Ming Yi wasn’t a greedy person, truly. But sometimes when people offered too much, her human nature wouldn’t allow her to refuse. Moreover, their group had developed good chemistry; changing members now would only cause trouble. They had even helped her take in the children, so she couldn’t repay their kindness with ingratitude.
Furthermore, Chaoyang City wouldn’t stop pursuing her and Ji Bozai. Only by winning the Six Cities Tournament and making everyone recognize them as Mu Xing City’s people would Chaoyang City relent.
And… well, she couldn’t think of more reasons. She simply felt that with enough money, this job was worth taking.
Previously, she had reservations about city honor. After all, she had served Chaoyang City for many years; suddenly donning Mu Xing’s cyan misty robes felt somewhat awkward. But after returning to Chaoyang City, she understood.
Since Chaoyang City only valued her Yuan Power, her power could serve any city.
Loyalty wasn’t worth much, but once it was gone, money became the deciding factor.
When Qin Shangwu first mentioned this on the carriage leaving Mu Xing City, Luo Jiaoyang and the others found it vulgar. Now, hearing it again, he couldn’t help but brighten up: “What about us?”
Qin Shangwu glanced at him: “You three seek official positions for your families. You can’t have it both ways.”
They had families to consider, while Ming Yi was alone. Money mattered most to her.
Luo Jiaoyang withdrew, thinking it over. It was fine as long as they could win the Six Cities Tournament.
But could they win with their current abilities?
With time running short, the group arrived in Mu Xing. After a quick welcoming feast, they were all sent to the Yuan Shi Academy for intensive training. As the only one who had participated in many Six Cities Tournaments, Ming Yi spent most of her time in her courtyard, drawing diagrams and analyzing each city’s strengths to formulate strategies for each match while the others trained.
She felt busy, but someone else seemed quite idle.
“Miss, this is the pink jade headdress Big Brother sent for you,” Bai Ying said, struggling with Fuling to carry a tray in. After setting it down, she wiped her brow and exclaimed, “It’s so precious! I’ve never seen such flawless pink jade in my life, not a single imperfection in the entire set!”
Ming Yi looked up from her documents and lightly tapped Bai Ying’s forehead. “How old are you to say ‘in your life’?”
She glanced at the headdress. Indeed, it was valuable; even Chaoyang City might not have such fine quality.
“Big Brother said if you don’t want it, he’ll send something else,” Fuling chimed in, sensing her thoughts. “Boxes are arriving in the outer courtyard every day, with all sorts of things – things that fly, things that run on the ground, things buried in the soil.”
Ming Yi’s mouth twitched.
True to form, back in his Mu Xing stronghold with money to spare, he spent his days sending her gifts.
Was she the type to like rare treasures? Even if she was, wasn’t it inappropriate for him to send gifts so openly?
It wasn’t just treasured. He sent food, fruits, and clothes. The phrase Ming Yi heard most often each day was: “Big Brother sent something again.”
Accepting gifts made it hard to refuse, so when Ji Bozai came to her courtyard for dinner in the evenings, she couldn’t easily turn him away. Consequently, rumors spread that she and Ji Bozai had reconciled, and she was highly favored. At the inner court banquet, her seat was even placed next to Ji Bozai’s.
Ming Yi took a deep breath, focusing on her meal and ignoring the person beside her.
However, that person leaned over to speak to her: “Did you read my account of the match Chaoyang City lost in August?”
Since it was about business, Ming Yi had to answer: “I did. Even if you hadn’t conceded, you couldn’t have won. They had too many divine artifacts.”
Withdrawing earlier had protected them from injury. Ji Bozai had made the right choice, though Luo Jiaoyang and the others didn’t understand the situation.
However, if she had been there, they might have won.
Ji Bozai nodded, shifting his cushion closer to her: “Our training conditions are limited. See if there’s anything I’ve overlooked in preparation.”
Ming Yi coldly replied: “Mind your manners.”
His brow furrowed as he sighed: “You’re so kind to Luo Jiaoyang and the others. Why are you so cold only to me?”
He raised an eyebrow: “You treat me differently.”
Ming Yi was exasperated. Didn’t he realize how many people were watching him? Why did he keep drawing attention to her?
Sure enough, a high official immediately approached her with a smile: “I hear the Golden Hairpin Duelist has some young ladies to place. I might have some good options.”
Ming Yi couldn’t ignore him, given his current favor. She reluctantly responded: “Oh?”
“The households of Minister Zhao, Minister Li, and Minister He all have young masters who’ve come of age. Though there are no primary wife positions available, being a favored concubine would ensure a life free from want.”
Ming Yi listened, smiling perfunctorily.
Bai Ying and the other girls, having grown up in fear in Cang Xue City, had little interest in marriage. Moreover, four of the six children had Yuan Power talent. Ming Yi wanted them to be self-reliant.
But refusing this person outright would seem ungrateful. In their eyes, becoming a favored concubine was already an excellent outcome for girls of such complex backgrounds.
Ji Bozai, casually drinking beside her, suddenly spoke up: “I’ve already arranged their futures. Thank you for your concern.”
“Not at all. If there’s anything I can help with, please let me know, Lord Ji.” The man bowed, chatted briefly with Ji Bozai, glanced at Ming Yi once more, and left with pursed lips.
Ming Yi took a deep drink and sighed softly. Ji Bozai looked at her and chuckled: “What are you troubled about?”
“It’s truly difficult for women to live,” she said. “I thought I’d found good paths for them, but in others’ eyes, they still need to be ‘placed’.”
The girls with Yuan Power talent were learning combat skills from her, while the two without were naturally gifted in business. She planned to send them to help at Zhangtai.
But as long as they remained unmarried, others would see them as unsettled, potentially facing who knows what in the future.
Ji Bozai glanced at her, tilting his chin towards where the Grand Duke of Mu Xing sat: “Look at him.”
Ming Yi looked over, just in time to see the Grand Duke speaking with Qian Li. The Grand Duke seemed to give some instructions, and Qian Li hurriedly agreed, leaving his meal to attend to the matter immediately.
“When you’re in a high position, you can do whatever you want. Even if you’re wasting people’s resources building palaces and temples, no one will criticize,” Ji Bozai snorted. “So all troubles in this world can be solved, as long as your position is high enough.”
Ming Yi’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look at him in surprise.