A cool breeze swept across the small path, gently lifting Ji Bozai’s robes.
He remained silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. “Although Mulan Green fabric is rare, it’s not some unique treasure in the world. Is it not enough for Your Honor to investigate the cloth shops? Must you also inquire about Prince Gong’s gifts?”
“Pardon me, Lord Ji,” Magistrate Zhao cupped his hands. “If not for new witness testimony, this official would never trouble Your Lordship.”
“Oh?”
“Zhangtai, a dancer from the Imperial Music Bureau, suddenly exposed Liu Lan, the bureau’s internal affairs manager, today. She accused him of corruption and revealed some other matters.” Magistrate Zhao’s expression was half-smiling. “For instance, on the day of Prince Ping’s murder, Miss Ming by your side did indeed attend the banquet. Also, that Mulan Green skirt truly belonged to Miss Ming.”
Ji Bozai’s eyelid twitched.
Wasn’t Zhangtai staying at his mansion all along? He had specifically instructed Buxiu to keep an eye on her. How could she suddenly run out to expose Liu Lan? This would bring her no benefit; she would be punished along with him.
Bribed? Unlikely. A pregnant woman would never risk her life for money.
Then why?
His mind raced, but his face remained calm. “I don’t understand what Magistrate Zhao is saying. If the case has concluded, please trouble Your Honor to report directly to the Chief Minister and summon me.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Magistrate Zhao stood behind him, calling out, “Is Lord Ji feeling guilty?”
Ridiculous. What did he have to feel guilty about? The investigation had barely begun, far from reaching him. Let them first connect the Mulan Green fabric to Prince Ping’s death.
However… he thought irritably, with Zhangtai’s changed testimony, the Court of Justice now had the authority to interrogate Ming Yi. If he protected her, he would certainly be implicated. But if he didn’t, with her delicate nature, who knew if she could endure the Court’s environment?
The weather had been warmer lately. If the food didn’t suit her taste, she would eat only once a day. Not to mention the plain fare at the Court of Justice. When hungry, she would become dizzy and unsteady, unable to walk properly. If she stumbled or fell, there would be no one for her to lean on.
The more he thought, the more irritated he became.
Shu Zhonglin had just left the Council Chamber when he spotted Ji Bozai walking ahead. Happily, he approached and patted his shoulder. “Tonight at Huamanlou…”
Before he could finish, a burst of fierce Yuan Power lashed out at him, sharp and violent.
Terrified, Shu Zhonglin hastily summoned his own Yuan Power to dodge the attack, ending up clinging to a high wall, trembling. “Bozai, it’s me!”
Ji Bozai came to his senses, his face as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened. “Why are you climbing so high?”
“Thanks for your blessing.” He descended, still shaken. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
How could it be nothing when he lashed out so fiercely? Shu Zhonglin wanted to ask but didn’t dare. He carefully observed Ji Bozai’s expression. “Are we… still going to Huamanlou tonight?”
“Of course. Why not? We can even stay overnight.”
Shu Zhonglin was surprised. “Overnight? Haven’t you been returning early lately to accompany Miss Ming?”
Ji Bozai snorted, asking casually, “Who told you that?”
“Yanxiao did. He said you care a lot about Miss Ming. Not only do you return early every day, but you also often bring her little gifts to amuse her.” Shu Zhonglin sighed. “You’ve never treated other ladies like this before.”
“He’s talking nonsense.”
“Huh?”
“I return early each day, but not for Ming Yi’s sake. The gifts are for other women I need to please.” Ji Bozai said coolly. “Ming Yi has been at my mansion for half a month now. I’m growing tired of her.”
Shu Zhonglin was stunned, his pace slowing as he watched Ji Bozai’s back. For a moment, he couldn’t help feeling that his friend seemed somewhat lonely.
Why couldn’t he keep anyone by his side for long?
But then, considering Ji Bozai’s bright future and supreme status, Shu Zhonglin felt reassured. Heaven is always fair; having given him such strong Yuan Power talent, it had to take something away.
Miss Ming might be charming, but she was just a woman after all.
He caught up with Ji Bozai in a few steps. The two walked together, chatting and laughing as they left the inner court and headed towards the pleasure district.
Buxiu, having received his orders, quietly left Ji Bozai’s carriage and returned to the mansion alone.
He felt somewhat guilty. This incident was his responsibility. That day when Housekeeper Xun distributed bonuses, everyone was in high spirits. Off duty, he had a few extra drinks, neglecting Zhangtai in the guest quarters.
However, he couldn’t understand why Zhangtai would suddenly expose the father of her unborn child. With several maids and servants watching over the guest quarters, and him frequently visiting to replenish supplies, how could Zhangtai suddenly go mad and make such accusations? What was the reason behind this unexpected revelation?
As his horse turned a corner, Buxiu saw many people on Er Jiu Street running back and forth with water buckets. The direction they were heading looked oddly familiar.
He started, quickly stopping someone to ask with a frown, “What’s happening up ahead?”
The person wiped the sweat from his brow and replied anxiously, “There’s a fire, a big one. It’s been burning for about two hours and has only just started to die down. Brother, if you’re free, lend a hand.”
Buxiu was puzzled. The city always strictly controlled fire and candles. How could a fire break out in broad daylight, near the official residences no less, and burn for so long?
He rode closer, wondering whose house was so unlucky. As he looked carefully, oh, it was the Ji mansion.
The Ji mansion!
With a jolt, Buxiu dismounted and rushed through the side door into the compound.
Thick smoke billowed as maids and servants throughout the mansion hurriedly fetched water to douse the flames. Even Housekeeper Xun was covered in soot. Upon seeing him return, she quickly grabbed his hand. “Hurry and inform the master! Ask him to request the Inner Court’s Fire Brigade. The fire is too big; water alone won’t extinguish it. If we delay any longer, the entire mansion will burn down!”
Buxiu agreed and instructed someone to notify the master. Then he asked, puzzled, “How did the fire start?”
“How should I know? We were eating lunch as usual when suddenly people from the Court of Justice came to see Miss Ming. To avoid suspicion, Miss Ming took all our household servants to the front courtyard. Who would have thought the storehouse in the back courtyard would suddenly catch fire?”
Housekeeper Xun couldn’t help but feel distressed as she continued, “That storehouse was full of treasures, but now everything has burned to ashes, not even a scrap remains!”
Buxiu’s brow twitched as he listened.
He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the person standing in the courtyard.
She wore a peach-colored dress with a misty phoenix tail pattern, holding a fan adorned with scattered flowers. She stood at the edge of the crowd, looking up at the billowing black smoke in the sky.
The dark smoke reflected in her eyes, so deep one couldn’t see the bottom.
As if sensing something, she turned her head and gave him a fleeting glance. Then, putting on an extremely pained expression, she beckoned to him. “Buxiu, come meet this official from the Court of Justice. Tell him how much silver our storehouse was worth!”