Situ Ling sneezed violently.
He leaned out and saw Ji Bozhai's beast-drawn carriage kicking up dust as it passed ahead. He couldn't help but pout, "He must be cursing me."
"Who?" Mingyi had already settled inside the carriage and didn't look outside.
"No one, just a petty man." He snorted with laughter and climbed into the carriage after her. Seeing Mingyi distracted by her cultivation, he couldn't resist advising her, "It's only about three incense sticks' time to Zhang Tai's shop, sister. Why bother exerting yourself?"
Cultivation was taxing, and such a short time wouldn't bring significant progress.
But Mingyi was accustomed to it: "I used to cultivate even while eating and sleeping. It's second nature to me."
Previously, she had to hide her cultivation from Ji Bozhai, and with her meridians severely damaged, she had set it aside for a while. Now that no one was watching her and she had found a way to utilize her flawed meridians, she naturally wanted to cultivate properly.
Situ Ling frowned deeply upon hearing this. "Sister, your days as a Fighter were truly harsh."
"Not just as a Fighter. It's been like this since I was five," she said with a smile. "I was born with crimson meridians, a visible abundance of talent. Who would let me rest?"
Some people's meridians only became apparent in their teens, granting them over a decade of freedom. But for someone like Ming Xian, whose meridians shone bright red from birth, sparing her infancy was already a mercy.
Situ Ling suddenly felt less envious of Fighters. Not having Essence Power had its advantages—at least he still belonged to himself.
As the city was still hosting envoys, shops selling luxury gifts were doing better business than usual. When Mingyi stepped out of the carriage, Zhang Tai was just handing a beautifully wrapped brocade box to a customer with a smile.
"Yi'er!" Spotting her, Zhang Tai's eyes lit up. She quickly bowed to the customer and rushed over, grasping Mingyi's hands and looking her up and down. "Are you alright?"
Mingyi twirled in front of her, grinning. "Perfectly fine."
"You scared me to death." Eyes glistening, Zhang Tai hurriedly had the shop closed and led Mingyi to the backyard. "There are so many rumors about you in the city lately. I had no idea how you were really doing."
Rumors? Mingyi raised an eyebrow.
Since the fire at Ji Manor, she had been staying at the Situ residence, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
"They say you became a Golden Hairpin Fighter, that you set the fire at Ji Manor, and that Lord Ji abandoned you." Zhang Tai frowned repeatedly. "What nonsense is this?"
Mingyi chuckled dryly. "Except for the second one, the others seem to be true."
Zhang Tai froze mid-step.
She vividly remembered how Lord Ji had treated Mingyi with exceptional tenderness and care at Ji Manor, making her envious. How could he abandon her after just a few months?
Mingyi was such a wonderful girl—beautiful as a flower, sharp-witted, and kind-hearted. Why would even she be cast aside?
It seemed the problem wasn't with them, but with the men.
Watching Zhang Tai's expression shift from shock to sorrow, then to anger, and finally to helpless attempts at comfort, Mingyi quickly waved her hands with a smile. "I'm not upset. Don't worry about it."
Zhang Tai swallowed her tears and squeezed Mingyi's hands. "Right! We won't be upset! If you have nowhere to go, come here. Zhang Liu and I can earn money now. We won't let you wander the streets."Her heart warmed as Mingyi smiled and nodded, but then added, "I have a place to stay, so I won’t be moving in just yet. However, there are some things I might need your help purchasing."
"You’ve come to the right person." Zhang Tai puffed out her chest. "I’ve become a familiar face in this market—I can get you the best prices on anything."
The young woman who once disdained lowering herself to engage in trade now spoke of such matters with a gleam in her eyes.
Compared to the Zhang Tai of before, Mingyi much preferred this version. Though her belly was now visibly rounded and her legs slightly swollen, she seemed far more spirited than when she had been confined to the inner courtyard.
Mingyi handed her a list, which contained only common materials for crafting Divine Tools—cheap and unremarkable, but required in large quantities. She also passed over the gold nuggets given by She Tianlin.
Zhang Tai didn’t ask questions, simply nodding. "I’ll deliver them once I’ve gathered everything... Where should I send them?"
"To the quiet residence next to the Situ estate." Mingyi handed her a map. "Follow this route."
Though staying at the Situ estate would save money, Mingyi felt uneasy there. Ji Bozhai had previously given her a considerable amount of gold, and as the quiet residence next door was being sold urgently at a reasonable price, she bought it. It was close to the Situ estate and provided her own space to forge Divine Tools.
She had thought it through—to establish herself, she needed money. Though she currently had plenty, it wouldn’t last forever. With the title of Golden Hairpin Fighter granted by Da Si and the skill of crafting Divine Tools taught by Old She, it would be a waste not to put them to use.
"Since you’re here, let me show you my cousin and Min’er." Zhang Tai lifted the curtain to the backyard.
As soon as Mingyi stepped inside, she saw Zhang Liu embroidering.
Once a concubine of Prince Ping, draped in luxurious silks, she now sat before a loom in plain clothing, her expression free of sorrow—instead, she seemed entirely at ease.
"Our benefactor is here." Zhang Liu looked up with a smile but didn’t pause her work. "Forgive me, this piece is on a tight deadline."
"Please, don’t let me interrupt." Mingyi sat beside her and, upon seeing her embroidery, clapped her hands in admiration. "No wonder this shop does so well—your skill is truly unparalleled."
"You flatter me. I’m just grateful this craft can still put food on the table." Zhang Liu smiled, then glanced at Min’er, who was playing nearby. Hesitating, she added, "But with our current means, I’m not sure we can raise him properly."
Min’er held a pinwheel, carefree and oblivious, but Zhang Liu’s words carried a hidden worry.
Mingyi caught the undertone and beckoned, "Min’er, come here and let me see."
Zhang Min obediently stood before her, his large, slightly brown eyes fixed unblinkingly on her.
Noticing the white cloth wrapped around his wrist, Mingyi’s heart skipped a beat. She reached out to unwrap it.
Layer by layer, the cloth fell away, revealing faint red Meridians beneath.
Mingyi’s expression turned grave. "When did this appear?"
"Just the morning before last." Zhang Liu sighed. "I thought he had no Essence Power, given that both his father and I have ordinary Meridians. Who would have guessed he... In another family, this might be a blessing, but for him, I don’t know if it’s fortune or misfortune."
Zhang Min’s identity was special—he wasn’t suited to become a Fighter in the public eye. Rather than risking his life, Zhang Liu wished only for him to live peacefully.Mingyi thought for a moment: "That's good too. He'll have the ability to protect himself, and perhaps even protect you in the future. But he's too young now—don't let him start training yet. Wait until he's about ten years old, then send him to She Tianlin in Sunspire City. He's a mentor who values talent and can teach Min'er a thing or two."
Zhang Liu's eyes brightened: "When the time comes, could you take Min'er there?"
Six or seven years later—could she take Min'er to Sunspire City?
Mingyi lowered her gaze with a bitter smile.
She probably wouldn't live to see that day.
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