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

[Chu Mingkong: We should be able to reach Xiling by tomorrow night. I think we can meet now. Shall we come down or should I go up?]

[Qingse: Haven't you been away from the capital for several days already? Why haven't you arrived at Xiling yet? Hmm, what do you mean by "coming down and going up"?]

Qingse was sitting in the study when she got up, opened the carved wooden window, and looked around. She didn't see Chu Mingkong, but that was only because of Yun Nongyu's talisman. If she could see him, then there would be a real problem.

This woman, with her graceful figure and alluring charm ingrained in her very being, had just closed the window and was about to sit back down when she discovered that Chu Mingkong had already crossed his legs and taken her seat.

After a brief moment of surprise, Qingse confirmed:

"Your spaceship is down there? How did you hide it?"

"Thanks to others, we'll talk about clearing out the goods after we get to Xiling. We'll get rid of them all at once then."

Although this could be done in two parallel ways—chatting with Qingse while opening blind boxes—the experience of opening blind boxes requires accumulating resources for a long time before you can finally get one. Being so distracted by this would inevitably leave you feeling unsatisfied, and you wouldn't dare to show too much excitement when you finally got a good item.

Chu Mingkong continued, "How's your Immortal Treasure Pavilion doing lately? The new invitation from Tianya Tower should have arrived by now, right?"

Qingse nodded and casually took out the new paper notes. One of them was a thick book, the kind Chu Mingkong was currently using, which "bound" a bunch of paper notes into a book. Qingse also had another type of paper notes, which was a single copy, but it allowed one copy to be used to chat with multiple people without having to flip through them.

However, this new model is still unstable, and Qingse is worried that the customer might change their mind while they are chatting, so she only dares to try it out among the employees of her own Xianzhen Pavilion.

"Business is alright, but the other branch pavilion masters still found out about this notice. I don't know who leaked it, but I strongly suspect it was one of those big alchemists. It makes me so angry."

Her current female clients all understand that the things they buy from Qingse are not meant to be seen in public, so they will definitely keep it a secret. The only ones who would reveal Qingse's secret of using such a novel gadget as paper notes to contact clients are those few male alchemists.

Chu Mingkong comforted him:

"It doesn't matter. Don't always think that trade secrets can be kept forever. Just treat the paper notes as a limited-edition product that is sold irregularly from now on. If others want to use paper notes to contact each other, they can only rely on the paper notes from Tianya Tower."

Qingse had no choice but to accept it. She had tasted the huge benefits brought by the paper notes, and now that she had to share them, she was truly unwilling. Chu Mingkong had said before that it was impossible to keep it a secret forever, but she hadn't expected that this exclusive advantage would end so quickly...

"Oh...right, when I first started selling you jade dildos, and I made up stories about those few things of yours, I already knew that customers are particularly fond of things with a history."

It's like an ordinary item that gains value after being used by certain people. I wonder if other commodities can do the same?

"You mean the original flavor... Pshaw, do you mean that important people say they've used your products, so that your products are recognized by them?"

Chu Mingkong thought that Qingse was really quite clever; this kind of thinking should be called packaging, she even figured out how to hire an advertising spokesperson. But thinking about it, it made sense; Chu Mingkong would only give her some ideas each time, and then she would just tinker with them and make them work.

"It's possible to do that, but it depends on the situation. Back then, it was indeed difficult to open up the market for jade objects. In addition, the material quality of those few things was not bad. There's nothing wrong with telling a story. The money is for the material of the spirit jade."

However, the price of something should be what it is. Business should prioritize integrity. Don't offer inferior goods, repackage them, and sell them at high prices to rip people off. While the short-term benefits might be huge—essentially free money—this will eventually backfire.

Although Chu Mingkong regarded Qingse's place as a "garbage dump," those things were just things he himself didn't need; in terms of quality alone, they were quite good.

Packaging garbage into exquisite luxury goods is called consumerism in Chu Mingkong's previous life. It's pure disgusting. Moreover, hundreds of millions of dollars are made from ill-gotten gains and stupid money, and then a small amount is paid as a fine and it's considered that nothing happened.

