The Second Nine Street bustled with activity, a constant flow of people and vehicles. Ming Yi mounted her horse and quickly disappeared around the corner.
Standing by the window, Situ Ling asked his guard perplexedly, “Do you think she’s genuinely foolish or just pretending?”
Guard Fu Yue shook his head, “This subordinate’s judgment is poor.”
The girl’s expressions seemed entirely natural, her eyes clear and penetrating. All her reactions appeared instinctive, without any flaws.
Such a person was either extremely clever or ordinarily stupid. Considering she was merely a woman, the latter seemed more likely.
Situ Ling sat on a high stool, swinging his legs, and let out a soft “Hmm.”
“Regardless, I like her,” he smiled. “I hope she has good fortune.”
The steam from a nearby bun shop curled out, making the silk on her bamboo hat feel slightly cool. Ming Yi held the gu container, her fingers tapping its lid intermittently.
She certainly wasn’t foolish enough to try using gu on Ji Bozai. Others might not know the extent of his strong Yuan Power, but she was well aware. Before the tea lid could even be opened, Ji Bozai would sense the living creature inside.
But she didn’t intend to discard this treasure either. Such a rare item deserved to be taken back for a thorough examination.
So, when Ji Bozai finally returned to the mansion after staying at Hua Man Lou for fifteen days, he saw Ming Yi standing at Liu Zhao Jun’s door with a tray, her expression serious as she asked:
“My Lord, would you like this cup of Pu’er tea, this cup of Tieguanyin, or this cup of cold tea with gu poison?”
He choked in surprise, “With what?”
“Gu poison,” she said, baring her teeth. “From Zhu Yue City, a gu that makes one fall deeply in love. There’s a child gu in the cup and a mother gu in an earthen jar under the bed.”
Bu Xiu heard this and quickly went into the room to find the jar. Ji Bozai, however, remained calm. He picked up the cup of cold tea and glanced at it, chuckling, “Where did you get this thing?”
Ming Yi blinked, “Is it a love gu?”
“The head has a hint of bright red, the body as thin as ash. Indeed, it’s a love gu,” he confirmed.
She couldn’t understand, “This slave thought Situ Ling wanted to harm you through me, but I never imagined he’d give a love gu. What’s his intention?”
Ji Bozai’s expression slightly darkened as he stepped past her into the room, “When did you meet him?”
“Just two days ago, I encountered him on the road,” Ming Yi followed behind him, placing the tray on the table and honestly recounting, “This slave naturally had to say she was being neglected by you, and he suggested using gu.”
His face grew colder as he spoke softly, “How kind-hearted of him. A chance encounter and he procures such a precious gu for you.”
“Is it precious?” Ming Yi looked at the table. “This slave only knows it’s not found outside Zhu Yue City.”
“It’s precisely because Zhu Yue City doesn’t easily let gu leave their city that this thing is especially valuable,” he half-closed his eyes. “Either an enormous favor or substantial wealth – he must have paid one to obtain it.”
“But what benefit is there in using a love gu on you, my Lord?” She tilted her head. “To make you listen to this slave, so I can then be used by him?”
“Who knows,” Ji Bozai sneered. “Perhaps he simply wanted to help you.”
If Ming Yi had been slow to catch on before, she should have picked up on something by now, as even he felt his tone was too sour.
However, Ming Yi, upon hearing this, first pulled out her bronze mirror from somewhere and ecstatically cupped her face, muttering, “Beauty truly has such benefits. Just being sad and upset can make someone treat me so well. If only I had known earlier, I would have mentioned needing money.”
Ji Bozai: “…”
He laughed in exasperation, “Are you very short on money?”
Belatedly realizing that her Lord was displeased, Ming Yi quickly put down the mirror and obediently came over to massage his shoulders, “How could that be? My Lord treats this slave generously and even promises to give me five gold bars. This slave’s life is very comfortable.”
Her gaze was cautious, looking like someone who didn’t understand why he would be angry about her lacking money, yet still had to placate him.
He couldn’t help but pinch her soft little face, “If I were penniless, would you still follow me?”
Ming Yi rolled her eyes, “If this slave were plain and unattractive, would my Lord have brought me back to the mansion?”
Both were driven by self-interest; who was she to use such words to trap whom?
Ji Bozai: “…”
A lump of anger stuck in his chest, he darkly brushed away her hand.
After not seeing her for over ten days, he thought she might have missed him. Who knew he was just being presumptuous? He had even been counting the days until his return and had Bu Xiu watch over her, fearing she might be bullied in his absence. The result? He was raising a heartless creature.
“Oh, my Lord~” Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Ming Yi quickly threw herself into his arms. “Why are you angry? This slave is ultimately yours. Look, someone gave me such valuable love gu, and I reported everything to you without any intention of harming you. How can you not understand this slave’s feelings?”
These words sounded more pleasing to his ears.
Ji Bozai lightly snorted, lifting her chin to examine her face for a moment, then noted with satisfaction, “You’ve lost some weight.”
She must have been missing him.
“So have you, my Lord,” she stroked the side of his face with concern in her eyes. “You should eat well now that you’re back.”
Otherwise, who knows how much his health might suffer.
They gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, both seeing a reflection of true feelings.
Bu Xiu tactfully put away the child and mother gu and withdrew.
Ji Bozai sat her on his lap, his fingers lightly twirling her hair, “Since Situ Ling gave the love gu, let’s pretend I’ve been affected by it. We’ll see what his next move is.”
“Oh, this slave fears she can’t act well enough and might implicate my Lord.”
“Two gold bars.”
“Yes, my Lord. No problem, my Lord.”
She smiled with twinkling eyes, reaching out to lightly tap his brow, “Whoosh, love gu activated!”
Her fingertip was cool, the bright dankuo making him slightly dazed. Ji Bozai watched her lips move, truly feeling a sense of heat rising within him.
“You…” Adam’s apple bobbed, “Did you hide the love gu under your fingernail?”
Ming Yi was startled and quickly withdrew her hand, examining her nail beds closely, “Surely not? Is there? This slave is innocent, completely unaware. That love gu was just one…”
She babbled on, seemingly endless.
He chuckled softly, gripping the back of her head to pull her down, intending to kiss her.
Ming Yi swiftly dodged his advance, looking somewhat flustered as she stepped away, “My Lord has just returned. You must be hungry, right? This slave has had the kitchen prepare a late-night meal. Would you like to eat something before sleeping?”
Displeased at finding his arms empty, he clicked his tongue, “Why are you avoiding me?”
“I’m not,” Ming Yi’s eyes darted around. “This slave is… menstruating. It’s not convenient to serve my Lord.”
He made a sound of acknowledgment and calmly asked, “Does menstruation come from the mouth?”