Her fingers trembled slightly before she swiftly tucked the torn paper into the front of her dress. Mingyi wiped her face and instantly transformed into a pitiful beauty, her phoenix eyes brimming with tears and the corners slightly reddened, just as someone abruptly lifted the carriage curtain.
She let out a soft gasp, as if greatly startled, raising her sleeve to shield her face while panting rapidly.
"What is the meaning of this, sir?" Granny Xun scolded angrily from outside. "This is the carriage of the Ji family's womenfolk!"
The person holding the curtain froze, quickly stepping back and bowing in apology by the carriage. "My deepest apologies for the intrusion. Just now..."
Just now, he had distinctly sensed a fluctuation of Essence Power—one that felt eerily familiar.
Meng Yangqiu couldn't help but glance at the carriage again.
Womenfolk couldn’t possibly wield Essence Power, especially not the women of Ji Bozhai’s household, as Ji Bozhai had always preferred delicate beauties.
Had he been so preoccupied with searching for the Ming family heir that he’d imagined it?
Hearing faint sobs from inside the carriage, Meng Yangqiu felt a pang of guilt and dismissed his suspicions, offering repeated apologies. "I acted rashly in my haste. Please forgive me, madam. I will personally visit to apologize to Ji Daren another day."
Granny Xun glared at him several times before lifting the curtain to comfort Mingyi inside. "That was Meng Daren from the Adjudicator's Office. His manners are rather rough—don’t be frightened, miss."
Meng Yangqiu of Star Yearn City’s Adjudicator’s Office was also the illegitimate son of the Prince of Xian. Mingyi had seen him at the Six Cities Tournament and didn’t dare test his observational skills. Instead, she spoke softly, "Let’s hurry on. If there’s a good restaurant ahead, we can stop to settle my nerves."
Granny Xun sighed in relief and quickly agreed. "There’s a well-established restaurant just ahead called Hua Biezhi. The young miss might enjoy their pastries."
"Very well."
The carriage moved forward, leaving Meng Yangqiu standing awkwardly, staring at his palm.
It wasn’t entirely his fault. Seven years ago, he had sparred with the Ming family heir, Ming Xian, and had never lasted more than ten exchanges. This year, after much improvement, he had hoped for a rematch—only for Ming Xian to vanish without a trace.
This was worse than losing.
Sighing, he mounted his horse and rode off to report back to the Adjudicator’s Office.
Only when the sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance did Mingyi finally relax her tense posture.
Leaning lazily against the soft cushions, she lowered her gaze in thought.
Meng Yangqiu’s reaction had reminded her—even with a changed appearance, everyone’s Essence Power carried its own distinct patterns, making it easy for those familiar with her to detect her.
Ji Bozhai hadn’t fought her yet, so that was manageable, but… not to boast, but across the Azure Cloud Realm’s six great cities, hundreds had fallen to her. If she recognized them, she could conceal herself, but if she failed to spot someone who knew her, that would be disastrous.
She needed a solution.
"We’ve arrived at Hua Biezhi," came the announcement from outside.
Mingyi snapped out of her thoughts and stepped out with Granny Xun’s assistance, surveying the establishment.
A four-story restaurant, adorned with carved railings and jade inlays, resplendent in gold and jade. Eight red silk lanterns hung on either side, with twelve maids standing at the entrance. Noble guests streamed in and out, many of them women.
Suddenly, she covered her lips and whispered to Granny Xun, "If I dine here, will the expenses be covered by the lord?"
Granny Xun chuckled. "Just charge it to Daren’s account.""Very well." She immediately strode in with an air of ease, found a private room to sit in, ordered a lavish table of delicacies, then pulled all the maids and matrons to sit down with her. With a beaming smile, she declared, "The lord is treating us all today, so don't hold back."
Normally when nobility dined out, maids would only serve dishes without eating themselves—able to look but not taste. Suddenly receiving such favor, the maids were overjoyed and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
Granny Xun, familiar with Mingyi's habits, didn't think much of it. She merely said, "Best not let others in the manor know, lest they think you're an easy mark who lets us servants overstep our bounds."
"How could they?" Mingyi poured her a drink. "Even Granny Xun shows me respect—they'll surely just think I'm easy to get along with."
Who wouldn't enjoy being charmed by such a lovely young girl? Granny Xun chuckled softly and accepted the wine.
The maids were initially reserved, but seeing Mingyi's genuine kindness—never stopping them from taking whatever dishes they pleased—they gradually grew bolder.
Mingyi toasted Granny Xun cup after cup: "I'm not very familiar with the main residence yet—I'll need your guidance going forward."
"Granny, have some more dishes."
"I heard your son is getting married soon—I'll come by to add to the celebration."
Granny Xun, thoroughly delighted by her flattery, drank several cups in succession.
The tavern's dishes were exceptionally delicious, and the wine was rich and fragrant. In less than half an hour, all the maids and matrons at the table were thoroughly drunk and beginning to babble nonsense.
Mingyi's cheeks were also flushed. Rubbing her belly, she rose unsteadily. "I need to use the restroom."
Seeing this, Granny Xun wanted to follow, but the drunken maids beside her kept pulling her into gossip about backyard affairs. In that moment of distraction, Mingyi had already disappeared.
The tavern provided attentive service—even trips to the restroom were escorted by maids—so surely nothing could go wrong.
Granny Xun waved her hand and sat back down, gripping her cup as she continued chatting with the maids.
Mingyi swayed her way to the restroom. On her return, an unfamiliar attendant was waiting outside.
"This way, please." He gave a slight bow, performing the customary greeting of Sunspire City.
Mingyi snorted but still feigned drunkenness as she followed him.
Ascending to the third floor, she distinctly sensed a barrier had been cast around them—a powerful surge of Essence Power probing everyone who climbed the stairs.
Without hesitation, she flicked her wrist, shattering the probing energy that touched her.
"Hahaha—" A private room's door swung open in response, revealing a figure inside clutching a wine cup and laughing uproariously. "Even in such circumstances, Lord Ming's temper remains as fiery as ever."
Mingyi staggered drunkenly into the room, slammed the door shut, then instantly turned cold-faced. "It's you."
Dan Er's smile faded, replaced by a wounded expression. "Why so disappointed, my lord? What have I done?"
"How did you know I was here?" she narrowed her eyes.
"Your lordship forgets." Dan Er shook his head. "All premium Mystical Beasts in Sunspire City come from me."
Sunspire and Star Yearn were separated by vast cloud seas, requiring top-tier Mystical Beasts to cross. While Mingyi's departure from Sunspire City wasn't publicly known, someone had borrowed beasts from him without specifying the recipient—so he'd guessed.
Truthfully, he'd searched Star Yearn City for her a long time. Lord Ming was still Lord Ming—even without Essence Power, she remained brilliantly cunning. Had he not accidentally spotted her at the fabric shop, it would've taken much longer to find her.Mingyi grew impatient: "Just say what you want directly."
"My lord truly lacks appreciation for romance. I specially prepared fine wine, yet you won't even glance at it," Dan Er said with a laugh. "Don't be so tense. Let's talk while we eat."
With a slight curl of his fingers, Mingyi used Essence Power to grip Dan Er's throat across the wine table.
The Essence Power was pure white in color and brutally strong—a distinctive trait of the Ming family heir, Ming Xian.
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