This was the first time Ji Bozhai had revealed his ambition in front of her. Previously, he had only spoken of avenging his benefactor, but his current words carried the implication of aiming for the throne.
He truly didn’t treat her as an outsider.
After a long silence, Mingyi thought he wasn’t wrong. If one’s position was high enough—high enough to become the lord of a city—then one could do whatever they wished.
But the problem was this: Star Yearn City’s situation was complex, its factions chaotic. From afar, there were the interference of external relatives; nearby, several princes refused to remain mediocre. How could Ji Bozhai both preserve his life and approach the throne?
Before she could ponder further, the voice of Gong Wang suddenly sounded beside them: “The Six Cities Tournament is just around the corner. Is Bo Zhai prepared?”
Ji Bozhai released Mingyi and stood up, smiling at him. “The Azure Cloud Realm is filled with masters. I can only do my best.”
Gong Wang gave him a deep look and patted his shoulder. “Earlier, I intended to have the Tan family accompany you, as they’ve participated in the Six Cities Tournament before. I didn’t expect Lord Ji to disdain them.”
The Tan family was the maternal family of Gong Wang’s consort. Last year, the spot Ji Bozhai had painstakingly secured for the tournament was taken by them. Those individuals had ultimately suffered a humiliating defeat, yet Gong Wang still had the audacity to bring it up.
Pretending not to catch the underlying meaning, Ji Bozhai beckoned Luo Jiaoyang and the others over and introduced them to Gong Wang with a smile. “These are the Fighters who will accompany me to the Six Cities Tournament this year. I humbly ask for Your Highness’s guidance.”
“Oh?” Gong Wang swept a glance over them and smiled faintly. “They seem unfamiliar. Might I ask which families these young masters hail from?”
Luo Jiaoyang had never liked such social occasions, and hearing this, he knew Gong Wang looked down on them. He clasped his hands and said, “I was born lowly—a pig farmer at the foot of Qiling Mountain. Naturally, Your Highness wouldn’t have seen me before.”
“I come from a minor official’s family in the borderlands,” Chu He also clasped his hands.
Fan Yao followed perfunctorily, “I run a shop on Changrong Street.”
Gong Wang fell silent for a moment before pulling Ji Bozhai aside and whispering, “You should understand that in Star Yearn City, relying solely on Essence Power won’t take you far.”
How could he not understand? He’d learned that lesson last year—otherwise, he wouldn’t have waded into these muddy waters. Ji Bozhai smiled, adopting a deferential tone. “I beg Your Highness’s instruction.”
Glancing at the group, Gong Wang spoke earnestly. “Their Essence Power may be strong, but their origins are too lowly. Even if His Majesty grants them rewards later, they won’t be accepted by the great noble families. How can they support you in the future? You’re a smart man. You should carefully consider what kind of people to keep by your side.”
“Understood,” Ji Bozhai replied with a smile.
On the beast-drawn carriage back to the Academicians’ Court, Luo Jiaoyang’s face was longer than the horse’s. “When the Academicians’ Court recruited us, they didn’t ask about our origins.”
“Of course not. Back then, the noble families’ disciples had just suffered a crushing defeat. Da Si was desperate for those with true Essence Power to compete, so even the selection process was unprecedentedly fair.” Fan Yao scoffed. “But now that we’ve won some matches and Bo Zhai’s reputation has grown, this prince has started scheming again.”
Chu He looked at Ji Bozhai. “What do you think?”
Ji Bozhai smirked. “What else can I think? A powerful dragon can’t crush a local snake. For now, we’ll have to bring those Tan family members into the Academicians’ Court.”Luo Jiaoyang grew anxious upon hearing this, but when he turned his head and saw Mingyi's calm expression, he paused, then quickly composed himself. Leaning in, he asked, "And then? What's the plan?"
"Gong Wang enjoys nurturing his own followers. If we don't allow someone from his faction into the Academicians' Court, he'll surely make trouble for us in these last two months," Ji Bozhai explained. "Bringing someone in to ease his mind will allow you all to focus better on your studies."
Understanding dawned on Luo Jiaoyang, and he relaxed. Ji Bozhai, however, chuckled and asked, "Why did you hold back just now?"
Luo Jiaoyang leaned back, tilting his chin toward Mingyi sitting beside him. "Ming Guniang always knows what you're thinking. If she isn't worried, then there's no need for me to be."
Ji Bozhai was taken aback and turned to look at her.
They were already sitting close, so when he turned, he could see her delicate, porcelain-like skin. She seemed slightly surprised, her fine brows arching slightly, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering. A cool glance swept toward him from the corners of her eyes, like frost in the morning courtyard.
His heart stirred, and he wanted to wrap an arm around her waist. But remembering she still wasn't particularly fond of him, he withdrew his hand and instead smiled faintly. "Yi'er is clever and understands me well."
"My surname is Ming," she replied.
Their relationship wasn't close enough for him to call her "Yi'er."
Ji Bozhai hissed through his teeth, pressing a hand to his chest as he leaned away toward the window. "The weather truly has turned cold—even spoken words feel icy."
Luo Jiaoyang burst into laughter. "So you've met your match today."
Fan Yao chimed in, "If only you'd visited Flower Full Tower a couple fewer times in the past, you wouldn't be in this predicament now."
The carriage erupted into lively banter. Mingyi, seated in the corner, quietly focused on mending her meridians, ignoring their laughter.
Ji Bozhai couldn't take it anymore and sighed, leaning back toward her. "Do you really have the heart to let them laugh at me like this?"
Interrupted in her practice, she lifted her eyes impatiently. Just as she was about to speak, the beast-drawn carriage suddenly came to a halt.
"Ming jiejie!" a cheerful voice called from outside. "I thought I'd be late if I came now, but I didn’t expect to run into you here!"
Her eyes brightened, and Mingyi immediately put on a smile, opening the carriage door to look out.
Situ Ling stood there, holding a bag of beef jerky, his breath visible in the cold air as he grinned at her. "It's been so long, jiejie. You've grown even more beautiful."
Luo Jiaoyang turned to glance at Ji Bozhai, amused that even a child knew how to flatter better than he did.
But when he turned, he noticed the easy smile on Ji Bozhai's face had faded completely. The man leaned back against the carriage wall, his gaze cold as he stared outside.
Outside, Situ Ling beamed like the sun. "This beef jerky was made by the old nanny at home. I brought it especially for you to try."
He was dressed lightly, shivering slightly in the wind. Mingyi's heart ached at the sight, and she quickly pulled him into the carriage, scolding, "Why didn’t you wear a cloak when you came out?"
Situ Ling only smiled. "I was tied up with a case and only just finished. I rushed straight here—didn’t have time. I missed your last welcoming banquet, and this time, since you’re rarely out, I didn’t want to miss it again."
As he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on Mingyi's face, bright and clear, utterly endearing.
Mingyi smiled warmly and ruffled his hair, surprised. "You've grown so much taller."
"After the New Year, I'll be sixteen," Situ Ling declared, puffing out his chest. "I'm an adult now."
"Alright, alright, an adult then. So, have you been betrothed yet?"Situ Ling was taken aback, lowering his eyes with a hint of grievance. "Why are you pushing this too, sister? I don't want to settle down yet."
"Don't all men emphasize establishing a family and career?" Mingyi raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you want to settle down?"
"A spouse is someone to walk through life with. If I can't marry the one I truly love, I'd rather not marry at all," Situ Ling said earnestly, looking at her. "Otherwise, I'd be wasting my own time and the girl's as well. Don't you agree, sister?"
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