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

_

Songming Temple

As the wind and snow intensified, several more branches of the withered trees outside the temple gate were broken by the snow, and they swayed precariously in the wind.

Knowing that the Empress was coming, everyone stood outside the door to wait.

“Your Majesty is always punctual,” Du Yanqiu said, “why are you so late today?”

"Perhaps I was busy with court affairs, which is why I was a little late," Song Qinghe replied softly.

"His Majesty has arrived!" a servant outside the temple gate announced in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, all the ministers turned to look.

A magnificent carriage slowly approached, stopped in front of the gate, and the curtain was slightly lifted.

Xiao Ning peeked out slightly, his eyes cold and dignified. He first surveyed the crowd around him, then raised an eyebrow.

Eunuch Cao strode forward, bowed respectfully, and reached out to help the Empress.

With Cao Gonggong's hand in hand, Xiao Ning walked steadily toward the crowd, her gorgeous robes rustling softly as she moved.

After she stopped, she brushed the snow off her shoulders, raised her chin, and said slowly, "I am busy with state affairs, and I have troubled you all to wait for me."

The officials immediately bowed and shouted, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Ning waved for everyone to rise, then stepped into Songming Temple.

Mu Yan and the others followed behind her.

_

Inside Songming Temple

The eunuch served Xiao Ning tea, saying, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."

"Put it there," Xiao Ning turned to Du Yanqiu, "Minister Du, what explanation do you have for today's events?"

“Your Majesty,” Du Yanqiu knelt on the ground, “I carefully investigated yesterday, and in principle no one should be injured… but now,” she looked up at Xiao Ning, her face filled with fear.

"go on."

“But now, a person has died in full view of everyone,” Du Yanqiu bowed his head again, “I am guilty, but I feel that there is something fishy about this matter. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!”

Xiao Ning picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said coldly, "Is there something else going on? What do you mean?"

Du Yanqiu hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, there are two maids kneeling outside. They knew the deceased."

Xiao Ning sneered, "Bring him in."

Before long, Suiyin and Liuyun rushed over and turned pale when they saw the scene before them.

"Tell me the whole story in detail," Xiao Ning said sternly.

The two men hurriedly knelt down, "Your Majesty, we don't know... we don't know anything."

"Don't know?" Xiao Ning snorted coldly. "Take him to the Dali Temple!"

"Your Majesty!" Suiyin cried out, "It was her! She killed Asu..."

"Insolence!" Du Yanqiu shouted sternly, "What kind of decorum is this, crying and sobbing in front of His Majesty! Shut your mouth right now!"

“It’s alright,” Xiao Ning said. “Let her continue.”

“Your Majesty, you are very busy with state affairs,” Du Yanqiu said. “How could I trouble you with such a trivial matter? It is best to leave it to the Court of Judicial Review.”

“Songming Temple is known to all the people of the world. Now that someone has suddenly died, you tell me this is a small matter,” Xiao Ning said helplessly. “Du Yanqiu, Du Yanqiu, you are getting more and more confused as you get older.”

"Your Majesty is right..."

Xiao Ning rubbed his temples wearily. "Forget it, let the Dali Temple handle this. I'm tired."

The ministers all responded in unison.

Xiao Ning stood up, prepared his carriage, and returned to the palace, leaving a group of people looking at each other in bewilderment.

Song Qinghe bent down and helped Du Yanqiu up. "It's alright, this isn't your fault."

“Alas,” Du Yanqiu sighed softly, “Only you, sir, trust me so much. His Majesty certainly doesn’t trust me.”

"Don't say that," Song Qinghe said. "Once the Dali Temple investigates the facts, everything will come to light. Don't blame yourself too much."

"You're right, sir. Now we can only wait for the Dali Temple to investigate."

"Don't worry, His Majesty won't hold a grudge against you for this."

Du Yanqiu gently shook her head. "You saw His Majesty's expression just now," she sighed. "If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, I'm afraid I will be unable to prove my innocence."

Just as Song Qinghe was about to speak, she looked up and caught sight of Mu Yunqing entering from outside the door.

"This humble official greets all the lords," Mu Yunqing said, showing his token and bowing. "We are here to investigate a case, and we ask that you leave for the time being."

The officials dispersed as instructed, leaving only Mu Yunqing and his three companions in the hall.

Shen Chenxi's gaze lingered on the deceased for a moment before shifting away. "You two, were you the ones who found her?"

They both shook their heads.

"Then why are you kneeling here?" Mu Yunqing deliberately startled her. "Don't you know that when the Dali Temple investigates a case, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter?"

"My lord! It's broken silver," Liu Yun said in a panic, "She's framing me!"

Shen Chenxi looked at Liu Yun, her gaze cold, "Slander? What evidence do you have?"

"I have been inside the temple all day and have not left even a single step!"

