Chapter 369: Binding the Child-Bearing System to Become a Winner in Life Chapter 370: Ordinary Person Striving to Live (38)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

City defense is more suitable for Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin to slack off on a daily basis.

Shen Yao was dissatisfied with this official arrangement; not that she insisted on letting Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin go out, but rather the two of them were too casual about social interactions, which gave Shen Yao a bit of a headache.

Their relationship with those above will grow more distant over time; it doesn't show now, but when the next generation, and the generation after that, of descendants appear, the gap will be visible.

Liu Mingchen didn't have this kind of worry, but Liu Mingxuan and the other two were ordinary mortals.

Shen Yao sat in the back courtyard, sighing deeply, not knowing what to do to enlighten them.

"Mother, the peach blossoms in the temple outside the city are in full bloom; why not let your son accompany you for a walk?"

Liu Mingchen could finally rest, and taking advantage of his free time, he came to visit Shen Yao.

"You?"

Shen Yao shook her wrist and casually handed the round fan to Liu Mingchen, "Willing to go out, is there something outside the city?"

Liu Mingchen was a serious homebody; apart from handling affairs, he usually never stepped out of his room.

Liu Mingxuan was going to enter the palace, Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin had to clock in on time, only Liu Mingchen was self-willed, yet the two in the palace insisted on indulging him.

Liu Mingchen smiled and shook his head; Mother had truly misunderstood him this time.

Facing her son's sincere invitation, Shen Yao merely reserved herself for a moment before nodding.

"Ask Mingxuan and the others, otherwise if a fuss kicks up, I'm afraid there won't be peace."

Shen Yao stood up, took the round fan, and went into the room.

……

The result of asking was naturally that the mother-and-son duo trip turned into a family-of-five parent-child outing.

Liu Mingxuan took leave, Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin swapped shifts with colleagues.

The three of them enthusiastically prepared a pile of food, then boarded a carriage heading to the suburbs, discussing their destination on the way.

The noisy voices were like birds on the branches; Shen Yao propped her chin with one hand, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window.

Green mountains and green water, fields and floral fragrance.

Luojing is truly a place of outstanding people and spiritual land; even if it had been abandoned for years, within just a few months it slowly recovered some of its vital energy.

More and more commoners lived in the suburbs, and Liu Jingsheng even exempted several years of taxes, just so the commoners could recover more and stabilize the foundation of the newly established imperial court.

"Recently many merchants have come from surrounding cities, and house prices in the city have risen by another ten percent."

Liu Mingfei was in charge of city defense affairs and also led people to patrol the surroundings on ordinary days.

The originally empty houses now had popularity, and there were constantly agents coming to sell or rent, all hinting at Luojing's future.

"Eldest Sister, this is the edge of the city; house prices inside the city have already risen by thirty percent."

Liu Mingjin gestured with his fingers; his official duties were in several places within the city, closer to Luojing's originally prosperous districts.

That place had been destroyed more thoroughly, but the reconstruction effort was also great, among which there was the Liu family's handiwork, and Shen Yao had also put some effort into it.

Of course, what the Liu family did was not excessive, and more of the benefits were still shared out.

"More and more people are coming to Luojing, house prices will only get more expensive;" a rise of ten or thirty percent now looks exaggerated, but compared to Luojing in earlier years, it can only be considered small fry.

Shen Yao turned over, tidying her scattered beautiful hair, "What do you few want to do in the future?" Their rewards nowadays were mostly empty titles, with real power still held in Liu Jingsheng's hand.

After all, the new political power had not yet formally changed hands; everything had to wait until after the sacrifice to Heaven and Earth.

Liu Mingxuan rubbed his nose, his voice muffled, "Son wants to be closer to Mother in the future."

Liu Mingfei was beaming, "I want to join the military camp; fighting is more comfortable."

Liu Mingchen said lightly, "Continue to eliminate strange phenomena, and give the Human Race a clear and prosperous era."

Liu Mingjin's expression was unconventional, "Anywhere is fine for me, as long as it's not too boring."

Shen Yao: ……

Four children, four ideas, likewise representing their temperaments and natures.

Shen Yao reached out and lightly tapped the tabletop, "As long as you have your own plans, that's fine."

As long as they weren't foolishly ignorant, Shen Yao wouldn't interfere with their future routes.

Liu Jingsheng was not the type to kill the donkey after using the mill. Besides, with the new political power established, the most important thing was rest and recuperation, paying attention to the livelihood of the people within the borders; internal strife? That was a product of times when the country was strong and the army powerful, and they hadn't reached that level yet.

The carriage moved forward, and after a short while stopped at the foot of a hillside covered in blooming peach blossoms.

Shen Yao held Liu Mingfei's hand to get off the carriage, wearing a finely made outer garment on her body.

Saying they came out to play, actually the mother and five children didn't stay together for long.

The temple monks discovered them and, with respectful expressions, invited them inside.

This temple's incense was flourishing, unlike before when it was deserted; especially the abbot with a ruddy complexion, his gaze toward Liu Mingchen was like eyeing a piece of fatty meat.

