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

Although this wasn't the first snowfall of the year, it was the first snowfall that Xia Jin'an and Zhong Tian saw together.

The two embraced each other for warmth while discussing the details of opening the shop.

As dawn broke, the two began to feel sleepy. Zhongtian spoke, "Jin'an, you..."

"Zhongniang, I want to stay."

Nakata was very interested, but he refused.

Nakata crammed on the customs of this era, and one particularly disgusting custom was to test a man's virginity on his wedding night. Nakata didn't care about these things, but he couldn't ignore what others thought.

Although, after the previous misunderstanding, both of them knew exactly what had happened.

Xia Jin'an was quite reluctant to leave the room.

"Jin'an, you don't need to make my lunch at noon. I'm going to go up the mountain."

Upon hearing that Zhongtian was going to the mountain, Xia Jin'an became quite nervous: "What are you going to do on the mountain?"

"The New Year is almost here, it's time to slaughter the pig!"

These three piglets are plump and healthy, weighing over 200 pounds each. It's time to slaughter them for the New Year.

This pork is an important ingredient in home-style dishes, and the pork dishes made with it are exceptionally delicious.

She knew that the pig had been cooked, and anyone with a keen eye could easily find out, but it would take time to figure out how to cook the pig properly. This gap in the cooking process was her chance to seize the market.

On the mountain, she saw Sha Chun again.

Shachun seemed even more foolish now; her eyes, which had initially gleamed with dullness, now seemed to hold a hint of fear. Upon seeing Zhongtian, she seemed about to say something.

But as soon as Nakata got close, she ran away again!

"Come back, I haven't given you the money yet!"

But this silly Chun was quite fast on his feet, and he disappeared in no time.

Zhongtian invited the butcher up the mountain. The butcher, surnamed Wang, was a burly man who worked quite efficiently. When he saw the wild boar that had been whipped, his eyes flickered, but he didn't say anything and skillfully butchered the pig.

The pork was delivered to the Nakata family.

Xia Jin'an looked at the pig, completely bewildered.

"Jin'an, I'll say it, you do it!"

Braised pork belly, braised spare ribs, pork belly, meatballs, twice-cooked pork...

Chinese food culture is profound and extensive, and people always rack their brains when it comes to food. Zhongtian recalled the recipes of each dish and guided Xia Jin'an to try them again and again.

Xia Jin'an was busy in the kitchen, constantly researching. Meanwhile, Zhong Tian found the same malocclusion tooth from before.

"Could you please find me another storefront? Preferably on a main street with high foot traffic, and I'd like to rent it for a year."

Fang Ya readily agreed without hesitation: "Madam Zhong, what kind of business are you planning to do?"

"Private kitchens... are pretty much the same as restaurants."

"Okay, I see."

The broker was extremely efficient; within three days, he came to find Zhongtian, saying that he had found a prime shop. To the left was a private school, and not far away was the government office. The area was extremely busy and the land was incredibly valuable.

"The owner needs to rent out some items. As long as you pay the full amount within three days, the shop will be rented to you."

Once is good luck, twice is just a coincidence.

She looked at Fang Ya: "Sister, tell me who's behind that?"

……

When Zhongtian arrived with the gifts, he found the Xia residence decorated with white banners throughout the courtyard.

The guards at the gate and the servants coming and going all showed a look of sorrow on their faces.

Zhongtian stood at the door, but the door blocked her way. "There is a funeral in the mansion, and we do not receive guests."

Zhong Tian was momentarily bewildered. The timing of her arrival was so inconvenient. There was a funeral at the Xia residence. Who was it?

It was when Shishu went out to buy things that she saw Nakata outside.

Upon inquiring, Nakata learned that news had spread from the palace the previous night: "It is said that the Noble Consort passed away in the palace yesterday!"

He's dead!

The maidservant spoke with a sorrowful tone: "She was pregnant when she died. The road was slippery, and the eunuchs accidentally caused her to fall. She immediately went into labor. They tried to save her all night, but neither the child nor the father could be saved."

The news was delivered to the Xia residence last night by a trusted confidant on horseback. Upon hearing the news, Xia's father cried so hard that he fainted.

His Majesty's decree has not yet arrived, so the people in the city are still unaware.

Shi Shu's eyes were a little red and swollen.

He said to Lady Zhong, "Lady Zhong, go and see our young master. He heard the news yesterday and has not eaten or drunk anything, nor has he slept all night."

“Your Highness is older than our young master and has watched him grow up. After entering the palace, he always receives rewards during festivals. Our young master is heartbroken. If this continues, it will harm his health.”

Nakata nodded.

Shi Shu led Zhong Tian to the outside of Xia Mu Ning's boudoir, where she unexpectedly encountered Fang Shi Lian.

A thin layer of blood covered Fang Shilian's body, her face was pale from the cold, and a thin layer of frost covered her eyelashes.

She didn't know how long she had been waiting in the snow.

"Master Fang?"

Hearing someone call her name, Fang Shilian finally spoke: "Zhong... Madam Zhong."

"The weather is so cold, why is Lord Fang here?"

Fang Shilian breathed into her palm, but unfortunately, her breath was also cold.

“I did something wrong, I made my cousin angry! I won’t go back unless she forgives me.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

"Shishu, take Miss Biao back."

The door opened, and Xia Muning appeared in the doorway. He didn't even glance at Fang Shilian, and simply gave his instructions.

"Yes!"

Xia Muning shed all her elaborate adornments, wearing only a small white flower in her hair. Her natural beauty, like a lotus emerging from clear water, captivated Fang Shilian even more.

She stepped forward, wanting to take his hand, but he pulled away. Her tone was tinged with disappointment: "Alright, Mu Ning, don't be too sad."

Shi Shu left with Fang Shilian.

Fang Shilian looked back every few steps, clearly reluctant to leave.

Only when they reached a secluded spot did a hint of gloom appear in Fang Shilian's eyes.

.......

Last night.

Fang Shilian, who had just returned from her duty at the government office, was brought before Xia Muning by the servants waiting outside.

Xia Muning's face was serious: "Fang Shilian, explain why Wang Yuan, who should have died long ago, is here."

Fang Shilian's expression hardened, and she said with a guilty look, "Cousin, I'm sorry. We were lax in our guard and Wang Yuan got away."

Xia Muning slammed the vase on the table to the ground, where it made a loud, sharp sound. "Why didn't you say anything!"

Fang Shilian explained anxiously, "I did it for you, because I was afraid you would live in fear all the time, that's why I kept it a secret."

Xia Muning turned to the side, his deep gaze fixed on her: "I'm only worried because Wang Yuan is on the run. Are you using this excuse of doing what's best for me to cover up your dereliction of duty?"

"No, no, I love you. How could I harm you, Mu Ning? Don't worry, I will definitely bring her to justice. I won't let her hurt you."

Xia Muning couldn't hide his disdain: "You say you like me so easily. You keep saying you love me, but that doesn't stop you from keeping a mistress outside."

He knew! Fang Shilian was startled.

"If you don't arrest Wang Yuan within five days, you'll lose your job at the government office!" Xia Muning's threatening words rang in Fang Shilian's ears like thunder.