Mingyi's expression flickered slightly, but she said nothing more.
Situ Ling also remained silent as he carried Mingyi step by step out of the courtyard. From afar, he saw Ji Bozhai charging toward them with a group of people, his demeanor fierce and imposing.
"From now on, I won’t be writing to you anymore to report my safety," he murmured softly, his gaze fixed ahead. "But if one day you wish to write to me, you can always send someone to deliver it."
Behind him, he heard the faint rustle of beaded curtains—perhaps she had nodded in response.
Situ Ling didn’t get the chance to say another word. In the blink of an eye, Ji Bozhai was upon them. Fan Yao swiftly laid a carpet on the ground, and Ji Bozhai took Mingyi from Situ Ling’s back.
"Yier, hold on tight!" Ji Bozhai grinned, his eyes alight with excitement. "Zhou Zihong is furious and trying to block us. We need to hurry."
Mingyi couldn’t help but laugh, knowing full well he must have used some underhanded means to break through. But since the bride wasn’t supposed to speak to the groom before the wedding ceremony, she simply tightened her grip on the fabric of his shoulder.
Then, she felt him leap into the air, stepping onto a large red Flying Sword engraved with the character "double happiness." Laughing heartily, he soared over the crowd blocking their path and dashed out the gate.
"Who ever heard of using a Flying Sword to fetch the bride? You’re cheating!" the crowd below shouted in frustration.
Ji Bozhai paid them no mind. Once outside, he gently placed Mingyi into the Bridal Sedan, which then swayed merrily as it made its way toward the Palace City.
Zhang Tai and Xiuyun stood at the entrance of the old city mansion, watching the scene unfold. Zhang Tai sighed with emotion. "This time, Mingyi will finally get what she wants, won’t she?"
Xiuyun, who had heard plenty from Zheng Tiao, nodded immediately. "Not just what she wants—now, even if she merely glances at the stars in the sky, His Majesty would pluck them down for her."
Truth be told, the days of youthful recklessness were long past. Neither of them was the vibrant, carefree youth they once were. When love and hate had been buried by the passage of time, Xiuyun had assumed people were left with nothing but the inertia of survival.
But Ji Bozhai was different.
It was as if his life had only truly begun today.
...
For a full half-month, the skies of Azure Cloud were ablaze with fireworks, and taxes were reduced by ten percent. From the highest to the lowest, everyone was overjoyed, offering heartfelt blessings for the happiness and harmony of His Majesty and the Bright City Lord.
But ever since the wedding day, Ji Bozhai had refused to let go of Mingyi—and now, five days had passed.
She was utterly exasperated. "Your Majesty, court resumes today."
"Oh." Ji Bozhai smiled brightly and made to carry her out the door.
Mingyi held back once, twice, but finally couldn’t restrain herself and punched him twice—hard.
Who in the world attended court while being carried? Was his reputation as a tyrant not enough? Did he want to add "a besotted ruler" to his titles?
Ji Bozhai reluctantly released her, his eyes reddening with grievance. "It just doesn’t feel real to me. I’m afraid if I let go, you’ll disappear."
Mingyi gave him a strained smile. "It’s been five days. Don’t you think it’s time to change your excuse?"
On the first day, his words had tugged at her heartstrings. By the second day, she was struggling to keep up—his energy was simply too boundless. By the third and fourth days... she was convinced he was nothing but a lustful fiend!
She wasn’t about to disappear, but if this carrying business continued, she might just perish from exhaustion.
Glaring at him fiercely, Mingyi went to freshen up and changed into her Court Dress as the City Lord.
Fortunately, Ji Bozhai refrained from being overly affectionate with her in front of the court. Even when their political views clashed, the two still bickered as usual.Song Lanzhi was quite relieved. It seemed their Majesty hadn’t lost his head over feminine charms. While others called him a tyrant, she and her peers believed Ji Bozhai would be a wise ruler who would leave his mark in Azure Cloud’s history.
However...
No sooner had she praised him than she went to the Imperial Study to report matters. Just as she reached the door, she heard Ji Bozhai’s voice from inside: "I was wrong, I was truly wrong. That wasn’t what I meant earlier, and I didn’t raise my voice at you... I don’t want to sleep on the floor, wuwu."
Song Lanzhi: ?
After announcing her arrival and entering, she saw the Emperor sitting solemnly in his seat reviewing memorials, while Mingyi gently ground ink beside him, sleeves rolled up.
"Minister Song, you’ve come at the perfect time. There were some matters regarding Newgrass City earlier—please elaborate now," he said with utmost seriousness.
As if everything she had just heard was an illusion.
A smile crept into Song Lanzhi’s eyes.
Her beloved had already passed away. Though she had no intention of remaining chaste, she refused to settle for someone she didn’t love and had lost all expectations for romance.
But seeing the Emperor and Empress so harmonious was a blessing for the realm.
Historical records noted that after the tenth year of the Great Ming era, Azure Cloud entered an age of prosperous governance. The Emperor and Empress became models of marital harmony and affection for all couples. Under the counsel of the Bright City Lord, the Founding Emperor also abandoned his previously cruel and violent ways, embracing benevolence toward all.
Public opinion of Ji Bozhai gradually shifted from "scheming and treacherous" to "mature and steady," "possessing the qualities of a wise ruler," and so on.
Yet, whenever Mingyi saw these praises in the memorials, she would cast a skeptical glance at the man beside her.
"They all have handkerchiefs embroidered by their wives, but I don’t have one," Ji Bozhai complained pitifully. "I want one too."
Mingyi narrowed her eyes. "I don’t know how to embroider."
"Wuwu."
"..."
Who knew where he had picked this up? He would act spoiled with her at the drop of a hat. To outsiders, he appeared dignified and aloof, but in front of her, he had no shame whatsoever.
And this was the man they called "mature and steady."
Mingyi sighed deeply.
Still, amid her busy schedule, she did eventually embroider a handkerchief for him. Since she didn’t know any patterns, she stitched a single horizontal line. From afar, it looked crude; up close—well, it was indeed crude.
She had only meant to placate him and stop his whining. Yet when Ji Bozhai received it, he treated it like a priceless treasure, hanging it from his lapel every day. If she hadn’t stopped him, he would have even hung it from his Emperor’s Crown.
"This spot is eye-catching—everyone can see the handkerchief you embroidered for me! Luo Jiaoyang and the others won’t dare tease me anymore!" he declared righteously.
Unable to resist, she pinched him. "You’re usually so clever—why do you act like a fool around me? That’s no place to hang a handkerchief, ah!"
Feigning pain, he took the opportunity to pull her into his arms, rubbing his chin against her cheek, eyes brimming with laughter. "I’ve got plenty of cleverness to spare for others. With you, what’s wrong with being a little foolish? Besides, I’m handsome—you won’t grow tired of me."
"Relying on looks to please others—how long can that last?" Mingyi lamented in despair.
He laughed, pressing his lips to hers with tender devotion. "When my looks fade, I’ll still have power. If power wanes, I’ll have wealth. If wealth vanishes, I’ll still have my heart. In this life, in this world, I will always be good to you."
Mingyi stared at him in stunned silence.At the banquet years ago when they first met, she saw teasing and playful intent in his eyes. Now, looking again, those eyes held nothing but her reflection, overwhelming affection surging forth, wrapping around her with a warmth that felt almost tangible.
A person's life is a series of missed opportunities—missing a Flying Beast Cart, missing a chance for promotion, missing the moment when the other person happened to love you.
But good things will always be waiting ahead. As long as you keep living, as long as you know what you truly want, the Facing Sun will rise anew each day.
(The End)
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