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

Chapter 298 Rong'er Visits Relatives, Farewell Under the Setting Sun

In the days that followed, the mother and daughter quickly mastered the technique, but an even bigger problem soon arose in front of them.

Controlling two bodies with one soul is no easy task.

It's easy for two bodies to do other things in unison, like Yongzhen's natural ability to move her two bodies independently, which is the result of a long period of practice.

At this moment, Jin Yu began to beg Chu Mingkong to take out all the "auxiliary treasures" that Yongzhen had used during his cultivation.

So, Chu Mingkong took out all the things that Yongzhen had used before, such as mouth beads, pull chains, and so on, and gave them to Jinyu.

Jin Yu and Pei Mi were dumbfounded. They never expected that Yong Zhen, who looked so cold, had been playing so many tricks with Chu Mingkong so early on.

Regardless of the circumstances, Jin Yu is currently adopting an attitude of "strategically underestimating Yong Zhen, but tactically valuing her," and is humbly seeking knowledge, determined to follow the path she once walked.

Chu Mingkong was too busy to keep Jin Yu occupied with her constant antics (actually, if he, Chu, were around, Pei Mi wouldn't have the nerve to learn how to use the auxiliary spirit treasure).

......

Taking advantage of this time, Chu Mingkong took Guan Rong back to her parents' home.

The ancient Buddhas originally intended to use projection to let the people of the region know about Chu Mingkong's death, but it backfired and Chu Mingkong ended up getting a chance to shine.

At that time, not long had passed since Chu Mingkong left the Tianji Empire. Many people recognized him, and his domineering behavior in the Tianyu region made him incredibly prestigious.

Even if the people of the region didn't know what the concept of a supreme being was, or whether it was good or bad, the fact that he could kill an absolute powerhouse was enough to refresh his former fearsome reputation to a new level.

And what was the name of Shangguan's father-in-law again...? Shangguan Mingzhe?

He immediately began to proclaim that Chu Mingkong was his son-in-law. After several years of the family's great ambition to restore itself had fallen into a slump, Shangguan Mingzhe could finally hold his head high.

He used to be obsessed with officialdom and fame, but later he realized they were all meaningless. He started boasting to his old friends in officialdom about how amazing his daughter was and how incredibly brave and invincible his son-in-law was, and how all cultivators respected him.

Chu Mingkong's impression of him was that he was very snobbish, so he didn't think much of this change in his attitude, probably because he had expected it.

However, she didn't have much contact with him. Even though she had been back in the region for so long, she hadn't met her father-in-law once, so as not to put Rong'er in an awkward position.

There will never be a shortage of people in this world who, when a phoenix appears in their own clan, not only bask in the glory themselves, but also boast and promise to let distant relatives from who-knows-where also benefit from it. Anyone who doesn't know the truth would think that it was Shangguan Mingzhe who murdered the supreme being.

Therefore, for a long time, Chu Mingkong only accompanied Rong'er to visit her mother in private, avoiding Shangguan Mingzhe and not letting him know.

"Rong'er, is this baby yours?" Rong'er's mother asked, looking at the unfamiliar baby with surprise.

Although she had taken some youth-preserving pills and other similar products, her cultivation level was still low, and she had developed a few strands of gray hair, but her complexion was still good.

"No, this is the newest little princess in the manor, Yaya. She is Yongzhen's. She was born not long ago. I took her out for a walk."

Shangguan Rong handed the little duckling to her mother.

"Yongzhen...you must be Princess Yongzhen? This little girl is so lovely, like a porcelain doll~ Oh my, she even gets shy after being complimented~!"

“Princess Yongzhen, that really is an old title,” Shangguan Rong remarked with emotion.

When people reach a certain age, they are overjoyed to have little ones. Rong's mother was also happy to hold the adorable little one.

However, no matter what, Rong's mother still wanted to see her own granddaughter more.

In old age, having children and grandchildren around one's knees is a common aspiration.

