Save him first?
Mingyi thought Ji Bozhai must have lost his mind after ascending the throne. Zhou Zihong didn’t possess a shred of Essence Power—how could he survive such a high fall? As for herself, even if she fell from midair, the Mystic Dragon’s protection would ensure she wouldn’t die, let alone from this city wall height.
But judging by his grave tone, he seemed genuinely furious. Mingyi sighed and turned back, offering a perfunctory bow. "My wife is delicate. I hope Your Majesty will be lenient."
The "delicate wife" nodded at him and added, "If Your Majesty wishes to blame anyone, blame me. The Minister Superior only acted out of concern for me."
The words stabbed at his heart like a knife.
Ji Bozhai slowly straightened up, pressing his lips tightly together. "What a devoted pair. How could I possibly blame you?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Mingyi helped Zhou Zihong up and hesitated before adding, "Zihong is shaken. Perhaps it would be better if I accompanied Your Majesty for the rest of the city inspection."
This was originally what Ji Bozhai had wanted, but now he suddenly felt displeased.
Why did she treat everything like a treasure to be cradled in her palms?
"Minister Zhou can no longer walk?" He shot a sidelong glance.
Zhou Zihong gazed deeply at Mingyi, his eyes filled with even greater worry than hers. Hearing the question, he shook his head gently and tightened his grip on her hand. "This humble official can walk. I am willing to accompany Your Majesty."
Mingyi found it both amusing and exasperating.
Frankly, in all of the Six Cities, she was the only one capable of protecting herself in front of Ji Bozhai. No one else stood a chance. Why did Zhou Zihong feel the need to worry about her? He must have known Ji Bozhai could easily take his life, yet here he was, still staring at her with such devotion, insisting on staying by her side.
Suddenly, she understood why Ji Bozhai enjoyed seducing people so much. This feeling of being constantly cherished was rather nice. Even if they didn’t need anyone’s protection, it was still heartwarming to know someone wanted to protect them.
So she clasped Zhou Zihong’s hand in return and smiled at Ji Bozhai. "Your Majesty, please forgive us."
Her expression—one that practically screamed, "My beloved is just like this, too devoted to me, what can I do? I want to spoil him, so please bear with us"—was utterly grating.
Hadn’t she fallen out of favor? Hadn’t she gone so long without being summoned? What was this act supposed to accomplish—kill someone with rage?
Ji Bozhai stood at the wind-swept city gate and coughed.
Though his frame was far sturdier than Zhou Zihong’s, wrapped in his dark cloak with the wind billowing through his sleeves, his exposed wrist looked gaunt and frail.
But Mingyi was a Fighter. Fighters judged other Fighters by the depth of their Essence Power, not by whether they had just recovered from a serious illness. Seeing the wind pick up, her first instinct was to straighten Zhou Zihong’s collar.
"Why did you come out dressed so lightly?" she whispered. "Didn’t you know it was windy today?"
"His Majesty summoned me urgently. How could I dare delay?"
She gave him a reproachful look before removing her own cloak and draping it over his shoulders.
Zhou Zihong didn’t resist. His eyes softened as he watched Mingyi’s nimble fingers tie the cloak’s strings, a honeyed smile playing on his lips.
Ji Bozhai straightened his back and strode ahead alone, his voice cool. "Shall I stop and wait for you two?"
"No need." Mingyi waved a hand. "I can keep up. Your Majesty may proceed."
"..." He flicked his sleeve and quickened his pace.
Once the cloak was secured, Mingyi turned and hurried after him, pointing at the surroundings as she walked. "These palace walls were newly built and completed last month. Since the funds came from the palace, it’s only right to report to Your Majesty."Ji Bozhai listened expressionlessly, then remarked mockingly, "With the unification of the Six Cities, the nation's resources were first spent on Sunspire City. The new city is relocating, yet the old one is still being renovated. If word gets out, the other cities will surely protest."
"Your Majesty is mistaken," Mingyi shook her head. "Sunspire City is relocating entirely to the Floating Island, and the old site is being rebuilt as the capital of the Six Cities. How can you say all the resources were spent on Sunspire City? Establishing a capital is inherently costly."
The logic was sound, but if not for his soft-heartedness, Sunspire City wouldn’t have been able to relocate so quickly.
He shot Mingyi a sidelong glance. "The other city lords know I favor gold and have sent me many gifts. Why haven’t you made any moves?"
She smirked. "That’s because the other city lords don’t truly understand Your Majesty. When have you ever liked gold? You should prefer beauties instead. But my backyard only has handsome men, no beauties. I wonder if Your Majesty minds?"
"Since my ascension, there hasn’t been a single beauty in my harem," he said coldly, then felt as if he were explaining himself to her and quickly added, "Better none than the wrong one."
"Oh?" Mingyi raised an eyebrow. "The Helun Princess has been living in the harem all this time, yet she hasn’t been given a title?"
She pondered and nodded. "Indeed, with the sudden illness of the Old City Lord of Star Yearn City and Xian Wang repeatedly showing goodwill toward you—submitting tribute the moment he took over as regent—Your Majesty no longer needs to make Helun Princess the queen."
It was common knowledge that Ji Bozhai never kept women who were of no use to him.
Ji Bozhai was half-dead with anger at her knowing look.
What did she know? She knew nothing! The City Lord of Star Yearn had always been cautious and meticulous. Gong Wang and Xian Wang had long schemed to seize the city lord’s position but failed. If not for his exhaustive efforts to aid Xian Wang, the current situation would never have come to pass.
And yet she thought he discarded Helun because she was useless… He had never intended to take her in the first place!
He had pondered long and hard—if there was one woman who could make him willingly commit to a lifetime of monogamy, it could only be…
"Zihong, you look a bit pale," Mingyi pinched his fingers. "Are you unwell?"
Zhou Zihong forced a faint smile, his voice slightly hoarse. "It’s nothing. I didn’t sleep well last night."
Mingyi pursed her lips and sighed, muttering, "If you’d just bickered less with me, I wouldn’t have had to sleep elsewhere. See? I didn’t sleep well either."
She pulled down her lower eyelid to show him the bloodshot veins.
Zhou Zihong’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he fought the urge to pull her into his arms. But with others standing nearby, he withdrew his outstretched hand and simply smiled. "Let’s both get a good night’s sleep tonight."
Mingyi smiled warmly, about to agree, when a voice interjected, "Forget about tonight. She’s busy."
"Why?" She frowned and turned.
Ji Bozhai choked back a laugh, his expression wry. "The Six Cities need unified laws. There’s a revision meeting tonight. Are you coming or not?"
Legal codes were a serious matter, and Mingyi had many ideas to share. She immediately agreed, "I’ll be there!"
"Then bring your pillow and blankets. This won’t take shape in less than three to five days."
"Alright!"
Mingyi turned back and stroked Zhou Zihong’s hand. "Wait for me in the backyard. I’ll come find you once I’m done."
Zhou Zihong felt a pang of disappointment, but he understood Mingyi’s priorities. After a moment’s hesitation, he could only nod.Then, as he looked up, he saw Ji Bozhai across from him suddenly puff up like a victorious rooster, proudly tilting his chin and shaking it at him.
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