In the Azure Cloud Realm, status had always been determined by the strength of one's Essence Power, and only men were allowed to cultivate it. Thus, society's expectations for women were to be delicate, charming, and tenderly graceful.
Mingyi's appearance perfectly aligned with Ji Bozhai's preferences, to the point where he had stayed with her for an unprecedented half-month, even taking leisurely moments to share wine and tea with her or ride horses to admire the flowers.
She was a delicate little thing—always bumping her leg one moment or getting her hand caught in a door the next, then coming to him with reddened eyes, gazing at him pitifully.
Strangely enough, if anyone else had been this troublesome, Ji Bozhai would have long grown impatient. Yet with her, he found it endearing, like keeping a pampered cat that loved to act spoiled. Every day when he pushed open the door to return, he looked forward to her quick, light steps rushing over to tell him what new flowers had bloomed in the courtyard or what new shades the rouge shop would release tomorrow.
"This brocade from the Weaver's Tower is the prettiest. I’ve made new robes for you, my lord."
"Granny Xun said the scallion pancakes today were delicious, so she bought two for me. I saved one for you—eat it while it's still warm."
"My lord, how did you get hurt again? Let me apply medicine for you."
She chattered endlessly like this every day, as if she had an inexhaustible supply of words. As a result, after half a month, Ji Bozhai still hadn’t visited the wine attendant in the rear courtyard. Even when attending banquets at Gong Wang’s residence, he only brought Mingyi along.
"Who would have thought there’s a case even Adjudicator Zhao can’t solve in Star Yearn City?" Shu Zhonglin sighed, swirling his wine cup. "Those officials in the inner court are truly going to die without their deaths ever being clarified."
"Don’t blame Zhao Si Pan for this," Liang Xiuyuan shook his head. "They’ve beaten so many dancing girls to death, yet not a single clue has been extracted. There’s simply nothing to investigate. Who could have such skill, killing under Da Si’s very nose and still managing to escape unscathed?"
The poison used was only found in the palace, and during the banquet, only those dancing girls could approach unnoticed. The culprit had to be among them. However, while those still in the palace could be interrogated—whipped and tortured without consequence—many had been taken away by nobles, making it impossible to even question them. No wonder the case remained unsolved.
Mingyi knelt properly at Ji Bozhai’s side, pondering how to eat the braised pork knuckle before her with more grace, when she suddenly felt several pairs of eyes land on her.
Hmm?
She snapped out of her thoughts, looking bewildered.
"Why are you looking at her?" Ji Bozhai draped an arm around her while tracing the rim of his cup with his other hand, his starry eyes half-lidded. "Yesterday, I accidentally injured a bird that flew past the courtyard, and she scolded me for half an hour."
"Forgive our curiosity, Brother Ji," Liang Xiuyuan chuckled. "Ming Guniang seems to have stayed by your side longer than the others before her."
Of course she had—it had been half a month, and he hadn’t yet found a prettier little beauty to replace her.
Though that was what he thought, he merely said, "A man must settle down at some point."
"Don’t believe him, Ming Guniang," Yan Xiao fanned himself lazily. "He said the same thing last time—and the very next day, he had someone new by his side."
Mingyi froze, turning to Ji Bozhai with wide, pleading eyes. "My lord, do you want to replace me too?"
"Don’t listen to his nonsense," Ji Bozhai frowned. "He’s just eager for me to cast you aside so he can take you into his own household."
The thought irritated him. Though this girl had indeed brought him joy lately, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something still stood between them. Remembering how she had once wanted to follow Yan Xiao in the inner court, it was hard not to suspect she still had her heart set on him.However, as soon as he said this, the person beside him shook her head without hesitation. "This servant has followed you, and will be yours for life. Please don't replace me, my lord, alright?"
The beauty looked at him with such devotion, her eyes filled with no one else, right in front of so many people.
Nothing could be more gratifying than this.
Ji Bozhai relaxed his expression and picked up a small piece of braised pork with his silver chopsticks, bringing it to her lips. "I won't replace you, not even for a thousand pieces of gold."
She smiled brightly, her beauty like a blooming flower, and took the meat from his chopsticks with her mouth.
Yan Xiao shook his head in disbelief, covering his face with a fan. "What a menace."
Seeing Ji Bozhai like this, the others tacitly dropped the subject and began flirting with their own attendants.
There were many attendants at the banquet, and they usually seemed fine, but compared to Mingyi today, they appeared rather plain. No wonder Ji Bozhai only brought her out—this young girl had phoenix eyes half-curved like amber and cherry-red lips, truly radiant. Even dressed in a simple, flowing gossamer gown, she outshone the princess seated at the head of the table.
The Princess Consort of Gong Wang sipped her wine, glancing their way several times.
"Did Tianyin not come?" she asked her maid.
The maid shook her head lightly. "They say she hasn't seen Lord Ji since entering the villa."
"Useless thing," the princess consort muttered under her breath, then frowned as she looked at Mingyi again. "Keep an eye on His Highness."
The maid sighed helplessly—how could she possibly keep the prince in check?
Just then, Gong Wang approached Ji Bozhai with Zhao Si Pan in tow.
"I know you like this steamed milk pudding, so I had them prepare extra for you," Gong Wang said with a smile, gesturing to the silver plates on Ji Bozhai's table.
Ji Bozhai nodded. "Many thanks, Your Highness."
"No need for formalities between us," Gong Wang replied. "I heard Da Si has exempted you from daily reports to the inner court. Such favor is rare—Bozhai, your future is boundless."
"You flatter me, Your Highness. Da Si merely knows I'm not suited for such duties."
"You're too modest, Lord Ji," Zhao Si Pan suddenly interjected from behind Gong Wang. "At your age, to already hold the position of Adjudicator—Star Yearn City hasn't seen such a thing in a hundred years."
His tone was stern, less a compliment and more a challenge.
Several young nobles nearby set down their wine cups, watching nervously.
Zhao Si Pan was a man of great virtue and a master of solving cases, highly regarded by Da Si. Who would have thought he'd come today to pick a fight with Ji Bozhai?
Gong Wang quickly smoothed things over. "Adjudicator Zhao is straightforward and bold, never one to mince words. Pay him no mind, Bozhai."
"Of course," Ji Bozhai replied, looking up. "I've long admired Adjudicator Zhao. They say in his thirty years of service, there hasn't been a case he couldn't crack. With such talent, it's only natural he speaks his mind."
Yan Xiao choked on his wine, spitting it onto his sleeve.
This was truly poking the bear—Zhao Si Pan's impeccable reputation had recently been tarnished by an unsolved case, and he'd been furious about it. Yet here was Ji Bozhai, walking right into the line of fire.
Sure enough, Zhao Si Pan's expression darkened. He stared at Ji Bozhai for a long moment before slowly turning his gaze to the person beside him. "Thanks to you, Lord Ji."He wanted to interrogate the delicate beauty by his side, but due to his authority, no one dared to come forward and demand her. Today, having encountered her by chance and with the conversation reaching this point, he simply spoke up: "The Dancing Girls in the inner court have mentioned that this young lady beside you behaved strangely while she was there. I have a few questions—may I ask them?"
OpenNovel