Mingyi stumbled from the push but was about to leave since she had let go of Ji Bozhai’s hand anyway. After all, she wasn’t particularly keen on sitting by his side today—it wasn’t like she couldn’t eat meat elsewhere.
However, Ji Bozhai didn’t release her.
He sidestepped to avoid Xu Tianji’s approach, pulling Mingyi into his arms instead, and strode toward the main seats without a backward glance.
Xu Tianji, caught off guard, turned back in disbelief only to see him pressing Mingyi down onto the cushion beside him with both hands on her shoulders.
Mingyi gave her a helpless look and shrugged from afar.
Bold-faced exclusion and showing off!
Xu Tianji couldn’t accept this, nor could she simply walk away. After hesitating for a long moment, she swallowed her pride and followed, standing in the empty space on Ji Bozhai’s other side.
"My lord," she said with a lowered head, "this humble girl will stay here—both to assist you and to avoid being a hindrance."
"Unnecessary." Ji Bozhai’s patience wore thin. "I prefer clever people, but you clearly aren’t one."
Xu Tianji panicked. "This girl… may not be the brightest, but she is no fool. Why would you say such a thing?"
Even Mingyi couldn’t bear to watch and kindly reminded her, "Miss Xu, you lack a bit of tact."
Ji Bozhai despised clinginess and trouble. When he liked someone, he naturally allowed closeness, but once he grew tired of them, there was no point in forcing proximity—the more one pushed, the more he’d be annoyed.
She genuinely meant to help, but for some reason, Xu Tianji seemed even angrier upon hearing this, tears welling in her eyes. "What business is it of yours when I speak to my lord?"
Youth was indeed hot-blooded—her words came out sharp.
Mingyi smiled faintly and looped her arm through Ji Bozhai’s. "This is my husband. When you speak to him, it naturally concerns me."
Ji Bozhai’s absentminded hand stilled mid-sway.
He glanced at her swiftly before lowering his gaze again.
Mingyi didn’t notice his reaction, merely lifting her chin at Xu Tianji. "Didn’t you say earlier that I had no status? At your request, Da Si just promoted me to a proper concubine."
Xu Tianji was stunned.
She had no idea what had happened the day before, and upon hearing this news, it felt like a thunderbolt had struck her.
Mingyi had become Ji Bozhai’s concubine? Then what about her? What was she supposed to do?
If her aunt found out she had failed and even caused her punishment, would she even survive?
Her lips trembled as she turned teary eyes to Ji Bozhai. "My lord, why do you only care about appearances? That flimsy beauty of hers—won’t it fade and change with time? I’m the one who can truly help you!"
Ji Bozhai snapped out of his daze from Mingyi’s sweet words and found her statement rather amusing.
Xu Tianji’s so-called "help" merely involved him acting familiar to spare the other party’s embarrassment. Even without her, he wouldn’t lose anything—why did she act as though he couldn’t do without her?
"Do you know the meaning of the passage in Chapter Eight, Section Two of the Fighter Registry ?" he asked.
Her face stiffened slightly, and Xu Tianji halted her sorrowful display, lowering her eyes in embarrassment. "My teacher hasn’t covered that section yet."
Ji Bozhai nodded in understanding, then turned to Mingyi. "Do you know?"
"How could she possibly know?" Xu Tianji scoffed. A mere dancing girl—who knew if she could even read?
Mingyi scratched her head, looking slightly awkward. "Chapter Eight, Section Two… I have read it."
"Oh?" Ji Bozhai perked up. "Did you understand it?""I think I understand now." She glanced at Xu Tianji beside her, whose eyes were filled with shock and disbelief, and said softly, "It's just about a Fighter's mindset. Those who are overconfident often suffer crushing defeats. So when exerting force, one must focus entirely and not be distracted. And regardless of the opponent's strength, they should always be treated as formidable adversaries."
After speaking, she couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "So eager to lecture others."
Xu Tianji's lips had already turned pale as she listened to her speak. Upon hearing this final remark, she immediately shouted in anger, "What status do you have to dare criticize the author of the Fighter Registry ?!"
Her voice was truly loud—not only did the envoys from Sunspire City seated at the main table hear it clearly, but even the scholars and Fighters at the far end of the banquet hall caught every word.
The banquet hadn't even begun yet, and Da Si hadn't taken his seat, so the guests weren't as restrained. Someone immediately called out, "Who dares slander the Ming family heir? The people from Sunspire City are sitting right there!"
"Yeah, tired of living?"
Accusations swarmed from all directions. Xu Tianji smugly lifted her chin and pointed at Mingyi. "It's her."
Mingyi looked at her with pity in her eyes.
This girl had good qualities, but unfortunately, she wasn't very bright. This was the Song and Dance Stage, the territory of Star Yearn City. As a citizen of Star Yearn City, accusing Mingyi of slandering someone from Sunspire City wouldn’t please anyone from Star Yearn City. Likewise, though the Sunspire envoys held high status, they were still guests here and couldn’t dictate Star Yearn City’s affairs.
Such actions would only make the situation awkward, not put Mingyi in any real danger.
Sure enough, after a brief uproar, Dan Er from the main table spoke up, "This is a place for exchange and discussion. Taking words out of context is most unwelcome—please choose your words carefully, young lady."
Xu Tianji froze, not expecting this reaction from the envoy. She quickly turned to She Tianlin beside her. Master She was Ming Xian’s mentor—how could he tolerate someone disparaging his disciple?
Yet She Tianlin, drawn by the commotion, simply smiled and asked Mingyi, "In your opinion, how should this section be written?"
Mingyi didn’t dare meet his eyes and muttered, "Since it’s the Fighter Registry , just write about Combat Skills."
"I advised Ming Xian the same back then, but he wouldn’t listen." She Tianlin burst into laughter.
He laughed so heartily that the surrounding guests were baffled. A mere noblewoman had dared to critique their Ming family heir—why was he so amused?
Xu Tianji clenched her jaw until her cheeks ached. She raised her hand, ready to speak again, but several attendants quietly escorted her away.
The banquet guests took this as a cue to start discussing the Fighter Registry , and gradually, no one paid attention to Mingyi anymore. She sighed in relief and leaned slightly to the side, only to hear Ji Bozhai say, "She Tianlin is far too familiar with you."
Her heart skipped a beat. Lowering her gaze, she replied, "Master She is kind-hearted. He treats everyone this way."
"Is that so?" He nodded. "But the Fighter Registry only made its way from Sunspire City to Star Yearn City this year. Where did you learn about its eighth chapter?"
Mingyi: "..." No matter how carefully she planned, she hadn’t accounted for this.
She opened her mouth but couldn’t find any words.
"No rush." Ji Bozhai chuckled, his dark eyes slowly sweeping over her face. "I have plenty of time. Take your time making something up."
If he was already telling her to fabricate an excuse, what was the point? Nothing she said would convince him.Mingyi pursed her lips and simply pretended not to hear.
The pickled cucumbers on the table looked quite appetizing. As she picked up a piece to eat, someone across from her suddenly spoke up: "That young lady just now had remarkable insights. She seems like someone who knows Combat Skill. Might we request a demonstration?"
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