After Zhou Zihong received his appointment, he came to pay his respects and express gratitude. Ming Yi smiled as she helped him up, taking the opportunity to caress his hand.
Indeed, a scholar’s hands were always more delicate than those of warriors. No wonder Ji Bozai had always insisted on her being uninjured; blemishes were unsightly. Only unblemished, pure white skin would do.
Zhou Zihong’s face flushed as he glanced at her and withdrew his hand. “Where will Si Shang go tonight?”
Reminded of this, Ming Yi laughed dryly.
Ever since she had stayed with Zhou Zihong and Si Tu Ling consecutively, and promoted both of them, the other twenty-odd people in the rear palace had gone mad. They either ambushed her in the garden or pretended to run into her outside the study.
Those of higher rank used their positions to visit the Women’s Yuan Shi Academy, not only donating many crystals but also giving some family heirlooms of combat technique scrolls.
With others going to such lengths, Ming Yi felt obliged to pay a visit. However, that Talented One chased her like a hungry wolf for three incense sticks’ worth of time. When she couldn’t run anymore, she had no choice but to promote him to Noble Consort, then claimed she had memorials to review and fled.
In the entire rear palace, only Si Tu Ling and Zhou Zihong allowed her to sleep peacefully. But Si Tu Ling was nominally her brother, and it felt odd to sleep there often. That left only Zhou Zihong.
So she chose Zhou Zihong’s name tablet for three consecutive nights. But soon after, someone filed a complaint against Zhou Zihong, accusing him of abusing imperial favor and accepting bribes in his name.
She hadn’t told Zhou Zihong about this yet. It was awkward to joke and laugh with someone while dealing with their relatives. So she hesitated about whether to choose someone else’s tablet.
Zhou Zihong stood for a while without getting an answer, his eyes dimming. “Does Si Shang have a new favorite?”
“…No.”
“Then have I not served you well enough, making Si Shang uncomfortable?”
“Not at all,” Ming Yi waved her hands repeatedly. Zhou Zihong was the most considerate. His room always smelled of the books and ink she loved, the bedding was soft and warm, and once she fell asleep, he wouldn’t let anyone disturb her. How could she be uncomfortable?
His eyes brightened as he stepped closer. “So, it’s not because of me?”
“Of course not.” Ming Yi sighed. After some thought, she simply tore off the name on the memorial and showed him the content.
Zhou Zihong took it, read it line by line, then closed it. “I understand. Si Shang need not worry. I will handle it.”
Ming Yi breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, “What good food do you have tonight?”
Zhou Zihong smiled gently. “I’ve made the scallion pancakes Si Shang loves most.”
“Excellent.” She clapped her hands happily. “I’ll be over soon.”
Zhou Zihong bowed and retreated.
Ming Yi rested her chin on her hand, watching his retreating figure. She thought that having such a considerate person for life wouldn’t be bad. Wasn’t this easier than actively pursuing someone you like?
Feelings aside, adults just want to live well.
“Si Shang,” Bai Ying approached and whispered, “The one in the palace drank while ill. His condition has worsened, and he’s seeking medicine everywhere.”
Ming Yi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. “As expected of His Majesty, drinking while ill. Such behavior, not everyone can imitate. What medicine does he lack?”
“Blood ginseng.”
That was something only found in Muxing City.
Ming Yi waved her hand. “His Majesty has eyes and ears everywhere. There’s no medicine he can’t find. No need for me to worry about it.”
Despite saying this, when Ming An left the slave market and returned to Chaoyang City, Ming Yi’s first reaction upon seeing the blood ginseng he presented was to instruct Bai Ying: “Send it to the palace.”
Ming An looked at her with emotion. “You’ve grown up. You’re less stubborn now and know how to be flexible.”
Ming Yi smiled, not looking at him, and said, “The Yan family and Ming Li have passed away. Ji Bozai built ancestral halls for them in my name.”
This was Ji Bozai’s tactic to win over officials, but she feared Ming An might not accept it, as they were his enemies.
However, Ming An waved his hand. “They’re dead. Building an ancestral hall is no big deal.”
Ming Yi was a bit surprised. She thought for a moment and nodded. “I’ve arranged for you to stay in the inner court. From now on…”
“No need,” Ming An waved his hand. “Now that the six cities are unified, it doesn’t matter where I am. I saw that Cangxue City was nice on the way here, so I’m thinking of settling there.”
Slightly stunned, Ming Yi finally looked into his eyes.
She was now the City Lord. Since he was her birth father, he could enjoy all sorts of glory and wealth. Yet he wanted to settle in another city?
Noticing her confusion, Ming An smiled. “I’ve spent the first half of my life living for revenge. In my old age, do you want me to stay in this Chaoyang City, tormented by memories of these familiar buildings?”
“Cangxue City is good. Your mother loved snow the most when she was alive. I’ll take her spirit tablet with me. She’ll be happy.”
Ming Li looked at her, smiling with slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. “I made a bit of money in Muxing City, but I spent it all on gifts for you. So, City Lord, you’ll have to give me some money to settle in Cangxue City.”
Ming Yi came to her senses, flustered. “Of course, I’ll certainly give you money. I’ll prepare a house, carriage, and silver for you.”
She didn’t know how to interact with her birth father, and Ming Li had never been so kind to her before, so she felt a bit panicked.
Zhou Zihong, standing nearby, noticed her emotions. He stepped forward to support her arm and said softly to Ming An, “Si Shang has prepared a welcoming feast. Please, sir, enjoy it. It will take a few days to prepare your belongings. The Qing Palace in the inner court is also ready. Sir, if you get drunk later, please feel free to rest there.”
Ming An turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow slightly. “A disciple of the Grand Scholar.”
“Paying respects to the elder.”
Looking at him and then at Ming Yi, Ming An suddenly smiled. “We often say that Heaven is fair. Whatever it deprives you of in the first half of your life, it will make up for in the second half. It turns out to be true.”
Ming Yi laughed dryly, not knowing what to say. Zhou Zihong nodded. “Yes, so my lonely first half of life was all for meeting Si Shang now.”
“Haha, good lad!” Ming An nodded. “Come, let’s drink.”
Zhou Zihong supported Ming Yi as they followed, secretly winking at her.
Ming Yi finally broke free from her discomfort.
She went to take her seat at the banquet, watching Ming An and Zhou Zihong chat and drink, gradually feeling more at ease.
There were dancers at the banquet, but unlike elsewhere where dancers were women, here they were all men.
As songs rose and Hu Xuan dances began, Ming Yi glanced up between sips of wine and saw someone twist their ankle. The Hu-style clothes swirled open like a flower, revealing the owner’s strong, pale ankles beneath.
“Si Shang, please spare me.” As the hem of the Hu clothes fell, the person knelt on the ground, waist trembling like a willow, voice as crisp as an oriole’s.
Ming Yi felt this scene was very familiar, but couldn’t remember where she had seen it before. She just said “Mm” and then, “It’s alright, get up.”
The person rose and looked up, their eyes meeting. Those ink-pool eyes gazed at her, full of shyness.