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

Zhongtian looked at Le Xingxi with some surprise. Although Le Xingxi had a weak body, he had a resilient heart, filled with a bit of innocence and a bit of ambition.

Le Xingxi continued, "The repeating crossbow left by Ye Qing is your trump card. The people here are very skilled at making these weapons; they don't even need training! This is a win-win solution."

Nakata understood in her heart that her wealth was like a naked, handsome man, whom everyone would covet.

The repeating crossbows left by Ye Qing will allow this handsome man to gradually put on clothes. If they can be mass-produced discreetly, they will further arm this already clothed handsome man with a suit of armor, making him invincible.

"I've convinced Du Chen that she won't report it for now. This is our chance!"

Zhongtian hesitated for a moment: "We're about to set off, we can't stay here any longer! Who will take charge of this mess?"

Zhao Duan immediately knelt down again and said loudly, "Madam Zhong, I am willing to stay here to handle these matters. If things are exposed, I will atone with my death."

This time, Zhong Tian didn't help Zhao Duan up. She just squinted at him. Could she trust him? Could she entrust this matter to Zhao Duan, someone she didn't know very well?

Very well, Zhongtian helped Zhao Duan up, and the principle of trusting those you employ and not employing those you don't trust.

Seeing the somewhat delighted look on Zhao Duan's face, Zhong Tian asked, "I think Guo Mao wants to take you away. There's absolutely no need for you to take the risk!"

Zhao Duan stood up, casually wiping the dust off his clothes, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Now that I have things to do, what use are women? They're just a nuisance. Besides, Guo Mao has been on this path for so many years; she would have taken me with her a long time ago."

"She didn't do that, simply because I wasn't worth it!"

Zhongtian looked at Zhao Duan with admiration. Such an independent and clear-headed man was suitable for making a career. He couldn't be driven by love when doing something that could cost him his head.

It was already quite late outside, and after their conversation, the three of them returned to their respective rooms to rest.

Xia Muning lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The leather whip left in Prime Minister Jiang's hands was a deadly thorn, pricking Xia Muning and making him restless.

He looked at the clothes hanging by the bedside in the moonlight. It was an off-white palace dress. Although it was the style of the palace, the waist had been secretly altered for ease of concealment, so it was not noticeable unless you looked closely.

However, the palace is full of sharp-eyed and skilled menswear masters and noblemen. If anyone is willing to notice something amiss, they will see through the disguise the next day.

He looked around the room and saw the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk. He stood up, walked to the desk, and picked up the writing brush and paper.

Although Le Wentao was malicious, he did not make things difficult for him in terms of living arrangements. The room was well-equipped with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Xia Muning wrote a very affectionate letter to Zhong Tian, ​​and then poured the ink on herself without any mercy.

"Oh dear!" Xia Muning exclaimed, "Someone come here!"

The shout was quite loud, and it was impossible for the people outside to ignore it. Xia Muning called out again, and only then did a young scholar slowly walk in.

Xia Muning took out a silver coin from his pocket, placed it in the little teacher's hand, and said somewhat apologetically.

“I was so troubled at night that I thought of my poor wife and felt so sad that I accidentally stained myself with ink.”

Xia Muning frowned in embarrassment: "This is really inappropriate. Could you please help me find Master Li, who serves His Majesty, and ask him to find me some ordinary clothes? Remember, they must not be outstanding or overstep my status."

The young scholar dared not act on his own authority: "I will go and consult Lord Yue."

Xia Muning stopped the young scholar: "It's so late. If you disturb the noble lady and startle her, you'll inevitably get a scolding. But this is a small matter, and Lady Le will certainly not care. So don't make a fuss!"

Xia Muning added another silver coin and placed it in the young scholar's hand, her tone softening slightly.

The young scholar looked at the two silver coins in his hand, then at Xia Muning, and felt that he was a pitiful person. For the sake of the silver, he agreed.

Half an hour later, the young tutor returned. He looked somewhat uneasy and hurriedly took out a light green garment from his bundle and handed it to Xia Muning.

Xia Muning examined it and found that it was indeed an old garment, well-preserved. After careful inspection, she found no obvious identification marks and it wouldn't overstep her bounds, so wearing it shouldn't arouse suspicion.

Xia Muning nodded in satisfaction and smiled at the young tutor, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, tutor!"

The young scholar forced a smile, and only after stepping outside did he pat his chest with lingering fear.

Never do such a thing again! She was terrified!

When she went to look for Master Li, she was really unlucky; Master Li had gone out on business and she couldn't find him!

While she was hesitating outside, she ran into Eunuch Li, the chief steward of the palace. He was extremely strict with his subordinates, and if you offended him, you would be beaten to death with sticks if you didn't have enough money to pay him a bribe.

Master Li looked at her and said, "Shouldn't you be working at Tianxiang Garden right now? Why are you wandering around aimlessly?"

She knelt on the ground, and out of fear, she blurted everything out!

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li smiled and said, "Such a small matter doesn't need to trouble my clumsy apprentice. I'll do it myself."

Master Li's unusual kindness made the young master quite apprehensive.

Before long, Eunuch Li came out and handed a package to the young scholar, repeatedly instructing him to personally deliver it to Lord Xia.

The mission was accomplished, but the young scholar was extremely uneasy!

After the tutor left, Xia Muning found a basin used for keeping charcoal fires in winter and used a candle to burn her clothes completely until they turned to ashes. Only then did Xia Muning feel at ease enough to go to sleep.

When Xia Muning woke up the next day, the tutor came in and helped her wash up. The imperial physicians were already waiting outside.

The imperial physician was very professional, skillfully preparing medicine and applying ointment for Xia Muning, and carefully instructing her: "Your Highness, do not get the wound on your neck wet. After a month, it will be as smooth as new."

Xia Muning thanked him gratefully, saying, "Thank you very much, Imperial Physician."

Le Wentao entered at some point. He stood in front of Xia Muning with a normal expression, as if yesterday's events had nothing to do with him.

Le Wentao looked at Xia Muning and said coldly, "Lord Xia, are you feeling well? The palace is no place to stay for long. I'll send you out." She really couldn't wait!

Although Xia Muning did not find any evidence of her brother's murder, she really did not want to stay in the palace any longer, as it was fraught with danger.

Xia Muning nodded obediently: "Okay."

And in the Imperial Garden at this moment.

Eunuch Li was carefully trying to comfort His Majesty, explaining that his recent visit to the Empress Dowager had resulted in some unpleasantness, and that His Majesty's mood would sour whenever he spent time with the Empress Dowager.

Your Majesty is not the Empress Dowager's biological daughter. When the Empress Dowager entered the palace, Your Majesty was only 8 years old. The late Emperor died early, leaving behind only an orphan and a widow.

Facing pressure from both the imperial court and the harem, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had relied on each other for so many years. The kindness of raising a child is greater than the kindness of giving birth to one, and the Emperor truly regarded the Empress Dowager as his own father.

but……

Since His Majesty assumed personal rule, Prime Minister Jiang, caught in the middle, has gradually increased his conflicts with the Empress Dowager. Previously, Consort Xia was always the one mediating, but now…

Jiang Yuxiao suddenly froze. She saw Le Xingxi walking ahead and noticed the light green clothes he was wearing.

That was the outfit Xia Guijun wore when she first met the emperor in the Imperial Garden after entering the palace. The autumn scenery that year was just like this now, and at this moment, it was exactly the same as then!