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

_

Chenxin Lake

A thin layer of ice had formed on the lake surface, crackling as the wind swept across it. Reeds on both banks swayed in the wind, their shadows reflected in the afterglow of the setting sun onto the ice.

The trees lining the path had long since lost their green leaves, leaving only bare branches. Occasionally, a few crows would fly by, adding to the desolation.

Mu Yunqing placed the person on the shore, turned around, picked up a stone, and smashed it hard into the lake. Water splashed everywhere, and a hole in the ice was suddenly created.

Shen Chenxi stood to the side with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Mu Yunqing searched through the reeds for a moment, then took out two fishing rods and said, "Would Lord Shen like to give it a try?"

The person in front of him remained unmoved.

"Give it a try," he said, shoving the fishing rod into Shen Chenxi's hand. "Lord Shen needs to do some mental exercises right now."

"Ice fishing?" Shen Chenxi turned to look at him, her voice indifferent. "Lord Mu, you seem to be in a good mood."

Mu Yunqing didn't reply. He lifted his robe and sat down on the shore, casting his fishing hook into the ice hole.

Shen Chenxi hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside him. "Fishing in winter has a unique charm."

"Is that so?" Mu Yunqing reached out and tapped the fishing rod lightly, his voice sounding exceptionally clear on the still lake. "You're quite submissive."

"I just take this as you finding amusement for me," Shen Chenxi said. "After all, it's rare for us to have such a leisurely time."

"Aren't you angry anymore?"

He raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face, and said, "If I get angry, wouldn't that be exactly what you want?"

"To prevent me from getting my way, you've even stopped being angry," Mu Yunqing said with a smile. "You're really quite amusing."

“Isn’t Lord Mu the same?” Shen Chenxi turned to look at him, her gaze particularly gentle in the setting sun. “You clearly care about me, yet you insist on putting on this act.”

"You're overthinking it. Why would I care about you?"

"Is that so?" Shen Chenxi chuckled lightly, neither confirming nor denying. "Then I'll put this fishing rod away."

Mu Yunqing reached out and pressed him down, "Don't move, don't move!"

Shen Chenxi placed the fishing rod back beside the ice cave, his gaze falling on the lake surface. "Lord Mu, why are you so concerned about this fishing rod? Is there some special purpose behind it?"

“What special purpose could there be?” he said. “I just want to eat a fish.”

"At this time of year, the chances of catching fish are slim, so Master Mu is likely to be disappointed."

"If I can't catch you, I'll throw you in."

Shen Chenxi crossed his arms and looked at Mu Yunqing with a leisurely air. "Heh, is Lord Mu threatening me?"

Mu Yunqing scooped some water with a fish basket and asked in return, "What do you think?"

“I thought…” Shen Chenxi deliberately dragged out her words, her gaze sweeping over him, “Lord Mu couldn’t bear to part with him.”

"Do you think you're some kind of noblewoman?" Mu Yunqing said lazily. "There's nothing to be reluctant about. You have to give up something to gain something. Exchanging Lord Shen for a fish is a great deal."

"Is Lord Mu joking with me?" Shen Chenxi chuckled and shook his head. "This fish is probably not even worth as much as my life."

"Yes, yes, yes," he replied perfunctorily, "Lord Shen's life is certainly valuable. But I will also catch this fish." Mu Yunqing said, baiting the hook again and casting it.

Seeing that he seemed to really mean it, Shen Chenxi sighed helplessly, "Well, we have nothing to do today anyway, so let's wait with Lord Mu for a while."

"Do you still want to kill Zhang Xunyu?" he asked.

“Zhang Xunyu has formed cliques for personal gain and should be executed according to the law,” Shen Chenxi said calmly, staring down at the ice cave. “As an official of the court, I naturally cannot sit idly by.”

"Stubborn."

"Everything I've done is for His Majesty," Shen Chenxi said. "Lord Mu, you should understand that."

Mu Yunqing chuckled softly but did not reply.

He didn't believe Shen Chenxi was doing all this for the Empress.

He might have believed it to some extent if it were for his own sake, but now that it's for the Empress, he can't believe it at all.

"Lord Mu?" Shen Chenxi called out softly.

"Shh," Mu Yunqing whispered, "Don't speak, the fish is about to take the bait."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chenxi immediately fell silent, her gaze fixed on the ice cave. Only after seeing Mu Yunqing pull the fish out of the water did she speak, saying, "Lord Mu is indeed skilled."

“Of course,” Mu Yunqing said, raising his hand to put the fish into the basket. “I’ll call it a day after I catch one more.”

"Greed knows no bounds, Lord Mu should know when to stop." Shen Chenxi reached out and pulled him up.

How do you eat a fish?

"Fish porridge, braised fish, steamed fish..." Shen Chenxi slowly recited the names of the dishes, "Lord Mu, you may eat however you like."

"Then let's braise it."

