maid reminded her that Princess Jinyu had arrived that Empress Pei came back to her senses.

"Mother, what do you want to see me about? You promised me I could rest today, so why did you have the maids call me back? I haven't even had a chance to rest yet," Jin Yu sighed.

She suspected that the old Empress's phoenix robe had disappeared and been discovered by her mother, but it didn't matter, it wasn't a big deal, because the phoenix robe had already been brought back; it would have been a big deal if it hadn't been brought back.

Jin Yu's appearance made Empress Pei temporarily put those unexpected events behind her, and she felt helpless.

Chu Mingkong had made him look so dazed on the bed, and you're asking if he's still awake or resting? What would happen if you started resting already?

Where did my old phoenix robe go?

"I was curious about the workmanship, so I borrowed it to wear for a while, and I've already returned it."

"Are those clothes something you can just take and mess around with? You're just being reckless. Jinyu, ever since you met Chu Mingkong, your heart has been scattered!"

"How could it have ended like this? I've been cultivating diligently ever since I met him! Mother, what about the matter I asked you before? Yongzhen disdains Chu Mingkong. I'll go and contact him to prevent him from harboring resentment towards the royal family. This is like offering myself to a tiger—a truly righteous act!"

Are you hoping to feed the tiger with your own body?

"You should discuss this with Yongzhen. I won't change the Emperor's mind." Empress Pei pinched Jinyu's cheek, then suddenly remembered the date and said, "Jinyu, take some time these next few days to visit Consort An's grave and sweep her tomb. Consort An doted on you when you were still an infant. Also, visit the graves of the other consorts while you're at it."

The imperial concubine's mausoleum is located in the suburbs and was converted from an abandoned royal garden.

According to the tradition of the Tianji Empire, only the Empress and favored imperial concubines could be buried in the imperial mausoleum. Ordinary concubines were disposed of very casually after they died. Before the imperial mausoleum was built, their bodies were simply dumped in mass graves. After the imperial mausoleum was built, they could barely be considered to have a place to rest in peace after death.

The idea of ​​building the imperial concubine's mausoleum was proposed by Empress Pei, but if it weren't for the fact that there was a gradually abandoned royal garden nearby, her suggestion would have been useless.

Although Jin Yu found these things strange and troublesome—her mother cared so much about Consort An, why didn't she go herself?—Jin Yu didn't say much about it, she just did as she was told. Perhaps Consort An had really been kind to her in the past?

Let's find some time to bring Mingkong over too.

---------

Chu Mingkong arrived at Yongzhen Courtyard, but before he even got there, he ran into Madam Zhen, who had "just happened to be out for a stroll."

Chu Mingkong recalled how, when he had come here before, Yongzhen would "rush out" and pull him into the room many times when he hesitated outside the courtyard. Only now it was Madam Zhen who had come.

He pretended not to know anything and exclaimed in surprise:

"Madam Zhen, are you preparing to go out? Would you like a junior to accompany you?"

Madam Zhen turned around, glanced at Yongzhen's room, and felt that it would be safer to talk to Mingkong outside.

The beautiful woman nodded:

"I came across a tea and toys shop last time, and I'd like to check it out sometime soon. Mingkong, come with me."

"Alright!" Chu Mingkong asked knowingly, "Then let's call him Yongzhen?"

“No!” Madam Zhen shook her head repeatedly, feeling a little nervous and guilty. “Yongzhen is not feeling well and doesn’t want to go out. You can come and keep me company.”

"Is Yongzhen feeling unwell again?"

"Yes," Madam Zhen nodded firmly.

Chapter 120 Royal Reception Day (18/26)

Madam Zhen's true intentions were not what they seemed. Going to the tea shop was just a pretext; she simply wanted to convey to Chu Mingkong the message that she wanted to meet him in secret tonight.

Tea shops often feature elegant bamboo tea rooms, creating a pleasant environment perfect for conversation.

