The Music Bureau was disbanded by the Grand Minister to calm the court’s nerves after being repeatedly involved in murder cases. As soon as Zhangtai left the inner courtyard, she hurried to the Ji family mansion to deliver a note to Mingyi.
When Mingyi went out to greet her, she saw Zhangtai openly wearing a floral headband, a symbol of pregnancy, and walking towards her with a visible yet not fully apparent belly, her face beaming with happiness.
“You truly are a bringer of good fortune,” Zhangtai whispered as she took Mingyi’s hand. “I was at a loss about what to do, but then the Grand Minister disbanded the Music Bureau. Steward Xu has taken me back to his residence. He said once I give birth, he will marry me.”
Mingyi dismissed the maid following her and winked at Zhangtai. “You should thank Prince Ping; he is your true bringer of fortune.”
“Ugh, don’t say such eerie things. I’m with child,” Zhangtai shivered. “You have no idea how strange Prince Qi’s death was. The Judicial Office still hasn’t figured out the cause.”
It would be a miracle if they could. The poison created by mixing the scent of Mulan Green dye with the contents of Qi Bai’s medicine bowl was unknown even to Mingyi. Moreover, Qi Bai was of noble birth, so an autopsy was out of the question. The only lead was Rongxin, who had been by his side.
Mingyi knew Rongxin would eventually implicate her, but without evidence, and with Ji Bozai’s protection, the most they could do was question her briefly.
For now, she only needed to keep Zhangtai calm.
“Since you’re here, stay with me for a few days,” Mingyi suggested. “This house has plenty of bird’s nest and ginseng for your health. You can eat as much as you like; it won’t cost me a thing.”
Zhangtai’s eyes lit up. “Then don’t blame me if I eat too much.”
Mingyi laughed and graciously led her to the guest courtyard.
Coincidentally, just after Zhangtai arrived, Zhao Sijian and Meng Yangqiu also came, sitting with Ji Bozai in the flower hall for a chat.
“I came to apologize for my previous rudeness to Miss Ming,” Meng Yangqiu said, bowing.
Ji Bozai, not one to hold grudges, sipped his tea and let the matter pass. However, he couldn’t help but ask, “Did you sense something that made you react that way?”
Meng Yangqiu scratched his head sheepishly. “You know I’ve been searching for Mingxian. I can’t rest until I fight him again. So, on the road that day, I thought I sensed his energy, but it was a mistake.”
Mingxian was the pride of the Ming family. Although Mingyi shared the surname, it was a common one, and she, being a woman, had no real connection to him.
“Coincidentally, I need to question Miss Ming about this case,” Zhao Sijian sighed. “I hope you don’t mind, Lord Ji.”
“Why would I mind? Everyone in my household is upright and honest. You’re welcome to come for tea anytime,” Ji Bozai smiled, instructing Buxiu, “Please invite Miss Ming over.”
Buxiu left to carry out the order.
Buxiu was involved in the matter as well. Although the lord often praised Miss Ming for handling the situation well, Buxiu doubted a woman could be so cunning. Zhangtai and the inner court steward were significant risks; if they turned against her, she would be doomed, and even the lord would struggle to save her.
However, as soon as he turned into the courtyard with the “Liu Zhaojun” plaque, he saw Zhangtai sitting beside Mingyi, laughing softly.
Buxiu: “…”
His disdain lessened slightly.
“What’s the matter?” Mingyi asked as she noticed him.
Buxiu stood at the door and bowed. “Zhao Sijian and Lord Meng are in the flower hall. The Lord requests your presence.”
Mingyi understood and smiled, reassuring the suddenly nervous Zhangtai. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”
“But will he ask you about…” Zhangtai’s voice trailed off, but Mingyi understood.
“Relax, we did nothing wrong. We just changed clothes and danced, not committed murder,” she gently patted Zhangtai’s back. “Lord Ji is protecting us.”
This last assurance calmed Zhangtai. She nodded, watching Mingyi leave. Buxiu discreetly moved to stand by her side, but she paid no mind, continuing to look around curiously.
Mingyi returned to her room, donned a veil, and then carried a tray of snacks into the flower hall.
“I heard Lord Zhao was here, so I prepared some snacks to apologize,” she said, placing the tray on the low table between Zhao Sijian and Meng Yangqiu, then bowed with the tray in her arms.
Her demeanor was poised and friendly, but the veil covered half her face, preventing Meng Yangqiu from seeing her.
Being a young man himself, Meng Yangqiu didn’t want to stare at another man’s concubine, so he simply nodded in acknowledgment.
“Miss Ming, you’re too kind,” Zhao Sijian said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I hope you don’t mind my repeated visits.”
“You’re here on official business, Lord Zhao. How could it be a bother?” She returned to Ji Bozai’s side and knelt gracefully. “What would you like to ask this time, Lord Zhao?”
Zhao Sijian glanced at Ji Bozai, who appeared relaxed, and then asked, “Do you know Rongxin?”
Mingyi nodded, wrinkling her nose. “She used to bully me a lot when I was in the inner court.”
“Why?”
“Why else? Because I’m prettier,” Mingyi replied earnestly. “Dancers rely on their looks and grace. She couldn’t compare to me, so she made my life difficult.”
Zhao Sijian coughed awkwardly.
Though she wasn’t wrong—Mingyi was indeed beautiful—her demeanor and tone somehow seemed well-matched with Ji Bozai.
“So, there was animosity between you two,” he said, regaining his composure. “But, Miss Ming, Rongxin claims that the Mulan Green dress is yours.”
Mulan Green was rare, and ordinary dancers couldn’t afford it. However, Rongxin was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and became a dancer in the inner court to secure a prestigious marriage. It was strange for anyone to have Mulan Green, except her.
“Lord, please understand, that when I was a dancer, I was truly destitute. How could I afford a Mulan Green dress?” Mingyi lowered her eyes, looking aggrieved. “It was only thanks to Lord Ji’s protection that I have a roof over my head. But Lord Ji hasn’t given me any Mulan Green dresses recently. If you don’t believe me, feel free to check the records of this house’s transactions with the fabric shops.”
Although she didn’t know what Ji Bozai would do, Mingyi trusted that someone like him, who planned to use a Mulan Green dress for a scheme, wouldn’t have bought it through official channels.
Meng Yangqiu, taking notes on the testimony, thought to himself that this girl’s voice was as soft as a warbler’s, no wonder Ji Bozai was fond of her.
“Very well,” Zhao Sijian nodded. “Then I will investigate the fabric shops.”