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

Zuo Qiuchi thought to herself, "Of course I know. When Chu Mingkong was telling the story, he even threw a tantrum and demanded that I wear stockings to help him remember."

"I've told you about how my rebellious disciple tried to chop up your master but failed, and I've also told you about how you jumped around for him at the banquet, but I haven't gone into much detail about what happened in private."

"Oh, so he kept it a secret. If you wear stockings and help me remember, I'll tell you what happened back then~"

"roll!"

If the occasion hadn't been inappropriate, Zuo Qiuchi would have kicked him right then and there.

Jin Yu looked annoyed and wanted to speak, but also constrained by the occasion, she clenched her fists and clutched her skirt for a long time before finally taking out a piece of paper and scribbling words:

[Jinyu: Mingkong, I'll wear it for you to see. Go back and tell me everything!]

Shangguan Rong rarely spoke to outsiders, and in this kind of situation, she rarely had the chance to interject. Yongzhen, on the other hand, was unable to speak at all. When the two saw Jinyu take out a note and talk to Chu Mingkong, they could barely tell from her finger movements what she had written to Chu Mingkong, so they immediately took out their own notes as well.

[Shangguan Rong: I'll wear it, you tell me?]

[Yongzhen: Wear it, or talk about it?]

Chu Mingkong was sweating profusely. He really needed to remind Jinyu in the future to avoid writing notes in front of others; her cunning was far inferior to the other two girls...

He couldn't conveniently take out his thick stack of notes in front of the girls right now, otherwise they would find out that every page he turned to was about so-and-so, and every page he turned to was about so-and-so, and they might have to figure out whose notes he had put in front of them.

Wei Qingning sat in her seat, recovering from her stunned state. She was young at the time and vaguely remembered that something like this had happened. At the time, she didn't understand why Chu Mingkong had lost face again. She only heard that Chu Mingkong had invited a peerless exotic dancer, but she never expected that he had invited her by offering himself as payment for a debt.

She also took out some paper and started scribbling, but the content was different from the other girls':

[Wei Qingning: Brother, what are stockings? Can they aid memory? Are they some kind of spiritual treasure related to the soul?]

The most common name circulating in the capital was "silk stockings," and since Wei Qingning wore "uniforms" more often, she didn't immediately realize what these stockings were.

Chu Mingkong felt that this topic couldn't continue like this. He needed to use some official pressure to turn the situation around, otherwise they would become enemies right after meeting.

It's a good time to speak with Empress Pei before the Princess of Chu arrives!

He sat upright, his face solemn, like a messenger reporting an urgent military situation:

"Ahem! Mother, there is something I need you to do as soon as I return to Xiling this time, otherwise we will suffer a loss. No matter how much effort we put into Xiling, it will only help the Emperor to suppress us."

Everyone in the room could tell that he was abruptly interrupting the conversation, but what he brought up was indeed extraordinary, and the initial meeting had to be put aside for the time being.

Princess Chu glanced at Empress Pei and said tentatively:

What's the urgent matter?

Chu Mingkong's serious expression remained unchanged:

"Make it known far and wide that Xiling has broken away from the Tianji Empire. It doesn't matter whether the outside world knows or not, but the people of Xiling must know this."

He explained in detail the relationship between the stability of Xiling and the Heavenly Dragon Vein, but many parts were ambiguous because he couldn't fully understand those details.

The key point is that the more stable the governance of Xiling is, the more aspirations the people of Xiling will give back to the emperor. This key point is thus clearly stated.

The Queen Consort of Chu nodded in thought and said:

"No wonder the emperor hasn't put much pressure on Xiling since the martial arts competition in Tianya City. It turns out he'd rather Xiling be safe and sound, so he can accumulate enough strength before taking it down in one fell swoop."

The feeling of being someone else's bride price is unpleasant. Much of my hard work over the years has turned out to be for the emperor's benefit; the thought alone is disgusting, and the existence of such a repulsive secret...

However, she also had a concern. This was not to say that she was arguing with her son, but that if she announced to the outside world that Xiling had broken away, would it give the emperor an excuse to send troops to attack Xiling directly?

Shangguan Rong, who had just been scribbling on the paper, seemed to have heard the thoughts of the Princess of Chu and said:

"We can just tell the people of Xiling without submitting any documents to inform the capital. Mingkong's intention is to make the people recognize Xiling instead of Tianji. By the time the news gradually spreads from the people to other places and even the capital, quite a bit of time has passed."

Moreover, the emperor never needs a reason to take action against Xiling, especially after Mingkong's many outrageous deeds. Compared to Mingkong, Xiling's declaration of secession from the Tianji Empire is nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Sometimes, the more things a person thinks about and worries about, the more complicated even the simplest things can become. But Shangguan Rong's words were a wake-up call, and Princess Chu had no more worries. She even smiled gently.

