Ji Bozai was a clever man. Their current situation wasn’t suitable for another war, and accepting Muxing City’s terms was the best choice – efficient and effortless.
Yet, he said to prepare for an attack on Muxing.
Buxiu sighed repeatedly, muttering under his breath, “If we’d known it would come to this, why did we even…”
“The master had no choice,” Nanny Xun helped him to rest, her eyes full of sympathy. “Without marrying He Lun, Muxing wouldn’t have agreed to send troops. Chaoyang City was already at our doorstep. If the master hadn’t stepped up, how could Muxing have had the morale to defeat Chaoyang?”
Had that battle not been fought, he and Mingyi might have already fallen into Chaoyang’s hands.
“But Miss Ming is so innocent. The master could have at least said something beforehand.”
“How could he? Ask her to wait while he goes through a marriage ceremony with someone else?” Nanny Xun shook her head. “Miss Ming doesn’t tolerate deception. She’s not like other women; she only wants the master. She had long dreamed of their wedding. The master didn’t request imperial permission to marry then, probably thinking marriage was troublesome. But then he turned around and married a princess. How do you think that made Miss Ming feel?”
This was indeed the master’s fault. If he had married Miss Ming earlier, all would have been well. But he thought marriage would restrict his freedom.
Of course, a man accustomed to such a carefree lifestyle would be reluctant to be tied down by one woman.
Nanny Xun looked at the unconscious man, sighing, “Well, perhaps the master will be heartbroken for a while, but when he meets another young lady, he’ll surely recover.”
It made sense. The master had always been carefree. Miss Ming wouldn’t return, and he would gradually move on.
Buxiu looked outside, worried about Mingyi.
A young woman who had lost her love – would she do something foolish?
…
She wouldn’t.
Mingyi walked down Chang Yao Street and saw a chastity arch by the roadside.
It was erected for a woman abandoned by her husband. Despite being cast aside, she had rejected numerous suitors, remained chaste for her former husband for twenty years, and even raised his daughter. The arch was built to serve as an example for other women to follow.
The implication was clear: men could be heartless, but women must be faithful. Men could have multiple wives and concubines, but women must devote themselves to one man. Men could abandon women at will, but women must linger faithfully.
Mingyi stared at it expressionlessly for a moment, then gently patted it.
As she turned away, the arch crumbled to dust. A huge cloud of powder rose, covering the face of a nearby lecturer.
A chorus of gasps rose behind her.
Mingyi continued walking, returning to the original ruler’s inner court.
Though she wasn’t skilled in political affairs – Chaoyang’s internal affairs had always been managed by people Ji Bozai appointed – Mingyi’s first act upon return was to reclaim their authority, replacing them with officials recommended by She Tianlin.
She Tianlin was concerned about this: “What about His Majesty?”
“He said it himself: the Six Cities would be governed separately, each retaining its ruler. If he’s displeased, I’ll invite the other five city rulers to renegotiate with him.”
She Tianlin sensed something was amiss: “Did you fight with His Majesty?”
“No,” Mingyi shook her head. “I just saw him.”
She Tianlin was stunned, wanting to inquire further, but she waved him off: “I’ve been used by others since childhood. I know best how to be a tool in someone’s hands. All he wants is Chaoyang’s submission. I can give him that without compromising his imperial authority. But beyond that, I won’t consult him on what I want to do.”
“Within the Six Cities, he reigns supreme. Within Chaoyang, I do. Master, follow my lead for now.”
Shaken by her words, She Tianlin’s expression turned serious as he bowed: “Yes.”
“Also, I want to add some people to this inner court,” Mingyi rested her chin on her hand, looking at the empty place, licking her lips.
“Add… people?”
“Every new ruler has had a harem selection. Why should I be the exception?”
“But,” She Tianlin couldn’t help but laugh, “you’re a woman.”
Mingyi found this strange: “What about being a woman? Am I lacking in Yuan Power or status?”
Of course not, but there was no precedent for women selecting a harem. Not to mention the bad example it might set for women across the land, Ji Bozai surely wouldn’t stand idly by.
“I established schools for women, and allowed them into the Yuan Shi Academy, all to show the world that women and men are equal. What men can do, women can do too. If men can choose their partners, so can women. If men can have multiple wives and concubines, so can women.”
“Master, are you worried about setting a bad example? But I, as the example, am already proper.”
She Tianlin was stunned for a long while, admiration gradually showing in his gaze: “Very well, I’ll arrange it for you. But, My Lady, you should know that if even I questioned this, others in the court would strongly oppose it. You must be prepared.”
Mingyi nodded.
Thus, when Ji Bozai regained consciousness after three days of severe illness, he instinctively looked to the bedside, only to see Buxiu.
His eyes dimmed, and he calmly sat up, asking, “Where are the others?”
Buxiu offered him a cup of tea, speaking softly: “Master Qin and Lord Meng are busy establishing the Six Cities Yuan Shi Academy. Lord Luo visited earlier today, but you were asleep, so he sat for a while and left. Lord Fan is pursuing a young lady he fancies, saying he’s too busy to pay respects. Lord Chu is meeting with Muxing City’s envoy today and will come later.”
After listing everyone, Ji Bozai frowned: “Anyone else?”
“Well, Nanny Xun is doing needlework outside…”
“Buxiu,” he lost patience, “you know who I’m asking about.”
Buxiu knelt, wanting to speak but unsure how. After a long struggle, he said: “This servant didn’t let news of your illness spread, fearing complications. So the inner court probably… probably doesn’t know.”
So she hadn’t come to see him even once in these days.
Taking a deep breath, Ji Bozai tried to appear nonchalant. She was always like this, never the first to apologize when angry. It was expected. But this time, he wouldn’t be the one to back down. He had apologized once; a man shouldn’t always be apologizing.
But what if she truly didn’t know?
After pondering for a long time, Ji Bozai glanced at Buxiu: “Go to the inner court and say a few words to her.”
Buxiu awkwardly forced a smile: “It might not be convenient these days.”
“What’s not convenient?” He frowned. “She won’t even see you? Is she that angry with me?”
“It’s not that,” Buxiu reluctantly explained. “The inner court is currently selecting people. If I go now, Miss Ming might think you’re trying to interfere, causing unnecessary misunderstanding.”
Oh, selecting people for the inner court.
Ji Bozai chuckled lightly: “What would I interfere with? Her inner court is indeed short of servants and attendants. Let her select.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
Suddenly, he felt something was amiss: “What is she selecting?”