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

First, the imperial court has already approved Ding Yucheng's chastity memorial arch, and construction can begin immediately.

Secondly, Zhongtian was to be rewarded for his merits. He was not only given 1000 taels of silver, but was also required to enter the palace to meet the emperor. Considering that the end of the year was approaching, Zhongtian was required to report to the Imperial Household Department after the New Year, and the officials of the Imperial Household Department would arrange the time for the audience.

Meeting the Emperor? Nakata should have been overjoyed by this news. As a modern person, she had never had the opportunity to meet the emperor of a feudal dynasty, let alone an empress!

But she didn't. She just stared intently at Master Li, who had come to deliver the imperial decree. It was he who had taken Xia Jin'an away in the snowy winter. Where had he taken her? How was she now? These thoughts kept swirling in her mind.

Master Li was very respectful when delivering the imperial decree this time. Even without the noble emperor in the palace, the Xia family still had someone else to uphold the family's reputation.

After delivering the decree, Master Li went to rest, and Zhong Tian quietly followed him out.

Master Li was strolling leisurely through the Xia residence when a burlap sack was thrown over her head, and she was struck on the head with a blunt object, leaving her stunned.

Zhongtian held back this time, and Master Song fell to the ground with only a scream. If Zhongtian had gone all out, she could have smashed Master Li's brains out.

"Where did you take Xia Jin'an?"

"Xia Jin'an?" Upon hearing this name, Master Li's wailing stopped, and he asked warily, "Who are you? You care so much about Xia Jin'an, who are you...?"

Master Li was dazed from the blow, his memory was momentarily fragmented, but he was about to recall it.

Someone patted her on the back; it was Xia Muning, whose face was as cold as ice, signaling her to leave quickly.

Zhongtian acted impulsively and did something irrational. If something happens to the Imperial Edict Master and Zhongtian is suspected, he will be considered to have disrespected the royal family and committed insubordination. At best, Zhongtian will be punished; at worst, the entire Xia family will be held accountable.

Once Nakata understood this, he hurriedly left.

Xia Muning didn't return until evening. Zhong Tian felt a little embarrassed.

Xia Muning smiled and said, "It's alright, the matter is resolved. I told Master Li that the one who hit him was an enemy of the Xia family who came seeking revenge. I didn't expect that he couldn't see clearly in the dark and accidentally injured Master Li. Master Li, for the sake of 200 taels of silver, generously forgave this petty thief."

Zhong Tian readily admitted his mistake: "Mu Ning, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted impulsively. I just wanted to know about Xia Jin'an. If you're angry, then hit me!"

Xia Muning chuckled: "It's not that serious. I know you're concerned about Jin'an, and I'll help you find out."

Zhongtian looked at Xia Muning, stepped forward and hugged him. The two were very close, and Zhongtian's whisper reached Xia Muning's ears: "Thank you, Muning."

This "thank you" felt like swallowing a bitter pill, so bitter that his eyes welled up with tears.

These two imperial edicts from the capital caused quite a stir in Yangcheng, as both were events that brought glory to the Xia family.

Since receiving the imperial decree, Xia's mother has been looking more relaxed and younger.

On the one hand, she immediately found craftsmen to start building a chastity archway, demanding that the archway be tall and conspicuous, so that the people of Yangcheng could see it as soon as they arrived at the Xia residence.

On the other hand, she held Nakata's hand and smiled kindly.

"Tian'er, let's entrust the family's shipping to you as well. With both land and sea routes combined, Shunning Express will be able to deliver goods faster and farther!" Even the way she addressed him had changed.

Feeling a little embarrassed by such warm treatment, Zhongtian said, "Mother-in-law, this is two thousand taels of silver. I am truly ashamed, as I used Mu Ning's dowry in the middle."

Before his mother could speak, Xia Muning, who was listening nearby, objected: "Mother, after Shunning Express became profitable, my wife bought me three grain shops and gave me a deposit slip for 1000 taels."

Xia's mother gave Xia Muning a reproachful look and teased with a smile, "As expected, a married son is like water spilled from a bowl. I haven't even said anything yet, but you're already protecting him so fiercely."

“Of course I know, Tian’er is a good child! The reason I came to find you is that after Tian’er enters the palace and receives his reward, you should not come back for the time being. Stay in the capital and develop your careers there.”

Zhongtian had a sudden thought.

Xia's mother continued, "Yangcheng is a small place. Staying here might hinder Tian'er's development."

“We have a relative in the capital, my older sister.” He said this with a bitter tone: “My sister is a promising student. She passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. She is also good at scheming and is now a third-rank Zhongshu Shilang in the capital.”

"This is a letter from my own hand. You can ask for my help if you encounter any difficulties."

Nakata accepted the gift respectfully, but he knew in his heart that this noble relative from the capital was probably a snob who loved the rich and disliked the poor. They didn't even interact with each other during festivals, so their relationship must be bad, and they might even have a grudge.

Xia's mother gave it to him in the hope that if Zhongtian encountered problems, his relatives would help him out of consideration for their kinship. Zhongtian didn't hold out much hope.

"Since His Majesty has summoned you, there is no reason to delay. You may depart in three days."

"Yes……"

Liang Yun, who was hiding in the shadows, slowly retreated without being noticed by anyone.

The sound of the jade bottle shattering echoed in the Morning Dew Pavilion.

Liang Yun, being experienced, hid far away. These days, Ding Yucheng acted more and more docile and affectionate in public, but became increasingly irritable in the Chaolu Pavilion, where only the two of them were.

He would smash bottles, jewelry, and anything else he could smash. In the end, he would even harm himself, cutting a bloody line on his arm with a gold hairpin, and he would even feel a kind of pleasure when the blood flowed down!

Liang Yun didn't even dare to tell Ding Yucheng what he had heard. But Ding Yucheng kept asking, "Tell me, what did they talk about?"

Liang Yun hardened his heart, wanting to make Ding Yucheng give up: "Master, Madam Zhong and Young Master are preparing to move to the capital. They may not be back for a while. Master, please wake up! Isn't it better to be a respected, wealthy, and powerful master?"

Ding Yucheng glanced at Liang Yun, whose eyes were red-rimmed, and said, "What I have isn't enough, it's still not enough! I also need Zhong Niang's love. That bitch Xia Muning, why does she deserve to live better than me!"

Liang Yun felt a sense of desolation. His master was headed for destruction, a ship destined to sink. Should he continue to sink with him, or should he seek another path?

"Liang Yun, go and leave a message for Zhong Niang."

"say what?"

"Substituting a plum for a peach!"