Although Liu Mingchen had not yet truly entered the Buddhist Gate, the reputation he had built through his own strength truly benefited the Buddhist Gate.

Around Luojing there were not only Buddhist temples, but in terms of reconstruction speed, the Buddhist Gate was still the fastest.

"Several patrons, please enter the hall."

The abbot had a white beard, a smile on his face, and was kind and approachable.

Shen Yao returned the salute, followed behind the abbot, her gaze observing the arrangements in the main hall inside the temple.

Everywhere was the scent of incense, but compared to the constant flow of people outside, there weren't many people in the main hall inside the temple.

Everyone went around the main hall toward the back courtyard; on the way the abbot also discussed Buddhist teachings with Liu Mingchen, the old and the young getting along harmoniously.

Liu Mingfei leaned close to Shen Yao to complain that her second younger brother just liked these things, and in the future he was probably destined to be a bachelor.

Shen Yao sighed helplessly, "And you? You have a husband, yet you've tossed him into some remote corner while you gallivant around Luojing."

Liu Mingfei:...

Liu Mingfei pressed her lips and begged for mercy, never expecting her own mother to mention that husband whose face she could barely remember; she scratched her head, saying it wasn't her fault—if anyone was to blame, blame that man's poor martial arts, otherwise how could they be separated by distance?

"Mother, you can't just blame me; what about Eldest Young Master? Eldest Sister-in-law stays alone in the Back Courtyard, and I never see Eldest Young Master visiting her often."

Liu Mingfei shot a glance at the ignorant Liu Mingxuan, holding to the idea of sacrificing a fellow cultivator to save oneself, and directly sold him out completely.

Liu Mingxuan, suddenly feeling a chill down his back:...

Turning back with slight confusion, he saw his younger sister and mother talking together, and Liu Mingxuan quietly asked Liu Mingjin, "Did they mention me?"

Liu Mingjin was spacing out, completely unaware of what had just happened; seeing this, he only blankly shook his head.

Liu Mingxuan:...

Seeing there was no hope, Liu Mingxuan simply perked up and diverted energy to eavesdrop.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yao and Liu Mingfei had already changed the topic, and Liu Mingxuan gained nothing.

"Alright, since we're out for leisure, let's set aside official business for now."

"I hear the temple's vegetarian meal is decent; try some later. You all go your separate ways, don't linger around me."

Shen Yao waved her hand, picked up the clear tea poured on the table, and tasted it. It couldn't compare to the precious tea leaves and fragrant brew at home, but it had a unique flavor.

Liu Mingfei could no longer hold back; Liu Mingchen wanted to talk more with the abbot, and Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingjin each had their own things to do.

Once Shen Yao let go, the four children scattered like flying birds, whoosh, completely dispersed.

Shen Yao stayed in the Room, with a maid attending her; stepping outside was a lush, secluded Bamboo Forest.

"Go pick some bamboo leaves for me," she quietly instructed the maid, then Shen Yao walked to the Window Side and looked up at the scenery beyond the Distant Mountain Range.

"System, if not for only you detecting something strange about the temple, I would suspect Mingchen has other plans."

The System window jumped out to prove itself, "I can monitor all Artificial Intelligence; I can only say Liu Mingchen's Fortune doesn't diminish, and every time he has an opportunity."

A child of Fortune, possessing Against the Sky Fortune while also having the knack for trouble wherever he goes.

Unfortunately, the temple they chose was a den of thieves.

"I've already sent those four away; I believe it won't be long before they discover the problem and successfully resolve it."

Shen Yao closed the System window, blocking her own view while also keeping the Distant blood-colored smoke mist outside.

Shasha—

The Wind blew, rustling the Bamboo Forest; the maid carried a Basket, Seriously harvesting slender, tender Green bamboo leaves.

The Shadow beneath her was infinitely stretched, but the maid failed to notice, continuing to Seriously pick bamboo leaves and complete her mistress's order.

"Master Wuchen, may I be allowed to visit your temple's Book Pavilion?"

Liu Mingchen's ears twitched slightly, and with a Calm complexion he put forward his Requirement.

Master Wuchen pressed his palms together, "Naturally, Patron; please follow this old monk."

Turning to lead Liu Mingchen away from the Dian Dian, Abbot Wuchen walked somewhat quickly, his steps Mixed—not panicked, but rather impatient.

Liu Mingchen:...

Liu Mingchen raised an eyebrow, quickly following and continuing to discuss Buddhist insights with Master Wuchen.

Master Wuchen's Expression was strange, as if he saw a scene unlike what he had imagined; he cracked his Mouth corner into a smile, "Patron, you are truly unlike others."

Neither Fear nor worry arose; he was a troublesome Opponent, and also a great Treasure.

Unable to resist licking his Mouth corner, Master Wuchen no longer resembled a venerable abbot, but rather a Strange Phenomenon treading the crooked path, coveting this energy-rich Flesh body before him, impatient to devour it.

