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

[A master's wife is a master's wife. Treat her the same way you treat your master. You are so close to Zuo Qiuchi, but so distant from your master's wife.]

With my connections, even if you make a small mistake, she will forgive you despite her strictness. Therefore, you need to personally go and check on her.

Chu Mingkong thought about it and realized it made sense. He had sent over the new communication tool, the paper note, but the person hadn't said a word. They could have simply sent their greetings on the paper note, but instead, they had Yunhan do it on their behalf. It did seem a bit deliberate, as if they were intentionally avoiding him.

Wouldn't that mean she immediately noticed something was off?

Yunhan was indeed prudent; this really reminded him.

Chu Mingkong quickly turned to Shen Xuejun's page and wrote:

【Master's wife, it's been a few days. I heard from Yunhan that you've arrived at the sect. How have you been?】

[Things have been good lately.]

The master's wife's reply was also surprisingly fast, almost as fast as Yunhan's. Shouldn't these two be handling sect affairs? Sure enough, when it comes to slacking off at work, people from any world are remarkably consistent!

Shen Xuejun inquired about Chu Mingkong's schedule, and then asked how the situation in Xiling was being handled, and whether she needed to send her disciples there for training, thus providing some manpower for Princess Chu. Chu Mingkong naturally wanted to refuse. This matter could be settled through a fair exchange, but if it was exchanged for a favor, it would be troublesome to repay later. However, Chu Mingkong couldn't find a point of exchange, so he had no choice but to agree to his master's wife's suggestion.

If it can make the two mothers of Xiling safer, what does it matter if he incurs a debt of gratitude?

Shen Xuejun: [Remember when you said you were curious about those white socks? I don't usually wear them, and they're just sitting there unused. I'm thinking of having them sent to you. Where are you planning to rest?]

It's unlikely that the gift could be sent to the capital, as his palace might be under surveillance right now. If the white silk from his master's wife were to be sent there at this time, it would be intercepted by the royal family.

The loss may seem small, but in some ways it is significant.

However, his wife was too decisive and efficient; she didn't even ask him if he wanted it, and just sent it over directly.

Chu Mingkong: [Just send it to Xiaoxiang Qin Academy.]

Although it was just a simple conversation, Chu Mingkong did feel that his master's wife, Shen Xuejun, was not as difficult to approach as he had imagined. They were not at a loss for topics, and even on this medium of communication, they could chat quite a bit.

After saying "It won't affect Master's wife's handling of sect affairs," Chu Mingkong moved on to his sister Yunhan's side, also to report on his situation just now, so that she wouldn't think that her little brother hadn't greeted Master's wife yet.

This should be considered a "rule," the rule for greeting elders in the sect.

After exchanging greetings, I also chatted briefly with my teacher's wife.

Yes, I saw it. You were very good.

You saw it?!

Chu Mingkong shuddered involuntarily. Could it be that Yunhan was watching the whole time when his master's wife, Shen Xuejun, sent the message? Wouldn't that mean the original white stockings thing was...? I must be overthinking it. Yunhan probably just saw his master's wife take out the note to reply.

Otherwise, things wouldn't be so peaceful now!

[Yunhan, when will you finish your seclusion? I'd like to come visit you and your master's wife then.]

[The exact time hasn't been set yet, but you don't need to wait until I finish my seclusion to come. You can come here often to handle matters for your master's wife, relieve her worries, and fulfill your filial duty as a disciple.]

Chu Mingkong felt a mix of emotions when he thought about the sect's reward of "his master's wife's original white silk stockings," but he felt he really had to do something about it.

Once things settle down here, I'll try to visit my master's wife soon, hoping she won't go into seclusion anymore.

When will you be coming?

"I'm still flying in the sky, how can I give an accurate time?" Chu Mingkong muttered, looking at the note.

[It's still uncertain, I'm still on the floating boat... Um, Yunhan, could you give me your white silk stockings?]

Why didn't you ask your master's wife for it?

I'm more curious about you, Yunhan, and I want you more. I still like Yunhan more.

