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

But Yongzhen and Madam Zhen's situation is different; it's far too complicated. At first, he seemed to be getting close to Yongzhen in various ways, but in reality, Yongzhen's soul at that time belonged to Madam Zhen. Even after he learned the truth, Chu Mingkong's mind still felt a sense of closeness to Yongzhen's face, accumulated through various romantic interactions.

This closeness was especially profound after the reunion after a period of separation. The details were gone, but the immediate impression of Yongzhen in my mind was simply closeness.

If Chu Mingkong hadn't been focusing his attention on her feet, he would have instinctively wanted to kiss and touch her.

But if she actually did that, it would be very abrupt for Yongzhen herself, which would be awkward.

Chu Mingkong carefully recalled his progress. Although his mind was much clearer, he felt that he couldn't continue like this, or something bad might happen one day.

Is there a way to do this: repeat what you did back then with Yongzhen, so you won't be exposed?

A man and a woman lay on the bed. Chu Mingkong adjusted his sleeping position, lying face to face with Yongzhen. Meeting the questioning look in her beautiful eyes, Chu Mingkong cleared his throat and cautiously asked:

"Yongzhen, I noticed you didn't seem to like me holding your feet just now, and I'm still considering your opinion, so I'd like to put my arm around your waist to rest, how about that?"

Yongzhen now suspects that Chu Mingkong's earlier display of eagerness to wear her stockings was a conspiracy, a setup to get her to say those words now. "He even considered my opinion; if he does that again next time, isn't he just trying to touch her breasts?"

But Yongzhen couldn't bring herself to say those words. She looked down at Chu Mingkong's arm around her and asked with a serious expression:

"You've already hugged her, so why are you asking me what it means?"

Chu Mingkong, with an upright and righteous demeanor like a virtuous sage, said considerately:

"I was afraid you'd be too embarrassed to say yes, so I just hugged you first. That way you wouldn't have to say anything. But I still had to let you know, so I asked... If you really don't want to, I can go back and hug your feet. I'm fine with that. Don't worry about my feelings. These things should be based on what you want!"

"..."

Yongzhen was stunned by Chu Mingkong's unprecedented bandit-like thinking. She felt that there were many flaws in his words, and she could lecture him for a long time on any one of them. However, because his words were full of flaws, she didn't know where to start, and in the end, it turned into...

He couldn't utter a word.

When Yongzhen finally came to his senses, he realized that Chu Mingkong had been holding him by the waist and sleeping for quite some time. There was no point in scolding him now, and since he was resting with his eyes closed, waking him up suddenly seemed inappropriate...

She sighed softly to herself and simply let him hold her. Surrounded by Chu Mingkong's strong embrace, Yongzhen suddenly felt lost and confused.

Why would Chu Mingkong, with his caring nature, suffer such a setback at the hands of Miss Zhang, who sells wine? Although he was targeted at the time, his status and attitude towards others were still quite good. It's just that he tends to take advantage of people once they become familiar with him, but he shouldn't have been treated like that.

Ke Yongzhen knew that it was best to just sigh about such things. It was inevitable to encounter people who looked down on others. Who knew what the liquor merchants were really thinking?

Chu Mingkong didn't pretend to be asleep for too long; that was enough. There were still many things to deal with in the capital, and he couldn't hold Yongzhen for that long.

After waking up, he asked Yongzhen:

"By the way, I also heard that the emperor arranged for Madam Zhen to be taken care of by some imperial uncle. How is Madam Zhen now?"

When this matter was brought up, Yongzhen's face darkened. Madam Zhen was her mother, and regardless of the truth, they had been together for so many years, and she valued Madam Zhen very much.

She could have taken Lady Zhen with her when she went to marry into the royal family. Even if she couldn't, couldn't Lady Zhen take care of herself? Now she's having an imperial uncle take care of Lady Zhen.

Yongzhen gently bit her lip and said:

"She is still well and in the Princess's residence, but not in this courtyard. I would not want my mother to live in a house with such exotic decorations."

A few days ago, that Venerable Wenxin, who was also the uncle of Prince Yu before the late emperor ascended the throne, came to see my mother, but I stopped him. My mother also refused to see guests, citing poor health. However, he couldn't stop him from using the support of the Sword Profound Sect as leverage to go to the emperor to demand my mother's return.

It is said that sects do not interfere in the affairs of secular dynasties, but they cannot stop people with blood ties from using their sect background and relying on their distant relationship to talk about such family matters.

"Then Yongzhen, come with me to see Madam Zhen in a bit. But I came in a hurry and didn't prepare a gift."

“At a time like this, it’s a good thing that your people came. So wash your face first, and I’ll take you there.”

Chapter Twelve requires a completely new pretext.

