Meng Yangqiu, familiar with Ji Bozai’s romantic escapades, relaxed his expression upon hearing him speak. “In that case, I’ll let them go through the motions.”
“Good.”
The two strolled through the courtyard. Seeing no one around, Meng Yangqiu couldn’t help but whisper, “Lately, there have been many issues in Muxing City. Be careful. Those women at the banquet aren’t suitable to bring home.”
Ji Bozai dismissed the warning. “Women are inherently gentle, with slender waists and graceful movements. How could they possibly commit such ruthless acts?”
Meng Yangqiu shot him a glance. “Beware of unexpected pitfalls.”
“Thanks for the good wishes,” Ji Bozai replied with a yawn. “I hope for a captivating enchantress to appear, so I can focus entirely on her and spare others.”
“You and your nonsense.”
After a round of playful banter, the guards withdrew from his villa.
Ji Bozai stood in the courtyard for a while before returning indoors.
The incense in the room burned softly, and the beauty lay asleep with her eyes closed. He gazed at her for a moment, not in a hurry for intimacy, and instead gently held her hand, absentmindedly stroking her slightly calloused fingertips.
Ming Yi slept soundly amidst the scent of wine, not waking until noon the next day. She groaned softly, clutching her head as she sat up.
The room was empty, with golden silk curtains hanging low, a wide rosewood bed, and the lingering scent of an unfamiliar man on the sheets.
Startled, Ming Yi quickly knelt upright, trying to recall the events of the previous night.
It seemed she had followed Lord Ji back to his residence.
And then?
“You must be quite fortunate, young lady. The world outside is in chaos, yet you haven’t even risen,” a mama said, drawing back the curtains.
Ming Yi turned sharply, leaning against the bedpost, looking at her in confusion.
Xun Mama smirked slightly at her reaction. “How timid this one is.”
She efficiently tidied the disheveled bedding and then pulled Ming Yi down. “The lord went to the inner courtyard early this morning and won’t return for lunch, but he’ll be back in the evening. You should prepare yourself.”
Ming Yi stumbled as she was pulled, her knee hitting the bed frame, turning her face pale with pain. Not knowing the woman’s background, she dared not resist and obediently sat at the dressing table.
Seeing the items on the table, she instantly became more alert.
Red jade earrings, black gold hairpins, a peacock gold crown with blue gems, jade bracelets… A variety of treasures were laid out for her to choose from.
Each piece was valuable.
Xun Mama frowned at her greedy expression, her face darkening. “These are for you to wear.”
The implication was clear: they weren’t hers; she was merely allowed to use them.
Ming Yi lowered her head.
It made sense. She was just a plaything brought back, a decorative figure, not worth such wealth.
Gathering her spirits, she began to dress.
As a dancer, it was her duty to be exquisitely adorned and pleasing. On her first day here, she had to leave a good impression on the lord.
From what she observed last night, Ji Bozai matched his reputation, having a fondness for beauty, especially delicate women. So, without hesitation, Ming Yi chose light and delicate jewelry, lightly applied her makeup, and appeared as graceful as a young girl.
She glanced at the bookshelf in the room, lifted her skirt, and selected the oldest book, then reclined on a couch visible from the entrance, holding the book in one hand and incense in the other.
As Xun Mama cleaned the room, she passed by and remarked, “You’re holding it upside down.”
Ming Yi stiffened slightly, then nonchalantly turned the book right side up, continuing to feign immersion.
“Don’t bother with that. Our lord only has interest for two or three days. While he’s fond of you, ask for some money to secure your future.”
Ming Yi understood that Xun Mama had been with Ji Bozai for years and wasn’t unkind, just indifferent after seeing many women come and go.
Smiling slightly, she replied, “Of course, I want to make the lord happy while he gives.”
Surprised that she responded, Xun Mama paused, then rolled her eyes. “Shameless.”
Such words might affect others, but for Ming Yi, who had discarded shame along with her old clothes when she became a dancer in the inner courtyard, it didn’t matter.
So she continued to burn incense, still smiling, and asked, “Mama, does the lord prefer strong or mild flavors? Does he like women who are more literary or martial?”
“No comment.”
“Then, Mama, do you prefer sweet or salty? Can you eat these cashews?”
“You talk too much, young lady. Our lord doesn’t like noisy people.”
“…Oh.” She obediently pinched her lips shut.
However, she couldn’t last a stick of incense before speaking again. “Mama, where did you get the fabric for your clothes? The pattern is lovely. I’d like to make a set for my mother.”
Xun Mama felt her temples throbbing, and her eye twitching.
She had seen all kinds of women for the lord, but never one so talkative, like a parrot come to life. With the lord’s preference for quiet, she wondered how he had chosen her.
Catching the sight of Ming Yi’s pitifully bored expression, Xun Mama’s heart softened for a moment, and she answered, “This fabric isn’t for sale; it’s a gift from the inner courtyard.”
It would have been better not to answer. Once she did, the young girl’s eyes lit up, clutching her sleeve like a lifeline. “Are these cashews also from the inner courtyard? They taste better than those in the dancers’ courtyard.”
“This courtyard is so flat. I wonder how many flips it would take to get from the back door to the front.”
“That golden silk curtain is beautiful, with its hidden embroidery. It must have taken a lot of effort.”
“Mama, do you eat cashews? I’ll peel them for you. I’m good at it. When I was chosen as a dancer…”
Xun Mama regretted opening her mouth.
This young girl chattered endlessly, from how she became a dancer to attending palace banquets, almost covering everything in one afternoon.
Rubbing her ears, Xun Mama looked toward the door, hoping for the first time that her lord would return quickly to take over this nuisance.