No wonder they say only men truly understand men. At a glance, Mingyi knew that Ji Bozhai wouldn't respond to force—she had to act, the more delicate and vulnerable the better. That was exactly his type.
Sure enough, seeing her like this, his expression softened with guilt as he took her hand and murmured, "This lord won't do this again."
Mingyi promptly dropped the act, melting softly into his embrace.
Had she held any official status in his household, she might have drawn this out further. But since she didn't, it was best to know when to stop.
Just as she was about to turn up the charm, Ji Bozhai suddenly asked, "This chamber is on the second floor. Why did you go to the third?"
Lowering her eyes, Mingyi whimpered, "Earlier when I went to freshen up, the attendant misremembered the location. Feeling somewhat dizzy, I didn't notice until I'd taken the wrong path."
His eyebrow arched at this, but he said nothing. Noticing her flushed cheeks, he tugged at the tight collar pressing against her chest to let in some air.
Yet the moment his hand touched her, Mingyi swiftly caught his wrist.
The abrupt movement startled them both.
"My lord~" Recovering first, she slid her fingers between his and twisted coquettishly, "We're in public... this isn't proper..."
"What are you hiding in your bodice?" His calm voice cut through her affected tone.
Cold sweat broke down Mingyi's back.
The torn paper she'd forgotten to destroy was still tucked against her chest. Though shredded, the fragments could still reveal their contents if pieced together.
He must never discover this.
Steeling herself, she gathered both the fabric and the scraps in her grip, pulling them downward as she echoed his question with feigned confusion, "What thing?"
Ji Bozhai narrowed his eyes, about to pry her hand away, when the serious tone of their exchange roused the dozing maids and matrons at the table.
Granny Xun was first to stir. Shooting Ji Bozhai an astonished look, she half-knelt in apology. "This old servant has been disgraceful."
Her awakening prompted the other lazy maids to rouse one by one. Seizing the opportunity, Mingyi pretended bashfulness, clutching her collar as she scrambled from his lap.
His hands now empty, Ji Bozhai frowned at Granny Xun. "Why come here to drink?"
"Originally we went to browse fabrics at the clothier," the matron explained, head bowed. "But we encountered Meng Daren along the way. He frightened the young mistress, so I brought her for wine to calm her nerves."
Not her own initiative then?
His expression eased slightly. "Meng Yangqiu? How did he frighten her?"
"Meng Daren seemed to be investigating something. Without a word, he yanked open the carriage curtains."
How peculiar. Though young, Meng Yangqiu was never rash—why would he lift the curtains of a lady's carriage?
He turned to Mingyi.
Misinterpreting his look as blame, the girl's legs gave way as she knelt, flustered. "I-I raised my sleeve to shield myself, so it wasn't too improper. Only Meng Daren acted rather... forcefully."
Pouting, she shot him a wounded glance before shrinking back, head drooping as if awaiting punishment.
Anyone watching would think him some unreasonable tyrant.
Ji Bozhai's lips quirked wryly as he pulled her up and passed her to Granny Xun. "The streets aren't safe lately. Return early with her."
"Yes," the matron acknowledged.
After brushing his fingers lightly against Mingyi's cheek, he strode out—likely returning to his interrupted banquet.
Mingyi lingered no further, obediently following Granny Xun's lead.No sooner had they stepped out the door than Ji Bozhai sent Buxiu to summon a few maids and servants for questioning. Upon inquiry, it turned out Mingyi hadn’t lied—she had indeed gone to relieve herself after getting drunk, and upon returning, had been led down the wrong path.
Perhaps there really was nothing stuffed in her chest—he had simply been overly suspicious.
Shaking his head, he returned to his seat.
The serving girl beside him tried to lean in again, but Ji Bozhai raised a hand to stop her. “There’s someone in the manor lately who’s quite jealous. It’s best not to get any rouge on me—my apologies.”
His smile was gentle and refined, making even his rejection hard to resent.
A few at the table couldn’t help but tease him. “What’s this? Has Lord Ji finally decided to settle down?”
“Can’t blame him. The common powder and paint in this tavern can’t compare to his Ming Guniang, radiant as the evening moon.”
Ji Bozhai merely smiled and sipped his wine.
“Speaking of which, it’s best we all avoid dallying with girls at banquets lately. I heard from the Adjudicator that Prince Ping’s death was suspicious—perhaps connected to the dancing girl he met at the feast.”
“Another dancing girl?”
“Who knows? Prince Ping ate and drank the same as the eunuchs who tested his food, all in the same place. The only variable was that dancing girl by his side. But the Adjudicator has already interrogated her twice—she either claims to know nothing or accuses others, insisting it wasn’t her with Prince Ping at the time.”
“No wonder Da Si ordered the disbanding of the Music Bureau’s dancing girls.”
“Hah, does that mean we won’t even get to watch dances anymore?”
“Is a dance more important than your life?”
The group laughed and pulled Ji Bozhai back into drinking.
But his mind stirred at the news.
This investigation might very well lead to Mingyi.
He finished the banquet without revealing a hint of his thoughts.
Upon returning to the manor, he summoned Granny Xun, intending to help Mingyi erase any traces of her actions. To his surprise, Granny Xun said, “Ming Guniang is thorough and efficient. Not only did she avoid entering the inner courtyard through the usual routes, but she also had the inner office’s steward cover for her.”
“I’ve looked into it. Her sworn sister in the palace, Zhang Tai, has a private relationship with the steward and is now with child. Unwilling to be punished for fleeing the banquet, no matter how much the imprisoned girl accuses Ming Guniang, Zhang Tai insists it’s out of jealousy—that she was the one who attended the banquet, not Ming Guniang.”
“Adjudicator Zhao checked the entry and exit records twice and summoned the eunuchs and stewards who recorded the dancing girls’ names. All records show Zhang Tai’s name.”
Only then did Granny Xun understand why Mingyi had insisted on sending the letter first before heading to the inner courtyard herself.
Ji Bozhai’s gaze darkened. “She’s quite the strategist.”
“I was astonished too,” Granny Xun couldn’t help but nod. “At such a young age, to have such skill—she’s no ordinary person.”
“So today, was it really you who suggested Hua Biezhi?” he asked.
“Indeed,” Granny Xun nodded. “Of the nearby places, I’m only familiar with Hua Biezhi. Is there… something wrong with that?”
Shaking his head lightly, Ji Bozhai rested his chin on his hand and mused, “I was just thinking—if she’s this meticulous, might she one day deceive even me?”
Granny Xun understood. Given his harsh upbringing, her master trusted few beyond himself. It was natural for him to be wary of unfamiliar people. Still…
She smiled. “Ming Guniang is already yours. In the future, she might even bear your children. What good would betraying you do her?”
Who knew?Resting his chin on his other hand, he gazed at the bright moon outside the window, narrowing his eyes as he thought—no matter what, he would never fully trust her.
Absolutely not.
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