Young Master Ji was a man of propriety. He would never stoop to forcibly seizing a beauty. What he wanted was for someone to willingly come to him, preferably with eyes only for him, giving their heart entirely. Only then would his bed curtains fall with joy.
So, at the first opportunity, he arranged for seven or eight sets of fine clothes for Ming Yi.
Ming Yi stood in the room, looking at these things with eyes as round as saucers. “Are these all for me?”
“Try them on and see if they fit.”
She let out a cheer and flew over like a sparrow, picking up the jade-colored embroidered dress. She touched it carefully, her eyes bright as she looked at him. “I’ve never worn such fine fabric before.”
“Now you can wear it as you please,” he said casually.
“My lord is so kind!” She flew at him again, her skirt fluttering as she planted a kiss on his cheek.
And so Ji Bozai learned that this little thing was quite greedy; these gifts were only enough to earn a kiss on the cheek.
Embracing her waist, he led her to the dressing table and opened two newly bought boxes.
Golden cicada silk double-clasp bracelets, eight-treasure pearl hairpins, three-winged bird feather hair ornaments… jade and agate, a treasure trove of gold and jewels.
Ming Yi blinked, nestling against him coquettishly. “My lord, are these just for me, or will there be more for the sisters who come after?”
She bit her lip lightly, three parts charm and five parts coyness, looking utterly adorable.
Ji Bozai smiled, caressing her cheek. “Of course, they’re yours alone. What other sisters are you talking about?”
Satisfied, she hooked her eyes and melted into his arms. “That’s what my lord says, but you mustn’t deceive me.”
“Mm.” He lowered his head, gently kissing and nibbling her earlobe.
Ming Yi felt ticklish, but since he had given her so many things, she didn’t dare shy away. She only whimpered softly, her toes curling, revealing a stretch of snow-white neck.
Ji Bozai didn’t hesitate to bite down.
His teeth pressed against her delicate skin, warm and fragrant. He couldn’t help but apply a bit more pressure and heard her let out a small cry, which she quickly stifled in her throat, sounding more like a cat’s purr.
He smiled, softening his movements, his thumb caressing behind her ear.
The person in his arms gradually relaxed, and amid their intimacy, even slightly extended her tongue.
Very good. He specifically chose these moments when she was entranced to decisively let go of her.
Ming Yi was momentarily confused, then realized she had lost her composure. She lowered her head, embarrassedly clutching at his clothes. “Outside… outside the spring scenery is beautiful. Would my lord like to go for a walk?”
He gazed at her, thoroughly pleased, and after a while replied, “Alright.”
The ambiance was ambiguous and enchanting, and coupled with his exceptionally handsome face, it was easy to believe one had encountered an ideal match.
However, Ming Yi quickly came to her senses.
She smiled, breaking free from his embrace to go to the dressing table. She carefully applied some makeup, then changed into a long pleated dress the color of peach blossoms wreathed in mist, draped a snow-mist shawl over her shoulders, and spent half an hour preparing herself before following him out the door.
She was a consummate ornament, absolutely not allowing herself even a hint of dishevelment. Every strand of hair was perfectly in place, her jewelry elaborate yet not chaotic, her dress alluring yet not vulgar. As soon as she stepped out of the room, the maids and older women near and far couldn’t help but steal glances at her.
Ming Yi carried herself perfectly, back straight, head slightly bowed, half her face hidden behind an embroidered fan. She walked slowly a few inches behind him, not overstepping bounds while showing her allegiance, quite pleasing to the eye.
Ji Bozai chuckled lightly and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
“My lord,” she exclaimed softly, pushing him away reproachfully. “This is improper.”
Being someone’s plaything came with rules to follow. Walking arm in arm was the behavior of proper married couples.
To her surprise, he said, “Between you and me, there’s no need to mind what others think.”
Ming Yi sneered inwardly. How clever of him to say only the pleasing things. Anyone not clear-headed who heard this might misunderstand their position.
On the surface, however, she smiled shyly. “My lord’s kindness is overwhelming. It’s this servant’s good fortune.”
The two left together, with Ji Bozai specifically choosing a half-open beast-drawn carriage, helping her up to sit beside him.
Ming Yi understood his intentions. She leaned against him shyly, lowering her embroidered fan to reveal her beautiful face. Her eyes didn’t look at the streets on either side, only gazing at him adoringly.
All along the way, admiring voices and whistles rose from the streets.
Ji Bozai was quite pleased, lightly caressing her hand. “Is there anything else you need? I’ll take you to get it all at once.”
Ming Yi didn’t hold back. “This servant’s heart races easily when sleeping. If there were a few gold bars to weigh down the bed, that would be perfect.”
Ji Bozai:?
Ming Yi: *smiles*
Other girls might be too shy and generally ask for gold and silver jewelry to later sell for money. Ming Yi didn’t bother with that. She knew how unfair pawnshops were – an item worth 100 taels would only fetch 50 when pawned. Why should she let others profit from the difference?
After a moment of silence, he laughed. “Is your heart racing very badly? Would ten gold bars be enough to weigh it down?”
Ming Yi’s eyes lit up. “That would certainly be enough.”
“Alright.” He was quite generous, taking her directly to the bank.
Ming Yi couldn’t help but marvel. He was truly wealthy. Each gold bar weighed ten taels, and he casually bought a hundred taels of gold. That was enough for someone to live comfortably for most of their life.
Many officials couldn’t save this much money, yet he, having just come to power, already had such wealth. No wonder the girls in Muxing City flocked to him.
Smacking her lips, Ming Yi wagged her tail and followed him to collect the gold bars. They were too heavy for her to carry, so he had the entire box loaded onto the beast-drawn carriage outside.
Ming Yi curved her lips and nodded. “Thank you, my lord!”
Looking at her, Ji Bozai knew that this price was enough for her.
But somehow, while other girls would submit to him just for his face, with her, he felt like an accessory to this box of gold.
It didn’t make him very happy.
Clicking his tongue lightly, he was about to speak when he heard a whistling sound from behind.
Instinctively dodging to the side, he wrapped his arm around Ming Yi’s waist, protecting her. Then he frowned and looked back to see someone walking in with a cold face, retrieving a wooden hairpin that had embedded itself in the wall. “Sorry, my hand slipped.”
Ming Yi, just recovering from the shock, twitched her lips.
How could a hand slip so badly as to throw a piece of wood with such life-threatening force?
She looked up at the newcomer. He was dressed in plain clothes, with a handsome face, appearing to be in his twenties. However, there was a fierce look in his eyes.
Ji Bozai let go of her and smiled. “Is Young Master Yan here to divide the inheritance?”
Yan An’s fingers tightened slightly as he slowly inserted the wooden hairpin back into his hair, his eyes cold as he looked at Ji Bozai. “Thank you for your concern, Lord Ji. My father was honest all his life and didn’t leave much silver to divide.”
So he was here to make trouble.
Ji Bozai was about to gesture for Ming Yi to step back, but before he could raise his hand, he saw her quickly scurry behind a nearby screen, lifting her skirts.
She was quite nimble.
He gave her an amused glance, then casually poured a cup of tea for Yan An. “I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time to offer incense to your mother. Since we’ve met here by chance, why don’t I give you the condolence gift now? It’ll save me a trip.”
Yan An stared at him intently, his fists clenched white, each word squeezed out between his teeth: “Does a murderer dare to offer condolences?”