“My lord, she’s lying!” Suiyin bowed her head and said, “I saw with my own eyes Liuyun push Asu down.”

"Let me ask you," Mu Yunqing's voice was calm and unreadable, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, "when and where was A-Su murdered? And how did you find out?"

Suiyin's face stiffened. "I didn't know. I only just found out..."

“Sometimes you know, sometimes you don’t,” Mu Yunqing looked down at her, “Are you trying to fool me?”

"I...I dare not."

Shen Chenxi narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone carrying a hint of pressure, "Can't answer? Then I'll have no choice but to take you back to the Dali Temple for a thorough interrogation."

"My lord! I'm innocent!" Liu Yun pleaded. "I really didn't do it! I didn't harm anyone!"

"Whether it's true or not isn't up to you to decide." Shen Chenxi glanced at her, then looked at Mu Yunqing, "Lord Mu, what do you think?"

"These two are giving conflicting accounts, and we can't tell the truth from the falsehood. Let's have the coroner examine the injuries first."

"it is good."

_

Outside Songming Temple

"This snow couldn't have come at the worst possible time," Song Qi'an exhaled a puff of white breath and rubbed his hands together. "How long are you going to keep guarding this place?"

“I might have to stay up all night,” Mu Yan said. “Commander Xiao hasn’t left yet, how could I dare to leave?” She paused, then continued, “What about you? Why didn’t you go back with your mother?”

"She's discussing important matters with Lord Du, so she's not going back yet," Song Qi'an replied seriously, then changed the subject, a smile playing on his lips, "Besides, if she goes back now, wouldn't she miss the snow scenery?"

Mu Yan sighed, "It's beautiful, but it's freezing cold."

"Haha, that's true, but... while the snow scene is beautiful, it also hides dangers."

“It is quite dangerous,” Mu Yan advised him again, “You should go back quickly.”

"Oh dear, don't try to send this lord away," Song Qi'an said, looking at her with feigned pitifulness. "It would be so boring for this lord to go back alone. Besides, aren't you alone too?"

"I should get back to my unit."

Song Qi'an frowned slightly, feeling a little reluctant. "With such heavy snow, are you still going to carry out a mission? Why don't you come back with me and wait until things are cleared up before coming out again?"

“No,” Mu Yan said solemnly, “this is no joke.” She looked up at the line in front of her, “I really should go.”

"Alright," Song Qi'an instructed, "Be careful, the roads are slippery in the snow, don't fall." With that, he walked towards the carriage.

After taking a few steps, he turned back, took off his cloak and handed it to Mu Yan, saying, "Take this cloak, it'll keep you warm from the wind."

Mu Yan hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took his cloak. "Thanks!"

"Hehe, no need to be so polite with me!" Song Qi'an smiled with satisfaction after seeing her accept the cloak. "Well... I'm really leaving now!"

"Hurry up, the carriage is still over there."

"Alright!" Song Qi'an strode towards the carriage of the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence, then turned back to look at her after a few steps. "You should hurry up too, it'll get even colder on the mountain after dark!"

"Okay, let's go!" Mu Yan replied, turning around to rejoin the group.

_

Song Qi'an boarded the carriage and lifted the curtain to look at Mu Yan.

"Young master," Mu Dong asked curiously, "what are you looking at? You've been looking at the same thing the whole way."

"It's nothing," he said, lowering the curtain and sitting upright in the carriage, still thinking about what had just happened. "I was just a little worried when I saw a friend."

Are you worried about Young Master Xie?

Song Qi'an coughed lightly and turned his face away awkwardly. "Yes, that's right... How did you know?"

Mu Dong smiled and said, "I only saw Young Master Xie just now, so it must be him."

"Oh, you know him?" Song Qi'an raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You have a good memory."

“Young master, you’re confused again,” Mu Dong explained. “You usually enjoy playing with him, of course I know that!”

“I do enjoy spending time with him on ordinary days,” Song Qi’an said, tapping lightly on the carriage floor as he turned to look at Mu Dong. “However, he is no ordinary person.”

"You mean Young Master Xie?"

Mu Dong was somewhat uncertain; this young master Xie was taciturn every day, and he really couldn't see any ability in him.

“Let me tell you,” Song Qi’an said with great enthusiasm, his tone full of excitement, “this Young Master Xie, although he doesn’t talk much, is actually most skilled in business.”

"Skilled in business?"

“That’s right!” Song Qi’an leaned back, crossed his legs, and said, “He’s really amazing. A large part of my business acumen comes from him! I’ll have to go see him again later.”

“What you say is true, young master,” Mu Dong straightened Song Qi’an’s leg, “then I will go and deliver the visiting card in a while.”

"it is good."

“Young master,” Mu Dong continued, “the shop in the south of the city has been prepared.”

