Save him first? Ming Yi thought Ji Bozai must have addled his brain upon ascending the throne. Zhou Zihong had no Yuan power at all – how could he survive such a high fall? As for Ji Bozai himself, forget this city wall, even falling from midair wouldn’t kill him with the protection of the Xuan Dragon.
However, hearing his grave tone, it seemed he was truly angered. Ming Yi sighed and turned back, perfunctorily cupping her hands: “My consort is frail. I hope Your Majesty can be understanding.”
The “frail consort” nodded to him and added, “If Your Majesty wishes to blame someone, blame me. Si Shang was just eager to save me.”
Those words pained Ji Bozai’s heart.
Ji Bozai slowly straightened himself, his lips tightly pressed: “What a pair of lovebirds. How could I blame you?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ming Yi helped Zhou Zihong up, and after a hesitant glance at Ji Bozai, said, “Zihong is shaken. Perhaps I should accompany Your Majesty for the rest of the city inspection instead.”
This was originally what Ji Bozai had hoped for, but now he suddenly felt displeased.
She treasured everything like a precious jewel in the palm of her hand.
“Is Lord Zhou unable to walk?” He glanced sideways.
Zhou Zihong looked deeply at Ming Yi, the concern in his eyes even greater than hers for him. Hearing this, he shook his head slightly and squeezed her hand: “This subject can walk. I am willing to accompany Your Majesty.”
Ming Yi felt both amused and exasperated.
Frankly, in all six cities, only she could protect herself in front of Ji Bozai. No one else did. Why did she need him to worry? Zhou Zihong should also know that Ji Bozai could easily take his life, yet he still looked at her so devotedly, wanting to stay with her.
Suddenly, she understood why Ji Bozai liked to flirt so much. This feeling of being constantly in someone’s heart was quite nice. Even if they didn’t need anyone’s protection, it was still heartwarming if someone wanted to protect them.
So she grasped Zhou Zihong’s hand in return and smiled at Ji Bozai: “Please forgive us, Your Majesty.”
This expression of “my consort just loves me too much, I want to indulge him, please be understanding” was extremely irritating to see.
Wasn’t she out of favor? Hadn’t it been a long time since she was summoned? Who was this display meant to provoke?
Ji Bozai, standing in the wind at the city gate, began to cough.
His build was much stronger than Zhou Zihong’s, but now, wearing a dark robe and standing there, the wind blew into his sleeves, revealing a section of his strong wrist, also appearing somewhat frail.
But since Ming Yi was a fighter, fighters looking at fighters only saw the depth of Yuan’s power, not noticing if he was just recovering from a serious illness. Seeing the wind pick up, her first reaction was to adjust Zhou Zihong’s collar.
“Why did you come out wearing so little?” Ming Yi said softly. “Didn’t you know it would be windy outside today?”
“Your Majesty summoned urgently. How could this subject dare to delay?”
Looking at him reproachfully, Ming Yi took off her cloak and draped it over his shoulders.
Zhou Zihong didn’t avoid it. He looked at Ming Yi with gentle eyes as her hands flew to tie the cloak’s strings, a honey-like curve on his lips.
Ji Bozai straightened his back and walked alone in front, saying coldly, “Do I need to stop and wait for you?”
“No need,” Ming Yi waved. “This subject can keep up. Your Majesty, please proceed.”
“…” He flicked his sleeve and strode forward quickly.
Ming Yi finished tying the cloak and turned to catch up, pointing outwards as she walked: “These are all newly repaired palace walls, just completed last month. Since it was funded by the palace, we should report to Your Majesty.”
Ji Bozai listened expressionlessly, then sneered: “With the six cities unified, national resources are first spent on Chaoyang City. The new city is relocating, yet the old city is also being repaired. If word gets out, I fear other cities will protest.”
“Your Majesty’s words are mistaken,” Ming Yi shook her head. “Chaoyang City is moving entirely to the floating island. This old ground will be fully renovated as the capital of the six cities. How is this spending all resources on Chaoyang City? Building the new capital naturally consumes a great deal.”
The logic was sound, but if not for his soft-heartedness, Chaoyang City wouldn’t have been able to relocate so quickly.
He glanced at Ming Yi: “All cities know I like gold and send me many gifts. Why haven’t I seen any movement from you?”
She smirked: “That’s because the other city lords don’t understand Your Majesty. Since when did Your Majesty like gold? You prefer beautiful people. However, my rear court only has handsome men, no beautiful women. I wonder if Your Majesty minds?”
“Since my ascension to the throne, there hasn’t been a single beauty in the rear palace,” he said coldly. Then, feeling as if he was explaining himself to her, he quickly added, “Better to have none than to settle for less.”
“Oh?” Ming Yi raised an eyebrow. “Princess Helun has been living in the rear palace all this time, yet has no official status?”
She thought for a moment, then nodded: “Indeed. The old city lord of Muxing City suddenly fell gravely ill, and the Wise Prince repeatedly showed goodwill towards you. As soon as he became regent, he immediately sent congratulatory gifts to show submission. Your Majesty no longer needs to make Princess Helun empress.”
It was well known that women who were of no use to Ji Bozai would no longer be in his heart.
Ji Bozai was infuriated by her knowing look.
What did she know? She knew nothing! The Muxing City Lord was so cautious, and the Gong Prince and Xian Prince had been vying for the position of city lord without success. If he hadn’t gone to great lengths to help the Xian Prince, how could today’s situation have come about?
She thought he didn’t want Helun because she was no longer useful… He had never intended to have her!
He had thought for a long time, that if there was a woman who could make him willingly be with one person for life, it could only be…
“Zihong, you look a bit pale,” Ming Yi squeezed his fingers. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Zhou Zihong forced a slight smile, his voice a bit hoarse: “It’s nothing. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Ming Yi pursed her lips and sighed again, muttering: “If you hadn’t argued with me, making me go sleep elsewhere in anger, look, I didn’t sleep well elsewhere either.”
She pulled down her lower eyelid to show him the bloodshot eyes.
Zhou Zihong’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but as he reached out, remembering someone else was standing nearby, he withdrew his hand and just smiled: “Let’s both get a good night’s sleep tonight.”
Ming Yi smiled gently, about to agree, when she heard from the side: “Forget about tonight. She won’t be free.”
“Why not?” She frowned and turned back.
Ji Bozai choked, with a half-smiling expression: “The six cities need to unify their laws. There’s a revision meeting tonight. Are you going or not?”
Laws were a big deal, and Ming Yi had many ideas she wanted to express. She immediately replied: “I’ll go!”
“Then bring your pillow and blanket. This matter won’t take shape in less than three to five days.”
“Alright!”
Ming Yi turned back and stroked Zhou Zihong’s hand again: “Wait for me obediently in the rear court. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Zhou Zihong felt a bit disappointed, but he also knew what Ming Yi wanted to do. After pursing his lips slightly, he could only nod.
Then, looking up, he saw Ji Bozai suddenly puff up like a victorious rooster, arrogantly lifting his chin and swaying at him.