The Azure Cloud Realm was originally a unified kingdom. After the royal family's power weakened, each city gradually became independent. The formation of the Six Cities had a history of over a hundred years, and each city harbored ambitions to reunify the Azure Cloud. However, they always lacked someone with both the ambition and the capability to strategize.
Mingyi believed Ji Bozhai was precisely that person.
He could make a hundred thousand soldiers under his command exude the might of several hundred thousand, and he was equally adept at alliances and political maneuvering. As long as he was on the front lines, the soldiers remained high-spirited, as if they could never lose a single battle.
And indeed, that was the case. The war lasted a year, and Ji Bozhai's forces never suffered a single defeat. Those who had once only obeyed the military tallies of Star Yearn City gradually became his most loyal supporters.
When he wasn't in Star Yearn City, Gong Wang and others had entertained thoughts of usurping the throne, but all were uncovered and suppressed by the Minister Superior. The Minister Superior felt he was still young and not yet ready to abdicate. Since Ji Bozhai had conquered the other five cities for him, he was certain Ji Bozhai wanted to be emperor.
However, after signing the agreement with the last city, Azure Snow City, Ji Bozhai did not return to Star Yearn City.
Instead, he led his troops in a grand procession to Sunspire City, ignoring the numerous orders from the Da Si of Star Yearn City demanding his return to report.
After a year of trials, Ji Bozhai showed no signs of weariness. Instead, he exuded an even more dependable aura, his brows sharp as blades, his nose lofty as mountains. His sky-blue mist rain cloak billowed behind him, eliciting screams from the girls by the roadside: "Lord Ji!"
"Welcome back in triumph, Lord Ji!"
Mingyi stood behind him, following him into the inner courtyard.
Just before the entrance, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.
Over the past year, she had served as the Da Si of Sunspire City while occasionally leading reinforcements to support him. The two shared an innate synergy, their cooperation unparalleled. Half the credit for securing this realm belonged to her.
But that wasn’t what delighted him. What delighted him was that from now on, he no longer had to worry about anything and could finally be with her in peace.
With a smirk, he extended his hand. "If you're tired, I'll carry you."
Mingyi placed her hand in his and shook her head with a smile. "In front of so many people? How improper."
"I’m now above all others—who dares say I’m improper? Only you refuse to listen to me." He feigned a sigh but still bent down to sweep her into his arms, striding through the vermilion gates of the inner courtyard.
Mingyi wrapped her arms around his neck, watching as he carried her step by step toward the towering steps ahead.
Behind him, Qin Shangwu, She Tianlin, Luo Jiaoyang, Fan Yao, Chu He, and others lined up in two rows, following his footsteps toward the pinnacle of power.
From then on, the Six Cities united, with standardized currency and measurements. Ji Bozhai declared Sunspire City the capital and proclaimed himself emperor.
Naturally, Star Yearn City was the first to object—or rather, the Da Si of Star Yearn City.
Furious at the lack of response to his edicts, he summoned Situ Ling. "It’s time to activate the Gu Poison in him."
Situ Ling looked up at the man on the throne and smiled faintly. "Your servant has been neglected by the Da Si for over a year and has lost contact with Sister Ming. To suddenly use the Gu Poison now would likely be impossible."Their Minister Superior was both suspicious and envious. While he acknowledged that Ji Bozhai's conquest of the other five cities benefited Star Yearn City, he also feared his growing influence, suspecting him of rallying military officers with ulterior motives. As a result, anyone close to Ji Bozhai and Mingyi had fallen out of favor this past year—including him.
The Minister Superior narrowed his eyes. "I grant you the Flying Beast Cart and authority to seek out Mingyi. By any means necessary, bring her back to Star Yearn City."
"Your servant obeys," Situ Ling readily agreed.
And so, he packed his belongings, took Fu Yue along, and boarded the carriage bound for Sunspire City.
Over a year had passed since he last saw them. Rumors spoke of Ji Bozhai's deep affection for Sister Ming, their shared battles, and how they conquered Moonchase City together. Some even whispered that Mingyi would undoubtedly become the new empress.
Situ Ling watched the rolling Azure Clouds outside and shook his head repeatedly.
Kings were never sentimental. His dear Sister Ming still didn’t know the truth.
Ji Bozhai was applying medicine to the wound on Mingyi’s shoulder when an inexplicable unease gripped him.
After carefully bandaging her injury, he gently pulled her into his embrace.
"What’s wrong?" she asked, puzzled.
"Nothing. Just feeling fortunate to have you by my side." He pressed his lips together. "On this path to the throne, I’ve had to employ many tactics. But I swear I’ll never deceive you again. So, no matter what happens in the future… could you give me another chance?"
His words carried the weight of past sins.
Mingyi raised an amused brow. "Even an emperor gets nervous?"
"Yes," he replied firmly, his gaze unwavering.
Star Yearn City had yet to send official congratulations for his ascension. He still had to face that city—and the unfinished business within it.
Ji Bozhai tightened his grip on her hand, restless.
Mingyi paid it little mind.
She had grown accustomed to Ji Bozhai’s daily ramblings—his way of reassuring her of his love.
And he did love her. No matter how dire the battles, he never lost his temper in her presence. His first act after securing stability was filling her private treasury with gold. Every night, he held her close, his arms tightening the moment she stirred, murmuring drowsily, "Where are you going?"
Such intensity was unfamiliar to Mingyi, but she found contentment in it.
That day, however, Buxiu whispered something to Ji Bozhai. A flicker of irritation crossed his face before he softened his expression for her. "Could we postpone our outing? There’s urgent business from Star Yearn City."
"Of course," she nodded, watching him hurry toward the front hall. The moment he turned the corner, she lifted her skirts excitedly and said to Granny Xun, "Come, let’s go out on our own."
Granny Xun gasped. "That’s hardly appropriate! You’re now—"
She hesitated.
What was Mingyi now? The ruler of Sunspire City? Half a month had passed since Ji Bozhai’s coronation, yet he showed no intention of naming an empress. Though Mingyi received imperial treatment, she lacked the title.
Noticing her discomfort, Mingyi smiled. "I don’t need a grand procession. I can leave whenever I wish. Besides, no one in this city can harm me. What’s there to worry about?"Granny Xun lowered her head to wipe her cheeks and said reluctantly, "Then this old servant will find more maids to accompany you."
"Good, I'll wait for you at the gate." Mingyi gently clapped her hands, watching as Granny Xun turned back repeatedly while searching for the maids.
Then she turned around and dashed toward the main gate, her Bamboo Mist Color skirt flaring excitedly in the wind, disappearing beyond the vermilion doors in the blink of an eye.
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