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

"Also, why didn't you accept my letter? My people have already made three trips!" Song Qi'an turned his head to look at her.

Mu Yan took a sip of wine and said slowly, "What letter? I've never seen it before."

"Just a few words of condolence."

Mu Yan chuckled lightly, "You even wrote a letter just for a few words. It seems you have a really leisurely life."

"What can a man like me do but idle?" Song Qi'an downed his drink in one gulp and raised his hand to refill his glass.

"Men are human too, what can't they do?"

“If you were a man, you wouldn’t say that,” Song Qi’an sighed. “You probably haven’t experienced what it’s like to take the first step and then be followed by someone saying ‘That’s indecent.’”

"You want to go out for a meal? No. You want to have a drink? No. You want to listen to a song? Still no!"

"Nothing you do is right. People will just say you have no manners and scold you for being so disrespectful!"

"Or perhaps you took the wrong step in the previous step, and the next step is to be beaten. The rules of male virtue and discipline will follow you relentlessly, and harsh words will be directed at you every day. And these words are said by the people closest to you."

"What can I do in this world?"

Mu Yan listened quietly to his story. Seeing that he was in a bad mood, she said, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'The deeper the love, the harsher the criticism'?"

Song Qi'an shook his head, "If there is love, one will not be willing to be harsh."

"Nonsense. Only with love can there be criticism. If people don't love you, they won't even give you a glance, let alone criticize you."

Seeing that he remained silent, Mu Yan continued, "Think about it carefully. You are the eldest son of the Marquis's family, and you are the only heir in the entire family. If we don't take care to teach you, what will become of you in the future?"

"I came here to talk to you, why are you trying to reason with me?"

"See? You said it yourself, these are all principles, you clearly understand them all."

“I understand, but you don’t.” Song Qi’an sighed. “This world belongs to you women. Women are not bound by etiquette and can do whatever they want. How could you understand?”

How could she not understand?

She lived like this for more than twenty years.

When she first arrived at the base, they saw that she was a girl and wouldn't even let her in the door.

She waited outside the door all night, through such heavy snow.

In the end, her master happened to pass by and took her inside.

But what happens once you're inside? You face pressure from the opposite sex and exclusion from the same sex.

Nobody is on your side.

Enduring insults and humiliation, they climbed up step by step.

Keep improving yourself and keep working hard until you are qualified to stand on equal footing with them.

But it was all in vain; in her world, there was an inherent prejudice against girls.

They say women are inherently weak, that women have no ability, and that women should stay at home and be virtuous wives and good mothers for life.

How ridiculous.

How could a woman be like this? How could she be as they wished, and how could she be trapped in that small place for her entire life?

Women have thoughts, souls, and the ability to adapt to the times; they should not be buried.

It was probably a blessing from heaven that freed her from such prejudice and sent her to the present-day Phoenix Kingdom.

But even in this place, she never looked down on any man in the country.

Including the people in front of you.

Mu Yan snapped out of her thoughts, raised her hand and patted his shoulder to comfort him, "I can't truly empathize with you, but I've never believed that being a man makes you inferior. You have thoughts, souls, and abilities."

“I have read the law, and there is no provision in it that forbids men from doing anything. If you want, you can do whatever you want within the bounds of the law.”

These words reached Song Qi'an's ears like a spring breeze.

And then there's the person on the eaves.

Song Qi'an was clearly drunk and slumped over the table, refusing to get up.

Mu Yunqing sat quietly on the roof, his white robes fluttering in the wind. He listened intently to Mu Yan's words, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Her voice was clear and firm, each word seemingly carrying a power.

It carries a power that does not belong to this world.

Phoenix Kingdom has been a woman's kingdom since ancient times.

The women here.

Those of noble birth despise everything, obey rules and laws, regard human life as worthless, and treat men like ants.

Trampling, killing, looting, abusing, humiliating, and discarding are all commonplace.

However, those of ordinary background, driven by selfishness and concerned with saving face, chase after the rich and pursue the poor, treating men like fireflies.

Whether pursuing weakness or brilliance, there must be something they seek.

A man in this world must respect his wife, uphold her teachings, care for his family, and maintain his own appearance.

Those who are incompetent and faded in appearance are all driven away and abandoned, dying with resentment.

Such a person as Mu Yan is rare in this world.

He looked down at her, and she looked at the moon in the sky. As their eyes met, the wind stopped and the air seemed to freeze, casting dappled shadows on the osmanthus trees.

"Why did you go up there?" Mu Yan asked him.

"Look at the moon."

Mu Yan responded and turned to call for someone to escort Song Qi'an back to his residence. Then, she leaped up and sat beside him.