It increasingly felt that Mingkong's trip to the capital had truly emptied the coffers of all the talented and beautiful women.

Shangguan Rong could even see what she was worried about and help her clarify her thoughts.

"Alright, I'll have Elder Ding draft a notice later and arrange for people to read it aloud throughout Xiling as soon as possible. The goal is to make sure all the people of Xiling are aware of this, right?"

Chu Mingkong nodded heavily:

"Yes, make them understand psychologically that they are Xiling people, not Tianji people, otherwise their willpower will still be given to the Tianji Dragon Vein. It would be best to hold a grand ceremony, like a investiture ceremony."

Once the mind is clear, considering many things becomes much easier, Princess Chu added:

"Mingkong, when you contacted me and Wanhua in the note before, you said that you had confirmed that the disaster of the Abyss in Xiling was caused by the emperor. Should we also tell the people about this and point the finger at the outside world?"

Chu Mingkong had initially intended to say that it wasn't necessary, and that he would give the people an explanation once everything was settled. However, he was afraid that some people might still feel uneasy, wondering if the Chu Princess's decision to separate Xiling from the Tianji Empire would bring them misfortune.

It's inevitable that people would have such thoughts; you can't blame them. Everyone has different information and is in different positions, so their thoughts will be vastly different.

If the people are not allowed to know that the disaster that happened in Xiling was caused by the emperor, some people might still think of the emperor as a good person, believing that since the emperor did not send troops when such a big upheaval occurred in Xiling, he must be a good person.

"You can mention this matter, but don't use words that incite hatred. Just let the people of Xiling know who the enemy is."

They've already had a hard time; what they need now is a peaceful life. A moment of hatred might release their long-suppressed emotions, but afterwards, their lives will be a mess again. The document states that I will take revenge on the emperor, and that the people should wait for my explanation; they just need to live their lives well.

He paused, feeling he had finished speaking, then remembered something important and added:

"Also, don't say in the documents that I took the emperor's family back to Xiling in order to get revenge on him."

Before I met Jinyu and the others, when we were complete strangers, I might have had those kinds of thoughts. However, after getting to know them, I realized that hatred shouldn't be used to implicate others. The emperor is the emperor, and they are them. I genuinely wanted to bring them back, not out of hatred or revenge.

Hearing his words, Zuo Qiuchi was moved, feeling that her disciple had indeed become much more composed in some ways. Initially, she had thought that he would stop caring about these personal grudges and run away with her, free of worries. Now, he still hadn't let go of those hatreds, but he was more composed in facing and dealing with them.

It would be great if their private lives could be more normal.

With the most important matters discussed, Princess Chu looked at Empress Pei:

"Now it's time to greet Her Majesty the Empress, isn't it? Mingkong has forgotten that there are still people we haven't greeted~"

Chu Mingkong: "..."

Can't you just let me go?

Chapter 177 Is My Man Comfortable? (3/38)

When Zuo Qiuchi and Feng Ying heard what the Princess of Chu said, they immediately became interested.

I was thinking of cracking some sunflower seeds or peeling some peanuts, but the occasion wasn't quite right, so I had to put those thoughts aside and patiently see how this matter was framed.

Feng Ying was right outside the palace barrier when she witnessed the incident between Empress Pei and Chu Mingkong. Even though she only saw the situation during the breakout, where did Chu Mingkong get that excessive Yang energy?

The only way to satisfy their lust was by taking advantage of Empress Pei!

Zuo Qiuchi may not have seen it with his own eyes outside the palace barrier at the time, but after sensing that his extreme yang aura was overpowering his extreme yin aura and starting to leak out, how could he not know what was going on?

For them, as long as Chu Mingkong didn't try to hide anything, it was equivalent to a frank confession; they could understand everything just by sensing his aura.

......

“Princess Consort of Chu, I have now left the palace and the Tianji royal family. You and Consort Wan both know this, so there is no need to address me as ‘Empress’ anymore. I can’t accept it and don’t want to!”

My presence here is due to both Jin Yu and Chu Mingkong. If I'm not welcome, I'll find somewhere else. There's no need to bring that palace-style power struggle here; I have no interest!

Pei Mi said coldly. She did not bring up her relationship with Chu Mingkong to increase the confidence and weight of her words. If she had stated that relationship directly, Xiao Zhi and Wan Hua would have had little to say about her.

Pei Mi had no intention of competing with Princess Xiao Zhi of Chu and Consort Wan Hua beside her.

