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

Chu Mingkong really hoped that Aunt Gu could learn some cultivation techniques, at least so she wouldn't get sick so easily, and if something did happen, she might be able to protect herself. Besides, she doesn't have to serve her husband at home most of the time, which is leisurely but also boring, so it would be great to have something for her to do.

Aunt Gu said hesitantly, "I've heard from others that these cultivation methods all start from childhood. What's the use of me studying this now?"

Chu Mingkong disagreed and retorted gently:

"How is it useless? Cultivation doesn't necessarily mean seeking immortality or becoming much stronger than others. It's enough to achieve your own goals. The path of cultivation is itself a process of getting close to the five elements of nature. It's enough to prolong life and strengthen the body."

Aunt Gu also thought this made sense, so she decided to treat it as a pastime.

"Alright, you teach me how to start. Last night, there was a lot of noise in the manor, and I couldn't sleep, so I took out your manual and looked at it for a while. But it made me dizzy and I couldn't understand it."

“Okay, Aunt Gu, then you can sit on the bed, in a cross-legged sitting position.”

Once the plump Aunt Gu was seated, Chu Mingkong began to teach her to sense spiritual energy. Only by sensing it first could one capture and draw it into one's body.

Normally, when a disciple first enters a sect, the master guides the spiritual energy through the disciple's body. Although the spiritual energy cannot be retained, it allows the disciple to experience the feeling of the spirit passing through the body. Unfortunately, Chu Mingkong cannot do this because his spiritual energy carries the Yin energy of the Abyss. To rashly channel his energy into Aunt Gu would be tantamount to bringing the abyssal energy into her body, which is no different from harming her.

He could only place his hand on Aunt Gu's lower abdomen, below her navel, while his other hand stroked her arms, shoulders, and back. The lower abdomen was where spiritual energy resided, and the places his fingertips brushed were the paths through which spiritual energy circulated, thus mimicking the initial introductory energy cultivation process.

But how can a woman concentrate when a vigorous young man touches her like this?

Although Aunt Gu had her eyes closed, there was something strange and unsettling about her expression. She couldn't figure out if Ming Kong was using cultivation as an excuse to take liberties with her. How could he touch an elder like that!

For some reason, although she was distracted, she did sense a faint aura of spiritual energy approaching. It wasn't just approaching, but rather it was always around her. The five elements of spiritual energy exist between heaven and earth and all things, but few people can sense it.

Could it be that this is really just a way to introduce her to the field?

As Chu Mingkong touched her, he felt that Aunt Gu's body was a little hot. Could it be that she couldn't find the feeling and had angered herself?

"Aunt Gu, take off some clothes, take off your outer garment. When you first start practicing, you need to focus on the path of your internal energy. Once you feel it, you won't need to take it off anymore."

The woman was so preoccupied with her own feelings as a junior that she didn't notice what he was saying. She subconsciously replied "okay." It wasn't until Chu Mingkong helped her take off her outer garment that she remembered she was still wearing that thin gauze dress!

When Zhong Feihuang came over last night, she was worried that Zhong Feihuang would find out, so she wore the veil. Later, Cui Lian and the others had another incident, and the mansion was in an uproar. It was noisy until midnight before the Cui mansion finally quieted down. At that time, she fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed and forgot that she hadn't taken off the veil.

But it was too late now. The outer garment had already been taken off, and Chu Mingkong saw the thin gauze draped over the strapless dress, which was indeed quite... alluring.

However, Aunt Gu had some personal needs in her private quarters, so he couldn't say anything and could only pretend not to see it. Just as he was about to help her take it off, Chu Mingkong's hand touched the thin gauze and he discovered that the gauze was unusual.

This garment can gather spiritual energy to aid in cultivation. Moreover, the patterns on the sheer fabric, though seemingly alluring, actually follow the meridian diagram. When spiritual energy accumulates to a certain level, the patterns on the sheer fabric will also gather and flow spiritual energy, essentially guiding the wearer through their cultivation.

This is practically tailor-made for beginners in cultivation! While similar garments exist elsewhere, they're rarely made in a sheer, gauze-like style. This is a truly ingenious way to attract female customers. Who has such a shrewd business sense?

Seeing that Aunt Gu was about to take off the thin veil, Chu Mingkong quickly stopped her: "Don't take it off. This veil will not hinder Aunt Gu's cultivation. It looks very good on Aunt Gu and can also help you with your practice."

To assist in training?

The doubts had barely arisen when she indeed felt the spiritual energy flowing through the thin veil. This sensation flowed through her skin, coinciding with Chu Mingkong's caresses. Because it was the first time, she couldn't help but let out a soft "hmm~" sound, a melodious sound that sparked all sorts of fantasies, making Chu Mingkong blush with embarrassment.

[System Treasure has arrived, 50 points of corrupted filial piety.]

[System Treasure has arrived in your account, 10 points of filial piety (undesirable).]

[System Treasure has arrived in your account, 10 points of filial piety (undesirable).]

......

Chu Mingkong was surprised to find that every time he traced the pattern on the gauze dress with his fingertips, Aunt Gu would send him a wave of filial piety. He just didn't know why the first wave was a distorted form of filial piety, and then it stopped.

