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

"Then I will go up and fight him. I will chop off his hand. In front of everyone, I will cut off his right hand so that Xiao Fengnan knows that both of his hands are equally useless."

Chapter 198 Introduction

Upon returning to Qingxin Mansion, the security was much tighter, with servants running around everywhere.

Chu Mingkong initially thought their situation had been exposed, but after observing for a while, he realized it was just a false alarm. It seemed the Princess Consort of Chu was mobilizing people to investigate something; several groups of Xiao family carriages stopped near Qingxin Prefecture to exchange information.

But it had nothing to do with them; everything was fine and went unnoticed.

Chu Mingkong eavesdropped for a moment, vaguely understanding the situation, and shook his head, saying:

"Oh, Mother Consort is investigating who instigated Xiao Fengnan to injure his martial tendons. It's absurd to blame others for this. If the investigation fails, shouldn't we blame Old Lu for having too strong martial tendons and actively tempting Xiao Fengnan to exchange them?"

So, according to that logic, Prime Minister Cao was also tempted by those married women, and it was those women who ruined his reputation as a ruthless and powerful figure.

Back in his sister's courtyard, Chu Mingkong rushed into his room, climbed onto the bed, lay down, closed his eyes to rest, and browsed the Peach Blossom Shop of the Filial Piety System to see if there were any suitable pills or herbs to treat Xiao Fengnan's martial tendons.

"If I buy too good a product, it would be like I'm failing in my filial duty and letting Xiao Fengnan benefit for nothing. If I buy too bad a product, it will affect Xiao Fengnan's recovery. It's really a dilemma."

Aside from Princess Chu and those ambitious members of the Xiao family, the person who most wants Xiao Fengnan to recover is probably Chu Mingkong.

However, his hope was actually a plan to strike him even more thoroughly!

He should cut off his right hand in a fair and square manner, so that he can also feel the pain that Old Lu suffered. This is the kind of pain that Xiao Fengnan should endure at his age. Since the Princess Consort of Chu is so protective of him, then it is up to him, as the older brother, to teach this stupid, idiotic younger brother a lesson.

"This Crimson Blood Bone-Growing Lotus costs five thousand coins, which is not enough for Xiao Fengnan. This Dragon Bone Flower seems better. It's cheaper, causes intense pain, and has a decent healing effect. It can torment Xiao Fengnan for two days before he can fully recover. It's practically made for him."

Chu Mingkong didn't hesitate to spend a thousand corrupted filial piety coins to exchange for two plants. His heart ached as if it were being cut by a knife. The newly refreshed "Hehuan True Scripture" was still far away, yet he had already spent a thousand coins.

This extra thousand in economic deficit will inevitably cause the elders a lot of trouble.

Mother, do you know that your son Xiao Fengnan has caused trouble for my master and my maid for a long time? It's all your fault!

"But I'm not in the mood to farm filial piety points right now, I don't even want to do the daily tasks..."

Chu Mingkong rallied his spirits, sorted out his thoughts, and first recited one of the chapters of the Book of Changes from memory. He was missing some sentences that he couldn't recall, so he could only use "..." to replace them. After finishing the recitation, he ran to Shen Xuejun's room to find her.

Upon entering the room, Chu Mingkong didn't forget to bind Shen Xuejun to his elder's partner list, a new spot added by the breakthrough system.

After binding the account and giving such a generous gift, shouldn't we at least show some distorted filial piety to mitigate the damage?

dong dong dong-

"Master's wife, it's me. May I come in to pay my respects?"

"Mingkong, come in. What brings you here?"

Upon entering the room, the aloof and elegant female sect leader, dressed in a white dress, sat by the tea table. The tea had gone cold after only a few sips, and she held the "Tao Te Ching" given to her by Chu Mingkong in her hands, carefully studying and savoring its wisdom and thoughts, pondering who could have such insightful understanding of the complexities of the world.

Long lifespan doesn't really mean anything. Those who don't understand won't see the scenery that wise people can see, no matter how much time they are given.

Chu Mingkong didn't know if their sect had any rules for greeting, but he walked up to the beautiful woman, cupped his hands and bowed to express his respect.

As he looked up, Chu Mingkong's gaze fell directly on her abdomen, now that she was shorter. The white shirt, affected by the icy spiritual energy, was still faintly see-through, revealing her long and slender navel, which looked sexy and beautiful.

Moving the gaze a little further down, Shen Xuejun sat with an elegant posture, her legs together. The soft, thin skirt was nestled perfectly between her thighs, clinging to her skin. At first glance, she appeared plump but not bulky.

