Ji Bozhai had barely arrived at Flying Blossom City when rumors spread through its inner courtyards.
The ministers were in a panic: "Why has Your Majesty come in person?"
Their fear was understandable. The fate of Azure Snow City had been too tragic, and they didn't know the full story. They assumed His Majesty's thirst for conquest remained unquenched—any city not completely submissive might face another attack.
Flying Blossom City had avoided destruction only because of Zheng Tiao's congratulatory letter. Ji Bozhai had never marched on their capital, but what if he suddenly took the notion...
From his seat at the head of the hall, Zheng Tiao watched the commotion below and sighed. "Azure Snow fell because they defied imperial orders and provoked conflict between cities. What crime has Flying Blossom committed?"
"Minister Superior, you don't understand," one official protested. "If Ji Bozhai decides to kill, he can fabricate any charge against us."
"Exactly," another agreed. "Everyone knows how accustomed he is to acting arbitrarily—"
The rest was muttered too quietly to hear, but it was clearly unflattering.
Zheng Tiao lowered his gaze. Excessive bloodshed had indeed tarnished Ji Bozhai's reputation—in their eyes, he had become a merciless god of slaughter.
With a soft sigh, he said, "His Majesty is only here to attend the ceremony."
His wedding was imminent. The woman he was marrying as Empress was an obscure commoner, sparking widespread criticism at court. The noble families were particularly displeased.
Elevating a merchant's daughter skilled in artifact crafting to Empress? Who would willingly enter the rear palace only to bow beneath her? Wouldn't this force entire clans to lower themselves before merchants?
Unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.
The ministers protested, while noblewomen openly scorned Xiuyun, excluding her from gatherings and hastily avoiding her without paying respects.
Yet they couldn't shake Zheng Tiao's determination to marry her. As he put it: Women were superfluous to begin with—if he chose to marry one, it was only because he genuinely liked her. If others had so many opinions, they were welcome to marry whomever they preferred and leave him in peace.
Consequently, the upcoming coronation ceremony for Consort Si received little attention from the court. Over a dozen officials had already claimed illness to avoid attending, and ceremonial protocols were neglected.
But now the Minister Superior announced that His Majesty would attend?
Panic swept through the officials. Their Minister Superior was easily managed, obsessed with cultivating superior fighters while disregarding trivial matters like etiquette. But His Majesty was different—if he witnessed Flying Blossom's disarray, wouldn't that give him reason to attack?
With only two days remaining, the hall erupted in chaos. Protocol forgotten, officials scrambled to leave, shouting over each other:
"Minister Liu! The gazette notices about formal attire are your responsibility!"
"Minister Zhang! Quickly review the ceremonial regulations!"
"I'll have my wife pay respects to the future Consort Si immediately!"
Like startled birds, they scattered in all directions.
Meanwhile, Xiuyun sat despondent in the rear courtyard.
Preoccupied with etiquette lessons, she couldn't greet Mingyi herself. The courtyard staff ignored her, refusing to relay messages, leaving her to repeatedly practice tea ceremonies and ritual gestures under the matron's supervision.
Deep in melancholy, she suddenly saw the Tianguan's wife—her most vocal critic—stride purposefully through the gate. The woman dismissed the instructing matron with a wave, then fixed Xiuyun with a glare.
Startled, Xiuyun instinctively raised a shield around herself.However, the Tianguan's wife did not immediately start mocking as usual. Instead, she hesitated for a long while before reluctantly bowing to Xiuyun.
Xiuyun was puzzled and frowned at her. "What's this about?"
"That teaching matron didn't understand proper etiquette. I've sent someone more experienced instead," she said stiffly, keeping her head lowered. "If the young lady wishes to know news from outside, you may ask them."
"I was ignorant before. I hope the young lady won't hold it against me in the future." Her head drooped lower, as if she were about to cry from the effort of holding back.
Was it raining red from the sky today? Since when was she so amiable? Unable to figure it out, Xiuyun simply asked directly, "What happened?"
The Tianguan's wife suppressed her resentment but couldn't hold it in completely. "You're truly remarkable, young lady, drawing His Majesty here to witness the ceremony. My husband scolded me harshly when we returned, nearly striking me, all because I slighted you before."
Xiuyun frowned. "What do you mean I drew His Majesty? I only invited Ming Guniang."
"It's that Ming Guniang of yours," the Tianguan's wife said dejectedly, sitting down beside her. Knowing Xiuyun wouldn't easily forgive her, she decided to lay it all out. "The moment she arrived in Flying Blossom, His Majesty rushed to buy her several shops. Piles of gold and silver jewelry were pushed along behind her. You didn't see the scene—it was truly a display of utmost luxury."
"His Majesty treats her like the apple of his eye. If she comes to witness your ceremony, how could His Majesty not come? If she cares about you, how could His Majesty not care? Soon, the entire Flying Blossom City will be kneeling at your feet. Are you happy now?"
Xiuyun froze for a moment, her eyes reddening slightly.
Mingyi always seemed to protect her, whether in the past or now.
She grinned and nodded at the Tianguan's wife. "You're absolutely right. I really am happy now."
The Tianguan's wife choked on her words and turned her head away in frustration.
Xiuyun wanted to go out and see for herself but restrained her steps.
Mingyi treated her so well—she couldn't embarrass her. She had to learn all the proper etiquette first.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up the ceremonial staff again and continued practicing with the new matron.
The streets of Flying Blossom City were bustling with activity. The young ladies sipping tea glanced out the window and saw a strikingly handsome man standing by a small stall, buying a pancake.
The man was extraordinary. Though he wore no adornments, an air of nobility exuded from him. His expression was cold and indifferent, yet his features were sharp and striking. His pale fingers accepted the pancake from the vendor, and he casually handed over a small piece of gold.
The vendor froze. The young ladies nearby froze as well.
Was this a celestial being descending to the mortal realm?
Even the most reserved young lady couldn't resist sending a servant to intercept him.
"Esteemed sir, my mistress wishes to make your acquaintance. Would you kindly step this way?"
Ji Bozhai frowned and glanced sideways, spotting the faint silhouette of a young lady on the second-floor tea seat the servant indicated.
Disinterested, he averted his gaze. "No."
The servant's face fell. After a quick glance at his mistress, he hurriedly chased after Ji Bozhai and pressed a handkerchief into his hand. "My mistress is from the Count's residence—a noble family. Please do us the honor."
Ji Bozhai turned to look at him. "Which Count's residence?"
Thinking he had a chance, the servant whispered eagerly, "The Count Protector's residence—the highest-ranking family in Flying Blossom City."
Ji Bozhai nodded and continued walking.
The servant stood dumbfounded, growing indignant. "How dare you refuse such an honor!"Just an ordinary boy, albeit with a handsome face. What's there to be so arrogant about?
Ji Bozhai pretended not to hear the remark, but the guards following at a distance silently stepped forward and took the servant away.
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