Mingyi shook her head lightly. "I'm familiar with the routes, but given their current vigilance towards us, it's truly difficult to leave unnoticed. At the very least, Lord Ji cannot slip away without detection."
The people of Sunspire City clearly intended to keep Ji Bozhai. As soon as the competition ended, several individuals eagerly escorted him away.
Qin Shangwu was deeply troubled. "If we can't bring him back, our own fates will be dire."
Though the matter of the Facing Sun lineage had caused an uproar, Ji Bozhai had grown up in their Star Yearn City, and the Academicians' Court had invested considerable effort in nurturing him. To let him be taken away like this would be unacceptable to Da Si.
As they exchanged these words, Luo Jiaoyang finally snapped out of his anger over losing the competition. "What do you mean? We can't take Ji Bozhai back?"
"If a rare treasure fell into your hands and had ties to your family, would you easily let others take it?" Mingyi sighed. "I suspect the people of Sunspire City are already devising ways to keep Lord Ji here."
She was right. Immediately after the competition, Ji Bozhai was taken to the grand hall, where Ming Li promptly bestowed rewards upon him. The matter of succession was too significant to be decided so quickly, but judging by their attitude, it would undoubtedly be granted to him eventually.
Yan Pin, now seated beside Da Si once more, wore an expression of joy, while Meng Guifei glared coldly and sneered, "Whether he can truly be tamed remains to be seen."
Da Si shot her a sharp look, and Yan Pin chuckled. "People in this world come and go for profit. Even if the bond between mother and son has weakened, what Sunspire City can offer him is enough to keep him here in service to Facing Sun. Is the Noble Consort perhaps resentful that Yong Wang is too ordinary to receive honors in this hall?"
"Who cares for such honors?" Meng Guifei retorted angrily.
Da Si's face darkened. "You've grown rather insolent lately. Perhaps you should return to your quarters and reflect in seclusion for half a month."
Meng Guifei panicked and quickly bowed. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This concubine only has Sunspire's best interests at heart."
This man grew up in Star Yearn City and inherited Yan Pin's cold-blooded nature. What if he suddenly turned against them? They couldn't stake the succession on someone like him.
Da Si flicked his sleeve, ignoring her, and turned to Ji Bozhai. "Your residence is still being prepared. For now, you may stay temporarily at Fanghua Pavilion."
Ji Bozhai nodded but hesitated. "When will the people from Star Yearn City depart?"
Da Si smiled. "Sunspire City's scenery is splendid. I've invited them to stay a while longer. They may leave after Yan Pin's birthday celebration—no need to rush."
As he spoke, he carefully observed Ji Bozhai's reaction but saw nothing unusual—only slight awkwardness. After a moment's thought, Ji Bozhai clasped his hands and acquiesced.
Ming Li understood. Having originally belonged to Star Yearn City, his sudden shift to Sunspire would be difficult to explain to his former companions, and it would be inappropriate for them to stay together now. "Fanghua Pavilion is rather small. Since the competition is over, Headmaster Qin and the others may relocate to the guest quarters later."
Relief flickered across Ji Bozhai's face, followed by hesitation. "Could Mingyi stay? She's more familiar with this place and... closer to me."
Closer to Mingyi? The seated nobles were slightly displeased, but upon reflection, it might be for the best. Keeping the two together would make surveillance and control easier.
Thus, Da Si nodded in agreement and, with a smile, bestowed upon him seven or eight beauties as additional gifts.After the gathering dispersed, Ji Bozhai went to Yan Pin's residence, rubbing his temples as he pointed to the people behind him. "Fanghua Lodge only has a few rooms. There's no way they can all stay here."
Yan Pin glanced at the girls and smiled. "Your father hasn't thought this through. Let me pick one for you to take back."
With that, she stood up, scanning the group with her chin slightly raised. Her sharp eyes quickly eliminated those from the Meng family, leaving only one of her trusted aides.
"Her name is Yan Shuang. She knows how to serve well," Yan Pin said. "You can order her to do anything."
Ji Bozhai agreed.
Compared to his previous aloof demeanor, he now seemed remarkably gentle and sensible. Yan Pin was pleased by this change but also wondered—was he sincere or just pretending?
Mingyi waited alone in Fanghua Lodge. When evening came, she opened the door to see Ji Bozhai returning with a girl in tow.
"Her name is Yan Shuang," Ji Bozhai introduced with a light chuckle. "A gift from Yan Niangniang. She'll be staying with us from now on."
Mingyi took a look. The girl was delicate and charming, even prettier than the top courtesan from Flower Full Tower. Yet Ji Bozhai wasn't holding her close; instead, he stood a step away.
Understanding the situation, Mingyi nodded and pulled the door wide open, smiling. "Please, come in."
Headmaster Qin and the others had already moved out, and the rooms had been reassigned. Ji Bozhai placed Yan Shuang in the side room closest to his own. Overjoyed, Yan Shuang curtsied eagerly. "This servant will serve you well, my lord!"
Ji Bozhai motioned for her to sit and smiled. "Sunspire City is truly different from other places—even the girls are more beautiful. How long have you been in the inner court?"
His smile was like a swaying jade tree, making Yan Shuang's heart race. Blushing, she replied, "This servant has only been in the inner court for five months."
A look of disappointment crossed his face as he sighed. "Then I'm afraid you won't be able to help me."
With that, he made to stand up.
Yan Shuang panicked and grabbed his sleeve. "Though this servant hasn't been in the inner court long, I've always been by Yan Niangniang's side. Whatever others know, I must know too. How may I ease your worries, my lord?"
Hearing this, he sat back down and gazed at her with a smile. "As you know, I haven't been formally recognized by the family yet, and Yan Niangniang has fallen from grace. The days ahead may be unstable. Meng Guifei offended me today and has old grievances with Yan Niangniang. I'd like to know the layout of her palace and how many skilled guards she has around her."
Yan Shuang's eyes widened. "Meng Guifei?"
Before she came, Yan Niangniang had instructed her to probe Ji Bozhai's attitude toward Meng Guifei. Yet before she could even bring it up, he had mentioned her first—and his words even hinted at seeking revenge for Yan Niangniang.
She wanted to think more about what this meant, but the man before her suddenly leaned closer, his bright eyes burning into her, leaving her flustered and unable to think straight. "Yan Niangniang knows the layout of Meng Guifei's palace best, but her guards are incredibly skilled, and security is tight. Even when Yan Niangniang was Empress, she couldn't succeed, let alone now."
"Could you ask Yan Niangniang for a layout map for me?"
"Y-yes, of course."
Yan Shuang stood up and dashed out like the wind.
Listening outside the window, Mingyi shook her head with a tsk.Yan Niangniang sent this person here, surely having heard of Ji Bozhai's reputation as a romantic, intending to use a woman to bewitch him. But what she didn't know was that this man was far more skilled at beguiling others.
However, she was somewhat puzzled. Even if it wasn't Meng Guifei who had saved him back then, after all, Meng Guifei was still from the Meng Family. How could he bring himself to act against her?
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