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

"How did Mingkong talk to the old man? He actually got the old man to agree that a woman should be in charge in the future! Is he planning to make the Cui family almost like a sect, with the most capable taking over?"

Gu Jungui shook his head:

"I have no experience with this kind of thing. We'll have to take it one step at a time. Feihuang, you come from a sect, so don't just ignore everything when the time comes."

"Oh dear, let's take it slow. Let's not talk about that for now. Does the old man really agree to Mingkong and Keqing doing that?" Zhong Feihuang teased Feng Keqing.

This was not a mockery or ridicule, but rather curiosity and surprise.

"Oh dear, Sister Huang, please don't speak so loudly..." Feng Keqing pleaded, her face flushed. "This is not something that can be discussed openly. Besides, I am a widow... and a widow of the East Mansion. Mingkong may harbor some resentment and may not agree. Sister Huang, please don't spread rumors now!"

When Cui Rong caused a scene at the Chu Prince's residence, he loudly publicized the family's dirty laundry. Although the matter was eventually suppressed and not publicized too severely, it still attracted quite a crowd of onlookers, and the reputation of the Eastern Mansion was truly...

"What are you afraid of? I'll back you up, Keqing. Besides, Mingkong isn't the kind of scheming, old-fashioned kid." Gu Jungui took Feng Keqing's arm. "Mingkong is really obsessed with women right now. He's thinking about leaving a seed as soon as possible. He hasn't gotten close to Keqing yet, but I'm afraid Keqing's emotions haven't calmed down yet!"

As Zhong Feihuang walked, she heard a splashing sound of water being poured and the sound of buckets hitting the well.

"Is Mingkong back?" she asked.

Gu Jungui thought it was most likely true, and nodded, saying, "Let's go, let's go see him."

Following the sound of water, the three elegant and beautiful women discovered that Chu Mingkong was taking a bath in his courtyard.

The handsome man was shirtless, and once he took off his clothes, his physique became even more robust, his body muscular and sharply defined. The deep wound on his chest gave him an eerie and dangerous air. Cold well water was splashed on him, causing a cloud of white mist to rise.

Although they were some distance apart, the masculine aura seemed to press down on them, causing the three beautiful women's hearts to pound and their eyes to sparkle with admiration. They couldn't help but stare at him.

In the capital, men are admired for their fair skin and slender build, which is called elegant and refined. People consider Chu Mingkong, with his "muscular" physique, to be barbaric. However, the three women could not bring themselves to criticize Chu Mingkong's body.

Zhong Feihuang stared at him in a daze, unconsciously comparing Chu Mingkong to her own husband. Faced with such a huge disparity, she felt a pang of envy towards Feng Keqing.

Chapter Sixty-Two: Qin Keqing Takes the Painting (32/43)

Even if you're not making barbecue, just starting a fire in the kitchen will leave you with the smell of cooking fumes. After delivering the "takeout," the first thing Chu Mingkong does when he gets back is take a shower.

He noticed the three pairs of eyes while he was washing, and feeling embarrassed, he finished early and went back to his room to change.

Seeing Chu Mingkong suddenly leave, Zhong Feihuang realized they'd been caught spying and immediately understood how shameless she'd been. "How could I, a married woman, stare at another man like that? Really..."

Amidst the awkward silence of the three, Zhong Feihuang, to conceal the absurd thought that flashed through her mind, chuckled and launched the first attack:

"What are you two doing? You're making Mingkong uncomfortable by staring at him. Aren't you ashamed?!"

Feng Keqing was not good at arguing, so she could only lower her head and face, unable to refute.

Gu Jungui tapped Zhong Feihuang's cheek and chuckled as he scolded:

"Don't make me spit on you! Look how red your face is, Fei Huang, and you're already badmouthing us!"

"I'm ashamed for you all, I can't bear to look!"

"Hey—!" Gu Jungui gestured with his hand to indicate the height. "When Mingkong was this size, I watched him grow up. What's wrong with checking on his growth now? Keqing, it's not inappropriate for you to check on Mingkong's growth as well. What are you, a married woman, doing here?"

