Women are known for their soft hearts. As soon as Ji Bozai began his story, the person in his arms looked as if she might cry, even squeezing his arm with a face full of sympathy. Ji Bozai raised an eyebrow, feeling that Ming Yi did care for him, otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown such an expression.
He continued, “The slave market was a place of perpetual darkness. I nearly died there, but was fortunately rescued by a kind family. However, their good days didn’t last long, and they met with disaster. Tell me, by only killing those responsible and sparing their families, wasn’t I already showing mercy?”
Well, when put that way, it did seem so.
Ming Yi was no longer afraid, looking at him with wide eyes. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you after telling me all this?”
He chuckled, self-deprecatingly, “After sharing a bed for so long, if you can’t understand me, then I truly am guilty, and you might as well report me.”
He spoke with such sincerity, even with a hint of tears in his eyes. Ming Yi secretly scoffed; he was prepared and unafraid of her reporting him, yet here he was, pretending to be a big bad wolf.
Still, his act was more convincing than hers, and she couldn’t help but look at him a bit longer, even reaching out to touch his straight nose. “Don’t be sad, my lord. I understand you. Since I am yours, I will follow you in life and death.”
In the Qingyun realm, women did not remarry. Once they gave themselves to someone, they were bound to them for life. She had shared his bed, which was quite convincing.
She added, “Since you are being open, I will be too. The palace dancers owe much to the inner court’s grace, and we have an annual opportunity to visit the inner court under the guise of visiting family. In truth, it’s to bring back news from the lord’s residence. Before I left, the eunuchs instructed me carefully.”
“But rest assured my lord, I am yours now and will not betray you. If there is anything you wish for me to convey back to the inner court, just let me know.”
This was a dancer’s secret, as important as life itself, and she shared it with him openly.
Ji Bozai was quite satisfied. Although he already knew this, hearing it from her had a different significance. He nuzzled her cheek with his nose, sighing, “The women I’ve met before were either unromantic or not to my liking. It’s rare to meet someone like you, Yi’er. I wish to keep you by my side forever.”
Who doesn’t love sweet words? Ming Yi blushed and returned the sentiment, “I never thought my drifting life would lead me to someone like you, my lord. Even if you grow tired of me, I would be content to serve as a maid by your side.”
“Yi’er…”
“My lord~”
They embraced with tears in their eyes, but behind their necks were faces full of hidden agendas. A bird passing by the window looked at these hypocritical humans in confusion, flapping its wings to distance itself from the drama.
Inside, the room was filled with warmth and whispered secrets. Ji Bozai felt that after this conversation, Ming Yi should understand that her life and death were tied to him, and she wouldn’t dare act out again.
Ming Yi, on the other hand, felt that her life was temporarily safe after his words. Both were pleased.
For several days, they were inseparable, entering and leaving the villa together. It wasn’t until the sacrificial ceremony approached that Ji Bozai had to return to the inner court to begin preparations.
Ming Yi lay lazily on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, eating loquats freshly transported from the northern mountains and flipping through the household accounts.
“Why are the expenses for the back courtyard so high?” she asked Nanny Xun, puzzled. “Did we buy land?”
Nanny Xun shook her head. “It’s that wine attendant. She’s been unwell and needed to nourish herself, so she bought a lot of premium ginseng.”
Eating too much of that stuff causes heat; does she think it’s food?
Ming Yi shook her head, not planning to interfere. After all, due to her cleanliness, the woman hadn’t seen Ji Bozai in a long time. Men and money, one must have something.
Unexpectedly, while she didn’t bother with the woman, the woman came to her.
“Today’s ginseng looked good, so I brought some for you, sister.” Tianyin sat on the stone bench opposite her, her tone somewhat strange. “Please accept it with a smile.”
Nanny Xun frowned slightly.
Ming Yi’s biological father had died collecting ginseng, so bringing this over was meant to provoke her.
She turned her head to look but saw that Ming Yi wasn’t angry at all. She seemed pleased and asked, “If she gives me something, does it come out of her expenses, and then I can dispose of it as I wish?”
Nanny Xun: “……”
Nanny Xun: “In principle, yes.”
“Then thank you very much.” She happily accepted, generously pushing the loquats towards her. “Have some, they’re very sweet.”
Tianyin, young and expressive, immediately darkened at her gesture. “What do you mean by this, sister?”
“Hmm?” Ming Yi was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
“You know my family’s situation, yet you use this to humiliate me?” She stood up angrily. “I called you sister because you came to this residence first, but you’re just like me, without status, unable to enter the main residence’s side door. How dare you put on airs?”
With that, she overturned the fruit plate and stormed off in a huff.
A question mark slowly appeared over Ming Yi’s head.
She looked at Nanny Xun, puzzled. “What’s her family’s situation?”
Nanny Xun stifled a laugh, whispering, “That young lady’s family farms, originally growing loquats in the northern mountains.”
Ming Yi: “……”
Heaven and earth, she truly didn’t know. People always inquired about her, but she never had the leisure to inquire about others’ backgrounds.
However, the young lady was right about one thing: no matter how favored she was in the villa, it was useless. All the good things were in the main residence.
She needed to think of a way.
So that evening, when Ji Bozai returned, he saw a figure in light gauze flying into his arms like smoke.
“My~ lord~” Ming Yi called out sweetly.
With a slight smile, he picked her up. “What’s the matter?”
“I took a nap today and seemed to see someone coming and going in the residence. It frightened me~” She clutched her pale chest, pouting, “Living here is truly nerve-wracking~”
Ji Bozai’s eyebrows twitched. “You mentioned wanting more guards before. Bu Xiu has already bought a few. How could anyone still be wandering around?”
“I don’t know~” She bit her lip, looking pitiful. “I’m scared~”
He laughed, “With me here, no one will harm you.”
Even without him, no one could harm her. Was that the point?
Ming Yi gritted her teeth, whining a bit more. “Nanny Xun mentioned she has a son working at another of your residences. They haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
“Then I’ll let her visit him tomorrow.”
“But, but I can’t do without Nanny Xun~”
Ji Bozai fell silent, sitting down with her on his lap, and looking at her deeply.
Ming Yi felt guilty under his gaze, twisting her handkerchief. “Never mind, being apart for a day or two isn’t a big deal…”
“After the sacrificial ceremony the day after tomorrow, there’s a small family gathering. Do you want to visit the inner court?” he suddenly asked.