Mingyi, this young woman, retained the same pride and temper as Ming Xian, making her no ordinary girl who could be easily coaxed. When she felt it necessary to stay in the Ji residence, she would naturally do everything in her power to remain. But when she saw no reason to return, she had countless ways to avoid it.
Thus, when Granny Xun hobbled into the Situ residence on her cane, all she found was an empty courtyard and Situ Ling, who was happily eating a sugar figurine.
"Granny, your leg hasn’t fully healed yet. Why come all this way?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
Granny Xun glanced around before lowering her eyes. "By my lord’s orders, I’ve come to fetch Ming Guniang."
"Ah, what unfortunate timing! Sister Ming has gone back to my hometown to visit family," he said with a smile. "She left several days ago and should have arrived by now."
What nonsense. Mingyi had no blood ties to the Situ family—what kind of family visit was this?
Granny Xun grew irritated. "Young master, you are, after all, an outsider. Matters between a husband and wife are best left to them."
"Husband and what?" Situ Ling raised an eyebrow. "Granny, don’t misremember. My sister is a concubine—one forcibly elevated by Da Si, at that. No rites were even performed. Can that truly be called a marriage? Lord Ji would be furious to hear such words."
Granny Xun faltered slightly before lowering her gaze. "Our lord has no one else in his household. He entrusted her with the rear courtyard and the account books—no different from a wife."
"Do you even believe that yourself, Granny?" Situ Ling sighed. "If Lord Ji was so heartless as to cast my sister out and tell her never to return, why send you here today?"
Granny Xun fell silent, thinking to herself that this was truly a mess of her lord’s own making.
Earlier, his beast-drawn carriage had circled the street three times, claiming he wanted to try the scallion pancakes sold there.
She and Buxiu both knew full well that those were Ming Guniang’s favorite. Their lord preferred lighter flavors and had never liked such greasy foods—he was most likely hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
His injuries hadn’t fully healed either, and he sat silently staring out of the carriage, melancholy. Unable to bear it, she had come ahead.
Yet who would have thought Situ Ling would prove such an obstacle?
She sighed. "Even if mistakes were made, she should at least be given a chance to explain."
"Did my sister get that chance when she made a mistake?" Situ Ling countered.
Granny Xun frowned at him. "Lord Ji and Ming Guniang share no true blood ties. Why must you interfere so?"
"It’s not that I’m interfering—Sister Ming really isn’t here anymore." He stepped aside. "Feel free to search."
But what could a limping old woman like her possibly find in the vast Situ residence?
Granny Xun stiffly motioned for the maid behind her to summon Buxiu.
Yet even after Buxiu and his men combed the place inside and out, there was no sign of Mingyi. The two exchanged a glance and understood.
This was something only their lord could resolve.
But the words had come from Ji Bozhai himself. If he came now, wouldn’t it be a slap to his own face? Proud as he was, he would likely never lower himself to do so.
Sure enough, upon hearing their report, Ji Bozhai leaned against the carriage wall and scoffed, "Who asked you to act on my behalf? Did I say I wanted her back?"
"But my lord, earlier you—"
"Earlier, I was merely thinking about how long the old residence would take to repair. What does that have to do with her?"
Oh, very well.
Buxiu and Granny Xun both fell silent. If their lord said he hadn’t been thinking of her, then he hadn’t. They wouldn’t meddle anymore.Thus, the beast-drawn carriage circled the streets near the Situ residence three more times, and neither of them spoke again.
Ji Bozhai stepped into the new residence with a cold demeanor, glancing around and finding everything unsatisfactory. "Are there no other places to stay in the city?"
The Minister of Construction trailed nervously behind him, sweating profusely. "Lord Ji, this is the finest vacant official residence in the city. It was once occupied by a prince, and there’s even a beast-breeding ground in the back."
"I couldn’t care less about a beast-breeding ground. This residence is too far from the inner court. If I need to report for duty, the beast-drawn carriage would take half an hour just to get there."
The Minister pondered for a moment. "Then how about the official residence at the end of Changrong Street? Though it’s a bit smaller."
"Too noisy, and the roads are congested. Not suitable for carriages."
"Well, there are a few smaller residences on Erjiu Street, but they hardly match your status."
Ji Bozhai grew impatient. "Are there no good residences on Yongning Street?"
The Minister looked astonished. Yongning Street wasn’t exactly a prime location. Although Situ Ling lived there, he was merely an upstart, and his official residence paled in both size and grandeur compared to this one.
"As a subject of the realm, one shouldn’t only think of personal comfort but also consider proximity to the inner court and the ability to serve Da Si promptly," Ji Bozhai said earnestly. "I’m still young and don’t need such a grand residence. Besides, this is only temporary. I find the residences on Yongning Street quite suitable."
The Minister suddenly understood, looking at him with admiration. "This humble official failed to consider that. Your dedication to Star Yearn City truly sets an example for us all!"
Ji Bozhai waved his hand. "Let’s go see another place."
The Minister hastily led the way.
Yongning Street wasn’t noisy, but neither was it remote. Vendors selling scallion pancakes lined the streets, lending a lively, bustling atmosphere.
From a distance, Ji Bozhai caught sight of the lintel of an official residence and remarked, "That one looks good."
The Minister followed his gaze and immediately clasped his hands. "This humble official will arrange for some minor renovations. You can move in shortly."
"Good." He nodded.
After seeing the Minister off, Ji Bozhai turned around to face the expressionless visages of Granny Xun and Buxiu.
"What?" He instinctively averted his gaze. "Isn’t this residence good?"
"Of course not," Granny Xun said sternly. "It’s right across from the Situ residence. You’ll inevitably run into Ming Guniang, and seeing her will only upset you."
"Indeed, my lord. If you dislike seeing Ming Guniang so much, why choose this place?" Buxiu added with a smirk.
Ji Bozhai turned his head. "I’ll be coming and going in a beast-drawn carriage. What could I possibly see? You’re overthinking it."
"In that case, I understand." Buxiu immediately instructed the servants behind him, "From now on, my lord will enter and exit through the side gate. Before boarding the carriage, have some sensible people clear the path to avoid any unwanted encounters."
"Yes, sir!"
Ji Bozhai: "..."
Rubbing his forehead, he chuckled. "After all these years by my side, the two of you have certainly grown bold."
"This humble servant wouldn’t dare. I only follow your orders and strive to serve you with all my heart," Buxiu said, clasping his hands.
Granny Xun also bowed her head. "This old woman is slow-witted and only knows to do as you say. If anything displeases you, please speak plainly."
A stifled sigh rose in his chest. Ji Bozhai waved them off and boarded the beast-drawn carriage.
For some reason, the carriage felt unusually heavy, lingering at the gate for a while before its wheels finally turned—just in time to see Situ Ling escorting Mingyi out to board their own carriage.
"Tsk." He pointed them out to Granny Xun. "Situ Ling lied to you.""Oh." Granny Xun didn't even look, just pulled down the carriage curtain on his side to cover it properly. "The young master has done nothing wrong, and even spared this old woman from punishment. He's a good man."
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