Zhou Zihong had always heard rumors about Ji Bozai. They said he was orphaned at a young age, his background shrouded in mystery. They spoke of his profound Yuan Power and his inscrutable nature. In short, since his ascension to the throne, the man had become a near-mythical figure.
However, after truly encountering him twice, Zhou Zihong suddenly felt that he was just an ordinary person. Ordinary people, when unable to obtain what they love, are all equally helpless and unwilling to let go.
Zhou Zihong wouldn’t be jealous over a mere meeting, as that would only trouble Mingyi. Yet he held her fingertips, not uttering a word of reluctance, though every gesture betrayed his unwillingness to part.
Mingyi’s heart softened. She blinked, looking at him, and gently stroked his soft hair. “I’ll have Fuling look after you.”
“No need,” he frowned. “I don’t like having female servants in my courtyard. Siqi is enough.”
“Then take this.” Mingyi removed her jade pendant and gave it to him. “Lin Huan has a stubborn and impatient temperament. I fear he might bully you. If he comes to trouble you, you can use this jade pendant to refuse to see him.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
After instructing him to eat his meals on time, Mingyi reluctantly saw him off.
Ji Bozai couldn’t help but applaud her: “Impressive.”
Such thoughtfulness and gentleness – who could resist falling for her?
Mingyi turned back, her expression slightly cooler. “I haven’t had the chance to ask Your Majesty, how you plan to handle the issue of Cangxue’s customs?”
With the opening of trade ports in the six cities, the flow of people had increased tenfold compared to before. But problems arose as well. Cangxue lacked women, and while conducting business, they were also abducting women from other cities. Recently, there have been several cases of missing young women, and worse, some were even being traded as goods.
Ji Bozai replied coldly, “When we unified the six cities, I said I would respect each city’s customs.”
Anger rising in her heart, Mingyi smiled without mirth. “Well, in my Chaoyang, our custom is to beat to death those who trade in human beings on the spot. I hope Your Majesty will respect that as well.”
“You can bring this up at tonight’s council meeting,” he said. “It can be incorporated into the law.”
Mingyi paused, her expression softening slightly.
Since her succession, the status of women in Chaoyang City has been steadily improving, nearly on par with men. The women were naturally delighted, but they could only enjoy this freedom within Chaoyang. Once outside, the other cities remained a hell for women.
Mingyi didn’t know how much she could accomplish, but she wanted to do her utmost while she was alive to save as many overlooked and abandoned girls as possible. She hoped her tragedy would never be repeated by anyone else.
As they continued walking, Mingyi detailed the upcoming renovations and the estimated costs. Ji Bozai listened while secretly observing her.
She wasn’t wrong earlier when she said she wasn’t the docile type of girl he preferred. The delicate flower was her disguise; at her core, she was truly a wild grass – unbending in the wind, inextinguishable by fire.
Yet strangely, even if she was wild grass, he wanted to nurture her in a jade pot, to watch the sunrise and sunset with her, to spend every moment with her.
But these words – she wouldn’t believe a single one now.
A twinge of pain in his fingertips made him frown and stop.
Mingyi, who had been explaining the future layout of the main palace, noticed his discomfort.
In the past, she would have anxiously asked what was wrong. But now, she merely stopped walking and waited quietly for him to recover.
Love and indifference are both impossible to conceal.
Ji Bozai laughed bitterly, the sound catching in his throat.
He tucked his fingers into his sleeve and straightened up, continuing forward as if nothing had happened.
Mingyi followed behind him, like any ordinary official, accompanying him into the inner courtyard to select and prepare the venue for the council meeting.
As they watched people coming and going with furnishings, Bai Ying suddenly whispered in Mingyi’s ear, “Lord Ming is about to depart.”
Ming An had spent several days packing and had finally prepared everything for his journey to Cangxue.
Mingyi hesitated, glancing at Ji Bozai beside her.
Ji Bozai said impassively, “You have one hour.”
“Thank you,” she bowed and hastily retreated.
Without Zhou Zihong by her side, Mingyi didn’t know what to say. At first, her steps were hesitant.
But Ming An was at ease, like an old friend. There were no tears, no reluctance, just a carefree farewell: “With my departure, I’ll take away all your past and entanglements. From now on, live freely and do as your heart desires.”
Mingyi looked at him, bewildered.
Ming An smiled, his eye wrinkles deepening. “I’ve heard that in Cangxue’s winter, the snow can bury houses.”
“I’ve heard His Majesty has built many flying beast carriages, some for cargo, some for people. Now one doesn’t need to buy a beast carriage to visit other cities.”
“I’ve packed many pancakes in my carriage. I can eat them to Cangxue.”
As he spoke, he climbed onto the carriage, waving to Mingyi. “Madam, farewell.”
The bells on the carriage roof jingled as Ming An, smiling, waved goodbye to the entire city, seemingly without regret.
Mingyi watched him disappear into the distance, silent for a long while before stiffly uttering, “Have a safe journey.”
Father.
The last two words were spoken so softly that Ming An, now far away, probably couldn’t hear.
He had once said that, like Ming Li, he had never fulfilled his duties as a father. But Mingyi felt he was different from Ming Li. After all, he had always cared for her in his heart and had even saved her twice.
Although she had grown up and found it difficult to rekindle a father-daughter relationship with someone she had been estranged from for so long, Mingyi felt he deserved to be called father.
The beast carriage rolled forward, growing smaller and smaller.
Mingyi withdrew her gaze and turned back towards the inner courtyard.
The rumbling of the carriage wheels filled her ears, seemingly loud enough to drown out all other sounds.
But when those two words floated over, they actually couldn’t be masked by anything.
Ming An’s smile gradually faded, his eyes suddenly reddening.
In his life, he had many, many regrets, but the least regrettable thing was having a daughter like Mingyi.
His daughter was the best girl in the world.
On her way back to the inner courtyard, Mingyi encountered Situ Ling.
He looked at her plaintively, pouting as he called out, “Sister Ming.”
Mingyi immediately sensed trouble and raised her hands in defense. “I haven’t been favoring anyone lately. You’ve already been named Noble Consort. Surely you’re not here to complain?”
“How could you think that of me, sister?” He sighed, moving closer to gently tuck a stray hair behind her ear. “I just feel like I never see you anymore. Apart from discussing state affairs, you never come to see me of your own accord.”
He seemed to have grown even taller. Standing close to her now, she had to crane her neck to see his face.
Mingyi reached up with some effort to pat his head. “Sister has many people in her household, some are inevitably neglected. If you feel lonely, how about sister lets you out of the rear palace and finds you a proper wife?”