Young Master Ji possessed an unshakeable code of conduct: he would never stoop to forcibly seizing a beauty's affections. What he desired was voluntary surrender—someone approaching him with eyes holding no one else, offering their heart in complete totality. Only then would his bed curtains fall amid genuine joy rather than coerced compliance.Therefore, at the earliest opportunity, he arranged for seven or eight sets of exquisite clothing to be delivered for Ming Yi.
Ming Yi stood motionless in the chamber, surveying these offerings with eyes round as full moons. "Are these truly all for me?"
"Try them on. See if they fit properly."
She released a delighted cheer and practically flew across the room like a startled sparrow, snatching up the jade-colored embroidered dress with reverent fingers. She touched the fabric with exquisite care, eyes luminous as she regarded him. "I've never worn such fine material before."
"Now you may wear it as you please," he said with studied casualness.
"My lord is extraordinarily kind!" She launched herself at him again, skirts billowing like flower petals as she planted an enthusiastic kiss on his cheek.
Thus Ji Bozai learned a valuable lesson: this particular little creature was remarkably mercenary—these substantial gifts had earned merely a chaste kiss on the cheek.
Clearly, negotiations remained incomplete.
Embracing her slender waist, he guided her toward the dressing table and opened two newly acquired lacquered boxes with deliberate ceremony.
Golden cicada silk double-clasp bracelets. Eight-treasure pearl hairpins. Three-winged bird feather ornaments that shimmered with iridescent beauty. Jade and agate, an entire treasury of precious metals and gemstones laid out like a merchant's fever dream.
Ming Yi blinked, nestling against him with calculated coquettishness. "My lord, are these exclusively for me? Or will similar gifts be bestowed upon the sisters who inevitably follow?"
She caught her lower lip between her teeth—three parts genuine charm, five parts deliberate seduction—the picture of adorable insecurity.
Ji Bozai smiled, his hand rising to caress her cheek with possessive tenderness. "Naturally, they're yours alone. What other sisters could you possibly be referencing?"
Satisfaction sparkled in her expression as her eyes curved into crescents. She melted against him with practiced ease. "That's what my lord claims now, but you mustn't deceive me later."
"Mm." He lowered his head, lips and teeth exploring her earlobe with teasing gentleness.
Ming Yi felt delicious shivers cascade down her spine, but having received such extravagant gifts, she didn't dare retreat. She only released soft whimpering sounds, toes curling involuntarily, exposing a stretch of snow-white neck that seemed to invite further attention.
Ji Bozai accepted the invitation without hesitation.
His teeth pressed against her delicate skin—warm and fragrant, impossibly soft. He couldn't resist applying slightly more pressure and heard her release a sharp cry, which she immediately stifled in her throat. The sound transformed into something resembling a cat's contented purr.
He smiled against her skin, deliberately softening his movements while his thumb traced lazy circles behind her ear.
The woman in his arms gradually relaxed into liquid warmth. Amid their mounting intimacy, she even tentatively extended her tongue.
Perfect. He specifically chose these moments—when she was thoroughly entranced—to decisively release her and step back.
Ming Yi experienced momentary confusion, then understanding flooded through her. She'd completely lost her composure. Face flaming, she lowered her head and clutched embarrassedly at his robes. "Outside... outside the spring scenery is particularly beautiful today. Would my lord like to take a stroll?"
He gazed at her flustered state with thorough satisfaction, letting the silence stretch before finally replying, "Alright."
The atmosphere hung thick with ambiguous enchantment. Coupled with his exceptionally handsome features, it was dangerously easy to believe one had encountered an ideal romantic match.
However, Ming Yi's practical nature quickly reasserted itself.
She smiled, extracting herself from his embrace to approach the dressing table. She meticulously applied fresh makeup, then changed into a long pleated dress the ethereal color of peach blossoms shrouded in morning mist. She draped a snow-white shawl across her shoulders and invested a full half-hour in preparation before deeming herself ready to accompany him outdoors.
She understood her role completely: a consummate ornament, absolutely forbidding herself even a whisper of dishevelment. Every strand of hair occupied its designated position, her jewelry elaborate yet harmonious, her dress alluring yet stopping precisely at the boundary of vulgarity. The moment she emerged from the chamber, servants and attendants near and far couldn't resist stealing appreciative glances.
Ming Yi carried herself with impeccable deportment—spine straight, head modestly inclined, half her face artfully concealed behind an embroidered fan. She maintained her position several inches behind him, neither overstepping boundaries nor failing to demonstrate loyalty. The composition pleased the eye.
Ji Bozai released a soft chuckle and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
"My lord," she protested with appropriate demureness, pushing halfheartedly against him. "This display is improper."
Being someone's plaything came with established protocols. Walking arm-in-arm represented the behavior of legitimately married couples—a boundary she couldn't afford to blur.
To her surprise, he countered smoothly, "Between you and me, there's no need to concern ourselves with others' opinions."
