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

The next morning

As dawn broke and the sun began to shine in the east, the group rode in an oxcart borrowed from a farmer, speeding towards Wenzhou Prefecture. The people they had bound the night before were now fast asleep in their cages.

Xiao Ran stroked her chin, glanced at Xue Jianing, and said thoughtfully, "Ayan, are we just going to dump her in Wenzhou Prefecture?"

Oh, what a pity. Someone like that should be thrown directly into the Ministry of Justice.

Like those palace dramas, they'd be punished with finger pinching, needle pricking, flogging, hanging at the Meridian Gate, or at the very least, beheading.

"This is the only way for now. This man has committed many evils and may have to be taken back to the capital to be executed."

Mu Yan responded softly, and then summoned the system.

"System, come out."

[Beep, system number 7028 is about to serve you.]

Do you have enough points?

[Host, your points have remained unchanged.]

Mu Yan froze on the spot; a 21-year-old female agent couldn't even pay in full for a sword.

"Can I pay on credit?" Mu Yan asked expectantly.

[Small business, no credit.]

Seriously, such a big mall, and you're telling me it's a small business? Being stingy is being stingy, why are you being so subtle about it!

[Host, I'm doing this for your own good. Considering your recent financial situation, System 7028 is worried that you might incur huge debts in the future, so I won't grant you credit.]

Oh my, you're such a nice person! I wouldn't watch The Living Buddha Ji Gong without you.

Mu Yan rolled her eyes, then asked tentatively, "The main quest, not a single thing happening?"

[All data are 0. Host, it seems the male lead doesn't like you.]

Mu Yunqing: Don't talk nonsense. I haven't even settled things yet and you're already trying to sow discord.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yan raised her eyes and glanced at Mu Yunqing.

What did she say? She told me to change the male lead, but the damn system wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened, we've been together for months and he's not interested in her at all.

Which time-traveling woman isn't universally loved and admired, with plenty of high-quality men vying for her attention? Why did she have to encounter such an oddball?

"System, report all his preferences!"

Yes, the book says that if you want someone to like you, you have to understand their preferences first.

[We will soon be broadcasting Mu Yunqing's preferences.]

[I prefer fruits and vegetables, and dislike meat...]

"Hey, wait a minute, slow down, let me find a notebook to jot this down." Mu Yan said, hurriedly taking out a notebook from her bundle.

"Okay, continue."

[Yes, host.]

[He loves cats, bamboo, and writing poems and painting...]

The system kept talking, and Mu Yan scribbled it down in her notebook, making her misspell words several times as the oxcart went downhill.

Mu Yunqing sat beside Mu Yan, occasionally glancing down at what Mu Yan was writing in her notebook.

As for this system, we don't need to explain it much, those who know, know. There is a private space between the system and the host, and outsiders cannot hear the conversations between the two.

Are there any dietary restrictions, or any adverse symptoms?

[I wake up with a sore throat in the morning, suffer from insomnia at night, and occasionally experience heart palpitations.]

[The host can start with these three aspects.]

"OK, OK, that's enough, you can leave now!" Mu Yan waved her hand, stuffed the notebook into her bundle, and then pretended to lean on Mu Yunqing casually.

Yes, no man can resist a woman who takes the initiative!

However, the next second, Mu Yan was proven wrong.

As soon as she got closer, Mu Yunqing beside her took a big step to the side, and Mu Yan thought to herself, "Oh no!"

If it weren't for the sword, I wouldn't even bother with you. Qi, just wait until you're in the "wife-chasing-after-the-cremation" hell!

Today you ignore me, tomorrow I'll make you regret it.

Mu Yan mentally complained, glared at Mu Yunqing, then closed her eyes to rest. She hadn't slept well last night and was quite tired.

……

After a long and bumpy journey, the group arrived in Wenzhou Prefecture.

Wenzhou Prefecture

The oxcart slowly came to a stop, and the three of them got off together.

The servant standing outside the mansion saw the newcomers and hurriedly ran inside to announce their arrival. Soon after, an old woman came out to greet them, followed by a group of people.

The woman was dressed in fine clothes, with a valuable jade hairpin in her hair, and a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand. She had a very kind face.

Her name is Jiang Suyuan. She served as an official in Wenzhou for decades and was considered a local leader. She was an upright person who was loved by the people and had a good reputation. However, she was unlucky and was assigned to this poor and remote area. She had to deal with lawsuits for people every day and never had a moment's peace.

She recently encountered another flood, which has greatly upset her, and she has repeatedly petitioned the Empress for help.

Half a month ago, there was no news from the Empress. Fortunately, the court finally sent people when the floods were severe. Otherwise, we really wouldn't know what to do.

"Second Prince... Third Miss, who is this...?" Jiang Suyuan said, looking at Mu Yunqing.

She had asked someone to get portraits of the Second Princess and the Third Miss from the Prime Minister's Mansion, but this one... she really couldn't tell. His overall demeanor suggested he might be a noble young master.

"He is my husband," Mu Yan said, introducing Mu Yunqing without fail.

Once a person tells a lie, they have to keep trying to cover it up.

Mu Yan was filled with regret. She shouldn't have been so sharp-tongued in the first place; now things were getting out of control.

"Oh, so you're the Third Miss's husband. Hahaha, you two are truly a perfect match."

"You three have had a long and arduous journey, please come inside and rest. I have already ordered a meal to be prepared," Jiang Suyuan said warmly.

To prepare for these two distinguished guests, she made sure to have meals ready and water boiling every day, just in case something went wrong.

"Let's go to the main hall first. I have a case here that I need you to resolve," Xiao Ran said calmly, her gaze fixed on Xue Jianing in the cage.

