Although Zheng Tiao wasn't as formidable as Ji Bozhai, his mysterious demeanor and extraordinary bearing had made him the dream lover of many young ladies across the six cities. He rarely showed kindness to women, and rumors even circulated that he might be homosexual. Yet now, he was actually offering to escort Mingyi back?
Xu Tianji automatically dismissed Xiuyun—that little girl had no qualities that could possibly attract Zheng Tiao. It had to be Mingyi's tricks again, keeping Zheng Tiao lingering at the last seat, unwilling to leave.
Compared to Zheng Tiao, Xu Tianji naturally preferred Ji Bozhai, but she couldn't help feeling indignant. Mingyi was just an ordinary woman, skilled only in seductive arts. She probably didn’t even know what Essence Power was, let alone Combat Skills. How could she charm all these Fighters into treating her so well?
It was practically corrupting the social order.
"Miss Xu, the Empress summons you," a eunuch bowed to her.
Xu Tianji snapped out of her thoughts and stood up, turning to Xiuyun. "Don’t wander off. I’ll take you to meet someone later."
Xiuyun's eyebrows drooped in displeasure, but knowing Tianji's domineering nature, she didn’t dare retort. She just cast a longing glance in Mingyi's direction.
Zheng Tiao was still trying to persuade Mingyi: "Two hundred taels—that’s my final offer."
Mingyi had curled into a ball under the table, her face ashen. "This isn’t about money!"
Couldn’t he pick another time to discuss this?
Glancing around, Zheng Tiao finally realized the impropriety and nodded. "I’ll come find you after we return to the Ji residence."
A eunuch passing by choked in shock, coughing violently.
Two hundred taels? Returning to the Ji residence? How brazen!
"What’s wrong with you?" Zheng Tiao asked, baffled.
"This humble servant... Her Majesty the Empress requests Miss Ming's presence for a word," the eunuch stammered, wiping sweat from his brow.
The Empress? Mingyi peeked out from behind her hands and looked toward the other side. The Empress sat with a group of noblewomen in a secluded corner of the Song and Dance Stage, partially hidden by bamboo.
Her eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "I’ll go right away."
Though she didn’t know the Empress or why she was being summoned, escaping the scrutinizing gazes at the last seat was a blessing.
Mingyi kept her head low and hurried after the eunuch. Once past the bamboo thicket, she relaxed, smoothing her hair and dress before stepping forward with composed grace to bow.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress."
The courtyard was packed on three sides, the air thick with the expensive scent of perfumed powder. After her bow, no immediate response came—only hushed whispers rippling around her.
The atmosphere was far from comfortable, but Mingyi maintained her smile. Dealing with these noblewomen was far easier than facing the sharp-eyed men outside. At least here, she wouldn’t die.
"She’s certainly not timid," the woman on the main seat remarked after a long pause. "Sit."
Mingyi bowed in thanks, but a quick scan revealed every chair in the courtyard was occupied, and the eunuchs showed no intention of bringing another.
How petty.
"Miss Ming was once a Dancing Girl—her skills are exceptional. Aunt, if you’re in the mood, she could perform for you," Xu Tianji said sweetly, kneeling at the Empress’s feet.
Mingyi glanced at her and immediately knew trouble was coming. The way Xu Tianji addressed the Empress clarified everything.
The Empress’s niece wanted to marry into the Ji household—and first, she needed to remove the obstacle in her way.However, the welcoming banquet was still ongoing outside. No matter how high their status, surely they wouldn't make a move here?
Mingyi clung to a sliver of hope.
Yet reality proved her wrong—they absolutely would.
Back in the Ji residence, no one could touch her. Now that Ji Bozhai had finally grown tired of her, and she was conveniently within the Empress's reach, eliminating her would both assert authority and serve as a warning to the noblewomen present, deterring them from coveting a place in the Ji household. A perfect two-for-one.
Just as Mingyi stepped toward the center of the courtyard, the Empress's expression darkened.
"She stepped out with her left foot first—how inauspicious."
The attendants reacted swiftly, immediately sending two people to restrain her.
Mingyi: "..."
Seriously? They couldn't even bother to come up with a more plausible excuse?
"Your Majesty," someone nearby hesitantly interjected, "she was brought here by Lord Ji. If something were to happen—"
"Who knows if Lord Ji brought her or if she shamelessly tagged along?" Xu Tianji sneered. "No status, no name, and her contract is still held in the inner court. Strictly speaking, she falls under my aunt's jurisdiction."
Hearing this, the other noblewomen fell silent. After all, she was just a dancing girl—losing her was no great loss. Even if Ji Bozhai found out later, he likely wouldn't confront the Empress over her.
"Women should read more," the Empress remarked coolly. "A pretty face may beguile for a moment, but not forever."
"Your Majesty speaks wisely," the others murmured in agreement.
And so, Mingyi was escorted away from the Song and Dance Stage via a side path.
Xu Tianji's face lit up with delight as she whispered to the Empress, "Aunt, rest assured—Tianji will not fail your expectations."
The Empress watched Mingyi's retreating figure, slightly puzzled. "She didn't even beg for mercy."
Not a single plea, not even a struggle—just silent compliance as she was led away.
"Begging wouldn't have helped," Xu Tianji scoffed. "The inner court is your domain, Aunt. If you wish her dead, how could she draw another breath?"
Fair enough. The Empress withdrew her gaze and turned her attention back to the ongoing competition outside.
Luo Jiaoyang, Chu He, and others had seized the chance to participate, with mixed results. But Ji Bozhai had fought three times—three decisive victories, each opponent defeated without a shred of doubt.
This bolstered the Grand Minister's confidence. Smiling, he turned to Bo Yuankui. "Care to stretch your limbs, my lord?"
Bo Yuankui shook his head. "The journey has wearied me. Let Master She take the field instead."
The Grand Minister glanced at She Tianlin, but the latter was distractedly scanning the crowd for Mingyi. "I'm too old to compete with the young," She Tianlin said absently. "Send Zheng Tiao."
The Grand Minister then looked toward Zheng Tiao in the distance, only to find him equally disengaged, his eyes roving as if searching for something, devoid of any fighting spirit.
Were they all this intimidated by Ji Bozhai?
The Grand Minister was even more pleased. Turning to Ji Bozhai, he asked, "Would you care to pick another opponent?"
Ji Bozhai's gaze flickered toward the far end of the seating area, his expression equally indifferent. "There's no one left worth choosing."
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" The Grand Minister laughed heartily, beckoning Situ Ling closer. "Be careful, my lord," he murmured. "Don't injure Star Yearn City's pillar for the coming year."
He was referring, of course, to the matter of the poison.Situ Ling listened and smiled, "Harming Lord Ji would be quite difficult, but harming another Mother Gu is much simpler—please, Minister Superior, grant this humble official a token so I may go and rescue the Mother Gu."
Da Si was startled and quickly handed him the token. "Go swiftly and return quickly."
"Yes."
They spoke very softly, but Ji Bozhai still heard them.
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