Chu Mingkong was speaking to people in a way that suited them, thinking that since he was already forced to take his master's wife's white silk anyway, he might as well take his sister's as well and keep it. But this time, Yunhan's reply was much slower.

Could he really be angry...?

No, we won't give it to you.

Chu Mingkong: "..."

After ending his contact with Yunhan, Chu Mingkong remarked on the wonderful feeling of chatting with both his "senior sister" and his master's wife. However, after chatting for so long, he could at least confirm that the note was indeed without any problems, making it much easier to learn about the situation in Xiling and the capital in the future.

This may seem like just a flirting tool, but in reality, it allows Chu Mingkong's intelligence channels to be independent of others, which is of profound significance!

He turned to Qingse's note, having neglected Qingse for a long time because he had been so busy dealing with his sister Xiao Yunhan and his master's wife Shen Xuejun.

She sent a series of messages, but they went unanswered. Now she keeps sending messages to confirm if she is using the method incorrectly.

[Chu Mingkong, can you see my message? Why haven't you contacted me yet? Is there something wrong with this thing?]

Chu Mingkong chuckled and said:

"How could there be a problem with this paper sticker? I just talked with my master's wife and sister for so long and there were no problems. Whose product are you underestimating?"

Chapter 3: Is this a version update?

Chu Mingkong responded, and only then did Qingse's communication with him get back on track.

Looking at the nearly "99+" message history, Chu Mingkong figured she must have been furious, even to the point of calling him by his full name, "Chu Mingkong."

Now that she seemed to have calmed down, she reverted to addressing him respectfully as "Little Prince," constantly changing the subject and trying to make it seem as if the above record had never happened.

[Young Prince, you just mentioned going on a shopping spree. Are you planning to buy something from my Immortal Treasure Pavilion?]

Buying things? What to buy? I have a filial piety mall, what can I buy from you? Besides stockings, what else do you have there?

Chu Mingkong flipped through the records and discovered that it wasn't the "shopping spree" he was referring to, but something else entirely...

He explained:

No, I just got a new batch of goods and I'm planning to have you buy them all.

In the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, Qingse, sitting in her private room sipping tea, sighed regretfully. She had thought that the young prince had changed his ways and was planning to splurge on her, but it turned out he was just here to buy things.

However, his goods have indeed attracted quite a few people to her Fairy Treasure Pavilion recently. In most cases, merchants are not afraid that their goods will not suit people's tastes; they are afraid that people will not even look at their goods. If more people are willing to look, sooner or later some will spend some money here.

Moreover, aside from the goods, the suggestions Chu Mingkong gave her regarding clothing and other items also helped her a lot.

[It will be swept clean. I wonder what the young prince's new contraption called 'paper sticker' is for?]

She was naturally referring to how she could help with the operation of Xianzhen Pavilion.

Qingse's question left Chu Mingkong somewhat dumbfounded. This was a great tool for winning over customers and for targeted, regular product promotion, known as "big data push."

For cultivators, hoarding resources is a common mentality. Most people buy things when they have plenty of money and find something that catches their eye. If they wait until they need something and unfortunately encounter a shortage, they are only delaying themselves. In addition, treasures in the cultivation world are quite valuable and can be sold even if they are not needed.

As long as Qingse establishes this information channel herself, there will definitely be quite a few people hoarding resources like hamsters. When they buy things they don't need and want to resell them, they can bring them to the Immortal Treasure Pavilion for auction, which will generate another source of income through commission.

However, judging from the current efficiency of paper templates, if they are really put into use in the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, they will soon be insufficient. At that time, it will encourage Qingse to spend time and money to search for talents and improve materials.

Money is secondary; time and energy are the most crucial factors. Chu Mingkong doesn't want to waste his time on these things. He just wants to find girls to date and become a diligent cultivator.

[That's definitely feasible. I'll try distributing it to a group of regular customers first.]

[Let's not talk about that. During my time away from Beijing, has anything major happened? What developments have occurred in the situation?]

Yes, it seems that the emperor of your Tianji Empire has indeed awakened. The reason it is only "seems" is that he has not yet shown his face, but his henchmen have become much more active. His voice was heard coming from the emperor's palace some time ago, and he issued several decrees, which were basically to deal with those who were "active" during his illness, including you.