“That’s wonderful.” Shen Chenxi carried the fish basket, and the two walked back side by side. “I imagine Lord Mu’s skills must be excellent.”

"Does Lord Shen want to freeload another meal?"

"Of course I have to try the fish that Master Mu made himself."

"Fine, I'll do as you say this time."

Shen Chenxi smiled triumphantly. "Thank you, Lord Mu."

_

The two returned to the Green Bamboo Garden together.

Shen Chenxi handed the fish basket back to Mu Yunqing and said with a smile, "Then I will wait here. Please trouble Lord Mu to take the fish to the kitchen."

“Alright,” Mu Yunqing pointed to the tea on the table, “Pour yourself if you’re thirsty.” With that, he turned and walked toward the kitchen.

As Shen Chenxi watched Mu Yunqing's figure disappear around the corner, the smile on her face gradually faded.

At this time, Zhang Xunyu should still be at the Zhang residence. If we go there now, we might be able to find some clues.

He lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then walked towards the Zhang residence.

_

Medical Center

The doctor who treated Pei Xuan's injuries was also a small old man, two years older than Wei Chengfeng, but much more cheerful.

"Does it hurt here?" Zhao Siheng asked, touching his tailbone.

"No...it doesn't hurt," Pei Xuan said, his face flushed. "Doctor, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

“That’s right, how could I be wrong?” he said. “I’m checking for you!”

“Yes,” Wei Chengfeng chimed in, “I’m checking you out. You’re so badly injured, you have to be taken good care of.”

“Alright…” Pei Xuan finally gave in, “Then I’ll trouble you to take a look at it for me.”

Half an hour passed.

"Hmm," Zhao Siheng stroked his beard and said with satisfaction, "This is a great success. I'll prescribe a few more doses of medicine for you. Your wound will be healed after you drink them!"

"it is good……"

Pei Xuan looked at his hand, which was bandaged up like a bear's paw, and couldn't bring himself to compliment it.

"How are you?" Wei Chengfeng asked, "Do you feel refreshed and energetic, like a bull?"

Pei Xuan: "..."

With the wound bandaged like this, you can't even exert any strength, let alone be as strong as a bull.

"Pei Xuan?"

"Hmm," Pei Xuan responded indifferently.

"Is the wound still hurting?" Wei Chengfeng said, about to call Zhao Siheng to check again, but Pei Xuan quickly raised his hand to stop him, "It doesn't hurt anymore, it doesn't hurt anymore, there's no need to trouble yourself anymore."

"That's good," Wei Chengfeng breathed a sigh of relief. "If anything happened to you, I, Wei, would have no face to live on."

“You’re exaggerating,” Pei Xuan said. “What happened today was unavoidable.”

“The incident was unavoidable, but the wound could be prevented,” Zhao Siheng said, tossing the medicine packet on the table. “This medicine should be decocted first and then boiled, twice a day.”

"Okay, thank you, doctor."

"You're welcome, you're welcome," Zhao Siheng said, extending his hand to Wei Chengfeng. "Old Wei, it's time to pay."

"What money?" Wei Chengfeng said, clutching his money bag. "You haven't reimbursed me for the money you owed me last time. I'm not giving you any!"

"Didn't I use that money to buy you candy last time?"

“That was because you invited me,” Wei Chengfeng said matter-of-factly.

Seeing this, Pei Xuan took off his money bag and handed it to Zhao Siheng, saying, "I'll pay."

“No,” Wei Chengfeng snatched the money bag and stuffed it back into his hand, saying, “You’re a patient, how can I let you pay? I’ll pay, I’ll pay.” As he spoke, he stuffed a few taels of silver into Zhao Siheng’s hand.

"That's more like it," Zhao Siheng said with a smile, "I'll treat you to candy next time!"

"Hmph, who cares about your candy?" Wei Chengfeng rolled his eyes at him, turned around and helped Pei Xuan up, asking, "Where do you live? Let me take you home."

"No need, I can go back by myself."

Wei Chengfeng paused, looked up, and asked, "Are you sure you don't need me to see you off?"

Pei Xuan waved his hand and said, "No need, you should go back too."

“I’m not going back,” Wei Chengfeng said, pulling Zhao Siheng’s hand forcefully. “I’ll sleep here! With Old Zhao.”

The two little old men hugged each other, a scene that was both funny and adorable.

“Very well,” Pei Xuan said, cupping his hands in greeting to the two men. “Then I will take my leave now. Thank you both for your care.”

"Go on, be careful on the road," Zhao Siheng reminded him again, "Don't aggravate your wound, and don't forget to take your medicine!"

"it is good."

_

Green Bamboo Garden

As dawn broke, Shen Chenxi returned from the Zhang residence, still smiling, but her clothes were stained with large patches of blood.

"Lord Mu," Shen Chenxi knocked on the door and asked, "Is the fish ready?"

Mu Yunqing opened the door with a gloomy expression. "Where did you go?"

