To tame someone, you must first get them accustomed to a habit.
This habit should preferably be unexpected yet slightly touching, something they'll continue to anticipate without being too burdensome for yourself.
Mingyi chose to wait for him at the intersection outside the residence.
The Ji family mansion stood at the end of Erjiu Street, rarely frequented by outsiders. Though spacious, it was poorly lit after dark, with no light visible until one reached a spot ten zhang beyond the estate.
Mingyi changed into a sheer Su Mei gauze overdress, draped a frost-colored veil over her arms, and held a honey-colored glass lantern adorned with pearls. She positioned herself where her best profile would be visible the moment a beast-drawn carriage turned the corner, waiting quietly.
Granny Xun followed at a distance, frowning slightly as the night breeze picked up: "Young lady should dress warmer."
Mingyi smiled lightly: "This is just right. I'm not cold."
The thinner the garments, the more ethereal they appeared when fluttering in the night wind.
Ji Bozhai didn't need an unattractive woman waiting at the crossroads—he wanted someone who would make his heart skip a beat at first glance.
The light veil on her arms billowed gracefully in the wind, exuding an air of celestial beauty, while the tightly fastened floral clasps on her overdress conveyed domestic virtue. Mingyi lifted her face, her flawless complexion glowing like polished jade under the orange lantern light.
Every detail was tailored to Ji Bozhai's preferences.
Thus, when Ji Bozhai returned in his open-top beast-drawn carriage and caught sight of her, his expression changed immediately.
He straightened up, staring intently at her. Before the carriage could draw near, he leaped down and strode over: "What are you doing here?"
"My lord sent word today that you'd return late," Mingyi replied with a radiant smile. "This servant thought the stars would be dim at this hour, and the road dark. Since my lord rides in an open carriage, I came to light your way."
She took his arm and handed him the lantern, adding coquettishly, "Who knew my luck would be so good—I'd just stepped out when my lord appeared."
Her bright eyes and pearly teeth were filled with nothing but him.
For the first time, Ji Bozhai felt slightly flustered under someone's gaze. Though his tone remained indifferent, his hand tightened slightly: "Don't wait next time. It's dark and cold out."
"Alright," Mingyi agreed obediently.
Agreed she did, yet the next evening she was there again.
On the third, fourth, and fifth days, Ji Bozhai stopped telling her not to wait. Instead, he began casually bringing back a cloak for her, or some hairpins and jewelry.
However, those around him seemed unaccustomed to this change.
One evening, slightly tipsy after drinking with Yan Xiao, Ji Bozhai paused before boarding his carriage. Scanning the quiet street outside, he turned back to ask, "Have you come across any interesting novelties lately?"
Yan Xiao smirked meaningfully: "There are a few girls from Flying Blossom City—"
"I'm not asking about people," he interrupted, waving a hand. "Anything else?"
Yan Xiao blinked, baffled. "What else could possibly interest you besides people?"
Ji Bozhai looked at him disdainfully. "Is there nothing in your head besides women? I meant curios, gadgets, or failing that, jewelry."
It all sounded suspiciously like gifts meant for someone.Yan Xiao was puzzled. "You never used to care about anyone when you went out before. Forget about bringing back gifts—I’ve noticed you don’t even hold the wine attendants at banquets anymore. What’s going on? Did Shu Zhonglin actually hit the mark? Are you really settling down?"
Ji Bozhai scoffed. "Not a chance."
It was just that every time he met her expectant gaze, he felt a little guilty, so he brought back small gifts to make up for it.
And no matter how trivial the gift, Mingyi was always delighted, her eyes sparkling as she accepted it, then softly taking his hand, making his chest feel warm.
What did those worthless trinkets even matter?
"Enough chatter. Do you have anything or not?" He rapped his knuckles against the carriage’s crossbeam.
Yan Xiao shook his head. "I’ve got nothing but herbs here. You’ll have to check the streets."
At this hour, all the shops would have long closed.
Frowning, Ji Bozhai ordered the carriage to circle the nearby area, but after nearly an hour of searching, they found nothing.
Left with no choice, he had to return empty-handed.
On the way back, a heavy rain suddenly poured down. Ji Bozhai summoned the Nether Domain to shield the entire beast-drawn carriage effortlessly, but then he thought of the girl waiting at the crossroads.
She had no Essence Power. Even with an umbrella, she’d be drenched in this downpour. She probably wouldn’t wait today.
Since he had no gift, it might be better if she didn’t.
He told himself this, yet couldn’t help staring ahead at the road.
The surroundings were pitch black, his silver qilin moving quietly through the rain. The downpour was deafening, the road muddy, the wind howling—everything conspired to sour his mood.
As they neared the residence, he instinctively averted his gaze from the crossroads.
Unexpectedly, a warm orange light pierced through the rain, landing squarely in his peripheral vision.
His chest tightened, then slowly swelled. Ji Bozhai turned his head and looked at her properly.
Mingyi wore a jade-green spring dress with wide, embroidered hems, draped in the vine-green cloak he’d just given her. In one hand, she held a magpie-patterned octagonal lantern; the other lightly lifted her skirt as she stood on tiptoe, anxiously scanning the road for him.
Granny Xun held an umbrella behind her, but it was futile—both were already half-soaked.
When she saw him, she relaxed and waved cheerfully.
His pupils constricted. Immediately, he stretched out a hand, casting a vast Nether Domain above her head, cutting off the rain entirely.
The surge of powerful energy left Mingyi momentarily stunned, but she quickly recovered, smiling as she hurried toward him. "I was worried you didn’t have an umbrella, but I forgot your Essence Power knows no bounds."
Her hair was dotted with raindrops, yet she grinned. "What luck—I’d just stepped out when I found you."
Liar. Judging by her disheveled state, she hadn’t just stepped out. She simply didn’t want him to worry.
Ji Bozhai felt a pang of guilt. "Today... I couldn’t find anything to bring back for you."
Mingyi waved it off. "In this heavy rain, where could you even go to find anything? It’s enough that you’re back. I’ll have ginger tea prepared for you right away."
He hadn’t been touched by a single drop—why would he need ginger tea? Meanwhile, her lips were pale from the cold.
Ji Bozhai stared at the dimples in her smiling cheeks and suddenly lost control. Bending down, he scooped her up into his arms and strode forward.
"Ah?" Mingyi gasped, startled, clinging to his neck in alarm. "My lord, where are we going?"Ji Bozhai didn't answer. He carried her all the way back to the Lord of Flowing Radiance's residence, removed her soaked dress, then gathered her into his arms, warming her body with his Essence Power.
His Essence Power was pure black—unyielding and substantial. The moment it surged forth, it instantly dispelled the chill and dampness.
Mingyi was stunned.
For those who cultivated Essence Power, wasting it was the last thing they'd want to do. Yet here he was, using vast amounts of Essence Power for something a simple hot bath could have solved.
That power wrapped around her tightly, just like him, soothing every inch of her skin.
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