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

General Yue looked up and glanced at the man before her. She was completely unfamiliar with him, but that was to be expected. She lowered her head and apologized, "Your subject is truly foolish."

Jiang Yuxiao didn't care at all: "Why don't we just go up and ask? Maybe he came for me too."

Jiang Yuxiao said this not out of narcissism, but because during the talent show period, she encountered all sorts of men at various banquets and in various places.

He was able to attract her only because he resembled someone from the past.

She stepped forward, but unexpectedly startled the beautiful woman. The man glanced at her, seemingly annoyed that she had disturbed his leisure, and immediately got up and left.

Jiang Yuxiao felt a little regretful.

She suddenly noticed the handkerchief left on the table. She picked it up, and it scattered petals all over the floor. She smiled and gently sniffed it, as if she could smell a faint fragrance.

General Yue, observing His Majesty's expression, tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, may I inquire which official's son this is? It is currently the time for the imperial concubine selection, so that Your Majesty may enrich your harem."

Jiang Yuxiao didn't care: "There's no need to investigate. I believe I am destined to meet this beauty. If we are destined, we will meet naturally from afar."

She looked at General Yue and teased, "General Yue is quite lucky with women. I heard that your husband is young and handsome, more than ten years younger than you, and he even gave birth to a daughter for you as soon as he entered the manor."

"Your Majesty, please excuse my poor manners." General Yue bowed respectfully. "The banquet has already begun. Please, Your Majesty, move aside!"

"it is good."

Only after everyone had left and the place returned to silence did Xia Muning slowly emerge.

He was nearby, not far away, and heard it clearly.

At first, he only felt extremely uncomfortable with the young woman's determined gaze, so he quickly avoided her. Little did he know that this woman was actually the current emperor.

Unexpectedly, he met Her Majesty the Empress before his wife.

Xia Muning carefully observed her from the shadows. She was a young woman, and even in casual clothes, she exuded an aura of power. Was this the Emperor that her brother often mentioned in his letters? Indeed, she was a member of the royal family, with an imposing presence.

She must still have feelings for her brother, so she coveted him because he resembled her brother. For a moment, he didn't know whether to grieve for his brother or worry about his future fate.

He wasn't too worried, because he had learned his lesson. The handkerchief that was left behind had no personal markings, so trying to find someone through the handkerchief was a complete pipe dream.

Moreover, unless a husband in the inner quarters is too flamboyant, the chances of him encountering His Majesty are extremely slim.

As his thoughts were wandering, he suddenly saw Nakata walking gracefully towards him from a distance, seemingly searching for him. He greeted him with a smile.

"My lady, I'm feeling a little unwell, so I'd like to go back now." She then coughed twice, pretending to be serious.

Zhongtian immediately became nervous and touched Xia Muning's forehead: "I'll go back with you and see a doctor."

Xia Muning refused, saying softly, "My lady, it's nothing for a man from the inner quarters like me to leave early. But if you leave early, General Yue will definitely be unhappy."

"No, I'll go back with you. I'm not comfortable with that."

"My lady..." Xia Muning held Zhong Tian's hand and said in a low, coquettish voice.

"Alright," Zhongtian said somewhat reluctantly as he watched Xia Muning board the carriage to return to the manor.

When Nakata returned to the mansion, he was shocked to find everyone kneeling on the ground. A distinguished guest had arrived!

She didn't want to stand out, so she knelt to the side to avoid drawing too much attention.

She glanced over furtively and saw a young woman lovingly holding a child right in front of her.

The woman had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. Her gaze swept over the kneeling crowd with an air of authority, as if she were searching for something, but she found nothing.

This is Her Majesty the Empress, Jiang Yuxiao. Standing beside her is Yue Wentao, dressed in red, looking at her with a subtle gaze, though Zhongtian could see the deep affection within.

"Today is a joyous day for General Yue. She has welcomed her beloved daughter. Everyone, please rise and stand up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Although everyone got up, the atmosphere was still awkward. Zhongtian understood this feeling best. With the highest leader present, who would dare to let loose and have fun?

But His Majesty only came to make a formality, praised the child a few times, and bestowed a few imperial gifts upon him. General Yue then accompanied him away.

A young man stepped out from behind and bowed generously to everyone. His voice was clear and melodious: "Esteemed guests, thank you for attending my daughter's first birthday celebration today. Please enjoy yourselves. If there is anything that has been done poorly in our hospitality, please forgive us."

This must be General Yue's new husband, whom he kept hidden away in the inner quarters like a treasure until today.

Everyone was secretly observing the man; he was strikingly beautiful. But what they envied most was his luck.

The Yongning General's Mansion only has two legitimate sons. The original general's husband had already passed away due to illness. This man will be the head of the household as soon as he enters the family, and he will give birth to a daughter as soon as he enters the family, which will ensure his wealth and honor for the rest of his life.

Nakata, who was secretly observing him, really wanted to say: she had seen this older brother before.

Isn't that Yu Yijin? Magistrate Yu's son. And isn't that attendant following behind him Linlang?

If she remembered correctly, the last time she saw Yu Yijin, he was pregnant!

Judging by the time, the child should be a year old now. This is Xia Wen's child!

Why does General Yue seem unconcerned? Why is he still holding such a grand first birthday banquet?

An even greater mystery lingered in his mind.

Yu Yijin saw her when he was inviting everyone to drink, but he didn't seem to have any intention of striking up a conversation.

Nakata tactfully attended the banquet and then returned home by carriage in the dim light of night.

There were few people around at night, so no one paid any attention when I got into the carriage.

Suddenly, a woman rolled next to Nakata's carriage, which immediately stopped.

"Get out! We're about to close up shop, and you're still hanging around here? With your poor, pathetic appearance, you think you can become the top scholar?"

Zhongtian lifted the carriage curtain.

A woman who looked like a scholar was kicked out by the bookstore clerk. She had delicate features and her clothes, even though they were patched, were washed and clean.

After being kicked out, she blushed with embarrassment and hurriedly apologized after getting up from the ground.

She took out a hardened steamed bun from her sleeve, squatted down, and ate it with difficulty. Her face was full of sorrow, perhaps thinking about where to sleep for the night in a dilapidated temple.

Moved by compassion, Zhongtian asked, "Are there many poor, pedantic scholars like this?"

Next to Zhongtian was a servant named Xichun, whom Xia Muning had bought from a slave trader. Xichun was a local from the capital and her family used to be quite wealthy, but unfortunately, her mother was addicted to gambling, which led to the family's bankruptcy. She sold her son, her husband, and finally, she had no choice but to sell her daughter as well.

When Xia Muning went to choose servants, he took a liking to this clever and quick-witted 15-year-old girl, so he bought her and placed her by Zhongtian's side. She was a know-it-all in the capital.

"Many, of course many. After His Majesty selects candidates, the imperial examination will be held in June. Every year, quite a few poor candidates come to the capital to take the exam. Studying is quite a luxury!"

Suddenly, a man stood in front of the impoverished student. The man covered his face with a thin veil and tied his hair with a black wooden hairpin.

He squatted down and said in a very gentle tone, "Madam, if you are short of money right now, you can stay at Tian Anju for the night. If you have extra money in the future, you can make up the difference."

Zhong Tian's eyes flickered slightly. She was even more familiar with this person. She knew his every move very well. This was Xia Jin'an!