Zhou Zihong had always heard tales about Ji Bozhai in rumors.
They spoke of Bozhai’s lonely youth, his mysterious origins, his profound Essence Power, and his calculating nature. In short, since his ascension to the throne, the man had been like a god-like legend.
But after meeting him twice now, Zhou Zihong suddenly felt he was just an ordinary man.
Ordinary men, when unable to obtain what they love, are all equally helpless and resentful.
Zhou Zihong wouldn’t be jealous over a meeting—that would only trouble Mingyi—but he still held her fingertips, not uttering a single word of reluctance, yet every gesture was steeped in it.
Mingyi’s heart softened. She blinked at him and gently touched his soft hair. “I’ll have Fuling take care of you.”
“No need.” He frowned. “I don’t like having maids in the courtyard. Siqi is enough.”
“Then take this.” Mingyi removed the jade pendant from her waist and handed it to him. “Lin Huan is stubborn and hot-tempered. I’m afraid he might bully you. If he comes looking for trouble, show him this, and you can refuse to see him.”
“Thank you, Minister Superior.”
After reminding him to eat on time, Mingyi reluctantly sent him off.
Ji Bozhai couldn’t help but applaud her. “Impressive.”
With such tenderness and care, who wouldn’t fall for her?
Mingyi turned back, her expression cooling slightly. “I haven’t had the chance to ask, Minister Superior, how do you plan to handle the customs of Azure Snow?”
With the opening of trade routes between the Six Cities, exchanges had increased tenfold compared to before, but problems had arisen as well. Azure Snow lacked women, and while conducting business, they also abducted women from other cities. Recently, several cases of missing young girls had occurred, and even worse, some women were being sold as part of cargo shipments.
Ji Bozhai replied indifferently, “When the Six Cities were united, I said I would respect each city’s customs.”
Anger flared in Mingyi’s heart, and she smiled without warmth. “Then Facing Sun’s custom is to beat human traffickers to death on sight. I hope Your Majesty will respect that as well.”
“You can bring this up at tonight’s council meeting,” he said. “It can be written into law.”
Mingyi paused, her expression softening slightly.
Since her succession, the status of women in Sunspire City had steadily risen, nearly reaching parity with men. Naturally, the women were overjoyed, but their freedom was limited to Sunspire City. Once they left, the other cities remained a living hell for them.
Mingyi didn’t know how much she could accomplish, but she wanted to do everything in her power while she lived to save as many overlooked and abandoned girls as possible.
She hoped her own tragedy would never be repeated in anyone else’s life.
The two continued walking, and Mingyi explained in detail the planned renovations and estimated costs. Ji Bozhai listened while stealing glances at her.
She had been right before—she wasn’t the docile, obedient type he usually favored. Delicate flowers were her disguise; at her core, she was a wild weed, unbroken by wind and unburned by fire.
But strangely, even if she was a weed, he still wanted to nurture her in a jade pot, to watch the sunrise and sunset with her, to spend every waking moment by her side.
It was a pity she wouldn’t believe a single word of that now.
A sharp pain shot through his fingertips. He frowned and stopped walking.
Mingyi was in the middle of explaining how this area could be arranged for the main palace when she noticed his discomfort.
In the past, she would have anxiously asked what was wrong. But now, she simply stopped as well, waiting calmly for him to recover.Love and the lack thereof are things that cannot be concealed.
Ji Bozhai let out a bitter laugh, the sound scraping his throat raw.
He tucked his fingers into his sleeves, straightened up nonchalantly, and continued walking forward.
Mingyi followed behind him, just like any ordinary subordinate, accompanying him into the inner courtyard to select the venue for the council meeting and overseeing the preparations.
While supervising the arrangements, Bai Ying suddenly whispered in Mingyi’s ear, "Lord Ming is about to depart."
After days of packing, Ming An had finally prepared everything and was ready to set off for Azure Snow.
Mingyi froze for a moment, glancing at Ji Bozhai beside her.
Ji Bozhai said indifferently, "You have one hour left."
"Thank you." She cupped her hands in salute and quickly withdrew.
Without Zhou Zihong by her side, Mingyi didn’t know what to say. At first, even her steps were hesitant.
But Ming An was at ease, as if he were an old friend. There were no tears, no reluctance—just a carefree farewell: "My departure will take all your past entanglements with me. From now on, live freely, unrestrained, and as you please."
Mingyi stared at him blankly.
Ming An’s smile deepened the wrinkles around his eyes. "I’ve heard that in Azure Snow, the winter snow can bury houses."
"I’ve heard His Majesty has built many Flying Beast Carts—some for cargo, some for passengers. Now, you don’t need to buy a beast-drawn carriage to travel to other cities."
"I’ve also packed plenty of flatbreads to eat along the way to Azure Snow."
As he spoke, he climbed onto the carriage shaft and waved at Mingyi. "Minister Superior, this is farewell."
The bells on the carriage eaves jingled as Ming An waved cheerfully at the entire city, as if leaving without a single regret.
Mingyi watched him grow smaller in the distance, standing in silence for a long time before stiffly parting her lips: "Safe travels."
Father.
The last word was spoken so softly that Ming An, already far away, likely didn’t hear it.
He had once said that, like Ming Li, he had never fulfilled his duties as a father. But Mingyi felt he was different from Ming Li—after all, he had always kept her in his thoughts and even saved her twice.
Though she had grown up and found it difficult to rekindle a father-daughter bond with someone long estranged, she believed he deserved to be called "Father."
The carriage rolled onward, growing ever more distant.
Mingyi withdrew her gaze and turned back toward the inner courtyard.
The sound of wheels filled her ears, noisy enough to drown out all else.
Yet when those two words drifted over, they cut through the clamor all the same.
Ming An’s laughter faltered, his eyes reddening.
He had many, many regrets in life—but the one thing he didn’t regret was having a daughter like Mingyi.
His daughter was the finest woman in all the world.
On her way back to the inner courtyard, Mingyi encountered Situ Ling.
He looked at her mournfully, pouting as he called out, "Sister Ming."
The moment she heard it, Mingyi sensed trouble and immediately raised her hands in surrender. "I haven’t favored anyone lately, and you’re already an honored son-in-law. Surely you’re not here to complain?"
"How could you think so poorly of me?" He sighed, stepping closer to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I just feel like I never see you anymore. Apart from council meetings, you never come to me willingly."
He seemed to have grown taller again. Standing this close, she had to tilt her head back to see his face clearly.Mingyi reached out with effort and patted his head: "Sister has many people in the backyard, so oversights are inevitable. If you feel no one is playing with you, how about I let you leave the backyard and find you a proper wife?"
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