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

----------

Even after Chu Mingkong and Madam Zhen became invisible, they still couldn't use the main gate, neither the front nor the back. As soon as the gate creaked, guards would immediately come over.

Madam Zhen was excited and thrilled to be going out with Chu Mingkong to relax, but she knew how heavily guarded the outside was.

“Mingkong, when you came in, you should have seen those layers upon layers of guards outside the wall, like cabbages. How could we possibly get in and out? We should be invisible to outsiders now, right?” She wasn’t sure if she had become invisible, but she certainly couldn’t see her shadow on the ground anymore, which puzzled Madam Zhen.

"No problem, look how easily I got in, I just jumped over the wall. But I had to carry Madam Zhen, please don't mind, Madam Zhen~"

"...Hmm, it's not surprising."

Madam Zhen, dressed in a noblewoman's gown, swayed in the breeze, her hair flowing gently. A gentle, expectant smile played on her lips, her face delicate and radiant with a mature, alluring fragrance. Chu Mingkong's arm slid from behind her waist, hooking around her slender waist, and he lifted her graceful body into his arms. The beautiful woman's cheeks flushed as she recalled the powerful tenderness of the night before, her heart surging with emotion, her fragrance intensifying, making her even more alluring.

Chu Mingkong, holding the beautiful woman in his arms, easily leaped over the mansion wall without making a sound, but the simple jolt caused the fleshy parts of Madam Zhen's body to tremble.

Chu Mingkong's eyes unconsciously drifted to that spot; it was indeed voluptuous and eye-catching, and he was genuinely worried that it might spill out.

After leaping over the mansion wall, Madam Zhen gently covered her lips, not daring to make a sound. Her beautiful eyes anxiously looked at the guards outside, fearing that they would suddenly all turn their attention to her.

This reaction seemed quite interesting, but Chu Mingkong dared not linger. If his power were to fail, things would get really interesting.

Without even putting Madam Zhen down, he took her directly away from the area surrounding the Princess's residence.

The last time I took Madam Zhen out for a stroll was before...

Chu Mingkong wanted to take Madam Zhen to the bracelet shop they had visited before, and then to the teahouse for a while.

Isn't this a hint? They had discussed many secret rendezvous plans in that teahouse beforehand.

However, it's not very convenient now. When you stroll around these shops, officials will come in every now and then to take a look. A beauty like Madam Zhen would definitely be noticed at a glance.

If someone were to remain hidden in someone else's teahouse while drinking tea, the teahouse owner would probably think it was haunted, since there was no one around but the sound of tea being drunk never stopped.

Chu Mingkong followed the route given by Yongzhen, keeping a low profile and wandering around in less crowded areas of the outer city. Madam Zhen didn't like to move around, but after being cooped up for so many days, she felt refreshed walking under the sun, sweating profusely.

When no one is around, they chat; when there are people, they just walk.

When her feet were tired and sweat seemed to be dripping down her armpits and collarbone, Madam Zhen realized that Chu Mingkong had actually led her to the former Princess's courtyard.

"Mingkong, what is this...?"

"Take Madam Zhen back to a familiar place to rest."

After confirming the extra restrictions and traps in the courtyard, Chu Mingkong bypassed these tricks and led Madam Zhen back to her original boudoir, next door to the room where she had her trysts with "Yongzhen".

Because someone was watching nearby, she dared not open the curtains, making the boudoir appear dark.

"Madam Zhen, you must be tired from your walk. Shall I give you a foot massage?"

He was still the same as always. Before he could even finish asking the question, he had already taken off Madam Zhen's embroidered shoes and held her jade-like feet in his hands.

Madam Zhen was still hesitant, but upon seeing this, she nodded and said "Mmm". She noticed that Chu Mingkong's gaze was on her feet and he was not paying attention to her. She secretly stared at him with her beautiful eyes, suppressing the slight flutter in her heart.

Chu Mingkong's hand followed her jade-like feet, massaging down to Madam Zhen's calves. Her skin was smooth and supple, and he gently lifted her silk skirt, revealing her fair, snow-white legs. As the massage continued, Madam Zhen let out a contented hum, her cheeks flushed, and her full, soft breasts rose and fell.

Chu Mingkong's heart fluttered, but he pretended not to notice Madam Zhen's alluring figure. Looking at her fragrant feet, he asked:

"Madam Zhen, do you remember that you said Yongzhen was always sulking alone in the next room, and you even asked me to go and cheer her up? Now that she's moved to that grand and luxurious mansion, does Yongzhen still find a room to sulk alone late at night?"

