The heir of the Ming family was renowned across the six cities for his formidable Yuan power. At the age of twelve, he represented Chaoyang City as a fighter and won the Six Cities Tournament for seven consecutive years, never encountering a worthy opponent. The only one who came close to his strength over the years was Zheng Tiao from Feihua City.
This year, Ji Bozai defeated Zheng Tiao with overwhelming dominance, causing a stir across the six cities and heightening anticipation for his match against the Ming family heir. However, just three days before the competition, Chaoyang City suddenly announced their withdrawal, and the Ming family heir disappeared without a trace. Rumors spread, some claiming he was harmed, others suggesting Chaoyang City withdrew to avoid losing to Ji Bozai.
Despite the speculation, the Ming family heir never reappeared, as if he had vanished into thin air, and the Ming family never mentioned him again. Although Ji Bozai was thus considered the uncrowned king of this year’s Six Cities Tournament, Yan Xiao believed he must have felt regret for not facing such a formidable opponent. Later, some noble disciples from Muxing City replaced him in the competition.
“Why bring him up?” Ji Bozai clicked his tongue, “A coward who fled without even daring to meet me.”
“The inner court of Chaoyang City is complex; he might have had his reasons,” Yan Xiao shrugged. “He was a formidable figure, unlikely to surrender without a fight.”
“Who knows,” Ji Bozai said, capturing a group of black pieces with a single move, raising an eyebrow with a light smile, “Perhaps his Yuan power was inferior to mine, and his appearance as well, feeling ashamed to stand on the same stage as me.”
Yan Xiao: “…”
It’s hard to find someone as narcissistic as him.
Shaking his head, Yan Xiao continued playing chess with him.
The murder cases of several medical officers became mysteries, leading to tighter security in the inner court. The sacrificial ceremony was heavily guarded, with strict checks on all entries and exits. The subsequent family banquet was even more heavily guarded, with dancers searched, food tasted by designated individuals, and each invitation strictly checked.
Ming Yi sat in front of Zhangtai, listening to her sigh, “I don’t know why we’re needed at such an event. It’s full of high-ranking nobles who look down on us, treating us as mere decorations. The dance from the Music Bureau is difficult, and I’ve been practicing for half a month without mastering it.”
Zhangtai looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to respond.
However, Ming Yi seemed not to hear, only asking, “The steward said you were ill again. What illness is it? Have you taken medicine?”
Zhangtai pouted, “What else could it be? You know me, a gust of wind makes me cough for half a month. I take old medicine to barely suppress it.”
She glanced at Ming Yi again, “I heard you’re quite favored outside. Why did you think of coming back to see me?”
“Favored or not, it’s just temporary,” Ming Yi lowered her eyes. “Only I know how my days truly are—I’ve had some free time lately, so I came to see you.”
Though they were mere acquaintances, both had been ostracized by other dancers due to their exceptional looks, sharing a sense of camaraderie. Zhangtai, though envious of Ming Yi’s constant overshadowing, saw her potential and maintained a good relationship, hoping to rely on her in the future.
Ming Yi understood that their friendship was shallow and that asking for favors would come at a cost.
She didn’t like paying costs; she preferred getting things for free.
So she casually asked, “When do you leave the stage tomorrow? I can prepare medicine for you in advance.”
Zhangtai’s face fell, “I haven’t decided whether to go…”
“Is that even an option?” Ming Yi feigned surprise, “The steward just told me they were short on people.”
Since the last incident where several dancers were beaten to death by the judge, they had been short-staffed. The newly selected ones weren’t yet trained, and the old ones frequently fell ill. Other banquets could be managed with fewer dancers, but the family banquet required grandeur. Orders from above stated that unless dead, they had to crawl to the banquet.
Zhangtai stopped pretending and said bitterly, “To be honest, I really can’t dance lately. If you have time to prepare medicine, why not take my place? You know the family members won’t touch the dancers, so you won’t have any trouble.”
Just a cold, why couldn’t she dance?
Ming Yi looked at her puzzled, her gaze slowly moving from her face to her belly.
Zhangtai was startled, instinctively pulling the blanket over her stomach, “I… I’m not what you think.”
“I didn’t think anything,” Ming Yi blinked, “I just noticed you’ve gained some weight recently.”
Dancers valued their figures the most. Zhangtai had always been disciplined, unlikely to suddenly gain so much weight.
Recalling the steward’s honest face, Ming Yi smiled silently, turning to the screen beside her, “Is that your dance dress?”
“No,” Zhangtai said, somewhat guilty, “The inner court is saving expenses this year, not making new dresses. The steward said to wear last year’s dance dress for the banquet. What’s hanging there is my casual dress. My dance dresses… I dirtied them all.”
Ming Yi:?
Dirtying one dance dress could be accidental, but all of them? That seemed deliberate.
She asked amusedly, “If I take your place and Master Ji blames me, how will you compensate me?”
Zhangtai, looking pitiful, tugged at her sleeve, “Good sister, we’re both unfortunate. If you help me today, I’ll owe you a favor. Next time you need something, I’ll surely help you.”
Not bad, earning a favor was much better than owning one.
Ming Yi hesitated for a moment, then sighed and agreed, “We’ve known each other for a while. I can’t just watch you get punished. I’ll take your place tomorrow, but if we’re discovered, you must cover for me.”
Zhangtai nodded excitedly, “Don’t worry, with me and the steward, no one will notice.”
Dancers all had similar hairstyles and accessories, and there were no specific dress codes, so Ming Yi could blend in perfectly.
Zhangtai was confident.
However, she overlooked one issue: Ming Yi’s face. Even with a completely different makeup, she was stunning enough to turn heads. As soon as the group of dancers entered, someone at the table exclaimed in admiration.
“The Music Bureau has been producing talents lately. The one Ji Bozai took away was already a beauty, and now there’s another one with such outstanding looks.”
The speaker was Meng Yangqiu, a subordinate of the Prince of Xian’s mansion, who also worked in the judicial office.
As he spoke, several family members turned to look at Ming Yi, nodding in agreement, “With such women to win over officials, we needn’t worry about instability in Muxing City.”
In the eyes of the family members, beauty was irrelevant. They saw women as tools of the state, useful or not.
Even so, someone gestured for Ming Yi to come over, “Come here.”
Ming Yi, puzzled, lowered her head and walked over in small steps, kneeling to pay her respects.
“Your dress is unique,” he said, eyes filled with nostalgia, motioning for her to come closer, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen this color.”