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

Madam Zhen had by now somewhat resigned herself to her fate, and she thought that she might as well take advantage of this strange state to understand her mother:

"Yongzhen, do you know why 'I' like to find tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle, and observe the prosperity from a quiet place?"

The mother and daughter had already removed their veils, but unfortunately only Chu Mingkong could enjoy their exquisite beauty.

Yongzhen looked thoughtful and said uncertainly, "I love that bustling and lively atmosphere, but I can't fit into it. I don't want to be burdened by it?"

Chu Mingkong wanted to create a painting of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" to please her, but unfortunately he didn't have the ability, and the Filial Piety System couldn't produce such a thing for him either.

Yongzhen added, “During peak seasons, the bustling traffic on the streets may seem noisy and chaotic, but when the people in it form a prosperous scene, it is very reassuring to see.”

Chu Mingkong suddenly realized something and subconsciously said, "The warmth of everyday life is what soothes the hearts of mortals? No, Madam Zhen and Yongzhen are not mortals at all, you've got it wrong."

Yongzhen's eyes lit up, and she murmured the sentence Chu Mingkong had just blurted out: "I like this sentence of yours. Who wrote it?"

"Wang Zengqi, a master who was very good at writing about food."

"I've never heard of this person before, but to be able to write such sentences already shows a touch of otherworldly elegance. I never imagined there was such a master."

When Madam Zhen saw Yongzhen and Chu Mingkong chatting endlessly, she couldn't stand it anymore and felt a sense of crisis... that she was about to have an extra father for no reason.

"Mingkong, stop talking about Yongzhen's preferences. She likes to look at people and scenery. What do you like to look at?"

Chu Mingkong's mind sharpened; he knew his elders were testing him, examining whether he and his daughter had anything in common. He had to answer carefully and couldn't just follow his own preferences.

However, he didn't know what kind of scenery he liked. People can find solace in self-deception, but it's difficult to truly understand themselves.

He looked at Yongzhen with deep affection, his mind racing: "I also enjoy watching people."

Yongzhen asked curiously, "What kind of scene is this?"

"It's just like the saying, 'You stand on the bridge admiring the scenery, while someone else admires you from a building. The bright moon adorns your window, and you adorn someone else's dream.' Just now, when Yongzhen and Madam Zhen were gazing at the street scene in a daze, you two were the people and scenery I admire."

Yongzhen looked at Chu Mingkong with increasing satisfaction. She knew that his words were meant to please her and her daughter, but they were still very pleasant to hear.

The smile on her lips never faded after Chu Mingkong appeared.

“I like what you said too. There are no rules for this poem, but it still sounds quite poetic, much more beautiful than many affected poems that try to please girls.”

How could it not be beautiful? This is a masterpiece!

Lady Zhen was also well-read and learned. Although her secluded life in the small courtyard was lonely, it gave her freedom, unlike Jin Yu who had toiled over etiquette and palace affairs.

She was very annoyed with Chu Mingkong, but she had to admit that he had really "spoken out ivory from a dog's mouth" today. That poem about scenery was out of style, but its meaning was more beautiful than most love poems!

It sounds very affectionate, but upon closer inspection, it's not so intense. It's all about describing the scenery, blending that deep affection into the landscape. It's clearly sweet talk, but it's so subtle that it makes you linger without feeling greasy or vulgar.

"Who did this?"

"A master among the common people, but I forgot. I heard it by chance. Madam Zhen also knows that I am usually idle and have nothing to do, so I naturally hear a lot of things."

Madam Zhen snorted lightly. Did she think she was a fool? Were there really so many hidden masters in the world? Why did you have to hear them all?

He denied it, and she was too lazy to investigate further, but her impression of Chu Mingkong improved somewhat.

Chu Mingkong was unaware that the soul within Yongzhen at this moment belonged to her somewhat confused mother, who was also the real Madam Zhen. Ultimately, Chu Mingkong's kindness towards Yongzhen was directed towards her, not her mother.

Since it was a clever remark made to please her, she decided to accept it for the time being.

Just then, outside the screen, Chu Mingkong heard the traveling merchant's loud and boisterous talk again.

"Since I've had a drink with you, sir, I'll tell you a few interesting stories from the capital. Now, let's talk about that young master, Chu Mingkong. According to reliable sources, he often buys poems from talented but unappreciated scholars in the countryside, and he uses them to deceive respectable young women, especially targeting older women."

Chu Mingkong's face turned dark, but "Madam Zhen" laughed happily when she heard such slander.

Wow! You traveling merchant, you're never going to stop! You're everywhere! Where did you get this "reliable information" from?!

------

PS: There will be one more update today.

Chapter 40: The Aura of the Empress?

