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

Seeing that the group was arguing fiercely, Mu Dong quickly ran to invite Song Qinghe.

When Song Qinghe arrived, she saw her son being scolded by several women, and her face immediately darkened.

She first gave a slight curtsy to the women, a polite gesture that carried an air of unassailable authority. "Sisters, please forgive my son if he has offended you in any way. However, such a public argument is likely to damage your reputations."

The plump woman snorted, "Sir, you make it sound so easy. Your young master was the one who said we didn't understand opera."

Song Qinghe laughed and said, "My son is young and impetuous, and his words are a bit rash, but it would not sound good if word got out that you all ganged up on him, a man."

The thin woman was about to argue when Song Qinghe glanced at her, and she suddenly fell silent.

Song Qinghe turned to Song Qi'an and said, "Qi'an, please apologize to everyone."

Although Song Qi'an was unwilling, he still bowed and apologized as instructed.

Seeing this, the women didn't press the matter any further and grumbled as they dispersed.

Song Qinghe then pulled Song Qi'an away, scolding him in a low voice as they walked, "Why do you always cause trouble?"

Song Qi'an lowered his head and retorted, "It's clearly them who are being unreasonable."

"How dare you speak out of turn!" Song Qinghe snapped, "Do you even remember what you said to me a few days ago?"

Song Qi'an remained silent.

"You should reflect on your actions!" Song Qinghe shoved the man into the carriage, nagging incessantly the whole way. As soon as he got off the carriage, she punished Song Qi'an by making him kneel in the ancestral hall.

Song Qi'an looked unconvinced.

"You're upset after I said a few words to you?" Song Qinghe brandished the ruler. "Hold out your hand, or I'll beat you to death."

"Mu Dong, hold your young master's hand down!"

"Yes." Mu Dong did as instructed.

Song Qinghe hit and cursed, and Song Qi'an grimaced in pain.

"He looks gentle on the surface," he muttered to himself, "but he's really ruthless when he does it."

"What are you saying? Don't think I can't hear you."

"Look at you! You don't look like a proper young man at all!"

"You really have a lot of nerve, daring to argue with a group of women. Where does that leave the reputation of the Marquis of Zhongyi?"

"They were the ones who provoked me..."

"Still trying to argue!" Song Qinghe glared at him. "If you don't know how to repent, you won't get any sleep tonight."

"Mu Dong, guard your young master well. If he dares to take even half a step out, I'll beat you up too!" Song Qinghe said, slamming the door shut as she left.

"Who told you to invite her?" Song Qi'an turned to look at Mu Dong.

"Young master, please don't be angry. I...I'm just afraid that you will be bullied."

"Afraid I'll be bullied?" Song Qi'an laughed in exasperation. "You're not afraid I'll be bullied, you've found someone to bully me."

"I am doing this for your sake, young master."

“You’re thinking of me,” Song Qi’an said, spreading out his swollen, red palm. “Mu Dong, you’re so considerate.”

When Mu Dong saw his swollen and red hands, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "I...I'll go find you some medicine."

"Don't go," Song Qi'an called out to him, "She'll punish you again if you go."

"But your hands..."

"It's nothing," Song Qi'an said casually. "What kind of injury haven't I suffered before?"

"It's Mu Dong's fault, Mu Dong has let you down, young master."

"It's none of your business. Those people are being unreasonable," Song Qi'an scoffed. "The world has really changed. There's not a single person with eyes to back!"

"Young master, please keep your voice down, or the master will hear you," Mu Dong whispered to him.

"I've had enough. Now I can't even say a word."

Song Qi'an was seething with anger.

It's always been like this since I was a child; I've never asked him why.

Without even knowing the facts, they started lecturing him.

Is Song Qi'an such an unreasonable person? Why does everyone pin all the blame on him?

He's practically become a scapegoat; he's suffered more than anyone else he's ever met.

Kneeling in the ancestral hall every day, getting slapped on the palms every time.

He keeps saying things like, "What kind of behavior is this? What kind of behavior is this? What kind of behavior is this?"

He's heard it so many times he's practically worn out.

_

Swallowtail Mountain

Yanweishan was set on fire again.

Ling Qi sent a message to Mu Yunqing, begging him to come and save her.

When Mu Yunqing arrived, the entire village had been burned to the ground, with thick smoke billowing and flames shooting into the sky.

Ling Qi sat on the ground, covered in dust and dirt, looking utterly disheveled.

Fortunately, the surrounding villagers were all there, and no one was injured or killed.

Seeing her like this, Mu Yunqing wanted to laugh but also felt sorry for her. "Where is she?"

"He escaped a long time ago."

"Why don't you chase after them?"

Ling Qi pointed to her leg and said aggrievedly, "I fell."

Mu Yunqing walked up to her, looked down at her, and said, "So you asked me to come here so that I could see your leg?"

