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

Zuo Qiuchi leisurely enjoyed the carefree life of his new body:

"Doesn't your sleep state after transforming count as a reflection? Yunhan, you're just making trouble out of nothing!"

Yongzhen dared not speak of Zuo Qiuchi like Xiao Yunhan did; she acted as a mediator and tactfully said:

"If Master's transformation is too natural to offer any insights, then with a little effort, we should be able to provide some inspiration and assistance to Bai Niang."

Chu Mingkong's mood was somewhat complicated. The person who transformed most smoothly and had the highest "completion rate" in the arena was unable to offer his own insights.

This is truly a trick of fate; Chu Mingkong is still looking forward to Bai Niang's transformation.

Although both are mothers, Bai Niang and Shi Niang are different! However, because of his previous mimicry, Chu Mingkong's mind now tends to confuse the images of Bai Niang and Shi Niang.

Fengying also offered suggestions, and her perspective was quite comprehensive:

“Mingkong, didn’t you previously steal the ‘Colorless Shadow’ technique from me under the guise of cultivation? If you can’t wait for our progress in understanding it, you can also try to steal Qiuchi’s acupoint.”

Anyway, we've done almost everything we needed to do, and we've even had a good stroll through Zuo Qiuchi's back garden, so why not visit Peach Blossom Spring Cave as a guest?

No, that's not called being a guest anymore, it should be called taking over.

"Ahem, I'll discuss this with my beloved Master privately!"

Chu Mingkong quietly touched Zuo Qiuchi's tail. Zuo Qiuchi opened her bright snake eyes, glanced at him, and wriggled her pointed and cute snake tail, gently tapping his pig's hoof.

Bai Niang felt that the children were too concerned about her transformation into human form, and she, as the person involved, said:

"There's no need to rush. Transformation doesn't affect me much. Right now, I can temporarily borrow Qingning's mother's body."

Bai Niang wasn't in a hurry, but Chu Mingkong was, but these things couldn't be forced.

When Li Lu's aunt was mentioned, Chu Mingkong remembered what Zhi'er Baobao had said.

"Bai Niang, how long until Aunt Li Lu can come out? The Wei family has some family matters that need Aunt Li Lu's attention."

"Is it something urgent?" Bai Niang became serious.

She misunderstood Chu Mingkong's meaning, thinking that something had happened that threatened the survival of their family.

Chu Mingkong smiled awkwardly and said:

"Qingning is truly one of our family, so let's not stand on ceremony. I'll just say this in advance so Qingning can be prepared..."

Chapter 362: The End of the Wei Mansion

Chu Mingkong recounted the events at the Wei residence, which were the remaining details after the events surrounding Wei Zhong and the "price."

Compared to the previous pressing matters, the relationship with the Wei family can be considered insignificant, but in some ways it is more difficult to resolve than the previous ones.

Human emotions are not something that can be easily compromised or negotiated with interests, especially after the bottom line has been crossed.

How Qingning and Li Lu will get along with the Wei family in the future is something they need to figure out.

"...The situation is that the elders of the Wei family came to inquire about your condition, and they also sensed a change in their attitude."

Qingning, we can't help you with this matter, nor can we make the decision for you.

"I will support whatever attitude you and Aunt Li Lu choose to have towards the Wei family."

Chu Mingkong first stated his position, but in his heart, from the perspective of the overall interests of Xiling, he hoped that the Wei family could stay in Xiling, develop peacefully, and enrich Xiling's internal foundation.

From a personal perspective, Chu Mingkong still hoped to handle the relationship amicably. If the marriage to the Wei family was disregarded, the elders of the Wei clan were all kind and friendly.

Qingning fell silent for a moment. Her decision alone was related to her relationship with her family, and she felt somewhat lost and helpless.

"...I...I don't know what to do."

