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

“Let’s wait a few more days,” Mu Yunqing said, “there is still one case that hasn’t been resolved.”

Su Qin snorted and compromised, "Fine, then come find me when you have time."

Mu Yunqing nodded, got up, picked up a ceramic jar, and poured the unfinished fish into the jar. "There's still some left, you can take it back and eat it."

"I don't want to!" Su Qin took a step back with her hands behind her back. "Anyone who didn't know better would think I came back begging for food. Besides, who eats and takes at the same time!"

“Just take it if I give it to you, what are you being so coy about?”

Suqin: "..."

"If only you gave me something good!"

“This is a good thing,” Mu Yunqing said, handing the pottery jar to him. “Go on, be careful on the road.”

Despite her apparent disdain, Su Qin still carried the pottery jar away.

_

The next day, before dawn, Xiao Qingzhou led Mu Yan and her group back to the military training ground. Twenty or thirty people lined up and walked alongside a herd of cattle and sheep.

Seeing these plump lambs, Ling Yun couldn't help but swallow hard: "They're walking delicacies!"

"It stinks!" Ning Xi said, lifting a tree trunk and brushing aside the sheep droppings on the path. "It's not delicious at all!"

“I’m talking about mutton,” Ling Yun said, pointing to the leg of lamb. “Once you’ve had this, you’ll never forget it in three to five years!”

"Tch," Ning Xi said, "You talk as if you've actually eaten it!"

Ling Yun said, "Of course I've eaten. The meadow near my house is full of sheep, so many that I can't even count them! We slaughter sheep to celebrate festivals, and roasted lamb leg is just a regular meal!"

"It's just a leg of lamb, nothing special."

Lingyun, herding the sheep, said, "Yes, yes, in your eyes, Miss Ning, nothing is special, but everything tastes delicious."

"You damned Lingyun, if you've got the guts, don't try to hide!" Ning Xi raised a tree trunk and swung it at Lingyun, who scattered in all directions, startling the cattle and sheep into running wildly.

"Stop chasing," Ling Yun said, looking at the chaotic herd of cattle and sheep. "We've gotten ourselves into trouble."

Ning Xi threw the tree trunk covered in cow dung onto the ground and asked, "What trouble have you gotten yourself into? If you're scared, just say so, don't make excuses!"

“I didn’t make any excuses,” Ling Yun said, pointing to the sheep that had fallen into the ditch. “Look, it’s fallen in. What are we going to do?”

Ning Xi said, "What can we do? Jump down and pick it up!"

"You think this is silver, something you can just pick up and leave?" Ling Yun rolled her eyes at her and jumped into the ditch. Seeing her coming, the sheep ran ahead, and Ling Yun had no choice but to chase after it.

"Why are you chasing it?" Ning Xi said, "The more you chase it, the faster it runs away. Just tie it up with a rope and throw it up here!"

Ling Yun stamped his foot in frustration: "I can't even touch a hair, how am I supposed to tie it up?"

"You wait here, I'm going to get reinforcements!" Ning Xi said, then turned and ran back, leaving Ling Yun and Yang'er staring at each other.

"Sheep, don't run away! If you run any further, I'm really going to die!" Ling Yun pleaded. "Let's make a deal: if you don't run, I won't chase you, okay?"

The sheep bleated twice at Lingyun, its eyes still fixed on her warily. Lingyun stood to the side, not daring to move, afraid that if she did, the sheep would run away.

A moment later, Ning Xi arrived with Mu Yan and Qiu Yi.

Hearing footsteps, Ling Yun quickly waved and called out, "I'm here! I'm here!"

Mu Yan threw the sack into Ling Yun's arms and said, "Put this inside the sack and throw it up here for us."

Lingyun took the sack and carefully approached the sheep. Seeing this, the sheep shifted uncomfortably. Lingyun gently coaxed, "Little sheep, it's comfortable inside the sack." Taking advantage of the sheep's momentary distraction, Lingyun pounced and, with considerable effort, managed to stuff the sheep into the sack.

Several people worked together to pull the sheep up. Ning Xi patted her chest and said, "Thank goodness, if anything had happened to the sheep, we sisters would have been finished."

"Never mind all that," Ling Yun roared, "You guys better give me a hand!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a wooden stick appeared beside her. Ling Yun grinned and reached out to pull him up, but before she could even get close, she was knocked back with the stick, clutching her head and groaning in pain.

The three looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old woman in a gray-blue long gown squatting on the other side of the ditch. Her long hair was wrapped in a headscarf, with only a few strands of gray hair hanging down.

Ning Xi whispered, "Is she looking at the sheep in our hands?"

“Yes,” Mu Yan said, “This sheep is most likely hers, let’s return it.”

Ning Xi said, "I dare not, you go."