"Naturally, we're going to find that man in black," Shen Chenxi said calmly and deliberately. "Doesn't Lord Mu also want to find him?"

“Did I tell you,” he said in a deep voice, “not to act impulsively?”

"If I don't go, how can I find him?" Shen Chenxi looked at Mu Yunqing's gloomy face and understood somewhat. "Is Lord Mu worried about me?"

"Putting aside whether you're worried or not," Mu Yunqing glanced at the bloodstains on his clothes and said, "You're being far too impulsive."

"If I hadn't acted impulsively, how could I have allowed Zhang Xunyu to reveal his weakness?"

I don't want to argue with you.

Seeing that he had no intention of arguing, Shen Chenxi said no more and changed the subject, saying, "The fish should be ready soon, I've been waiting for a long time."

“Throw it away,” he said coldly.

"Throw it away?" Shen Chenxi was stunned for a moment, then realized, "Lord Mu is really willful."

Mu Yunqing retorted, "Not even one ten-thousandth of Lord Shen's skill."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Shen Chenxi said with a light smile. "I've already ordered people to prepare new dishes in the manor. If Lord Mu doesn't mind, you may dine with me."

Mu Yunqing: "..."

I'm angry right now, what's the point of eating? Are Shen Chenxi's eyes just for decoration?

"I'm not eating anymore." The tone remained cold.

"Why is that?" Shen Chenxi sighed and patiently coaxed, "Are you blaming me for not informing you beforehand? I was just thinking that if this matter succeeds, it will save you a lot of trouble."

“Since you understand,” Mu Yunqing questioned, “why do you still insist on doing this?”

"I had my reasons," Shen Chenxi said, looking at him with a hint of apology in her eyes. "But I promise this will never happen again."

Mu Yunqing kept a straight face and didn't say anything.

"Fine," Shen Chenxi said helplessly, "If you don't want to talk, I won't force you. If you don't want to eat, I'll have someone bring the food to you, and you can eat when you're hungry."

"No need."

“Alright,” Shen Chenxi said after a moment of silence, then took out an envelope from her bosom and handed it to him. “I found this at the Zhang residence. See if it’s of any use to you.”

Mu Yunqing took the letter, glanced at it, and scoffed, "You're going to steal Naf's letter too?"

"Nav?" Shen Chenxi opened the letter and saw that it really was Nav's letter.

The big joke of slipping the world.

He said, "This thing is wrapped in three or four layers, I thought it was something good."

"So you went there," Mu Yunqing said with a smile, "and all you brought back was this?"

“There’s something else,” Shen Chenxi said mysteriously, “but I can’t tell you right now.” He paused, then added, “If Lord Mu is interested, you can come back with me to take a look.”

"Then let's go," Mu Yunqing replied calmly.

Shen Chenxi smiled slightly and led the people back to the Shen residence.

He knew Mu Yunqing would go; this man was impervious to both soft and hard approaches, yet he was incredibly curious about these matters.

_

Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness

The banquet was held as scheduled, with a group of young masters from prominent families sitting in the mansion, enjoying a constant stream of drinks and food.

A group of people ate and drank, sometimes playing rock-paper-scissors, sometimes telling funny stories.

Song Qi'an turned to look at Pan Yu and smiled, "See? I told you this trick would work, didn't I?"

Pan Yu said, "Your Excellency is naturally adept at handling matters."

"Haha, you have quite the sweet tongue!" Song Qi'an was in a great mood, grinning from ear to ear. "This Marquis also put in a lot of effort." He glanced around the crowd and then fixed his gaze on Pan Yu. "Little Yu, what kind of dishes do you like the most?"

“Reporting to Your Excellency,” Pan Yu said respectfully, “Pan Yu prefers spicy dishes.”

"Spicy dishes..." Song Qi'an nodded thoughtfully and said, "Then do you think we should add some spicy dishes to the menu?"

“I think it’s acceptable,” he said. “I just took a close look and these young masters eat more spicy dishes, especially the table in the corner, where spicy dishes were served three times.”

"Alright! It's settled then!" Song Qi'an turned to the servant beside him and instructed, "Go, change the menu and add a few spicy dishes."

"Yes."

"My lord," Pan Yu whispered in Song Qi'an's ear, "I think most of these young masters are just flattering me verbally, and they may not actually come. Why don't you go down and offer them a toast?"

"You've thought of everything." Song Qi'an gave him an appreciative look, picked up his wine glass and said, "I'll go down and toast them, and also find out what they have to say."

When everyone saw Song Qi'an approaching, they quickly made way for him, exclaiming, "The Marquis has arrived!"

Song Qi'an raised his wine cup and smiled at everyone, saying, "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. Please enjoy yourselves! I, the Marquis, will first toast you all!" With that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone raised their glasses in return.

Song Qi'an clinked glasses with everyone, and after a few rounds of drinks, he changed the subject and said, "I've recently acquired a restaurant, which will open after the New Year. I hope you will all patronize it in the future!"