The cassia tree stands gracefully in the azure sky, amidst the desolate cold wind and moon.

Before we knew it, Mid-Autumn Festival had arrived again.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner. Are there any lantern festivals in the city?"

“It happens every year,” Mu Yunqing turned to look at her, “When did you become interested in lantern festivals, Master?”

On this day last year, when the children shouted outside the courtyard, she wanted nothing more than to rush over and kill them with a knife. Several lamps were lit in Fanglan Garden, and she pointed at them and cursed them mercilessly.

"I haven't had a good look at it before, I want to go and see it." Mu Yan said, looking up at the bright moon overhead.

It was just a hair's breadth away from being perfect.

“Then go and take a look tomorrow,” he paused, “the lantern festival is held every three years, and this year it will be more lively.”

"Are you going?" Mu Yan asked him with a grin.

Her master once told her when he was telling her stories about novels that lantern festivals are the best way to foster relationships. All the male leads, from the main characters to the second male leads, are completely captivated by the female lead.

If she dresses up nicely tomorrow, she won't have to worry about not getting points.

"We'll discuss tomorrow's matters tomorrow. It's getting late, let's get some rest." Mu Yunqing said as he jumped down from the eaves.

It's time to rest early again.

Mu Yan was so tired of hearing that phrase every day.

This person is really something, not even saying whether they're going or not.

_

next day

Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness

Song Qi'an drank alcohol last night and slept until noon before waking up. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was his mother's vicious gaze.

He jumped up in fright, "Mom, what are you doing so early in the morning!"

"You still have the nerve to ask me who you went out fooling around with last night? You slept until this late, and you don't look like a decent young man at all. You...you're going to drive me crazy!" Song Qinghe pointed at Song Qi'an's nose and cursed.

"It's only noon..." Song Qi'an glanced at Song Qinghe's expression and quickly changed his words, "Please don't be angry, please don't be angry, I know I was wrong, I will never go out drinking again."

Seeing that Song Qinghe still looked like she wanted to devour him, Song Qi'an knelt down with a thud.

"If there's a next time, go kneel in the ancestral hall and don't bother coming back!" Song Qinghe said sternly.

"Yes, yes, I understand."

Seeing that he agreed, Song Qi'an turned to Mu Dong and said, "Mu Dong, dress up your young master properly and bring him to the main hall."

"Yes, my lord, rest assured, Mu Dong will definitely bring the young master here."

"Okay, go ahead, throw away all his old flashy clothes!" Song Qinghe said, then turned and walked out.

She's almost a grown woman, yet she doesn't know how to dress herself properly.

Wearing those ugly clothes in front of her every day is really annoying.

In this capital city, everyone seems to be a gentle and refined young master, yet she gave birth to this very thing.

And yet, they only had one child. It's as if the heavens are determined to destroy the Song family.

Fu Shen Residence (Song Qi'an's residence)

Song Qi'an knelt on the ground until he could no longer hear Song Qinghe's footsteps before he dared to get up.

"Young master, let me help you with your hair." Mu Dong took a comb and came over to style Song Qi'an's hair.

"Ouch, be gentle, be gentle," Song Qi'an said, frowning.

"Young master, please bear with it. Time is of the essence, and we can only ask you to make do."

"What's the hurry?"

"Young master, Miss Bai is still waiting for you in the front hall."

Upon hearing this, Song Qi'an ripped off her freshly combed hair, grabbed her clothes, and was about to run out when she heard this. "It's Miss Bai again! How annoying!"

"Young master, young master! You can't leave!" Mu Dong hurriedly chased after him.

"Why are you chasing me? Mu Dong, whose opinion do you listen to?!"

“Of course I will listen to you, young master, but I dare not disobey my master’s orders,” Mu Dong said, wiping away her tears. “If you don’t come back with me, my master will beat me to death. Waaah, young master, please come back with me.”

"Cry, cry, all you do is cry," Song Qi'an said helplessly. "I'll go back with you, young master."

"Oh... Young master, you are so kind."

"Stop crying!" Song Qi'an pretended to raise his hand. "If you cry again, I'll throw you out!"

"Don't cry, I won't cry anymore." Mu Dong wiped her tears with her sleeve and followed Song Qi'an around happily.

He knew that his young master was the best.

Mu Dong dressed Song Qi'an up nicely and led him to the main hall.

_

Main Hall

The hall was filled with a group of people, the atmosphere heavy and the silence somewhat oppressive.

The interior was simply yet dignified, with several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, adding a touch of culture. The tables and chairs were neatly arranged and spotless.

The Bai family members sat upright, and although they were somewhat dissatisfied that Song Qi'an was not arriving soon, they dared not show it due to their status.

The Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion held a prominent position, while the Bai family, though also a prestigious clan, was slightly inferior in power and could only wait in silence.

In a moment.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and the Bai family members immediately perked up and stood up to greet them.

Bai Luohuan looked up at the sound and saw a man in red walking in through the door.

Her fiery red dress made her stand out even more, and her red hair ribbon fluttered high in the wind.

His pupils were like ebony, his lips like painted vermilion, and his brows and eyes exuded an untamed spirit, high spirits, and extraordinary bearing.

She felt her heart skip a beat.

This young marquis is so handsome.

Lost in thought, Song Qi'an had already arrived at the front of the hall.

He knelt down and bowed to Song Qinghe, saying loudly, "Your son greets Mother."

Seeing his expression, Song Qinghe's brows furrowed with joy. "Come and sit down."

Song Qi'an responded and obediently sat down beside her.

"Now that everyone is here, Luo Huan, do you like Qi An?" Song Qinghe asked her softly.

Bai Luohuan stepped forward and praised, "Young Marquis Song is handsome and dashing, Luohuan is impeccable. I just don't know..." She looked up at Song Qi'an and continued, "I don't know if Young Marquis is willing."

"I don't want to." Song Qi'an looked unwilling.

He never wanted to get married in the first place. Besides, this Miss Bai looked even more frail than him, which was not his type at all.

"Insolence!" Song Qinghe slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "How can you speak like that! What kind of behavior is this!"

Song Qi'an didn't dare to say a word, and sat down beside her with a dark face.

Seeing Song Qi'an's unwilling expression, Bai's mother tried to mediate, saying, "If he doesn't want to, then don't force him. The child is grown up and has his own ideas."

"He doesn't have his own ideas at all; he's trying to cause a complete upheaval!" Song Qinghe said angrily.

"Enough, don't get angry. Forcing them together is not a good idea," Mother Bai said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Song Qi'an was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly like a rattle-drum.

Seeing him like this, Song Qinghe became even angrier. "You still have the nerve to laugh? Get out!"

"Yes," Song Qi'an replied, and swaggered out.

"Luo Huan, I'm so sorry, sigh..." Song Qinghe said, taking Bai Luo Huan's hand.

"It's just that Luo Huan is unlucky and doesn't meet the Marquis's standards."

"Don't say that, it's Qi An who's being unreasonable." Song Qinghe sighed and finally gave in. "Fine, let him be. The Song and Bai families have been on good terms for generations, so even if we don't become relatives, it won't seem like we're estranged."

“Yes, it’s alright. It’s a big decision about marriage, so let them make their own decision,” Bai’s mother chimed in.

The two chatted back and forth, and the topic of marriage was naturally forgotten.

_

Fu Chenju

Song Qi'an sat lazily in a rocking chair, with Mu Dong massaging his legs beside him. "Young master, there's a lantern festival tonight, and I'd like to go see it too."

"You want me to take you there?"

"Mmm-hmm!" Mu Dong nodded, blinked, and looked at Song Qi'an. "Is it alright, young master..."

"Sure, I can grant you this wish!"

"Hehe, you're so kind, young master." Mu Dong said, and his subordinates moved even faster.

"But let me make this clear first, you can't tell your master!"

"I will keep my mouth shut!"

"Yes, that's right. Go and rest. I'm sleepy, I'll take a nap." Song Qi'an said, closing his eyes.

"Yes." Mu Dong replied softly, took a blanket from the side and covered Song Qi'an with it, then slowly withdrew.

_

Prime Minister's Mansion

Fanglan Garden

Mu Yan sat in front of the mirror, and Xiang Qin was styling her hair.

She gently inserted the hairpin into her hair and whispered, "My lady, it's done."

"Alright, I'll go out for a bit." Mu Yan picked up her sword and was about to leave when she looked up and saw Mu Yunqing.

"Is Master going to the lantern festival?" he asked, knowing the answer already.

She extended a warm invitation, "Yes, would you like to come along?"

"Okay," he readily agreed.

_

灯会

Pedestrians came and went, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

The streets were adorned with colorful lanterns, their candlelight flickering, like stars fallen to earth.

The two walked side by side, the surrounding lights reflecting on their faces, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow.

The bright moon shines, the clear sky is bright, and the sky is ablaze with lights.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares rose and fell all around.

“This lantern festival is really lively,” Mu Yan said. “Come on, let’s go take a look over there!” With that, she pulled Mu Yunqing forward.

The two stopped at a hairpin stall.

Mu Yan lowered her eyes to select a hairpin, while Mu Yunqing watched quietly beside her.

“This suits you,” Mu Yan said, about to raise her hand to put it on Mu Yunqing.

A gasp came from not far away.