However, in today's world, daring to make money like that would really get you killed...

Qingse thought about it carefully and agreed with the logic in his words, but also explained:

"But the things you pull out from time to time are too...unique, like tails or something. Without a story behind them, other people don't know how to use them."

"Ahem... Well, there's really no other way. Just keep working on your story, and don't let this kind of marketing approach set off a bad business trend." Chu Mingkong put the topic aside for the moment and returned to the initial matter: "Why did you suddenly contact me with a note?"

"My Immortal Treasure Pavilion will be staying in Xiling for a while soon, so I'm checking if you've arrived yet, and I also wanted to ask you a few questions."

"Oh? What is it?" Chu Mingkong put his legs down, sat up straight, and looked at her. "Your business hasn't encountered any difficulties recently, has it? Is there anything you need to ask?"

"There are difficulties, I must say. Last time I heard you talk about spinning off some of the business, and it's been quite effective... The female customers who used to buy jade dildos and such here, when they heard I opened a branch, all came over to advise me to focus on my core business and sell these women's personal items. They'll take care of the branch's business..."

Qingse grew increasingly sad as she spoke. Almost none of these major clients remembered that her shop used to be a legitimate Xianzhen Pavilion. Now, everyone thought she specialized in selling these strange and unusual things, and that selling proper items was just a side business!

Chu Mingkong couldn't be bothered with her sadness. A thriving business was more important than anything else. Some people were still lamenting how to survive, while she was living a fulfilling life and complaining that it didn't meet her ideals. She was just asking for a beating.

"So you just have nothing to do and are just venting to me?"

"No, actually I want to hold an auction... Although I myself feel like it's a somewhat absurd dream, my business has indeed developed too fast. Now the turnover has surpassed some of my predecessors, and I can make a lot of money just selling women's underwear."

Whether or not a successful auction can be held is actually a marker of a Xianzhen Pavilion's status; you can think of it as a coming-of-age ceremony. But given the current situation, I don't know how to organize this auction.

Girl, I used to be just an ordinary person. I was heartbroken after being dumped by girls my own age, and in the end, I could only seek warmth from older women, aunts, and teachers. I had no chance of getting involved in auctions...

Chu Mingkong really didn't dare to give unsolicited advice on things he didn't understand.

"Is this urgent?" Chu Mingkong asked.

"It's not a rush, I just wanted to ask you about this beforehand, so I can have a plan." Qingse sighed, resting her head on her hand. "My current clients mostly come for women's personal items; they're not very interested in the branch's business, which used to be my main business. Do you think auctioning off some normal treasures would appeal to these clients?"

Chu Mingkong was beginning to understand what she meant. Women's personal items were rarely original, and most of the items were not up to the standard of auctions.

"I don't have much creative advice for your auction, but can I take it that you're currently worried about not being able to come up with products that will satisfy female customers for the auction?"

"That's somewhat in line with my thinking, but I'm also considering that the direction we're currently taking might not be suitable for holding auctions. We're already a unique entity, so we don't need auctions to enhance our status. Whether it's high or low, it's all here with us."

"If it's just this kind of difficulty, I can still help you. Take a look first, and I'll take any good treasures to auction for you. Also, you can collect some essential items, such as medicinal herbs and pills, which even your female clients need."

Chu Mingkong originally wanted to say that he would take care of the auction items and would definitely spare a few red-quality blind box items to support him.

However, Chu Mingkong was truly frightened by his recent bad luck and dared not make such a guarantee. He would definitely send the goods out first to see if his girl could use them. If she couldn't use them or there were duplicates, he would then give them to Qingse.

An auction exclusively for women sounds quite interesting. I'll take Aunt Gu and my mother to check it out when the time comes.

Qingse trusted Chu Mingkong completely, and since he had said so, she decided to give it a try.

"Finally out of the vortex of the capital, can I now settle down and be a local tyrant in Xiling?"

