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

This wasn't because she was naive; it was precisely because she had come into contact with such treasures so often that she understood even more how incredible their value was—it was possible that they had already looted the Buddhist community.

Your Highness, you're so rich behind the scenes, yet you used my connections to sell your jade toys?!

These items were naturally taken from the system girl, and the funds used came from Qingse's points income from a few days ago.

It has to be said that doing business freely in a cultivator-dominated country like the Sword Dynasty yields far greater income than in the Western Mausoleum and Crescent Moon Kingdoms. Previously, they relied on word-of-mouth, with customers recommending their products and services. Now, they've embraced an open business model and even started offering rental services.

Now, let's consider these things as taken from the people and used for the people...

Aside from his magnanimity of "cultivating one's own virtue when poor, and benefiting all under heaven when prosperous," Chu Mingkong still felt somewhat guilty. The Sword Dynasty suffered such heavy casualties, and the Smiling Buddha was specifically targeting him; in a sense, his arrival exacerbated the damage suffered by the Sword Dynasty.

Why did he leave the peaceful and familiar Xiling in the first place? Wasn't it because he was afraid that his existence would constantly attract the periodic troubles from the Buddhist sect? Now this should be considered a way of transferring the harm.

He couldn't bring himself to detach himself from the relationship with a clear conscience.

Chu Mingkong found an excuse for the source of these supplies:

"These... were all confiscated from the treacherous traitors of the Heavenly Realm. I obtained them when I was dealing with a few Heavenly Demons by myself."

Qingse had long since learned not to dwell on the origins of the jade toys. In any case, Chu Mingkong was still able to continuously produce jade toys for her to sell, which in itself was an unsolved mystery.

"Alright, then I'll donate it on your behalf later... Your Highness, you really didn't harm any important figure in the Sword Dynasty, and now you're feeling guilty and offering a huge sum of money as compensation to cover things up, right?"

"What are you talking about! Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Chapter 121 The Big Cat is Back Again

Qingse remained stunned for a long time before she came to her senses. She looked around seriously and dismissed the maids.

"I'm not joking anymore. Your Highness, why are you suddenly donating so many things? Is there some demand you're trying to coerce... or something you're going to make to the royal family?"

Chu Mingkong's expression collapsed, and he said wearily:

"What kind of person do you take me for? If I really had those needs, wouldn't I just take action directly? Why would I resort to such petty tricks?"

“That makes sense.” Qingse thought it made sense. “After that, I will give it to Queen Ba and the others and emphasize that you did not mean to threaten them.”

I feel like you're just making things worse for me...

Chu Mingkong, in turn, falsely accused her:

"Qingse, you're the one who shouldn't be sneaking around and trying to sell some of it yourself."

"What are you talking about? I'm a businessman with principles. These are all restricted goods from circulation by the Sword Dynasty."

If I sell it, it will be like leaving a handle against me in the future. If I don't sell it, I can run this stress-relief cultivation business however I want without fear of reprisal. My actions will be upright and my reputation will be impeccable.

Of course, there's an even more important reason: can the business of selling medicinal herbs and pills be as easy as the business of stress-relieving cultivation? It's all female colleagues, so you don't have to deal with the social niceties of drinking parties and networking with your peers. It's easy, there's no competitive pressure, and the profits are much higher.

Why sell these legitimate cultivation resources? Are you trying to commit suicide?

Looking at Qingse's self-righteous attitude, Chu Mingkong really wanted to remind her...

Do you still remember when you vowed to return to the legitimate business of Xianzhen Pavilion and hold a grand auction?

However, it's also risky not to mention it. In life, there are always many unavoidable situations, and there's no need to always bring up things that hurt feelings.

"There's one more thing. I don't know if you have any connections in this area," Chu Mingkong suddenly said mysteriously.

Seeing his furtive manner and the shifty expression on his handsome face, Qingse thought to herself, "He's finally here!"

They even said they made a sudden, generous donation without any ulterior motives!

Based on her knowledge and understanding of Chu Mingkong, Qingse figured that he probably wanted Empress Ba to introduce him to some noblewomen and respectable wives from the Sword Dynasty.

"Let me tell you."

"Does your Xianzhen Pavilion have business in the Buddhist Pure Land?"

Qingse's delicate eyebrows furrowed, her expression as if she had witnessed someone swallowing a fly:

"...No, Your Highness, if those Buddhist monks with homosexual tendencies were to hold your jade toy, wouldn't you find it strange?"

"I would find it disgusting, don't interrupt!" Chu Mingkong pinched his brow, erasing those images from his mind. "I want to engrave Taoist classics on these jade toys and then sell them to female Buddhist disciples so they can be baptized by the Taoist magic stick. This is just a small gift; I'll settle the score later."

"...?"

Qingse's mind was a little foggy, and she hesitated, unsure how to evaluate Chu Mingkong's strategy.

She was well aware that the Sword Dynasty had now forged a deep-seated grudge with Buddhism, so any act of retaliation was perfectly justified, even if it involved throwing excrement...

However, His Highness's thinking, from his childhood to the present, has never shown the slightest mediocrity; it has always been full of the creativity of a pioneer and the oppressive force of a conqueror!

"Your Highness, I'm going into the Sword Emperor's Palace to deliver supplies to you. I'm worried about carrying so much stuff on me! I'm off!"

......

When Qingse arrived at the Sword Emperor's Palace, she skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, stating her purpose.

