As they returned victorious, the mood was joyous. Luo Jiaoyang had intended to thank Ji Bozai properly, but seeing his preferential treatment towards Ming Yi, he laughed sarcastically, “Is Ming Yi all you see?”
“Yes,” Ji Bozai replied unabashedly.
Everyone chuckled. Even Qin Shangwu teased, “If you like her so much, ask the Magistrate to arrange your marriage when we return. He’ll surely oblige.”
Ming Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Marriage? Though she and Ji Bozai were practically husband and wife, she had never officially married. No bridal sedan, no bowing to heaven and earth. Something was missing.
She hadn’t cared about such formalities before, but after enduring the Six Cities Conference, she suddenly felt it might be nice. At least if she were to die suddenly, she’d have no regrets.
She glanced at Ji Bozai, who was still leaning on her, one hand on her shoulder, the other holding a wine cup. His eyes were hazy with drink. “An arranged marriage sounds good. I’ll speak to the Magistrate when we return.”
The group cheered, talking excitedly about a wedding feast. Nearby, Bai Ying whispered, “I never understood romance before, but seeing you and Lord Ji, I finally do. When I seek a husband, I’ll find one who loves me like that.”
Ming Yi’s face flushed. She hid behind her wine cup, mumbling responses.
Turning, she met Ji Bozai’s dark, shining eyes. In them, she saw her reflection—serene and gentle. Not the flattering dancer Ming Yi, nor the tough fighter Ming Xian, but a woman gazing back at him with love and joy.
Startled by her image, she quickly lowered her eyes, but he caught her chin.
“You’re free now. Don’t hide,” he murmured, his breath heavy with wine. “From now on, do what you want, love who you want. No one will control you or hinder you anymore. Don’t hinder yourself either.”
“Easy for you to say,” she turned away. “Who’s to blame if I trust the wrong person?”
“Blame me. If I betray you, I’ll give you my life and everything I own.”
She couldn’t help but look at him again. This man had captivated her at first sight, but she’d lost hope, unable to grasp his heart. She’d given up expectations.
But now, having faced life and death together, he’d become her reliable support, with no other women around him.
Perhaps she could… trust him a little?
“Yi’er,” he sighed, hooking his fingers with hers.
Fine, Ming Yi thought. She wasn’t afraid of death, so why fear trusting the wrong person? If she wanted to try being with him, she should open her heart.
She intertwined her fingers with his, gripping his hand.
Ji Bozai froze, then slowly sat up straight, enveloping her hand in his, holding tight.
“Too tight. Loosen up,” she frowned.
“No,” he took a deep breath, whispering, “If I let go, you’ll be far from me again.”
“I won’t be.”
Ji Bozai looked at her and nodded slightly, but still didn’t loosen his grip.
Ming Yi couldn’t help but smile. “You’re the Six Cities champion. You need to drink with others. What are you doing holding onto me here?”
“They’ll come to toast us. Stay put,” he insisted.
Ming Yi sighed, letting him have his way.
The beast carriage, carrying dozens of drunk passengers, swayed unsteadily in the clouds. At first, Ming Yi thought it was her dizziness from drinking, but gradually she felt something was amiss.
Opening the window to look out, her slight intoxication instantly cleared. “My Lord, look outside.”
Ji Bozai lazily raised his eyes, only to see three beast carriages closing in on them. The nearest, flying Chaoyang City’s flag, had already struck their wheel twice.
“What are they doing?” Luo Jiaoyang noticed the situation and peered out the window. “Falling from here would be fatal.”
“Sore losers? Chaoyang City dropping to the bottom three must be killing them,” Meng Yangqiu put down his wine cup, frowning as he looked outside. “Do they want mutual destruction?”
Ji Bozai sneered, “They’re not worthy.”
His Yuan Power enveloped the carriage. When Chaoyang City’s carriage rammed them again, it didn’t budge them at all. Instead, their wheel shattered, and the entire carriage plummeted.
Ming Yi gasped, reaching out to stabilize the falling carriage, but missed. She could only watch helplessly as it disappeared into the rolling clouds.
“They brought it on themselves,” Luo Jiaoyang muttered.
Qin Shangwu, sobered by shock, looked in the direction of the fallen carriage and then at the other two retreating carriages, his heart sinking. “Will they be alright?”
Ming Yi shook her head, unsure of Chaoyang City’s intentions in this reckless act, wasting a beast carriage and likely endangering lives.
Relieved their carriage was unharmed, they remained vigilant for the rest of the journey. Only when they returned to Mu Xing City’s territory and set foot on the solid ground did they fully relax.
The entire Mu Xing City was immersed in jubilation. As soon as they arrived, they were showered with fragrant sachets, handkerchiefs, and various fruits and delicacies. Ji Bozai and Ming Yi were immediately escorted to the inner courtyard, with the Magistrate himself greeting them at the gate.
“You must be tired from the journey,” the beaming Magistrate said, grasping Ji Bozai’s hand. “After so many years, Mu Xing City is finally the champion. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when I heard the news yesterday. Come, enter quickly. The welcoming feast has long been prepared, and I’ve had your residence thoroughly cleaned and refurbished. You can rest well when you return.”
The Magistrate’s wife, following beside them, saw Ming Yi and pursed her lips, but still came forward to support her arm as etiquette demanded. “You must be exhausted.”
Ming Yi’s smile was even more insincere than hers. “Thank you for your concern, Madam.”
Several princes followed behind, unable to approach the Magistrate. Though they appeared joyful, their gazes toward Ji Bozai were somewhat strange, especially Prince Gong’s.
Mu Xing City’s victory was good news, but it likely meant Ji Bozai would become the heir apparent, which was unfavorable for Prince Gong.
However, none of them could express their discontent now. After being seated, they even had to lead in presenting gifts to Ji Bozai.
Prince Gong gifted Ji Bozai twelve beauties in one go, smiling as he said, “I heard that one of the maids in your household is with child. These are to replenish your staff. I hope you’ll accept them, my Lord.”
Ji Bozai’s hand trembled. He quickly glanced at Ming Yi before smiling, “Your Highness must be mistaken. I’ve been away from Mu Xing City for so long, how could any of my maids be pregnant?”
“Oh? Did I hear wrong?” Prince Gong asked, puzzled. “Wasn’t it Tian Yin from your household who is with the child?”