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

Xia's mother, who was practicing calligraphy, put down her brush and looked at her beloved son.

She didn't want to say much. Her son was intelligent and perceptive, but now he was blinded by so-called love and couldn't see the situation clearly.

“Because, child,” Xia’s mother patted her child’s shoulder, “the Xia family needs you.”

The Xia family's vast business empire was built on the favor of the emperor in the palace; it was a castle in the air, and now that the emperor has passed away, these bubbles will immediately burst.

"My child, you're charging ahead for love, does Zhongtian know that?"

“Master Li is about to return to the capital. Go and meet with him. He’s probably tired of the food in the house. Go and prepare a meal for Yuan Jun’an.”

Xia Muning's eyes reddened, and he tightly gripped the cold Buddha statue in his palm. He needed to endure, and endure some more, to swallow the grievances in his heart.

He responded with a sound, just as he had answered a thousand times before: "Yes, Mother."

However, it wasn't so easy to book a private room at Yuan Jun'an. Shi Shu came over early the next morning, saying she wanted to book a private room. Zhong Tian looked troubled: "The private rooms for the next few days have already been booked."

Shi Shu looked at Zhong Tian and kept pleading in a low voice, "Madam Zhong, you must make proper arrangements. This is a matter of great importance concerning our young master's life."

"A lifelong commitment?" Zhongtian was startled, but immediately understood: "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

……

As dusk settled, several carriages were parked in front of Yuan Jun An Private Kitchen, each accompanied by several servants, forming a grand procession that attracted the attention of onlookers.

First, a woman with fair skin appeared, accompanied respectfully by Xia's mother and father.

Then a very faint commotion arose from the crowd; Xia Muning had appeared.

A pair of delicate, fair hands appeared first on the exquisitely decorated carriage of the Xia family, followed by Xia Muning's face.

He held a zither in his arms, standing in the breeze, his long, soft hair cascading down his back, with only a single gold hairpin on his head shining brightly.

His face was calm. Amidst the bustling crowd, his eyes met Zhongtian's. He turned around abruptly, only to find the man standing there in the dim light.

Nakata first looked away: "Gentlemen, please come inside!"

Zhongtian led the way.

Xia Muning was helped down from the carriage by Shi Shu.

He saw Xia Jin'an standing to the side. Unlike her usual seductive and alluring demeanor, Xia Jin'an stood there gracefully and generously greeting each guest who entered.

"Shishu, tell me, has Xia Jin'an changed from before?"

After reading for a while, Shi Shu said, "Brother Jin'an has changed a lot."

Is this the kind of girl Lady Zhong likes?

Xia Jin'an suddenly looked over here. He gave Xia Muning a slight bow, but Xia Muning beckoned to him: "Jin'an, come here!"

Xia Jin'an walked over with some curiosity.

Xia Muning took something out of his pocket and placed it in his arms. His tone was complicated: "This is your indenture. Jin'an, live a good life with Lady Zhong."

Having obtained the indenture she had longed for, Xia Jin'an felt uneasy instead: "Young Master, you...you mustn't do anything foolish!"

Xia Jin'an naturally understood the purpose of today's banquet.

Xie Muning shook her head: "Don't worry, I won't do anything foolish."

"Mu Ning, keep up." Xia's father called out to Xia Mu Ning, and Xia Mu Ning followed without saying a word.

Nakata placed them in the largest private room.

Her gaze occasionally met Xia Muning's, and she noticed that Xia Muning's eyes seemed to hold a sorrowful look, lacking his usual proud and arrogant demeanor, and filled with resentment.

Zhongtian lowered his head again: "Sirs, this is the shop's signboard: braised pork, boiled sliced ​​pork... please try it."

"You are Manager Zhong?" Xia's mother was extremely unfamiliar with Zhong Tian. A mere manager would never have caught her eye.

Is this Zhong Tian? Xia's mother looked him over and thought he was indeed a bright and talented person. What a pity.

Xia's mother looked her over and said, "You can leave now."

"Please enjoy your meal, sirs..." The door was closed, cutting off all outside prying eyes.

Xia's father respectfully filled the wine cup in front of Master Li: "Master Li, my son is growing up. You often associate with noble people in the palace. Please take a look and give him some guidance."

Master Li was a wise and experienced man; he understood the situation as soon as Xia's father spoke.

She looked at Xia Muning, at his features, at his stature, as if appraising a piece of merchandise.

Xia Muning stood there, like a fine piece of porcelain.

"He does bear a striking resemblance to His Highness. His Highness was deeply saddened for some time after His Highness's recent death."

Xia's father wiped away his tears and looked at Xia Muning with teary eyes: "His Majesty misses me. This child is quite similar to his brother, even their personalities are somewhat alike. When I see him, I always think of his brother."

Master Li also feigned sorrow and shed tears, saying, "In the palace, the Noble Lady treated me extremely well."

He looked at Xia Muning, and was also carefully planning in his heart. The noble lady had just passed away, and she died while pregnant, when she was most precious and the emperor cherished her the most. The emperor still had some affection for her.

If this younger brother, who resembles the emperor, could be sent to the palace, the chances of him gaining favor would be extremely high. It's just unknown whether this man has such good fortune.

"I've heard that you are extremely skilled at playing the zither? Could you play a piece for me?"

Xia Muning responded obediently.

Xia Muning placed the zither on the table beside her and slowly began to play. Sometimes it was gentle like flowing water, sometimes it was soft and melodious like whispers, and sometimes it was high and majestic like towering mountains.

Master Li didn't understand the zither, but she could appreciate the beauty of a woman playing it, which was more impressive than many of the favored concubines in the palace. She nodded in satisfaction.

She casually picked up a bite of the dish on the table, and her eyes lit up as soon as she tasted it. She asked Xia's mother, who was sitting next to her, "Which chef made this? The taste is so unique. I've never had anything like it in the capital."

Xia's mother replied, "This is Yuan Jun'an's private secret manual."

Master Li nodded with some regret, "What a pity."

If this dish could be presented to a noble person in the palace, it would surely bring a considerable reward.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was Zhong Tian. She pushed the door open and entered with a smile, carrying a pot of wine. She looked around and said, "Gentlemen, this is a fruit wine jointly developed by Hong Su Shou and Yuan Jun An. I'm offering you a few cups for free. Please have a taste."

Master Li ate the dishes on the table and was quite satisfied with the taste. She was rather interested in the newly developed wine: "Put it down!"

"it is good."

Zhong Tian poured himself a glass of wine, then walked over to Xia Muning and handed him a glass of brightly colored wine.

Xia's father stopped him, saying, "Manager Zhong, men don't drink alcohol."

"Lord Xia, this is fruit wine, which is excellent for men, especially for preserving youth and prolonging life."

Xia Muning took it: "I'll drink it."

Just then, Nakata seized the opportunity and whispered, "If you don't want to, I can help you!"