Knowing she was in the wrong and couldn't win the argument, Zhong Feihuang, a proud woman, refused to be outdone verbally and instead said:

"Oh dear, I'm just worried about Keqing. Sister-in-law, you're pushing Keqing into the fire. Don't you see Mingkong? He's as strong as a wild ox. Keqing is so delicate and weak, won't she be tormented to death by Mingkong?"

These bold and outspoken words left Gu Jun Gui speechless.

Feng Keqing felt so bad about being teased like that that she wanted to disappear into the ground.

Zhong Feihuang was embarrassed and annoyed by her own words. Seeing Chu Mingkong, now dressed, approaching, she hid her panic and turned to say:

"I'm going back to the Cui residence first."

Chu Mingkong walked over and saw Zhong Feihuang's graceful figure receding into the distance, her steps slightly hurried. He asked:

"What happened to Sister-in-law Huang?"

When Gu Jungui saw him, he remembered how he had been shirtless just now:

"She's tired and needs to wash up and rest. There are many people in the house now, so please don't shower in the courtyard. What if the maids see you?"

Chu Mingkong found it amusing and said:

"Let them look. I'm not a girl. It won't hurt me to look a few times. Besides, I just want to get rid of the cooking smell and give myself a quick wash. Do I have to soak it in a basin of hot water?"

Gu Jungui dismissed Feng Keqing, telling her to go back to her room to rest first. Then, he pulled Chu Mingkong into the room and solemnly said:

"Mingkong, what are you planning to do about Keqing? You can't just leave her hanging like this."

If you have no such intention, you should end it as soon as possible and say it clearly and honestly. If you are interested but not ready yet, you should still tell Keqing. What is Keqing supposed to do if you keep disappearing like this?"

Chu Mingkong knew it was probably about Sister-in-law Keqing again, but he didn't laugh it off; Aunt Gu was right.

This relationship is indeed very delicate and goes against worldly ethics. At first, Gu Jungui's idea was that since they couldn't escape it anyway, it was all outrageous, so why not let Chu Mingkong have it? Chu Mingkong also wanted to continue the family line, and Old Master Cui, as the will of the Cui family, also wanted a good successor.

He said earnestly:

“Aunt Gu, this is what I’m thinking now. Now that Sister-in-law Keqing is no longer oppressed by the father and son of the East Mansion, she doesn’t need to ‘rely’ on me. Besides, I’ve already said that I don’t want the women of your Cui family to become dependent on their husbands or men.”

But if I were to make that request to Sister-in-law Keqing now, wouldn't it seem a bit like...making her dependent on me? That would be a bit of a double standard, saying one thing and doing another.

Gu Jun Gui reached out and gently pinched his nose, saying in an annoyed tone:

"Aren't you just as stubborn as a bull with a snob's nose? If you don't understand, then go ask Keqing!"

Besides, what's your situation in the capital now? The royal family doesn't care about your rules. Don't lock yourself in a cage. Forget about brothers, sisters-in-law, concubines, and mistresses. Just make sure you have a son first! Even if the empress and concubines are in front of you, you can take whoever comes along!

Chu Mingkong looked at Gu Jungui in front of him and smiled meaningfully:

"Who will take down whom?"

"That's right!" Gu Jungui cheered him on, and even threatened, "You have to go and explain things to Keqing tonight, whether you want her or not, you have to go! Otherwise, I'll go back to the Cui residence, and don't come looking for me again!"

Feeling frustrated and anxious for him, the beautiful woman patted his chest earnestly, reminding him to take it seriously. Suddenly remembering his injury, she felt both heartache and annoyance.

"Mingkong, did I hit you too hard just now? I forgot..."

"It hurts. Aunt Gu, please hold me for a while so I can feel the pain."

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Chu Mingkong sat alone in his room, drawing with a crude charcoal pencil. This was a skill he had accumulated in his previous life, but he knew nothing about traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy.

As he drew Feng Keqing, he pondered things in his mind.

Ke Qing was graceful and delicate, charming and beautiful. She acted gently and peacefully, and her charming demeanor was natural. Every move she made had a captivating charm that stirred men's hearts. The key was that she did not deliberately show off, but was naturally like that.

With such a beautiful sister-in-law, if Chu Mingkong didn't have any feelings for her, then he must be a reincarnation of underwear—pretentious and sleazy.