Chu Mingkong followed Yongzhen to another courtyard in the mansion. This courtyard was quite far away by the normal road, and it would take a lot of effort to get there, but in reality, it was only two walls away.

The two walls now have two large gaps, and Yongzhen is taking Chu Mingkong along this "shortcut" as if it doesn't exist.

Presumably, Yongzhen was dissatisfied with the layout of the mansion and, finding the road too far, simply blasted open the courtyard wall. The large hole in the wall revealed jagged gaps, and she simply ordered people to clean up the rubble.

It's clear that Yongzhen doesn't really like this mansion. The previous courtyard wasn't big, but it was kept exceptionally clean and elegant.

The two arrived at Madam Zhen's room. Yongzhen gently knocked on the door, and Madam Zhen's sleepy voice came from inside, sounding as if she had just woken up.

“Someone has come to visit you,” Yongzhen said.

Chu Mingkong set up a soundproof barrier as he walked, so even if someone had ears on the other side of the wall, they couldn't hear anything happening here. However, Yongzhen was overly cautious and didn't explicitly mention Chu Mingkong's name.

Hearing that her daughter hadn't named the guest, Madam Zhen guessed it was that reclusive member of the royal family she disliked, and continued with her previous excuse:

I am not feeling well and will not be seeing any guests for the time being. Please understand.

Chu Mingkong coughed lightly. Madam Zhen recognized the voice slightly, but fearing she might be mistaken, she asked with a mixture of doubt and anticipation:

"...Yongzhen, who has come to see me?"

“Yongzhen, there’s no need to be so cautious. I’ve already set up a soundproof barrier.” Chu Mingkong said, then knocked on the door himself: “Madam Zhen, I just heard about what happened in the capital and came to see you.”

Through the paper window lattice of the wooden door, one could vaguely see Madam Zhen's graceful figure hurriedly getting out of bed.

The beautiful woman wondered if she was dreaming, wondering how she had returned so silently, but still fearing that Chu Mingkong had escaped, she said:

"Mingkong, Yongzhen, please wait outside while I tidy up..."

Madam Zhen quickly tidied herself up in the room, patting her cheeks to clear her mind.

We can't be so hasty. Right now, she's just Mingkong's elder. Getting too close would make Mingkong resentful. He likes girls like Yongzhen... Besides, Yongzhen is here too. It would be inappropriate for Yongzhen to notice anything amiss!

After this reminder, Madam Zhen's mind became much clearer. However, she hadn't seen Mingkong for a long time and couldn't get close to him, which was really hard to bear... Moreover, she had finally come up with an excuse to meet him late at night when they were in the princess's courtyard. Now that they had changed places to live, that excuse was no longer valid. How could she get close to Mingkong in private from now on?

Madam Zhen's mood shifted between surprise and disappointment. Oh well, it would be fine to meet as an elder. The plump and dignified beauty opened the door with a complicated expression.

However, upon seeing Chu Mingkong, although she was momentarily stunned by his new attire, a relieved smile quickly appeared on Madam Zhen's mature and beautiful face.

"Mingkong, when did you get back... wait, why did you choose this time to come back, when everything is so tense!" she asked with concern.

"Mother, don't stand at the door and talk, let's take Mingkong inside first?" Yongzhen felt gratified to see her mother so happy.

"Yes, yes, look at my head, I didn't expect Mingkong to really come back, my head is a little dizzy." Madam Zhen hurriedly pulled the two into the house.

Chu Mingkong briefly recounted his return, also mentioning that he hadn't had a chance to tell Yongzhen because he was so busy kissing her feet.

Madam Zhen listened attentively throughout, delighted that this younger generation had returned safely. However, she felt quite jealous when she heard that Mingkong had gone to find Yongzhen the moment he returned.

She understood that it was normal for Chu Mingkong to go find Yongzhen first. In Mingkong's mind, he had a physical relationship with Yongzhen late at night before leaving the capital, which was equivalent to a private engagement. Now that he heard that Yongzhen had been forcibly betrothed to a foreign land, it was normal for him to rush back to see her.

But Madam Zhen couldn't suppress the jealousy in her heart...

The current emperor said he was worried that she would be left unattended, so he sent his uncle, Prince Yu, to take care of her. But in this sense, how is it any different from his daughter Yongzhen's marriage alliance? Aren't they both just sacrifices to bring Jianxuanzong into the emperor's fold as an ally?

The mother and daughter received the same treatment, yet Chu Mingkong risked so much danger to come to the capital to meet Yongzhen...

Seeing that Madam Zhen's expression was not right, Yongzhen took her hand and asked with concern:

"Mother, what's wrong? You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"

Madam Zhen forced a smile and shook her head, saying:

"It's nothing, I just woke up and I'm still a little sleepy. The more I sleep, the sleepier I get. I'll feel better in a little while."

