Yuan County, located beyond the southern mountains of Star Yearn City, was abundant in blood ginseng, though most grew on steep cliffs.
Ever since physician Wei Hongfei began boasting about the miraculous effects of blood ginseng, the local officials of Yuan County had been forcing farmers to harvest it, resulting in numerous fatal falls. Many families were torn apart after losing their men.
Most of these Dancing Girls from Yuan County came from families involved in ginseng gathering, so the Adjudicator suspected they might harbor deep resentment toward Wei Hongfei.
“In that case, Bozhai should be careful,” Qi? glanced at him.
Ji Bozhai dismissed the concern. “If they were to hate anyone, it should be the local officials. Why go through all the trouble to kill Wei Hongfei? Besides, he wasn’t the only one who died that day. This reasoning doesn’t hold up.”
“Seems like you’re too enchanted by beauty to even consider guarding against your lovely ladies,” Liang Xiuyuan teased. “Well, when your seventh-day memorial comes around, we can all gather for another round of drinks—worth it for the friendship.”
“Go to hell,” Yan Xiao shook his head.
The table erupted in laughter, but Ji Bozhai remained silent, playfully feeding the beauty in his arms two cups of strong wine before casually asking Shu Zhonglin, “How did you know the person I took back was from Yuan County?”
“Lord Ji, surely you’re aware of your current standing? The moment you left the inner courtyard that day, all of us gatekeepers had already gathered every detail about the woman you took. After all, knowing your tastes makes it easier to select suitable candidates for you in the future,” Shu Zhonglin said frankly. “My old man has already picked three or four girls resembling that little beauty of yours, just waiting for you.”
“It’s true,” Yan Xiao tossed a peanut into his mouth, mumbling, “Even I know your little beauty is a farm girl from a small village in Yuan County. Two years ago, after her father fell to his death, she drifted to the main city, endured hardship for a long time, and only then caught your eye.”
He paused before adding, “If you ever tire of her, let me know.”
Ji Bozhai shot him a glare. “Don’t even think about it. She’s been mine for a while now.”
“What are you imagining? I just pity her. If she ever loses her place, I’d take her in as a maidservant.”
Not a chance.
He smirked.
With Mingyi’s shrewd little money-hoarding ways, even if he ever grew tired of her and let her leave the estate, she’d already have the means to stand on her own. No need to serve as a maid.
The thought of her stirred a restless heat in his lower body, and he couldn’t resist pulling the little serving girl closer for some intimacy.
When Mingyi woke up, her entire body ached with a pleasant soreness. She blushed coyly as the maids helped her bathe, then shyly accepted the clothes from Granny Xun, her lashes fluttering. “I can dress myself.”
No one batted an eye at her bashful act. Granny Xun glanced at the unusually abundant marks on her body but said nothing, leading the others out.
The moment the door closed, the flush on Mingyi’s face vanished without a trace.
She rubbed her legs and hummed a cheerful tune as she sat before the vanity.
The girls from the inner courtyard hadn’t lied to her—when it came to size and skill, Ji Bozhai truly was the best, giving her a genuine taste of pleasure. It was worth choosing him as her first man.
Then again, maybe it was just her lack of experience. No harm in comparing him with others later before making a final judgment.She tied her hair into a neat bun and changed into a crimson inner garment. Mingyi didn’t rush to dress up further, instead first gently pushing open the window to peek outside.
The courtyard was vast, and her usual range of movement was limited. Seizing the moment, she decisively climbed out without hesitation.
Though her movements were somewhat hindered, years of rigorous training made it easy for her to evade the maids and elderly servants in the residence. Soon, she had stealthily entered his study.
Ji Bozhai was highly skilled in Combat Skill, and his study was filled with various training manuals. Mingyi searched for a while but couldn’t find what she wanted. Just as she was about to leave, she heard movement outside.
Startled, she swiftly leaped onto a beam, her crimson inner garment blending seamlessly with the red-painted wood.
"My lord, take it slow," the serving maid supported Ji Bozhai as he staggered inside, barely able to stand straight.
His eyes were hazy with drunkenness, yet he still managed a smile. "You’re quite something, even managing to outdrink Gong Wang."
"Having served in Gong Wang’s household for so many years, I knew His Highness couldn’t handle mixed liquors. That’s how I got the upper hand," the maid blushed as she helped him into a chair. Instead of leaving, she leaned into him, coyly saying, "For you, my lord, I’ve even betrayed my master."
He chuckled, his slender fingers tracing the side of her face. The maid, as if receiving a signal, eagerly leaned closer.
Mingyi pressed her lips together.
What a philandering scoundrel. Thankfully, she had known his true nature beforehand and hadn’t taken his sweet talk seriously. Otherwise, she might have been heartbroken.
They had only just consummated their marriage, and here he was, already eager to cozy up to someone else.
Even pigs weren’t this prolific.
Rolling her eyes, Mingyi considered an escape route. But the study wasn’t spacious, and the pair were right beneath her—any movement risked detection.
"My lord, have you forgotten the beauty in your household? I heard she’s quite stunning," the maid cooed.
Ji Bozhai tossed aside her sash and murmured, "You’re stunning too."
"My lord, you’re awful~" she playfully pushed him. "Then tell me, who’s more beautiful—her or me?"
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful, your whole family is beautiful.
Mingyi scoffed and closed her eyes, deciding ignorance was bliss.
Unexpectedly, Ji Bozhai didn’t indulge her with praise. Instead, he released her. "Jealousy is tiresome."
The maid clearly hadn’t expected this reaction and immediately pleaded, "I won’t ask again, my lord. Please don’t be angry."
"You seem drunk too. I’ll have someone take you to the rear courtyard for now," he said lazily. "I’ll visit you when I have time."
The maid was both shocked and delighted—shocked that a single remark had halted their intimacy, and delighted that she was actually being allowed to stay in the residence.
This was an incredible opportunity.
She hurriedly expressed her gratitude, reluctantly adjusted her clothes, and glanced back at him longingly with every step.
Ji Bozhai massaged his temples, reclining in the chair without another word.
The door opened and closed. He glanced at the beam above but pretended not to notice, calling out instead, "Granny Xun."
"Your servant is here."
"Is Lady Yi awake?"
"Yes, she’s already dressing and preparing."
He nodded and rose unsteadily. "I’ll go see her."
Mingyi broke into a cold sweat.
Seriously? Even drunk, this beast still wanted to see her?She quickly glanced at her current position, calculated the distance he would cover walking down the corridor, held her breath waiting for him to step out of the study, then immediately leaped down and scrambled out through the window.
The corridor was no longer an option. She eyed the grimy courtyard wall beside her, gritted her teeth, climbed up, and sprinted along the tiled eaves.
Ji Bozhai passed through the winding corridor while she dashed to the wall behind the firewood shed.
Ji Bozhai entered the main courtyard just as she dropped down behind its corner.
He pushed open the door—only to find the room empty.
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