"This is a small token of my appreciation, intended to provide a little assistance in the reconstruction of the Sword Dynasty. I hope you will accept it." Qingse handed the Qiankun bag to the palace maid intact.

The dignified palace maid carefully carried the Qiankun bag with both hands and placed it on Empress Ba's table.

The Queen did not open and count the donations in person, otherwise it would have been suspected of "silently exerting pressure and complaining that the donations were too small."

"Thank you, but things are getting busy again. I'll invite Pavilion Master Qingse to have a meal with me to express my gratitude when I have some free time!"

"It's just a small token of my appreciation. Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. I will take my leave now and not disturb Your Majesty's business."

Qingse left immediately.

Several female officials from the Sword Dynasty were gathered in this study. These were all talented women recently promoted by Empress Ba to share her burdens, otherwise she would have no way to handle everything.

Chu Mingkong also used his connections to send Rong'er and the others over to help, but they weren't after any benefits or status; they simply wanted to pass the time and broaden their horizons. However, they haven't arrived yet.

A female official, who was dealing with the accounts of recent supplies, asked:

"Your Majesty, would you like me to count and record the supplies donated by the Pavilion Master of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion?"

The Queen of Ba would not refuse; it would be best to reduce the amount of paperwork as quickly as possible.

"Alright, if you need manpower to help with the inventory, go and ask for people yourself. I've approved it."

The female official would definitely need to first take a rough look at the situation. If the supplies were scarce, then she could simply count them herself.

She opened the Qiankun bag and experienced a series of frustrating "nested doll" situations. She hesitated several times, wondering if the Qingse Pavilion Master was intentionally making things difficult for her.

But when they opened the innermost storage rings, they were immediately stunned speechless.

There are still dozens of similar storage rings that haven't been opened!

These donations from businessmen are usually not just a token gesture, a small amount of supplies.

How could the Pavilion Master of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, an outsider, have given away so much at once?!

Her status as a female official gave this young woman a keen sense of perception, and coupled with the recent rumors brought about by that pavilion master, it was hard to say whether she wasn't secretly expressing some kind of interest!

"Your Majesty..." The lady-in-waiting's throat was a little dry.

"Do you need help? You all stop and help her count." Queen Ba said to the other female officials.

“It might not be enough…” The female official stared blankly at the Qiankun bag.

Another female officer retorted, "What are you talking about? It's just checking a few supplies and recording them. How can you say we don't have enough manpower?"

Normally, there would be no problem with these questions, but when they all gathered around and checked the situation inside the Qiankun Bag, they were all dumbfounded and even doubted that they were dreaming.

Is this the amount of supplies a mere businessman could donate?

Could it be that they're trying to kick someone when they're down, taking advantage of the Sword Dynasty's rebuilding process to make some excessive demands?

"Your Majesty, you may need to come and see this Qiankun bag in person..."

Queen Ba looked puzzled and suspicious as she got up and walked over.

Soon, a similar look of confusion and bewilderment appeared on her face.

She picked up the token and said, "Balan, come here for a moment."

......

As soon as Chu Mingkong returned to his room, the first thing he wanted to do was to see his precious children.

Counting the days each month, it seems like my eldest daughter, Maomao, will be having her special period around this time. I wonder what age she'll be this year.

He walked to Gu Jungui's door and heard Mao Mao's mature voice coming from inside, though the tone sounded childish and aggrieved:

"Aunt Gu, can I switch cats with Gugu? I'll let Gugu chew on mine..."

Chapter 122 Aunt Gu's Dining Hall

The last time the cat grew bigger, it was a bit too much; it grew to the same age as Zuo Qiuchi and Feng Ying.

Although she was still mentally immature, her appearance and physique had a great influence on her, and Chu Mingkong found it quite awkward to get along with this big girl.

This time, after such a long time, the cat has returned to its big cat form once again. But once is not too bad, it's about the same as Jinyu and the others.

As for his mental development, there hasn't been much growth. This can't be forced, since it hasn't been many years since the cat truly began to interact with the outside world.

In the room, Gu Jun Gui was lying against the headboard, with Jiao'er and Gu Gu nestled in her arms. The two little ones were eating dumplings, their rosy cheeks puffing up, clearly enjoying themselves.

The grown-up cat didn't receive the same treatment. The big cat also sat on the bed, simply draped in the undergarments of Jin Yu and the others, revealing two smooth and slender legs.

The young woman was gazing longingly at Gu Jun Gui's chest, envying Gu Gu and Jiao Er's positions.

She only grew up this year, and she hasn't been able to snuggle into Gu Jun Gui's arms all day; she's not used to it anymore.

Chu Mingkong walked into the house and saw the rarely seen big cat. He pinched her soft cheek and smiled:

"You're a young lady now, how can a young lady still be relying on Aunt Gu? Besides, are you targeting Gu Gu? Why do you only want to take Gu Gu's place and not mention Jiao'er?"

He wasn't being biased or trying to take sides, but it seemed like the cat was much closer to Jiao'er than to Gu Gu.

Could it be that they're bullying the newcomer?

The cat explained:

"Gugu has been eating all day, and Jiao'er just lay down on it now."

Oh, I see! This big cat is quite fair.

She said that Gugu had been nibbling on Aunt Gu all day, which is only natural. Gugu is only a few months old, and she needs to nibble on her mother to fall asleep peacefully.