"Not yet. I still have to fight my way back. Besides, the emperor won't put my mind at ease, and in the future, even some sects might not be able to put my mind at ease either."

"You must be very busy."

"Yes, a little. By the way, do you have any influence or connections in the Crescent Kingdom?" Chu Mingkong wanted to see if he could find more helpers before going there, since he was unfamiliar with the place.

Mentioning the Crescent Moon Kingdom gave Qingse a headache; she shook her head and rubbed her forehead.

"Even if there were any, they've all been eradicated. Didn't a senior come looking for trouble when we stopped near Xiaoxiang Qin Academy last time?"

Chu Mingkong recalled for a moment, and it seemed that there was such a thing.

At that time, the fat merchant Amathai was making wild accusations at Qingse, saying how great the female customers were. As a result, his wife came over and bought a jade dildo, making the scene extremely awkward.

"I remember, his name was something like Amatera, what's wrong?"

"He went to the main branch of Xianzhen Pavilion to complain about me, saying that I had ruined the reputation of Xianzhen Pavilion, but it was rejected. As a result, he got even angrier. He got inexplicably angry and treated me like his father's killer. How could I have any place in the Crescent Moon Kingdom? I even heard from one of the female pharmacists there that this Amaterasu went to her place and spread rumors about me, saying that I actually had ulterior motives towards these female customers, and that he was defaming my reputation. What a scoundrel!"

Chu Mingkong thought about it and realized that there was no way to deal with Amathai. There was no need to reconcile and improve relations. If he really cooperated with him, he might secretly sabotage him from some corner.

However, his wife is Qingse's client. We could try contacting her and see if this Amaterasu has any dark history or scandals. A son-in-law can never hold his head high in front of his wife and father-in-law. He has managed his Immortal Treasure Pavilion so poorly. If we can bring down this Amaterasu, the future of the Crescent Kingdom will no longer be bleak.

It could even allow Qingse to take over the business there, or at the very least, cooperate with Amathai's wife.

"Does your Xianzhen Pavilion have any rules against mergers?"

"No, there are no such restrictions. Those who do well in the Immortal Treasure Pavilion don't even look at each other, while those who don't do well are ignored and left to fend for themselves."

"Alright, let's see if that Amathai is honest in private. Let's make sure he doesn't have any dirty secrets that I can dig up. It'll also pave the way for our trip to the Crescent Kingdom later."

When it comes to hiring people to gather intelligence, the Kazekage should have many sources of information.

Chapter 174 I've always felt they should fight each other (18!!)

Chu Mingkong really wanted the spaceship to enter Xiling discreetly along the way, and then sneak into Tianya Tower to give the two mothers and their babies a surprise.

Unfortunately, Master Yun Nongyu said that large objects like spaceships cannot be hidden from the detection of city-protecting barriers, and can only be defended against in the wild with piecemeal searches.

If he really wanted to continue giving surprises, he would have to have all the women wait on the ship while the spaceship stopped at a distance, and then he would sneak into Tianya City to create surprises for the Chu Princess and the others. It felt like he was asking for trouble.

Left with no other choice, Chu Mingkong used a note to inform Princess Chu and Consort Wan of his arrival, and then the spaceship flew into Tianya City in a grand manner.

The spaceship floated through the air, casting a large shadow over the city streets, like a giant sea gull flying by.

The people below the city all looked up. Many of them knew about the airship and floating vessel, but it was rarely used in ordinary times.

Many people are speculating about who is on the spaceship and what the ship is going to do.

Although news of the turmoil in the capital has been known to many officials, it has not yet spread widely among the common people. However, in a few days, everyone in Xiling should know that the young prince who was sent away as a hostage a long time ago has not only returned triumphantly, but has also put a lush green grass crown on the emperor.

The spaceship landed smoothly next to Tianya Tower, without even disturbing the birds on the branches, but it still attracted the attention of nearby residents who stopped to watch.

Seeing one after another beautiful, voluptuous, and graceful noblewoman and young lady alighting from the boat, they all showed expressions of amazement.

