As Zhou Zihong sat writing with cool detachment, his behavior stood out like a lotus rising from the mud – pure and untainted. Ming Yi couldn’t help but peer over to see what he was writing. On the snow-white paper, rows of bold calligraphy flowed like wild geese frolicking over the sea, full of life and vigor. The brush tip had just completed the character “Ji”.
Ji, as in Ji Bozai.
Ming Yi gave a dry laugh and applauded, “Your Excellency’s fine handwriting is truly remarkable. Perhaps you could write a plaque to hang above my bedchamber someday.”
Zhou Zihong looked up at her, pointing meaningfully at the paper on the table. “Does the Sovereign find this piece satisfactory?”
“Of course,” Ming Yi nodded while averting her gaze.
Zhou Zihong smiled. “Then let’s have it engraved and displayed in front of the Sovereign’s chambers.”
“…”
Taking a deep breath, Ming Yi turned back to him and tapped the edge of his table helplessly. “Why must you antagonize him so?”
The entire piece was a refutation of arguments made by Ji Bozai’s subordinates. Though it never directly named Ji Bozai, the implications were clear throughout. If this were displayed outside her chambers, Ji Bozai would surely come to her with grievances the very next day.
“Does the Sovereign think I’m the only one antagonizing him?” Zhou Zihong frowned slightly.
Even his furrowed brow was a sight to behold.
Ming Yi sighed and sat down, smoothing her robes. “Everything you say is correct. Half of Chaoyang City is still in Ji Bozai’s hands, and many at court openly serve me while secretly loyal to him. I do want to purge them, but it can’t be done overnight.”
Zhou Zihong pursed his lips, glancing at the fatigue evident under her eyes. He finally pulled out a fresh sheet of paper to cover what he had written, then slowly walked over to kneel before her, eyes level with hers as he asked softly, “Haven’t you been resting well these past couple of days?”
Ming Yi laughed dryly.
She wished she could rest properly. Court affairs were endless. When she finally returned to her chambers to relax, intending to visit one of her concubines, a fire broke out in that concubine’s quarters. After a long night of commotion, she had to attend court again before getting any sleep.
On her way here today, she had guards searching everywhere, still on alert in case of another fire.
A hint of tenderness flashed in the eyes of the man before her.
Ming Yi raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried about me?”
“With all your consorts and concubines, Sovereign, how could it fall to me to worry?” Zhou Zihong stood up indifferently, going to the bed to smooth out the covers before sitting down and saying, “You should rest early.”
Ming Yi cheerfully followed him over.
Zhou Zihong’s room had an elegant fragrance of books – something Ji Bozai’s quarters would never have. It was deeply comforting.
She lay down inside the bed, while he sat on the edge for a while, seeming to hesitate over something.
Soon enough, Zhou Zihong let out a soft sigh and lay down beside her, still fully clothed.
Ming Yi yawned, wanting to ask what was on his mind, but her eyelids were too heavy. Before she could speak, she had drifted off.
Though exhausted, her sleep was light. Moments later, she sensed Zhou Zihong reaching out to gently pat her back.
Was he soothing her like a child? She mused internally.
But the method was truly effective. What had been shallow sleep soon deepened into true slumber.
Zhou Zihong sat up beside her, quietly gazing down. He couldn’t help but wonder how a young woman could live such a difficult life. Even in sleep, she seemed to have defenses raised, worry lines gradually appearing between her brows – so different from her smiling face when awake.
If someone as formidable as Ji Bozai had never made her feel at ease, how could he?
An inexplicable ache filled his chest. He raised his hand, wanting to brush away a strand of hair caught between her lips.
Suddenly, a shout came from outside: “Consort, Sovereign! There’s a fire outside!”
Ming Yi jolted upright immediately, the tension causing her temples to throb with pain.
Zhou Zihong’s first reaction was to cover her ears with his hands.
His warm palms soothed her pain while blocking out the clamor outside. Ming Yi opened her eyes in confusion to see Zhou Zihong mouthing silently to her: “Sleep.”
How could she sleep with a fire raging? Ming Yi shook her head, but he pressed her back down, tucking the blankets around her before calmly calling out: “Siqi.”
His servant responded promptly, bowing as he entered: “It was an act of arson. Both the culprit and the fire have been dealt with. The master and Sovereign may rest easy.”
“Take away whoever was shouting so loudly and investigate their background,” Zhou Zihong ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
The door opened and closed again, restoring silence outside. Ming Yi blinked, leaning against him as she said hoarsely: “For a mere scholar with no Yuan Power, you’re surprisingly reliable.”
“Sleep now,” he didn’t answer, only continuing to massage her temples.
The pressure was just right, his fingertips warm and gentle. Ming Yi sighed, suddenly feeling she could understand Ji Bozai.
In this world of countless men, each had his own merits. Since she could attract many, why settle for loving just one? They would all grow old someday. When that time came, she could simply find younger men who resembled them.
Feelings never truly disappear; they only continue in another form.
How wonderful.
Mentally applauding herself, Ming Yi nestled against Zhou Zihong and gradually drifted back to sleep.
Ji Bozai sat in the courtyard playing chess with Qin Shangwu, wrapped in an outer robe.
Qin Shangwu yawned repeatedly: “It’s so late, aren’t you tired?”
“Perhaps I slept too much during the day. I’m not tired.”
You may not be tired, but others certainly are, Qin Shangwu wanted to say outright – he needed to get back to sleep! But seeing his disciple’s pale complexion, he felt some sympathy: “You’re now lord of six cities. What can’t you have? Why torment yourself?”
What couldn’t he have? What could he possibly want? Women? Wealth?
How utterly boring.
He had thoroughly eliminated everyone who had harmed the Bai clan and enshrined their ancestral tablets in the newly renovated clan temple. With all his goals accomplished, he felt nothing but emptiness. Even hearing of the Great Magistrate of Muxing City’s death brought him no joy.
He had lived solely for revenge. The Bai clan had saved his life, and he had given everything he could to repay that debt.
But what now? What was left to do?
He looked northward. The inner court of Muxing City’s main keep was ten miles from his palace – only an incense stick’s burning time by carriage, half an hour on foot, or half an incense stick’s time by flying sword.
Even so, he lacked the courage to make the journey.
“Your Majesty.” Buxiu hurried over, glancing at Qin Shangwu.
Ji Bozai’s back stiffened slightly as he pressed his lips together. “They couldn’t stop her?”