Female-dominated society: Striving for the position of powerful minister, doting on Xiao Yunqing

Mu Yan collapsed helplessly into a pool of blood, her consciousness gradually fading. In her hazy state, she saw a familiar figure.

It is Mu Yunqing.

She stared at his retreating figure, her eyes filled with boundless hatred.

Ah, she should have thought of that sooner.

With such a lucrative mission, how could he bear to bring her along?

They're just using her as a stepping stone.

What a great way.

He deliberately approached her, pretended to mentor her, and ultimately intended to kill her.

It was completed seamlessly from beginning to end, without the slightest hesitation.

In the end, the heartless live longer.

The lover died tragically.

She closed her eyes resignedly, and snowflakes gradually covered her body.

The moon falls and the flowers wither; what is there to fear in life and death?

She misjudged people.

_

Fengqi Kingdom

In the teahouse, three or five people gathered around a table, chattering about the latest happenings.

"Have you heard? Someone has died at the Prime Minister's residence!"

"Everyone in the capital knows, the news has spread!"

"Really? How come I didn't know that? Tell me quickly."

"You just got back, so you don't know. Let me tell you, the one who died was that Miss Mu San!"

"Oh, that one? I heard he fell off the wall."

"That's right, he fell straight to his death from the wall! This Prime Minister's mansion is truly torturous; he's been dead for three days and they still haven't buried him!"

"You can't say that. It's not certain who's tormenting whom!"

"After all, when Miss Mu was alive, the Prime Minister cleaned up a lot of messes for her!"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Throughout the entire Phoenix Perch Kingdom, who doesn't know the name of Miss Mu San?

This person has committed numerous evil deeds. Relying on being the daughter of the Prime Minister, she commits all sorts of wicked acts every day, and has taken countless lives.

Her sudden and tragic death is perhaps because Heaven couldn't bear to see her suffer any longer and took her life.

Well deserved.

_

Prime Minister's Mansion

Those people never imagined that the person they thought deserved to die was now sitting safely on the bed.

Xiangqin saw the person sitting on the couch and almost spilled the medicine she was holding, but Muyan reached out to help her straighten up.

"Ah, my lady, you're finally awake!" Xiangqin put down the medicine, knelt beside her, and cried, "You scared me to death! I thought you would never wake up again, boohoo."

She cried her eyes out, complaining about how the second young lady bullied her, saying that Xiangyun was a traitor, and how many days her master had been unconscious and how much medicine she had taken.

Seeing that her master had no reaction at all, Xiangqin looked at Muyan with a pitiful expression, "Waaah, master, why are you ignoring me?"

"Lili, I heard everything you said," Muyan patted Xiangqin's back. "I heard everything."

"Master, how are you feeling? Is your body still in pain?" Xiangqin asked, looking up at her.

Mu Yan moved her arm. "See, I'm fine."

"It's alright, it's alright." Xiangqin breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, her master is alright. If something had really happened, she wouldn't want to live anymore.

Mu Yan looked up at the person in front of her, and the concern in her eyes didn't seem to be feigned.

But how did she suddenly end up in this place?

"What year is it now?" Mu Yan asked her.

"The twelfth year of Ningyu".

"Ningyu, twelve years?"

"Yes, Master, have you lost your memory?" Xiangqin asked anxiously.

She nodded and asked Xiangqin to tell her about the things that had happened in recent years.

She then learned that the place she was in was called Phoenix Perch Kingdom, a country where women were superior to men. Her mother was the current prime minister, her father had passed away, and she had two older sisters and a younger brother.

He was bedridden because he fell from the wall, but he survived because a servant named Mu Yunqing saved him.

"Wait, the person who saved me is named Mu Yunqing?"

Mu Yan was taken aback. Had he arrived here as well?

"Yes, Master, you've even forgotten about him? You used to bully him every day!"

Xiangqin's face, which had initially shown some suspicion, suddenly became puffed up with anger, her big eyes glaring at Muyan, "Master, you haven't forgotten about me, have you!"

This shout pulled Mu Yan back from her reverie. She hadn't even figured out what was going on, and now she had to figure out how to deal with this little girl. Ugh, it was really exhausting!

"How...how could this be?"

How could she not forget? She was someone who didn't even remember her parents. But out of consideration for their relationship, Mu Yan made up an excuse to get away with it.

"Master," Xiangqin handed the medicine to Muyan. "Drink the medicine."

"Okay." Mu Yan took the medicine and drank it down without hesitation.

Xiangqin paused, her hand holding the candy still, staring blankly at her.