"I cannot compare to Master Wuchen," Liu Mingchen said humbly and politely.

"Oh? Patron, what do you know?" Master Wuchen's Appearance was strange, his steps beneath him unceasing.

"I do know some things," Liu Mingchen raised his head and struck forward with momentum, his own figure retreating to open Distance from the Opponent, "Master Wuchen, you seem not to be an ordinary person?"

Wuchen's head turned 180 degrees, his Mouth corner cracking all the way to his ear roots.

"Patron, why say such things? Do not Slander this old monk."

Liu Mingchen sighed, "Master Wuchen, they say the sea of bitterness is boundless and turning back is the shore; your body of Flesh carries deep sins, you should let it go."

Master Wuchen pressed his palms together, his kind and benevolent Appearance becoming hideous and terrifying, "Patron, utter nonsense; Wuchen is wronged."

Having spoken, the ghost-like Wuchen lunged over, both hands unconsciously curving upward, fiercely attacking Liu Mingchen's body and face.

Liu Mingchen dodged left and right with ease, occasionally striking back twice, forcing them into a stalemate.

Boom—

"Little monk, where is behind?" Liu Mingfei patted the little monk leading her, eyes fixed behind.

"Patron, that is the direction of the Scripture Pavilion," the little monk looked somewhat dull and foolish, eyes vacant, like a string puppet.

"Scripture Pavilion?"

Liu Mingfei touched her Chin and turned to run toward the Scripture Pavilion, but the little monk blocked her way, "Patron, you've gone the wrong way."

Liu Mingfei:... Ah?

Shortly after, the little monk was knocked unconscious by Liu Mingfei; she clapped her hands and sighed helplessly, "Tell me, why must you block me?"

Originally she just wanted to part on good terms, but they wouldn't let her leave.

A little Strange Phenomenon—could it stop her?

Liu Mingfei snorted softly and strode running toward the Scripture Pavilion.

Pity she wasn't early enough; Liu Mingxuan had already helped first, two against one, and Master Wuchen was no Opponent.

"You ran back?" Shen Yao grabbed Liu Mingjin; this child, upon seeing her, urged her to hide quickly, then, with a grim little face, closed the courtyard gate and stood in the Center of the Small Courtyard, vigilant of the surroundings.

"Mother, the temple's abbot is not right; Eldest Young Master and the others are jointly dealing with him at the Scripture Pavilion."

Liu Mingjin returned to protect her own mother; otherwise, what if the other side used her mother as a hostage?

Shen Yao turned her head; from the direction of the Scripture Pavilion in the distance came the sound of fighting, and the System had even beaten Liu Mingjin to it, running over to watch the spectacle.

"Come rest a while. There are so many people at the temple; they won't only be watching us."

Shen Yao was not afraid at all, and even had the mood to process the green bamboo leaves the maidservant had harvested. After listening, Liu Mingjin knitted his brows into a knot, but in the end was still pulled over by Shen Yao to sit down.

Liu Mingjin:...

Liu Mingjin looked at the teacup pushed over, brought it to his lips, and took a sip.

Mm.

The taste was not bad. Although it was a little astringent at first, it had a pleasant aftertaste when tasted.

"Not bad, right? The green bamboo leaves here are of good quality," Shen Yao smiled, lowered her head, and continued to fiddle with the bamboo leaves, carefully straightening them and placing them into the wooden box.

"Mother, aren't we leaving?" Liu Mingjin was somewhat restless. The fighting at the Scripture Pavilion wouldn't end in a short while; if it spread... Liu Mingjin simply dared not think about it.

"The situation outside is so chaotic. Wouldn't going out be walking straight into a trap?"

Fighting had broken out at the Scripture Pavilion; the monks originally under restraint would surely seize the opportunity to act and muddy the waters.

Shen Yao thought of their identity as mother and child, and did not believe Luojing would not send troops over.

"Rest assured and wait. I expect it won't be long before someone comes."

Shen Yao spoke with great conviction, while Liu Mingjin was completely baffled. But he believed his birth mother would not deceive him, and obediently smiled and nodded.

Sipping tea while listening to the sounds of fighting nearby, as the sky gradually darkened, the rescue troops Shen Yao had mentioned finally arrived.

They were people from the City Defense Bureau.

Liu Mingfei and Liu Mingjin were both inside. Seeing their colleagues appear, they were somewhat surprised.

But Liu Mingxuan and Liu Mingchen had long expected it. They joined hands to press down the abbot, and by the way sealed off and detained the entire temple and the monks.

Shen Yao returned to the mansion after night had fallen. Liu Xiuwen came out from the palace and directly summoned the four children to the study for questioning.

The System clicked its tongue in amazement: "This person truly values the juniors. Host, aren't you moved?"

Shen Yao raised her eyes, calmly washing up with the basin of water brought over: "Moved by what? Liu Jingsheng is in his vigorous years, and Liu Mingxuan and the others have no chance of rising to power," even if the things found in that temple were very impressive.