Mu Yan pointed at the sheep and asked, "Grandma, is this sheep yours?"

The old woman nodded for a moment, then shook her head.

"What does this mean?" Ning Xi was completely confused.

"I'll go ask her." Mu Yan carried the sheep and walked towards the old woman. As soon as she got close, the old woman took a step back in fright.

Mu Yan was puzzled, but she still stopped. Seeing that she didn't seem like a bad person, the old woman said after a long while, "Sheep, that's... my sheep."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yan untied the sack and released the lamb. The lamb happily ran towards the old woman and affectionately nuzzled against her clothes.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid," the old woman said, gently stroking the lamb. "It's alright, it's alright."

Mu Yan said, "Grandma, we are sorry for what happened today. Where do you want to drive these cattle and sheep? We will help you."

Ning Xi nodded and said, "Yes, Grandma, let us help you!"

The old woman hesitated for a moment, then looked up at the sky.

The first light of dawn appeared in the distance; it would be broad daylight soon. If the cattle and sheep weren't sent to the pasture before dawn, all the work for today would be for nothing.

She said, "Then I'll have to trouble you two..."

Mu Yan and the other agreed, picked up some branches, and drove the cattle and sheep forward, with Qiu Yi supporting Ling Yun as they followed behind.

When the group arrived at the pasture, the sun was just rising, its rays warming them. Mu Yan and her group waited outside with their cattle and sheep. The servant who opened the gate saw the newcomers and quickly ducked back inside, rushing off to report.

The servant ran into the room and saw Ge Qingyou having breakfast with her newly acquired maid. Afraid of disturbing her enjoyment, he could only stand there blankly.

Ge Qingyou glanced at him and said, "What are you standing there for? Speak up if you have something to say."

“Master,” the servant said, “when I went to open the door, I saw that madwoman bring four people with her!”

"So what if you're here? What's the rush?" Ge Qingyou scooped up a bowl of porridge and slowly drank it.

The servant cried out urgently, "No, Master! They're wearing military uniforms, and they're carrying knives!"

"So what if she has a knife? Can she kill me? Wait..." Ge Qingyou asked, "You're saying that crazy woman was with people from the military training ground?"

"Exactly."

Ge Qingyou pulled on his clothes and said, "Come with me out for a look."

She stepped outside and indeed saw the four people the servant had mentioned. Their attire was indeed that of the military academy, but what did the military academy have to do with her? If that madwoman had really reported the case, it should have been the people from the Dali Temple who came looking for her.

Thinking of this, Ge Qingyou's anxiety vanished. She smiled contemptuously and asked, "Have you four come to the wrong place? What are you doing here at my ranch?"

"They helped me herd the cattle, and we didn't go to the wrong place." The old woman smiled and reached out her hand: "Owner, I'm not late today, please give me the money from last time as well."

“You need to drive the oxen ten times to earn one ounce, and you still need three more,” she said. “After you finish these three trips, I will give you the money.”

"No, that won't do," the old woman pleaded, on the verge of tears. "Please give it to me! I haven't eaten for three days, please!"

Ge Qingyou said, "I told you there are still three more trips to go. You want to get paid before you finish the work? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

“You didn’t say that before,” the old woman cried, tugging at Ge Qingyou’s clothes. “You said you’d pay me after I finished this trip, how could you go back on your word…”

Ge Qingyou kicked her hand away in disgust and said angrily, "When did I say that? Don't try to be unreasonable. I've said it three times, and that means I've said it three times!"

Mu Yan stepped forward and shielded the old woman behind her, saying, "You can talk, but why did you kick her?"

“Didn’t you see her touching me with her dirty hands? If she gets my nice clothes dirty, can she afford to pay for them?” Ge Qingyou scoffed. “Besides, when did it become anyone’s business to meddle in my ranch affairs?”

“We will naturally not interfere in your ranch affairs,” Mu Yan said, “but if you dare to hurt her, we will not stand idly by.”

“Oh, what a grand display of prestige,” Ge Qingyou sarcastically remarked. “If I had known the military training ground was this prestigious, I should have gone there back then instead of staying here as some kind of ground owner.”

"Save your energy," Ning Xi said angrily. "Someone like you would have been kicked to death the moment you walked in the door! How could you possibly have the ability to act tough!"

"Really?" Ge Qingyou laughed. "Then I should be glad I didn't go!" She turned to Ning Xi and asked, "Strange, how come you weren't kicked to death? You should have been kicked to death!"

Mu Yan said, "Stop talking nonsense and pay her back the money you owe her."

Ning Xi chimed in, "Hurry up and pay back the money!"

"Are you blind or deaf?" Ge Qingyou roared, "I told you there are still three more trips to go, didn't you hear me? Don't even think about getting paid until you've made those three trips!"

