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

Su Qin retorted, "Who told you to follow me so suspiciously? I thought you were going to steal something."

Shen Chenxi laughed angrily, "When did I follow you? I was walking just fine, but you, without even knowing what happened, attacked and hurt people."

Suqin knew she was in the wrong, but she still refused to admit defeat, saying, "Who believes your nonsense? Who knows if you have ulterior motives?"

Shen Chenxi took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "I don't bother arguing with you now. I'll let you off this time, but don't let me see you again."

After saying that, he ignored the bedclothes and walked straight ahead.

Su Qin stood there, watching Shen Chenxi's departing figure, feeling a vague unease in her heart.

Worried that something might have happened to him, she hurriedly caught up with him.

_

Prime Minister's Mansion

Green Bamboo Garden

Mu Yunqing was cleaning Shen Chenxi's wounds, while Su Qin sat to the side with her head down.

"Ouch," Shen Chenxi cried out in pain, turning her head away. "Be gentle, be gentle."

Mu Yunqing turned his face towards her. "Don't move."

"Is he your brother?" Shen Chenxi asked him, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"Ah."

"You two are really something..."

Mu Yunqing guessed what he was going to say and raised her hand to press hard on his wound.

Shen Chenxi was in so much pain that she couldn't speak.

"What is it?" Mu Yunqing's lips curled slightly as he looked at Shen Chenxi with a half-smile. "Brother Shen, why don't you continue?"

"It's nothing," Shen Chenxi said through gritted teeth. "It's just a little bug that got into my clothes and is tickling me."

"Is that so?" Mu Yunqing said as he bandaged him. "Then Brother Shen must be careful. These little insects in autumn bite the most painfully."

Shen Chenxi gave a forced smile, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Mu. I will pay close attention."

Su Qin was completely bewildered, feeling that they weren't talking about insects.

"Alright. Be careful these next few days and don't let the wound get wet."

"Okay, I've written it down."

"Well, since there's nothing else," Mu Yunqing raised his hand and opened the door, "please go back!"

“Brother Mu, please don’t be in such a hurry to send me away,” Shen Chenxi stepped forward and bowed. “Yesterday, I was so eager to find my relatives that I offended you. I’ve come here to apologize. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

A cold wind blew in, lifting the wisps of hair from Shen Chenxi's forehead and revealing his eyebrows and eyes.

They do look somewhat alike.

Unfortunately, Mu Yunqing had no relatives.

"It's alright," Mu Yunqing said, handing the umbrella to him. "It's dark and the road is slippery, so watch your step. I won't see you off."

Shen Chenxi responded and tactfully left.

_

"Brother, do you know this person?" Su Qin asked him.

“He and I were in the same academy, but we don’t really know each other,” Mu Yunqing turned and returned to his seat. “What about the things you were asked to bring?”

"It's all here!" Su Qin placed the silver on the table. "Brother, what are you going to do with this silver?"

"Yanweishan has been set on fire again, and many villagers are homeless. It's windy at night, so I'm buying them some things."

"So, is all this money going to buy them bedding?"

“I suppose so,” Mu Yunqing put the silver away. “The most urgent task is to find out who is behind this.”

"Swallowtail Mountain has nothing to do with you, so why do you help her every time?"

"She still has a use," Mu Yunqing said calmly.

"Hmph," Su Qin didn't believe it at all. "You can fool others, but don't fool yourself. I think you clearly have ulterior motives."

He previously thought that his brother liked Miss Na Mu, but now it seems that Ling Qi is still the better choice.

When has his brother ever worried about outsiders? It's unheard of.

He did countless things for Ling Qi.

This is what people mean when they say, "Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with each passing moment."

"How did you come to the conclusion that I have ulterior motives?" Mu Yunqing asked helplessly.

If he truly had ulterior motives towards Ling Qi, it could only be murder.

"Isn't it obvious enough? A little comparison will make it clear!" Su Qin pouted. "When have you ever done these things for Miss Mu San?"

Mu Yunqing shook her head in denial, "That's utter nonsense. When has Miss Mu ever needed anyone to do these things? With her future uncertain, how could she possibly be in the mood for love? In the current situation, having more tools means having more options."

Su Qin scratched his head, and surprisingly found it made some sense. "But Ling Qi is, after all, one of the Empress's people, so you still have to be careful."

Just like what happened a while ago, he never wants to experience it again in his life.

"Mm," Mu Yunqing responded, then continued, "Come up the mountain with me tomorrow."

"Okay, is there anything I need to prepare?" Su Qin looked up and asked him.

"It's cold up in the mountains, wear more clothes."

"understood."

"Yes, let's go back," Mu Yunqing said, reaching out to tie his cloak around his neck. "If it gets any later, the Jiang residence will be locked up."

Su Qin pulled her cloak tighter and turned to leave.