Fortunately, neither Yongzhen nor her daughter took the gossip outside the screen seriously. They probably had heard about his various "reputations" before, and after getting to know him better, they felt that he was not as bad as the rumors suggested, and that these rumors were not worth believing.

However, Chu Mingkong remains highly suspicious of "Madam Zhen". In the past half day of contact, Chu Mingkong was indeed a bit flirtatious, but his words and actions were not bad. It's just that the gift was so inappropriate... How could he dare to give it?

While they were out, Madam Zhen couldn't ask him directly. She could only leave these questions for when she returned home to question him and find out his true intentions: giving strange things to the elders on one hand, and constantly trying to please Yongzhen on the other.

Yongzhen found the "chatting" outside very interesting, so she asked the waiter to remove the screen so that she could hear clearly. However, after the screen was removed, she and her daughter had to wear veils.

As soon as the restaurant staff removed one of the screens, the traveling merchant caught a glimpse of Chu Mingkong's profile and the furtive glance he was giving him. Cold sweat broke out on his back, and he vanished in a flash.

"Hey! Why did that person run away? I just put on my veil!" Yongzhen was confused and a little disappointed. She had hoped to hear more interesting stories about Chu Mingkong from that person.

Although I won't take it seriously, it's still quite interesting to hear how he appears in other people's eyes.

Seeing that the person had run away, Chu Mingkong felt both angry and helpless.

He actually welcomes itinerant merchants, as they save him the trouble of creating his own narrative. However, their rumors are a bit outrageous, making Chu Mingkong feel guilty. Now, they even seem to be ruining his plans.

That kid was quick!

After the screen was removed, the guests at the nearby tables could only be Miss Zhang Yiyi of the Zhang family.

It's already rare to have a corner of screens set up on the second floor, and the way the staff were so attentive in removing the screens just now attracted a lot of attention.

Zhang Yiyi was one of them. Her friends at the table discussed the two women with graceful figures and then went on to talk about other things, not paying much attention to that side. But Zhang Yiyi couldn't help but pay attention, because Chu Mingkong was there too.

There haven't been any reports of him meeting new girls in the palace lately. He only visits the Cui family to pay respects to his elders from time to time. So, the people around him must just be his elders, right?

During this time, she tried to go to his residence to find him, but he was often not there and did not receive outsiders. His whereabouts were uncertain, and all she could find in order to find news about him were some outrageous rumors.

"Yiyi, there are rooms available upstairs. What are you waiting for? Let's go up together. It's so annoying to wait here. I should have reserved a room upstairs first."

"...Oh, you guys went up first, I'll follow you soon."

The other women traveling with her assumed she was just going to the restroom and said, "Okay."

Once her sisters had all left, and she was sure that no one would see her humble side later, she poured herself a cup of tea and got up to go to Chu Mingkong's table.

"Your Highness, it's been a long time. I've been wanting to apologize to you. I was so foolish before, deceived by your naive words that being too close to you would be punished by the Emperor. My family is helpless and has no one to rely on. Today, I'll punish myself with wine, and I hope Your Highness can forgive my past foolishness..."

Now Chu Mingkong felt that today was really not a good day to go out, and he regretted bringing people along, especially Yongzhen and Madam Zhen.

So unlucky!

First, a traveling merchant badmouthed him to his face, and then his "ex-girlfriend" came over to try and build a relationship with him.

"Yongzhen" looked blank, not quite knowing about Zhang Yiyi's matter, but "Madam Zhen" had heard the whole story from Jinyu. The royal family members were quite concerned about Chu Mingkong's matter, but they mostly talked about it as a joke. Jinyu didn't even bother to inquire about it, but had already heard the general outline from the prince.

Then the message was passed on to "Madam Zhen" by Jinyu.

Seeing Chu Mingkong's repeated setbacks and his humiliated appearance, Madam Zhen's dissatisfaction with the erotic panty gift dissipated considerably.

Serves you right for giving such a shameless gift! Now you're embarrassed, aren't you?

"Mother, who is this?" Yongzhen asked softly.

"Madam Zhen" ultimately didn't bring up Chu Mingkong's incompetence, omitting the details and only giving a general overview, transmitting her thoughts through her cultivation level:

"This is the other girl that the Emperor arranged for Chu Mingkong after Shangguan Rong. Chu Mingkong gave her a lot of good things, but she was not treated properly in her family."

This was said very lightly, but it was also very subtle.

Chu Mingkong didn't get anything good from Shangguan Rong, but she still treated him with the proper etiquette. He was treated to the best of her ability in terms of food and lodging, and Shangguan Rong personally accompanied him when he went out. What Shangguan Rong targeted most about Chu Mingkong was that she neither spoke ill of him nor defended him. It is said that Shangguan Rong had a fight with him in the end, hoping that he would not be so cowardly and would stand up for the rumors. However, only they themselves know the truth.

