Shaking his head, Bu Xiu felt he might be overthinking things. He had seen many women around his master, who always treated them as mere entertainment. There had been times when he had been deceived as well, so perhaps this was just another instance of his master honing his acting skills. It had to be that way.
Nodding to himself, Bu Xiu regained his composure and began instructing the household servants to tidy up the guest rooms in the main courtyard. His master had returned unexpectedly, and the household was unprepared. When the young lady arrived, she went straight to the main house, leaving the servants uncertain and gathered in the back courtyard, discussing how long she might stay.
At that moment, Granny Xun arrived, glancing at the silver coins they had wagered. In a calm voice, she said, “The one in the main house has no strict rules. There’s no need to wake her early, and she doesn’t need to be taught manners. But be careful; don’t let her near the study.”
The others were even more puzzled. Not needing to learn manners indicated she was favored, yet being kept away from the study suggested she was not treated as one of their own. How important was this young lady to their master?
That night, the servants of the manor pondered this question. Ming Yi had a restful sleep, and when she awoke the next day, Ji Bozai was not beside her, but there was a fragrant lunch waiting on the table. Her eyes brightened, but she first washed up and applied her makeup before sitting down.
“Sir went into the inner courtyard early and instructed this old servant to see what the young lady might need. We’ll go buy it all today,” Granny Xun said, serving her a bowl of bird’s nest porridge.
Ming Yi inhaled the aroma and smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Sir is truly considerate, knowing that bird’s nest is good for the complexion.” After taking a few bites, she added, “I don’t need anything, but since I have some free time, it would be nice for you to take me around nearby.”
This area was filled with high-ranking families, frequented by respectable women, making it quite safe. Granny Xun nodded, finding a few quiet maidservants for her and preparing a carriage.
In other households, a person without status like her would never receive such treatment. However, Ji Bozai was known for his good reputation; he was never stingy with women he liked, treating them as proper ladies for as long as he fancied them. It was hard for any woman not to fall deeply for such a man.
Ming Yi marveled at his skillful ways, enjoyed her meal, rested for a while, and then changed her clothes to go out. The weather was pleasant, and many young ladies and matrons were out on the streets, their elaborate skirts and jewelry dazzling to the eye.
She casually chose a shop and sat in the tea room, waiting for the shopkeeper to bring her some tea. Suddenly, she heard voices from the next room: “Your Lord Zhao has fallen on hard times. Just after the festival, he’s faced a series of murders, all right under the eyes of the Grand Judge.”
Ming Yi paused, elegantly raising her sleeve to sip her tea, then subtly shifted closer to the paper wall.
“Alas, he returned yesterday to pack his things, saying he would stay at the judge’s court for a month. I knew something was wrong,” another woman sighed. “Although the Grand Judge didn’t punish him for the previous case, he was displeased. Who would have thought another incident would occur…”
“That was the Grand Judge’s brother. He didn’t dare touch him after the previous incident, but now that he’s suddenly dead if they can’t solve the case, it will be disastrous.”
“What incident?”
“You don’t know? Three years ago, the Meng incident.”
The Meng family’s death was scandalous. Although the public narrative claimed it was due to illness, the high-ranking woman knew she had been executed hastily after the Grand Judge discovered her transgressions.
Lady Zhao, realizing too late, asked, “Are you saying that the Meng family was involved with this prince…”
“Shh, that’s all old news. It’s not wise to discuss it now. I just feel that if the Grand Judge could tolerate such matters without dealing with the prince, he certainly won’t let this death go unresolved.”
Lady Zhao sighed repeatedly, growing more anxious.
Ming Yi, however, was all ears. Did Qi Bai and the Meng family have a past? But hadn’t Ji Bozai said she was slandered, which had implicated the Meng family and made him seek revenge? Could it be that Ji Bozai had been deceived?
She blinked in confusion.
“Let’s not talk about that. This year, we’re again among the top three in the Six Cities Conference, so we must contribute various items to the other cities. Since there are still some goods available in the market, we should buy them now to avoid missing out later,” the voice next door changed the subject.
Ming Yi listened, her lips pressed together. This year, the top three cities did not include Chaoyang City. In previous years, Chaoyang City had been the one receiving tributes, but this year, it had to offer tributes to other cities. She wondered how the old acquaintances felt about this.
The productivity in Qingyun Realm was low, and they were not fond of sharing resources, which is why every year, the top three and bottom three cities were determined at the Six Cities Conference. The bottom three cities had to contribute a significant amount of grain, livestock, and textiles to the top three, often affecting the livelihoods of the people. Thus, every city fought desperately to win.
Muxing City was used to losing, but for Chaoyang City, this was the first time it had lost.
“Miss, the fine fabrics you wanted to see are here,” a shop assistant entered with a tray of items, smiling at her.
Ming Yi came back to her senses and signaled for her maid to take a look. To her surprise, the assistant was very enthusiastic, directly shoving a piece of snow silk into her hands. “There’s only one piece left. If you want it, you must decide quickly.”
The soft snow silk was wrapped around a piece of paper.
Ming Yi raised an eyebrow, discreetly wrapping the paper in her palm, then disdainfully looked at the snow silk. “You treat this kind of material as a treasure? Your shop must not want to do business with me.”
With that, she stood up and angrily walked out. The assistant’s apologies couldn’t stop her.
Granny Xun, knowing her temperament, was not surprised. She helped her into the carriage to check another shop.
As the curtain fell, Ming Yi glanced at the note in her hand. She had expected familiar handwriting, as there was only one person she knew in this vast Muxing City. However, when she unfolded it, the words were strange and eerie.
“Lady Ming, it has been a long time, and I miss you dearly. Now that we have reunited, I hope you will honor me with a meeting at Huabie Branch.”
Her pupils constricted, and Ming Yi quickly tore the note into pieces. Unable to resist, she lifted the carriage curtain and looked back at the fabric shop.
The assistant stood at the door, bowing to her in the manner of Chaoyang City.
“…” She dropped the curtain, her face cold.
Someone had betrayed her.
Only a few people knew about her affairs here, and those were her trusted friends. She had thought it was foolproof, but who would have guessed she had stumbled into a trap?
Now that she was already a broken person, these people still did not intend to let her go.
With a heavy heart, Ming Yi clenched her hand. Just as she was about to use her energy to crush the torn paper into dust, she suddenly felt a stronger force probing from outside, followed by a sharp voice shouting, “Who is in the carriage?!”