Ming Yi had initially planned to buy it herself, but since he had already taken out the money, she didn’t hesitate. Following the sale sign, she found the owner and after some back-and-forth haggling, finally secured the deal for nineteen taels.
Her skillful negotiation left Qin Shangwu and the others stunned, while Ji Bozai watched with smiling eyes, looking rather proud.
“With this one tael saved, we can taste the best delicacies in Cangxue City,” Ming Yi said cheerfully, pinching the gold as she led them into the house.
The courtyard was located not far from the dock. Even if people from Chaoyang City came after them, they could leave immediately. Moreover, the price was cheap, so buying it didn’t feel too painful.
Qin Shangwu immediately sent a message back to Muxing City via bluebird, requesting financial support. However, considering the round trip of the message and the time it would take to send the money, it would be at least half a month before it arrived.
How would they survive this half month? Qin Shangwu was deeply worried.
Ming Yi, however, showed no signs of concern. She first took everyone to taste the local delicacies, then went with them to the market to buy clothes and bedding. Luo Jiaoyang followed behind her, watching as she generously spent money, yet her bulging purse never seemed to shrink.
After buying a large piece of soft iron, he finally couldn’t help but ask, “How much of these worldly… I mean, how much gold did you bring with you?”
Ming Yi turned back, raising an eyebrow and shaking her head, “Enough to ensure I won’t go hungry wherever I go.”
She had exchanged all her previously earned shell currency for easily portable gold, and the purse only contained a small portion of it.
Fighters were typically aloof from worldly matters. They could carry many divine artifacts and some objects of refined taste, but almost none would carry gold on them. Luo Jiaoyang used to think that Fighters who carried gold lacked ambition, cared too much about money, and couldn’t achieve great things.
But now, as they walked penniless on the street, watching Ming Yi and Ji Bozai buy whatever they wanted, Luo Jiaoyang thought that carrying gold might not be such a bad habit after all.
Although these two wouldn’t let them go hungry or cold, the feeling of having to ask others for money was unpleasant. Even Qin Shangwu seemed at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Ji Bozai glanced back at them as they walked but said nothing.
After finishing their shopping and returning to the courtyard, while Ming Yi was putting things away, he pulled the others into a corner and said seriously, “To ensure that you all don’t neglect your training in this cold place, I will provide a training schedule befitting top-tier Fighters. If you can’t meet the requirements, you’ll only be allowed to eat and sleep in this courtyard. If you can accomplish some additional difficult training tasks, Master will reward you.”
He placed a bag of gold in Qin Shangwu’s hand and added, “Master, if you need anything else, feel free to get it yourself. But don’t spoil them. If they slack off for a month here, all our previous efforts will be wasted.”
His expression was serious and his tone cold, but Luo Jiaoyang could still hear the goodwill in it. Being straightforward, Luo Jiaoyang immediately bowed to Ji Bozai, “Thank you for your care, Lord Ji!”
Seeing this, Fan Yao and Chu He also bowed, making Ji Bozai uncomfortable. He turned his head away, saying, “I’m also thinking of Muxing City’s interests.”
The group exchanged glances and smiled. Luo Jiaoyang said, “I originally thought Lord Ji was arrogant about his Yuan Power, but now I see that Lord Ji is quite nice, just typically sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.”
Ji Bozai could handle any criticism, but he couldn’t bear being praised to his face like this. He didn’t know where to look and could only say, as if escaping, “I’ll go help Ming Yi with the bedding.”
He then vanished beyond the corridor.
Qin Shangwu watched his retreating figure and smiled kindly.
He had been worried that Ji Bozai’s fierce temperament might lead him astray. But now, it seemed there was still hope for this child.
Especially when he was with Ming Yi.
Ming Yi was tidying up the side room when Ji Bozai suddenly entered with an awkward expression, going to the table to pour and gulp down a cup of tea.
“What’s wrong?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing,” he composed himself, then looked around the room and frowned, “This place is remote, the house is dilapidated, and it’s windy at night. Are you brave enough to sleep alone?”
Ming Yi nodded matter-of-factly, “I’ve seen and lived in much harsher environments. What’s there to be afraid of?”
“But I’m afraid,” he frowned, his dark eyes filled with concern.
Ming Yi:?
A top-tier Fighter with dark Yuan Power, saying he’s afraid to sleep alone?
She smiled without humor, “Your Lordship, please have some self-respect.”
“No, listen to me. I don’t mean to stay with you, it’s just that we’re in an unfamiliar place. What if there are burglars in the middle of the night…”
Ming Yi raised her hand to interrupt him, “Alright, I understand.”
Ji Bozai looked at her with slightly brightened eyes.
— Then at night, when rooms were assigned, he was placed with Luo Jiaoyang and Fan Yao in a large room with two beds. Luo Jiaoyang and Fan Yao shared one bed, while he had one to himself.
Luo Jiaoyang was touched, “You’re willing to be close to us now. We thought you’d insist on staying with Miss Ming.”
Ji Bozai: “…”
After Ming Yi finished arranging the rooms for Qin Shangwu and Chu He, she came out to see Ji Bozai standing at the door with his pillow, his lips slightly pursed as he looked at her.
“Does Your Lordship prefer this room?” she asked with a smile.
“You don’t want to sleep with me,” he pouted.
Did such an obvious fact need to be stated again?
Taking a deep breath, Ming Yi pulled him aside and said seriously, “Your Lordship and I had a relationship in the past, but that’s over now. I’m not Your Lordship’s concubine, nor your maid. At most, I owe Your Lordship a debt. We’re not that intimate.”
“You’re on equal footing with me,” he nodded, then looked into her eyes, “When we’re equals, you won’t have feelings for me anymore?”
“Your Lordship,” Ming Yi patted his shoulder and sighed, “You’re very good. It’s me who’s not worthy.”
Ji Bozai’s mouth twitched violently.
Wasn’t this the line he often used to gently reject other clingy women? Where did she learn it from?
For years, he had this phrase on the tip of his tongue, delighting in watching the painful expressions on others’ faces. Now, hearing these words from Ming Yi’s mouth was truly… a mix of emotions.
It seemed karma did exist in this world.
“You are worthy. You just don’t care anymore,” he said after a long pause, exhaling. “It’s alright. I was wrong first, so I’ll find a way to make amends.”
With that, he hugged his pillow and returned to his room, looking back at her every few steps. Before entering, he glanced at her once more, as if waiting for her to ask him to stay.
Ming Yi turned and left, cursing as she walked. This man’s tactics were truly flowery and deceptive. Such a powerful person playing pitiful with her? Did he think being good-looking was all that mattered? She wouldn’t fall for it.