Buxiu felt that his master had been swindled. The robe was only worth three thousand Shell Coins, but the shopkeeper had forced the price up to six thousand Shell Coins.
Yet, his usually sharp-witted master seemed completely oblivious and even urged him to pay quickly, as if afraid the shopkeeper might change his mind.
Holding the tall stack of boxes, he sighed deeply. Just as he was about to ask if they were returning to the Academicians' Court, he heard his master say, "Give me the money you have on you. Take these things back first. I'll stroll around a bit more."
Obediently handing over the purse, Buxiu thoughtfully added, "The scallion pancake stall that Ming Guniang likes is on the middle of the next street. Taking this alley here is the quickest way."
Ji Bozhai's hand, holding the purse, paused. He turned his face away. "Who cares about that stuff?"
"Mhm. When you buy them, ask the vendor for extra parchment paper. Otherwise, the oil might leak onto your hands."
"..." Ji Bozhai flicked his sleeve and strode off, deliberately taking the main road.
—As if he'd go to the next street for some measly scallion pancakes. Clearly, she preferred the meals from Flower Branch Pavilion now.
However, as soon as he reached the entrance of Flower Branch Pavilion, he spotted Situ Ling just leaving, carrying three large food boxes and loading them onto a carriage.
Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, yet his gaze was tender. His fair fingers traced the carved patterns on the food boxes with lingering affection.
Ji Bozhai narrowed his eyes.
Fu Yue boarded the carriage with Situ Ling, and the two headed in the direction of the Academicians' Court.
No matter. After all, he had acknowledged her as his sister. It was only natural for him to visit Mingyi, bring gifts, and behave in such a manner—perfectly normal.
Normal, his foot!
Taking a deep breath, Ji Bozhai ducked into the nearby alley, swiftly making his way to the scallion pancake stall.
"I'll take all of these," he tossed down the Shell Coins. "Wrap them thickly."
The vendor gaped at him. "But, sir—"
"Just wrap them."
"Right away."
Situ Ling's carriage would be stuck in the crowded streets for ages. Ji Bozhai had calculated that by taking the shortcut with the pancakes, he could reach the Academicians' Court before him.
But today, as if cursed, the shortcut was even more congested than the main road. A group of women from who-knows-where kept throwing handkerchiefs at him.
In the past, he might have found it amusing, picking out a few pretty ones to tease them with. Now, it was just annoying. Instead of wasting time trying to charm men, they should go home and learn something useful.
By the time he fought his way back to the Academicians' Court, Situ Ling was already seated in the Weapon Forging Hall.
Mingyi's eyes sparkled as she surveyed the feast on the table. "You've arrived just in time. I was about to have Flower Branch Pavilion deliver lunch."
"These are their newest dishes. Try them, sister," Situ Ling said with an innocent smile, then gestured for Fu Yue to bring over several chests of clothing for her to see.
Mingyi dared not look too closely, merely nodding her thanks.
Situ Ling probably thought she had been pampered like this back in the Academicians' Court and wanted to comfort her now. But what he didn't know was that even Ming Xian had never received such treatment back then.
Back then, her mind had been solely focused on becoming stronger—just like her mother's. As for material comforts, she'd always had enough. So during family visitation days, she'd spend those two days learning artifact crafting with She Tianlin.
She didn't envy these things, but when someone actually gave them to her, she felt genuinely happy—almost as happy as when she won first place.Suppressing a smile, Mingyi served him some food: "You should eat too. You must be tired after running around all morning."
"Sister cares for me." Situ Ling tilted his head with a grin.
She chuckled: "Since you treat me as your own sister, I naturally see you as my own brother."
Was that really the look of a brother? Such a fine girl—how could she be so blind?
Ji Bozhai stood outside the window, watching them coldly. He thought the Academicians' Court should enforce stricter rules—only parents or elders should be allowed to visit. What use was a so-called brother? Just a distraction from crafting Divine Tools.
What annoyed him even more was Situ Ling's complete lack of self-awareness—the meal dragged on for a full two hours.
Two hours. The scallion pancakes he was holding had long gone cold.
"Sister, take care of yourself out here," Situ Ling sighed softly at the entrance of the Weapon Forging Hall before leaving. "Working with Lord Ji probably isn’t easy. If he gives you too much trouble, just send word, and I’ll find a way."
Trouble? Not really. Compared to his former arrogance, Ji Bozhai had become much more amiable.
But before she could explain, Situ Ling lamented, "Most men in this world are blind. They ignore you when you treat them well, only to chase after you once you stop caring. That’s not love—just wretched human nature."
Mingyi froze, then suddenly understood.
No wonder she kept running into Ji Bozhai everywhere lately. So that’s what he was up to.
Truly, it took a man to understand a man. Though this young lad was still a child, his words cut straight to the heart.
"I see," she nodded solemnly.
Situ Ling flashed his fangs in a grin, then turned and skipped away.
Mingyi stood at the door, pondering for a moment. It didn’t matter—she just needed a ride to Flying Blossom City. She wouldn’t be around Ji Bozhai forever anyway. Out of sight, out of mind.
But the moment she turned around, Ji Bozhai’s handsome face loomed right in front of hers.
Startled, her first thought was that his Essence Power had improved—he could get this close without her noticing.
Her second thought was to glance at what he was holding. "What’s that?"
Without even looking at her, Ji Bozhai replied in a voice as cold as winter wind, "What else? Just something I picked up for the kitchen."
A giant paper bundle, wafting the unmistakable scent of scallion pancakes with every breeze.
Mingyi’s eyes lit up. "The kitchen is being this generous, giving everyone scallion pancakes? Can I have one first?"
"No." He brushed past her indifferently. "Wretched people like us never do good deeds."
He heard everything?
A little embarrassed, she hurried after him to explain, "Situ Ling is just a child—kids say things without thinking. Don’t take it to heart, my lord."
Now she was speaking up for him.
Ji Bozhai took a deep breath and smiled amiably. "Why would I mind him? He’s so thoughtful—picking clothes you like, bringing food you enjoy. Truly treating you like his own sister. Such a good brother is hard to come by, even with a lantern."
That was true, but why did his tone sound so odd?
Mingyi scratched her head, struggling before finally saying, "He really is good. I never expected to be so lucky as to meet a brother like him."Ji Bozhai paused in his steps, his smile growing even more amiable as he turned and walked in a different direction.
"Hey, weren't we supposed to take this to the kitchen?" Mingyi asked eagerly, watching him. "That's not the way to the kitchen, is it?"
"Oh, it's fine. I just thought that some people always have good luck, but the pigs in the backyard never do, so I'm going to give them an extra meal."
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