Mu Yan said, "You say three times, so it's three times. Where's the proof? It's not easy for an old man to make one trip. Why do you have to fixate on that one or two coins?"

"Are you blind?" Ge Qingyou cursed. "Take a closer look and see who's clinging to the money. Do you think I, the owner of this place, would cling to a mere tael of silver?"

Mu Yan lifted her robe and sat down in front of the door: "Anyone can make up stories. If you can't produce any evidence, we're not leaving today."

"Did you hear that?" Ning Xi sat down next to Mu Yan and said, "We're not leaving until you produce evidence. We have plenty of time to waste with you!"

"Why should I provide evidence?" Ge Qingyou said. "Don't I know how many times that crazy woman has come here?"

Mu Yan said coldly, "You don't seem to know what you're doing."

"What I look like is none of your business!" Ge Qingyou replied. "Stay if you want. I, the owner of this place, would never stoop to arguing with nobodys like you. It's bad luck!"

She turned around, went back to the door, and slammed the door shut.

Ning Xi asked, "What will we do now that they're gone?"

Mu Yan glanced at Ling Yun, who was still clutching her head, and said, "Let's take her to the clinic first."

“No need,” Ling Yun said. “Don’t worry about me. These are just minor injuries. Let’s take care of the important matters first.”

Seeing that she was having difficulty speaking, the old woman apologized, "I'm so sorry, young lady, I thought you were a sheep thief... that's why..."

It would have been better if they hadn't brought it up; the more they did, the more Ling Yun's head throbbed. Looking at this seemingly frail old woman, he had really gone all out, managing to give her a huge bump.

Ling Yun forced a smile: "It's alright, this isn't your fault."

"Stop laughing," Ning Xi raised her hand to cover her mouth, "Your laugh is uglier than crying, don't scare people."

Ling Yun moved Ning Xi's hand away and snorted, "Who are you calling ugly? Didn't you see that I'm injured? You didn't even say anything nice to comfort me."

"Hoo hoo hoo," Ning Xi said, "Just tell me what sweet things you want to hear, and I guarantee you'll be overjoyed!"

"Get lost! You only realize this now? I don't want to hear it anymore."

"Fine, if you don't want to listen, I'm too lazy to even talk to you." Ning Xi asked, "What about Qiu Yi?"

“Look,” Ling Yun said, pointing to the stone pier, “they’re sleeping in the back!”

Ning Xi frowned and said, "In broad daylight, with sheep dung stinking, she can still sleep soundly."

Qiuyi was naturally able to sleep. She had gone back to Qingcheng Mountain last night and spent the whole night discussing divination with her master, as well as observing the stars. She hurried back as soon as the rooster crowed, and was already so sleepy that she was disoriented. Now that the sun was shining brightly, she dozed off and fell asleep.

In the ranch, Ge Qingyou sat in the yard. She ignored the servant offering her water, too preoccupied to pay attention.

Given the crazy woman's personality, she naturally wouldn't ask anyone for help; it was the people from the military training ground who rushed to help her.

Why would the people at the military training ground help her? She was a madwoman who couldn't even speak properly and didn't have a penny on her. She was like an ant on the street. How could the people at the military training ground find her?

She was discovered at the military academy today, but who knows, she might be discovered by the Court of Judicial Review tomorrow. The Court of Judicial Review is not as easy to fool as the military academy. If this case is investigated, Ge Qingyou will definitely not be able to get away easily in the future.

But then she thought, even if they investigate, so what? As long as she sticks to her story, the Dali Temple can't do anything to her.

“My lady,” the maid said sweetly, “my arms are getting sore from holding them up, but you don’t even glance at them.”

Ge Qingyou took the water from his hand and coaxed, "How could I not look at you? I like you the most."

_

Dali Temple

Although Mu Yunqing and Shen Chenxi were promoted, Wei Chengfeng was the happiest. He grinned all day long, always smiling at everyone.

Mu Yunqing said, "Please tone down your laughter, sir. Anyone who doesn't know better would think you found money on the street."

“You don’t understand,” Wei Chengfeng said, “There’s a saying that goes, ‘Don’t flaunt your wealth, but flaunt your joy.’ With such a great thing happening at our Dali Temple, if I don’t celebrate now, there won’t be anything to be happy about once the excitement fades!”

He looked around and asked, "Where is Lord Shen? Why is he gone again?"

"Lord Shen is not feeling well and has been resting at home these past few days." Mu Yunqing put the case file back on the cabinet, stood up and said, "The case at the Cai residence is still unresolved. Would you like to come with me?"

Upon hearing the word "together," Wei Chengfeng recalled the time when Mu Yunqing had tried to extract information from him during a meal. He quickly replied, "No, no, I need to organize my records. I'll go with you another day."

“Alright,” Mu Yunqing said, “Then you tidy it up carefully, and I’ll go take another look.”