The streets of Erjiu were bustling with noise and activity, a constant flow of traffic. Mingyi mounted her horse and quickly disappeared around the corner.
Situ Ling stood by the window, watching, and asked his guard in bewilderment, "Do you think she's truly foolish or just pretending?"
The guard, Fu Yue, shook his head. "This subordinate lacks discernment."
The girl's expressions were utterly natural, her eyes clear as water, seemingly able to see through everything. Every reaction she displayed appeared to be instinctive, without the slightest flaw.
Such a person was either supremely intelligent or ordinarily foolish. Considering she was merely a woman, the latter seemed more likely.
Situ Ling sat on a high stool, swinging his legs, and softly hummed in thought.
"Regardless, I like her," he said with a smile. "I wish her good luck."
The steam from a roadside bun shop curled out, cooling the silk veil on her hat. Mingyi held the Gu vessel, her fingers tapping idly on its lid.
She was certainly not foolish enough to actually attempt to poison Ji Bozhai with a Gu. Others might not know what his formidable Essence Power could accomplish, but she understood all too well. Before the tea lid could even be lifted, Ji Bozhai would sense the living creature inside.
Yet she had no intention of discarding it either. Such a rare treasure had to be taken back for thorough investigation.
Thus, when Ji Bozhai finally returned to his residence after spending fifteen days at Flower Full Tower, he found Mingyi standing solemnly at the entrance of the Lord of Flowing Radiance's quarters, holding a tray.
"My lord," she asked gravely, "would you prefer this cup of Pu'er tea, this cup of Tieguanyin, or this cup of iced tea laced with Gu poison?"
He coughed in surprise. "Laced with what?"
"Gu poison," she said with a grimace. "From Moonchase City—a Love Curse that deepens affection. There's a child Gu in the cup and a Mother Gu in the clay pot under the bed."
Buxiu, startled, rushed inside to search for the pot. Ji Bozhai, however, remained unperturbed. He picked up the iced tea, gave it a brief glance, and chuckled. "Where did you get this?"
Mingyi blinked. "Is it truly a Love Curse?"
"With a hint of crimson at the head and a body as slender as ash—it is indeed a Love Curse."
Now she was puzzled. "This servant thought Situ Ling would want to use my hand to harm you. I never expected he'd actually give me a Love Curse. What could he be plotting?"
His expression darkened slightly as Ji Bozhai stepped past her into the room. "When did you meet him?"
"Just a couple of days ago, by chance on the road," Mingyi followed him inside, placing the tray on the table and answering honestly. "Of course, in front of him, I had to pretend I was being neglected by you. So he suggested I use a Gu."
His face grew colder. "How generous of him—to offer such a precious Gu to a mere stranger."
"Precious?" Mingyi glanced at the table. "This servant only knows it doesn't exist outside Moonchase City."
"Exactly because Moonchase City rarely allows Gu poison to leave its borders, this thing is exceptionally valuable," he said, half-closing his eyes. "He must have paid either a tremendous favor or a hefty sum to obtain it."
"But what's the benefit of poisoning you with a Love Curse?" She tilted her head. "To make you obey me, so I could then serve him?"
"Who knows?" Ji Bozhai scoffed. "Perhaps he simply wanted to help you."
If Mingyi had been slow to catch on earlier, this last remark should have clued her in. Even he himself could hear the unmistakable sourness in his tone.However, as Mingyi listened, she first pulled out her bronze mirror from who knows where, delightedly cradling her face and muttering, "So beauty has such benefits. Just being sad and upset can make someone treat you so generously. If I'd known, I would've said I was short on money."
Ji Bozhai: "..."
He was both amused and annoyed. "Are you really that short on money?"
Belatedly realizing the lord was displeased, Mingyi quickly set down the mirror and obediently moved closer to massage his shoulders. "How could that be? My lord treats me so well and even promised me five gold bars. My life couldn't be better."
Her eyes were cautious, clearly not understanding why he was upset about her lack of money but feeling compelled to placate him anyway.
Unable to resist, he pinched her soft, tender cheek. "If I were penniless, would you still follow me?"
Mingyi rolled her eyes. "If I were ugly as sin, would my lord still have brought me back to the manor?"
It was all about mutual benefit—who was he trying to guilt-trip here?
Ji Bozhai: "..."
A lump of frustration lodged in his chest. With a dark expression, he brushed her hands away.
After more than ten days apart, he had thought she might miss him. Turns out, he was the one being sentimental. All this time, he had been counting the days until his return, even instructing Buxiu to keep an eye on her, fearing she might be bullied in his absence. And what did he get in return? A heartless little thing.
"Oh, my lord~" Sensing the shift in mood, Mingyi quickly threw herself into his arms. "Why are you angry? I'm yours, after all. Look, even when someone offered me such a precious Love Curse, I told you everything without hiding a thing. How could you doubt my sincerity?"
That sounded a bit better.
Ji Bozhai snorted lightly, lifting her chin to examine her face. Satisfied, he noted, "You've lost weight."
Probably from missing him.
"My lord too," she said tenderly, stroking the side of his face. "You should rest and recover properly when you're back."
Otherwise, his health would suffer.
They gazed deeply into each other's eyes, each seeing a reflection of genuine emotion.
Buxiu tactfully collected the Mother Gu and withdrew.
Ji Bozhai settled her onto his lap, idly twirling a lock of her hair around his finger. "Since Situ Ling gave us the Love Curse, we might as well play along. Let’s see what else he has up his sleeve."
"Eep, I'm afraid I'll mess up and drag you down, my lord."
"Two gold bars."
"Understood, my lord. No problem, my lord."
Her eyes curved into delighted crescents as she raised a finger and lightly tapped his forehead. "Whoosh! Love Curse activated!"
Her fingertip was cool, the shimmering nail polish dazzling enough to make him momentarily dazed. Watching her lips part and close, Ji Bozhai actually felt a flicker of heat rise within him.
"You..." His Adam's apple bobbed. "Did you hide the Love Curse under your nail?"
Mingyi startled, hastily retracting her hand to inspect her nails. "No way! Did I? I'm innocent, I swear! There was only one Love Curse, and—"
She babbled on, showing no signs of stopping.
Chuckling low, he cupped the back of her head and pulled her down, intending to kiss her.
Mingyi dodged with surprising speed, flustered as she slipped off his lap. "My lord just returned—you must be hungry, right? I had the kitchen prepare some late-night snacks. Would you like to eat before resting?"
His arms now empty, he clicked his tongue in displeasure. "Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not avoiding you," Mingyi said, her eyes darting about. "It's just... my monthly courses have come. I can't serve you properly right now."He let out a sound of acknowledgment and calmly asked her, "Does menstrual blood come from the mouth?"
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