"Hmm, not bad, not bad," Song Qi'an nodded in satisfaction. "I'll go take another look in a few days."

"Ok."

“Your reaction,” Song Qi’an glanced at Mu Dong with displeasure, “is really boring. By the way, I remember there’s a restaurant next to that shop, what was it called again?”

"Young master, call it Shuntian Restaurant."

“Yes, yes, it’s Shuntian Restaurant,” Song Qi’an’s eyes lit up. “I think the location of that restaurant is also good. Why don’t we buy it as well?”

Mu Dong shook his head repeatedly, "No, young master, Shuntian Restaurant is about to close down."

“Wouldn’t that be even better?” Song Qi’an said. “This Marquis can buy it at a low price, then manage it well, and maybe even make a profit.”

"Young master, let's discuss this with our lord."

"Oh dear, what's the point of discussing it with her?" He waved his hand dismissively. "This Marquis can make the decision himself. However, what you said makes sense." Song Qi'an pondered for a moment and said, "Never mind, let's go and see first."

"it is good."

_

Songming Temple

After examining the body, the coroner reported the results to Mu Yunqing and Shen Chenxi.

"Lord Mu, what do you think? This cause of death... seems a bit suspicious."

Mu Yunqing couldn't help but laugh out loud, "This is the first time in my life I've seen a corpse without any wounds."

“Indeed rare.” Shen Chenxi’s expression was solemn as he pondered and looked around. “He lost his life without any wounds… Lord Mu, what do you think could be the reason?”

"We don't know for now."

“How strange…” Shen Chenxi paced beside A Su with his hands behind his back, then suddenly his eyes flashed as if he had discovered something. He bent down to examine the dead man’s neck. “Lord Mu, come and take a look.”

Mu Yunqing then squatted down to examine it, "There's a small hole here."

“This small hole… is probably the fatal spot,” Shen Chenxi said, standing up. “However, what kind of hidden weapon caused this injury, leaving no trace at all?”

"I've read in books before that someone killed someone by inserting a silver needle into their bone."

"Silver needles piercing bone?" Shen Chenxi frowned, deep in thought. "Lord Mu, are you saying that the murderer used silver needles to kill, and then pulled them out, so no wound was left?"

“That’s possible,” Mu Yunqing said thoughtfully, “but the silver needles on the market don’t have needles this fine.”

Shen Chenxi nodded in agreement, "Does Lord Mu have any clue as to where such silver needles can be found?"

Mu Yunqing pondered for a moment, "I've heard that there's a kind of silver needle made from the silk of ice silkworms in the Western Regions. It's extremely small and sharp. It's possible to commit a crime using such a thing."

"Should we send someone to the Western Regions to investigate?"

Mu Yunqing shook his head, "No rush. There are many suspicious points in this case, so we can't act rashly. Let's interrogate those two maids again first."

Mu Yunqing stared at the broken silver and asked, "You said Liu Yun killed Asu, but do you know where she got those special silver needles?"

Suiyin was taken aback and stammered, unable to answer.

Liu Yun cried out that he was innocent, "My lord, I don't even know what these silver needles are, how could I use them to harm people?"

Shen Chenxi noticed that Suiyin's eyes were darting around, and immediately shouted, "Suiyin, are you hiding something? Tell the truth and you might be treated leniently."

Suiyin knelt down with a thud and cried out, "My lord, I was bewitched for a moment. I bought those silver needles from a mysterious person. I intended to frame Liuyun, but I ended up killing Asu instead."

Mu Yunqing frowned. "Who is that mysterious person?"

With a trembling voice, Suiyin said, "I only know that he was dressed in black, and I could not see his face. Every time we met, it was in the pine forest at night."

"Ha," Shen Chenxi sneered, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child who would believe your one-sided story?"

“My lord, everything I have said is true,” said Suiyin. “If you do not believe me, you can go and see for yourself at night. He sets up his stall in the pine forest every night.”

Mu Yunqing winked at Shen Chenxi, then turned to Suiyin, "You two may leave now. I will re-examine your case later."

"Yes."

"Lord Mu," Shen Chenxi probed, "you don't believe that person's words, do you?"

"Of course not."

"Then why did you let them go?"

Mu Yunqing said solemnly, "We only asked a few questions casually, and Suiyin first implicated Liuyun, and then implicated the man in black, without any hesitation. There is no such easy thing in the world."

He turned to look at Shen Chenxi, "Do you still remember Liu Yun's expression back then?"

“I remember,” Shen Chenxi said, “There was not a trace of fear in her eyes, and apart from that one sentence of injustice, she did not refute a single word.”

"Think back to Yang Jiaxin's expression at that time."

Shen Chenxi recalled: "Argumentation, fear, retreat."

"The comparison between the two is obvious." Mu Yunqing sneered, "It seems that the two of them are not confessing, but rather trying to lure you and us into a trap."