The girls chattered away, their spittle flying all the way to the carriage shaft.
Mingyi listened, a cloud of confusion slowly forming over her little head.
She had merely stated a fact—why were they getting so worked up? Ji Bozhai was picky; unless a woman was stunningly beautiful, he wouldn’t even spare her a glance. Just look at Qingli from Flower Full Tower—hadn’t she fallen victim to that very trait? Mingyi hadn’t said anything wrong.
Ordinary beauty bored him; only those with breathtaking looks could catch his eye, and the girls outside clearly fell short.
But since they were so impassioned, Mingyi didn’t interrupt. She merely blinked and quietly watched them put on airs as they discussed the Six Cities Tournament.
“I went with my brother last year to watch. Lord Ji was in a league of his own—his heroic bearing is something you wouldn’t understand unless you saw it in person.”
“Not just anyone can enter the tournament grounds. Don’t embarrass this country girl.”
“True. This year, she might get to see it thanks to his lordship’s favor. Let’s just hope she doesn’t disgrace him when the time comes.”
Granny Xun endured it as long as she could before finally stepping forward with a few servants, firmly separating the girls. “Excuse us. My lord has instructed that Ming Guniang is precious and not to engage in idle chatter with just anyone.”
Tianji and the others stumbled back, only to see mere servants. Their indignation flared. “I am a noble daughter of the Xu family! What gives you the right to push me?”
“Dogs acting high and mighty just because their master is powerful.”
She pointed at Granny Xun’s nose, but her insults were clearly aimed at the person inside the carriage. The girls’ family servants surged forward, shoving against Granny Xun.
Frowning, Mingyi rose to help, but a tall guard appeared beside her, his steel blade flashing out and instantly scattering the crowd with frightened screams.
“Ming Guniang.” Fu Yue turned and clasped his fists toward her. “This way.”
He was Situ Ling’s guard.
Mingyi quickly pulled Granny Xun back into the carriage and nodded at him. “Thank you.”
Fu Yue said nothing, his sheathed blade held protectively alongside the beast-drawn carriage until they reached Huabiezhi.
Thus, Mingyi knew—Situ Ling was also at Huabiezhi.
She entered calmly, following the attendants upstairs, and said to Granny Xun, “This is the young Lord Situ whom his lordship wishes me to meet. Please wait outside for me.”
Granny Xun glanced at the guards by the door and nodded, leading the servants downstairs to wait.
As soon as Mingyi entered, she heard Situ Ling laughing. “None of those sisters know a lick of Essence Power, yet they dared to speak to Sister Ming like that on the street.”
News traveled fast. She clicked her tongue—Fu Yue had been with her the whole way, yet Situ Ling already knew what had happened.
“Thank you for your help, young lord.” She stepped forward and bowed. “This servant owes you a debt that’s hard to repay.”
Situ Ling had bought sugar figurines again today and casually handed her one, smiling. “Sister Ming is so kind-hearted. I’m happy to help without expecting anything in return.”
People who said that usually wanted something.
Mingyi smiled and sat down, obligingly offering, “To receive grace without repayment weighs on my conscience. Without young lord’s Love Curse, this servant wouldn’t enjoy such favor today. If there’s anything this servant can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
At this, Situ Ling asked curiously, “Sister, how did you get Lord Ji to drink that Love Curse?”Her face flushed red as Mingyi feigned shyness: "How can I say such things... there are always some methods. It's truly miraculous—such a tiny thing actually made the lord change his mind."
Her eyes sparkled: "If I hold that Mother Gu and wish for the lord to marry me, would he agree?"
Situ Ling laughed: "While this could be attempted, Sister Ming's status is unsuitable. Forcing the position of mistress would only invite trouble. It would be happier to remain as you are now, like celestial lovers with Lord Ji."
Mingyi pouted: "Young master thinks this servant isn't worthy of the main seat."
"That's not what I meant." Situ Ling shook his head. "Sister, you may not know—Lord Ji's origins are unclear, and he hides many secrets. If you became mistress, you'd inevitably learn things too heavy to bear."
These words sounded more like temptation than warning, especially designed to pique curiosity—particularly when she was "deeply in love" with Ji Bozhai.
Thus, Mingyi played along with urgency: "The lord is pure and innocent, what secrets could he have? Isn't he also from humble beginnings in the Slave Arena?"
"If someone from the Slave Arena could possess such remarkable talent, all of us in Star Yearn City should kneel and thank our ancestors for their blessings." Situ Ling handed her a plate of pear blossom pastries. "Have some, sister."
In her current state, she had no appetite. Twenty-Seven was right—despite his youth, Situ Ling seemed to know everything, which was somewhat terrifying.
"Young master, could you point this servant toward a clear path?" she pleaded mournfully. "I truly adore Lord Ji and wish to stay with him forever. I want to know everything about him."
Situ Ling changed the subject: "Speaking of which, our Star Yearn has several promising talents this year. Earlier, I saw—"
"Young master!" She wasn't fooled, stamping her foot impatiently.
Situ Ling hummed, remaining silent for a long moment before sighing: "If Sister Ming is truly interested, go search the old residence in the Ji estate yourself. If you find a willow tree facing the sun, there should be a copper-skinned vanity case buried beneath it."
Old residence? Mingyi stiffened: "Is it a courtyard covered in cyan tiles?"
"Sister Ming has seen it before?"
"Only from afar outside. The lord forbids approaching it."
With an understanding smile, Situ Ling said: "I was very happy to see you today, sister. Do be careful when going out in the future—avoid provoking troublesome women. I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Mingyi pretended to urge him to stay, but Situ Ling vanished swiftly with his guards in the blink of an eye.
She sat down in the side chamber, waiting until she sensed no one around before pulling out the blueprint from her sleeve for another look.
The Cyan Tile Courtyard was marked as "old residence" at the very center of the Ji estate.
According to Situ Ling, this place couldn't possibly be just an old, neglected house—yet everyone in the Ji estate seemed to ignore it by unspoken agreement.
Suddenly, two knocks sounded from the wall separating the adjacent chamber—tap, tap—startling her into hastily folding the map.
Then a hidden door in the wall slid open, revealing Dan Er's face.
"You succeeded far quicker than I imagined," he remarked, glancing toward where Situ Ling had departed. "Judging by his words earlier, Lord Ming has truly won Ji Bozhai's favor."
Detecting mockery, Mingyi sneered: "Whether as a man you couldn't defeat me, or as a woman you lack my skills—are you jealous now?""Lord Ming is a heaven-favored prodigy, how could we ordinary folk dare compare ourselves to you." Taking the map from her hand, Dan Er clicked his tongue lightly. "You've actually never been inside this Cyan Tile Courtyard?"
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