Extending inwards along the crease formed by the thighs coming together, lies a woman's most sacred and inviolable secret paradise.

Chu Mingkong took out the fragment of the Book of Changes that he had just memorized, marked the pauses in the sentences, and handed it to the beautiful woman.

"This is all the content of the Book of Changes that I can recall so far. This is one of the three chapters of the Book of Changes. The other two chapters, according to the old fisherman, have been lost. Even the Book of Changes is obscure and difficult to understand. I only remember a little and have forgotten a lot."

The apology gift for the teacher's wife has been made up.

Chu Mingkong still wanted to take the opportunity to get closer to Shen Xuejun under the pretext of recalling the Book of Changes, but he didn't have the time lately. Even if he did have free time, Chu Mingkong would have to find a way to get more filial piety gifts. He couldn't possibly earn them from Shen Xuejun, could he?

We're not that close.

Shen Xuejun nodded approvingly:

"I was pleased to hear that you, with your mischievous nature, would take a long time to recall. But I never expected that this book is incomplete, with parts of it lost. It's truly a great pity!"

She had only briefly glanced at the Book of Changes, and before she could even look at it in detail, Chu Mingkong was notified that he had gained nearly two thousand points of corrupted filial piety.

"There is one more thing I would like to ask of my master's wife."

"What's the matter?"

"Could you please introduce me to Princess Consort of Chu so that I can treat Xiao Fengnan's hand injury?"

If it's someone of unknown origin, the meeting process will be a bit complicated and troublesome, and there might even be a body search. Chu Mingkong doesn't want to expose himself, so having someone introduce him is essential!

If the person who introduced her was Xiao Yunhan's master, that would be even better. Princess Chu wouldn't doubt it at all, and even if she met people later wearing a full suit of armor, Princess Chu wouldn't have any objections.

Shen Xuejun glanced at the open space beside her. From where she was looking, she could walk through several corridors to reach the Princess Consort of Chu's room. She understood Chu Mingkong's thinking about needing an introduction to return to her own home, but it was really too troublesome.

It's still because we're too focused on the troubles caused by emotions and feelings.

"It's just an introduction, no problem. Have you already made your decision?"

"Yes, I have already made up my mind about the follow-up plans. You don't need to worry about it, Master's wife. Just introduce me to them."

"Alright, now that you've settled things in Xiling, would you be willing to come back to Wenqing Pavilion with me for quiet cultivation? Your master's wife can handle things for you in the capital. It's a real pity to waste your talent on worldly affairs."

Is this the ruthless way? Not afraid of offending anyone at all.

But even if he went to the Asking Love Pavilion, could he really maintain his composure and cultivate in peace with his sister and master's wife every day? Chu Mingkong seriously doubted his willpower. It wasn't that his willpower was lacking; it was all due to his injuries!

"However, I still have family in the capital, and my ambitions lie elsewhere. I must disappoint my master's wife's kindness... I wonder when my master's wife will have time to introduce me?"

When would you like to meet?

Chu Mingkong slammed the armor out of his hand, bent over, and crawled inside. His voice, muffled by the breastplate, said:

"Now!"

Chapter 199 Mother, can we have some private custom-made photos?

Qingxin Mansion.

Princess Chu was meeting with Shen Xuejun. Without discussing their status or position, the two mature beauties, whose looks were equally stunning, sat facing each other. The elegant tea room seemed to brighten up because of their presence.

Princess Chu poured tea for Shen Xuejun, first introducing the tea's origins, and after tasting it for a moment, she asked:

"Master Shen, is there something important to discuss with you?"

Princess Chu didn't think Shen Xuejun would make a special trip to visit her. Shen Xuejun was her daughter Xiao Yunhan's master, and Princess Chu naturally knew a thing or two about her personality. Now that Yunhan was in seclusion in the sect's sacred ground, Shen Xuejun, as the sect leader, had even less reason to come looking for her.

Shen Xuejun was naturally there at the request of her newly recognized apprentice to discuss the matter of introduction. She said:

"I happened to be passing by Tianya City with a friend when I heard that the Princess of Chu was looking for rare medicinal herbs that could heal flesh and bones, so I came here."

"Oh? From what Pavilion Master Shen is saying, there is a trail of medicinal herbs?" Princess Chu, who was about to take a sip of tea, immediately put down her teacup.

"Indeed, I met a strange man who has lived in the dangerous mountains for a long time a few days ago. He has quite a lot of rare medicinal herbs on him. The ones he casually eats are all over three hundred years old. However, he has a strange personality, so I did not have much contact with him. If Princess Chu needs an introduction, I saw that man when I left Xiling and asked him to come to Qingxin Mansion."