"Yes, Your Highness, I will go to court immediately." Jiang Suyuan glanced at the man, feeling a surge of resentment. She had just sent word a few days ago, and now someone had committed another crime, even implicating the princess. They really had no regard for their lives.

"This way, please, all of you." Kang So-won gestured for them to enter.

After the three entered the mansion, she followed closely behind. As people get older, they become more afraid of death. Imperial power is a knife hanging over one's head; if one is not careful, even one's life may not be guaranteed.

The Wenzhou government office and the main hall where affairs were conducted were connected, with the government office on the left and the main hall on the right.

The main reason is that there are too many cases in Wenzhou. Jiang Suyuan usually comes over to hear cases after having morning tea, so it is convenient for her to come and go.

_Main Hall

Xiao Ran and Mu Yan sat down together, while Jiang Suyuan sat to the side.

Mu Yunqing was led away by the second young master of the Jiang family. Since ancient times, men have not been allowed to enter such a refined setting.

Xue Jianing knelt in front of the hall.

"Your Highness, please." Jiang Suyuan politely allowed Xiao Ran to conduct the trial.

She had a firm grasp on interpersonal relationships and social dynamics.

"No need, you should handle this kind of thing. I'll just listen from the side," Xiao Ran said, taking a sip of tea.

"Then I shall make a fool of myself!" Jiang Suyuan bowed to Xiao Ran and Mu Yan, her imposing manner immediately following.

"Xue, do you know your crime?" Jiang Suyuan asked slowly, holding up the portrait in her hand.

"I am innocent! Please, Your Honor, investigate this matter!" Xue Jianing cried out as she kowtowed.

Mu Yan clicked his tongue. He hated this kind of person the most. Even when death was imminent, she was still stubborn and couldn't shut her stinking mouth. He should have cut her to pieces yesterday!

"Oh? This is the first time I've heard of someone who has killed someone and is now crying out that they are innocent. Heh, Wenzhou is truly an eye-opener."

"Xue Jianing, you'd better be sensible and sign a confession. That way, I might be able to leave you with a whole body and place your corpse with your three children. Otherwise... I won't mind dividing your body into separate parts."

Mu Yan spoke coldly, her eyes fixed on Xue Jianing on the ground.

Jiang Suyuan trembled upon hearing this. Wasn't this the daughter of a civil official? How could she exude such a murderous aura?

"How...how could you know about my children!" Xue Jianing's pupils contracted, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.

What did you do to them?!

"What did you do to them!" Xue Jianing screamed like a madwoman, lunging forward to grab Mu Yan.

Mu Yan stood up and stepped on Xue Jianing's hand, then lowered herself to look at her eye level.

“Admit your mistakes obediently and confess all your crimes, otherwise… I guarantee you’ll never see them again, even if you die.” Mu Yan said, placing the list of crimes in front of her.

"Okay...I admit it...I admit it all...You must give them back to me..." Xue Jianing cried as she took the incriminating statement.

She bit her finger until it bled, then pressed the blood onto a piece of paper.

The stinging sensation instantly sobered her up considerably.

She committed many bad deeds throughout her life, but she just couldn't let go of them; she was blinded by greed when she saw money.

These three children were her emotional support, but also her nightmare.

Since accidentally killing them, she has often been unable to sleep at night, constantly worried that her three children would come looking for her.

She would go down to the attic every night to cry and beg her three children not to resent her.

But once daytime arrived, she couldn't control herself, and before she knew it, killing had become a great interest for her.

She greatly admired the peaceful appearance of the dead, because they were the most obedient in that state, and only when they were obedient could she control them and not disobey them.

Her three children died tragically at her hands because they disobeyed her.

She herself didn't realize that she was a person with an extremely strong desire for control, but such people often end up being controlled by others.

"Here, you're welcome." Mu Yan handed the signed statement of innocence to Jiang Suyuan.

"Third Miss is truly amazing, she has broadened my horizons greatly!"

Jiang Suyuan praised her generously, then turned to her subordinates and said, "Take her to jail and execute her in the autumn!"

"Yes."

The case here is considered closed, while on the other side, Mu Yunqing and Young Master Jiang are having a rather unpleasant conversation.

This second young master Jiang, whose real name is Jiang Ye, is thirteen years old this year. As his name suggests, he is very unruly and originally lived in the deep mountains, leading a life like a monkey.

But they insisted on bringing him to this mansion, which was quite unpleasant.

It's not exactly deep in the mountains; it's actually a Taoist temple. His father sent him there because he was too noisy, and he stayed there for eight years.

I thought things would improve, but they've become even more lawless.

"You came from the capital!" Jiang Ye exclaimed in surprise.

"Hmm," Mu Yunqing responded faintly.

Is Beijing lively?

Mu Yunqing: ...What do you think?

"When are you going back? Take me with you!" Jiang Ye looked at Mu Yunqing expectantly.

"I can't make the decision."

"Why can't you make your own decisions? Oh, you lot..."

"Ah, don't be rude!" Kang So-won scolded him sternly.

"Mother, I was just playing with Young Master Mu, I didn't bully him!" Jiang Ye said, looking aggrieved.

Jiang Suyuan ignored his words and beckoned him over, "Come quickly and greet the Second Prince and the Third Miss."

"Oh." Jiang walked over with her head down.

"Jiang Ye greets the Second Prince and the Third Miss." He even accidentally gave a less-than-perfect bow.

"You brat, what did I teach you!" Jiang Suyuan reached out to hit him, but suddenly remembered that there was someone else beside her.

"Haha, please excuse my poor attempt to impress you both."