"Rong'er, you can't just keep bringing your sister's baby over for me to see. When are you going to bring yours to show me?"

"I'm trying," Chu Mingkong replied on his behalf, "I'll try to bring the little one over next time we meet!"

When the word "effort" is mentioned, Shangguan Rong immediately thinks of the "group bedtime warm-up meeting" that is held every night, which has almost become a routine.

Those absurd images flashed through her mind, and Shangguan Rong's cheeks flushed, her expression becoming restrained and ashamed.

After all, to a considerable extent, Shangguan Rong is indeed quite upright, and not very good at being flexible or indirect.

Especially in front of her mother, she was immediately reminded of her past self, and then compared that to her present self...

I was so ashamed.

The conversation soon turned to the elders' health.

Shangguan Rong took out some simple and easy-to-understand cultivation techniques and some pills, and handed them to her mother:

“Mother, you can practice this when you have nothing else to do; it can prolong your life.”

As she spoke, Shangguan Rong gazed at her mother's white hair, lamenting the relentless passage of time.

Rong's mother understood her daughter's intentions and accepted the gift for the time being, but also comforted her:

"Rong'er, don't worry about age. Actually, I think that a long lifespan is not necessarily a good thing for ordinary families like ours."

When you reach a certain age, you lose interest in many things, and having more lifespan is just a waste.

To enjoy one's later years in peace, free from illness and pain, with harmony in the family, living a long and healthy life, and peacefully closing one's eyes at the end of one's life is the greatest blessing.

"Rong'er, your willingness to stay with Mingkong for hundreds and thousands of years is, in your mother's eyes, an immense act of courage. Your mother is truly afraid of such a long period of time!"

"Can......"

Shangguan Rong hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Personally, she wanted her family to stay with her for a long time, but her mother's words left her at a loss.

Shangguan Rong could tell that her mother wanted her daughter not to worry too much about her health, but these comforting words were also her sincere words.

There's no need to strive for a long life; dying peacefully in one's sleep is already enough.

But she didn't want to one day never hear her mother's voice again...

Rong's mother shook the duckling's little hand, changed to a more lively tone, and said with a smile:

"Don't think that far ahead. Mom is doing well now, and I'm destined to live to be a hundred. I still want to see the baby~"

However, Rong'er, you shouldn't let Mingkong see your father. He's too greedy and will easily put Mingkong in a difficult position. Don't let me and your father become obstacles to your relationship with Mingkong!

Chu Mingkong smiled as well:

"It is indeed a difficult situation. I don't even dare to see him, otherwise Rong'er will be in a difficult position. But in any case, I still want you to enjoy your old age in peace. Let's choose a day to go and stay in Xiling."

The environment there is nice, not too noisy, and full of spiritual energy, perfect for your retirement. Besides, if your father-in-law wants to get a government position, it won't be difficult."

The highest authority in Xiling now rests with Tianya Tower. Shangguan Mingzhe is given a nominal title in the common people's court, but he has no real power. However, he can entertain himself and satisfy his dream of becoming a high-ranking official.

If the elderly person develops any illness, the cultivators over there can easily take care of them, treating it as a nursing home.

However, Rong's mother still refused, gently shaking her head and saying:

"Never mind, I've been living in the capital for so many years, I'm used to it."

"You're surrounded by neighbors and friends right outside your door. But if you go to Xiling, you won't know many of them. No matter how beautiful the scenery is, without a group of familiar faces to chat with, it just doesn't feel the same."

After chatting for a long time, it was time for Ya Ya to return to Shangguan Rong's arms and for them to say goodbye.

"Little duckling, next time you come to visit Grandma, remember to ask Rong'er's stepmother to bring your little sister along, okay~?"

At this moment, the sun was setting, the afterglow was like blood, and the earth was bathed in orange.

As they waved goodbye, the figures on both sides gradually disappeared into the distance.

The setting sun cast a long shadow on Rong's mother's body, as if afraid that her departing daughter would turn back and not see her mother.