Just like that, you drank it?

"what happened?"

"N-nothing...it's nothing," Xiangqin stammered, "Master, do you still want this candy?"

Mu Yan waved her hand, "Children only eat candy after taking medicine."

Why wouldn't you eat sugar while taking medicine?

I haven't lost my temper even once since I woke up.

Did your personality change drastically after surviving a brush with death?

But that shouldn't be the case; Xiangqin is practically going bald from worrying so much.

Her master was clearly cold before, although he wasn't bad to her, and the two had a good relationship, but now... could it be that he's remembering the good things she did for him?

It must be like this.

Xiangqin was so happy she felt like she could fly, but she quickly returned to normal. She knew her master's unpredictable personality.

Little did she know that this Mu Yan was not the same Mu Yan as the real one; the real Mu Yan had long since perished.

"Since Master is alright, let's freshen up and go pay our respects to the Prime Minister. He talks about you every day!" Xiangqin said, helping Muyan up.

She talks about it every day but never comes to see her more than a few times. As her mother, she probably doesn't have much to do with her.

Moreover, she was new here and had no memories of the original owner. The more people she met, the easier it would be for her to reveal her flaws.

Based on the time-travel novels she had read, she might get criticized on her first "meeting of the parents," and after that, she would have to deal with the sisters.

Well, this is really not worth it; it's better not to go.

"No, but please inform them for me," Mu Yan replied, lying back down on the couch.

Seeing that her master had no intention of going, Xiangqin stood up and said, "Then Xiangqin will go and tell the master, so that he won't blame her later."

After saying that, he went out the door, and before leaving, he didn't forget to tell Muyan not to run around.

It turns out her name is Xiangqin, which is a pretty name.

But it's impossible for them not to wander off; those in their line of work can scale walls and hang from beams and pillars with ease. Besides, there's someone else here!

How could one not be curious about someone who shared the same name as the person who caused her death?

Mu Yan thought for a moment and then jumped out of the window.

"Hiss..." It seemed like she had aggravated her wound, but that was nothing compared to the injuries she had sustained during previous missions.

She walked along the path for a long time, passing through three gates. She had to admit, the Prime Minister's residence was truly vast and lavishly decorated. There were all sorts of exotic flowers and rare plants, potted plants, artificial hills, and countless courtyards.

If you can't find anyone, it's a great place to travel. The level of decoration is absolutely stunning, even by the standards of the 20th century.

She arrived at a residence that seemed quite different from the previous buildings. It appeared to be for servants, with a large patch of green bamboo and several pots of clivia growing outside the courtyard, giving it the air of a recluse.

A faint bamboo scent permeates the air, growing stronger the further you go in.

As you get closer, you feel the warmth of the air and the swirling mist, making it impossible to see the scenery ahead.

Suddenly, a dagger was held to Mu Yan's neck, and she coldly asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Before Mu Yan could answer, the man knelt down, concealed the dagger behind his back, and said obediently, "Yun Qing greets Master."

This move completely baffled Mu Yan. She was so fierce just a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye, she bowed down and submitted. Ha, men!

Wait, no, he just said, "Yun Qing greets Master."

So... he is Mu Yunqing?

"Are you Mu Yunqing?"

"Yes."

"Lift your head up and let me see."

At Mu Yan's command, Mu Yunqing immediately raised his head, his movements unusually docile, but his eyes were full of disgust.

This face really does resemble his; no, it's not just similar, it's exactly the same.

But his eyes were completely different from his usual self.

Mu Yan reached out to help Mu Yunqing, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet, but took a step back as soon as she reached out.

What is this for?

Who is she trying to fool with that delicate act?

She withdrew her hand from mid-air and said calmly, "Get up."

The person kneeling on the ground suddenly stood up again.

Haha, she really is obedient.

"Why were you avoiding me just now?" Mu Yan asked him.

"My master is born so precious, I am afraid of dirtying your hands."

As soon as he said this, Mu Yan knew.

He is not him.

The Mu Yunqing he knew was a free spirit, ruthless and cold-blooded throughout his life. No one feared him, only those who feared him. He rarely even said "I'm sorry," let alone something so self-deprecating.

It's ridiculous that there's someone exactly like him, yet so cowardly.

"It's chilly at night, please go back to your room and rest."

Mu Yan hummed in agreement, then turned and left.

They are not the same person, and there is no need to continue the conversation.

The most urgent task is to find out why she traveled through time.

Could it be that Heaven took pity on her and gave her a second chance at life? But if she was pitiful, why not just let her return to her original world so she could take revenge?

