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

"Not in a hurry?" Song Qi'an chuckled and shook his head. "I don't think so. This chef is the head of the restaurant. If we don't hire him well, the restaurant's business will be in trouble."

Pan Yu advised, "My lord, your status is special. If you rashly go into business, I'm afraid it will give rise to gossip."

"I, this Marquis, have nothing to fear, for I have nothing to be ashamed of."

“My lord, Pan Yu knows you are an upright person,” Pan Yu said solemnly, “but you must not be so ostentatious in business. Better safe than sorry.”

“My lord, if you trust me, you may leave it to me,” Pan Yu swore, “I guarantee with my life that I will do my best to arrange this matter for you.”

"Fine, whatever you say," Song Qi'an conceded. "However, I'm quite curious. You're a man, so why did your mother allow you to go into business?"

“This restaurant was previously managed by my mother, and I was just helping out,” Pan Yu sighed. “Now she is old, has difficulty walking, and is often ill, so I have to take care of the restaurant.”

"I see," Song Qi'an nodded thoughtfully. "Then she's had a tough time." He added, "By the way, you said she has difficulty walking, has she seen a doctor?"

"I've seen a doctor, and he said that the coldness is stagnating in the bones, and there's nothing he can do about it."

"Coldness stagnates in the bones?" Song Qi'an said, "If you trust me, bring your mother here another day, and I will ask the doctor in the manor to take a look at her."

"My lord, is this really true...?"

“It is absolutely true. If you don’t believe me,” Song Qi’an said, “bring her here tomorrow!”

Pan Yu was overjoyed, but fearing she might offend him, she simply knelt down to express her gratitude.

Her mother was proud and aloof; she used to never utter a sound of pain, even when she was in excruciating pain. Now, she was being tormented by the cold.

His legs were paralyzed and he could hardly walk, making him practically disabled.

He usually loses his appetite and stares blankly at the account books every day.

In the past three years, I haven't seen her smile even once.

If the doctor from the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion could truly cure his mother, Pan Yu would feel it would be worth dying for Song Qi'an.

“We’re all on the same side, why be so polite with me?” Song Qi’an helped him up. “Then it’s settled. Bring her over tomorrow so we can discuss things!” With that, he led Mu Dong out.

Pan Yu nodded and followed behind him to see him off.

“No need to see me off,” Song Qi’an strode towards the door, then stopped and turned back to look at him. “I can go back by myself. You should go back and keep her company!”

"Yes," Pan Yu replied, but her steps did not stop.

He only turned and left after seeing Song Qi'an get into the carriage.

_

Pan Family Courtyard

Pan Shuyin (Pan's mother) sat in the courtyard, gazing at the withered tree inside the courtyard wall, lost in thought.

Even a withered tree can come back to life, but she has no chance of ever recovering.

There is no chance of him standing up again.

Thinking back on everything that happened before, I can only feel that fate has played a cruel trick on me.

When she was ten years old, a fortune teller said that she was a prodigy and that with a little guidance, she would achieve great things.

Her mother rushed her to school that very night, begging the school to accept her as an apprentice.

Xue Lu also praised her for her exceptional intelligence and often took her by his side, teaching her business acumen and skills to make a living.

After completing her studies, she successfully opened a restaurant.

Unfortunately, in just a few short years, the southern part of the city declined and was ravaged by disease, which also caused the restaurants to start to suffer.

After five years of perseverance, he finally fell ill.

She longed for her health to improve every day, thinking that once she recovered she could return to her old profession, but three years passed in the blink of an eye.

For three whole years, he hadn't stepped out of that courtyard.

Pan Yu was a dutiful son, staying by her side for the past three years and often suggesting that she go out for a walk, but she refused.

How could someone as proud as her be willing to let the world know...?

Pan Shuyin can't even stand up now.

Thinking of this, she lowered her eyes and glanced at her legs, which had been paralyzed for a long time.

I raised my hand and punched it hard a few times, but it still didn't feel anything.

He was about to strike again when a pair of fair hands grabbed his hand.

“Mother,” Pan Yu called to her gently, “Why are you out again in the cold winter snow?”

Pan Shuyin gently pulled her hand away from his, her eyes immediately reddening. "Why do you still care about me?"

“You’re talking nonsense again,” Pan Yu coaxed her softly. “You are A-Yu’s only family. If I don’t even care about you, who else can I care about?”

Pan Shuyin remained silent.

“Mother, I, Ayu, am unfilial,” Pan Yu knelt before her, “I sold Shuntian Restaurant.”

Pan Shuyin stared wide-eyed at Pan Yu in disbelief. "What did you say? How dare you?" She was about to hit him, but her raised hand eventually fell limply to her side.

Pan Yu lowered her head and said, “Mother, I know this restaurant is the result of your life’s work, but now you need money for treatment and I have no other choice. I can’t just watch you suffer from the cold.”

