The Music Bureau was disbanded by Da Si to appease the court officials after repeatedly being implicated in murder cases.
Zhang Tai, upon leaving the inner courtyard, immediately took a carriage to the Ji family residence to deliver a message to Mingyi.
When Mingyi went out to greet her, she saw Zhang Tai openly wearing the embroidered forehead protector favored by expectant mothers, proudly displaying her barely noticeable belly, and walking toward her with a blissful expression.
"You truly are a lucky charm," Zhang Tai whispered, pulling her aside. "I didn’t know what to do before, but then Da Si disbanded the Music Bureau. Manager Xu has already taken me back to his residence. He said once I give birth to this child, he will marry me properly."
Mingyi dismissed the maids following her and winked at Zhang Tai. "Then you should thank Prince Ping. He’s the real lucky charm for you."
"Ugh, don’t say such eerie things—I’m carrying a child!" Zhang Tai shuddered. "You don’t know how suspicious Prince Qi’s death was. The Adjudicator’s office still hasn’t figured out the cause."
As if they could. The poison formed by the mixture of Mulan Qing dye’s fragrance and the substance in Qi Bai’s medicine bowl—no one, not even Mingyi herself, knew exactly what it was. Moreover, since Qi Bai was nobility, they couldn’t perform an autopsy. The only lead was Rongxin, who had been by his side.
She knew Rongxin would eventually point to her, but Adjudicator Zhao had no evidence. With Ji Bozhai around, at most, they’d question her briefly and nothing more.
For now, she just needed to keep Zhang Tai steady.
"Since you’ve come all this way, stay with me for a few days," Mingyi said. "This residence has plenty of nourishing delicacies like bird’s nest and ginseng. Eat as much as you like—it won’t cost me a thing."
Zhang Tai’s eyes lit up. "Then don’t complain if I eat too much."
Mingyi laughed and generously led her to the guest quarters.
As luck would have it, no sooner had Zhang Tai arrived than Adjudicator Zhao and Meng Yangqiu showed up, sitting in the flower hall with Ji Bozhai for small talk.
"I came to apologize to Lord Ji for my rudeness toward Miss Ming last time," Meng Yangqiu said with a cupped-hand salute.
Ji Bozhai wasn’t one to hold grudges. A sip of tea settled the matter, though he still asked, "Did you sense something that day, which led to your outburst?"
Meng Yangqiu scratched his head sheepishly. "You know I’ve been searching for Ming Xian’s whereabouts. I can’t rest until I fight him again. So… that day on the road, I lost my senses a bit, thinking I detected Ming Xian’s Essence Power. But it was just a misunderstanding."
Ming Xian was the Ming family’s most celebrated son. Though Mingyi shared the surname, it was a common one passed down for centuries, with many commoners bearing it. Being a woman, she had no real connection to him.
"Coincidentally, this investigation requires me to question Miss Ming again," Adjudicator Zhao sighed. "I hope Lord Ji doesn’t mind?"
"Why would I? Everyone in my household is upright and honest. You’re welcome to visit for tea anytime," Ji Bozhai replied with a smile, then turned to Buxiu. "Go and invite Miss Ming here."
Buxiu obeyed and left.
He had been involved in this matter too. Though his lord often praised Miss Ming’s clever handling of the situation in front of him, Buxiu couldn’t help but doubt—how could a woman scheme so thoroughly? Zhang Tai and the inner office manager were major liabilities. If they turned against her, her guilt would be confirmed, and even his lord might struggle to save her then.However, as soon as he turned into the small courtyard bearing the plaque "Lord of Flowing Radiance," Buxiu saw Zhang Tai sitting beside Mingyi, laughing softly.
Buxiu: "..."
The disdain in his eyes finally receded slightly.
"What's the matter?" Mingyi spoke first upon noticing his arrival.
Buxiu stood by the door and bowed to her. "Adjudicator Zhao and Meng Daren have arrived at the flower hall. The master requests your presence for a discussion."
Understanding, Mingyi smiled and rose, patting the suddenly nervous Zhang Tai. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
"But what if he asks you..." Zhang Tai's voice grew quieter, but Mingyi understood.
"Relax, we haven't done anything wrong—just changed clothes and danced. It's not like we killed anyone." She gently stroked Zhang Tai's back. "Besides, we have Ji Daren's protection."
These last words eased Zhang Tai's tension. She nodded and watched Mingyi leave. Buxiu silently moved to stand guard beside Zhang Tai, who paid no mind and continued looking around curiously.
Mingyi returned to her room, donned a veil, then carried a tray of pastries into the flower hall.
"Upon hearing of Adjudicator Zhao's arrival, I prepared some pastries as an apology," she said cheerfully, placing the tray on the low table between Adjudicator Zhao and Meng Yangqiu before bowing with the tray in hand.
Her demeanor was dignified, her smile warm, but the veil concealed half her face, preventing Meng Yangqiu from seeing her true appearance.
Meng Yangqiu, being young himself, refrained from staring at another man's concubine and merely nodded in acknowledgment.
"You're too kind, Ming Guniang," Adjudicator Zhao said awkwardly. "I apologize for disturbing you repeatedly. I hope you won't take it to heart."
"Adjudicator Zhao is here on official business. How could it be a disturbance?" She returned to Ji Bozhai's side and knelt gracefully. "What would you like to ask this time?"
Adjudicator Zhao glanced at Ji Bozhai, who appeared relaxed, before inquiring, "Do you know Rong Xin?"
Mingyi nodded, then wrinkled her nose. "When I was in the inner courtyard, she bullied me often."
"Why?"
"Why else? Because I was prettier," Mingyi said matter-of-factly. "Dancing Girls compete on looks and grace. Since she fell short in every way, how could she let me off easy?"
Adjudicator Zhao coughed awkwardly.
Though not untrue—she was indeed stunning—there was something about her tone and demeanor that inexplicably matched Ji Bozhai's.
"So, the two of you had prior conflicts," he said, regaining his composure. "However, Ming Guniang, Rong Xin claims that Mulan Qing dress was yours."
Mulan Qing was a rare dye, unaffordable for most Dancing Girls. Ironically, Rong Xin came from a wealthy merchant family and had joined the inner courtyard solely to secure a noble marriage. It wouldn’t be strange for her to possess Mulan Qing fabric—but for anyone else, it would raise eyebrows.
"Your Honor, when I was a Dancing Girl, I was truly penniless. How could I afford a Mulan Qing dress?" Mingyi lowered her eyes, feigning grievance. "Only under Ji Daren's protection have I gained shelter, but even he hasn’t gifted me Mulan Qing attire recently. If you doubt me, feel free to check the mansion’s transaction records with the fabric shops."
Though unsure of Ji Bozhai’s methods, Mingyi trusted that someone like him, having planned to use a Mulan Qing dress for the crime, would never have procured it through legitimate channels.Meng Yangqiu was assisting in recording the testimony on the side. As he wrote, he couldn't help but think that this girl spoke in such a delicate manner, her voice soft and melodious like a nightingale's. No wonder Ji Bozhai liked her.
"Very well," Adjudicator Zhao nodded. "Then this official shall investigate along the lines of the fabric shop."
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