Mingyi was riding her horse down Erjiu Street, clad in a gray long dress with a hollowed-out gauze waistband. A plain silk hat shielded her face, but the trembling of her body and her slumped shoulders made it clear she was still crying.
A woman who wielded Essence Power, betrayed to such an extent—how could she not be filled with resentment?
After watching for a while, Situ Ling waved his hand, and the tall guard behind him stepped forward to invite Mingyi up.
At first, Mingyi was startled, but when she saw who was seated in the private room, her expression softened. "Greetings, Young Master."
Situ Ling handed her a sugar figurine and smiled. "I bought this earlier on the street. Seeing Sister Ming cry so sadly, I thought I'd share one with you."
Mingyi took it and found it shaped like Chang'e, her sleeves flowing, her features gentle and serene.
She sighed. "If only I were a sugar figurine—forever beautiful, never to be abandoned."
"What nonsense, Sister Ming. You're just as lovely now, unchanged." Situ Ling grinned, revealing two little fangs. "A man's broken word has nothing to do with you."
Today, he wore a sapphire-blue casual robe, the fabric soft and shimmering, his hair tied with pearls, his lips as red as tassels. As he tilted his head to gaze at the bright moon, his round, bright eyes made him utterly endearing.
Mingyi had the urge to pinch his cheeks but restrained herself, remembering his status as Patrol Inspector. She only smiled and said, "Young Master truly knows how to speak sweetly. It warms the heart to hear."
"If Sister Ming prefers being with me, I could always ask Lord Ji to transfer you to me," he said with a blink.
Mingyi froze slightly, her eyes clouding with sorrow again. "This servant has already pledged herself to Lord Ji. And after humiliating him in public, he'd sooner let me die in his manor than release me."
Situ Ling frowned. "How could that be?"
"It's just this servant's fate." Mingyi wiped her eyes and sniffled. "I’ve resolved to accept it."
A waiter brought some tea and snacks. As Situ Ling arranged them before Mingyi, he said, "If there's any way I can help, Sister Ming, don’t hesitate to ask."
Mingyi sensed something amiss.
She was, after all, just a small Dancing Girl. Even if she were beautiful, Situ Ling was still just a child—he couldn’t possibly have any designs on her. Yet he repeatedly offered his assistance.
Why?
Remembering how he had once discovered her ability to wield Essence Power, and recalling Twenty-Seven’s warning, Mingyi grew cautious. She responded with a vague hum and picked up her chopsticks to examine the snacks.
Three plates were laid out: one of deep-fried yellow croaker coated in thick chili, one of steamed cabbage in a milky-white broth with two goji berries atop the leaves, and one of osmanthus honey cakes.
Whether by coincidence or not, the flavors represented the cuisines of the three great cities of the Azure Cloud Realm.
Her chopsticks paused only briefly before she picked up a honey cake.
Situ Ling kept his eyes down, pouring tea for her, but Mingyi could clearly feel his sidelong gaze fixed on her chopsticks.
After finishing the honey cake, she went on to eat the fried fish and the cabbage as well, methodically clearing all three plates.
If Situ Ling had been contemplative when she started on the first plate, by the time she finished all three, his expression was pure astonishment.
"A Dancing Girl... can eat this much?"
Weren’t they supposed to maintain slender waists and never indulge?"Forgive me, young master. I've been troubled lately and haven't been able to eat much. Unexpectedly, seeing you has lifted my spirits so much that I overindulged." Mingyi gracefully wiped her lips, her eyes smiling.
Situ Ling looked somewhat bewildered.
He had wanted to observe Mingyi's eating habits, but she had cleaned every plate. What was there left to see?
"Are you full, Sister Ming?" he asked with difficulty. "Would you like a few more dishes?"
"You're too kind, young master. This servant is already satisfied." Her smile was pure and innocent. "If you'd like more, shall I fetch some for you?"
"No need." Situ Ling paused, then calmly changed the subject. "If Sister Ming has no way to leave the Ji residence, I might have some ideas to help improve your situation."
"Oh?" Mingyi's interest was piqued, and she quickly poured him more tea. "Please enlighten me, my lord."
"Moonchase City is renowned for its gu poison. They have a love spell gu—a mother and child pair. If you feed the child gu to Lord Ji, he'll become deeply devoted to you and would never abandon you."
Situ Ling spoke half in jest, yet with a hint of seriousness. "If you'd like, I could try to obtain it for you."
Moonchase City was indeed famous for its gu poison, but they never allowed it to leave their borders to protect ordinary people in other cities.
Mingyi wasn't sure whether to be shocked that he could procure gu poison or that he was suggesting she use it on Ji Bozhai.
Situ Ling's expression showed genuine sincerity in wanting to help her, but the whole idea felt strange.
Her mind raced, but she maintained an eager expression. "Does it really work?"
"Of course it does. But Lord Ji is extremely cautious. You might not succeed, but it's worth a try."
"Yes, yes!" Mingyi nodded without hesitation. "This servant is willing to try anything if it can make him change his mind."
Situ Ling glanced back at the tall guard behind him. After a moment of hesitation, the guard bowed and left.
Half an hour later, a black gu jar painted with red blood sigils was placed before Mingyi.
Goosebumps rose on her arms as she swallowed hard. "Does this gu bite?"
Situ Ling shook his head, splitting the jar into two with thin wooden slats and placing them before her. "This is the Mother Gu. Be careful not to let anyone find it. This is the Child Gu—very small. It's best mixed into tea, then water, and lastly wine."
Mingyi accepted them gratefully but couldn't help asking, "It won't harm anyone, will it?"
"Unless he tries to kill you, it won't endanger his life."
All things considered, it sounded like a good gu.
Mingyi blinked and suddenly asked, "Why are you so kind to this servant, my lord?"
Situ Ling swung his legs and smiled. "I've been frail since childhood, unfit to cultivate Essence Power. When I saw your prowess that day, I thought you were amazing—a woman who could cultivate such power."
"Just trivial tricks." Mingyi forced a laugh. "There was a Fighter in my village who liked to teach us a move or two in his free time. As you know, village girls have no discipline, running around and learning whatever they can. It's nothing special."
"I see." Situ Ling sighed. "But you're still more capable than I am."
How could that be? She certainly couldn't conjure gu out of thin air in Star Yearn City.With a silly laugh, Mingyi put on an eager expression and stood up, saying, "Then this servant shall return to prepare. If the matter succeeds, I will surely repay Young Master properly."
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