“However,” Pan Yu’s eyes were filled with hope, “today the young marquis told me that he promised to help you find a doctor to treat your illness. If your leg can be cured, we… will open a bigger and better restaurant again.”

Pan Shuyin was stunned, and after a long while asked, "Do you know why he wanted to help us?"

Pan Yu then recounted the entire incident in detail.

Pan Shuyin remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "Ayu, you shouldn't have done that. You're still too foolish. You've done nothing wrong, so why should anyone help you..."

“Mother, whatever he wants, since he has agreed,” Pan Yu looked up at her, “let’s give it a try, okay? I beg you, Ayu.”

Pan Shuyin fought back tears, feeling as if a million bees and insects were tearing at her heart.

How can this be tested?

Are you going to risk her son's life?

She can't.

She knew Pan Yu's character well; he was filial and obedient from a young age, far more sensible than other children.

The more sensible they are, the more heartbreaking it is for them.

How could she not understand the character of noble families? Pan Yu said that the people of the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion were willing to help him, so why would the powerful and wealthy care about the lives of these ants?

How can someone without a heart have any compassion?

It was clearly Pan Yu who was begging others to help him.

“Mother, I beg you,” Pan Yu pleaded, “Just this once, please?”

“Leave me alone,” Pan Shuyin said in a hoarse voice. “Ayu, I can’t…be a burden to you for the rest of my life.”

She has been a burden to him for too many years.

A man of Ayu's age should be getting married in style, or raising children, or at the very least living a carefree life alone.

Instead of staying with her, this useless person.

Pan Yu shook her head, "Mother did not burden A Yu, it is A Yu who is disappointing and makes mother suffer."

Pan Yu held Pan Shuyin's hand tightly, "Mother, you must believe in your child. This may be the only chance."

Pan Shuyin felt a pang of pain in her heart as she looked at Pan Yu's increasingly haggard face.

After much hesitation, he finally nodded slightly.

It's incurable anyway, so why not go for a visit?

“Mother, the wind is picking up,” Pan Yu said softly. “I’ll take you back to your room.”

"it is good."

_

Military training ground

Qiuyi stared at the moldy osmanthus cake in front of her, feeling a headache coming on. "Muyan, Muyan, you have such a big heart, how could you..."

Afraid that she would make a fuss, Mu Yan stepped forward and covered her mouth, whispering, "Keep your voice down, aren't you ashamed?"

“What’s embarrassing about me?” Qiuyi moved her hand away and retorted, “It’s not my pastry, you’re the one who should be embarrassed!”

"Tell me, did you hide this box of pastries?"

"So what!"

"It's nothing special," Mu Yan smiled at her. "Logically, I should be thanking you."

"Who asked you to thank me?" Qiu Yi said irritably. "Don't think I'm helping you. I'm just afraid you'll break military discipline."

“What does my mistake have to do with you?” Mu Yan said. “You’re clearly helping me.”

"You're just being presumptuous." Qiu Yi uttered these four words and was about to leave when Mu Yan grabbed her back.

"What are you doing?" Qiu Yi turned around and glared at her.

"thank you."

Qiu Yi rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. No, who taught her to say thank you like that?

"No need," Qiu Yi said, feigning indifference. "I don't deserve your thanks, Miss Qiu."

“Look at you,” Mu Yan mimicked her tone, “I’m not worthy of your kind thanks, Miss Mu Yan.”

"Mu Yan, you!" Qiu Yi said, about to draw her sword.

"You're getting angry already?" Mu Yan pushed her sword back. "We see each other every day, this can't go on."

"What do you want?"

“Naturally, we should turn hostility into friendship,” Mu Yan said, extending her hand to her, “and live in harmony.”

"Hmph," Qiu Yi snorted coldly, "I, Qiu Yi, am not worthy to get along with someone as noble as you."

Seeing that she didn't appreciate it, Mu Yan had no choice but to reluctantly withdraw her hand. "Fine, if you don't want to, then you don't want to. We can't force you."

“Miss Mu is always using these fancy words,” Qiu Yi said disdainfully. “They sound literary, but they’re actually useless.”

“You’re right,” Mu Yan echoed, “It’s completely useless and annoying to listen to, it’s really awful.”

Qiu Yi looked up at her, "You..."

"Did I hit the nail on the head again?" Mu Yan laughed. "Silly Qiu Yi, your expression betrayed you long ago."

"So what? I'm just telling the truth!"

"What truth?" Xiao Qingzhou strode in. "Where are the others?"

“In the kitchen,” Mu Yan replied.

"Come with me, I have something to tell you."

"Yes."

The two responded and followed Xiao Qingzhou to the kitchen.

