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

Le Xingxi sneered from the side. The emperor's love could never withstand the exchange of interests, so when he learned that His Majesty, whom he had always regarded as an older sister, had feelings for him, he was filled with fear and unease.

Le Wentao knelt on the ground, his face showing no joy. He simply knelt down solemnly and bowed to Jiang Yuxiao, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Zhongtian never expected that Yuewen Tao was actually a love-obsessed person.

"Le Wentao, make the preparations today, and carry her into the palace tomorrow." Jiang Yuxiao's tone was somewhat dismissive. Since the emperor's consort had become a noble consort, the ceremony should naturally be avoided if possible.

"Yes."

Jiang Yuxiao helped Le Wentao up, looking straight at him: "Le Tao, you're about to enter the palace as a noble lady, Xingxi will be back, right?"

Le Wentao's smile remained unchanged: "Of course, Your Majesty, as the younger brother, he should certainly congratulate his older brother."

"That's good."

Jiang Yuxiao led her honor guard away in a grand procession.

After watching His Majesty leave, Yue Xingxi slowly walked out. He walked slowly to Yue Wentao and softly called out, "Brother."

Le Wentao suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she looked at Le Xingxi: "Le Xingxi, you're back?"

Le Xingxi smiled and said, "I'm back, and I also want to congratulate you on getting your wish!"

The two acted as if nothing had happened, behaving like brothers, which made Nakata feel a chill in his heart.

"Haha, it's good that Xingxi is back. Yijin, go and tell the kitchen to prepare some food." General Le was also quite pleased to see Le Xingxi return.

Yu Yijin smiled gently and said, "Okay."

Zhongtian looked at Yu Yijin with considerable vigilance. Xia Jin'an straightened his back, but Zhongtian, who knew Xia Jin'an well, could see the slight trembling in Xia Jin'an's back; he was afraid.

Xia Jin'an's fear of Yu Yijin ran deep in her bones. Zhong Tian silently stepped in front of Xia Jin'an, blocking Yu Yijin's view.

Yu Yijin stood there the whole time. He had just entered the manor and was of low status. In such formal occasions, he always acted as if he were invisible, only listening and not speaking. After hearing General Le's instructions, he went to the kitchen with great poise.

“Mother, these are my two friends.” Le Xingxi introduced them to General Le: “This time I encountered thieves setting fire and fell into the water and almost lost my life. Thanks to Manager Xia and Madam Zhong for their help, I was able to return safely.”

General Yue looked at Zhong Tian with even greater satisfaction. She patted Zhong Tian's arm and praised her repeatedly, "Madam Zhong, my Zhaowu Army is in dire need of a talented person like you. Why don't you come and train in my army?"

Zhongtian shook his head repeatedly: "Thank you for your kindness, General, but I am a businessman who reeks of money. I still prefer making money."

General Yue pondered for a moment: "Being able to make money is a good thing."

The food was served, and the group sat together. Zhongtian nervously looked at each dish on the table, fearing that Yu Yijin might have poisoned it.

Her idea made sense. Although the men of Zhaohua Kingdom were all charming and gentle, a result of long-term social education, they were all ruthless and cunning. At least, none of the men Zhongtian had encountered were easy to deal with.

Zhongtian would observe which dish Yu Yijin picked up and then signal to Xia Jin'an to pick up the same dish. He would resolutely forbid Xia Jin'an from touching any dish that Yu Yijin hadn't already touched.

Everyone at the table was shrewd. Although Zhong Tian's behavior was rather secretive, everyone could see through it. Their gazes shifted back and forth between Yi Jin, Xia Jin'an, and Zhong Tian, ​​their expressions thoughtful.

Xia Jin'an was touched by such thoughts, but Zhong Tian was also blinded by concern. Even if Yu Yijin wanted to harm him, he wouldn't be so blatant.

"Yijin, did you two know each other before?" General Yue spoke first. "Madam Zhong couldn't eat properly at the Yue residence today, fearing that the food was poisoned." Although General Yue said this with a smile, there was a coldness in his eyes.

"General, there's been some misunderstanding between us. Linlang, please put a piece of each dish on my plate first so I can try it."

"Yes!"

Zhongtian knew she had made a foolish mistake, but she had no choice; she couldn't let Xia Jin be in danger.

She stood up and confessed, "General Yue, I have offended you."

General Yue's attitude did not soften at all; he looked Zhong Tian up and down. It was Yu Yijin who pulled General Yue's arm and coaxed him softly, "General, I am quite envious of Madam Zhong's love for Manager Xia."

With her young and charming husband gently persuading General Yue beside her, the coldness on her face lessened somewhat, but she still looked rather unhappy: "Zhongtian, sit down and eat."

"Yes."

Yu Yijin put aside past grievances and first extended a friendly gesture: "I heard that Manager Xia has been searching for a famous doctor for the injury on her face. I do have one in my household who is quite knowledgeable in this area. You know him too, Linlang."

Linlang stood behind and bowed.

Xia Jin'an smiled and replied, "Thank you, Lord Yu. This injury on my face has troubled me for a long time, and I haven't dared to see my old friends."

As she spoke, she glanced at Zhong Tian with her alluring eyes.

Le Xingxi's gaze towards Xia Jin'an darkened slightly.

Zhongtian ate his meal rather uninspired. After the meal, Yu Yijin sent a carriage to take the two of them home.

"Send Linlang to Tian Anju tomorrow. He has been with me for a long time, and I am quite reluctant to part with him."

"Okay." Xia Jin'an nodded.

"There's only one carriage left in the manor. Coachman, take Madam Zhong home first, then take Manager Xia back."

The driver replied, "Yes."

The two sat in the carriage, the moonlight as clear as water. The carriage made a very faint sound as it rolled over the stones on the road, which was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Zhong Tian scanned Xia Jin'an's full forehead, her fox-like alluring eyes, and the veil covering her face, which Zhong Tian found rather irritating: "Jin'an, can you tell me what happened to your face?"

Xia Jin'an clasped his hands together and slowly began to recount this memory, which was not pleasant for him.

"At that time, in order to escape Yangcheng, I found Master Li, who was about to return to the capital. I used my cooking skills as bait to get her to take me to the capital. She considered it for a while and agreed. But after we arrived in the capital, she gradually developed a plan to have me selected for the imperial concubine selection."

"I was outnumbered and outmatched. Under her coercion and enticement, I had no choice but to use a knife to make a deep, hideous scar on my face, thus thwarting Master Li's wish to rise to prominence through me."

Xia Jin'an spoke calmly, as if telling someone else's story, but Zhong Tian felt as if her heart was being gripped tightly, making it difficult for her to breathe.

“I knew that this Master Li was no pushover, and she would not let this defeat go unpunished. So I secretly sneaked into her room at night and overheard a secret.”

"What secret?"

"She is related to Xia Guijun's death."

Zhongtian was startled.