You're eating 300-year-old medicinal herbs as snacks?!

This was truly astonishing to the Princess of Chu. It was understandable to eat medicinal herbs that were decades old as snacks, but to waste medicinal herbs that were over a hundred years old in this way was extremely rare.

Either this person is ignorant and narrow-minded, or this person possesses many rare herbs and looks down on these hundreds of years old. Shen Xuejun's meaning is clearly the latter.

“Then I’ll trouble Pavilion Master Shen to introduce this person… How is Yunhan’s seclusion going? The situation in Tianya City is complicated right now, it would be great if she could come out of seclusion.”

"It will be difficult for me to emerge from seclusion in a short period of time. I was too impatient in my cultivation a few days ago, and my hair turned white due to the leakage of spiritual energy. I urgently need to stabilize my realm. If my foundation is not solid, there will be endless troubles."

"Please take good care of my daughter, Pavilion Master Shen!"

--------------

Covered in metal, Chu Mingkong quickly arrived at Qingxin Mansion from afar—or rather, he climbed over the wall of Qingxin Mansion, strolled around outside the city a few times to show the guards, and then brazenly entered the city.

Upon learning that he was introduced by Pavilion Master Shen, Chu Mingkong was quickly led to meet Princess Chu. This was because Shen Xuejun had mentioned that she was not familiar with this person, only knowing that he had an eccentric personality. Behind Princess Chu stood two powerful attendants, just in case this armored man was acting strangely towards her.

"How shall I address you?" Princess Consort of Chu asked politely.

"Zuo Ge Ge." Chu Mingkong gave himself a name that sounded very much like an idol.

Upon hearing this strange name, the Queen Consort of Chu remained unfazed and said:

"I heard from Pavilion Master Shen that Your Excellency Zuo has many precious medicinal herbs. I wonder if you have any miraculous medicine suitable for regenerating a severed arm?"

Looking at Princess Chu's polite demeanor through his tin can, Chu Mingkong felt quite surprised... How to put it, Chu Mingkong had never seen her treat him so politely before.

Of course, this doesn't mean she was particularly wicked; it's just the difference between being cold and polite. The disparity is obvious without needing further explanation.

He suddenly remembered what Shangguan Rong had told him: her father treated him, Chu Mingkong, better than he treated his own daughter. Chu Mingkong now felt a bit of empathy for her.

However, his inner emotions were not greatly affected. He only felt wronged when he was neglected by the people he cared about. To be honest, Chu Mingkong was closer to the Gu family and the Wei family in Xiling. At this moment, he was more curious: So this is how the Princess Consort of Chu is in front of others.

"Your Excellency?" Princess Chu asked curtly, then fell silent, puzzled by his abruptness.

She was also thinking to herself, just as Master Shen had said, that his temperament was somewhat eccentric.

"I was distracted. Do you have any suitable medicine? Let me examine Young Master Xiao's injuries first, and decide which medicine to use for which injury," Chu Mingkong replied.

To show that he could actually offer some "family wealth," Chu Mingkong took out the two dragon bone flowers he had just replaced.

A rich medicinal aroma wafted over, and Princess Chu's expression turned solemn. This aroma was at least nearly a thousand years old, which made her even more convinced of Shen Xuejun's claim that this person was eating century-old medicinal herbs like snacks.

But Princess Chu was a clever and quick-witted person. She understood the hidden meaning in his words—he could produce even better medicine, which was why he said he wanted to check Xiao Fengnan's injuries. If it wasn't necessary, he wouldn't take out the medicine he hadn't yet produced.

Royal family, with a solid financial foundation, so even the Princess of Chu didn't ask what medicine he hadn't taken out yet, and directly said:

"Your Excellency Zuo, I wish to purchase all the medicinal herbs you possess. Would you be willing to name a price? Or is there anything Your Excellency Zuo desires? I will do my best to fulfill your request."

I want to chop off Xiao Fengnan's right hand. Can you do that?

Perhaps out of a mischievous impulse, Chu Mingkong had just thought of asking if the Princess Consort of Chu could take a picture of him with the viewing stone while wearing only a bellyband, underpants, and black stockings, but then he thought better of it.

This was purely to annoy the Princess of Chu and to pin Old Lu's score on her.

"No, I can't bear to use anything too good. Something decent is enough, otherwise it would be a waste."

Princess Consort of Chu: "......"

He was indeed an eccentric man from the mountains. He didn't want to offer any good medicinal herbs, and his reason was that he couldn't bear to part with them, rather than that he wanted something else.

"Please follow me, Your Excellency Zuo."