Chapter 299 A Century-Long Business Plan

"Oh my, what a rare guest! What brings Your Highness here?"

Qingse, who was working on her abacus in her room, looked up and saw the newcomer. She was slightly surprised, but she didn't stop working on her abacus.

In fact, she could easily calculate many large transactions in her mind long ago, but according to her, tapping the abacus was like hearing the sound of gold coins falling into her pocket; what she wanted was the satisfaction brought by the ritual.

Chu Mingkong could understand to some extent that if it weren't for this sense of ritual, her seafood mold sets probably wouldn't have sold so well.

"Just came to see you~ Do you think I've become someone who only visits when I need something?"

He walked into the room, showing no sign of being a guest, pulled up a chair, sat down directly, and adjusted his posture.

He sat rather unsteadily, as if he had no spine, sprawled there like a salted fish. This relaxed posture made Chu Mingkong think of many things.

Come to think of it, I've known Qingse for quite a while now.

When she was a child, she brought her master's precious treasure to mess with her. At that time, she was a young girl who had just run away from home and was trying to start her own business. She was dressed in the white robes of a noble family cultivator, with an otherworldly and neat temperament, graceful demeanor, and approachable personality.

Where does the phrase "shop owner's wife" come from?

Their subsequent outfits gradually resembled those of "professionals," emphasizing a business style, albeit one enhanced by Chu Mingkong's planning.

The bright and elegant dark cheongsam was eye-catching but not frivolous, while the black stockings that revealed her snow-white skin added a touch of mystery to Qingse's professional aura.

Now, many years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Qingse has also become a big boss, and she no longer needs to do many things herself. Instead, she arranges her subordinates to act as acting managers, and her style of dress has become much more casual and lazy.

Chu Mingkong had previously entrusted her with selling some of the nightgown styles, but she secretly "monopolized" them for her own use. Only after she had used almost all of them herself would she start selling those nightgown styles as commodities.

She is now wearing the same nightgown, but with a more subtle design.

A black lace fitted vest partially covered a pair of shapely, snow-white breasts. Below her slender waist, her rounded hips, shaped like those of a woman who had given birth easily, were hooked onto a simple piece of fabric. As for the shawl and the black stockings with suspenders, they seemed less eye-catching.

However, this was also Chu Mingkong's fault; he hadn't explained to her that this was a queen-style lingerie outfit, so Qingse thought it was a nightgown and wore it anyway...

"...Now that you don't have to go out to the store to meet clients, your clothes have become more casual, haven't they?" Chu Mingkong said subtly.

"Otherwise, after all the hard work of getting those agent managers up and running, they definitely need to relax. Why dress so formally when they're relaxing?"

Chu Mingkong glanced at her outfit a few more times, then decided not to explain the meaning of the clothes to her; anyway, he found them quite pleasing to the eye.

Qingse, having been in business for so many years, possessed extremely keen observation skills, and she immediately caught Chu Mingkong's expression and movements.

"Your Highness, is there something wrong with my pajamas? They're quite conservative, aren't they? They have so much more fabric than those swimsuits you mentioned, practically revealing only a tiny bit of skin..."

"It's alright, these clothes are very nice, just don't wear them out and let outsiders see them." Chu Mingkong said seriously, nodding earnestly to prove his point.

Qingse hesitated, sensing that he was still hiding something, but reason told her it was better not to delve too deeply and avoid causing herself distress.

"How could you possibly stroll around in front of strangers in a nightgown... Your Highness must be quite busy on weekdays, with all that dream body stuff and taking the baby for a walk, so how come you have the leisure to sit here with me today?"

"Actually, it's nothing. Yesterday, I accompanied Rong'er back to her parents' home to visit relatives. I suddenly realized how fast time flies and how cruel it is."

Qingse wasn't quite sure about the specifics, but she was still quite talkative. Following the general idea of ​​the topic, she talked about the attitudes of the old men in her family towards aging and death, going on and on and on.

Hearing this, Chu Mingkong could only shout "Stop!" to stop him, and he sighed: