Situ Ling lacked Essence Power and couldn't protect Mingyi—that wasn't his fault, but rather the fault of Si Hou, who disregarded Minister Superior's authority to kill.
Da Si was clear-headed and had no intention of pursuing the matter with Si Hou in front of outsiders. He merely said, "You've worked hard, my dear minister. There's no fault to speak of."
With that, he glanced at Si Hou. "You may retire first to rest."
Hearing the displeasure in his tone, Si Hou gritted her teeth and led her entourage away in haste.
He then turned to Mingyi with a smile. "You're the first woman I've seen who possesses Essence Power. Since you're also Ji Bozhai's beloved concubine, why not be titled as the Golden Hairpin Fighter? Tomorrow, you shall attend the welcoming banquet and sit at the main table."
Mingyi immediately curtsied upon hearing this. "Many thanks, Minister Superior."
She was to attend tomorrow as well—meaning no matter how furious Ji Bozhai was, he couldn't kill her today. Excellent.
Ji Bozhai could practically hear the calculations clicking in her head from afar.
He found it amusing. A single day's reprieve—was that really worth such joy?
Earlier, he had been angry at her deception, but now he wasn't. There were simply too many things she had hidden from him; it was impossible to stay angry. Now, he just wanted to see who she really was, what she intended to do, and whether she'd live long enough to do it.
"Since she's been found, I shall take her back now," Ji Bozhai said gently, extending a hand toward Mingyi. "Come here."
A chill ran down Mingyi's spine. Instinct screamed at her to flee, but under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she couldn't refuse her husband. Forcing herself forward, she offered him a smile uglier than tears.
Ji Bozhai tenderly caressed her face. "You must be exhausted after such a long day. Go back and rest well."
With that, he bowed to Da Si. "I take my leave."
Situ Ling opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, watching helplessly as Ji Bozhai led Mingyi away. Their retreating figures even looked somewhat well-matched.
"Minister Superior," Situ Ling sighed, "since Ming Guniang possesses Essence Power, she cannot be allowed to return to the Ji residence."
Da Si finally caught on and lightly tapped his forehead. "You mean..."
"Minister Superior could find a pretext for Ming Guniang to stay temporarily at my residence," Situ Ling suggested, cupping his hands. "This way, the Mother Gu can restrain the Child Gu. Otherwise, if mother and child are united, the leverage becomes meaningless."
"That makes sense." Da Si nodded, though still troubled. "But Mingyi is, after all, Ji Bozhai's concubine. What pretext would be appropriate?"
"Since Ming Guniang is to be introduced to the foreign envoys as a Fighter, her status shouldn't appear too lowly. Why not refer to her as my elder sister? A sister returning home for a brief stay would be perfectly reasonable."
Da Si appreciated this about Situ Ling—he always thought ahead and covered every angle.
Just as he was about to agree, someone suddenly approached in haste.
"Da Si," She Tianlin greeted with a cupped hand. "This old man has an impertinent request."
This was an honored guest, and Da Si dared not slight him. He quickly motioned for Situ Ling to stand behind him before returning the gesture. "Elder, please speak."
"This old man once had a daughter who died young, a loss that has pained me for many years. Just now, I saw a woman whose features bear a striking resemblance to my departed child. I am willing to offer an additional ten percent in tribute if Da Si would grant her to me."
Ten percent! That could buy thousands upon thousands of women.
Da Si beamed. "If her status permits, of course she can be granted—does the elder know her name?"
"I do not know her name, but she was seated in the last row, first seat to the right, third from the end."The third seat in the first row of the last section... Da Si thought for a moment and then laughed heartily—ah, that must be Mingyi.
He fell silent.
She Tianlin was still bowing with hands clasped: "If Da Si agrees, this old man can offer your city ten additional Divine Tools, each no less powerful than 'Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing the Heart.'"
Da Si nearly drooled at the offer and blurted out, "Deal—"
Before he could finish, Situ Ling tugged at his sleeve, causing his words to falter: "Deal... or not, it's not up to me. She's Ji Bozhai's concubine."
Concubine?!
She Tianlin's temple veins twitched, his eyes filled with deeper anguish: "This old man longs for his daughter. I beg Da Si to grant my wish. If possible, name any condition you desire."
What a stroke of luck! Da Si's rational defenses were on the verge of collapse, his head spinning as he nearly nodded—until he spotted another figure rushing toward them.
"What brings you all here?" Zheng Tiao glanced around hesitantly before asking She Tianlin, "Have you seen Mingyi?"
She Tianlin shot him an irritated look: "Who's Mingyi? Never heard of her."
"The Dancing Girl from Ji Bozhai's household," Zheng Tiao gestured, "the one who was sitting in front of me earlier."
Da Si was stunned: "You're looking for her too?"
"She... dropped her hairpin earlier. I came to return it."
Zheng Tiao was clearly a terrible liar, stammering through his words with shifty eyes.
Da Si's head buzzed with confusion. How was it that all these influential figures were suddenly entangled with that little Dancing Girl from the Ji household?
Thankfully, she had Essence Power—otherwise, if she'd died here today, things would have spiraled out of control.
"Minister Superior, about the matter we discussed earlier?" Seeing the growing competition, Situ Ling quickly reminded him.
She Tianlin snapped back to attention and declared, "This old man wants Mingyi."
Realizing what was happening, Zheng Tiao also clasped his hands: "I knew her first. If Lord Ji no longer favors her, Ming Guniang could come with me."
Surrounded by them, Da Si felt suffocated by the overwhelming Essence Power pressing down on him. He hastily broke free, waving his hands: "Since she belongs to Ji Bozhai, let him decide. I doubt he’ll let any of you have your way—he seems quite fond of Mingyi."
Fond? Zheng Tiao shook his head: "He doesn’t like complicated women. If she knows even a bit of martial arts, let alone Essence Power, he wouldn’t keep her around."
"You didn’t see it earlier," Da Si chuckled, shaking his head. "The moment Si Hou moved toward her, Ji Bozhai immediately dragged me along. I’ve never seen him so flustered."
The three men around him froze.
Ji Bozhai... flustered... over Mingyi?
......
Ji Bozhai sat coldly in the beast-drawn carriage, not even sparing Mingyi a glance.
Knowing he intended to kill her, Mingyi dropped her act and relaxed against the carriage wall, closing her eyes slightly. "Believe it or not, I never meant to harm you. I went to the Cyan Tile Courtyard because there’s an antidote I need. I was hoping to get lucky."
Essence Power, blackened Meridians, and seeking his antidote.
Ji Bozhai pieced it together instantly: "You’ve been poisoned with Sky of Eternal Regret."
Sky of Eternal Regret was a toxin designed specifically for Essence Power users. The fact that she was still alive meant her previous Essence Power had been formidable.
"You really have the antidote?" Mingyi’s eyes lit up.
Watching her reaction, Ji Bozhai scoffed: "There’s only one bottle left. I need it to save my own life—why would I give it to you so easily?"
Her expression tensed: "Have you also been poisoned with Sky of Eternal Regret?""No," he said casually. "But this poison isn't extinct—who knows when I might need it someday."
Meaning he simply wouldn't give it.
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