While he was still basking in the joy of his abundant filial piety, Aunt Gu suddenly became angry. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears, her face flushed red (she was so angry that her face turned red), and her legs went weak (she was so tired from sitting cross-legged) as she climbed out of bed and chased Chu Mingkong out of the room.

"What's going on?" Chu Mingkong was completely baffled. "Aunt Gu, what's wrong?"

"Go play by yourself over there!"

So what exactly happened?

Just as he was at a loss, a faint, sorrowful, and pitiful voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Uncle... what are you doing here? Did you have a fight with your sister-in-law?"

Chapter Twenty: Ke Qing

Including this time, although Chu Mingkong has only visited the Cui family twice, he has already made a deep impression on several important elders.

The person behind him was most likely Sister Feng. Chu Mingkong turned around and, sure enough, saw the beautiful and charming Sister Feng Keqing smiling at him, dignified yet alluring.

Hua Zhu, the maid who served Feng Keqing, felt ashamed and worried for her mistress. As a woman herself, she also felt that Grandma Feng was too alluring and had too much feminine charm.

If she's in a good mood, that's fine, but if she's troubled or upset, her eyes lower and her melancholy gaze seems to hold a thousand unspoken words. Not only men, but even women can be attracted to her. She is more alluring and captivating than those so-called enchantresses from the Hehuan Sect.

This is Feng Keqing's unique charm, not something she intentionally displays, nor is it meant to seduce men. But this is precisely what worries Huazhu for Feng Keqing.

"It wasn't an argument, it was just an inappropriate joke that got us kicked out. Is Sister Feng here to see Aunt Gu about something?"

"Nothing special, I just heard that Uncle is here, so I came to say hello. Do you need Keqing to say a few good words to Sister-in-law Gu on Uncle's behalf?"

Chu Mingkong and his sister-in-law Feng Keqing stared at each other for a few breaths, a strange feeling rising in their hearts.

The scandalous affair of the Cui family's sons, including Feng Keqing's husband, with their extramarital affairs was exposed, leaving her deeply hurt. Her quiet, forlorn expression was filled with an indescribable melancholy, evoking pity in others.

It's incomprehensible that these people from the Cui family would neglect their wives and go off to have affairs with their young lovers. It's really outrageous... Chu Mingkong looked away, putting away his thoughts that were somewhat reminiscent of Prime Minister Cao.

"No need, it's nothing. I'll apologize to Aunt Gu later. But Sister Feng, don't be too upset. I've heard about what happened at the Cui residence. Please don't take it to heart. Just focus on doing your own thing. I sent a small gift to Sister Feng as a token of my sympathy, but I don't know why the messenger hasn't arrived yet. I'll go check. Please wait a moment."

He moved to the gate and ran out into the street to look around, but actually he went to try his luck with the blind boxes.

With Feng Keqing so heartbroken right now, isn't this the perfect opportunity to show filial piety and win her favor?

But as soon as he stepped outside, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This Sister-in-law Keqing is such a femme fatale. If she were to run into a man on the street and make eye contact with him, he would probably think she's seducing him. Amazing! I don't think she's practiced any seductive arts or anything. There's not even a trace of her practicing them."

Speaking of which, why would Aunt Gu give me corrupted filial piety? The filial piety system previously said that corrupted filial piety tasks would only appear if you were bound to a partner.

This system of filial piety, like a tapeworm in someone's stomach, immediately provided an explanation:

"For a moment, they may be deeply moved by your filial piety and show a distorted form of filial piety. The fact that they later revert to their original filial piety means that they have calmed down."

...What is this? Does Aunt Gu's act of filial piety make her enter a state of enlightenment?

However, it can only be said that Aunt Gu truly cares for him. Even after calming down, she can still show him filial piety, which shows that Aunt Gu really has no dissatisfaction with him, or is just acting like an elder on the surface.

Now that he has 150 corrupted filial piety points in his pocket, Chu Mingkong discovered that this filial piety gift blind box actually has an option to pay with corrupted filial piety points!

This means that the items you pull out might be even more amazing than those from regular blind boxes!

"But it costs 20 points of spoiled filial piety for each draw, which is too expensive..." He was a little reluctant, as these points were hard-earned.

The system then said, "There's a discount for the first draw. A ten-draw only costs 150 points of corrupted filial piety, and you can get 100 points of uncorrupted filial piety back after you finish the draw."

"Draw!" Chu Mingkong was willing to do it. This ten-pull seemed like a big loss, but in fact he gained 50 points of corrupted filial piety from the Filial Piety System!

It can only be said that filial piety has become corrupted, and there are more special effects in blind boxes. The process of drawing ten times is actually very similar to the gacha games he played in his previous life.

Several clusters of dazzling blue light flashed by, followed by a purple light, and then the golden light fell to the ground.

The purple and gold blind box has been opened!

[Hairpin, Treasures from Another World - Illustrated Album]

This hairpin came from a purple blind box, while the catalog came from a gold blind box.

"Aunt Gu has shown me filial piety through her own actions. I'll give her the gold gift, and the purple one to Sister-in-law Keqing for now. As for the blue ones, I'll pack them into a gift box and give them away."