Ling Qi: "..."

"Of course not, I came to you to beg for your life. If we continue to let them do this, Swallowtail Mountain will really be finished."

Mu Yunqing frowned, but his gaze was cold. "Why should I help you? I'm too busy with other things to bother with your business."

Ling Qi sobbed uncontrollably, clutching his clothes tightly with both hands. "No! I have nothing left to rely on but you. The arsonist must have been jealous of your protection and that's why he did this."

Mu Yunqing snorted coldly and used his sword to push her hand away. "Don't try to pull this on me. When have I ever protected you? I only did it because I pitied you."

Ling Qi trembled, feigning grief, and said, "You have a noble heart and would not stand idly by while evildoers commit their crimes. Moreover, there were Ling Qi's late mother's belongings in that mountain, which have now been burned to ashes. What meaning is there for Ling Qi to live?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunqing's heart stirred slightly. Recalling Ling Qi's docile demeanor in the past, he finally sighed, "Fine, fine. I will send people to thoroughly investigate this matter. If it is true as you say, I will definitely give you an explanation."

Ling Qi nodded hurriedly, a hint of surprise on her face, "I will repay your great kindness by being your servant in my next life."

"To be a beast of burden?" Mu Yunqing teased. "You're living a good life in this one, so why do you have to wait until the next to repay a debt of gratitude?"

"I……"

"Alright, I won't talk to you anymore. Since you're alright, I'll be leaving now." Mu Yunqing said, turning to leave.

When Ling Qi heard him say that, she felt as if the sky had fallen again.

“You’ve come all this way,” Ling Qi looked up at him, “just to see if I’m alright?”

“Ling Qi,” Mu Yunqing pointed, “use your brain before you speak.”

"I mean..." Ling Qi winked at him, "You're just leaving like that?"

"Otherwise what?" Mu Yunqing glared at her. "Do you expect me to stay and have a meal with you?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Qi immediately shook her head.

He wasn't just going to have dinner with her; he was going to turn her into food.

"No, no, no, that's alright. Please take care on your journey, ah no..." Ling Qi said with a forced smile.

"That's more like it." Mu Yunqing chuckled, then rode away.

Seeing that he had left, Ling Qi got up and patted her clothes.

She is truly gifted; whenever she encounters a problem, she seeks out Mu Yunqing, and the problem ceases to be a problem.

Just wait patiently, and things will resolve themselves.

All she had to do was rebuild her home, and the more she thought about it, the happier she felt.

_

Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness

Song Qi'an knelt in the ancestral hall all night, and now it is noon, but no one has brought him food or tea.

He was starving.

“Mu Dong…” Song Qi’an leaned weakly on Mu Dong’s shoulder, “I’m hungry…”

"Young master, please be patient a little longer," Mu Dong gently comforted him. "Wait a little longer, and the master will definitely bring you food."

"Bringing me food is no longer enough to win my forgiveness."

“Young master…” he paused, then said weakly, “Now it is we who are asking for the Lord’s forgiveness.”

"I didn't do anything wrong, why should I beg her?"

"Young master, if you continue like this, the master will be even less likely to let you out."

"Hmph," Song Qi'an scoffed, "Once I step out of this door, who will be able to control me!"

Mu Dong remained silent, feeling that he probably wouldn't be able to leave today.

Normally, when the lord punishes someone by making them kneel, he will always release them before noon.

What time is it now? There's not a sound outside.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have invited Song Qinghe, causing his young master so much suffering.

"I can't take it anymore, Mu Dong, I'm really starving to death," Song Qi'an's eyes flashed, and he turned to look at Mu Dong, "Is there any paper or pen here?"

"Yes, young master, what do you need paper and pen for?"

"Give it to me, and I'll tell you."

"Yes," Mu Dong replied, getting up to get paper and pen.

“Write on the paper: Hou Mansion Ancestral Hall, Hungry.”

“Young master,” Mu Dong looked up at him and said softly, “you’ve forgotten again, I can’t write.”

Oops, he'd forgotten about that.

If his hand hadn't been injured, he could have finished writing this character in no time.

what can we do about it.

Song Qi'an's eyes lit up, and he immediately had an idea. He whispered a few words in Mu Dong's ear.

Mu Dong did as instructed.

_

Prime Minister's Mansion

Fanglan Garden

Mu Yan sat upright in the courtyard, holding a book in her hands. The autumn sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the sycamore tree, casting patches of light and shadow on her.

The leaves of the sycamore trees have turned yellow, and every now and then a few leaves fall gently down, like butterflies dancing lightly in the air.

Mu Yan lowered her eyes to read a book when suddenly, a carrier pigeon flew in from afar and landed steadily on her table.

A letter was tied to the pigeon's leg. She untied the letter, opened it, and was immediately dumbfounded.