She had just escaped the oppressive atmosphere of the palace and had finally managed to rest for a few days in the secluded and tranquil atmosphere of the two sects' holy sites. Her tired body and mind just wanted to rest and relax, and she didn't want to come here to suffer a bad attitude and argue until she was exhausted.

She got up to leave, not knowing where she was going, but she didn't want to stay here and have to put up with other people's attitudes. She could still consider Chu Mingkong's feelings, but who were Xiao Zhi and Wan Hua? Why should she tolerate them?

Chu Mingkong didn't want things to escalate, so he pulled Pei Mi aside and said softly, "Sit down for now." The girls' gazes made him feel embarrassed; he had never felt so awkward, not even when he was forced into a dangerous situation in the palace.

But Pei Mi had been half-pushed and half-forced into doing it by him, so how could he just stand by and watch her suffer a humiliation?

However, she refused to acknowledge the relationship and refused to let him mention it. After Chu Mingkong rescued Pei Mi, she nominally claimed that Jin Yu had asked Mingkong to rescue her.

Chu Mingkong couldn't think of a solution before, so he had no choice but to leave it alone for the time being, thinking that he should get closer to Pei Mi and things would be better after she figured it out.

Who would have thought that on their very first day in Xiling, they would get angry at the slightest thing and refuse to move at all.

Moreover, Zuo Qiuchi and Feng Ying are currently watching the drama unfold, and they know the most inside information. Chu Mingkong felt that if he tried to use sweet words to deceive them, it would only leave a bad impression on them.

We still need to eat the food we need to eat...

Chu Mingkong stood up to draw attention, intending to firmly hold onto the hatred:

"Since Mother is curious, I will explain it to everyone, especially Jinyu."

Pei Mi, who had just been coldly confronting Xiao Zhi and Wan Hua, suddenly blushed like a peach blossom, her beautiful eyes widening with a mixture of shyness and anxiety, and she whispered a coquettish rebuke:

"Chu Mingkong! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Seeing that her attempts to dissuade Chu Mingkong were futile, Pei Mi felt ashamed to stay any longer and wanted to leave early, but Chu Mingkong forced her back down, as if she were in prison.

Seeing this, Princess Chu realized that she and Wan Hua had gone too far in their questions. Their first meeting had ended unpleasantly, and it wouldn't be good if it caused a rift with Chu Mingkong.

Judging from Chu Mingkong's demeanor, he clearly values ​​Pei Mi highly. It's best to discuss matters with him privately rather than escalate the situation in this setting.

She also stood up and said:

"Alright, that's enough. I apologize for my poor hospitality today. We've all had a long journey, and I should have taken everyone to Qingxin Mansion to rest first. Instead, things have turned out rather unpleasant."

Those who knew the inside story felt regret, while the woman who was unaware of the situation before, after what had just happened, although she didn't hear the truth from Mingkong herself, had some guesses in her mind.

After the women in the City Lord's Hall dispersed, they were quickly and discreetly escorted to Qingxin Mansion. They had already caused quite a commotion when they disembarked, and the curious onlookers outside had not yet dispersed. To avoid causing unnecessary chaos, a discreet escort was the most appropriate course of action.

......

After everyone settled into their rooms, Pei Mi shared a room with her daughter, Jin Yu. As soon as the door closed, Pei Mi noticed that Jin Yu's gaze was fixed on her.

Pei Mi first went into the courtyard, and Jin Yu followed her closely, stealing glances at her mother. Pei Mi couldn't stand being stared at, so she went back into the room to sit down and look at the interior decorations. But Jin Yu walked over to her again and continued to steal glances at her.

"Jinyu, why are you staring at me like that!" Pei Mi scolded her daughter, but her words betrayed her guilty conscience.

Jin Yu remained silent, and this time she moved even closer to the stunningly beautiful mature woman, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed as she stared at her, putting immense pressure on Pei Mi and making her restless.

It's unclear how long the standoff between mother and daughter lasted, but Jin Yu's first words were extraordinary:

"Mother, Mingkong is very powerful, isn't he?"

"..." Pei Mi's jade-like face turned as red as rouge. She was truly ashamed. She glared at Jin Yu and found that Jin Yu was staring straight at her. She guiltily looked away and said, "You brat, what nonsense are you talking about... You're no longer the empress. You ran away with Chu Mingkong. Don't think of yourself as a princess. Are you making a fool of yourself?"

For Jinyu, this was just a matter of changing back to the way she was addressed because she wasn't used to it yet; it didn't really matter, and she didn't care about the title of princess.

Princess Ruyu is quite carefree; she can do whatever she likes at her maternal grandfather's place. As for Jinyu, although she is revered as the most beautiful princess in the royal family, she has to attend various occasions all the time, always sporting a smile she's practiced in front of the mirror.