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

“Could you please step outside for a moment?” Ling Qi turned to Mu Yunqing. “I have something to ask her.”

Mu Yunqing responded and led everyone out.

Suddenly, only two people remained in the room.

Ajiu knelt on the ground, her eyes fixed on Lingqi, her expression unreadable.

“A-Jiu,” Ling Qi crouched down to look her in the eye, “Why…why did you set the fire?”

Why did they set fire to their shared home?

"Why?" Ajiu looked up to meet her eyes and said coldly, "You still have the nerve to ask me? Lingqi, I let you live for nine more years, you should be thanking me! Do you even remember how my father died?"

"He didn't fall into the well..."

"No!" Ah Jiu interrupted her, "He was killed by you!"

“When I found him back then, he had already fallen. How could I harm him?” Ling Qi held her hand. “Ajiu, believe me.”

"Believe you?" Ajiu shook off her hand and said sharply, "I'd have to be crazy to believe you. The Gu thread in my father's corpse... that Gu thread was clearly yours."

"No, no, Ah Jiu, I used that Gu thread to save him..."

"Even now, you're still trying to deny it!" Ajiu took a deep breath. "Lingqi, do you really think I'm a fool?"

"My father is so good to you, why can't you tolerate him!"

"That was my last family member," Ajiu said, raising her knife and lunging at Lingqi. "I'll make you pay with your life!"

Ling Qi did not dodge, but just looked at her quietly, her eyes calm and sorrowful.

Ajiu's hand holding the knife trembled violently, the tip of the knife only an inch away from Lingqi's chest.

She bit her lower lip, her teeth almost digging into her flesh, and large tears rolled down her cheeks.

Her enemy was right in front of her, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

She wasn't unaware of Ling Qi's kindness towards her.

She coaxed her to sleep and played games with her.

They always give her the best food and fun things, and they buy her new clothes for holidays.

What if she only feels guilty?

People will do anything to fill the void of guilt.

But she's been playing the fool all these years. Who would put on an act for a fool?

Nobody will.

Thinking of this, she abruptly withdrew the knife and threw it to the ground with a clatter.

"I can't do it, Lingqi. I don't know who to trust anymore." Ajiu squatted down, hugged her head, and cried.

Ling Qi slowly squatted down and hugged A Jiu, gently patting her back. "A Jiu, don't be afraid, I'm always here."

Ah Jiu stiffened in her arms for a moment, neither responding nor pushing her away.

“I know that what happened back then had a great impact on you. I once thought you were really mentally challenged and was afraid that you would be saddened by it, so I didn’t pursue the matter.”

“Ling Qi,” A Jiu looked up at her, “you didn’t kill Father, did you?”

“It wasn’t me.” Ling Qi hugged her tightly. “I promise you, I will find the murderer.”

"I believe you." Ajiu hugged her waist tightly, as if afraid she would disappear.

Ling Qi helped A Jiu up and said softly, "Go and rest, leave it to me."

“The people outside…” Ajiu looked worried.

"I'll explain to them, go to sleep."

Ajiu nodded and obediently went to sleep.

_

Outdoors

The door creaked open, but only Ling Qi came out.

"Why the long face?" Mu Yunqing looked her up and down. "Or have you finally realized you were wrong?"

"Please stop teasing me," she said softly. "Not everyone is as insightful as you."

"Stop trying to fool me with these empty words. Did you ask me anything?"

Ling Qi shook her head. "She is innocent too."

"An innocent person?" Mu Yunqing sneered, his words full of sarcasm. "She was just one step away from being buried with everyone in Yanwei Mountain. She really is innocent."

"She did it unintentionally."

“Ling Qi, I know you are kind-hearted,” Mu Yunqing said in a deep voice, “Don’t raise an enemy to cause trouble.”

"Ling Qi knows."

"I hope you really know, and that you're not just flattering me."

Ling Qi lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Mu Yunqing turned to look at Su Qin, who was sleeping soundly in the corner of the wall, and said, "Pei Xuan, send him back to the Jiang residence."

"Yes," Pei Xuan replied, gently lifting the quilt.

"What are you going to do?"

"Let's find out what happened back then first," Ling Qi said with some guilt in her voice. "It was my oversight."

“It’s good that you have your own ideas,” Mu Yunqing said, mounting his horse. “Sometimes, getting away early isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

“Okay, you can go back now,” Ling Qi paused, then continued, “You’ve had a hard time these past few days.”

Mu Yunqing waved to her, turned his horse around, and left.

_

three days later

文考

The students took their seats.

This exam was taken by both men and women, separated by a gauze curtain, with the scent of ink wafting through the air and a gentle autumn breeze blowing.

The exam bell rang.

The candidates answered their questions individually, some scratching their heads, others writing calmly.

After a short while, Mu Yunqing put down his pen.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

The gauze curtain swayed gently, slowly revealing her dress.

She wore a dark green brocade dress with flowing cloud patterns, which made her look even taller and more outstanding. A green tassel hairpin was adorned in her hair, and she wore jade earrings. Her hair fluttered in the wind, making her look very beautiful.

He wasn't surprised to see Mu Yan here.

_

Before long, the written exam ended, and everyone went outside to continue the assessment.

The Empress sat high on the platform, with Xiao Yu'an sitting beside her, while the Academic Director read out the assessment criteria.

"The content of this assessment will be determined by drawing lots. The lots will have both written and martial arts tests, neither of which will be graded," the scholar said, turning to look at the crowd below the stage. "But only those who come out on top will be eligible to be selected."

There was a lot of discussion in the audience.

"Ugh, this is too difficult! Winning first place is going to be the death of me!"

"Exactly! So many people, and they only want one? What kind of assessment is this?!"

The school official brought over the bamboo tube containing bamboo sticks and had the students come forward one by one to draw lots.

Mu Yan stepped forward, reached out and drew a fortune stick. Seeing the large character "武" (martial arts) on it, she couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

Subsequently, Mu Yunqing and Shen Chenxi also drew the literary examination slips.

For the written exam, drawing paper, brushes, and ink were already prepared.

After a moment's thought, Mu Yunqing began to paint. As if guided by divine inspiration, a landscape painting gradually took shape, with undulating mountains and flowing water appearing as if the scene were truly alive on the paper. Not to be outdone, Shen Chenxi beside him painted a boneless flower-and-bird painting, the birds on the paper appearing incredibly lifelike.

On the other side of the martial arts testing ground, the assessment began.

Mu Yan picked up the sword and skillfully performed a few moves, but felt that something was wrong with her.

"Miss Mu, let's begin," Xue Lu gently reminded her.

Mu Yan was puzzled, but she couldn't worry about that now and could only pick up her sword again to face the test.

The more he wielded the sword, the more powerless he felt. His once fluid swordsmanship became clumsy and awkward. With a "crack," the blade fell to the ground.

"Miss Mu's swordsmanship is quite rare," Xiao Yu'an said sarcastically, "I have never seen it before."

Mu Yan understood the meaning behind her words, so she didn't make a fuss. She bowed to Xiao Yu'an and said softly, "This sword technique was created by me. Your Highness has naturally never seen it. But now that the sword is broken, I can no longer continue to use it."

"But I don't want to spoil Your Highness's mood, so I humbly request Your Highness to prepare another one for me."

"Third Miss, your words are truly laughable. The equipment for this assessment was all prepared by the people in the armory. I have no ability to prepare another one for you."

“However,” Xiao Yu’an reached out and picked up the bow and arrows from the shelf, “I can allow you to change your weapon.”

Mu Yan smiled and stepped forward to take the bow and arrow from Xiao Yu'an's hand.

She picked up her bow and arrow, drew the bowstring, aimed at the bullseye, and shot the arrow, hitting the bullseye perfectly.

The next nine arrows all hit their mark without exception.

This drew cheers from those around him.

The Empress, who was watching from the side, nodded slightly, "Mu Yan's hands are unusually steady."

“She’s loved these things since she was a child,” Mu Yunyan said softly. “She even made a bow and arrow by hand a few days ago.”

The Empress smiled and said, "This is a promising talent."

The ministers all nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Xiao Yu'an's face grew even uglier, but he had no choice but to pretend to be calm.

I had only heard that Mu Yan was skilled in swordsmanship, but I had never heard of her archery, so this suited her wishes.

How cunning! He managed to escape this predicament by using her as a tool.

No wonder Fang Li fell for her trick.

The results of the written examination are in. Mu Yunqing and Shen Chenxi's paintings are neck and neck. After some deliberation, the Empress said, "Both paintings are of the highest quality. Shall we rank them as first place?"

Everyone agreed without objection.

Xiao Yu'an stood up to object, "Your Majesty, this is against the rules. There has never been such a thing as being ranked equally throughout history."

The Empress frowned. "Then what do you think?"

Xiao Yu'an cupped his hands and said, "We can add another round of competition, with the questions set by His Majesty himself."

After a moment's thought, the Empress agreed.

The Empress set a task for you three: “I will present a scenario, and you must compose a poem on the spot. The poem should reflect the splendor of court life and your own ambitions.”

Mu Yan was the first to recite: "The golden palace shines with splendor, my ambition soars to the heavens, my will is boundless. A bright future depends on my own efforts, the grandeur of the palace will last forever."

Mu Yunqing continued, "Illustrious palaces and jade towers, the capital of emperors, where lofty ambitions and aspirations are immeasurable. Calligraphy and painting record the affairs of the world, and the years in the palace compose magnificent chapters."

Shen Chenxi also said loudly: "Auspicious energy is hidden deep within the palace, and great ambitions are displayed in the heart. With glory and wealth, talent is revealed, and we will not fail to enter the hall today."

The Empress was overjoyed upon hearing this, "Good, good, the three of you are indeed extraordinary. You may all come to the palace with me and be granted official positions."

_

In the magnificent palace, the Empress sat high on her phoenix throne, majestic and solemn.

Her gaze swept over the three princes, and she slowly said, "Muyan, you are quick-witted and brave. Go to the military training ground and follow Commander Xiao to practice martial arts. I hope you will be diligent and conscientious in your duties."

Mu Yan respectfully prostrated herself on the ground and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" to express her gratitude.

The Empress then looked at the two men, "Mu Yunqing and Shen Chenxi, you are both exceptionally talented, and neither of you is superior. You will both serve as judges of the Court of Judicial Review, handling cases of impeachment by censors and being sent on missions to investigate prisons."

The two men accepted the imperial decree and expressed their gratitude.

The courtiers whispered among themselves, saying that these three were all newcomers to the palace, yet they had obtained such high positions, and they should not be underestimated in the future.

As if sensing something, the Empress gently raised her hand, and the hall instantly fell silent.

Her gaze fell on the three of them again, her eyes filled with expectation and warning, "I have bestowed upon you honor and status, do not betray my will, and if you harbor any disloyalty, I will not let you off lightly."

The three knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude.

_

Swallowtail Mountain

These past few days, Ajiu has been staying by Lingqi's side.

Unlike usual, when she only knew how to laugh and joke, Ah Jiu helped her with many things.

Together they searched for clues, consulted historical records, and even found witnesses; everything was moving in a positive direction.

Ah Jiu braided her hair and made her some ghee cakes.

They reminisced about their childhood and danced around the campfire together.

She hadn't been this happy in a long time.

“Ah Jiu,” Ling Qi murmured, leaning against her, “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Ajiu didn't speak, but gently patted her back.

“Ah Jiu,” Ling Qi looked up at her, “do you still remember the songs Grandma taught us?”

"Let me teach you to sing."

Ajiu nodded.

"Moonlight~"

"Moonlight."

"Starry Night~"

"The stars are shining brightly."

"Riding a white horse~"

"Riding a white horse".

"Pass...pass..." Ling Qi was already sleepy when she sang this line.

Ajiu smiled, her eyes as bright as the moon.

She remembered that Lingqi would fall asleep every time this line was sung.

It's been like this for nine years.

That line seemed like some kind of omen; some things are simply insurmountable.

Regardless of her deceased father.

It was the house she burned down.

Ultimately, it can't be overcome; when people do wrong, they should receive the punishment they deserve.

Ajiu escorted Lingqi back to her room and then went to the village behind the mountain.

That was left to her by her father before he died, and she never dared to step into it before.

Now it's just sitting there, completely meaningless.

What you can't take with you will eventually become an obsession.

She slowly walked into the house, looking at the familiar furnishings, the laughter and joy seemed like it was just yesterday.

This village has troubled her for too many years; it's time to put an end to it.

She leaned quietly against the corner of the wall and raised her hand to light the torch in her hand.

The shadows flicker, and memories of the past come flooding back.

Lingqi took her to pick flowers, the old lady taught them to sing, and the father carved a wooden horse for them.

The fire grew larger and larger, until she could no longer see what was in front of her.

The roof beams collapsed, and a cold wind blew in.

The fire burned for a day and a night, and was still burning the next day.

More and more villagers gathered around, and the noise finally woke Lingqi up.

"Ajiu's father's house was burned down."

"I don't know who burned it."

"I heard that Ajiu is missing too!"

"Huh? No way, this girl won't play with fire and burn herself to death!"

“No…no, that won’t happen,” Ling Qi hurriedly ran to find A Jiu.

There wasn't one anywhere.

All that could be seen was the raging fire and the endless plumes of smoke.

Mu Yunqing told her to leave as soon as possible.

This is where she has lived since she was a child; how can she leave?

The mountain people lived in her heart as if they were rooted there.

You can't break free, you can't tear it apart.

Especially Ah Jiu, they've known each other since childhood and grown up together.

For the past nine years, even though she was mentally impaired, they had never been separated.

Now she could only watch helplessly as her sister died in front of her.

She couldn't imagine how much pain she would feel from such a huge fire.

How could anyone be so foolish as to harm themselves?

She hadn't even found out the truth yet, how could she be willing to die like this?

Ling Qi knelt in front of the village and wept bitterly.

Only after the firelight turned to ashes did she slowly crawl toward the pile of ruined houses.

Her Ah Jiu is there.

Lingqi gently placed the ashes from the ground into a pottery jar and took it to the back mountain to bury it. She then scattered flower seeds all over the back mountain.

Next spring, the flowers will bloom all over the back hill.

She remembered that Ah Jiu loved flowers the most.

_

Prime Minister's Mansion

Fanglan Garden

"Master," Xiangqin said as she made the bed, "I heard you're going to the military training ground."

"Yes, we'll go first thing tomorrow morning."

"Xiangqin can't bear to part with you. Those people there are all uncouth, they..."

"You can't say that," Mu Yan interrupted her.

"I'm worried," Xiangqin said, feeling aggrieved, "that if you go there, no one will take care of you."

“How can someone who practices martial arts take care of others?” Mu Yan pulled Xiang Qin’s hand. “You just need to take good care of my mother.”

Xiangqin nodded, "This servant will certainly take good care of you, sir."

"Well, it's getting late, let's blow out the lamp."

"Yes," Xiangqin replied, got up, extinguished the lamp, and gently closed the door.

next day

Military training ground

A group of people are having morning tea around a round table.

"The Empress has sent someone to us," Ling Yun said, taking a sip of tea. "I heard she's a noble young lady!"