"Who are these women? They are all stunningly beautiful. I don't think you could gather so many gorgeous girls even if you included all the members of any family!"

"These women all have such great figures. What's the background of this spaceship? It has the symbol of Xiling, but I've never heard of or seen so many beauties from Xiling before. And they're all gathered together. Has something big happened?"

"Don't talk nonsense. There's a young girl whose figure is still developing, but she's quite pretty and charming. Doesn't she look a bit like that Miss Wei from before?"

Cultivators have extremely sharp senses, and Wei Qingning heard the noisy discussions from afar. Although she was somewhat gratified that someone remembered her Wei family, the first part of the sentence really made her clench her fists.

"Alright, don't pay attention to those critical comments," Chu Mingkong comforted, patting Wei Qingning's hair.

“Yes, don’t listen to those gossipy people. It’s no good to gain a few pounds. Your shoulders will be tired and heavy.” Gu Jungui also came over to comfort her and took Wei Qingning’s hand.

Upon hearing the commotion of the spaceship and floating vessel, Princess Chu and Consort Wan immediately came down to greet them. Although they wanted to get close to their beloved son as soon as possible, they were somewhat dumbfounded when they saw a group of women around him, including the Empress and the deposed Empress Dowager.

Knowing the news is one thing, but actually seeing it is a completely different feeling.

"Mingkong, you only brought a cartload of books with you when you went to the capital, but you've come back with a full load!" Princess Chu smiled at Chu Mingkong, glancing meaningfully at the woman on his back. "Which one of you is the girl Mingkong has taken a fancy to?"

"Ahem..." Chu Mingkong was a little embarrassed. "Mother, I'm just fleeing in panic. Let's go inside first..."

Jin Yu had been preparing for this moment while she was on the boat. Upon hearing the Princess Chu's question, she immediately stepped forward, took Chu Mingkong's arm, and changed her way of addressing the Princess Chu, excitedly and proactively saying:

"Mingkong has taken a liking to me! Mother, Jinyu has long heard of your beauty and longed to meet you since she was in the capital. Today we finally meet!"

Several sharp gazes were fixed on Chu Mingkong's back. Zuo Qiuchi and Feng Ying didn't care about Chu Mingkong's relationships in the secular world, as they posed no threat to them. The wives of the Cui family knew that their relationship with Mingkong should not be revealed, so they could turn a blind eye. Mingkong would eventually have a young woman as his wife, so how could they possibly steal the position of the principal wife?

Since their paths were different, Jin Yu didn't take Chu Mingkong's initiative seriously, only giving him a look to remind him that there were still people he needed to get close to.

The pressure from Yongzhen, Shangguan Rong, Wei Qingning, and others was immense; their gazes were so intense and piercing that they were incredibly oppressive.

Yongzhen couldn't speak, and Shangguan Rong didn't want to have any verbal disputes in front of so many people and become a laughing stock. The two exchanged a glance, formed a brief alliance, and stepped forward together, grabbing Jinyu's smooth cheeks from both sides and pulling her away.

"Waaah! Yongzhen... Sister Rong'er, let go!" Jinyu said indistinctly.

Chu Mingkong was already sweating profusely. He turned to meet Wan Hua's mother's gaze, thinking he should quickly add a greeting so that Wan Hua and Xiao Zhi wouldn't start fighting and cause an uproar after Jin Yu and Yong Zhen had barely managed to maintain a peaceful stalemate.

Unexpectedly, Consort Wan walked directly toward Empress Pei.

"Your Majesty, I never expected to see you here. What happened that you came to Xiling with Mingkong?"

Consort Wan's biological son, who had always been attached to his status as the Empress's son, turned against his birth mother. Although Wan Hua had let go of those things, it was impossible for him not to harbor any resentment towards the Empress.

Even if one can rationally discern that the Empress was completely without fault in this matter, and did not deliberately mislead her son, how can one say that one has no emotions at all when it comes to matters of the heart?