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

Xia Muning's words immediately created a tense atmosphere that had been somewhat harmonious.

Le Xingxi glanced at Zhong Tian and said with a smile, "My entry into the temple to cultivate is only a temporary measure. After five years, I will naturally find someone I love and spend the rest of my life with them."

"Lord Le, do you have someone you admire?" Xia Muning then asked.

“Lord Xia, I think Lady Zhong is quite good.”

Zhongtian, who had been having a poor appetite, found the meat in her mouth even harder to swallow. She coughed with difficulty and quickly looked at Xia Muning's face.

Xia Muning's face had darkened!

“Don’t joke, Master Le.” Zhongtian looked at Le Xingxi pleadingly and squeezed Xia Muning’s hand: “Muning, don’t overthink it, he’s just joking.”

How could Xia Muning not overthink it? He was a man, and the way Le Xingxi looked at Zhong Tian seemed vaguely familiar—it was the time when he was just beginning to fall in love. He couldn't let that feeling take root and grow.

Seeing Zhongtian in a difficult position, Le Xingxi smiled and said, "Lord Xia, my marriage has never been my choice." She looked at Xia Muning seriously and said, "Don't worry."

"Mu Ning, try today's dishes." Zhong Tian placed a piece of braised pork on Xia Mu Ning's plate.

Xia Muning picked up the meat in her hand and looked it over: "My lady, does this food still taste like what we used to eat?"

Xia Jin'an's expression also looked a little off.

Zhongtian put down his chopsticks. Xia Muning was jealous tonight, so he couldn't enjoy his meal.

"Young Master." Xia Jin'an still addressed him by his usual name, without changing her way of addressing him. "My appearance is damaged, and I've styled my hair up. I will not marry in this life. I will just live my life tending to my Tian'an Residence. Don't worry."

Xia Muning's eyes were a little sore. She didn't know what was wrong with her. She was so aggressive today. She had been worried ever since she heard that Zhong Tian was imprisoned. Now that she had relaxed, she found that Zhong Tian was surrounded by wolves and everyone was watching him.

He was no longer himself. He was afraid to look at Zhongtian's face. He looked so ugly that he even hated himself.

However, Xia Muning's arm was patted by Zhong Tian, ​​a gesture that was clearly meant to comfort her.

"Today, I have some good news to announce: Mu Ning is pregnant and four months along. He has been experiencing some emotional ups and downs lately, so I apologize on his behalf if there has been anything inappropriate."

“…Congratulations!” Xia Jin’an spoke first, but her expression was somewhat bitter.

"...Congratulations!" Le Xingxi stared at Xia Muning's belly for a while and sincerely offered her congratulations.

Zhongtian helped Xia Muning up and said apologetically, "It's getting late, so we'll head back now. Thank you all for your help today."

Zhongtian tightened Xia Muning's cloak, then held Xia Muning's hand and slowly left.

Xia Muning turned his head and saw two rather lonely figures. His heart hardened, and he gripped Zhongtian's hand even tighter. Love needs to be fought for, and it requires taking the initiative. In the battle of love, if he retreated even slightly, he would be the one standing there watching forlornly.

However, he cautiously peered at Zhongtian's face.

The night was dark, and even with candlelight, he couldn't see Zhongtian's face clearly.

Nakata sat silently in the carriage without saying a word.

She reflected that it was normal for a pregnant man to have emotional fluctuations during pregnancy. It was because she hadn't given Xia Muning a sense of security that she made her feel insecure. It was because she hadn't protected herself that Xia Muning, with her pregnant belly, came to seek justice for her.

Xia Muning felt increasingly panicked. He could disregard everyone else's thoughts, but he couldn't ignore Zhong Tian's. She was definitely angry. He had really gone too far today, and he needed to apologize.

"sorry!"

"sorry!"

The two said in unison.

After apologizing, the two felt a little embarrassed. Zhongtian hugged Xia Muning in his arms and said, "We husband and wife never need to apologize. I promised you that I would be with you for life, and I will never go back on my word."

"In one's life, one will love many people, but many people will be just passersby in one's life. The moment we get married, you will no longer be just a passerby. You will need to accompany me through the second half of my life."

"Jin An is my past, you are my present, and you will be my future, and Your Majesty has never let go of Le Xingxi."

Xia Muning leaned against Zhong Tian's chest, listening to the beating of his heart. Why was she so good to him, able to tolerate all his little whims and ulterior motives? But could she keep such a good Zhong Tian? Could she belong to him alone forever?

The carriage slowly made its way to the Zhong residence. Three days later, a message arrived from Wudao Temple, delivered by Le Xingxi. It contained only a simple sentence: "Select candidates for the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhong Tian was puzzled, but then an imperial edict came from the palace, saying that His Majesty would summon Zhong Tian to the palace the next evening. Following that was an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, saying that she wanted to see Xia Muning.

The story of Xia Muning seeking justice for his wife has spread far and wide, even reaching the palace. So, wanting to meet this extraordinary man, and hearing that His Majesty is summoning Zhong Tian to the palace, they decided to bring her husband along as well.

Ever since receiving this imperial decree, Xia Muning has been somewhat absent-minded: "Muning, what's wrong with you?"

Xia Muning said seriously, "My lady, I cannot enter the palace."

Xia Muning slowly recounted what happened at the Music Bureau: "His Majesty is looking for a substitute for my brother. I look quite similar to my brother, so I cannot enter the palace and let His Majesty see my face. This will cause you trouble."

"..."

Nakata thought to himself, "Her Majesty is truly a fickle person. On one hand, she is determined to have her childhood sweetheart, and on the other hand, she is into 'substitute literature.' Her heart is divided into countless parts, and every man is in the heart of hers."

"My lady, I've caused you trouble." Xia Muning's tone was quite apologetic.

"It's alright, it's not your fault."

Zhongtian thought to himself that he would have to trouble Le Xingxi again. Zhongtian wrote a letter to Le Xingxi, briefly explaining what had happened.

Le Xingxi did not reply. Zhong Tian and Xia Muning waited anxiously all night, but no news came.

With no time to lose their way to the palace, Xia Muning and Zhong Tian nervously boarded the carriage to go to the palace.

With each step Xia Muning took towards the palace, she felt a chill of fear, but no matter how far the journey, it would eventually come to an end.

Xia Muning prayed silently in her heart that it would be best if His Majesty was too busy to come to the inner palace, and that she would not run into His Majesty.

If he were to actually encounter His Majesty, Xia Muning secretly vowed in his heart that if His Majesty did anything excessive, he would die to preserve his innocence.

The moment they stepped through the palace gates, a young tutor rushed toward them.