_

next day

Baichuan Academy

Xue Lu spoke eloquently on stage.

"The written exam will be held in a few days. You all need to study the documents diligently and practice them to strive for the top score."

"Furthermore, don't come to ask for leave these next few days," Xue Lu said, looking up at Mu Yunqing. "Time is of the essence, so focus on your work and deal with other matters later."

Everyone agreed.

Xue Lu told her not to ask for leave, and Mu Yunqing disappeared by noon.

The matter at Yanwei Mountain still needs to be dealt with by him.

_

Swallowtail Mountain

Mu Yunqing distributed the supplies he brought to the mountain people, and then began to look around.

“Such a big mountain,” Ling Qi muttered softly, “by the time you’ve seen it, they could set it on fire again.”

"What did you say?" Mu Yunqing turned to look at her.

"Haha, what did you say... I didn't say anything." Ling Qi said with a fawning smile, "I just whispered a few words of praise to you, I didn't expect you to hear it, you really have sharp ears and eyes."

"Then remember to speak more softly when you praise someone. If you speak too loudly, the whole world will hear you."

"Yes, yes, you're right."

Ling Qi flattered him verbally, but cursed him inwardly.

Mu Yunqing's mouth is like it's coated with poison; I've never heard him say a kind word since I met him.

The book is right, you can't judge a book by its cover.

The better-looking a person is, the more venomous their words and the more ruthless their heart.

It seems I still need to read more books and learn more principles.

"What are you thinking about? Hurry up, are you going to walk until dark?" Mu Yunqing said sternly.

Ling Qi responded and walked forward with her head down.

“Master, I’ve searched the area,” Pei Xuan said in a low voice, “but I haven’t found any clues.”

"Not even on the back mountain?"

"No."

"Alright, let's go take a look at the village."

"Yes."

The group then changed their route and went to the village.

The houses all around had collapsed, and black smoke was still slowly rising from some places.

Just as Mu Yunqing was about to walk forward, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure flashing past the corner of the wall, and he picked up his sword and chased after it.

Seeing this, Ling Qi and the other person quickly followed.

There was a woman leaning against the wall. Her eyes were vacant, her clothes were tattered, and her face showed fear.

Mu Yunqing drew his sword and walked towards her, and Ling Qi hurriedly stepped forward to protect her.

“She’s not a bad person,” Ling Qi said firmly, holding her tightly behind her. “Her name is Ajiu. She has been mentally challenged since childhood and cannot even take care of herself. She wouldn’t be the arsonist.”

"Is that so? How do you know she's not pretending to be stupid?" Mu Yunqing's gaze fell on Ajiu, his tone indifferent.

"She has been mentally challenged since childhood, everyone in the village knows it, you can go and ask if you don't believe me."

"Alright, let's go then."

“Okay.” Pei Xuan replied, following closely behind him.

Ling Qi stayed where she was to comfort A Jiu, "It's alright, it's alright, they won't hurt you."

Ah Jiu kept crying and screaming, her eyes filled with fear.

Mu Yunqing turned to look at her, then looked away.

He had a vague feeling that there was something wrong with this person.

Lingqi said she couldn't take care of herself, but apart from being dirty on the surface, she was clean and spotless.

He was wearing dirty shoes, but his socks were clean.

Even the fingernails were spotless.

Most importantly, her face was deliberately dirty.

The ash marks on her face didn't look like they were accidentally picked up; they looked like they were deliberately drawn on.

"Master, have you discovered something?"

"Shh," Mu Yunqing whispered, "you'll find out tonight."

Pei Xuan nodded. "Should we continue investigating?"

"Let's walk a few more laps," Mu Yunqing replied, and continued walking forward.

"Yes."

_

Prime Minister's Mansion

Main Hall

Mu Yunyan sat in the hall, and Mu Yan was making tea for her.

"Are you aware that the Empress has added male officials?" Mu Yunyan asked.

"I know, but why did Mother suddenly bring this up?"

“Of course I have good news to tell you,” Mu Yunyan pulled Mu Yan to sit down. “When I went to court today, His Majesty told me that you should participate in the civil service examination.”

"The civil service exam?" Mu Yan paused, then continued, "Mother, I am not interested in the civil service. Could His Majesty please choose another one?"

"You're usually so clever," Mu Yunyan chuckled, "but why are you acting so foolish today?"

Mu Yan, puzzled, looked up at her.

“The written exam is an entry-level test,” Mu Yunyan explained to her. “Both civil and military officials have to take it.”

"You mean," Mu Yan's eyes lit up, "that I can participate in the official selection examination?"

Mu Yunyan nodded.

"When is this written exam?"

"Three days later."

"Three days from now?"

Perhaps noticing the surprise in Mu Yan's eyes, Mu Yunyan reassured her, "The exam content is all from what you've been studying. You can rest assured, you won't fail."

Mu Yunyan was quite confident in her daughter's literary talent.

They were trained from a young age, and although they may not be considered learned, they could still speak eloquently.

Those written exam papers, you could pass them with your eyes closed.

Mu Yan smiled awkwardly; the books she usually read were all medical books.

This exam could not possibly be about medical books.

It seems I'll have to resort to last-minute cramming again.

"Is there anything you don't understand?" Mu Yunyan turned her head to look at Mu Yan.

"No, I understand. I will practice diligently and not disappoint my mother."

"I'm relieved to hear that. Go back and prepare well."

"Yes." Mu Yan bowed to her and withdrew as instructed.

_

That night

Swallowtail Mountain

Mu Yunqing, along with Pei Xuan and the others, stood guard on the rooftop, quietly waiting for Ajiu to appear.

"Master, will she really come?"

Su Qin turned her head to look at him, "My brother said he would come, so she will definitely come."

Pei Xuan nodded.

Suqin was practically his master, so if he said so, then so be it.

“They’re here…” Su Qin said, about to go down and grab the person, but Mu Yunqing quickly grabbed him.

"Wait a minute, let's see what she's up to."

"Okay," Su Qin replied, and leaned back on the eaves.

Ajiu danced gracefully in front of the village, sometimes kneeling, sometimes standing up, repeating the same action over and over.

He knelt forty-four times before getting up.

After getting up, he took out a tinderbox from his sleeve and lit the surrounding pillars of fire.

The firelight flickered in the wind, casting intermittent light and shadow on people's faces, which was quite frightening.

Ah Jiu muttered incantations as she kowtowed three times and bowed nine times.

Mu Yunqing was too far away to hear what she was saying.

Her expression changed, and she threw the tinderbox away.

Mu Yunqing hurriedly went to take the tinder, while Pei Xuan and Su Qin pressed him to the ground.

"Brother, is your hand alright?" Su Qin asked anxiously.

He hadn't even recovered from the shock when his brother flew out, still clutching a tinderbox in his hand. He was really courting death.

“It’s alright,” Mu Yunqing said as he walked. “Take her to find Ling Qi.”

"Why are you arresting me?" Ajiu struggled and said, "You are all outsiders, Lingqi will not believe you."

"Heh," Mu Yunqing sneered, "Whether you believe it or not is not up to you. Take her away!"

Pei Xuan held a knife to A Jiu's neck and pushed her away.

Lingqi's room

Ling Qi lay on the couch, almost asleep, when she felt a chill on her back.

She turned around abruptly and saw a group of people standing outside the window.

She hurriedly got up to open the door.

"What brings you here?" Ling Qi said with an awkward smile, "You didn't even announce it beforehand..."

When Ling Qi saw the person on the ground, she suddenly stopped laughing.

"What did she do wrong to tie someone up like this?"

"Ask her yourself."

"Ask her?" Ling Qi said helplessly, "I just told you during the day that she's mentally challenged..."

Mu Yunqing threw the tinderbox on the ground and said sarcastically, "I think you're the real fool."

Ling Qi was truly dumbfounded.

She knew Mu Yunqing's temper well; although he was unpredictable, he would never lose his temper indiscriminately.

Judging from his expression now, he must be quite angry.

But why?

Because of Ajiu?

That's absolutely impossible. Ah Jiu has been mentally impaired for over a decade, living under her nose every day. She knows her inside and out very well.

Even if the sky were to fall, it wouldn't be Ajiu.

Could it be her? But she didn't do anything to upset him.

After much deliberation, I still came up with no solution.

Ling Qi looked up at Mu Yunqing, "I really can't guess. Why don't you just tell me who... has upset you again?"

Mu Yunqing sneered, "Are you pretending to be stupid and avoiding the question?"

"No, absolutely not. I'm completely sincere, why would I run away?"

"really do not know?"

"I really don't know."

“Then let me tell you, this fool you’re talking about is dancing in front of the village tonight. I’d say it’s dancing, but I think it’s more like a ritual.”

Ling Qi nodded, signaling him to continue.

"She knelt down and stood up repeatedly, for a total of forty-four times."

"Then light the pillar of fire and perform three kowtows and nine prostrations."

He was muttering something, but I couldn't hear him.

"Finally, she threw the tinderbox out," Mu Yunqing looked down at her, "Did you hear that?"

Mu Yunqing's words pierced Ling Qi's heart like a knife.

Outsiders may not know what Ajiu is doing, but she does.

Kneel and rise forty-four times, then kowtow three times and bow nine times.

Light the fire pillar and chant the incantation.

This is a village massacre ceremony.

Ling Qi felt so unsteady that she could barely stand. She looked at A Jiu in disbelief.

Ah Jiu's face was indifferent, no longer the same as before.

He doesn't look foolish at all.

She was the fool.