After Chu Mingkong helped Madam Zhen choose a set of spirit fox tea toys, he bought a pot of tea in the tea room.

It can only be said that the tea-related business has attracted a lot of people who know how to do business. The price of this pot of tea is actually equivalent to the price of a tea set.

Chu Mingkong watched as Madam Zhen's delicate white hands brewed tea for him, poured the tea, played with it, and then placed the teacup in front of him. Throughout the entire process, he was completely oblivious to her movements, as he was too busy watching her hands.

He took a sip of tea, first flatteringly praising the tea-making technique, and then asked:

"Madam Zhen, what exactly is Yongzhen's illness? Why is she always unwell? Could you tell me the details? In a few days, I will go to the outskirts of the capital to find some famous doctors to see if there is a cure. Rest alone is not enough."

Madam Zhen paused. Yongzhen had no physical discomfort whatsoever. It had always been an excuse she had to make to the outside world because of the soul exchange. But it was not good for Mingkong to know this... If he knew that the previous Yongzhen actually had her soul inside her, it would definitely be a huge blow to Mingkong.

"She's naturally physically weak, so rest is the best treatment. Most of the time she's perfectly healthy. By the way, Mingkong, you just said you were going outside the capital?"

Those who are hostages cannot leave the capital at will.

Chu Mingkong nodded:

"Yes, I need to go out for a while. In the next few days, I will go to the court to petition the Empress. There is a secret realm called Shizhu Ridge in Xiaoxiang Qin Academy that is about to open. I will go in to find medicine for the Emperor and also try my luck for myself."

Upon hearing his words, Madam Zhen became somewhat angry. Cautiously glancing around the tea room and finding it empty, she whispered:

"You silly child! Since such a secret place exists, you should first look for an opportunity for yourself, and then look for one for the Emperor, understand?"

A warm feeling welled up in Chu Mingkong's heart. Madam Zhen was truly afraid he would prioritize finding medicine for the Emperor. How could that be possible! He nodded quietly and whispered:

"That's natural. That's what I think too. Finding medicine for the emperor is just an excuse."

Madam Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. Back when she was still "Yongzhen", Chu Mingkong would always bring her gifts to please her whenever he came to see her. He could also frankly say that he approached "Yongzhen" because she was beautiful. Therefore, in Madam Zhen's eyes, Chu Mingkong was an honest, straightforward, honest, and simple-minded boy who didn't want others to suffer losses.

She was genuinely afraid that the emperor would use him as a hostage and imprison him in the capital, and that Chu Mingkong would foolishly go looking for medicine for him.

When she first bought the antiques, Madam Zhen was considering inviting Mingkong over that evening to "keep her company," but she hesitated. Such things were easily exposed; the more they interacted, the more likely Mingkong would notice something was amiss. They had only met once recently; inviting him again now might be too frequent.

Now that she heard Chu Mingkong say that he was preparing to leave the capital, Madam Zhen did not hesitate.

She suppressed her anxiety with determination and said:

“Mingkong, lately Yongzhen has been spending a lot of time in the guest room next to my dorm at night. She won’t say what she’s doing when we ask her. Why don’t you go check on her tonight and try to comfort her?”

Madam Zhen's reasons were truly elaborate, Chu Mingkong thought with a smile, but his expression remained tense.

"Is that so? Then I will go over and take a look tonight. But Madam Zhen, please don't stay up all night for me. If I find out anything, I will come over during the day and tell you."

The invitation was successfully sent, and Mingkong hadn't suspected anything yet. Madam Zhen was already looking forward to the night. She replied:

"Yes, I won't bother you, Mingkong, please don't worry."

"Madam Zhen, it's rare for you to come out, how about I take you to pick out a jade bracelet?"

Choosing a jade bracelet was just an excuse; he really just wanted to take her out for a stroll. Madam Zhen and her daughter Yongzhen were both quite homebodies, so if given the chance, Chu Mingkong would definitely take Yongzhen out for a walk as well.

