Chapter 44: Mingyi’s Bold Love Curse on Ji Bozhai

Most women in the Azure Cloud Realm were timid and reserved. Even noble ladies raised with great care would, at most, argue a few words in public—nothing beyond that.

But Mingyi was different.

Not only did she dare to fight with men and publicly scold heartless scoundrels in the streets, she even dared to cast curses.

And this time, she had cast a Love Curse on Ji Bozhai.

Situ Ling found the whole situation extremely entertaining.

What would someone like Ji Bozhai—whose Essence Power was profound and whose mind was famously cunning—look like while under the effects of a Love Curse?

Glancing over, Situ Ling saw Ji Bozhai sitting inside a beast-drawn carriage.

His sharp features seemed sculpted from stone, brilliant and radiant like sunlight. Crimson sleeves draped lazily over the armrest beside him.

People passing by—young and old alike—couldn’t help but steal a glance at him.

But after being stared at too often, a hint of impatience inevitably appeared on his face.

“My lord, how can you help judge whether the fabric suits me if you won’t even come down?”

Mingyi stepped out from another shop. Instead of boarding the carriage, she stood beside it and tilted her head up toward him with a coquettish pout.

The impatience on Ji Bozhai’s face vanished instantly.

A faint smile flickered in his dark eyes.

Leaning lazily against the carriage seat, he propped his chin on his hand and looked down at her.

“Your taste is better than mine.”

“That’s not the point.” Mingyi puffed out her cheeks. “Everything here is for you, my lord. Only what pleases you can truly be considered good.”

She lightly stamped her foot.

“Come down, please~”

The silver-red hem of her dress swayed gently as she moved, each ripple carrying a subtle charm.

Ji Bozhai sighed, amused.

Then he vaulted lightly over the carriage seat and landed beside her.

Immediately, Mingyi slipped her arm through his and pulled him toward the next shop.

Behind them, the beast-drawn carriage rolled forward slowly.

The rear rack was already stacked high with red lacquered gift boxes—layer upon layer, rising nearly two people tall.

Such extravagant indulgence was impossible to ignore.

The citizens of Star Yearn City watched the scene with thinly disguised curiosity.

“She’s just a nameless dancing girl with no status. What is there to flaunt?”

“Tsk. Lord Ji hasn’t brought anyone else into his residence recently except her. I even heard he takes her to banquets at Gong Wang’s manor.”

“She’s beautiful, sure—but what’s the use of beauty alone? She has no talent at all.”

Whispers drifted through the air like dust, tinged with jealousy.

But the two people inside the Lord of Flowing Radiance’s carriage ignored everything.

During the day, they brewed tea and admired flowers.

At night, they indulged in passion.

Their life together was carefree and indulgent.

After several days of this routine, dark circles appeared beneath Mingyi’s eyes.

Yawning widely, she sat before her bronze mirror, applying powder while complaining softly.

“I’m exhausted.”

Granny Xun laughed until her eyes nearly disappeared.

“The young lord is vigorous and energetic. Of course he’ll wear you out,” she teased.

“But the city’s selection trials are reaching their final stage. He’ll have to oversee them for several days, so you’ll finally have time to rest.”

The Six Cities Tournament determined whether a city would contribute resources or receive them for the year, so every city treated it with great seriousness.

By late spring, they began selecting Fighters to prepare for the next year’s competition.

Star Yearn City already had a powerful Fighter like Ji Bozhai, but the tournament required several others to compete alongside him.

Although Granny Xun possessed no Essence Power herself, she was fascinated by the tournament. Her eyes shone with excitement as she talked.

Yet Mingyi showed no interest whatsoever.

She simply picked up another eyebrow pencil and continued shaping her brows.

“If my lord doesn’t come back for lunch today,” she said casually, “shall we go to Huabiezhi and enjoy a nice meal?”

Granny Xun paused.

Only then did she remember that Mingyi came from a remote village and probably knew nothing about the Six Cities Tournament.

Naturally, she lost interest in explaining further.

“Of course,” she said instead. “The master specifically ordered that the young lady must travel with a Luan-bird carriage and four attendants. I’ll arrange everything immediately.”

After Granny Xun left, Mingyi hooked the tip of her shoe under the dressing table drawer and pulled it open.

Inside lay a half-finished map.

Dan Er had only asked for a map of the Ji residence, but Mingyi had already sketched the general layout and even marked the old house in the Blue Tile District.

That should be enough.

She rolled up the paper and slipped it into her sleeve.

Then she rose and walked out.

---

Star Yearn City had grown noticeably tense.

Fighters moved through the streets in great numbers, and bursts of Essence Power occasionally flashed overhead, creating a heavy atmosphere.

Mingyi paid no attention.

She sat leisurely in the beast-drawn carriage, fanning herself with a round silk fan while sipping tea.

The Luan Bird pulling the carriage was a Following Beast personally subdued by Ji Bozhai. Its dazzling appearance and powerful aura drew many curious glances.

Before long, someone stopped the carriage.

“May we ask who rides in this carriage?” several young women called excitedly from outside.

Mingyi lifted the curtain slightly with her fan and smiled politely.

“This is the Ji family’s carriage. I merely have the honor of riding in it.”

The moment the girls saw her face, they froze.

Then several stepped back, their expressions turning mocking or disdainful.

“So it’s you,” said Tianji, covering half her face with her sleeve. “We’ve heard so much about you, but seeing you now… you’re really nothing special.”

Her brows furrowed sharply.

“Knowing this is an important time for the city’s selection trials, how dare you flaunt yourself in the master’s carriage?”

She looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, yet her words were biting.

Mingyi’s smile faded.

Slowly fanning herself, she looked Tianji up and down.

“My apologies,” she said calmly, “for delaying your attempts to curry favor.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Tianji snapped.

The other girls chimed in immediately.

“Country girls really have no manners.”

“We received Phoenix Tail Flowers legitimately!”

“Exactly! Who knows? One day we might even enter the Ji residence and outrank you.”

The Phoenix Tail Flower was an unwritten rule.

During the selection period, city officials distributed these flowers to well-born young women. Carrying one meant they represented the ruling family and were responsible for assisting visiting Fighters with lodging, meals, and other arrangements.

In reality, these girls were simply tools used to win over Fighters in advance.

Mingyi had always considered the custom ridiculous and even pitied the girls involved.

But today, seeing them proudly flaunt their role, she felt nothing but indifference.

“Master Ji is very particular,” she said lightly.

And he truly was.

He wanted a waist slender as a willow, yet strong enough to support him.

He wanted someone naive and innocent, yet perceptive enough to read his moods.

Someone kind-hearted—but also capable of helping him with darker schemes.

Not a role just anyone could fill.

But her words clearly struck a nerve.

The girls outside exploded with anger.

“You really think you’re special?”

“You’re just a pretty face—an embroidered pillow!”

“At best, you’re a toy for the master’s amusement.”

“Do you even understand Fighters? Do you know anything about the Six Cities Tournament?”

“Soon you won’t even be able to hold a conversation with him.”

“Unlike us—we can discuss anything with the master!”

One girl sneered coldly.

“Beauty fades like a flower plucked from its stem. Only grass with roots stays green forever.”

“I hope you think carefully about that, young lady.”