Madam Zhen was taken aback. Hearing Chu Mingkong's question, she was somewhat tempted. Even though Chu Mingkong wasn't looking at her, Madam Zhen guiltily looked away and nodded slightly, but she still hesitated and struggled with her decision.

"...Yes, Yongzhen doesn't like the current house. She often sits alone in the empty room in my yard at night...Mingkong, if you... never mind, it's not safe now. Mingkong, you don't need to risk coming over. Yongzhen is fine even if she's alone."

“That won’t do. Yongzhen’s affairs are my affairs. I’ll sneak over tonight to take a look. But if Madam Zhen is awakened, don’t panic. It’s not a thief… Should we go tonight or tomorrow night? Madam Zhen, when does Yongzhen usually feel lonely and bored?” Chu Mingkong insisted.

"...It should happen tonight...yes, tonight..."

Chapter Fourteen just became invalid like that?

After resting with Madam Zhen in the courtyard until nearly evening, Chu Mingkong took her back to the Princess's residence.

As the setting sun shone on her, Madam Zhen's beautiful face gained a touch of softness and charm, her radiance shining brightly in the stillness, a beauty of unparalleled grace.

"Madam Zhen, did you enjoy your shopping today? It's a real pity we couldn't visit all the shops," Chu Mingkong asked. "Once I've thoroughly scouted the area and made all the necessary preparations, I'll take you shopping again."

Madam Zhen was naturally happy. She had been cooped up in that unfamiliar mansion for many days and could not go out. Now she not only got to relax but also returned to her old home to rest for a while. Moreover, she was with Chu Mingkong. Even if Chu Mingkong had just accompanied her for a walk around the Princess's mansion, she would have been content, let alone walking so far.

"I'm very satisfied. Next time... you don't have to always think about taking me out for a walk. There are always risks involved in going beyond those guards' operations. This one time is enough to make me happy for a long time! I'm afraid you're too proud and don't take these guards seriously. What if something happens to you one day?" she earnestly advised.

"I know. I just got back today and I was able to take Madam Zhen out safely. Now that I've figured out the situation these past few days, I'm even more certain that everything will be fine."

As soon as Chu Mingkong finished speaking, he slapped his forehead and blamed himself:

“I almost forgot something, Madam Zhen. Do you know where that royal uncle is? Or has the Emperor mentioned when this Prince Yu will come to pick you up? I want to be prepared in advance.”

Madam Zhen did not want Chu Mingkong to get involved in this matter. This enemy was not just an individual, but a major sect. She had inquired and found that many sects had to give way to the Sword Profound Sect. However, she did not want to leave Yongzhen and Chu Mingkong like this.

"The exact date hasn't been set. It's not a grand event like Yongzhen's; it'll most likely be around the time Yongzhen goes out for her marriage, probably about a month from now..."

A month later, that's a short time, but at least during this period he can properly meet with the girls in the capital. He won't have to go out for a political marriage in just a few days. If that happens, there will be no time to spare. He'll have to dig out the cave of the Venerable Wenxin and get rid of him first.

If this timeframe were a year or six months, Chu Mingkong would probably have already moved everyone away.

Chu Mingkong, not wanting to put too much pressure on Madam Zhen with this topic, shifted the focus back to tonight's "opening of Yongzhen," and said:

"A month is fine, Madam Zhen, please rest assured... Sigh! Madam Zhen, what should I talk to Yongzhen about tonight? I've been away from the capital for some time now, and I only know about the marriage alliance. I don't know much else. How should I find topics to chat with Yongzhen?"

"Topic..." Madam Zhen pondered for a moment before saying, "Tell me in detail what happened after you left the capital. I've only heard you mention the general events before, but I still want to know more details... I mean, Yongzhen will want to know."

Chu Mingkong felt he had told the story of what happened after leaving the capital many times. Both of his babies' mothers had heard him tell it many times. Chu Mingkong could almost prepare a vivid and detailed script in his mind, ready to transform into a storyteller and tell the girls about his experiences at any time.

He sighed, feigning difficulty:

"But I was planning to talk about this when I took Yongzhen out tonight. Wouldn't it be too repetitive and tiresome to bring it up again so late at night?"

"You'll tell me when you take Yongzhen out tonight? Then I won't hear you. I shouldn't have been so focused on our walk just now," Madam Zhen said anxiously.

"That's not good. We probably won't be able to talk that much then. You can say just a little bit, and save the rest for when we meet late at night. You two shouldn't speak loudly during your evening walk either, as it's tiring to talk. Say less and save the rest for when we meet late at night."

"OK then."

