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

After being rejected by his own son, the madam decided to take a walk in the backyard; he really needed to calm down.

Nightfall

Mu Yan and her group were still sitting in the carriage. After a long and bumpy ride, they were all a little tired.

Mu Yan glanced at Xiao Ran, who was still dozing off opposite her, and gently lifted the curtain.

"Let's not travel tonight, let's find an inn to rest first," Mu Yan said to the coachman.

"Yes, Miss, there's one not far ahead. What do you think of that place?"

"can."

"okay!"

After receiving permission, the coachman suddenly sped up, and the carriage jolted violently; the mountain road was indeed difficult to travel.

Feeling the jolt, Xiao Ran slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them as she asked, "Um, where are we?"

"On the way," Mu Yan replied casually.

Xiao Ran's eyes widened suddenly. She knew they were on the road. Waaah, the excuse was so obvious. She was being disliked before she even got to know them.

"Third Miss, we've arrived at the inn." The coachman stopped the carriage next to the inn and shouted inside.

"Please, Your Highness," Mu Yan said politely.

"No, no, no, Ayan, you go first~" Xiao Ran smiled at Mu Yan.

...If she weren't a princess, Mu Yan might really have thought this person was an idiot.

"Yes, Princess." Mu Yan didn't refuse and got out of the carriage, with Mu Yunqing following closely behind.

After the three of them got out of the carriage, the coachman said, "My lords, please go in first. I will put the carriage in the stable and come shortly."

"Okay." Mu Yan replied and walked inside, with the other two following behind.

The inn was rather simple, and the furnishings looked quite old, but fortunately it was clean, and the dim lighting inside added a touch of warmth.

Upon seeing the three people outside, the waiter hurriedly went to greet them.

"Are you three guests looking for a place to stay?"

"Yes," Xiao Ran replied playfully.

"Haha, you three have come at the perfect time! There are only three superior rooms left in this shop!"

There were four of them in the three rooms. Mu Yan's heart skipped a beat as she suddenly remembered what she had told the coachman: "He is my husband."

Well, now that's karma.

“But there are four of us! Can you check if there are any other rooms available?” Xiao Ran said.

"I apologize for my incompetence, but there are really only three rooms left." The waiter's tone was somewhat apologetic.

“Three rooms… if it’s three rooms…” Xiao Ran gently stroked her face with her fingers, lowering her eyes in thought.

"Hey, I remember now! Ayan, you can sleep in the same room as your husband." The little girl looked at the two of them with a smile.

A hint of surprise flashed in Mu Yunqing's eyes. He wanted to explain, since he and Mu Yan didn't have that kind of relationship, but the person beside him gently hooked his hand.

"Of course," Mu Yan said, smiling at Xiao Ran.

"Alright, where are the three... oh no, the four... and the last guest?" the waiter said, glancing around.

He arrived shortly afterward.

"Alright, then the three guests can go upstairs and rest first."

"Don't forget the tea and food, okay?" Xiao Ran said, rubbing her stomach. "Ugh, I'm starving."

"Yes, sir. Your tea and food will be served shortly."

Upon hearing the response, the three went upstairs together. The upstairs furnishings were much better than downstairs, and there was a faint fragrance in the air.

"Ayan, I'm going in first!" Xiao Ran waved to Mu Yan after finding the room.

"Okay." Seeing Xiao Ran leave, Mu Yan quickly let go of Mu Yunqing's hand and then went to find her room.

Mu Yunqing stood there, stunned.

He is naturally cold-blooded, and his body is always icy cold all year round, especially in winter, when he often can't sleep at night because of the cold.

So as soon as Mu Yan let go, he felt a chill. Although his palm still had some warmth left, it was still cold, chilling to the bone.

Mu Yan held his hand, and he didn't actually mind; in fact, he even wanted to hold it forever. But... after she held his hand, he let go, feeling like he was just a tool that could be used.

"Hey, come in, what are you standing there for?" Mu Yan poked her head out from inside the house, her beautiful eyes fixed on Mu Yunqing.

"Okay." Mu Yunqing quickened his pace and walked towards her.

"Come sit down!" Mu Yan called to him with a smile.

"Okay." Mu Yunqing sat down opposite her.

"I think I should give you an explanation for what happened today."

She should explain, after all, she held his hand twice, and then... she just let go like that.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunqing looked up and glanced at Mu Yan.

“I apologize for fabricating your identity without permission, but rest assured, I will explain everything to the princess.”

"And today when I held your hand... I didn't mean anything by it, I just..."

"Okay." Mu Yunqing responded indifferently before she could finish speaking, as always, without any emotion.

He didn't want to hear her explanation, nor did he want to hear her words about severing ties with him.

"Boom boom boom, boom boom boom."

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Mu Yan asked as she went to open the door.

