Dan Er paused, noticing the energy emanating from her fingertips, and became even more excited. “They all say you’ve become useless, but I see otherwise. You can still use it, can’t you?”
However, compared to before, it was much weaker. Dan Er felt a bit regretful but also more at ease, knowing that the current Ming Yi posed no threat to his life.
He continued, “Since you can use it, let’s make a deal. It’s simple. I want a map of Ji Bozai’s residence. In return, I won’t reveal your identity to anyone.”
Ming Yi’s eyelashes fluttered, and then she smiled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Your offer could be used again next time.”
“Isn’t it better than having Ji Bozai discover your identity right now?”
Ming Yi stepped aside, making way for him at the door. “Go ahead, try telling Ji Bozai that the person he’s been sharing his bed with is the legitimate heir of the Ming family. See if he believes someone from Chaoyang City like you.”
Dan Er shook his head with a light laugh. “You don’t need to provoke me. Ji Bozai is extremely suspicious, as you know better than I do. Once he suspects something, he’ll investigate, and he’ll find something.”
Ming Yi clenched her fists.
“I’m not asking for much, just a map,” he said. “And there’s no rush. Deliver it to the cloth shop within three months. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”
Not difficult? Hardly.
Ming Yi found it very troublesome. Ji Bozai was like a sleeping tiger; as long as you didn’t disturb him, you were fine. But if you did, you’d lose your head. Her last visit to a study in a separate courtyard was already risky, let alone mapping the entire main residence.
However, Dan Er was right. Ji Bozai was indeed suspicious. He didn’t need concrete evidence; just a few credible words would make him doubt her.
The thought of the most popular candidate for the Six Cities Tournament discovering that his bedmate was the champion from a few years ago was enough to send shivers down her spine. Ming Yi shivered slightly, lowered her eyes, and sighed. “Why does a beast master from Chaoyang City need a map of the main residence of a priest from Muxing City?”
“Ji Bozai is no ordinary priest. His energy could rival yours from before,” Dan Er raised an eyebrow. “You must know that, which is why you approached him deliberately.”
Ming Yi didn’t answer. She had indeed approached Ji Bozai deliberately, but Dan Er hadn’t guessed the reason, and she wouldn’t tell him.
“Besides you, who else knows my identity?” she asked.
Dan Er waved his hand. “Rest assured, only I know. The subordinates are just following orders.”
That’s good. With only one person knowing, silencing him would be much easier.
Relaxing her brow, Ming Yi turned and said, “Within three months, I’ll deliver the map to your clothing shop.”
“Let me make it clear,” Dan Er said with a smile behind her. “If I don’t see the map in three months, or if I’m betrayed, your identity will be posted on the bulletin board in Muxing City for all to see.”
Ming Yi left the room with a flick of her hand. Three months was a long time; she could use it as a delaying tactic.
However, Dan Er had lied earlier. Walking along the corridor, Ming Yi’s eyes darkened. Dan Er, a beast master from Chaoyang City’s inner court, wouldn’t appear in Muxing City without reason. There were many experts in the Six Cities. If they wanted to win the competition by eliminating others, taking out Ji Bozai alone wouldn’t suffice.
Could there be another reason for targeting Ji Bozai? Perhaps, like her, they also knew his secret.
Her pupils contracted, and Ming Yi gritted her teeth.
“Sir, you seem particularly… ouch!”
She bumped into two people, her body stiff with anger, causing the girl to stumble backward. Fortunately, the person beside her caught her and asked gently, “Are you okay?”
The girl clutched her chest and glared at Ming Yi. “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
After glaring, she leaned against the person beside her, panting coquettishly. “You scared me.”
Ming Yi followed her movement and looked at the person’s face beside her. With handsome brows and bright eyes, who else could it be but Ji Bozai?
Ji Bozai hadn’t expected to meet her here. For some reason, his heart skipped a beat, and he released the girl he was holding.
The girl was still acting coy, but when he let go, she fell to the ground. “Ah—”
Ming Yi hesitated for a moment, then quickly resumed her tipsy demeanor, staggering toward Ji Bozai. She looked up, her eyes shimmering like wine, and studied him closely.
“You look like my master,” she said with a light laugh, her eyes sparkling like rippling water.
Ji Bozai was dazzled by her beauty and instinctively pulled her into his arms. “Since we’re so fated, why not be with me, hmm?”
Her painted fingernail traced his chest, then gently poked him. Ming Yi left his embrace, shook her head, and continued walking forward. “I already have a master. I don’t want anyone else.”
Ji Bozai scratched his nose awkwardly. This little girl wasn’t completely drunk; she was using the alcohol as an excuse to vent her anger at him. But what a coincidence to run into her at Hua Biezhi.
The girl on the ground stomped her foot in dissatisfaction. “Sir!”
But he had no mind to care for her, quickly catching up to Ming Yi and whispering, “How about I explain when we return to the residence?”
Ming Yi giggled, as if she heard him but also didn’t, and continued walking back to the original room.
When Ji Bozai entered, he found a room full of drunken maids and old women.
She sat down and nudged the old woman next to her. “Nanny, how could you fall asleep? You promised to keep drinking with me.”
The old woman mumbled, turned over, and continued sleeping on the wine jar.
Ming Yi sat dazed for a while, then looked up at Ji Bozai. “Sir, am I not as beautiful as that girl earlier?”
Ji Bozai coughed lightly. “You surpass her by far.”
“Then I must not be as fresh as she is,” she sighed, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. “I’m drunk today. Maybe when I wake up, I won’t remember anything.”
“Yi’er.” Feeling a slight pang of heartache, he pulled her onto his lap. “Today was truly due to official business. I had no choice but to come and catch up with someone.”
Qi Bai’s sudden death left Zhao Sipan with heavy responsibilities, prompting him to frantically investigate everyone who had a grudge against Qi Bai. Ji Bozai wanted to know the progress of the case, so he agreed to meet with several senior officials from the Sipan Hall and had a few drinks after leaving the inner court.
As for the other girl, it was just for the atmosphere, a social performance.
…However, even he couldn’t convince himself for that reason.
Women, like beautiful flowers, are there to be picked if they can be. There’s no need for too many reasons.
However, Ming Yi seemed genuinely hurt. Though she nodded obediently at his words, tears still fell from her eyes.
“Sir, don’t worry,” she said, wiping her eyes in grievance. “I’ll soon forget everything. You can go about your business.”
The more obedient she was, the more it tugged at his heartstrings.