At the Zhang family's place, they were truly not treated with any respect; in fact, they weren't even treated like ordinary guests.

Chu Mingkong did not get up to accept her apology. Seeing that Zhang Yiyi lingered, he couldn't help but wonder if she thought he would soften and accept it.

“Miss Zhang, your aunt apologized on your behalf for the inappropriate things you and your brother Zhang San did back then. I have already accepted the apology, so there is no need for you to come here to do face-saving things again. I will not secretly target your Zhang family. Just enjoy the festival in peace.”

"If the young master says that, then he still hasn't forgiven Yiyi. I've already severed ties with that person. He was the one who kept bewitching my family with his sorcery, and I was frightened by him, which led to what happened later..."

Chu Mingkong slammed the cup onto the tea table with a "thud," the force transferring to the dessert plate on the table, causing the porcelain plate to shatter and crack.

He emphasized his tone: "Girl, that was your own choice. I've already shown you the utmost tolerance for your mistake. Don't shift the blame onto others!"

During his time at the Zhang family's house, could he really have remained completely calm? Without Zuo Qiuchi's help to suppress his injuries, he was no longer able to control himself and maintain his usual composure.

"You said you were afraid of being reprimanded by the Emperor, which is why you were so rude. Why have you come out now? You found out that your brother touched my finger and caused a serious injury. The Emperor hasn't punished me yet, so he probably won't. You feel like you missed out on a great fortune, so you've shamelessly come back now?"

"Do you know why I treated your family leniently? Your concubine knew that you secretly switched the chipped bowl for me. Every time she was in charge of ladling soup, she would secretly switch her good bowl with mine and keep the chipped one for herself. That concubine is your father's concubine, and her status is almost the same as a maid. Isn't she afraid of being punished by someone for trying to please me? I didn't say anything last time because I was afraid that you would target her in private."

"Actually, I also have my faults. At least your aunt treated me, this ridiculous prince, with sincerity, but I have never treated your family with sincerity. My kindness to you was more out of necessity than desire. Fortunately, you did not accept it, otherwise I would really feel ashamed and uneasy."

"I was just about to throw this cup of tea in your face because you ruined my mood. But I'll remember how good your aunt was to you, so you can leave now."

Unfortunately, some people just can't read the room.

"...Your Highness, you were so tolerant of my willfulness back then, you must have just been saying that in anger. You'll forget about Yi Yi's immaturity once you've calmed down. I will definitely..."

Madam Zhen was somewhat angry upon hearing this. Forgetting whose body she was in, she suddenly stood up, removed her veil, and revealed her stunningly beautiful face, as if declaring her status and looking down on the shameless Zhang Yiyi.

She splashed a cup of tea on Zhang Yiyi's face: "This is the time for the young master to spend with me. Don't disturb us. Get out of my sight immediately!"

Chapter 41 Jinyu: My Sister's Man Smells So Good

On the Lantern Festival, Jin Yu, a girl who loves to play and seek out interesting things, naturally went to Yong Zhen's house because of the rules in the palace. Her mother was in a bad mood for the past two days and refused to see anyone.

However, she happened to run into the three people who were returning in low spirits. After getting off the carriage, Jin Yu walked over with a dignified demeanor, revealing a faint worry. For someone of her status, showing an excited expression in public would be impolite and would damage her public image.

"You guys sneaked out to play without me, but why don't you seem happy?"

When Madam Zhen saw Jin Yu, her expression was not good. In the past, Jin Yu could not see Yong Zhen at this time. If she insisted on staying and asked Yong Zhen all sorts of questions, given Yong Zhen's current state, she might ask some things she shouldn't know.

When "Yongzhen" saw Jinyu at this moment, her memories became somewhat confused again.

She is indeed Jinyu, but are we of the same generation? I seem to remember being her elder.

Chu Mingkong noticed that both the beautiful woman and Yongzhen remained silent, and guessed that their mood was probably affected by his affairs.

“Princess Jinyu, why don’t we go inside and talk about it? It’s just a little embarrassing thing that happened during the Lantern Festival.”

"it is good."

Upon entering the main hall of the courtyard, Chu Mingkong briefly recounted what had just happened. Jin Yu then realized that she had encountered such a situation, which was indeed unlucky. She had gone out to have a good time, only to have an ungrateful woman ruin her entire day.

The Lantern Festival only comes once a year, and it's already a rare treat to have good memories of it. Nobody wants to encounter something like this, especially since Yongzhen and Madam Zhen are people who don't go out much.