"Esteemed guests, your meal is ready." The waiter stood outside the door carrying the food and tea.

"Bring it in." Mu Yan stepped aside to let him in.

"Alright, gentlemen, please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, just let me know, I'll be right downstairs." The waiter said, placing the food on the table before leaving.

"Let's eat first," Mu Yan said, sitting down and handing Mu Yunqing a bowl of rice.

Mu Yunqing did not answer.

She felt a little embarrassed when she thought about how Mu Yunqing hadn't listened to her explanation, and now she felt even more embarrassed.

Sure enough, you shouldn't hold a boy's hand indiscriminately, especially someone like Mu Yunqing.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Mu Yan put down the bowl of rice and looked up at Mu Yunqing.

"Yunqing isn't hungry." Mu Yunqing didn't look at her as she spoke, and reached out to pour tea.

"Wait." Mu Yan snatched the teapot from his hand.

Years of experience as a secret agent taught her that she shouldn't eat food from roadside stalls. She turned around, took a silver hairpin from her bundle, and gently inserted it into the tea.

Mu Yunqing looked at her quietly, and she seemed much smarter than before.

He suddenly remembered the day Mu Yan fell from the wall. He had watched the Second Miss push her down, but he hadn't tried to save her.

Perhaps it was the hatred buried deep in his heart that was causing him to watch her fall silently.

He didn't go down to the wall to see her until he heard a scream.

She fell to the ground with a pool of blood on the back of her head, clearly indicating a serious fall.

He carried her back to the room, thinking that at worst she would be buried with him.

Anyway, with her by his side on the road to the underworld, he won't be alone.

"Mu Yunqing, Mu Yunqing, you can drink now." Mu Yan said softly to him, looking at the hairpin that hadn't changed at all.

"Okay." Mu Yunqing finally came to her senses and responded softly.

After dinner, a big problem arose: sleep.

Mu Yan checked the bed; it's quite big, more than enough for two people, and three people could squeeze in.

She didn't really care; it was just a nap, nothing serious would happen. And even if something did happen, she wouldn't lose out. It was just that Mu Yunqing...

Ugh, just thinking about it gives me a headache. We only held hands, and she got such a sour face. She really is a chaste person.

“Look, this bed, you sleep on the inside and I'll sleep on the outside, okay?” Mu Yan pointed to the bed and said to him.

Mu Yunqing didn't answer her, as if she hadn't heard her, and took small sips of tea.

Okay, so you're going to play the aloof card with me, huh? Well then, I won't hold back.

"What? Are you shy?" Mu Yan looked down at him.

Very well, he remained unfazed and did not respond. He's suited to be a monk.

But this only piqued Mu Yan's interest more. She couldn't help it; she just loved this aloofness, finding it especially fun to tease.

"Mu Yunqing, you haven't forgotten, have you? I saw your body once before... you..."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunqing choked on his tea and coughed incessantly.

Oh wow, there's a reaction. Looks like I'm not suited to be a monk after all.

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Have some tea and go to sleep. Don't worry, I'm not interested in you!" Mu Yan said as she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep.

Mu Yunqing's face darkened.

That's true, his looks are definitely top-tier. While he may not be as alluring as Nian, he's still incredibly handsome. As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and he just hasn't dressed up properly; otherwise, he would be absolutely gorgeous.

After a while, Mu Yunqing finished his tea and climbed into bed.

Mu Yan scoffed inwardly, "Ha, men!"

Summer nights are especially hot, and Mu Yan can't stand the heat. She habitually kicks the blanket to the other side, feels cool, and then falls asleep peacefully.

Little did she know that her kick caused the entire blanket to fall off.

Mu Yunqing: I really am tied up.

Without a doubt, Mu Yunqing did not sleep well that night.

Even though it was summer, he still felt a bit cold, especially now that he didn't even have a blanket.

The room had a window open, and when the wind blew, my feet felt cool.

The more awake I become, the less I can fall asleep.

Mu Yunqing turned to look at Mu Yan. She was sleeping soundly. Perhaps it was because the summer night was too hot, her little face was rosy. If you got closer, you could hear her even breathing.

Mu Yunqing swallowed hard, her ears unexpectedly turning bright red. Perhaps realizing something was wrong, Mu Yunqing hurriedly turned her back.

She slept soundly all night, but he couldn't sleep.

The next morning

When Mu Yan woke up, Mu Yunqing was no longer by her side. She got up and looked into the room.

Oh, so that's where it was.

Mu Yunqing sat at the table drinking tea, with food laid out on the table.

"Good morning." Mu Yan scratched her head and got out of bed.

"Hmm," Mu Yunqing replied calmly.

"You're up so early." Mu Yan pointed to the dawning sky outside the window.

Yes, it's quite early. Mu Yunqing couldn't sleep all night and got up after hearing the rooster crow.