Mu Yan laughed self-deprecatingly. She said that, but when she actually stood in front of him, she probably wouldn't even be able to hold the knife steady.

She remembered when they first met, he tapped her on the forehead and said, "Call me brother." She remembered him taking her out to play, letting her win during missions, buying her delicious food, and celebrating her birthday with her.

But so what? When he was killing people, he didn't show the slightest bit of mercy.

All show and no substance, but a heart of stone.

_

Mu Yunqing followed behind her until Mu Yan left Cuizhu Garden before turning back.

This person has changed a lot.

If he had held a knife to her neck before, his hand would probably be crippled by now.

Surprisingly, he wasn't punished today.

Mu Yunqing sneered. She must have fallen too hard and learned to restrain herself.

Whether his temperament changes drastically or his behavior becomes strange, what does it matter to him?

He just needs to do his best to play the role she likes.

_

Xiangqin had been back for quite some time, and the lights outside had been turned on again and again.

She wanted to go out to find her master, but she was afraid that her master would not be able to find her when he returned. She wanted to send someone to look for Mu Yan, but she was afraid of alerting the people in the manor. In the end, after thinking it over, she could only obediently wait for Mu Yan to return.

Mu Yan didn't go straight back to her room, but instead went to the pavilion across the lake. Although she had changed bodies, fortunately her abilities hadn't diminished. She skimmed across the lake like a dragonfly skimming the water, and in a flash, she climbed to the top of the building.

Anyone with a little martial arts knowledge knows that Mu Yan's lightness skill is absolutely remarkable, after all, when she passed by, the lake water only rippled slightly.

She lay quietly on the eaves, dressed in a blue robe. Her features were exquisite, her eyes clear as water, gazing at the fading peach blossoms below, her gaze empty and utterly forlorn.

She suddenly remembered the year she was sixteen when she went on a mission. Because of the mission's failure, Mu Yunqing almost lost his life, and her identity was exposed. She was imprisoned in the dungeon by her master.

Back then, Mu Yunqing would always come to see her with a smile, even though his wounds were hurting terribly, he was smiling more happily than anyone else.

He would always chase after a flower during the day and bring her food at night to coax her. He would bring her different flowers every day and different things every night, visiting her day and night to make her happy.

The night before his release, Mu Yunqing carried a peach blossom with him.

Thinking of this, Mu Yan picked a peach blossom, played with it in her hand for a while, and then threw it down heavily.

They've already died once, but they still haven't learned their lesson.

What's there to miss?

next morning

Fanglan Garden

Xiangqin brought out a bunch of bright red and purple clothes for Muyan to choose from.

"My lord, which one would you like to wear today?"

Mu Yan: "..."

"Do we really have to choose one of these?" She sighed and continued, "Isn't there anything else?"

"Yes, but those are all old. Please wear these instead, Master."

"It's alright, bring them all over."

"Yes."

It wasn't that she had any prejudice against the owner of this body, but the bright red and purple clothes were simply unacceptable.

What kind of good family dresses so festively every day?

After a while

Xiangqin walked towards her carrying another pile of bright red and purple clothes.

Yes, you read that right, it's bright red, fiery red, the kind that's eye-watering!

"My lady, look, this was commissioned by the Prime Minister a few days ago. The color and pattern are exactly what you like. There's only one of its kind in the entire Phoenix Perch Kingdom. Wear this to see the Prime Minister, and he'll definitely love it!" Xiangqin said, handing the clothes to Muyan with her eyes full of anticipation.

Mu Yan politely accepted the clothes, but her mind was buzzing.

Looking at this custom-made, red dress that I love, a one-of-a-kind piece, I was suddenly at a loss.

Wear it, it'll be an eyesore.

If she doesn't wear it, she can't go out naked in front of people.

She finally put it on.

The clothes are a bit ugly, but they suit the person quite well.

Mu Yan looked at her face in the mirror.

With black hair, red lips, snow-white skin, and bright eyes, her brows and eyes carried a faint trace of sorrow, like a delicate flower in the morning mist.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, with the rest falling gently over her shoulders. She wore gold cloud-shaped earrings and a red jade hairpin. She was extremely beautiful.

Two remarkably similar faces overlapped, as if from another world.

She raised her hand to tidy up the stray hairs on her forehead, and the person in the mirror did the same.

"Master, let's go. The master will be getting impatient soon," Xiangqin whispered to her.

"Okay, let's go." Mu Yan came back to her senses and walked outside.