Chaoyang New City was built quickly. When Ming Yi arrived, the main city’s structure was already taking shape.
The residential layout was now very rational. Rural homes had ten mu of land each, suburban homes had one mu, and even in the city, each courtyard could grow some fruits and vegetables.
The soil here was fertile, yielding good harvests, unlike the previous rocky soil that produced only meager crops after a year of cultivation.
Walking the streets, Ming Yi saw excitement on the faces of the people. Long queues formed in front of seed shops, and the freshest vegetables finally appeared in the markets.
“Next year, we’ll be able to eat rice we’ve grown ourselves,” Zhou Zihong said, walking beside her with smiling eyes.
Now, even if Chaoyang City didn’t rank in the top three at the Six Cities Conference, they wouldn’t be left without options.
Ming Yi asked with a smile, “Have you selected the duelists for this year’s competition?”
“I was just about to discuss it with you,” he handed over a document. “This year’s candidates are quite interesting. Please take a look.”
She opened it, her eyes brightening.
Nan Xing’s name was on the list.
Nan Xing was one of the children Ming Yi had rescued in Cangxue City. Compared to Bai Ying’s thoughtfulness and Fu Ling’s obedience, this girl seemed a bit aloof. However, her Yuan Power talent was extremely high, and she was willing to learn and work hard. Her appearance on this list meant that at her young age, she had defeated many opponents in the selection process, which was truly remarkable.
“Let’s go see her,” Ming Yi said happily, heading towards the Yuan士 Academy.
Ji Bozai’s beast carriage followed behind.
The streets were too crowded for the carriage to move forward. Ming Yi, completely unaware, walked away chatting and laughing with Zhou Zihong.
Sitting by the carriage window, Ji Bozai watched, his face expressionless, but bloodshot eyes gradually spreading.
Bu Xiu anxiously ordered people to clear the way, then turned back to reassure him: “Your Majesty, don’t worry. Miss Ming is just too excited on her first visit to this new city.”
“Mm.” He nodded, lowering his eyelids, his lips slightly pursed.
The crowd cleared, and the carriage hurried to follow, only to see Ming Yi and Zhou Zihong already entering the Yuan Shi Academy side by side.
“Your Majesty, we need to get off here,” Bu Xiu said softly.
Ji Bozai moved slightly, then sat back down.
“Never mind,” he said glumly. “I’d only be in the way if I went in. Let’s wait until she’s tired of playing.”
The new Yuan Shi Academy in Chaoyang was twice the size of the original, divided into red and green sides – red for men, and green for women. At a glance, the women’s side seemed to have more students.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s blessing, these female students were selected from abandoned infants rescued by local authorities,” Zhou Zihong smiled. “Many of these girls have exceptional talent. Of course, those with average aptitude were sent to the nearby Forging Tower.”
The Forging Tower’s gate bore the character “Ming” – Ming Yi’s Ming. It was filled with forgers she had trained. Women without Yuan Power could do odd jobs, earning enough to eat and dress well, even saving 800-1000 bei coins a month. Those with Yuan Power were treated even better, able to support themselves, their families, and many abandoned infants.
Some of them later entered government service, but after court sessions, they would still return to make a few divine artifacts.
The substantial profits from divine artifacts gave them a way to survive. Having found their path, they naturally paved the way for future abandoned infants.
Thus, for hundreds of years afterward, the Forging Tower stood gloriously, with people returning every year to renovate it in gratitude after becoming successful. But that’s a story for another time.
Currently, the women at the Yuan Shi Academy were also making them proud. After Nan Xing was selected as a high-level duelist, other girls worked even harder in their cultivation. From afar, Ming Yi could see a dome of blue-purple Yuan Power covering the courtyard.
“There are few abandoned infants in the main city this month, but in some remote villages, where beliefs change more slowly, many female infants are still abandoned. I’ve specially assigned people to lie in wait in various villages. They will bring back any abandoned infants. Please rest assured,” Zhou Zihong reported.
Ming Yi clapped her hands, looking at him: “You’re the most reliable.”
Though they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, they only discussed official matters upon meeting. Zhou Zihong was dissatisfied. He wanted to see a trace of distress or resentment on Ming Yi’s face, so he could bring up the topic of escaping from Ji Bozai.
But there was none. Ming Yi’s eyes showed only joy from beginning to end.
She had said she could only stay until late afternoon. Seeing time was short, he sighed: “Lord Si Tu is tied up with a murder case today and couldn’t come to pay respects. Would you like to wait for him a bit longer?”
Si Tu Ling also thought of his Elder Sister Ming day and night, but he truly couldn’t get away.
There had been frequent murders in the city recently, with victims mostly being women with Yuan Power talent. He couldn’t face Elder Sister Ming without solving these cases.
But the investigation was tedious. Just the autopsy took an hour. By the time he hurriedly packed up the case files and left the judicial hall, it was already dark outside.
He quickly ran towards the Yuan Shi Academy, holding his official hat. Fu Yue followed behind, barely able to keep up: “My lord, slow down!”
He couldn’t slow down. He wanted to tell Elder Sister Ming how capable he had become. The serial killer case that stumped all the veteran officials – he had made progress in just five days. He hadn’t let down her trust and expectations. His future reputation would be even brighter and more resonant than Judge Zhao’s in his day!
Even if he had no Yuan Power, even if he couldn’t protect her like Ji Bozai, he had grown up. He could stand on his own and was also someone to be relied upon.
The wind blew across the threshold, stirring up light dust.
Si Tu Ling, breathing heavily, looked into the courtyard. He saw only Zhou Zihong standing quietly under a cluster of green bamboo.
“Elder Sister Ming?” he gasped.
Zhou Zihong said softly: “She’s gone.”
They had to return to deal with legislation and coordinate affairs between Chaoyang City and the palace. Ming Yi had waited an extra half hour for Si Tu Ling but left reluctantly, leaving only a box of pastries for him.
Si Tu Ling stared blankly at the entrance, his eyes reddening as he pressed his lips together.
It had been so long since he’d seen Elder Sister Ming.
Zhou Zihong could still write reports to her, but Si Tu Ling’s judicial matters – he feared writing about them would frighten and worry her. Writing only greetings seemed pointless and would be returned by the Six Departments.
He had hoped to see her today no matter what, but the killer chose this moment to slip up. With his responsibilities, he couldn’t ignore the poor victim to prioritize himself.
Deflated, he collapsed on the ground. Si Tu Ling raised his sleeve to wipe his eyes: “When will she come next time?”
Zhou Zihong glanced at him, not having the heart to answer.
The newly built inner court hadn’t even planned her living quarters, only making a few meeting rooms and some ordinary residences.
The floating island and old Chaoyang City were too close, yet too far away.