This gesture was too intimate. How could he act so naturally, without a trace of shyness on his face, as if it were a completely ordinary thing?

Ming Yi glanced at him twice, unable to help reflecting on herself. Was she being overly sensitive because of Situ Ling’s earlier confession? He just wanted to eat bird’s nest soup, nothing more.

After thinking it through twice, her expression relaxed, and she continued eating the bird’s nest soup in her hand.

Ji Bozai watched from the side, his lips pressed into a straight line.

Was there anyone in this world more fawning than Situ Ling? No.

The other man was being so straightforward, what was he still hesitating about? If he hesitated any longer, he might lose his wife!

Taking a deep breath, Ji Bozai took out a scallion pancake and handed it directly to her.

Ming Yi had just finished the bird’s nest soup when a pancake appeared before her eyes.

The scent was unmistakably from that small vendor on the street in Muxing City, a very familiar taste. Her eyes lit up, and she reached out to take it, but seeing it was Ji Bozai offering it, she hesitated for a moment. “Your Majesty is giving this to me?”

“Yes,” he nodded, glancing at Situ Ling and saying in a deep voice, “I know you like it, so I had the vendor brought from Muxing City. He’s been in the palace for half a month, making many scallion pancakes. I haven’t had the chance to bring you some to try until now.”

Ming Yi was stunned, then found it amusing. “If Your Majesty truly wanted me to try it, you could have just sent the person to my inner courtyard.”

“That wouldn’t do,” he looked into her eyes. “With him here, I have a reason to bring you pancakes.”

He had never expressed his feelings so directly before. As soon as the words left his mouth, his ears turned red.

Ming Yi felt a bit uncomfortable, frowning as she looked at the pancake, unsure whether to accept it or not.

Situ Ling glanced at Ji Bozai and took the pancake from his hand. “It’s kind of Your Majesty to remember what Sister likes to eat, but eating too much at once might cause indigestion. It’s best to set it aside for now.”

Ji Bozai narrowed his eyes as he watched him put the scallion pancake aside, saying coolly, “Why doesn’t Lord Ji Bozai mention who I’ve used this tactic on before?”

Situ Ling grinned. “Your Majesty is overthinking. I always speak the truth and would never falsely accuse anyone.”

“Lord Ji Bozai is too modest. If it weren’t for you mentioning my tactics in front of your Sister Ming every time, I wouldn’t have become such a cold-blooded, heartless, and deeply scheming person in her eyes.”

“Your Majesty is also too modest,” Situ Ling nodded. “You are exactly that kind of person.”

The officials resting and having tea nearby heard some arguing and looked towards the inner room. Ming Yi quickly grabbed both of them, separating them, and said in a low voice, “Gentlemen, this is not the place for such talk.”

Situ Ling took her hand, and Ji Bozai did the same, both using a bit of hidden force.

“Sister Ming, come sit with me.”

“According to protocol, I should be seated first, and she follows behind me.”

Ming Yi found herself pulled back and forth between them. After a moment of bewilderment, her face darkened. “Let go.”

Both men were startled back to their senses and released her simultaneously.

Straightening her collar, Ming Yi smiled coldly. “I don’t care how you two compete, but don’t drag me into it.”

“Sister Ming, did I hurt you?” Situ Ling’s eyes reddened slightly as he immediately came closer to check her wrist.

Ji Bozai stiffened for a moment, then spoke up, “I apologize.”

His apology startled Qin Shangwu nearby. How had his disciple learned to apologize? Previously, he would never lower his head even when wrong, but now these two words came out so smoothly.

Ji Bozai no longer cared about such things. He suddenly felt that Situ Ling’s thick-skinned approach was quite good – saying whatever came to mind, without concern for face or maintaining an image. After all, one doesn’t live life for the sake of face and status.

With this realization, his heart eased a bit, and he said to Ming Yi, “After the meeting concludes, I have something more to say to you.”

Ming Yi was puzzled but nodded anyway.

The legislative discussion continued. Although Cangxue City still didn’t agree with some of the laws proposed by Chaoyang City, consensus was reached on most statutes. Three days later, as Chaoyang rose, the Six Cities entered an era where most laws were unified, with a small portion of regulations temporarily maintained according to local customs.

As soon as everyone left the Hall of Diligent Government, Ji Bozai caught up with Ming Yi. Noticing her somewhat haggard appearance, he said, pursing his lips, “I’ve had Yan Xiao prepare a beauty tonic. It will be sent to your place shortly. Also, I…”

“My Lord,” Zhou Zihong called out from outside the hall.

Ming Yi looked over, her eyes brightening.

He wore a lake-blue cross-collared robe, with a green jade hairpin and pearls at his waist. His face was as clear as the morning dew as he stood at the bottom of the steps, opening his arms to her.

In this scene, who wouldn’t be moved? Ming Yi immediately smiled and ran towards him, leaping into his embrace, saying emotionally, “My dear, you’ve come to pick me up.”

“My Lord has worked hard. The meal is already prepared in the room.”

“Good.”

Ming Yi happily took his arm and started walking. After a few steps, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to wave at Ji Bozai from afar. “This subject takes her leave.”

The words he hadn’t spoken stuck in his throat. Ji Bozai watched darkly as the two walked away arm in arm, his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves.

“Your Majesty, please don’t be angry,” Bu Xiu advised in a low voice.

“I don’t understand,” he said coldly. “Has she gone blind? Does she think I’m not as handsome as that Zhou Zihong?”

“Your Majesty’s dragon-like countenance and phoenix-like bearing are unparalleled in the world,” Bu Xiu cupped his hands. “But that Zhou Zihong is, after all, from the rear courtyard. It’s only natural for Miss Ming to favor him a bit.”

The men in the rear courtyard had all sacrificed their reputations to be by her side. Naturally, they would appear more agreeable to her than someone with whom she had old grudges.

Ji Bozai sneered, “She only sees the good in those in her rear courtyard, but fails to see mine.”

Why did she think he suddenly wanted to establish laws and hold the meeting in Chaoyang City? Did she believe that her few words could persuade the other cities?

He had been slowly giving her everything she wanted, but she couldn’t perceive it. Instead, she was more moved by Zhou Zihong coming to pick her up.

He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t angry at all. What was there to be angry about? It was just her poor eyesight… It was infuriating!

Sweeping down the steps, Ji Bozai said, “Return to the palace. Unless I have nowhere else to stay, I will never come to her inner courtyard again to subject myself to such anger!”

Bu Xiu followed behind him in shock, thinking that perhaps His Majesty had finally come to his senses to be able to say such harsh words.

However…

Half an hour later, looking at the blazing fire in the palace and his emperor hastily packing his belongings, Bu Xiu was at a loss for words.

“There’s nowhere to live now,” Ji Bozai said calmly. “Send word to have the City Lord of Chaoyang prepare a courtyard for me.”

Bu Xiu: “Your Majesty, the fire is only in the middle of the courtyard. It hasn’t even reached the walls.”

“The fire is too big, I can’t hear what you’re saying. Get in the carriage.”