The blue stuff is probably something like the Youth Preservation Pill, which he doesn't even bother to look at. He combines several of them and sees when he runs into Zhong Feihuang's second sister-in-law so he can give it to her.

......

Not long after Chu Mingkong left, Feng Keqing's maid, Huazhu, pulled her grandmother aside and whispered:

"Grandma Feng, you must calm down a bit. Don't let others see your mournful appearance. Be careful that the young prince will mistake you for a complaining old woman."

Hua Zhu didn't say it explicitly, but she actually wanted Feng Keqing to tone down that seductive look that was most likely to attract men. Even if she didn't mean it that way, it would be bad if people misunderstood. Besides, the young prince had only just met Grandma Keqing, so he was most likely to misunderstand her intentions.

What if she's mistaken for flirting with him? That would be a huge scandal of an uncle and sister-in-law having an affair. The Cui family has already had a few scandals involving young masters playing around with their young husbands; they can't afford another scandal.

“What you say makes sense, but the affairs of the manor are truly…” Feng Keqing sighed again, her two delicate, luscious lips pursed.

Hua Zhu was completely stunned. She shook her head to come to her senses, thinking to herself that she had almost been bewitched by her grandmother.

They had only exchanged a few words when Chu Mingkong turned back.

He took out a stunning hairpin. The hairpin was made of silver, which was elegant and understated, without the ostentation of a gold hairpin. The carving was exquisite, with lifelike details of the osmanthus flowers. At the end of the hairpin was a piece of dark blue jade, which was a perfect match for Feng Keqing in terms of temperament.

“Years ago, a guest presented a treasure to my palace. I thought that an ordinary girl could not handle this hairpin, so I hid it in the storeroom. When I saw Sister Feng last time, I felt that we had met before, as if we were old friends. I thought about it all night and remembered that I had seen this hairpin before.”

Feng Keqing and Huazhu were both stunned, especially Huazhu. Hairpins are not something that can be given away casually. Between men and women, they are equivalent to tokens of love, and Grandma Feng is already married.

Could it be that the young prince has truly misunderstood Grandma Feng's meaning, thinking she is flirting with him? What should we do then!

In their panic, both Huazhu and Feng Keqing were amazed by the hairpin. Such a precious piece of jewelry could be treasured as a family heirloom. Yet, unlike ostentatious and elegant jewels, it was as understated as a secluded orchid in a deep ravine.

"It's nothing grand, just a small token of my appreciation to Sister-in-law Feng Keqing. I only hope this hairpin can ease some of her worries and help her live a happier life."

Seeing that the other party had not accepted the offer for a long time, Chu Mingkong assumed that Feng Keqing thought it was too valuable to accept.

How can I not accept this? I've already used up all my filial piety, and I can't let it go without getting something back!

He approached Feng Keqing, gently held the back of her head, removed her original hairpin, and inserted the blue jade hairpin he had given her into her hair.

He had sensed this hairpin before; it could be considered one of those "celestial treasures" in the mortal world. The blue jade it was made of was a water-attribute gemstone. If used by an ordinary woman, its greatest effect would be to soothe and calm her heart. At the same time, this hairpin also had the effect of suppressing Feng Keqing's "femme fatale beauty."

After the hairpin was properly put on, Chu Mingkong took a few steps back and nodded in satisfaction.

"Sister Feng, go take a look in the mirror. Is it to your liking?"

Feng Keqing kept her head down. Even her husband had never helped her put on a hairpin, yet her brother-in-law, whom she had only met twice, was being so "attentive." This was an offensive and frivolous act against a married woman, but this prince's brother-in-law probably didn't have such intentions; he was just unaware of it. It was said that he had spent his childhood in the military and never listened to any instruction.

Yes, that's most likely the case.

Her cheeks were burning, her heart tormented by the feeling of being both touched and yet not touched, a sense of transgression. She bit her thin lips tightly, and for a moment she was stunningly beautiful, so much so that even her hairpins couldn't suppress it.

Chu Mingkong was momentarily stunned by the sight, and hurriedly found some excuses to explain the hairpin's warming properties, thus covering up his earlier lapse in composure.

"Is this hairpin really that magical?"

"Yes, just consider it a herbal sachet to nourish the body. Don't take it too seriously; it's just a token of our appreciation," Chu Mingkong said.

Huazhu initially felt it was inappropriate, but now she was completely captivated by the hairpin and said, "Grandma, this hairpin is incredibly beautiful on its own, but when you wear it, it looks perfectly natural. If I didn't know it was a gift from the young prince, I would have thought you had been wearing this hairpin for many years!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Keqing's worries dissipated considerably. She had been concerned about being asked where the hairpin came from, but now she had few worries about that.

She looked into Chu Mingkong's deep, beautiful eyes, which secretly gleamed. She thought to herself that this younger brother-in-law was really considerate, but a little clueless. Giving her a hairpin was one thing, but he could have just helped her put it on directly.

Huazhu came to her senses and, seeing the way her grandmother looked at the young prince, felt extremely worried. She turned away as if she hadn't seen anything!