"Well... jade bracelets are more suitable for someone like Yongzhen. If I were to care so much about jewelry at my age, it would be too flashy."

Chu Mingkong shook his head, unconvinced:

"Not at all, Madam Zhen is in the prime of her life. No young girl can compare to her in the slightest. This is not flattery, but my heartfelt opinion. Beauty is like wine; it takes the passage of time to release its richest aroma."

Take this jade bracelet, for example. How could it look ostentatious on Madam Zhen's wrist? We jewelry merchants in Xiling all say, "A mountain is not valued for its height, but for the presence of a deity." This jade bracelet only looks beautiful on Madam Zhen's hands.

The beautiful woman was very happy being licked by Chu Mingkong, but she was worried. Now that Chu Mingkong was so good to her, what if he switched bodies with Yongzhen later and then went to get close to this body?

But no matter how worried she is, she wants to enjoy the present moment first.

The beautiful woman stood up, and Chu Mingkong also got up and walked over. The shawl covered Madam Zhen's plump and mature body, and he put a veil on her. After all, before her royal status was abolished, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. If she walked on the street with her bare face, she would attract a lot of unnecessary attention.

Speaking of which, Chu Mingkong had just seen another of the most beautiful women appear before him in this attire today; this was truly...

While accompanying Madam Zhen to visit several jade bracelet shops, Chu Mingkong saw many soldiers running around on the streets along the way.

"What's going on these past two days? Soldiers have been running around, scaring away a lot of my guests. Are they just bored?"

"Shh, don't talk nonsense. The Fifth Prince was supposed to be escorted to the execution ground, but something seems to have happened along the way. The Fifth Prince has been kidnapped! Consort Wan is heartbroken and has returned to her maiden home, the Minister's Mansion, to visit her family. So the soldiers are clearing out the hooligans and ruffians around here. What if they accidentally bump into the Consort's carriage?"

"Consort Wan... Time really flies! It's been so long since I've heard anyone talk about Consort Wan. Before she got married, she even patronized my jade bracelet shop!"

"I had almost forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it. It's been so many years... Back then, a bunch of young masters from noble families were arguing heatedly about whether Miss Wan or Miss Zhen was the most beautiful woman. Then Miss Zhen became the empress, and the title of the most beautiful woman in the capital fell to her. I thought that since Empress Zhen was deposed by the late emperor before his death, Miss Wan would be the most beautiful woman, but then Empress Pei popped up..."

"If Empress Zhen hadn't been deposed back then, wouldn't she have become Consort Wan's mother?"

"Hey! Why is your focus so strange? Can't you think about how beautiful Miss Wan is? Only by surpassing her can one become the most beautiful woman in the Heavenly Realm?"

Chu Mingkong paused for a moment. Last time, Consort Wan had told him to go see her on the day she left the palace to visit her family.

Does that mean that you have to spend the rest of the day with Consort Wan and the rest of the night with Lady Zhen?

What's going on today? The Empress is here, the Princess is here, the former Empress Dowager is here, and the Imperial Concubine is coming too. Is this a royal reception day?

Chapter 121 Should we get the real thing?

After accompanying Madam Zhen shopping, Chu Mingkong escorted her back to her courtyard. There were no guards among the entourage, only him as her bodyguard. If Chu Mingkong didn't personally watch over such a stunningly beautiful woman on her way back, he would probably worry that she might be harassed along the way.

"See you next time, Mingkong. Remember to visit Yongzhen tonight." Madam Zhen kept reminding him, afraid he would forget.

Chu Mingkong smiled and nodded: "Yes, Madam Zhen, is there anything you'd like to eat? I'll see if I should bring you something tonight."

Madam Zhen thought about it for a moment and realized that she might indeed feel hungry. She wasn't usually hungry because she was already asleep by then, but if she stayed up late, she would still feel very hungry.

"This was prepared for Yongzhen, why are you asking me...?"

Chu Mingkong knew this, of course, but he pretended not to.