Ming Yi was a young lady who retained Ming Xian’s original pride and temperament, not an ordinary woman easily coaxed. When she felt it necessary to stay at the Ji residence, she would naturally do her utmost to remain. However, when she saw no need to return, she had plenty of ways to hide.
So, when Nanny Xun hobbled into the Situ mansion with her cane, all she saw was an empty courtyard and Situ Ling eating a sugar figurine.
“Nanny, your leg hasn’t recovered yet. Why have you come all this way?” he asked, feigning ignorance.
Nanny Xun looked around and lowered her eyes, saying, “By order of my master, I’ve come to fetch Miss Ming.”
“Oh, what terrible timing! Elder Sister Ming has gone to visit my hometown,” he smiled. “She left several days ago and should have arrived by now.”
Nonsense. Though called her natal home, Ming Yi had no blood relation to the Situ family. What kind of family visit could this be?
Nanny Xun grew irritated. “Young Master, you’re still an outsider. It’s best not to meddle in matters between a husband and wife.”
“Husband and what?” Situ Ling raised an eyebrow. “Nanny, you must be mistaken. My sister is a concubine, and a forcibly elevated one at that. The ceremony hasn’t even been held. How can you call them husband and wife? Lord Ji would be angry to hear this.”
Slightly choked, Nanny Xun lowered her eyes. “She’s the only one in our master’s household. He’s entrusted her with the inner court and managing the accounts. She’s no different from a wife.”
“Nanny, do you even believe what you’re saying?” Situ Ling sighed. “If Lord Ji was so heartless as to drive my sister out and tell her not to return, why send you here now?”
Nanny Xun fell silent, thinking this was indeed trouble of her master’s own making.
Earlier, her master’s beast carriage had circled the street corner three times, claiming he wanted to eat the scallion pancakes sold there.
She and Bu Xiu both knew those were Miss Ming’s favorite. The master had always preferred bland food and never ate such oily things. He must have been missing Miss Ming.
His injuries hadn’t fully healed, and he had gazed out of the carriage silently, looking somewhat melancholic. Seeing this, she couldn’t bear it and decided to come first.
Who would have thought she couldn’t get past Situ Ling?
She sighed. “Even if there were mistakes, one should be given a chance to explain.”
“When my sister made mistakes, did the master give her a chance?” Situ Ling asked.
Nanny Xun frowned at him. “The master and Miss Ming aren’t truly related by blood. Why are you obstructing like this?”
“It’s not that I’m obstructing. Miss Ming truly isn’t at my residence,” he stepped aside. “Nanny, feel free to search.”
In such a vast Situ mansion, what could an old lady with a lame leg search?
Nanny Xun, stone-faced, had the maid behind her call for Bu Xiu.
However, even after Bu Xiu brought people to search inside and out, they couldn’t find Ming Yi. The two exchanged a glance, understanding the situation.
It seemed only the master himself could resolve this.
But Ji Bozai had spoken those words himself. If he came now, wouldn’t he be slapping his face? The master had always been proud; he probably wouldn’t lower his head like this.
Sure enough, upon hearing the situation, Ji Bozai leaned against the carriage wall and sneered, “Who told you to make decisions for me? Did I say I wanted to bring her back?”
“But master, you just now…”
“I was merely thinking about how long it would take to repair the old residence. What does that have to do with her?”
Oh, well then.
Bu Xiu and Nanny Xun both fell silent, thinking that whatever the master said must be true. If he said he wasn’t thinking of her, then he wasn’t. They wouldn’t interfere anymore.
So, the beast carriage circled the streets near the Situ residence three more times, and they didn’t speak up again.
Ji Bozai entered the new residence with a cold demeanor, looking around dissatisfied. “Is there nowhere else to live in the city?”
The Minister of Construction followed him, sweating profusely. “Lord Ji, this is the best available official residence in the city. It used to house a prince, and there’s even a beast-rearing field in the back.”
“I don’t care for any beast-rearing field. This residence is too far from the inner court. It would take half an hour by beast carriage just to report for duty.”
The Minister thought for a moment. “Then how about the official residence at the end of Changron Street? It’s just a bit small.”
“Too noisy, and the road gets congested. Not good for carriages.”
“Well, there are only a few small residences left on Twenty-Nine Street, but they don’t suit your status.”
Ji Bozai grew impatient. “Are there no good residences on Yongning Street?”
The Minister looked astonished. What was so good about Yongning Street? Although Situ Ling lived there, he was a newcomer, and his official residence was far inferior in both size and grandeur to the one before them.
“As officials, we shouldn’t just think about our comfort. We should consider how close we are to the inner court and whether we can assist the Great Sima promptly,” Ji Bozai said earnestly. “I’m still young and don’t need such a grand official residence. Besides, it’s only temporary. I think those residences on Yongning Street are quite good.”
The Minister had a sudden realization and looked at him admiringly. “It was my oversight. Lord, you’re truly devoted to Muxing City. You’re an exemplar for us all!”
He waved his hand. “Let’s look elsewhere.”
The Minister hurriedly led the way.
Yongning Street wasn’t noisy but wasn’t secluded either. There were even small stalls selling scallion pancakes by the street, giving it a very down-to-earth feel.
Ji Bozai caught a glimpse of the door lintel of an official residence from afar and said, “That one’s not bad.”
The Minister followed his gaze and immediately cupped his hands. “I’ll have someone touch it up a bit. You can move in within days.”
“Good,” he nodded.
After sending the Minister away, Ji Bozai turned to face the expressionless faces of Nanny Xun and Bu Xiu.
“What?” He instinctively averted his gaze. “Isn’t this residence good?”
“Of course not,” Nanny Xun said sternly. “It’s right across from the Situ residence. You’re bound to run into Miss Ming, which will upset you.”
“Indeed, master. You said you didn’t want to see Miss Ming, so why choose this place?” Bu Xiu’s lips twitched.
Ji Bozai turned away. “I’ll be in the beast carriage when I come and go. What could I possibly see? You’re overthinking.”
“I see. Then I understand,” Bu Xiu immediately instructed the servants behind him, “Spread the word: from now on, the master will board the carriage from the side entrance. Before he boards, have some sensible people clear the path. Don’t let any idle onlookers appear.”
“Yes, sir!”
Ji Bozai: “…”
He held his forehead and laughed. “You two have grown quite bold after all these years with me.”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’m just following the master’s orders, serving you with all my heart,” Bu Xiu bowed.
Nanny Xun also lowered her head. “This old servant is foolish and only knows to do as the master says. If there’s anything that displeases you, please tell me directly.”
Feeling a lump in his chest, Ji Bozai waved his hand and turned to board the beast carriage.
For some reason, the carriage felt heavy and lingered at the entrance for a while before the wheels started turning. They happened to encounter Situ Ling bringing Ming Yi out to board their carriage.
“Tsk.” He pointed at Nanny Xun. “Situ Ling lied to you.”
“Oh.” Nanny Xun didn’t even look, just pulled down the carriage curtain on his side to cover it well. “The young master did no wrong. He even saved this old servant from punishment. He’s a good person.”