Shocking! In this matriarchal society, every man wants to marry me!

Zhongtian glanced at him and said coldly, "You've got it wrong."

Xia Lan dismissed her doubts and, as if it were none of her business, lowered her head and continued eating. Her food was still the worst, but at least she wasn't eating like a dog outside. She glanced at Zhong Tian with some gratitude.

Zhongtian's worries deepened. She glanced at Xia Lan, who was engrossed in eating, and an idea came to her.

She called over the waiter, nudged Xia Lan, and scolded her with a hint of disappointment.

"Xia Lan, the three constables have worked so hard to take care of us, why don't you order some good food to show your appreciation? Your lack of consideration is really worrying!"

Xia Lan was eating when someone disturbed her, which made her quite unhappy. However, when she heard that it was Zhong Tian who gave the order, she immediately did as he instructed, putting down her bowl and frantically searching her body for something.

Suddenly, a piece of gleaming gold fell from her arms, making a soft sound as it hit the ground.

But everyone's eyes lingered on it for a few seconds. Some people casually looked away, while others couldn't look away for a long time.

Xia Lan was completely unaware of anything. She only felt like she was back in the capital, spending money like water. She waved her hand generously and said, "Waiter, bring the best food."

The waiter paused for a few seconds before replying, "Yes, ma'am!"

Last night.

Zhongtian bypassed the constables and placed all his money in Xia Lan's hand, his tone filled with concern.

"Xia Lan, they beat you so often, I really can't bear it. I've put some money on you. If they still beat you, give them some money as a bribe, and they'll beat you less!"

Xia Lan was overwhelmed with gratitude as she took the money. She didn't see the danger involved; she only felt that gold was the best thing in the world, and since Zhong Tian was willing to give her gold, she was the best person in the world!

Zhongtian's reaction wasn't impulsive, nor was it a genuine outpouring of sympathy. She simply sensed that Guo Mao's gaze towards her was growing increasingly greedy.

Guo Mao was tempted by the wealth on Zhong Tian's person. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble and to divert the blame, Zhong Tian put the money on Xia Lan.

Now it seems that the gold has found a better use.

Qian Mu's eyes narrowed, and he immediately slapped Xia Lan across the face, making her see stars. "You shameless thing, put the gold away right now."

Xia Lan did as she was told, feeling somewhat aggrieved.

At night, Zhongtian did not sleep. She kept her eyes open, listening to the sounds outside. Guo Mao, who was guarding her, was somewhat absent-minded, and the candlelight outside was lit one by one.

Guo Mao eagerly placed Zhong Tian in Qian Tang's room, pleading, "Sister Qian, please look after him for me, I have an urgent matter!"

Qian Tang knew perfectly well what the person in front of him was going to do. He spat on the ground and said with disgust, "Get lost. You'll die from a man sooner or later."

Zhongtian looked at them with suspicion, and Qian Mu suddenly opened the window.

Nakata stared in shock at the outside world, where candlelight blazed and every household had lit its lamps. The men who were so poised and elegant during the day were now acting frivolously, their clothes half-revealed, flirting with the women who passed by.

The entire city of Li has been turned into a giant brothel!

……

Xia Muning entered the Jin residence amidst a festive candlelight, where lanterns and decorations were everywhere, creating a joyous atmosphere.

When Xia Muning entered, she was somewhat surprised. Rare treasures were casually displayed, showing how incredibly wealthy the Jin family was!

Despite her busy schedule, Jin Xia personally welcomed Xia Muning in and personally assigned her husband to take care of her.

"Xiang'er, you must take good care of Lord Xia personally, and you must not slack off in the slightest!"

"Okay!" Zhang Xiang'er glanced at Jin Xia gently and said with a smile, "You go ahead and get busy, I'll take care of things here!"

Zhang Xiang'er was a rather gentle man, with a gentle smile in every gesture.

He looked a little older than Jin Xia, but his current life of wealth had transformed his age into that of a gentle yet dignified head husband.

"Lord Xia, the banquet will be held in a few days. There's a play going on on the stage ahead. Let's go take a look!"

Xia Muning nodded.

"it is good."

The stage was large, but the surroundings were quiet. Xia Muning looked at Zhang Xiang'er with some doubt.

“I know that Lord Xia doesn’t like noise, so I asked the guests to go to another place. You are the most important guest of my wife, and it is my responsibility to take good care of you! Let’s just enjoy the opera in peace and quiet.”

Xia Muning smiled with satisfaction, and Zhang Xiang'er smiled with satisfaction as well.

The gong sounds, the show begins!

Xia Muning was initially a bit bored, but the stage costumes were so spectacular that he couldn't help but look up.

This sight made the person on stage even more energetic, their voice clearer, and their posture more upright!

The play ends and the music fades away.

Looking at Xia Muning's expression, Zhang Xiang'er asked, "Lord Xia, are you satisfied?"

Xia Muning said indifferently, "Not bad."

Zhang Xiang'er was overjoyed. She knew that Xia Muning was always cold and unapproachable, except to his wife. This "not bad" was extremely rare.

"Ruo'er, come down!" Zhang Xiang'er called with a smile to the actors on the stage.

The actor actually somersaulted down.

"Go and wipe off your makeup, then come and pay your respects to Lord Xia!"

"it is good."

"That good-for-nothing woman is my sister-in-law, named Zhang Duruo. She doesn't care about taking the imperial examinations for fame and fortune, but prefers opera. I've told her several times, but she won't listen, so I just let her be."

"It's alright, it's good to meet."

A short while later, the woman arrived. She had washed off her elaborate makeup, revealing herself to be an 18-year-old girl with youthful vitality in her eyes and brows. Xia Muning glanced at her casually and even noticed a resemblance to Zhong Tian.

She looked at Xia Muning, her eyes filled with just the right amount of girlish admiration.

"This brother is extremely handsome!" The praise seemed to come out of nowhere, but then she felt it was presumptuous, so she immediately stuck out her tongue playfully and lightly slapped her own mouth.

Zhang Xiang'er watched from the side with an ambiguous expression.

"Ruo'er, stay with Lord Xia. I'm going to entertain the others. Don't neglect them."

“Okay.” Zhang Duruo ignored her brother and kept her eyes on Xia Muning.

Along the way, Zhang Duruo hovered around Xia Muning like a happy, chirping bird.

When Xia Muning finished the banquet and took his leave...

Zhang Duruo took out a bouquet of flowers from behind her back and happily handed it to Xia Muning: "Brother Xia, I came from the garden and thought these flowers would suit you very well. Please keep them with you and enjoy them!"

A hint of nostalgia appeared on Xia Muning's face. He looked at the flowers in his hand and smiled gently. "Thank you!"

Xia Muning boarded the Xia family's carriage and left. Once the carriage had completely disappeared, Zhang Duruo's youthful and pretty face vanished abruptly, replaced by a cold and sinister expression.

Zhang Xiang'er asked from the side, "Did he take the bait?"

Zhang Duruo touched her face and said with considerable confidence:

"A lonely man, whose wife has been convicted and who is getting older, is being treated with such care and affection by a beautiful young woman! How could he not be moved! He might even be dreaming about me tonight!"