Ming Yi sneered internally. How masterfully he spoke only the pleasing platitudes. Anyone lacking clear-headedness who absorbed such words might dangerously misunderstand their actual positions in this arrangement.
Externally, however, she smiled with becoming shyness. "My lord's exceptional kindness overwhelms this humble servant. It represents my profound good fortune."
The pair departed together, with Ji Bozai specifically selecting a partially open beast-drawn carriage. He personally assisted her ascent before settling beside her.
Ming Yi understood his intentions with crystal clarity. She leaned against him with feigned timidity, lowering her embroidered fan to reveal her carefully prepared face. Her eyes didn't wander toward the bustling streets on either side—they remained fixed adoringly upon him alone.
Throughout their journey, admiring voices and appreciative whistles rose from the thoroughfares.
Ji Bozai radiated satisfaction, his hand rising to caress hers with lazy affection. "Is there anything else you require? I'll procure everything at once."
Ming Yi didn't practice restraint. "This servant's heart races uncontrollably when attempting sleep. If there were several gold bars to provide weight and stability to the bed, that would prove ideal."
Ji Bozai: ?
Ming Yi: smiles beatifically
Other girls might display excessive shyness, typically requesting gold and silver jewelry they could later discretely sell for currency. Ming Yi dispensed with such inefficient circuitousness. She understood pawnshop exploitation intimately—an item worth 100 taels would fetch merely 50 when pawned. Why should she permit others to profit from that differential?
After a moment of stunned silence, he laughed outright. "Is your heart racing severely? Would ten gold bars provide sufficient weight?"
Ming Yi's eyes ignited with genuine enthusiasm. "That would certainly suffice magnificently."
"Excellent." His generosity proved authentic—he directed the carriage straight toward the banking establishment.
Ming Yi couldn't suppress her marvel. He possessed genuinely staggering wealth. Each gold bar weighed ten taels, and he casually purchased a hundred taels of gold as if selecting pastries. That quantity represented enough capital for someone to live comfortably throughout most of their natural life.
Many government officials couldn't accumulate such savings across entire careers, yet he—having only recently assumed power—already commanded this magnitude of resources. Small wonder the girls throughout Muxing City flocked toward him like moths to flame.
Tongue clicking appreciatively, Ming Yi metaphorically wagged her tail and followed him to collect the gold bars. They proved too heavy for her delicate frame to manage, so he directed servants to load the entire locked chest onto the beast-drawn carriage waiting outside.
Ming Yi's lips curved with unfeigned satisfaction as she nodded. "Thank you, my lord!"
Observing her transparent delight, Ji Bozai recognized this price point had successfully purchased her cooperation.
Yet somehow, while other women would surrender themselves for merely glimpsing his handsome face, with her he felt distinctly like an accessory accompanying this chest of gold.
The realization didn't particularly please him.
His tongue clicked with faint irritation. He was preparing to speak when a sharp whistling sound cut through the air from behind.
Instinct triggered immediate evasion. He pivoted sideways, arm wrapping protectively around Ming Yi's waist as he shielded her body with his own. Then his brow furrowed as he glanced back to observe someone entering with an expression of cold fury, retrieving a wooden hairpin that had embedded itself into the wall with lethal force. "Apologies. My hand slipped."
Ming Yi, still recovering from shock, felt her lips twitch involuntarily.
How could a hand "slip" so catastrophically as to launch wood with life-threatening velocity?
She raised her gaze to study the newcomer. He wore plain civilian clothing, possessed handsome features, and appeared to be in his early twenties. However, savage grief burned in his eyes—the look of someone who'd lost everything and no longer feared consequences.
Ji Bozai released her and smiled with dangerous mildness. "Is Young Master Yan here to divide the inheritance?"
Yan An's fingers tightened perceptibly as he slowly extracted the wooden hairpin and reinserted it into his hair. His eyes remained glacial as they fixed on Ji Bozai. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Ji. My father lived honestly throughout his existence and didn't accumulate substantial silver to divide."
So he'd come seeking confrontation.
Ji Bozai moved to gesture for Ming Yi to retreat to safety, but before he could complete the motion, he witnessed her rapidly scurrying behind a nearby decorative screen, skirts lifted for maximum speed.
She possessed remarkable survival instincts.
He shot her an amused glance before casually pouring tea for Yan An with studied hospitality. "I've been extraordinarily occupied recently and haven't found time to offer incense at your mother's memorial. Since we've encountered each other here by fortunate coincidence, why don't I present the condolence gift now? It'll spare me the journey."
Yan An stared at him with unblinking intensity, fists clenched until knuckles showed bone-white. Each word emerged from between gritted teeth: "Does a murderer truly dare to offer condolences?"
The accusation hung in the air like poison smoke.
Ming Yi, concealed behind her screen, felt ice cascade down her spine.
Murderer.
She'd suspected Ji Bozai wielded dangerous power, moved through treacherous political waters. But direct accusation from a bereaved son carried weight that gossip never could.
The gold bars suddenly felt considerably heavier.
Previous/Next
Comments
Post a Comment