Ming Yi felt a bit guilty. After all, living under someone’s roof, it wasn’t right to make them lose face so directly. Even if she disliked Ji Bozai, she shouldn’t give him such a poor experience.
So she immediately knelt before him in panic: “This slave hasn’t been feeling well lately and has ruined my Lord’s mood. Please forgive this slave.”
Ji Bozai lowered his eyes, a coldness in them: “If you’re not feeling well, then rest properly.”
With that, he stood up and strode out the door without looking back.
“Ah, my Lord…” Ming Yi pretended to try to keep him, only following to the doorway before half-hugging the doorframe as she watched him walk away.
He looked truly angry, even his back radiating fury.
It seemed he wouldn’t be coming to favor her again anytime soon.
With a relaxed expression, Ming Yi hummed a little tune as she went back to her room to clean up the dishes and prepare for bed.
In the courtyard, the flowers and trees rustled. Wherever Ji Bozai walked, it was as if an icy wind blew, startling even the sleeping birds into flight.
Bu Xiu followed behind him, trying to persuade him as they walked: “My Lord, didn’t you eagerly want to return? Why be so angry with Miss Ming?”
“I was eager to return, but look at her,” Ji Bozai was truly furious. “What kind of attitude is that?”
Other girls would wait for him eagerly, all trying to please him. Only she dared to retch after kissing him.
He was bewildered. He hadn’t touched Qing Li, nor had he eaten anything strange. How could she react like this?
Could it be that she had been associating too much with Situ Ling lately and had a change of heart?
He inadvertently spoke this last thought aloud, and Bu Xiu beside him heard it, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: “My Lord, Situ Ling is only fifteen years old.”
“What’s wrong with being fifteen? Fifteen is old enough to take a wife,” he narrowed his eyes.
“That’s not likely… Ah, my Lord, please calm down. Perhaps Miss Ming truly isn’t feeling well.”
“How unwell does one have to be to vomit like that?”
Bu Xiu thought for a moment: “Miss Ming has been in the mansion for over a month now. Perhaps she’s with child.”
Ji Bozai’s steps suddenly halted, and he turned with a grave expression: “What did you say?”
Bu Xiu was startled, realizing his mistake, and quickly said: “This lowly one was just guessing. It may not be true.”
Ji Bozai fell silent for a moment, realizing he had lost his composure a bit, and slightly furrowed his brow: “After she served me, didn’t you give her the medicinal soup to drink?”
“Yes, my Lord. This lowly one saw Miss Ming drink it all with his own eyes.”
“Then why are you spouting nonsense?” He continued walking forward.
The starlight was brilliant, illuminating the back garden. The water in the pond rippled, and a koi fish flicked its tail, making a splash.
Ji Bozai slowly stopped again: “That medicine… is there any chance it could be ineffective?”
Bu Xiu took a moment to understand that his Lord was still dwelling on Miss Ming’s situation. He was surprised and somewhat amused: “If my Lord is worried, should this lowly one find a doctor to examine Miss Ming tomorrow?”
“Yes, do that,” he lowered his eyes. “It would set my mind at ease.”
Passing on one’s lineage was important to others, but to Ji Bozai, it was a trouble and burden. Even if it was Ming Yi…
Come to think of it, Ming Yi was so beautiful, and he was so handsome. If they were to have a child, how good-looking would it be?
Ji Bozai imagined it.
The eyebrows should be like hers, delicate and gentle. The eyes should also be like hers, especially bright and enchanting. The nose could be like his, straight and proud. The lips could also be like his, smiling and affectionate.
If things settled down in the future, it might not be impossible to consider.
But now, was not appropriate, really not appropriate. If she became pregnant, she would have to suffer through losing it. Her body was too weak; she became exhausted just carrying him for a few steps. If she developed some chronic illness, she might be bedridden for the rest of her life.
Although a sickly beauty had its charm, he still preferred her to be healthy.
If she needed to be healthy, leaving the main city and going into hiding to have the baby wasn’t impossible. But Ming Yi was currently very useful, and it was best for her to be by his side to assist him. If that wasn’t feasible… then he’d have to find a place he could trust to send her to.
Where would be good?
Lost in these thoughts all the way, it wasn’t until he reached the entrance of his courtyard that Ji Bozai came back to his senses and felt something wasn’t quite right.
He treated all women the same, so why should he treat Ming Yi differently? She was just an ordinary girl. Even if she was a bit smarter, a bit prettier, a bit more likable, she was still just a pawn that might need to be sacrificed at any time.
Shaking his head, he felt he might have been confused by his anger at Ming Yi, letting his thoughts be led by her.
No more thinking about it. Let’s wait for the doctor’s examination.
He changed clothes, bathed, and calmly went to bed.
— Then the next morning, at the crack of dawn, Yan Xiao was dragged into the Ji mansion.
“Wait, Lord Ji, please slow down,” Yan Xiao’s eyes weren’t fully open yet. “It’s so early, what illness needs to be seen?”
“It’s nothing serious, just a routine check-up,” Ji Bozai’s expression was normal, but his steps were hurried.
Laughing helplessly, Yan Xiao shook his sleeves: “I’m a proper third-rank medical official. You’re having me come here for a routine check-up?”
“I don’t trust anyone else’s medical skills.”
Should he be thankful for that trust? Yan Xiao sighed, stumbling several times, practically being dragged into Liu Zhao Jun.
However, once inside, Ji Bozai stopped walking and only instructed Matron Xun: “Please show the doctor the way.”
Yan Xiao was puzzled: “You’re not going in?”
“I have other matters to attend to.”
“What could you possibly be busy with at this early hour? Crowing like a rooster?”
“…” Ji Bozai raised his leg, wanting to kick him in.
Seeing this, Yan Xiao stopped joking and quickly dodged, following Matron Xun into the side hall.
Ming Yi wasn’t fully awake either. Even after being helped up by Matron Xun to wash and dress, she was still dozing behind the curtain, not reacting much even as Matron Xun tied the pulse-reading string to her wrist.
Yan Xiao felt the pulse for a moment, then rolled his eyes: “She’s eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well. She’s better off than anyone. What’s he worrying about?”
Matron Xun smiled and said, “He’s just too concerned about the young lady.”
That scoundrel could be concerned about others? Yan Xiao didn’t believe it, but when he walked out, he found Ji Bozai still standing under the eaves of the corridor outside. He couldn’t help but exclaim.
He was concerned?
Slowly walking over, Yan Xiao patted his shoulder: “If you had said earlier that you were serious this time, we wouldn’t have joked around before.”
Ji Bozai came back to his senses and glanced at him: “What do you mean, serious?”
“The one inside,” Yan Xiao jerked his chin. “You’re this nervous, and you’re still trying to deny it?”