Women, it is said, possess hearts as soft as spring rain. The moment Ji Bozai began weaving his tragic tale, the person cradled in his arms looked ready to weep, even going so far as to squeeze his arm with a face radiating pure sympathy. Ji Bozai's eyebrow arched with satisfaction. Ming Yi did care for him—she must, otherwise such genuine emotion wouldn't have flickered across her features.
He continued, his voice carrying the weight of old sorrows. "The slave market was a realm of perpetual darkness, a place where hope went to die. I nearly perished there, but fortune smiled upon me when a kind family took me in. However, their good days were fleeting—cut short by disaster." His gaze locked onto hers, intense and searching. "Tell me, by killing only those directly responsible and sparing their families, wasn't I already showing remarkable mercy?"
When framed in such terms, it did seem reasonable, almost noble.
Ming Yi's fear had evaporated entirely, replaced by wide-eyed curiosity. "Aren't you afraid I'll report you after telling me all this?"
He released a self-deprecating laugh, tinged with vulnerability. "After sharing a bed for so long, if you still can't understand me, then I truly am the villain they claim, and you'd be justified in turning me in."
The sincerity in his voice was masterful, even accompanied by the faintest shimmer of unshed tears. Ming Yi secretly scoffed behind her sympathetic expression. He's thoroughly prepared and completely unafraid of being reported, yet here he performs like some wounded creature.
Still, she had to admit his acting far surpassed her own. She found herself studying him longer than necessary, even reaching out to trace the bridge of his aristocratic nose. "Don't be sad, my lord. I understand you completely. Since I am yours, I will follow you through life and death."
In the Qingyun realm, women did not remarry. Once they gave themselves to a man, they were bound to him for eternity. Her having shared his bed lent considerable weight to her declaration.
She drew a breath and continued, "Since you've been so transparent with me, I shall return the favor. The palace dancers owe everything to the inner court's patronage, and we're granted one annual opportunity to visit under the pretense of seeing family. In truth, we're expected to return bearing intelligence from noble residences." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Before I departed, the eunuchs gave me very specific instructions."
She paused, letting the confession settle between them like a stone dropped into still water.
"But rest assured, my lord—I am yours now and have no intention of betraying you. If there's anything you wish for me to convey back to the inner court, you need only say the word."
This was a dancer's most closely guarded secret, as precious as life itself, and she'd laid it bare before him without hesitation.
Ji Bozai's satisfaction bloomed warm in his chest. Although he'd already known this particular truth, hearing it from her own lips carried entirely different significance. He nuzzled her cheek with his nose, releasing a contented sigh. "The women I've encountered before were either tediously practical or simply not to my taste. It's rare—so rare—to meet someone like you, Yi'er. I wish to keep you by my side forever."
Who among us is immune to honeyed words? Ming Yi's cheeks flushed pink as she returned the sentiment with equal fervor. "I never imagined my drifting, rootless life would lead me to someone like you, my lord. Even if you one day grow tired of me, I would be honored to remain as a mere maid in your household."
"Yi'er..."
"My lord~"
They embraced with glistening eyes, a picture of devotion and mutual understanding. Yet behind each other's necks, their faces told a different story entirely—calculation, satisfaction, and hidden agendas written in every carefully controlled micro-expression.
A bird perched on the windowsill observed these hypocritical humans with visible confusion, ruffling its feathers before flapping away in hasty retreat from such concentrated theatrical performance.
Inside, the room practically hummed with manufactured warmth and whispered confidences. Ji Bozai felt supremely confident that after this conversation, Ming Yi would understand her fate was inextricably tied to his. She wouldn't dare step out of line again.
Ming Yi, for her part, felt reassured that her life was temporarily secure following his revelations. Both were thoroughly pleased with themselves.
For several blissful days, they became inseparable, entering and leaving the villa together like a properly besotted couple. The idyll lasted until the approaching sacrificial ceremony demanded Ji Bozai's presence—he was required to return to the inner court to oversee preparations.
Ming Yi sprawled languidly across a bamboo lounge chair in the sunlit courtyard, savoring loquats freshly transported from the northern mountains while reviewing the household ledgers with one eye.
"Why are the expenses for the back courtyard so exorbitant?" she asked Nanny Xun, genuine puzzlement creasing her brow. "Did we purchase land without my knowledge?"