Feng Ying had accompanied Qing Ning into the Abyss for a "bath" earlier, and during their free time, they had a brief chat, so she had some understanding of the situation. She shared her thoughts:

"Qingning, this is what I think... Ah, but before I say it, don't take my answer as the answer. Just solve it according to your own wishes."

Even if your mother, Li Lu, were to wake up now, this would likely be a very difficult situation for her to handle.

She probably can no longer accept the Wei family's influence, since her husband's family and the clan head's lineage have been scheming against her maternal family. But Qingning, as for you... at least your father still thinks of you in a good way, and it was because of your arrival that he gradually emerged from the influence of the 'family business' that your father brought with him.

Your mother has most likely thought of this as well. Your father's attitude towards your mother can be described as "seeing the error of his ways," but he has always been kind to you. You can first think about how you feel about this from the bottom of your heart.

Otherwise, if this matter is left unresolved, your mother will likely share your worries after she wakes up. It's better for each of you to make your own decision and avoid putting your mother in a difficult position.

Qingning nodded in response, but unable to express her thoughts on one matter, she lowered her head and examined her inner thoughts.

She was probably the only one in the family and among her mother who was always cared for and loved, even though the motives of her grandfather's generation and even her ancestors were impure.

But her father, mother, clan elders, and other relatives were all genuinely kind to her.

Caught in the middle, Qingning was filled with worry.

If we side with the mother, wouldn't the elders of the Wei family, who were completely unaware and found themselves being alienated and even labeled as members of the murderer's clan, feel sad and innocent?

But if I side with the Wei family, wouldn't that be going against my mother's wishes? Would it create resentment between us in the future, making her feel that she, as her daughter, has suffered so much, yet she still sides with the Wei family?

Chu Mingkong lifted the snake-transformed Zuo Qiuchi and sat down next to Qing Ning. He couldn't offer any advice, but he wanted to give her some reassurance.

Bai Niang nuzzled Qing Ning's face and said:

"Qingning, I spoke with Li Lu before. She was worried that she would wake up late, so she asked me to pass on her message. I didn't quite understand it at the time, but now I realize that's what she was talking about."

Li Lu said, "She is herself, and you are you. She won't blame you for your decision, but she hopes Qingning can understand her subsequent decision."

Although Bai Niang gained various insights into the outside world from Chu Mingkong's bodily fluids, many things were not so easy to understand.

At the time, she thought Li Lu's words were nonsensical, but now it seems that she had given Qingning a clear answer—she could no longer accept someone who had murdered her entire family, but she respected her daughter's choice and did not want to affect her daughter because of her own relationship.

After a long while, Qingning seemed to have made up her mind, but she couldn't help feeling somewhat down and depressed:

"Brother, I've made up my mind. Could you help me contact the elders?"

......

Chu Mingkong quickly contacted the elders of the Wei family, and the meeting place was chosen to be the riverside restaurant in Tianya City.

What impressed Chu Mingkong most about the elders of the Wei family was their distinctive beards. It was practically impossible to find anyone in the Wei family with the same beard style; they were even more unique than their hairstyles.

Elder Wei Youshi, with his braided beard, came by invitation, but he was the only one there. Chu Mingkong didn't invite too many people, not wanting to put too much pressure on Qing Ning.

It would be too much trouble for Qingning to recount the whole story, so Chu Mingkong explained the clan leader's lineage's plans and schemes on his behalf. He wanted to provide evidence to prove his point, which would save a lot of explanation work.

However, Chu Mingkong had given the letter that Wei Zhong left behind to Li Lu, and now he didn't know where it was.

"The news above may be a bit sudden for Elder Wei Youshi, but it is by no means unfounded. Otherwise, Aunt Li Lu would not have suddenly moved into Qingxin Mansion."

Seeing the old man's stunned and bewildered expression, Qingning knew that Elder Wei Youshi was unaware and did not want this to happen. She pursed her dry lips and said earnestly:

"Grandpa Youshi, what my brother said is true. Mother is still not awake, but she has almost recovered."

