The wide street could accommodate three beast-drawn carriages side by side, yet for some reason, Mingyi's carriage was jostled as soon as it entered Changyao Street.
She assumed it was due to the crowded road and guided her Following Beast to make way.
But even after yielding ten inches, the neighboring carriage bumped into them again, their wheels grinding together with a harsh screech.
Mingyi opened the carriage window and frowned at the offender.
Ji Bozhai leisurely propped open his own window, resting his chin on the sill as he lifted his gaze to meet hers.
He wore a dark robe layered with pale yellow gauze, the sleeves fluttering as if carrying a breeze. His brows resembled distant mountains, his eyes deep as still pools, and his pale lips pressed together in a way that stirred pity.
Even after seeing so many handsome men, Mingyi still found him the most striking at this moment.
A shame he was someone she couldn’t have.
Calmly, she asked, "Has Your Majesty’s carriage broken down?"
"Mn," he nodded. "For some reason, it keeps veering toward yours."
She fell silent before she could reply, but Situ Ling beside her chuckled. "I’ve heard that line before. His Majesty used the same excuse when pursuing the Li family’s young lady—it became quite the romantic tale in Star Yearn City. Who would’ve thought, after all this time, His Majesty remains true to his ways? Truly admirable."
The moment Situ Ling spoke, Ji Bozhai’s mood soured. Seeing his face appear beside Mingyi only deepened his displeasure. "What is the young Lord Situ doing here?"
"With Sister Mingyi expanding her harem, how could I not come?" Situ Ling gazed at him intently, his intentions clear to Ji Bozhai at a glance.
He coveted Mingyi, taking advantage of her trust to act recklessly by her side.
Ji Bozhai’s voice turned icy. "A high-ranking official of Star Yearn City has no place in the inner court of Sunspire City."
"He’s not just in the inner court—he’ll also be in the former dynasty," Mingyi said evenly. "I trust him, regardless of where he’s from. Just as Your Majesty, a man of Sunspire City, can command troops from Star Yearn City."
"That’s not something just anyone can do," Situ Ling remarked with a smile. "When His Majesty married the Helun Princess to secure Star Yearn City’s Military Tally, he swore before the court never to divorce her."
"Oh?" Mingyi clapped her hands. "What a pity I didn’t know—I would’ve loved to witness the spectacle."
"You really should’ve been there," Situ Ling sighed, shaking his head. "It was the grandest wedding I’ve ever seen. Firecrackers and red paper adorned every corner of Star Yearn City. The Helun Princess’s dowry stretched for miles, her wedding gown trailing long behind her, embroidered with golden phoenixes."
"Despite the gown’s weight, His Majesty lifted her effortlessly, carrying her steadily into the residence bestowed by the Minister Superior. Behind her veil, the Helun Princess smiled bashfully, while His Majesty beamed with joy. As they bowed to heaven and earth, the dragons and phoenixes on their robes mirrored each other—a perfect match."
"Later, at the banquet, when His Majesty drank too much, the Helun Princess personally came to fetch him. Arm in arm, they entered the bridal chamber, their affection the envy of all."
Finishing his nostalgic recollection, Situ Ling turned to Ji Bozhai. "Isn’t that right?"
Ji Bozhai sat with feigned ease, his hands clenched white-knuckled beneath his sleeves.
He didn’t dare look at Mingyi—afraid to see her heartbroken, yet equally afraid to find her unmoved.At first, he truly believed marriage wasn’t an important matter, and ceremonies like the wedding could naturally be used for transactions. But when he actually went through the rites, he realized he was wrong—it was a grand affair, carrying all of a woman’s hopes and joy.
He couldn’t give that to Mingyi, but he gave it to someone else.
Perhaps he could still offer her something better, more magnificent—a coronation ceremony with his genuine sincerity. But she no longer wanted it.
“The carriage has been stopped here too long,” Mingyi said calmly. “It’s not good to block the way. Your Majesty should go ahead first.”
“I…” He pressed his lips together. “I’ve never been sincere with anyone else.”
With others, he would only think this one wasn’t delicate enough, that one wasn’t gentle enough. But with Mingyi, he found even her spiritedness and stubbornness beautiful. Others who played coy with him bored him after one try, but with Mingyi, he felt he could coax her again and again.
Yet the person before him replied indifferently, “Your Majesty’s sincerity is as rare as stones in the clouds or the moon on the ground. No one can demand it.”
With that, the carriage window closed, cutting off his line of sight.
Ji Bozhai snapped back to reality, belatedly feeling a surge of irritation. She was doing it again—denying him even the slightest face in front of so many people.
Staring at the shut window, he couldn’t help but retort stiffly, “I never intended to reconcile with you.”
There was no response from the other side. Annoyed, he flicked his sleeve and urged his beast-drawn carriage forward.
Mingyi’s carriage remained still for a long while.
She silently gazed at the patterns on her skirt, lost in thought. Situ Ling, regretting his earlier words, asked softly, “Are you upset, sister?”
Mingyi pursed her lips, her voice hoarse. “If I said I wasn’t upset at all, I’d be lying to you.”
After all, he was the first person she had ever taken a liking to, and they had been together for some time. Even raising a dog would foster affection, let alone sharing a bed.
But she would never show the slightest vulnerability in front of him—she only allowed herself to grieve in private.
Situ Ling’s heart ached. He reached out but then withdrew his fingers, murmuring helplessly, “I won’t bring it up again. Don’t be sad, sister.”
“I’m not sad anymore.” Wiping her eyes, Mingyi straightened her back. “Let’s go back and find Zhou Zihong. That man is quite amusing.”
“I’m pretty amusing too…” Situ Ling muttered.
“What?” Mingyi didn’t catch it.
“Nothing. Let’s go, sister. With so many in the rear courtyard, a great woman like you will never lack for suitors.”
Mingyi laughed and immediately urged the beast-drawn carriage back to the inner courtyard.
She had initially thought twelve people in the courtyard were enough, but some courtiers, while opposing openly, secretly forced their sons into the inner residence. In the end, her courtyard housed over thirty men.
“Do you think being a city lord is truly happy?” Mingyi sighed deeply.
Beside her, Bai Ying hesitated, about to offer comfort, when their Minister Superior suddenly grinned and exclaimed excitedly, “Ah, the happiness of a city lord is beyond your imagination!”
A courtyard full of beauties vying for her favor, scheming and competing openly—there was no greater joy. She no longer had to please anyone. Each day, she only needed to choose a courtyard to visit, and someone would have everything prepared, eagerly awaiting her.Of course, she had granted this group considerable authority, so they naturally didn't grovel before her. Take Zhou Zihong for example—she had already reached the doorway, yet he remained in his study, writing furiously without the slightest intention of coming out to greet her.
In the past, Mingyi used to wonder—are men just inherently contrary? The less eager you are for them, the more they seem to like you, which is why playing hard to get has remained the most effective tactic throughout the ages.
But now that it was her turn, Mingyi had to admit—well, this unyielding attitude of his was really quite hard to ignore.
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