Mingyi felt a bit guilty. After all, she was under someone else's roof—it wasn't right to openly embarrass him like this. Even if she disliked Ji Bozhai, she shouldn't give him such a terrible experience.
So she immediately knelt before him in feigned panic: "This humble servant has been feeling unwell lately and ruined your mood, my lord. Please calm your anger."
Ji Bozhai lowered his gaze, his eyes icy: "If you're unwell, you should rest properly."
With that, he stood and strode out the door without looking back.
"Ah, my lord..." Mingyi pretended to call after him, lingering by the doorframe as she watched him leave.
He seemed truly furious—even his retreating figure radiated anger.
Looks like he wouldn't be visiting her anytime soon.
Her expression relaxed, and Mingyi hummed a little tune as she returned to her room to tidy up the dishes before bed.
Outside, the plants in the courtyard trembled. Wherever Ji Bozhai had passed, it was as if an icy wind had blown through, startling even the sleeping birds into flight.
Buxiu followed behind him, attempting to soothe: "My lord, didn't you eagerly anticipate returning? Why take such offense with Ming Guniang?"
"I did look forward to returning—but look at her!" Ji Bozhai was livid. "What kind of attitude is that?"
Other women would pine for him day and night, flattering and fawning over him. Yet she alone dared to retch after kissing him.
He couldn't fathom it—he hadn't touched Qingli, nor eaten anything strange. Why would she react like this?
Could it be that her frequent interactions with Situ Ling lately had stirred disloyalty in her?
He accidentally voiced this last thought aloud, drawing a mix of amusement and exasperation from Buxiu: "My lord, Situ Ling is only fifteen."
"And what of it? Fifteen is old enough to marry," he narrowed his eyes.
"But surely not... Ah, my lord, calm yourself. Perhaps Ming Guniang truly is unwell."
"What kind of ailment makes someone vomit like that?"
Buxiu pondered: "Ming Guniang has been in the residence for over a month now. Could she be with child?"
Ji Bozhai halted abruptly, turning with a grave expression: "What did you say?"
Buxiu froze, realizing his blunder, and quickly amended: "This servant merely speculates—it may not be true."
After a moment of silence, Ji Bozhai composed himself slightly: "Didn't she drink the medicine after serving me?"
"My lord, she did. I saw her drink every last drop."
"Then why spout nonsense?" He resumed walking.
The starlight illuminated the courtyard path, glinting off the rippling pond where a koi flicked its tail, sending up a splash.
Ji Bozhai slowed to a stop again: "Is it possible... the medicine failed?"
It took Buxiu a moment to realize his lord was still preoccupied with Mingyi's situation. Surprised and somewhat amused, he offered: "If my lord is concerned, shall I summon a physician to examine Ming Guniang tomorrow?"
"Have her examined," Ji Bozhai murmured. "For peace of mind."
Continuing the family line was paramount to others, but to Ji Bozhai, it was nothing but trouble and burden. Even if it were Mingyi...
Come to think of it, Mingyi was stunningly beautiful, and he was exceptionally handsome—what a magnificent child they might produce.
Ji Bozhai indulged in the thought.The eyebrows should resemble hers—delicate and graceful. The eyes must also take after hers, exceptionally bright and enchanting. The nose bridge could inherit his—tall and straight. The lips might as well be like his, smiling and full of affection.
If everything settles down in the future, it wouldn’t be out of the question to consider.
But not now. Now is not the right time, truly not. If she were to conceive, she’d have to endure the ordeal of losing it. Her constitution is too weak—just carrying him for a few steps had exhausted her so. If any lasting harm were to take root, she might spend the rest of her days bedridden.
Though a sickly beauty would still be pitifully charming, he’d much rather she remained healthy.
If health was truly the priority, leaving the capital and living incognito to nurture a pregnancy wouldn’t be impossible. But Mingyi was currently too useful; having her by his side to assist was ideal. If that really couldn’t work… then he’d have to find a place where he could feel at ease sending her.
Where would be best?
Lost in these wandering thoughts, Ji Bozhai only snapped back to reality when he reached the gate of his own courtyard, realizing something was amiss.
He treated all women the same—why should Mingyi be any different? She was just an ordinary girl, even if a bit smarter, prettier, and more endearing. She was still just a pawn to be discarded whenever necessary.
Shaking his head, he thought he must have been driven to distraction by Mingyi, letting his thoughts be led astray by her.
Enough of this. He’d wait for the physician’s examination before thinking further.
After changing and bathing, he calmly retired to bed.
—Then, at dawn the next day, Yan Xiao was dragged all the way into the Ji residence, barely awake.
“Hold on, Lord Ji, slow down,” Yan Xiao mumbled, his eyes still half-closed. “What illness needs seeing at this hour?”
“Nothing serious. Just a routine pulse check.” Ji Bozhai’s expression was calm, but his steps were hurried.
Yan Xiao, torn between laughter and exasperation, flapped his sleeves. “I’m a proper third-rank imperial physician, and you’re having me come here for a routine pulse check?”
“I don’t trust anyone else’s skills.”
Was he supposed to be grateful for that trust? Yan Xiao sighed, stumbling several times as he was practically hauled into the Lord of Flowing Radiance’s quarters.
Once inside, however, Ji Bozhai stopped, instructing Granny Xun, “Escort the physician.”
Yan Xiao was baffled. “You’re not coming in?”
“I have other matters to attend to.”
“What could you possibly be busy with at this hour? Crowing like a rooster?”
“...” Ji Bozhai raised his leg, tempted to kick him inside.
Seeing this, Yan Xiao stopped his teasing and swiftly dodged, clutching his pulse-taking thread as he followed Granny Xun into the side hall.
Mingyi wasn’t fully awake either. Even after Granny Xun helped her freshen up and tidy her appearance, she dozed behind the curtain, barely reacting as the thread was tied around her wrist.
After feeling her pulse for a moment, Yan Xiao rolled his eyes. “Eating well, drinking well, sleeping well—this person is healthier than anyone. What’s he so worried about?”
Granny Xun smiled. “He’s just overly concerned for the young lady.”
That scoundrel could worry about someone else? Yan Xiao didn’t believe it—until he stepped outside and saw Ji Bozhai still standing under the eaves of the corridor. He couldn’t help but chuckle.
So he really was worried?
Sauntering over, Yan Xiao patted his shoulder. “If you’d just admitted you were serious this time, the rest of us wouldn’t have joked around earlier.”
Ji Bozhai snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at him. “Serious about what?”
“The one inside.” Yan Xiao jerked his chin toward the room. “You’re this anxious, and you’re still going to deny it?”
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