She said she didn't actually resent the Wei family's relatives and friends, but this matter had involved her maternal family, which had caused her considerable inner turmoil, and she was temporarily unable to see the Wei family members...

When Wei Youshi came over, the elders assumed there was something important to discuss. They had already guessed this from Li Lu and Qing Ning's avoidance of the Wei residence, but they never expected the matter to be so significant and involve so many people.

When they learned that Qingning had been approached by the "price," the old folks of the Wei family searched frantically for ancient books.

Unexpectedly, the "price" was calculated in so much detail by both the old and new clan leaders...

"Then Qingning, from now on you..."

Qingning revealed her decision after much deliberation:

"Neither my mother nor I harbor any resentment towards the current relatives and friends of the Wei family. We can separate ourselves from that. However, we can no longer stay in the Wei family with peace of mind. And this matter has nothing to do with my grandfathers."

Therefore, my mother and I will leave the Wei family!

Once Mother has calmed down, we will meet with everyone as outsiders. Our private friendship will remain unchanged, and we hope everyone in the Wei family won't take it too personally!

Chapter 363 Should we ask Master's wife to detoxify us?

Elder Wei Youshi said nothing about the outcome; this was no longer a topic that could be resolved with gentle persuasion.

Their grand scheme for the family business involved scheming against an innocent family, even sacrificing Qingning, a granddaughter of the clan, in the process...

No, sacrifice at least carries a touch of sadness due to necessity, but from the very beginning, the old patriarch and his family used their offspring as a medium and bridge for their plan, a means to transfer the "cost" to other families.

Even if the old clan chiefs were heartbroken, they were mostly excited by their own spirit of self-sacrifice, which harmed the interests of their main clan. They were then moved by their own actions and imagined a grand and tragic tale of achieving great things but ultimately losing everything.

In reality, it's just using your own family members as tools...

After leaving the restaurant, Elder Wei Youshi returned to the Wei residence with a heavy heart.

His usual brisk and energetic strides were heavy and sluggish as he walked step by step into the Wei family's underground vault.

This mansion was newly built, and many of its architectural layouts were based on the former Xiling Wei Mansion. Some parts were also renovated to suit the changing preferences of the clansmen.

However, this underground vault has always maintained its ancestral system and has not been easily modified.

Standing before the vast sea of ​​bookshelves, the old man remained silent for a long time.

Behind him, Vesatu walked over, stroking his small mustache, puzzled by his reaction upon his return.

"Honestly, where is Qingning? Didn't you say His Highness made an appointment to meet Qingning? Why did only you come back? What did Qingning and the clan's wife say?"

Hearing the nickname "honest," which he had heard for so many years, Wei Youshi suddenly felt that he was not worthy of it.

I wanted to speak, but my parched lips couldn't express the bitterness and sorrow in my heart.

"Why aren't you saying anything? What are you doing staring at these ancient books passed down from our ancestors?" Wei Satu took a few more steps closer, looking at the bookshelf and then at Wei Youshi.

He thought he had discovered some new witchcraft, but Wei Youshi just seemed to be staring blankly at him, and the somber mood made it seem like something good had happened.

Wei Satu simply watched without rushing to ask any questions; he sensed that Wei Youshi needed some time.

After an unknown amount of time, Wei Youshi stammered:

"These ancient witchcraft texts have been passed down for so long, they seem to be covered in dust and dirt. Should we continue to pass them down?"

"...What are you saying?" Vessato's question was unusually calm, as he sensed that his old friend had encountered something serious during their conversation.

"It was about Wei Zhong and the old clan chief..." Wei Youshi was in no mood to organize his thoughts, and simply described Chu Mingkong's situation at the time, relaying it in fits and starts.

Admittedly, the Wei family's witchcraft has been passed down for so long, and even though they have abandoned some of the witchcraft themselves, most of the original texts are still stored in this repository.