Nanny Xun shook her head. "It's that wine attendant. She's been claiming poor health and has been 'nourishing' herself with expensive premium ginseng."
Eating that much of such potent medicine will cause internal heat. Does she think it's common food?
Ming Yi shook her head but chose not to interfere. After all, thanks to her monopoly on Ji Bozai's attentions, the woman hadn't laid eyes on him in quite some time. Between men and money, one must have something to sustain oneself.
However, while Ming Yi had no intention of bothering with the woman, the woman apparently had other plans.
"Today's ginseng shipment looked particularly fine, so I brought some for you, sister." Tianyin settled herself on the stone bench opposite Ming Yi, her tone carrying an odd undercurrent. "Please accept it with a smile."
Nanny Xun's frown deepened imperceptibly.
Ming Yi's biological father had died collecting ginseng in the mountains—bringing such a gift was clearly meant as provocation, salt deliberately pressed into old wounds.
She turned to observe Ming Yi's reaction, but found no anger whatsoever. If anything, the young woman looked pleased as she asked, "If she gives me something, does it come out of her personal expenses? And then I can dispose of it however I wish?"
Nanny Xun: "..."
Nanny Xun: "In principle... yes."
"Then I thank you most graciously." Ming Yi accepted with genuine delight, generously pushing the plate of loquats toward her guest. "Please, have some. They're exceptionally sweet."
Tianyin, young and transparently expressive, immediately darkened like a thundercloud at the gesture. "What exactly do you mean by this, sister?"
"Hmm?" Ming Yi blinked with apparent innocence. "What's wrong?"
"You know perfectly well my family's circumstances, yet you use this to humiliate me?" She shot to her feet, voice rising with indignation. "I called you sister because you arrived at this residence first, but let's not forget—you're just like me, without proper status, unable to enter the main residence through the formal side entrance. How dare you put on such airs?"
With that dramatic declaration, she swept her arm across the table, overturning the fruit plate in a cascade of golden loquats, and stormed off in a spectacular huff.
A metaphorical question mark slowly materialized above Ming Yi's head.
She turned to Nanny Xun with genuine bewilderment. "What exactly are her family's circumstances?"
Nanny Xun struggled to suppress her laughter, finally managing to whisper, "That young lady's family are farmers. They originally cultivated loquat orchards in the northern mountains."
Ming Yi: "..."
Heaven and earth bear witness—I truly had no idea.
People were forever investigating her background, but she'd never had the leisure or inclination to inquire into others' histories. Still, the young lady had accidentally struck upon one uncomfortable truth: no matter how favored Ming Yi was within this villa, it remained ultimately meaningless. All the truly valuable resources, the real power and security, resided in the main residence.
She needed to devise a strategy.
Thus, that evening when Ji Bozai returned, he was greeted by a vision in diaphanous gauze flying into his arms like smoke given form.
"My~ lord~" Ming Yi's voice dripped honey and silk.
A slight smile curved his lips as he caught her effortlessly. "What's the matter?"
"I took a nap this afternoon and kept seeing shadows—people coming and going through the residence." She clutched dramatically at her pale chest, lips forming a perfect pout. "Living here has become truly nerve-wracking~"
Ji Bozai's eyebrow twitched. "You mentioned wanting additional guards before. Bu Xiu has already purchased several. How could anyone possibly still be wandering about?"
"I don't know~" She caught her lower lip between her teeth, the picture of vulnerable distress. "I'm frightened~"
He laughed indulgently. "With me here, no one will harm you."
Even without you, no one could harm me. But that's hardly the point, is it?
Ming Yi mentally gritted her teeth while externally continuing her whining campaign. "Nanny Xun mentioned she has a son working at another of your residences. They haven't seen each other in such a long time."
"Then I'll grant her leave to visit him tomorrow."
"But, but..." She clutched at his sleeve. "I can't manage without Nanny Xun~"
Ji Bozai fell into contemplative silence, settling into his chair with her arranged across his lap, studying her with penetrating intensity.
Ming Yi felt guilt squirm under that knowing gaze, her fingers nervously twisting her silk handkerchief. "Never mind, being apart for a day or two isn't such a terrible thing..."
"After the sacrificial ceremony the day after tomorrow, there's a small family gathering." His words dropped between them like a stone into still water. "Would you like to visit the inner court?"
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