He attempted to pressure the Xiaoxiang Qin Academy through other sects to hand you over. During this time, many rumors circulated about your whereabouts. One moment they said you stole back to Xiling, the next that you were trapped in the Stone Bamboo Forest secret realm—strange and varied rumors abounded. Even the claim that you ran off to become the Prince of Jin was supported by many.

Chu Mingkong looked at the information on the note, stroked his chin, and nodded to himself:

"It was expected that they would investigate my whereabouts, but I didn't expect the emperor to actually wake up. The empress's poisoning skills weren't very good, and he really woke up. I was really lucky that I didn't manage to take a dump in his bedchamber when I sneaked into the palace."

The message Qingse had sent continued to appear on the note:

A powerful tribe has emerged in the Crescent Kingdom. A few days ago, they went to the capital to pay tribute and seek an alliance. At that time, the emperor had just woken up and personally agreed to the alliance request. He also sent Princess Yongzhen to marry the princess. The date for the marriage has not yet been set.

Furthermore, prior to this incident, the royal family apparently investigated Princess Yongzhen and Madam Zhen on some unsubstantiated grounds.

"what?!"

Chu Mingkong, who was alone in the room, exclaimed in surprise and almost crushed the paper booklet in his hand.

...Should we send Yongzhen to marry a foreign ruler?

Before Chu Mingkong could recover, messages from Qingse continued to flood his notepad:

During this period, all sorts of messy things have been happening in various places, and my colleagues' businesses have also been affected.

In Jin, the King of Jin held a banquet to marry a concubine, inviting a large number of his advisors and subordinates. However, somehow the entire King of Jin's mansion became possessed by demons, turning a perfectly good fiefdom into a mess. Now, it seems that monks have gone to subdue the demons, but it is unknown how things are going.

Things aren't going well in Liangzhou either. After the turmoil in Kunlun Mountain briefly subsided, many traitors fled to Liangzhou, leading to frequent battles and killings.

"Um???"

Chu Mingkong was now completely confused and bewildered. He hadn't been back in Xiling for very long, so why was everything in such chaos?

Could this be some kind of world line shift...?

However, this complicated situation did answer one of Chu Mingkong's questions—the royal family's attitude towards the current situation in Xiling.

Logically speaking, Xiling has changed hands. To put it bluntly, it wouldn't be a problem for the Chu princess to declare independence and establish the Xiling Kingdom. Yet, the Tianji royal family has remained silent for so long, allowing the de facto Xiling to recuperate and turn a blind eye to it. This is truly unbelievable.

However, now that they know so much trouble has happened, the Tianji royal family is probably overwhelmed with dealing with other matters. Since Xiling has changed hands without making a sound or causing any trouble, they will naturally turn a blind eye and concentrate their manpower on dealing with other things.

The current strategic neglect of Xiling is understandable.

It's not that they don't want to deal with Xiling, it's that they can't!

Prince Jin, it's good that you've fallen into demonic possession! This Buddhist sect's attempt to subdue the demon looks similar to the situation at Xiaoxiang Qin Academy.

"Fortunately, there's still time for many things. Yongzhen is only waiting to be married off; she hasn't even left the capital yet!" Chu Mingkong calmed down considerably and gradually considered countermeasures.

Zuo Qiuchi heard Chu Mingkong shouting from next door and opened the door to see what was going on.

"What's all the noise about? What happened now?" she asked.

Chu Mingkong relayed the information he had just learned from Qingse to Zuo Qiuchi, who also looked completely bewildered.

"What is this? Is it fake? Why don't we go back to Xiling now and then come out again to see if the situation has changed? It's only been a few days, and you've only been away from the capital for such a short time, and there's already such a commotion outside?"

Seeing that she reacted the same way, Chu Mingkong was immediately relieved.

"I was just as surprised!"

"Are you planning to go directly to the capital, or somewhere else?"

"Originally, I planned to secretly return to the capital to take a look, but now I'll go to Xiaoxiang Qin Academy first to make sure our allies are safe."