Ji Bozai’s words were not easy to come by. Ming Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at him and saying frankly, “You don’t have that many complexities. Even if you lose to me in the first year, your chances of winning in the second year would be high.”
Prince Yong was already seventeen. Madam Meng wouldn’t allow her much longer. Even if she didn’t make a move this year, she would next year. Ming Yi could never keep winning indefinitely.
Ji Bozai glanced at her. “You’re taking my compliments too seriously. I said I might not win, but I didn’t say I definitely can’t win. With your overly cautious manner, if just one person in your team makes a mistake, you’ll get injured trying to cover for them. Once injured, how do you expect to be on par with me in the later trials?”
Ming Yi’s mouth twitched as she turned her attention back to picking up a piece of spare rib. “The team leader will consider the big picture. If you only want to be a fighter, of course, you can protect yourself till the end. But no matter who among the other three becomes the leader, you may not even make it to the later trials.”
She was telling the truth. Today’s match had shown that while these people weren’t weak, their teamwork was poor. If opponents from another city targeted them one by one, they would crumble.
Such a team could hardly hope to capture the top three cities, let alone ensure their survival.
Ji Bozai deftly flipped his chopsticks, snatching away the spare rib she had picked up. “My task is only to win the final martial arts contest. What does the rest have to do with me?”
Ming Yi was stunned. She frowned as she reclaimed the spare rib. “You…”
Indeed, he had no sense of city pride. He was just there to complete a contest that would benefit him most, then use the resulting glory and status to continue avenging his benefactor.
It was understandable, but Ming Yi disliked his attitude.
The perfectly good spare rib was being poked to pieces by their chopsticks. Xiu Yun looked left and right, unable to bear the sight. She simply extended her bowl to catch the disputed meat.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about, but I spent an hour cooking this dish,” she pouted. “If it’s not to your taste, tomorrow you can eat at the dining hall.”
The two quickly snapped out of their tense mood and began eating properly.
Her expression softened, and Xiu Yun smiled lightly. “I’ve spoken with the kitchen. Tomorrow is Visitation Day at the Yuan Shi Academy. I’ll prepare a big meal for you, so remember to return on time.”
The Yuan Shi Academy typically required students to live on campus, so there was a two-day Visitation period every three months. During this time, the academy gates would be as lively as a marketplace.
But Ming Yi had no parents or elders here, neither did Ji Bozai, and Xiu Yun had cut ties with her family. So they planned to gather together as a way of caring for each other.
However, early the next morning, the earliest to arrive with a carriage were unexpectedly Xiu Yun’s family members.
Xiu Yun was surprised and somewhat happy. She quickly bowed to Ming Yi and Ji Bozai in apology. “I need to go for a while.”
“It’s fine,” Ming Yi waved her hand. “I’ve earned quite a few bei coins recently. I’ll have Hua Biezhi send over a table of food.”
Ji Bozai, leaning against a pillar behind them, seemed equally unconcerned.
Xiu Yun left full of joy. As the door opened, the distant greetings of various families and teachers could be heard. Many servants were carrying boxes inside, while fussy stewards followed, saying, “Young Master, the Lord has missed you so much. Why have you gotten thinner?”
“Young Master, this is soup personally prepared by the Madam.”
“These are new clothes made by your sister-in-law at home.”
The bustling atmosphere outside made their room seem particularly quiet.
Ming Yi lowered her eyes and stood up to tidy her soft iron weapon, while also repairing the damaged Lei Ting Wan Jun.
Ji Bozai glanced at her, remained silent for a moment, then strode out the door.
The scene outside was truly impressive. Some extravagant families had even driven carts inside, bringing everything from summer’s thin clothes and cool quilts to winter’s stoves and cotton garments. There was even a whole roasted suckling pig.
Ji Bozai had never seen such a spectacle, but he figured Ming Yi probably had.
It wasn’t that he felt sorry for her; if he had the energy for that, he’d rather feel sorry for himself. But seeing everyone else with something, he thought for a moment and decided to leave the Yuan Shi Academy through the back door.
The streets were also very crowded today, with roadside stalls full of people. Bu Xiu followed behind him with difficulty, pushing through the crowd and shouting, “If you want to buy something, just tell me. There’s no need for you to come out personally.”
His voice was half-muffled by the noisy crowd. Ji Bozai replied vaguely, “You don’t know what I lack.”
Bu Xiu didn’t hear clearly but saw that his master had already entered a silk shop on his own.
“Please wait a moment, the noble guest in front will be leaving soon,” the shopkeeper said with a smile, inviting him to sit in the side hall.
Ji Bozai nodded and sat down. He had just taken a sip of tea when the curtain opposite him was lifted, and Si Tu Ling walked out carrying a box taller than his head.
“Fu Yue, help me watch the road,” he said, struggling to feel for the doorstep with his foot.
The tall guard beside him followed, somewhat helplessly. “Let me carry it, sir.”
“No way. I said I’d prepare everything for Sister Ming personally, so it must all be done by me. You’re not allowed to help,” Si Tu Ling successfully crossed the threshold and placed the tall box on the carriage. He sighed with relief and muttered, “Ran to so many shops to find some elegant robes. The others were too gaudy.”
Fu Yue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Most women’s robes in this world are colorful.”
“She doesn’t like bright colors. She likes this clean and neat style,” Si Tu Ling snorted. He didn’t look towards the side hall at all, so he didn’t notice Ji Bozai. He just patted his hands and jumped onto the carriage. “Quick, Hua Biezhi is just ahead.”
Bu Xiu watched their carriage drive away and hesitantly looked at his master. “Well, since the young lord has prepared so many things for Miss Ming, should you perhaps buy something too?”
The image of Si Tu Ling smiling brightly at that box was stuck in Ji Bozai’s mind. He narrowed his eyes slightly. “What should I buy? There’s nothing worth buying.”
“Then why did you come here?” Bu Xiu looked around.
“Can’t I buy a couple of outfits for myself?” Ji Bozai said coldly.
“Of course,” Bu Xiu immediately picked out two light robes suitable for him.
Ji Bozai frowned, his gaze flickering to the women’s clothes nearby.
The sharp-eyed shopkeeper noticed and immediately smiled, “Today, our shop is offering a special thank-you to our customers. For every men’s light robe purchased, we’re giving away a women’s dress. Sir, feel free to choose one.”
Bu Xiu heard this and waved his hand, “We don’t have any women in our household who could wear such dresses. Let’s settle the bill. How much was it again? Three thousand bei coins?”
“The total is six thousand bei coins,” the shopkeeper bowed to Ji Bozai. “Sir, please pick two dresses. They make good gifts and it’s a bargain.”
With such enthusiasm, Ji Bozai could only reluctantly agree. He waved his hand indifferently, “Take the first one on the upper left and the third one on the lower right.”