Yan Xiao was a child of the Yan Shi clan, but his Essence Power talent was mediocre. From a young age, his parents held no expectations for him, so he lived recklessly, drifting along with a wandering physician.
The physician had no children and, in his fifties, had no particular hobbies except for healing the sick. Initially, he hadn’t planned to take Yan Xiao under his wing, seeing how well-dressed the boy was. But when Yan Xiao brought him wine even on New Year’s Eve, his heart softened, and he began teaching him how to recognize herbs and diagnose pulses.
All of Yan Xiao’s medical knowledge came from him. Whenever Yan Xiao fell ill or got hurt, his family paid no attention, and it was always the physician who grumbled while tending to his wounds. Because of this, Yan Xiao regarded him as half a father.
When Yan Xiao was ten, the physician saved the life of a concubine from a wealthy household, likely angering the main wife. Soon after, he was falsely accused of selling fake medicine that caused someone’s death. Yan Xiao watched helplessly as the officials arrested him and could only rush home to beg for help.
But his parents were busy doting on his younger brother, who had Innate Purple Veins. They ignored him even as he knelt outside for half an hour.
It was then that Ming An appeared. He had come to Yan Xiao’s home to see the child with Innate Purple Veins and noticed Yan Xiao kneeling outside. He approached and asked what was wrong.
Tearfully, Yan Xiao told him about the physician’s plight, though he held little hope. In the eyes of their clan, a wandering physician was no better than dirt—hardly worth the trouble. Yet Ming An listened and took him to the magistrate’s office to plead for justice.
The legal battle dragged on for over half a year. Ming An exhausted his efforts and spent a considerable fortune before the physician was finally released.
At the time, Yan Xiao kowtowed to Ming An and said, “I’m still too young to repay you now. But when I’m older, if you ever need anything, just command me.”
So, at twenty-three, when Ji Bozhai left the Slave Arena of Star Yearn City, Yan Xiao was also sent there.
Ming An’s requests were simple: first, look after Mingyi and ensure she lived safely; second, report Ji Bozhai’s movements to him every month.
Thus, when Yan Xiao first saw Mingyi at the banquet, he warned her that Ji Bozhai was not someone to provoke lightly. He even considered taking her under his own care. But the girl had her own mind and stubbornly pursued Ji Bozhai.
Ji Bozhai was his first and closest friend in Star Yearn City. Naturally, Yan Xiao didn’t want to harm him. So when Bozhai poisoned Prince Ping, Yan Xiao pretended not to know, allowing the blame to fall on Mingyi.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to protect Mingyi—he simply trusted that Ji Bozhai’s methods would ensure her safety. And even if Bozhai failed, Yan Xiao had his own backup plan to save her.
Years of experience in the underworld made him confident in his flawless disguise. Every move he made seemed justified, leaving no room for suspicion.
Not long ago, when he visited Ming An at the Slave Arena, Ming An told him his debt was repaid and he no longer needed to serve him. Yan Xiao felt a weight lift from his heart and returned happily, ready to play chess with Ji Bozhai. But now...
Looking at the man beside him, Yan Xiao took a deep breath. “Is there something else you want me to do?”
Ji Bozhai squinted against the cold wind. “Yes.”
No choice, Yan Xiao thought gloomily. The debt wasn’t fully settled yet—he still had work to do."Go ahead," he said with gritted teeth. "As long as it's not murder or arson, I'll agree to anything."
Ji Bozhai looked at him seriously and raised a finger.
Yan Xiao swallowed nervously, fearing he might ask for a mansion, only to see him turn his wrist and point at himself before solemnly declaring, "You wash me clean."
"..."
The tension vanished instantly. Yan Xiao leaned back with his hands behind him and laughed helplessly. "Just send me to commit murder and arson instead."
Even between close friends, he had to admit—some things just couldn't be cleaned, no matter how hard you tried. There was nothing he could do.
Ji Bozhai pouted, closed his eyes, and leaned back.
Yan Xiao hurriedly steadied him. "Your Majesty, there's no soft couch behind you—you'll fall."
The man didn’t respond, likely drunk and already asleep.
With a sigh, Yan Xiao helped him down from the rooftop and handed him over to Buxiu. He then fetched two doses of medicine and asked Granny Xun to brew them.
Sick and pale, Ji Bozhai looked like mutton fat with frost mist in his eyes, his lips fragile and his waist slender as a willow. Yan Xiao thought that if Mingyi took a good look, she might soften—after all, she adored beautiful people, and Ji Bozhai was truly a sight to behold.
Unfortunately, Mingyi had someone else now.
After Zhou Zihong spent the night with her, he was immediately promoted to Noble Consort, infuriating Situ Ling so much his lips could have hung an oil jar. Early in the morning, he stared pitifully at Mingyi until she grew uneasy. "This is congee made with pigeon broth. You're still growing—eat more."
Situ Ling shook his head. "Will Sister stay with me tonight? I want a promotion too."
Mingyi couldn’t help but laugh. "These harem ranks aren’t official positions. Besides, your role in the former dynasty is far higher than Zihong’s."
"You even call him Zihong!" Situ Ling fumed. "Why don’t you ever call me Tuling?"
"My lord," Fu Yue interjected, unable to bear it any longer. "Your surname is Situ."
"Tuling" made no sense.
"I don’t care!" Situ Ling kicked his legs petulantly. "Before, I was the only Noble Consort—at least that made me special. Now some nobody is suddenly my equal? I won’t have it!"
He was throwing a tantrum, but with perfect restraint—pitiful yet endearing, three parts anger and seven parts coquetry, his eyes wide and round.
Amused, Mingyi propped her chin on her hand. "Who was it this morning in court, sternly debating me three times over policy?"
"Me!" Situ Ling puffed out his chest proudly. "Trade has always been Sunspire City’s expertise—the ferry to Azure Snow City must be built early. That wasn’t up for debate. And Sister said herself, harem affairs don’t involve former dynasty disputes. Right now, I’m not Situ Ling, Minister Superior of Justice—I’m Noble Consort Situ."
Mingyi sighed and looked at the ceiling. "Fine, Noble Consort Situ. I’ll stay with you tonight."
Situ Ling beamed and immediately waved a hand behind him. "You heard her! The Minister Superior is favoring me tonight. Prepare the hot water, the incense—every step Zhou Zihong got, I want too. Not a single one less."
"Yes!" The attendants stifled their laughter and filed out to make arrangements.
Mingyi couldn’t help but reflect—was this how it felt to be fought over when surrounded by competing affections? Strangely, she didn’t find them detestable. Instead, she felt... cherished.No wonder city lords throughout history loved having a harem of wives and concubines, and no wonder even when the original Meng Guifei was vicious, Ming Li simply turned a blind eye.
As long as the cruelty wasn't directed at him, why would someone sitting securely in high position care about such trivial matters?
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