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

The young scholar looked nervous and spoke very quickly: "The Empress Dowager has decreed that Xia Muning must leave the palace immediately, without delay!"

Xia Muning's somewhat flustered heart finally calmed down.

Although Zhongtian was unaware of what had happened in the palace, he was relieved and helped Xia Muning onto the carriage, instructing Shishu to take good care of Muning.

After straightening his clothes, he entered the palace under the guidance of the young tutor.

This was Zhongtian's first time entering the palace. Under the azure sky, the golden glazed tile roofs of the Forbidden City looked exceptionally magnificent; this was the residence of the emperor.

Although she did not revere imperial power as much as the ancients, she was still cautious in her words and actions, dared not look around carelessly, and followed her teacher all the way without daring to overstep her bounds in the slightest.

She was led to the Hall of Diligent Governance, where Jiang Yuxiao was reviewing memorials in the bright candlelight. The golden dragon robe she wore made the woman before her appear exceptionally heroic and extraordinary; she was the most esteemed woman of this dynasty.

"See your majesty, long live your majesty."

Jiang Yuxiao raised her head, put down her vermilion brush, and looked at Zhong Tian: "Zhong Tian, ​​I have seen your memorial."

Zhongtian knelt on the ground and begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, I have inadvertently lost the portrait of the prince, and I am truly to blame. Fortunately, the princes are magnanimous and have forgiven my mistake."

Zhongtian looked guilty: "My abilities are limited, and my husband is pregnant at home. I am really unable to manage this. I beg Your Majesty to send someone else to take care of it."

Zhongtian knelt on the ground and lowered his head, his humble face reflected in the spotless floor.

Le Xingxi told her privately that His Majesty was already somewhat dissatisfied. Qingfeng Town was a large town near the capital, and its economic lifeline could not be controlled by a mere merchant.

Now that the world is at peace, Your Majesty has ambitions to wage war abroad, and Your Majesty is short of money! And Nakata's textile factory is a money tree.

Zhongtian understood and entrusted General Yue to submit a memorial. Jiang Yuxiao was clearly satisfied with Zhongtian's pragmatism.

"Zhongtian, the imperial court is short of officials like you. There are vacancies in the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Revenue, even at the lowest levels. Do you have any place you'd like to go?"

"Your Majesty, the spinning machine was made by Ye Qing, and I dare not take credit for it alone."

"Ye Qing is quite capable! Have you decided where you want to go?"

"The junior official is selected by the Ministry of Revenue."

Although Zhongtian didn't know why Yuexingxi had asked him to be selected for the Ministry of Revenue, Yuexingxi clearly understood His Majesty's thoughts and the distribution of power in the court better than Zhongtian.

"Master Li, proclaim the imperial decree, appointing Zhongtian and Ye Qing as Assistant Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

There are 10 assistant ministers in the Ministry of Revenue. It is a low-ranking official of the sixth grade, and is usually used by nobles to appoint their incompetent nephews or nieces.

His Majesty has taken over the properties in Qingfeng Town, which is also compensation for Zhong Tian and Ye Qing.

The imperial palace was not a place where Nakata, an outsider, could stay for long.

Master Li casually assigned one of her disciples to escort Zhongtian out of the palace. The girl was clever and quick-witted, and she also took her master's surname, Li. Everyone called her Little Master Li.

"Lord Zhong, this way please."

The people in the palace were very perceptive, which is why Lady Zhong became Lord Zhong.

Zhongtian secretly slipped a silver ingot into Little Li's hand: "Little Li, how long have you been following your master?"

“It’s been three years. I’ve been with you ever since I entered the palace.”

"Master Li is quite favored by His Majesty and must be a kind person. He must treat you very well."

Master Li pursed his lips but said nothing.

Zhongtian wanted to ask something more, but suddenly saw the carriage of the Music Bureau ahead. Yue Xingxi lifted the curtain, leaned against the window, and smiled at Zhongtian: "Lord Zhong, I'll give you a ride."

Master Li quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Venerable Le."

"Master Li, you've worked hard. Today is Consort Le's birthday, and everyone in the palace has been rewarded with silver. Master Li has been busy and probably hasn't received it yet. Here is a reward for you, to share in the joy." Le Xingxi took out some silver from her bosom and handed it to Master Li.

Master Li expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Nakata boarded the carriage.

The car was filled with a very faint smell of alcohol. Zhong Tian sniffed it and recognized it as the smell of red, delicate hands. The smell of alcohol was coming from Le Xingxi, who was dressed as a monk, yet the smell of alcohol lingered around him.

Le Xingxi opened the carriage curtain to let off the smell of alcohol. His face was slightly flushed, and there was a hint of drunkenness in the corners of his eyes and brows.

"It's my brother's birthday today, and he summoned me to the palace. I got a little carried away and drank a bit too much."

Le Xingxi curled her lips slightly: "He summoned His Majesty in my name, and as soon as His Majesty arrived, he sent me away. Fine, I'd rather not stay any longer. His Majesty is such a womanizer, only he would treat me like a treasure."

As an outsider, Zhongtian really doesn't want to comment on the love-hate relationship between the brothers.

Why are you asking me to choose a position in the Ministry of Revenue today?

"Because the Minister of Revenue is your mother's person, she will naturally take good care of you and protect you from hardship. Most importantly, the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the nation's grain, which is the lifeblood of the country. You will achieve great things."

"Madam Zhong, I will help you rise to the top!"

Zhongtian wasn't ungrateful; she sincerely thanked her, saying, "Thank you again today."

It's not just about selecting officials, but also about Xia Muning.

"You don't need to thank me, you should thank my brother."

Le Xingxi suddenly laughed.

"My brother is truly decisive. After hearing about Xia Muning's matter, he went straight to see the Empress Dowager and poisoned the pastries she was eating!"

"Poisoned?"

Zhongtian was shocked once again. Was Le Wentao really that audacious? Wasn't he afraid of dying?

"It's not some deadly poison; it just causes a brief period of unconsciousness."

"The person who was healthy just moments ago suddenly fell into a coma. The imperial physicians couldn't find the cause of the illness, so they had to call in the Imperial Observatory, who said that Xia Muning's zodiac sign clashed with the Empress Dowager's."

"Then the imperial decree to send Xia Muning to the palace was hastily revoked, and the Empress Dowager's condition improved. Not only will your husband not be able to enter the palace this time, but he will probably never be able to enter the palace in his lifetime."

"Won't your brother arouse suspicion by doing this?"

"Of course not. My brother is very respectful to the Empress Dowager, and she treats him very well. There is no conflict of interest between them. Who would suspect that a noble prince would risk his life to poison the Empress Dowager?"

Zhongtian felt a chill run down his spine.

Le Wentao is ungrateful; he will use anyone, no matter how close they are to him, as long as it helps him achieve his goals.

His younger brother, who was born of the same mother, was treated very well by the Empress Dowager.

Zhong Tian wanted to say something more, but suddenly Le Xingxi leaned into Zhong Tian's arms and said softly, "I drank too much and I'm very dizzy and uncomfortable. Let me lean on you, Madam Zhong, don't push me away."