Even as evening approached, the defenses outside the Princess's residence remained impeccable, but they proved futile against Chu Mingkong.

The guard officer felt a sudden gust of cold wind sweep past. He looked around but saw nothing amiss. He scratched his head in confusion and asked the people nearby if they had noticed anything, but he couldn't get any information from them, so he assumed it was just his imagination.

After escorting Madam Zhen back to her room, Chu Mingkong reminded her to go to bed early before going to find Yongzhen.

After Chu Mingkong left the villa, Madam Zhen looked around the rooms next door to see which one would be suitable. These rooms were usually cleaned by servants and were very tidy. More importantly, she needed to decide which room to wait for Chu Mingkong tonight.

After much deliberation, Madam Zhen decided to stick with the original location. The room she had chosen in the courtyard was on the left-hand side before entering her boudoir, and she would choose the left-hand side as well!

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

"Yongzhen, I'm coming in."

When Chu Mingkong went to her boudoir, Yongzhen had just finished bathing. She looked beautiful and graceful after the bath, with a hazy, alluring feeling under the towel. She pursed her lips and glared at Chu Mingkong helplessly, her arms covering her body with the towel, but it couldn't hide her plump, rosy, and slender legs.

"Chu Mingkong!" Yongzhen called him by his name without any politeness this time, and said coquettishly, "You did it again before you even finished asking the question, turn around!"

"I thought Yongzhen would let me leave your room."

“Then you’d better get out of my room right now,” Yongzhen said immediately.

Chu Mingkong regretted his sharp tongue and apologized, saying:

"I shouldn't have been so cheeky. Yongzhen, don't be angry. Hurry up and change your clothes, or you'll catch a cold!"

So his apology wasn't for accidentally barging into the room, but for his own loose tongue?

Yongzhen really didn't know whether to say he was avoiding the important issues or to be self-righteous.

She quickly put on her clothes, and perhaps having just noticed Chu Mingkong's gaze lingering on her thighs, Yongzhen put on her conservative clothing and stockings again to cover her legs before asking:

"What brings you here? Did you bring your mother back safely?"

"Of course I have. How could you not trust me? I came here to take you out for a walk to relax."

"Take me with you?" Yongzhen glanced at the sky outside; it had already fallen into night in the blink of an eye.

“Yes, I’ve already taken Madam Zhen out for a long walk. You’ve been cooped up here for quite some time now, it’s time to go out and get some fresh air under the cover of night.” Chu Mingkong’s attitude was firm.

Although Yongzhen had various reasons for not wanting to go out, she couldn't resist Chu Mingkong's insistence. He picked her up like a virtuous girl being forcibly taken away and carried her outside.

With a heart full of trepidation, Yongzhen watched as Chu Mingkong leaped over the mansion wall, passing over the heads of the guards. Her heart was pounding in her throat.

Fortunately, it wasn't discovered!

The guard officer touched his head, puzzled, and said, "Strange, why is the cold wind blowing in gusts today? Did a bird poop on my head?"

Chu Mingkong led Yongzhen to a bustling night market street.

"Aren't you really afraid of being discovered?" Yongzhen asked reproachfully. At least Madam Zhen was somewhat prepared, but Yongzhen was directly kidnapped by him.

As if on cue, Chu Mingkong suddenly noticed several gazes gathering in his direction. He glanced at them and saw that they were the officials patrolling the night market.

"...Surely not? Nothing happened all day, and only now his powers have worn off?"

Chu Mingkong looked down at the ground with a worried expression, and sure enough, there were his and Yongzhen's shadows on the ground...

Chapter Fifteen: Who Opposes Your Affair?

This was really awkward. Yongzhen noticed the change in Chu Mingkong's expression and realized that there might have been something wrong with his concealment technique.

"Mingkong, have we been exposed...?"

"You can't say that."

"That's good." Yongzhen breathed a sigh of relief.

"We've only just been exposed, and now we're about to be revealed," Chu Mingkong said, looking at her with a wise and intelligent expression.

The woman was immediately speechless. Yongzhen desperately wanted to hear Chu Mingkong say, "Oh, don't be so serious, it was just a joke," but after waiting for several breaths, she didn't hear it. She knew he was serious this time, and the concealment technique had really failed!

Complaining is useless, Yongzhen asked anxiously:

"Can I immediately use my internal energy to hide back?"

Chu Mingkong wanted to make a joke, first saying "okay," and then adding "okay? That's a joke," but such a joke might not be appropriate for the occasion.

"No, let's find a quiet place to hide first. We should be able to figure out a way to get through this."