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

Mu Yan picked out some herbs to replenish qi and blood and regulate internal organs, such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Rubus idaeus, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora, and Cyperus rotundus. She grabbed a bunch of them at random and threw them to the shopkeeper to weigh.

"Young master, you've picked out all these tonics to replenish your qi and blood, hahaha, you're buying them for your wife, aren't you?" The shopkeeper gave him a knowing look.

Mu Yan smiled awkwardly, then resignedly nodded to the boss.

That's it then, whatever you say goes... Anyway, I can't argue with you, so I might as well be a good person and grant your wish.

After buying the medicinal herbs, Mu Yan strolled around for a bit and bought a few bracelets, a flower hairpin similar to those in the Dai style, and a small crescent-shaped dagger before leaving Sunlai Lane.

Because it's still early, and the weather is really great today!

Mu Yan ran towards East Street again.

However, Mu Yan went to the right place this time: East Street, the busiest place in the capital, and a paradise for the rich.

The streets are lined with many famous restaurants and all kinds of snack stalls. Vendors of all sizes gather here, and the further you go in, the more lively it becomes.

Right there, a brothel is selecting its top courtesan, and crowds of onlookers are gathered in circles, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

"See that? The one in the light purple dress? I heard she's from the Western Regions, and she's an absolute beauty!"

"Tch, what's so special about that? Look at the one in the pink dress down there, he's the lord's adopted son, and this is his first time out!"

"Wow, she's pretty good-looking! Look at those eyes, so alluring! And that pretty face, I really want to touch it!"

"Forget about it, she's an artist, not a prostitute, she's an artsy type~"

"Hahaha, who cares? They're pleasing to the eye just by looking at them!"

Mu Yan got goosebumps listening to the two older women talking back and forth. This Phoenix Kingdom really knows how to have fun.

But you know what, the one in the pink dress is actually quite beautiful. Her looks and temperament are comparable to Mu Yunqing's!

Just as Mu Yan was about to take a closer look at the pretty girl in the pink dress, the curtain that the girl was holding suddenly broke, and she was about to fall. Mu Yan quickly used her light-footed skills to save her.

The audience erupted in commotion, while the brothel owner inside the building was frantic with worry.

Mu Yan reached out and put her arm around the waist of the stunningly handsome man, gently leading him onto the stage. To be honest... he had a slender waist, a strange fragrance, and was even more beautiful up close. He was a very promising beauty.

When the two landed, the audience cheered. Mu Yan quickly let go of his hand. Although the other person was a hot commodity, he was still a bit too hot to handle in front of everyone.

Mu Yan originally intended to be a Good Samaritan and make a quick getaway after rescuing the man, but unexpectedly, the stunningly handsome man grabbed her sleeve and winked at the madam opposite her.

Then, in full view of everyone, he took her into the brothel.

This brothel is decorated in an extraordinary way; it would be an understatement to call it magnificent. As soon as you enter, a subtle fragrance wafts through the air. Light gauze curtains and flickering candlelight create an atmosphere of decadent luxury.

The stunningly handsome man asked her to sit down and then served her tea.

He told her that his name was "Nian".

He asked her softly, "May I ask what your name is, my benefactor?"

Seeing that Mu Yan did not respond for a long time, he looked up and met her eyes. Although she looked somewhat androgynous, she was so beautiful without makeup that it was truly captivating.

The two locked eyes, and although they felt nothing for each other, their gazes were undeniably alluring; it would be no exaggeration to say they were incredibly charming.

Looking into his eyes, if it weren't for the fact that it was the first time they had met, Mu Yan might have really thought that this man had been secretly in love with her for decades.

Those tender, loving eyes—damn, they were pure emotion, no technique involved!

"Why doesn't my benefactor speak?" A hint of melancholy crept into the eyes that were looking at Mu Yan.

"How can I talk to you like this?" Mu Yan was truly at a loss. She was a virgin, and this was her first time entering a brothel, and the first time she had been so directly approached by a strange man. Thinking this, Mu Yan lowered her head, feeling incredibly ashamed by his burning gaze.

"My benefactor is clearly a woman, so why is she dressed as a man?"

When she asked this question, Nian's tone became a little playful, thinking that perhaps this would make the person in front of her feel more relaxed, but to her surprise, the person in front of her still did not respond.

After a long while, Mu Yan looked up at that face that seemed to have been deliberately sculpted by the heavens.

If Mu Yunqing's face is unforgettable, then the person before us must be so stunning that every time we see him, we are amazed.