Remembering that Mu Yan had only eaten a few bites of the restaurant's food last night before putting down her chopsticks, he went downstairs to borrow the kitchen from the waiter and cooked a few home-style dishes.

Mu Yan woke up shortly after the dishes were served, just in time to eat them while they were still hot.

"I'll put the water for washing your face behind you. Come and eat after you've washed your face," Mu Yunqing said, pouring another cup of tea.

Mu Yan listened to his tone of voice, which sounded just like that of an elderly father taking care of his daughter's daily life.

Sure enough, men are fickle. Yesterday they ignored me, but today they're showering me with affection.

"Okay." Mu Yan replied and hurriedly went to wash her face. She had only eaten a few bites of food last night and was really hungry now.

After washing her face, Mu Yan sat at the table, her mouth watering as she looked at the fragrant food in front of her.

"Eat up," Mu Yunqing said, picking up her chopsticks.

"Okay." Mu Yan couldn't wait any longer; she was so hungry. She reached out and picked up a piece of meat, putting it in her mouth.

Mu Yunqing looked up at her, wondering if his cooking skills would be recognized.

"Mmm...delicious, delicious! You should try this meat, it's especially fragrant."

Mu Yunqing was secretly delighted; as long as she liked it, that was all that mattered.

"Why did this restaurant suddenly change its chef?" Mu Yan asked him while eating.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Mu Yunqing's eyes. Well, it's better not to tell her.

"The original cook went home today," Mu Yunqing said, picking up a handful of vegetables.

"Oh, how did you know?" Mu Yan asked, looking up at him.

"I heard it from the waiter when I went downstairs to get tea today," Mu Yunqing said, making up a story with a straight face.

"Oh, is that so? Good thing you're gone. That cook's food was terrible." Mu Yan said, picking up another piece of meat.

Ah, this meat is so delicious! ///▽/// ?

"Mmm." Mu Yunqing responded verbally, her light blue eyes glancing at her from time to time.

She seems to really enjoy his cooking; she's already had her third bowl.

After dinner, Mu Yan sat on the bed and tied her hair up, staging a real-life version of "Unable to Take Care of Herself".

It looks so simple, but it's so difficult to do! This hairpin can't hold my hair in place. Mu Yan was so angry that she wanted to throw the hairpin away.

"Come here and sit down," Mu Yunqing called softly.

"Hmm? Are you going to help me?" Mu Yan ran up to him with the hairpin in her hand.

"Okay. Sit down." Mu Yunqing said, standing up so it would be easier to tie her hair up this way.

"Okay, okay." Mu Yan obediently sat down.

Then he mentally complained, "In the past, he always called her 'Master,' but now he calls her 'you.' Sure enough, he doesn't know how to respect her after he knows she's not his real master."

On the other side, Xiao Ran had also finished her meal. She skipped and hopped to the door of Mu Yan and the others' room.

Then he reached out and gently pushed the door, but perhaps he accidentally used too much force and the door opened!

Then she saw the two of them playing the zither and lute in perfect harmony.

Wow, the aloof male god is actually doing Ayan's hair! He's really something else.

Mu Yan turned around when she heard the door open and saw that Mu Yunqing's half-tied hair was disheveled.

"do not move."

"Oh, okay." Mu Yan quickly sat up straight.

Xiao Ran, standing outside the door, wore a beaming smile, thinking how wonderful it was and how she was instantly captivated by the couple's chemistry.

She needs to give this couple a name, hmm... what should she call them? Hmm... Oh no, she forgot what the aloof male god's name is.

It seems that naming them isn't going to work. Wait, suddenly an idea struck her. They're both so good-looking, let's call them the "Divine Beauty CP"!

"Hehe, I'm really amazing," Xiao Ran praised herself without reservation.

"All right."

"Is it done?" Mu Yan habitually touched her hair, feeling that it would look very nice.

"Ayan!" Xiao Ran ran in excitedly.

"Good morning, Princess."

"Hehe, Ayan, you're so pretty." Xiao Ran said with a lovesick expression.

"Your Highness is too kind."

"No, I mean it!"

Mu Yan felt incredibly awkward; she really... really... wasn't gay.

Although this little girl is good-looking, powerful, and has a high status, her mother is an empress.

But if fate wants to pair her up with someone else, there's really no need for that!

"Hahaha," Mu Yan laughed awkwardly at her.

"Ah, it's getting late, let's hurry up and set off!"

"Okay, I'll go back and get my bag," Xiao Ran said, walking outside.

Mu Yan breathed a sigh of relief and turned to get her bundle.

"Let's go," Mu Yan said to Mu Yunqing, picking up her things.

"it is good."

After settling their bill, the group continued their journey. Although the road was bumpy, they believed they would arrive in Wenzhou that night if all went well.