Ji Bozhai's reputation soared after the welcoming banquet. Even before the event concluded, praises for him had already spread far and wide.

"Those two treasures are truly extraordinary—one can forge the finest Divine Tool in the world, and the other can cultivate supreme Essence Power. Ji Bozhai outshone all competitors to claim them, not only bringing glory to our Star Yearn City but also securing our hopes for next year's championship."

"If Star Yearn City, long in decline, can return to the Upper Three Cities, taxes will be halved, and river embankments will be extensively built. Lord Ji would be a great hero."

The storyteller slammed his table: "Everyone's good days are just around the corner."

"Bravo!" Applause erupted in the teahouse.

At the main gate of the Ji residence, rewards and congratulatory gifts from Da Si were carried in like a flowing stream, taking a long while to complete. Meanwhile, the side gate saw no shortage of privately sent red silk bundles, and even handkerchiefs and medicinal salves from young ladies piled up like small hills.

Buxiu and Granny Xun couldn't stop smiling, but the man lying in bed recovering from his injuries wore a dark expression, showing no trace of joy.

Buxiu asked in confusion, "Didn't you say earlier that it didn't hurt anymore?"

"It doesn't."

Then why this look?

Buxiu scratched his head and brought over a pile of gifts. "This just shows how remarkable you are, my lord. The daughter of Censor Liu, whom you once complimented, has eagerly sent a handkerchief with a poem written in her boudoir."

"Miss Zhao is thoughtful—she sent freshly brewed tonic soup made with premium ingredients."

"Lady Li is generous—she provided top-grade medicinal salve, specially sought out for you, claiming it prevents scarring."

Ji Bozhai listened expressionlessly as over a dozen items were listed before him, yet he still asked, "Is that all?"

Buxiu blinked. "My lord, how many eligible noblewomen are there in the capital? So many have sent gifts despite risking their reputations. Aren't you satisfied?"

Indeed, so many well-bred young ladies could set aside propriety to send gifts. But what about the one in his own residence? Were the courtyard stones too rough underfoot, or was the sun so scorching it melted people, keeping her from visiting even once in a full day and seven hours?

Ji Bozhai sneered, flicking his sleeve. "Take these to the Lord of Flowing Radiance."

Buxiu's mouth twitched. "My lord, isn't that inappropriate?"

"I said take them, so take them."

"Yes."

Buxiu scratched his head as he carried the gifts out, thinking his lord had never been so unromantic before. Passing on gifts from admirers was one thing, but sending them to Ming Guniang? Wasn't that just asking to break her heart? With his lord's usual grace, he shouldn't stoop to such behavior.

He knocked on the Lord of Flowing Radiance's door with great embarrassment, intending to find a gentle way to explain things to Ming Guniang.

However, Mingyi merely glanced at the items and remarked, "Quite valuable," before showing no further interest. Instead, she asked, "How much longer must Twenty-Seven remain confined?"

Buxiu forced a laugh. "Don't worry, Ming Guniang. He's well cared for in the courtyard—good food and lodging, just no leaving the grounds. Nothing else is amiss."

But keeping someone locked up indefinitely wasn't right. Mingyi sighed. "If the lord truly distrusts him, perhaps he could be handed over to Sunspire City's envoys and taken back with them."

"That's beyond my authority," Buxiu said after a pause. "Maybe you could ask the lord yourself?"

Better not. Visiting him would inevitably involve tending to his wounds and meals—patience for that was in short supply right now.Waving her hand, Mingyi sat back down in the courtyard with a sigh.

Buxiu followed her for a couple of steps and whispered, "Miss, listen to my advice. The lord is actually quite easy to coax. If you just bring him a bowl of soup and say a few nice words, he might not refuse your request."

Mingyi sighed inwardly. Ji Bozhai was truly a master of deception—even his closest attendants were fooled. He wasn’t that easy to coax at all. When it came to his interests, forget soup; even if she served him dragon meat, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Better to seek help elsewhere.

Her eyes sparkled with an idea as she lightly tapped her forehead. "I have a family now. It wouldn’t be too much to visit them, would it?"

Buxiu was stunned. "Now... you want to go back now?"

"Does visiting family require checking the calendar?"

"Well, no, but..." Buxiu sighed. "How did things between you and the lord come to this?"

They used to get along so well and seemed so perfectly matched. Back then, Ming Guniang even risked her life to check on the lord’s injuries. Yet now, after such a short time, she wouldn’t even ask about his wounds.

Mingyi understood what he meant and smiled faintly. "The path was walked by both of us. I have my faults, and so does he. I don’t intend to change, and neither does he. From the very beginning, we were destined to end up like this. There’s nothing to regret."

With that, she turned and went to find Granny Xun to arrange her visit home.

This "family" of hers had been assigned by Da Si. With countless eyes watching the Ji residence, Ji Bozhai couldn’t openly confine her. He gritted his teeth and forced a smile. "She’s something else."

"My lord, don’t be angry. It’s bad for your health," Buxiu hurriedly advised.

"I’m not angry. Why should I be? She’s just an ordinary Dancing Girl, a nobody who can be found anywhere. Let her go wherever she pleases." He yanked the blanket over his head and said coldly, "I’m resting. Don’t disturb me unless it’s important."

"Yes."

Mingyi was assigned ten maids before she was allowed to leave.

Outsiders envied her grand procession, saying she had finally risen to fortune. But Mingyi couldn’t bring herself to smile. These maids stuck to her like glue, even following her to the privy. Finding a chance to speak privately with Situ Ling would be nearly impossible.

However, the moment she stepped through the gates of the Situ residence, Mingyi caught a strange scent in the air.

She covered her nose and mouth with her sleeve, pretending to cough.

Situ Ling, guiding her inside, chuckled. "Sister, you’re truly clever."

The maids following behind had no idea what this sudden praise was about, but as they walked, their heads grew dizzy, and soon they all collapsed.

Servants, seemingly prepared in advance and wearing face coverings, stepped forward to carry the unconscious maids away.

Once past the corridor, the air cleared. Mingyi lowered her sleeve and sighed. "Young master, your methods..."

Situ Ling spread his hands innocently. "I don’t like eavesdroppers. Do you, sister?"

"Not at all." Mingyi paused. "I just meant you could’ve had someone knock them out one by one with a handkerchief. That would’ve been much cheaper than filling the whole courtyard with knockout incense."

What a waste! All that smoke must have cost so many Shell Coins!

Situ Ling was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Sister, you come from a wealthy family. Why are you so concerned about money?"

Mingyi shook her head ruefully. "Precisely because I was once wealthy, I now know how precious money is when you’ve lost everything."She had deceived Ji Bozhai about many things, but she hadn't lied to him when she previously said she had survived by begging on the streets.