_

膳房

As soon as the three entered, they saw Ling Yun talking animatedly.

“You wouldn’t believe how ferocious that tiger was,” Ling Yun gestured. “Luckily, I’m highly skilled in martial arts, and I kicked it away in a few swift moves. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be seeing me right now!”

"Ahem." Ning Xi pretended to cough to remind her.

"Why are you coughing again? I told you to eat slowly, but you wouldn't listen," Ling Yun said, thoughtfully pouring her a glass of water. When she looked up, she met Xiao Qingzhou's eyes. "Commander Xiao... what brings you here!"

“I’ve come here with something to say,” Xiao Qingzhou said. “There’s an opportunity for you to gain experience. Who wants to go?”

Upon hearing this, everyone silently lowered their heads.

Calling it a trial is an understatement; it's more like a death sentence. Everyone present, except for Mu Yan, knew that what Commander Xiao called a trial was no different from asking for trouble.

Seeing that no one responded, Xiao Qingzhou called out by name: "Ling Yun".

Ling Yun shook her head vigorously. She didn't want to go. Just thinking about the training made her butt hurt. She still vividly remembered the time she fell down last time.

"Ning Xi".

Ning Xi also shook her head, saying that whoever went would suffer.

"Autumnal feeling."

Autumn kept her head down and remained silent.

"If no one's going, am I supposed to go?" Xiao Qingzhou said angrily. "A bunch of good-for-nothings! They're all eager to eat, but when it comes to something, they don't utter a single word!"

She turned to look at Mu Yan, "And you?"

Just as Mu Yan was about to speak, the people behind her all shook their heads at her, signaling her not to agree.

"Alright, you're all afraid of pain, huh? Then you all go," Xiao Qingzhou said. "Let's leave after we finish eating and pack our things!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Qingzhou glanced at everyone and said sternly, "No leave is allowed!"

"Yes……"

Only after she left did the others dare to speak.

"This is so torturous, waaaah... I want to go home."

"I want, too……"

“Why go home?” Ling Yun said. “Sisters, be tough! It’s just a training experience. Just grit your teeth and you’ll get through it.”

"Alright, toughen up!"

After exchanging a few words and having a meal, the group headed to Songming Temple together.

_

That night

Songming Temple

After Xiao Qingzhou met up with Mu Yunqing and the others, he began to muster the troops and divide them into groups.

The crowd gradually dispersed, forming pairs and hiding in the pine forest.

Snowy days are already cold, and the pine forest on the mountaintop makes the chill even more biting.

"Aren't you cold?" Qiuyi asked.

"I'm not cold," Mu Yan glanced back at her, "What, are you cold?"

"not cold."

"Why are you asking if I'm not cold?" Mu Yan broke off a few dry branches and sat down on them in the snow.

"You will enjoy it."

"A few dead branches are considered a treat?" Mu Yan joked. "If I pluck a few leaves from a branch, you'd probably call me a waste of resources."

Qiu Yi rolled her eyes at her, "You're not talking like I'm being unreasonable."

"Tch," Mu Yan didn't continue, changing the subject to, "What do you think about the Songming Temple matter?"

After a moment of contemplation, Qiu Yi said, "I don't know. Didn't they arrest two maids that day? I wonder if the Dali Temple has found out anything."

"It'll be soon, it's been three days already."

"Hmm," Qiu Yi said calmly, "However, these past few days have certainly not been peaceful."

"Not peaceful?" Mu Yan leaned closer to her. "What's not peaceful?"

“Naturally, things are not peaceful in the capital,” Qiu Yi retorted. “Don’t you live in the capital? How come you know nothing about it?”

“You haven’t even calculated how long it’s been since I’ve been back,” Mu Yan replied. “I’ve been training the whole time I open my eyes, what could I possibly know?”

Autumn nodded in agreement.

Mu Yan was indeed like that at the military training ground; she knew nothing and asked nothing.

Like a piece of wood, indifferent to joy or sorrow, making him unpredictable.

"Qiuyi, do you know that your thoughts are written all over your face?"

“I don’t know,” Qiu Yi’s face darkened. “My face isn’t a drawing sheet, so why would I write my thoughts on it?”

"Shh," Mu Yan whispered, "Someone's coming."

As autumn approaches, all one can hear is the sound of the wind rustling through the tree trunks; all around is a vast expanse of white, with nothing else in sight.

Suddenly a dark shadow flashed by, and before she could react, she saw Mu Yan chasing after it.

The speed was incredibly fast.

Qiu Yi became suspicious and drew her sword to give chase.

She had heard that the third young lady of the Mu family was fond of weapons and loved to practice swordsmanship, but with Mu Yan's abilities, she would never have mastered such lightness skills.

But there's no time to think about those things right now.

Looking at the messy footprints on the snow, Qiu Yi was momentarily disoriented.