"Report—"
"This year's champion falls to Moonchase City, with Sunspire City close behind, and Newgrass City claiming third place."
The booming announcement echoed throughout the grand hall.
Golden jade-inlaid wine cups froze mid-air, the dazzling dance skirts drooped awkwardly, and the officials who had been chatting and laughing stiffened in unison, exchanging slightly embarrassed glances.
Once again, their Star Yearn City had failed to make the top three this year.
"Our Star Yearn has long lacked successors; it's only natural we cannot compete with these major cities," Da Si from the main seat finally spoke after a long pause. "But no matter, there will be plenty of opportunities next year. As we celebrate this festival, let none be troubled by such trifles. Raise your cups."
At his words, the hall immediately regained its liveliness, with toasts and laughter growing even more boisterous, as if to mask their earlier discomfort.
Da Si tilted his head slightly, his gaze inadvertently falling upon the man seated to the left of the hall.
That man turned his head slightly—his handsome brows and refined eyes brimming with vitality, clad in a pale yellow gossamer robe that shimmered like amber under the starlight.
He seemed utterly indifferent to the notion of "next year's opportunities," merely sitting with one knee raised as he drank. Tipping his head back, the remnants of wine trickled down his cheek, dampening half of his Lotus Silk Lapel.
Once sated, he dismissed the dancing girl who had been attending to him and turned his attention back to the twirling skirts in the hall.
Youthful vigor—truly a romantic and amorous soul.
Da Si shook his head with a smile and withdrew his gaze.
As the weight of that authoritative stare lifted, Ji Bozhai relaxed his shoulders slightly. He scanned the dancing girls before him, about to casually pick another, when suddenly a wine cup came flying toward him from across the hall.
Dodging it with a tilt of his head, he frowned and looked toward its origin—just in time to catch a glimpse of a misty-green silk skirt blooming like a flower in a spinning flourish, revealing the slender, snow-white ankles of its wearer.
"My lord, spare me!" The skirt settled as its owner knelt on the ground, her waist trembling like a willow, her voice crisp as a nightingale's.
Ji Bozhai's brow arched slightly.
What an exquisite figure.
The skirt itself was already voluminous, yet the goose-yellow sash cinched her waist so tightly it seemed barely a handful. Her chest swelled generously, while her shoulders remained delicate and slender. Twin buns of jet-black hair gleamed like lacquer, her nose-tip pink and white as jade, and her small, trembling lips—like those of Fan Su—uttered apology after apology.
Before her stood Qian Li, the Left Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, his face already round and fleshy, now further contorted with anger until his features squished together like a mountain looming over her.
"Go fetch it for me this instant!"
"Yes, my lord. Please calm your anger."
Stumbling to her feet, she staggered unsteadily in his direction.
The golden cup had struck the stone pillar behind him and landed right at his feet.
Ji Bozhai watched her approach with keen interest, intending to greet her properly, but the girl seemed too frightened to even lift her head. Muttering a quick "pardon me," she bent down to retrieve the cup.
He clicked his tongue lightly and stepped on the rim of the cup.
The girl froze, then looked up in alarm, her misty dark eyes softening as they met his. "My lord?"
That voice was truly pleasing to the ear.
Ji Bozhai smiled. "Drink with me, and I'll give it to you."
Panic instantly flooded her eyes. "But—I—Lord Qian summoned me first—"
"He won't take you with him. He has a notoriously fierce wife at home—no concubines, not even a single maidservant in his entire household." Delighted, he pinched her chin lightly. "But I might just take you back to my manor."
No sooner had the words left his lips than someone nearby, mid-sip, spat out their wine in shock."You said the same thing to the last dancing girl," Yan Xiao retorted between sips of wine, calling him out. "Can't you come up with something new?"
Ji Bozhai shot him a sidelong glance and snorted. "Mind your own drink."
"Little girl, don't be fooled by his handsome face and sweet talk," Yan Xiao turned to her earnestly. "This man has no greenery at home but chases after every flower in spring. If you really want someone to take you back, you're better off choosing me—at least I keep my word."
The girl turned to look at him, her gaze landing on the official insignia embroidered on his sleeve. Immediately, she straightened up from her kneeling position. "My lord, my name is Mingyi—'Ming' as in the bright moon, 'Yi' as in the beloved in one's heart."
Ji Bozhai: "..."
Her opportunism was swifter than a rudder.
Yan Xiao clapped his hands. "Bright Moon Beloved—what a lovely name! Come sit by me."
She happily rose to her feet, then glanced at Ji Bozhai with a look full of flattery, apology, and a hint of regret.
That hint of regret, though not particularly hurtful, was deeply insulting—as if he were an exquisite porcelain piece she had to discard upon discovering a tiny flaw.
"Explain yourself," Ji Bozhai said with a humorless laugh, gripping her wrist and pulling her closer. "What's wrong with me?"
Mingyi froze, shaking her head in alarm. "My lord, for you to be seated here, you must be exceptional among men. How could I dare say anything against you?"
"Then why choose him?"
Her fingers twisted nervously as she gave an awkward smile. "My lord, you... you're fine, but you don't hold an official position. This lord here is different—his insignia marks him as at least a third-rank official or higher."
High-ranking officials were good. High-ranking officials had big mansions and generous salaries. If he took her in, she could live in luxury.
Mingyi's eyes sparkled.
Yan Xiao was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha—good, good! This girl is amusing and sharp-eyed!"
Ji Bozhai's expression darkened. He shoved Yan Xiao aside, pulled Mingyi onto his lap, and thrust a newly acquired piece of jade into her hands. "A reward for you."
Her palm chilled at the touch. Looking down, her lips parted in astonishment. "This is top-grade mutton-fat jade—so precious!"
Ji Bozhai replied indifferently, "Freshly bestowed by the Da Si. I'm the only one in the Three Offices and Six Ministries to receive it."
"Wow," she blinked. "Then my lord must be truly remarkable."
"Just decent—slightly better than that third-rank official beside me," he raised a brow. "I'll give you one more chance. Who do you choose?"
Mingyi caressed the jade in her hands, blinking repeatedly. "Well... if I choose him, will you take the jade back, my lord?"
"Yes," Ji Bozhai answered mercilessly.
To his surprise, even then, the little thing only stroked the jade reluctantly before handing it back.
"He makes a fair point. Someone of your stature surely wouldn't bring just anyone into your household. I'd hate to get my hopes up for nothing—better to seek security," Mingyi pointed at Yan Xiao. "I'd like to go with this lord, if you'd allow it."
"..."
For the first time in over twenty years of life, Ji Bozhai felt such profound indignation.
His smile didn't reach his eyes as his thumb brushed the corner of her lips. "I won't allow it. Out of all the dancing girls in the hall tonight, I've taken a liking to you."
Yan Xiao raised a brow. "You just said—"
"Shut up."
"Oh."
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