In the Qingyun realm, status was determined by the strength of elemental power, and only men could practice elemental power. Therefore, the expectations for women were to be delicate and charming, graceful and attractive.
Mingyi’s appearance perfectly matched Jibo Zai’s preferences, causing him to spend almost half a month at her place, often drinking and chatting with her in his spare time, taking her horseback riding to admire flowers.
She was a delicate flower, sometimes bruising her legs, sometimes trapping her hands, always coming to him with red eyes, looking pitifully at him.
It’s strange, if it were someone else so troublesome, Jibo Zai would have been annoyed long ago. But her appearance didn’t seem bothersome to him; instead, he found her adorable. It was like raising a cat that loves to act spoiled. Every day, he looked forward to her little steps running to him, telling him about the flowers blooming in the courtyard today, and what new items would be sold at the rouge shop tomorrow.
“This satin from Weinv Building looks better. I made new clothes for you.”
“Mama Xun said the scallion pancakes today were very fragrant and bought two for me. I left one for you. Hurry, eat it while it’s hot.”
“Why are you injured again? Let me apply medicine for you.”
Every day she chattered like this, as if there were endless things to say. So, half a month passed, and Jibo Zai didn’t get a chance to go to the backyard to see the person serving wine. Even when he went to the Prince Gong Mansion for a banquet, he only took her along.
“I didn’t expect that there would be unresolved cases in the Mustar City.”
At the banquet, Shu Zhonglin held his wine cup and sighed, “Those nobles in the inner courtyard died inexplicably.”
“It’s no wonder Zhao Judge is at a loss. Despite so many dancing girls being killed, not a single clue has surfaced. It’s truly an unsolvable case,” Liang Xiuyuan shook his head. “I wonder who can commit murder under the nose of the Great Judge and still walk away unscathed.”
Poison was only available within the palace, and at the banquet, only those dancing girls could discreetly get close. The murderer must surely be among them. However, while questioning those still within the palace was feasible, there were many taken away by nobles. Unable to interrogate them, it would undoubtedly become a cold case.
Mingyi sat upright beside Ji Bozai, contemplating how to eat the pork elbow in front of her more elegantly when suddenly she felt several pairs of eyes on her.
Hmm?
She snapped out of her thoughts, looking perplexed.
“See what she’s up to,” Ji Bozai said, one arm around her and the other tracing the rim of his cup, his eyes half-closed. “Yesterday, I accidentally injured a bird flying through the courtyard, and she blamed me for half an hour.”
“Forgive us for our curiosity,” Liang Xiuyuan smiled, “but it seems that Miss Ming has spent more time by your side compared to before.”
Indeed, it had been quite a while, nearly half a month, and he hadn’t encountered a more captivating beauty than her.
Though he thought this, he responded, “People always find stability at some point.”
“Miss Ming, don’t believe him,” Yan Xiao waved his fan, “he said the same thing last time.” He chuckled, “The next day, he was with someone else.”
Mingyi was taken aback, turning to him with wide eyes, “Does Sir Ji want to replace me too?”
“Don’t listen to his nonsense,” Ji Bozai frowned, “he wishes I would replace you sooner so he could take you to his mansion.”
Thinking about it annoyed him a bit. Although Mingyi had been quite enjoyable company lately, there was still something missing. Remembering how she had wanted to be with Yan Xiao in the inner courtyard, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still thinking about him.
However, as soon as he said this, the person beside him shook her head without hesitation, “I’m with you, Sir, for life. Please don’t replace me, okay?”
With her enchanting beauty and the way she looked at him so earnestly in front of everyone, there was nothing more comforting. Ji Bozai softened, pinching a piece of pork with his silver chopsticks, and brought it to her lips, “No replacement, not even for a fortune.”
She smiled, radiant, and eagerly accepted the meat from his chopsticks.
Yan Xiao shook his head, shielding his face with his fan, “She’s a real troublemaker.”
Seeing Ji Bozai’s reaction, the others tactfully changed the subject, engaging in their conversations with their attendants.
There were many attendants at the banquet, and while they seemed fine on regular occasions, compared to Mingyi today, they seemed rather ordinary. Even though she wore only a light, flowery dress, she was more eye-catching than the princess sitting at the main table.
The Princess Consort sipped her wine, casting several glances their way.
“Where’s Tianyin?” she asked her attendant.
The attendant shook her head lightly, “I heard she entered another courtyard and hasn’t seen Sir Ji since.”
“Useless,” the Princess Consort scolded under her breath, then furrowed her brow as she looked at Mingyi, “Keep an eye on the prince.”
The attendant sighed inwardly. How could she possibly keep the prince in check?
Just then, the Prince Consort and Zhao Judge approached from the other side, heading towards Ji Bozai.
“I heard you like these steamed sugar pastries, so I had them prepare two extra plates for you,” Qi Hong smiled, pointing to the silver plates on his table.
Ji Bozai nodded, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“You and I needn’t stand on ceremony,” the prince smiled, “I heard the Judge has allowed you to report to the inner courtyard less frequently. It’s quite a rare favor. Your future is promising, indeed.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness. The Judge knows I’m not cut out for reporting duties,” Ji Bozai replied.
“Sir Ji is too modest,” Zhao Judge interjected suddenly, his tone serious, almost accusatory.
Several young nobles around them put down their wine cups, looking somewhat tense.
Zhao Judge, esteemed and renowned for his discernment in solving cases, had suddenly come here to cause trouble for Ji Bozai.
Quickly, the Prince Consort intervened, “Judge Zhao is known for his straightforwardness. There’s no need to take offense, Bozai.”
“Of course,” Ji Bozai nodded. “I’ve long heard of Judge Zhao’s reputation. I understand he has been solving cases for thirty years without failure. Such talent should indeed speak freely.”
Yan Xiao couldn’t hold back a laugh, spewing some wine onto his sleeve.
This was opening a can of worms. Zhao Judge’s good reputation had been tarnished by the recent suspicious case. Ji Bozai’s words only added fuel to the fire.
Sure enough, Zhao Judge’s face darkened, and his gaze lingered on Ji Bozai’s face for a long while before slowly shifting to the woman beside him. “Thanks to Sir Ji’s blessing,” he said, his voice grave.
He wanted to interrogate the young woman beside him, who was hindering his authority, but no one dared to come forward to ask for her. Today happened to be an opportune moment, and since the conversation had reached this point, he straightforwardly spoke up: “There’s word from the inner courtyard that this young lady by your side behaved strangely while in there. I have a few questions; may I ask them?”