"My name is Mu Yan, from the Prime Minister's residence."

"I'm wearing men's clothes because... uh... well, I have something to do, see you again sometime!"

After answering the question, Mu Yan picked up her things at the door and left the brothel immediately. Good heavens, that's terrible! Pure children really shouldn't go to those kinds of places.

Mu Yan recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra in her mind several times, but she still couldn't help but think of the face called "Nian." Alas, male beauty is a curse!

_Flower House

The three-day Flower Queen Contest came to a close today. Nian Ruyuan won the title of Flower Queen, and should have been overjoyed, but his eyes showed more displeasure.

His father, the madam, began to raise him from a young age.

He knew exactly what kind of men women liked, how to please them, and even more so, how to trick them into spending lavishly on him.

He was beloved by the world, even though he was just a powerless male prostitute.

High-ranking officials and wealthy families fell at his feet, constantly talking about marrying him.

He has an endless supply of hairpins and jewelry, and people eagerly offer him gifts.

These... were all assets he was once proud of.

But now, he envys those men who have nothing, at least they have a clean background and won't be looked down upon.

Thinking to himself, he lowered his eyes and mocked himself, completely unaware that the madam beside him had been watching him for a long time.

"Does Niannian feel like she has no choice in what she's doing?" The madam looked at the child she had raised from a young age with loving eyes.

He remained silent.

"Niannian, your father said that if you ever regret it, just tell your father and he will let you go." The madam glanced at the brothel, then at Nian, and said earnestly.

Nian felt a sudden pang of sadness. He really did want to be the center of attention, to be cherished and protected.

But people, once they get something, they don't cherish it.

He had seen too many examples of this; most of the previous courtesans had met their untimely demise in this way.

He didn't want it to be this way, but he was in this brothel. There were many things he couldn't control and was powerless to do. In a brothel, how could his body remain pure forever?

He longed to leave, but his father had been guarding this brothel for decades.

Thinking of this, Nian's eyes reddened. He bent down and leaned against the madam's chest, who gently patted his back to comfort him.

"Niannian doesn't want to leave her father."

"Niannian wants to stay with her father forever."

Nian's voice trembled slightly... The moment the madam told him to leave, he felt like a stray dog ​​being abandoned. Despite being the center of attention, he instantly felt incredibly humble.

Yes, that's human nature—unstoppable greed, uncontrollable hands; even when one is penniless, one fantasizes about being rolling in money.

They painstakingly pursue something, only to carelessly discard it once they've obtained it.

How can this be resolved?

_Prime Minister's Residence

Mu Yan ran around until she was covered in sweat. After instructing Xiang Qin to prepare bathwater for her, she took out the medicinal herbs she had bought that day and began to grind them.

Mu Yunqing passed by the door and caught a glimpse of Mu Yan dressed in plain clothes, her long hair casually tied up with a hairpin, with a few stray hairs framing her face. Her fair face was slightly flushed, and her slender hands were carefully pounding medicine. Her thin lips were slightly parted, and it was unclear what she was muttering.

She... has really changed a lot.

For some reason, Mu Yunqing often thought of the Mu Yan of the past, that carefree and unruly girl... although she is still the same Mu Yan now.

Back then, she was arrogant and rude, which was annoying, but now, suddenly, I can't hate her anymore.

There's quite a difference between Mu Yan and Mu Yan. One likes brightly colored clothes, especially bright red, and she likes to wear an elaborate hairstyle and appropriate gold and silver jewelry.

She is free-spirited and easygoing, prefers light-colored clothes, and looks beautiful and refined without makeup or any other decorations, just a hairpin.

"Mu Yunqing!" Mu Yan saw the person hiding outside the door and beckoned him over.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunqing slowly walked towards her, his eyebrows and eyes sharp as swords, exuding an elegant and refined air.

Tsk tsk tsk, he really lives up to the saying "a handsome young man is as beautiful as jade," you can't get enough of looking at his face.

Before Mu Yan could finish swooning, she saw Mu Yunqing kneel down with a thud, as docile as ever.

"What are your orders, Master?"

"Uh, I do have something to ask you, but... you don't have to kneel every time."

Mu Yan truly couldn't understand it. Even in a matriarchal society, this was just too outrageous! What kind of man would kneel down so easily?

She had expected Mu Yunqing to tell her a lot about the country's system, but he only whispered, "This is Yunqing's fate."

Mu Yan was speechless for a moment, but still let Mu Yunqing stand up and speak.

"I'm going to take a bath in a bit. Could you grind these herbs into powder for me?" Mu Yan asked him cautiously.