There was a little person drawn on the paper, with three incense sticks in front of him. He had a flat belly and a chicken leg on his head.

That's like Xiao Ran's style, but Xiao Ran would never rashly send her a message.

That would only mean Song Qi'an.

They really didn't hold back, making her deliver the food.

But it's alright, consider it as repaying a debt of gratitude.

Mu Yan put away the book, instructed the servants to prepare a meal, and then set off for the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence.

_

Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness

Mu Yan leaped down from the ancestral hall and landed steadily in front of the two of them.

"Where's the chicken leg?" Song Qi'an reached into the rice drawer.

“It’s at the very back,” Mu Yan replied, sitting down beside him.

“I see it,” Song Qi’an said, taking a big bite of the chicken leg and mumbling, “You’re really my savior.”

"How did we get trapped here?"

Song Qi'an swallowed the food in his mouth and sighed, "It's all because of my mother. She thinks I'm idle all day and punishes me by making me reflect on my mistakes here."

Mu Dong paused in his eating, looked up at Song Qi'an, his eyes seeming to say, "Young Master, why are you lying?"

"Then why did you think of sending me a message?"

“It’s not that I’m thinking of you,” Song Qi’an explained, “it’s that my carrier pigeon has only ever been to your place.”

"So, you're still unwilling..." Mu Yan deliberately dragged out her words, "What a pity, I've already delivered the food, hmm..."

“This favor is hardly worth mentioning,” Song Qi’an interrupted her. “It’s just a meal. I’ll treat you to another meal another day. We can’t let this favor be forgotten so easily.”

“You’re not afraid I’ll renege on my debt?” Mu Yan looked up at him. “I’m not the kind of person who’s grateful for favors. I might think about it these past few days, but I might not bring it up again in the future.”

“What a coincidence,” Song Qi’an put down his bowl and chopsticks, turned to look at Mu Yan, “I’m not exactly a forgiving person either. If you really forget in the future, I’ll remind you.”

Just as Mu Yan was about to speak, footsteps sounded outside.

Mu Dong tensed up. "Young Master, could it be the Lord?"

Song Qi'an was stunned for a moment, then turned around and found that Mu Yan had disappeared.

The door was pushed open, and a young maidservant entered. "Young master, the master invites you in."

Song Qi'an sneered, "Hmph, now you know to come to me?" He stood up and straightened his clothes, "Let's go, let's see what your master has to say this time."

Mu Dong glanced at him worriedly and followed closely behind.

_

Baichuan Academy

After explaining the coursework, Xue Lu left with the books.

The students dispersed in twos and threes, their laughter gradually fading into the winding corridors.

The wind rustled through the banana trees, their leaves gently tapping against the windowsill.

Shen Chenxi sat by the window, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains, lost in thought.

The sky gradually changed color, and a faint bluish-green hue appeared in the distance.

The drizzle fell slowly like silk threads, the rainwater dripping down the eaves, forming ripples, the fine rain like silk.

A servant ran towards Shen Chenxi with an umbrella, "Young Master, we've looked all around, but we haven't seen Young Master Mu."

“Interesting,” Shen Chenxi stood up and beckoned to the servant, “If he won’t see me, then I’ll go see him myself.”

"Young master, would you like me to come along too?"

"I asked you to give me the umbrella," Shen Chenxi said helplessly.

"Your subordinate is foolish," the attendant hurriedly handed him the umbrella, "Thank you for reminding me, young master."

"It's good that you know you're stupid," Shen Chenxi took a few steps forward, then turned to look at him. "Wait until the rain stops before you leave."

"Yes."

_

Shen Chenxi left the academy holding an umbrella.

It was raining, the roads were flooded, and everything was wet. Shen Chenxi's shoes and socks were soaked.

A gust of cold wind blew, and he couldn't help but shiver.

I glanced up and saw a man in blue ahead. He was walking hurriedly and kept turning back every three steps, which was really suspicious.

The man in blue was Su Qin; he was on his way to deliver money to Mu Yunqing.

He was walking along peacefully when a man in black suddenly appeared behind him, glancing up at him every now and then.

Dressed in black, with shifty eyes, he's either a stalker or a thief.

The two traveled together.

Seeing that Shen Chenxi was about to catch up with him, Su Qin quickly walked forward and quietly hid behind the wall.

As soon as the man approached, Su Qin picked up a stone and smashed it against his forehead.

Shen Chenxi felt a buzzing in his head, and before he could react, a sharp pain shot through his forehead.

Warm blood mixed with cold rainwater flowed slowly down.

"Are you crazy!" Shen Chenxi covered her forehead and glared at Su Qin.

Su Qin was also taken aback, and the stone in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter. He had not expected Shen Chenxi to be so unprepared.