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

Xia Muning thought for a moment: "Beautiful, docile, and ambitious!"

Those eyes, so undisguised in their lust for money and power, were clear to everyone.

Xia's father asked softly, "Ning'er, do you think his choice is right?"

Xia Muning did not answer.

"He chose the wrong answer twice..."

Did they make the wrong choice? Xia Muning didn't know, but her father's insightful eyes had already seen the ending.

“Child, don’t make the wrong choice. Men don’t have many opportunities to make choices. If you choose wrong, you will fall into hell.” Xia’s father’s voice was soft, but it was deafening.

Xia's father took out a hairpin, a gold hairpin, not particularly unusual in style, but he had a makeup box with a much more expensive one.

However, Xia's father carefully placed the gold hairpin in his hair, saying, "This was sent by your brother from the palace by a eunuch. He said it was a gift from His Majesty."

Xia Muning reached out and touched it; it felt somewhat cold.

"Your birthday is in a few days. I know my son is famous, but you must politely refuse all of them. They are not good enough for my son."

Xia's father looked at him as if he were looking at one of his most prized possessions.

Xia Muning smiled reservedly, her eyes filled with just the right amount of joy.

Unworthy? Then who is worthy? Is it from where that hairpin came from? A chill ran through Xia Muning's heart.

The birthday celebration of the eldest son of the Xia family was a major event in the city. Red lanterns were set up for miles around, and a continuous banquet was held for three days.

Xia's parents were kind-hearted, and at Xia Muning's request, they provided porridge and food for three consecutive days.

Xia Muning was dragged out of bed early in the morning, still half asleep.

Xia's father rewarded him with a month's salary, and the servants were all smiles.

All the relatives and friends who were close to the Xia family were invited. The outside was bustling and lively, while the main hall was piled with all kinds of gifts, pearls, agates, jade and other precious objects.

In the front hall, Xia's mother and her colleagues were drinking.

The back hall was filled with laughter and conversation. Xia Muning was surrounded by a group of young masters from prominent families, and servants stood in rows. The air was filled with the fragrance of precious spices.

Xia Muning sat in a chair, with Shi Shu and Shi Qin attending to her.

Accompanying her on the far side was Yu Yijin, the eldest son of the county magistrate and also the fiancé of her third sister.

Yu Yijin smiled warmly, her tone carrying just the right amount of envy: "A person as beautiful as my younger brother deserves such a grand display." Since the ward had already been changed, calling him "younger brother" wasn't considered presumptuous.

Yu Yijin wasn't flattering anyone. It's true that in this backyard teeming with beauties and surrounded by men, they tried their best to adorn themselves with jewels and jade, but none of them could match Xia Muning's radiance.

But it is precisely the truth that makes people even more jealous and resentful.

Xia Muning glanced at him, but didn't say anything. Instead, she picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea to try to hide her disgust.

This man, as vicious as a venomous snake, was so cruel to Xia Jin'an.

Xia Jin'an was his personal attendant, and the two had known each other since childhood. They grew up together and studied together when they were older.

Xia Jin'an treated him very well and was quite pleased with him.

To everyone's surprise, this wicked man stripped him naked and threw him into the mountains. He sent people to search for him many times, but there was no news. Perhaps he was carried away by jackals.

A deep sorrow welled up in Xia Muning's heart, as heavy as ink that could not be dissolved.

When he heard the news, he wanted to rush to the Yu residence and fight him to the death, or at least whip him until his skin was torn and bleeding.

But someone stopped him.

Xia Muning could have ignored anyone else, but the people kneeling before him, pleading bitterly, were Xia Jin'an's mother and father.

A sense of sorrow welled up within me.

Jin An, you…

The matter was left unresolved, but Xia Muning felt as if a thorn was stuck in her heart, and every time she saw Yu Yijin, it would sting her.

"No matter how beautiful your face is, it can't compare to your kind heart."

Xia Muning emphasized the word "goodness" very heavily.

Yu Yijin's smile remained unchanged. The third branch of the Xia family was useless, so he could only try to please the eldest son of the first branch.

Yu Yijin wanted to say something more, but suddenly saw Xia Muning's expression change drastically, with clear disgust appearing on his face, something rarely seen on a well-educated young master from a prominent family.

"What are you here for?"

A woman appeared in the backyard.

She magically produced a bouquet of flowers from behind her back; the flowers were incredibly delicate in color and still glistening with morning dew.

She smiled radiantly in the spring sunshine, her voice filled with joy: "This is a birthday present for you!"

...

This person was naturally Nakata.

She was extremely nervous when Xia Fang pulled her over the wall.

"Isn't this your home? Why are you climbing over the wall?"

"Because I can't even enter the men's inner quarters!"

Why go to the inner quarters?

"Because you must personally deliver your gift to Mu Ning!"

"...Aren't other methods acceptable?"

"No way!" Xia Fang turned her head and glared fiercely at Zhong Tian: "Do you want to make money?!"

"…think."

Nakata understood that the recipient of her gift was the noble young master in the backyard. If it were given through proper channels, it would remain unnoticed and unknown to the public.

So, to avoid looking out of place, I picked a few flowers from the garden and held them in my hand, but obviously, the effect wasn't very good.

Upon seeing her, Xia Muning drew his whip: "Where did this wanton woman come from? Get out!"

Xia Muning took the flowers from Shi Shu's hand, then frowned. These must be flowers from the garden.

Zhongtian's smile widened: "I'm here to deliver a gift. You can't hit someone who's smiling, so please give me some face, Young Master Xia."

Looking at the grinning face in front of her, Xia Muning felt an itch in her teeth, wanting to slap her hard, preferably right on her mouth.

Zhongtian kept giving Xia Fang meaningful glances before Xia Fang finally spoke slowly: "Mu Ning, Zhongtian has prepared a gift for you with great care. Go and see it."

The people watching this farce were filled with confusion.

"What did they send? Let's go see." Shi Shu gently advised, "It's not good to stay in this stalemate."

Zhongtian didn't hide anything; instead, he generously invited, "This is a gift I carefully selected for Young Master Xia. Everyone is welcome to come and take a look."

The murmurs around them grew louder, so Xia Muning had no choice but to nod: "Let's go take a look."

If Nakata dares to mess with him, he will definitely teach her a lesson she will never forget.