The streets were unusually lively today. It took Mingyi a while to realize it was the Qixi Festival—lovers and hopeful singles chatted and laughed while matchmakers stood on the bridge arranging marriages on the spot, surrounded by festive red silks.
Mingyi’s portrait had spread across the Six Cities alongside Ji Bozhai’s, so it didn’t take long for her to be recognized. The people of Sunspire City, grateful that she had spared them from the ravages of war, boldly pressed gifts into her arms—red lanterns, paper cuttings, sachets, handkerchiefs—until she could barely carry them all before even finishing the street.
Amused and exasperated, she said, “There’s really no need to be so generous.”
“Oh, don’t you be polite either! This is our chance,” one auntie laughed. “Once you’re officially crowned Empress, we won’t have anywhere to send these gifts. With the Mid-Autumn Festival coming up, the coronation must be soon too. We common folk congratulate you in advance, Your Majesty!”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
Mingyi was momentarily stunned before recalling that the Minister of Rites had indeed mentioned the coronation ceremony was to be held before Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing reunion—and Ji Bozhai had nodded in agreement at the time.
He hadn’t brought it up recently, likely planning another surprise for her.
A faint smile curved her lips as she strolled through the streets, watching the people of Sunspire City farming and weaving, self-sufficient. The weight in her heart finally eased.
On her way back, she bought a pair of mandarin duck jade pendants.
Luo Jiaoyang and the others, now married, always wore such paired trinkets. Every time Ji Bozhai saw them, he’d sulk, hinting—sometimes not so subtly—about why she never gave him any.
She hadn’t before because they weren’t married; such tokens felt unnecessary. But now, after all the gifts he’d given her, returning the favor seemed fitting.
The cool, smooth jade warmed in her palm. Mingyi’s eyes sparkled, already picturing Ji Bozhai’s expression—awkward yet delighted—when he saw them.
But barely two steps into the inner courtyard, she spotted a large crowd gathered nearby.
“Your Majesty, please listen—the Minister Superior is truly occupied—”
“Too busy to spare me a glance? Too busy for basic courtesy?!” A woman’s voice rang out sharply as wide sleeves shoved aside those blocking her path. “I am Ji Bozhai’s lawful wife. Without me, he wouldn’t have his throne today. If he wants Star Yearn City to bow willingly, he will see me now.”
Mingyi stood at the crossroads, face-to-face with her.
She froze, as if unable to comprehend the woman’s words—or perhaps understanding too well, but unable to react.
Ji Bozhai’s… lawful wife?
He Lun noticed her too. Frowning, she strode toward Mingyi.
Buxiu’s face drained of color as he hurried to intervene. “Your Majesty, you mustn’t—this is the Governor of Sunspire City!”
“Governor or lover, he knows the truth, and so do I.” He Lun stopped before Mingyi, lifted her skirt, and swung a slap at her face.
Mingyi could have dodged. Yet for some reason, she didn’t move. The blow landed hard, her cheek burning as her head snapped to the side.
“Ming Guniang!” Buxiu rushed to steady her, staring at the swelling redness on her face. He knew—this was disastrous.The master's deep regard for Ming Guniang had been evident to all over the past year. Even if someone spoke to Mingyi with a slightly harsh tone during discussions, he would seek retribution—let alone someone daring to slap her. The current situation was truly...
"Since ancient times, wives are mistresses while concubines are mere servants, bought and sold at will," Helun lifted her chin, sneering down at her. "I am the lawful wife Ji Bozhai married with three letters and six rites, carried into his home on a twelve-palanquin red sedan. What is she? Am I not allowed to strike her?"
Mingyi slowly regained her senses: "You said... Ji Bozhai married you?"
"The entire Star Yearn City knows it. Before he became the heir, our wedding was completed—he carried me over the threshold, shared the nuptial cup, and spent the wedding night. Nothing was omitted. Otherwise, my father would never have handed over the Military Tally to him so easily."
Princess Helun's chest heaved as she turned to gaze at the towering palace. "But now? Star Yearn City still stands, yet he does not return to report to my father. Instead, he proclaims himself emperor, ascends the throne, and even demands Star Yearn City come to congratulate him. What is this? Where does that leave me?"
Mingyi blinked once, then again, finding it absurdly laughable—yet she couldn't bring herself to laugh.
Over a year had passed, and she hadn't even known the man sharing her bed was already married.
Neither Buxiu nor Granny Xun had told her the truth.
She had truly believed Ji Bozhai wouldn't deceive her, that he could give her the unprecedented favor and respect she'd never known, that even without marriage, they could grow old together.
But no. He had long since shared the phoenix and dragon's harmony with another, long since toasted and consummated with someone else. Coaxing her, deceiving her—perhaps he only needed her to control Sunspire City.
How humiliating. To be cornered and slapped by his lawful wife on the street, after she had even advised Bai Ying and others never to become concubines, after she had become a role model for women learning Combat Skills.
Before Dan Er was exiled, she had said Mingyi's very birth was a mistake—that she was unworthy of pure love, unworthy of being cherished and protected. What had Ji Bozhai said then?
"Now she has someone who will love her. From now on, she will have everything. Nothing will be lacking."
She had known better than to trust him. So why... had she still believed him?
"On the path to proclaiming myself emperor, I will inevitably employ many tactics. But I will never scheme against you again. So no matter what happens in the future, can you give me another chance?"
Those words hadn't been groundless after all. And he had the audacity to claim he'd never schemed against her.
Staggering back two steps, Mingyi turned to leave.
"Ming Guniang!" Buxiu urgently moved to support her, but she shook him off.
The force was too great—the emerald mandarin duck pendant fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
She glanced at it, let out a scornful laugh, and strode through the gates without looking back.
Ji Bozhai was grappling with the terms presented by Mu Xing Si. The surrounding attendants hardly dared to breathe. When someone whispered a report, the servants exchanged terrified glances, shoving each other forward—none daring to enter.
"What happened?" he asked coldly.
A servant hunched his neck, crawling in on his knees, trembling. "The Star Yearn Consort... visited the inner courtyard today."
Helun wasn't one to endure grievances quietly. As the lawful wife who had yet to receive an edict of enshrinement, her outburst was hardly surprising.
Ji Bozhai waved a hand. "Assign her to a more remote palace."
"But... she encountered..." The servant swallowed hard. "She encountered Ming Guniang."The brush tip paused, and a drop of ink fell, spreading on the rice paper.
The person behind the desk suddenly looked up, an agitated aura instantly filling the entire hall: "Who did you say you met?!"
OpenNovel