Ming Yi hesitated slightly, then lowered her eyes and said, “Everyone has a mother. When you were born, yours just wasn’t by your side.”
“You call someone who gives birth but doesn’t raise a child a mother?” Ji Bozai sneered. “They’re just strangers.”
If there had been extenuating circumstances, it would be understandable. But the people at the slave camp told him that he was left there by a group of well-dressed individuals who had specifically noted the location of the camp, appearing as if they would return for him.
However, nineteen years had passed, and despite his daily waiting, no one ever came to find him.
Waiting too long for anything breeds resentment, especially when waiting for one’s parents amidst endless torment and suffering. So at the age of ten, Ji Bozai stopped waiting. He assumed they were dead, and even if he discovered they were alive someday, it wouldn’t matter. He no longer hoped for anything, and naturally wouldn’t acknowledge any blood relations.
If they didn’t interfere with his life, that would be fine. But if they were to become a hindrance like Ming Yi’s mother, he would show no mercy.
The person beside him looked at him, wanting to speak but hesitating.
“What?” Ji Bozai raised an eyebrow. “You’re in this state, and you still want to reform me?”
“No,” Ming Yi shook her head. “I just think you’re quite good as you are.”
Cold and decisive in personality, not at all burdened by emotions.
Si Hou had already tried to kill her again, and Ming Yi thought she no longer needed to show any consideration. Wasn’t Si Hou just afraid that her female identity would be revealed and implicate her maternal clan?
After eating with Ji Bozai, Ming Yi deliberately went back to dig out the flashy dress he had given her before.
With the moon-shaped earrings and the soft, colorful dress wrapping her body, she turned gracefully, once again the image of a peerless beauty.
Ji Bozai looked at her, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “Why are you suddenly wearing this?”
Ming Yi didn’t answer him directly, only saying, “The inner court of Chaoyang City is the place I’m most familiar with. I know where Si Hou’s private prison is. As long as you have a map, you can rescue Ming An during tomorrow’s chaos in the inner court.”
Ji Bozai’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he leaned back against a wooden pillar. “Such a dangerous task offers me no benefit. Why do you think I would help you?”
“After it’s done—” Ming Yi lowered her eyes, “I’ll tell you who your birth parents are.”
The smile gradually fell from his face as Ji Bozai stood up straight, staring at her intently.
Ming Yi didn’t dare meet his gaze, only arranging the jewelry on the table. “Among the group that sent you to the slave camp back then, Ming An should have been there. Of course, I’m just guessing. Only Ming An knows the exact situation from back then. If you rescue him, the truth will come to light…”
Before she could finish speaking, she felt a grip on the back of her neck.
Ji Bozai held her, speaking softly, “You’ve known who my parents were from the beginning, so that’s why you approached me?”
Ming Yi remained silent.
Outside the window, the sun was setting, casting a yellow glow through the latticed window into the inn room. It should have been a cozy scene, but an oppressive killing intent gradually filled the surroundings, making it difficult to breathe.
Ji Bozai found it hard to accept such significant information being spoken so casually from her lips as if she had set a trap long ago waiting for him to fall into it.
Recalling her past kindnesses towards him, he smiled coldly, “Don’t tell me you owed me something and came specially to repay the debt before you die.”
Her eyelashes trembled as Ming Yi smiled bitterly, “I’m about to die and still have such a conscience, yet instead of praising me, you look like you want to kill me. Lord Ji, surely you’re not still concerned about whether my feelings were genuine?”
His heart sank sharply, and the hand on her neck trembled slightly.
Indeed, even if the eldest son of the Ming family of Chaoyang City had fallen on hard times, he should have had plenty of options once he recovered. The reason for entering the inner court as a dancer was nothing more than to get close to him.
What kind of debt would make someone willing to degrade themselves to such an extent just to be by his side? A blood feud? Vengeance for a murdered mother?
As unease grew in his heart, Ji Bozai said coldly, “I hate being played for a fool.”
“My Lord is unparalleled in wisdom, how could you be a fool?” Ming Yi patted the hand on her neck, chuckling lightly. “I won’t live much longer even without My Lord taking action, so why rush?”
Ji Bozai suddenly calmed down.
He carefully examined the person in the bronze mirror.
She was composed, serene, with dim eyes.
Indeed, she thought she wouldn’t live long, so she was indifferent.
But what if she lived longer? Would she still be able to face certain things so calmly?
Withdrawing his hand, Ji Bozai took a deep breath. “Give me the map.”
Ming Yi rose to find paper and pen, then drew the map for him.
Chaoyang City was truly a place she had invested countless efforts in. She drew not only the layout of the inner court but also marked where there were stone pillars and lanterns, where there were dogs, and where there were cracked floor tiles.
Ji Bozai took the map and looked at her steadily. “Will there be danger tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Ming Yi lowered her eyes. “But it won’t concern you. If I’m lucky, I might return to Feihua City. If I’m unlucky, I trouble My Lord to tell Xiu Yun that I still prefer Chaoyang City, and ask her to live well in Feihua City.”
“Nothing you want to say to me?” He raised an eyebrow.
Ming Yi was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him. “I hope My Lord will always be free and never become a tool in someone else’s hands.”
It sounded like a blessing, yet also advice from one with experience.
Ji Bozai snorted coldly and left with the map.
He would certainly never become anyone’s tool. Everyone in this world was merely a tool for his revenge.
As the last ray of sunlight disappeared on the horizon, Ming Yi prepared meticulously all night. Early the next morning, just as Qin Shangwu stood at the door, he saw Ming Yi already outside, bowing to him. “Master.”
Slightly surprised at her attire, Qin Shangwu frowned. “You…”
“Today is a meeting with old acquaintances. Master, please indulge her,” Ji Bozai also came out from behind, passing by Qin Shangwu’s side and bowing, adding a word in passing.
Luo Jiaoyang and the others following behind, always eager for excitement, immediately crowded around Ming Yi to ask, “Won’t they recognize you like this?”
“Even if they see through it, they wouldn’t dare to acknowledge it. Ming Xian is supposed to be male, after all.”
“This is interesting. I want to see how these Chaoyang City people will react.”
Qin Shangwu was reluctant to cause trouble, after all, this was Chaoyang City’s territory. If they provoked issues and couldn’t return, it would be troublesome. But turning to look at Ji Bozai, this disciple had always been thoughtful. If he wasn’t worried, perhaps he already had a backup plan.
Ming Yi had helped them considerably. Since she had a wish to fulfill, Qin Shangwu hesitated for a while but decided to turn a blind eye.
In the Qingyun Realm, women held low status. Even in the strong and open-minded Chaoyang City, women were only fit to be slaves, servants, or for bearing children. Even Si Hou had to use the side entrance when entering or leaving the inner court.
But today, a skirt hem of vermilion swept across the threshold of the inner court’s main gate.