But he was worried about Aunt Gu. Although she was trying her best to bring them together, some things don't actually happen, and you can't predict the real outcome. What if Aunt Gu felt awkward in the Cui family later?

When Aunt Gu felt awkward, she began to deliberately avoid Chu Mingkong, as he was the last person she wanted to see.

While he was pondering, someone knocked on his door. Chu Mingkong got up and went to open it, only to find that it was Feng Keqing.

"Sister-in-law Keqing, what brings you here? Please come in and sit down. I'm worried you might catch a cold at night."

"Mingkong, have I disturbed you?"

If it were someone else, Chu Mingkong would jokingly say, "You've already disturbed us."

However, Sister-in-law Keqing is sensitive, and with Aunt Gu urging her to "get married," it's not appropriate to joke around now.

"No, I was just idly sketching a few lines. What brings you here so late, Sister-in-law Keqing?"

Sister-in-law Keqing lowered her beautiful eyes and walked gracefully to Chu Mingkong. Her cherry-like lips exhaled a fragrant breath, and her gentle and charming demeanor aroused Chu Mingkong's lustful desire.

“I… want to get those paintings back from Mingkong.”

"Why do you suddenly want to take these paintings back?" Chu Mingkong took them out and placed them aside.

These paintings can make people become dissolute and lustful.

Ke Qing lightly bit her red lips with her silver teeth:

"Perhaps it's because I'm too reserved and lack charm that I've put you in such an awkward position, Mingkong, and you're always being lectured by your sister-in-law... So, I'd like to borrow those paintings back with me, and once I'm 'more open-minded,' I'll call you to my room... Please don't look down on your sister-in-law for coming from a dirty family in the East Mansion."

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P.S.: I'll slow down for a few days and catch up on the relationship developments that fell behind from pushing things too fast recently.

Chapter Sixty-Three: A Night of Absurd Dreams (33/43)

Ke Qing had no family background, and after marrying into the Cui family, her status was only higher than that of the maids. Unlike Zhong Feihuang, she could not scold her husband when she was in a bad mood.

In the Eastern Mansion, her days were extremely difficult.

Her father-in-law, Cui Jiazhen, had a predatory eye on her, and would often summon her to play the zither to entertain him. In Tianxiang Tower, the head of the Cui family never concealed the possessive intent in his eyes.

Although Keqing's father was just a poor and lowly official, his position allowed her to be exposed to classics and historical texts from a young age, to be well-versed in the teachings of sages, and to know the ethical and moral rules established by them.

When Keqing first arrived at the Cui family mansion and was not yet married, she was frightened by the gaze of her future father-in-law.

How could the patriarch of such a prestigious and powerful family as the Cui clan show such a rude and terrifying look, disregarding the most basic human taboos? It's outrageous!

However, after seeking help from Cui Rong, they were met with his avoidance and indifference.

She was clearly his fiancée, and after they married, she would be his official wife. Why didn't Cui Rong care about her innocence at all?

On their wedding day, Cui Rong was locked in a cramped and filthy outhouse by Cui Jiazhen's men who were making a ruckus in the bridal chamber. Only then did Ke Qing realize the truth about the East Mansion.

This was a glamorous den of thieves, and the clan chief was the head of this stronghold; his word was law.

The title of daughter-in-law only meant that she was a plaything in his East Mansion.

The days passed by as Keqing struggled with her inner turmoil.

During the day, everything was as usual. The Cui family moved between the east and west mansions and socialized among princes and nobles. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the east mansion of the Cui family, she was respected by everyone when she went out.

But at night, Keqing was always on edge in the East Mansion. She was worried that the clan leader would summon her to Tianxiang Tower and look at her with those kinds of eyes.

That blatant gaze was like a knife pressed against her back, with a filthy, abyss of mud ahead, forcing her to jump in, forcing her to destroy her own purity.

The clan leader, on the other hand, can enjoy the self-sacrifice of a stunningly beautiful wife. If the affair is exposed in the future, he only needs to explain that it was Keqing who seduced him and make her swear a solemn oath to Heaven.

Therefore, none of this concerns him.

After being forced to bring many strange and unusual gifts to her room, Keqing would have those unspeakable, horrific dreams every night when she slept alone...