She saw a hint of doubt flash in his eyes, then nodded to Mu Yan, sat down, and immersed herself in her work.

_

When Mu Yan came out after taking a bath, Mu Yunqing had already ground more than half of the medicinal herbs. Mu Yan was very happy; he was such a hardworking kid.

"Are you tired? If you are, let me take over," Mu Yan said, sitting down next to Mu Yunqing.

"No... I'm not tired." She said, moving a little to the side.

Mu Yan sensed his aloofness and stood up to look at him from the side.

I could see his well-defined knuckles carefully pounding the medicine, his forehead covered with a fine layer of sweat—his meticulousness was evident to the naked eye.

It was dusk, the sky was getting dark, the sun was setting in the west, and night would soon fall.

To make it easier for Mu Yunqing to grind the medicine, Xiangqin lit the lamps in the courtyard. Then she ran to Muyan's side and whispered a few words, but Mu Yunqing was too far away to hear them clearly.

"My lord, when would you like to have dinner?"

"In a bit, after Mu Yunqing finishes grinding the medicine."

"Oh, Master...would you like to eat with him?"

"Can't you?"

"Uh...yes, yes, that's fine."

"That's fine. Just remember to get me an extra set of chopsticks and a bowl."

"Yes, Master," Xiangqin said, then picked up the food box and went out the door.

Mu Yunqing looked up at Mu Yan, who was lying on the opposite stone table. At first glance, she seemed to be asleep, but in reality, her legs were swinging back and forth under the table, looking extremely relaxed and carefree!

Nightfall

Xiangqin took the food out of the food box and arranged it, while Muyan and Muyunqing were busy tidying up the medicine powder.

"Just pour it into the bag," Mu Yan said, opening the bag and gesturing for Mu Yunqing to do as she said.

Mu Yunqing picked up the medicine powder container and poured it into the bag as Mu Yan requested.

"Mu Yunqing!"

"What are your orders, Master?"

"Sit down together, wash your hands and have a meal?" Mu Yan said, pointing to the small basin beside her, indicating that Mu Yunqing should wash his hands.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master, but Yunqing is not hungry." Mu Yunqing said, and started to walk out.

"Thank me for what? You're not allowed to refuse! Just eat what I'm told to eat." Mu Yan said, glaring fiercely at Mu Yunqing, then grabbed Mu Yunqing's sleeve and led him to the stone table.

Mu Yan could tell that Mu Yunqing was very unwilling, but she didn't want him to go hungry.

After working so hard for so long, she still has to cook dinner when she gets home; just thinking about it makes her feel terrible. Mu Yunqing has helped her so much; he should at least let her eat her fill before she goes home!

So, Xiangqin saw Muyan pull Muyunqing down to sit, serve him rice, and pick out some vegetables.

Then, throughout the meal, he kept rambling on and on, trying to instill new ideas in Mu Yunqing.

Fortunately, Mu Yunqing was quite obedient and not picky about food, eating whatever was given to him, so the meal went quite harmoniously.

However, each of the three harbored their own ulterior motives...

Mu Yunqing found Mu Yan strange, as if she was constantly changing his perception of her, but her purpose remained unknown.

Mu Yan thought Mu Yunqing was too stubborn, simply incorrigible! She was planning to pick a day to give Mu Yunqing a good talking-to.

Our little Xiangqin, for the first time ever, felt that her master and Mu Yunqing were a perfect match. For some reason, she suddenly had a feeling that she could already see their married life, hehe, it sounded rather wonderful!

_

After finishing their meal, the two went to the Green Bamboo Garden together.

Originally, it was only Mu Yunqing who wanted to go back, but Mu Yan kept pestering him and followed Mu Yunqing back to Cuizhu Garden.

Actually, Mu Yan didn't want to do anything; she just wanted to chat with Mu Yunqing and make friends. But! Unfortunately, he was too aloof and wouldn't even give her a chance. Their conversations always ended in awkward silences.

"Mu Yunqing".

"What's the matter?"

"It's okay, it's okay, I was just calling you."

"Ok".

Of course, it wasn't because Mu Yunqing was cold and taciturn that the two had nothing to talk about; rather, it stemmed more from his lingering effects on the original owner, Mu Yan.

The harm Mu Yan inflicted on him wasn't just words; it was the countless wounds on his body, the bloodstains that couldn't be washed off his clothes, the repeated humiliations and forbearance. More importantly, it was the pent-up anger that had been burning within him for years…

He didn't want to have anything to do with such a person who treated human life so lightly.