For a fleeting moment, Mingyi felt a hint of affection within the Yuan Power surrounding her. After all, Ji Bozai was a fighter; such generosity could only stem from love. However, she quickly regained her senses, hurriedly concealing the residual Yuan Power within her body to avoid detection.
Fortunately, Ji Bozai was focused on warming her and did not probe her meridians. The black Yuan Power wrapped around her fair skin, making her appear even more translucent. As he continued to warm her, his thoughts began to wander.
“Sir,” she said, holding his hand, half-laughing, half-crying. Ji Bozai ignored her protests, biting her earlobe and pulling her into the curtains. Only then did Mingyi realize that Ji Bozai had been holding back before. When truly aroused, he was as fierce as a wolf.
As dawn approached, she still hadn’t rested. Initially, Xun Momo stood guard for them, but eventually, even she couldn’t bear the noise and retreated far away, dismissing the maids and servants nearby. The next day, she didn’t call them early, instead instructing the kitchen to prepare a lavish lunch and distributing rewards to the curious servants, claiming they were given by a happy master.
Thus, the entire mansion was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
“How wonderful,” Zhangtai remarked enviously, seeing her maids receive rewards. “Mingyi truly married well.”
The maid beside her whispered, “I think the mistress married even better.”
Thinking of Xu Lan, Zhangtai was pleased and quickly asked the maid, “Did he reply to the last letter? Did he say when he’ll come to fetch me?”
The maid shook her head. “The master has been busy lately, so there’s been no reply.”
The dancers at the Music Bureau had been dismissed, leaving only a few musicians. What could he be busy with? Zhangtai felt a pang of doubt but was reassured by the thought of her pregnancy. Although Xu Lan was married, he had no children after five years, and he was delighted with the child she carried. He wouldn’t abandon her. If he said he was busy, he must truly be busy.
As she pondered, news arrived: “Miss Zhang, Master Xu found an excellent prenatal medicine shop and wants to take you there.”
Zhangtai’s eyes lit up, and she quickly stood. “So he was looking for this for me.”
The messenger, a young servant, kept his head down, face obscured, and said, “Miss, please wait by the back kitchen door. A carriage will come to pick you up.”
“Alright,” Zhangtai nodded, then turned to her maid. “Tell Mingyi, so she doesn’t look for me when she wakes.”
The maid was about to leave when the young servant stopped her. “Miss Ming was exhausted last night and won’t wake until afternoon. Miss Zhang, please go ahead. I’ll inform Miss Ming when she wakes.”
With this assurance, Zhangtai nodded, happily dressing up and following the servant to the back kitchen. The servants, likely having received rewards, were off drinking, so she encountered no one on her way out.
Quietly leaving the mansion, she boarded the carriage, eager to share her thoughts with Xu Lan. But when the carriage stopped, she saw Xu Lan half-embracing another woman, exiting a tavern.
The two, having drunk, didn’t notice the carriage by the roadside. Xu Lan leaned in to kiss the woman in blue, who twisted away, chiding, “Wait until we’re home. What would people think?”
Xu Lan chuckled, “Whether at home or outside, you’re my new concubine. Why can’t I kiss you?”
Zhangtai’s pupils contracted, and she clenched her fists tightly. New concubine? New concubine! He had told her his wife was jealous and wouldn’t allow concubines, hence the delay in giving her a title. How had he taken a concubine so quickly?
Both wore plum-colored ornaments, indicating the concubinage was recent, likely within the past few days. Sending her to Mingyi wasn’t to reunite with a sister but to make room for a new concubine.
What was she, then? A tool to bear his child, discarded afterward? Her heart pounded violently as she gripped the seat, swallowing her sobs.
The young servant, perhaps not expecting this, awkwardly said, “It must be a misunderstanding.”
What misunderstanding could there be? Zhangtai watched for a moment, then suddenly got out of the carriage and chased after them.
When Mingyi awoke, Ji Bozai, unusually, hadn’t left. He sat by the bed, practicing Yuan Power. His Yuan Power formed a black dragon, emerging from his brow, gathering surrounding energy, and returning to his abdomen.
This was the most flamboyant yet impractical practice method, suitable only for impressing young girls. Unfortunately, she was now that young girl being impressed.
Taking a deep breath, she sat up with a “Wow,” exclaiming, “Sir, you’re amazing!”
Ji Bozai glanced back, a hint of pride in his eyes, feigning nonchalance. “Awake?”
Rubbing her sore waist, Mingyi murmured an affirmative, then slipped out of bed to sit at the dressing table. The evening light cast patterns through the window, resembling floral designs on her forehead.
Ji Bozai’s gaze shifted slightly. He stood behind her, picked up a fine brush from the dressing table, dipped it in gold powder from a porcelain box, and dabbed it on her brow.
In the bronze mirror, her face was radiant, with bright lips, white teeth, and a fragrant complexion. Her autumn eyes sparkled, and the touch of gold on her forehead added a regal air.
Mingyi smiled at him through the mirror. “It’s rare for you to have such refined interests.”
He wore a satisfied smile, tossing the brush aside and gently kissing her hair. “Being with Yi’er always brings out my refined side.”
With that, he lifted her, holding her tightly by the waist. Mingyi blushed. “Sir, I just did my makeup.”
“It’s dusk. Who’s there to see your makeup?”
“…” He had a point.
As the candlelight flickered, the curtains opened and closed. Mingyi felt there was something she hadn’t done, but with his kisses, she forgot all about it.
The next morning, after Ji Bozai went to the inner courtyard, someone discreetly approached her window, avoiding Xun Momo, who had gone to fetch breakfast.
“Sir,” he whispered, “there’s been an incident.”
Mingyi was taken aback, her expression turning serious.
The duties of a Sacrificial Officer were few, mainly involving clan affairs requiring his presence to verify procedures. Thus, Ji Bozai would visit the inner courtyard every few days, free to relax by afternoon.
However, this day, upon entering the inner courtyard, he encountered Zhao Sipan. Zhao Sipan had scrutinized every fabric shop in the main city, finding only one with a treasured piece of Mulan green fabric, which was not for sale and had no connection to the Ji family.
Despite this, he blocked Ji Bozai’s path. Ji Bozai’s expression was indifferent, showing some impatience, but Zhao Sipan smiled. “I didn’t expect Lord Ji to also favor Mulan green.”
“What do you mean, Lord Zhao?”
“Lord Ji, you seem to have forgotten. At the beginning of the year, when you first made your mark, you gained the favor of Prince Gong, who gifted you several boxes of fabric. Among them, was there not a piece of Mulan green? I wonder what garment it became?”