Chu Mingkong could somewhat understand Madam Zhen's feelings. She hesitated several times, wanting to get close but not daring to show too much enthusiasm, so she could only remain superficial. Chu Mingkong could only pretend not to know.

The previous late-night rendezvous was equivalent to an underground affair. Now that the address has changed, Madam Zhen has no way to get close to him unless she and Yongzhen switch bodies again, and then use Yongzhen's body to weave a new "lie" about their rendezvous.

Not wanting to remain silent for too long, he followed Yongzhen's words and offered words of comfort:

"I heard about Madam Zhen from Yongzhen. That scoundrel Emperor is indeed inhuman. But please rest assured, Madam Zhen's matter is my matter, and I will handle it well. The same goes for Yongzhen's matter. From now on, Madam Zhen can continue to live peacefully with Yongzhen as usual!"

Madam Zhen's expression softened, and she instructed:

“Mingkong, don’t act recklessly. Your safety should always come first. You’re being ‘watched’ right now. I’ve heard that Prince Yu has achieved great success in his cultivation at the Sword Profound Sect. He’s not to be underestimated. The Sword Profound Sect also has a very powerful background. Don’t be as impulsive as before.”

Regardless of what kind of force it is, Chu Mingkong is determined to deal with it. Once Prince Yu is removed, Madam Zhen's matter will be resolved, and the Sword Profound Sect will have less reason to interfere, which will also ease the pressure on the Xiaoxiang Qin Academy.

"I am not such a reckless person. I will know what I'm doing. If all else fails, I can even bring my master along. Madam Zhen, please rest assured."

At this point, Chu Mingkong was also trying to create an opportunity, otherwise even if he came to see Madam Zhen in private, she still wouldn't dare to show enthusiasm unless she was determined to confess that she was the "Yongzhen" who appeared late at night.

Since the mother and daughter haven't swapped souls, they'll have to create opportunities for them to meet in private; otherwise, there's no progress.

He said:

“Madam Zhen, Yongzhen, you must have been stuck in this mansion for quite a while now. How about I take you out for a walk in private? However, I can only take one of you out at a time. If I take both of you out at the same time, I'm afraid it will be difficult to take care of you.”

--------

P.S.: To be honest, I spent most of today rereading where I was on Madam Zhen's storyline... When I was writing it, my thoughts and feelings were very clear, but after interspersing the Xiling storyline for a month, I was afraid of missing any details.

Barley

Chapter Thirteen: Feeling Bored

Although there was a lot of personal bias in his words, he really could only bring one person with him right now. Not to mention bringing someone, even the "Colorless Shadow" technique might become ineffective when he used it himself, so it was not advisable to use it too much.

If Yongzhen and Madam Zhen are taken out together, and bad luck strikes, and the two of them appear together, they'll become quite conspicuous.

If it's just one person, it's very easy to cover up.

Chu Mingkong's suggestion was very attractive to the mother and daughter who were confined to the mansion. Both of them were reclusive and did not like to go out. However, it did not mean that they were willing to be trapped in the mansion and not be able to go out. Whenever they went out, they were followed by a large group of people, like a moving birdcage. Such a trip would only spoil their mood.

"Will there be any problems if you take us out? If there are any difficulties, then we don't need to," Yongzhen asked cautiously.

"Even if there are huge difficulties, I will still take you out to relax. This is very safe. I can come in without any problems, and it's no problem to bring just one person." Chu Mingkong said confidently, but he didn't use an exaggerated tone, as that would only add to Yongzhen's unease.

Seeing this, Yongzhen trusted his words and nodded, saying:

“Alright, then I’ll trouble you to take Mother out for a stroll first, Mingkong. She’s been cooped up in this unfamiliar mansion for days, and she’ll get really bored if she stays here any longer. It’ll be good for her to get out and about.”

Between the mother and daughter, Yongzhen seemed to be the one making the decisions. She picked up a brush, dipped it in some tea, and drew a simple map on the table with wet marks. This kind of water-painted map disappears as soon as the water dries, leaving no trace and posing no risk of being leaked.

Although it was simple, her explanation was exceptionally clear and concise, with iconic buildings clearly labeled, so there was no fear of not understanding it.

"The places I just mentioned are all heavily guarded areas where patrols often intersect, so try to avoid them."

Chu Mingkong looked at Yongzhen curiously and asked:

"Yongzhen, you've been trapped here, yet you've investigated these situations so thoroughly. Did Jinyu bring this to you?"

"A little bit, though it seems like a waste of time for me, it can still be a pastime. Alright, Mingkong, if you really want to take your mother out, then hurry up, the patrol teams will increase after nightfall."

"Okay, then I'll hurry up and accompany Madam Zhen to relax, then I'll come back and go out with you."