After Zhou Zihong received his title, he came to express his gratitude. Mingyi smiled warmly as she helped him up, taking the opportunity to brush her fingers against his hand.
Hmm, a scholar’s hands were always softer and more delicate than those of a rough Fighter. No wonder Ji Bozhai had always insisted she remain unblemished—scars were unsightly. Such flawless, pristine skin was far more pleasing.
Zhou Zihong’s face flushed slightly as he glanced at her and withdrew his hand. "Where will Minister Superior be resting tonight?"
At the mention of this, Mingyi gave an awkward chuckle.
Ever since she had stayed with Zhou Zihong and Situ Ling consecutively—and subsequently promoted both of them—the other twenty-some men in her harem had gone mad. They either ambushed her in the gardens or pretended to coincidentally run into her outside her study.
The more cunning ones leveraged their positions to visit the women’s Academicians' Court, donating not only large quantities of Crystals but also privately hoarded Combat Skill scrolls from their families.
With such efforts, Mingyi could hardly refuse. She had no choice but to pay them a visit.
But one eager attendant had pursued her like a starving wolf for three incense sticks’ worth of time. Exhausted from running, Mingyi had no choice but to elevate him to a higher rank before excusing herself under the pretense of reviewing memorials.
The only places she could sleep peacefully in the entire harem were with Situ Ling and Zhou Zihong. But Situ Ling was, after all, her nominal younger brother. Staying with him too often felt awkward, leaving Zhou Zihong as the sole option.
Thus, she had chosen Zhou Zihong’s nameplate for three consecutive nights. But soon after, a memorial accused him of abusing his favored status, with reports of people using his name to solicit bribes.
She hadn’t yet mentioned this to Zhou Zihong—it was a delicate matter. It felt wrong to chat amiably with him while simultaneously dealing with his relatives. Hesitant, she considered choosing someone else’s nameplate tonight.
Zhou Zihong stood silently for a moment, his expression dimming when she didn’t answer. "Has Minister Superior found a new favorite?"
"...No."
"Then was my service lacking, making you uncomfortable?"
"Absolutely not." Mingyi waved her hands dismissively. Zhou Zihong was the most considerate. His quarters always carried the scent of ink and books she loved, his bedding was soft and warm, and once she fell asleep, he ensured no one disturbed her. How could she possibly be uncomfortable?
His eyes brightened as he took a step closer. "So, it’s not because of me?"
"Of course not." Mingyi sighed, then decided to tear off the name from the memorial and show him the contents.
Zhou Zihong took it, scanning the lines before closing it. "This subject understands. Minister Superior need not worry—I will handle it myself."
Relieved, Mingyi smiled. "What delicacies do you have prepared for tonight?"
Zhou Zihong chuckled. "I made your favorite scallion pancakes."
"Good." She clapped her hands cheerfully. "I’ll join you later."
Zhou Zihong bowed and withdrew.
Mingyi rested her chin on her hand, watching his retreating figure. Having someone so attentive and warm to spend a lifetime with seemed truly wonderful—wasn’t this far easier than chasing after someone’s affection?
What did emotions even matter? Adults only cared about living well.
"Minister Superior." Bai Ying leaned in and whispered, "The one in the palace drank while ill, worsening his condition. He’s now desperately seeking medicine."
Mingyi raised an eyebrow. "Truly befitting of Your Majesty—drinking while sick. Such behavior is beyond imitation. What medicine does he lack?"
"Blood ginseng."
Wasn’t that something only found in Star Yearn City?Mingyi waved her hand dismissively. "Your Majesty's influence reaches everywhere—there's no medicine you couldn't find. No need for me to worry about it."
Despite her words, when Ming An left the Slave Arena and returned to Sunspire City, Mingyi's first reaction upon seeing the blood ginseng he presented was to instruct Bai Ying: "Send this to the palace."
Ming An looked at her with emotion. "You've grown up. Less stubborn now, more adaptable."
Mingyi smiled without meeting his gaze. "Yan Shi and Ming Li have both passed. Ji Bozhai built an ancestral hall in their memory under my name."
It was Ji Bozhai's way of winning over the ministers, but she feared Ming An might not accept it—after all, they had been his enemies.
Yet Ming An simply waved it off. "They're dead now. An ancestral hall changes nothing."
Surprised, Mingyi nodded after a moment's thought. "I've arranged your residence in the inner courtyard. From now on—"
"No need," Ming An interrupted. "With the Six Cities united, it makes no difference where I live. On my way here, I noticed Azure Snow City seemed pleasant. I think I'll settle there."
Mingyi froze, finally looking into his eyes.
She was the city lord now. As her birth father, he could enjoy untold wealth and luxury here—yet he chose to live elsewhere?
Noticing her confusion, Ming An smiled. "I spent the first half of my life consumed by hatred. Do you really want me to spend my remaining years in Sunspire City, tormented by memories every time I see these familiar buildings?"
"Azure Snow City is perfect. Your mother loved heavy snow most when she was alive. I'll take her memorial tablet there—she'd be delighted."
Ming Li turned to her, crow's feet forming at the corners of his eyes as he grinned. "I'd made some money in Star Yearn City, but spent it all on gifts for you. So, City Lord, if I'm moving to Azure Snow City, you'll have to provide the funds."
Snapping back to reality, Mingyi flustered, "Of course! I'll prepare everything—a residence, carriages, horses, silver—all of it."
She didn't know how to interact with her birth father. Ming Li had never been this amiable to her before, leaving her at a loss.
Zhou Zihong, standing nearby, noticed her discomfort. Stepping forward to support her arm, he said softly to Ming An, "Minister Superior has prepared a welcoming banquet. Please join us, honored elder. Preparing your belongings will take a few days, and the Green Hall in the inner courtyard is ready. Should you become intoxicated later, you may rest there immediately."
Ming An turned to study him, raising an eyebrow. "The great scholar's disciple."
"Paying respects to the honored elder."
Looking between him and Mingyi, Ming An suddenly laughed. "They say heaven is just—whatever it deprives you of in the first half of life, it repays in the second. Turns out it's true."
Mingyi gave an awkward chuckle, unsure how to respond, but Zhou Zihong nodded. "Indeed. My lonely early years were merely preparation for meeting Minister Superior now."
"Hah! Well said, lad!" Ming An clapped him on the shoulder. "Come, let's drink."
Zhou Zihong guided Mingyi to follow, sneaking a wink at her.
Finally, Mingyi shook off her unease.
Taking her seat at the banquet, she watched Ming An and Zhou Zihong chat and drink together, gradually relaxing.
Dancing Girls performed—though unlike elsewhere where they were all women, here they were exclusively men.
Amidst the singing and whirling dances, Mingyi glanced up between sips of wine to see one performer twist his ankle. His barbarian robes bloomed open like a flower mid-spin, revealing the pale, sinewy ankle beneath."Minister Superior, spare my life." The hem of the Hu-style robe settled as the person knelt on the ground, their waist trembling like a willow, their voice clear as a nightingale's song.
Mingyi found the scene strangely familiar, yet couldn't quite recall where she'd seen it before. With a soft "Hmm," she simply said, "No matter. Rise."
The person stood and lifted their head, their eyes meeting hers—dark pools brimming with bashfulness as they gazed at her.
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