Ji Bozai turned his head away. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. I just woke up early and thought the weather was nice, so I stood here for a moment to enjoy it. It happens to coincide with seeing you off.”
“Oh, is that so?” Yan Xiao nodded. “Then I won’t waste my breath saying more. The person inside is fine anyway.”
Ji Bozai maintained an indifferent appearance, calmly accompanying him for a short distance.
Yan Xiao silently counted in his mind. As they passed the moon gate of the study, the person beside him predictably spoke up: “No unusual symptoms?”
Chuckling softly, Yan Xiao looked at the brilliant morning sun in the distance, feigning ignorance. “Who are you talking about?”
Ji Bozai remained silent, but his fingers closed slightly, and an invisible pressure fell on Yan Xiao’s head.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you,” he quickly conceded. “Miss Ming is in good health, no symptoms at all.”
Ji Bozai’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he lowered his gaze. “Oh.”
“You seem a bit disappointed. She’s such a lovely young lady; surely you can’t be hoping for her to fall ill.”
“I’m not,” Ji Bozai inhaled deeply and exhaled. “I’m not hoping for anything.”
“Then let’s go drink,” Yan Xiao patted his shoulder. “I’ve heard whispers from the inner court that Prince Ping’s case is nearly concluded, and the restrictions on the inner court will soon be lifted. Isn’t that worth a celebratory drink?”
Their group, holding sinecures and receiving salaries, had drinking as their greatest daily pastime. Ji Bozai, with his good capacity for alcohol and amiable nature, was naturally invited to all sorts of drinking parties.
However, this time he said, “No, I’m not in the mood.”
Yan Xiao’s jaw dropped in astonishment.
Ji Bozai knew he would be surprised. He was also surprised. If he wasn’t interested in drinking parties, what joy was left in life?
But at the moment, rather than attending a drinking party, he was more curious about why Ming Yi was so averse to him if she wasn’t ill.
After much thought, he still felt Si Tuling was the most suspicious.
Ming Yi was a money-grubber, and Si Tuling had given her such a valuable love potion. She must be grateful to him. Although Ji Bozai’s previous gifts were incomparable, it didn’t prevent her from thinking well of Si Tuling. It wasn’t that he was biased, but for Si Tuling to become a Sijun at such a young age, he couldn’t be a kind-hearted person. Ming Yi’s lack of experience made her easy to deceive.
After seeing Yan Xiao off at the side gate, lost in thought, Ji Bozai summoned Bu Xiu.
Thus, when Ming Yi woke up, she saw herself in the bronze mirror, already adorned with jewels and fully made up.
“This…” she was a bit confused. “What’s this for?”
“Congratulations on regaining favor, Miss. The master just ordered that he wants to take you to Changrongus Street today.”
Ming Yi, who was still groggy, immediately brightened up at the mention of Changrongus Street. “Hurry, don’t keep the master waiting!”
Changrongus Street was the most luxurious place in all of Muxing City. The street was filled with century-old shops selling clothes and jewelry, all expensive and elegant. One wouldn’t dare to go without a mountain of gold and silver at home. It was rare for Ji Bozai to be so generous, and Ming Yi wanted to build up her fortune.
As she left the house and got into the carriage, she found Ji Bozai particularly pleasing to the eye today. “Greetings to the master.”
Ji Bozai’s expression was indifferent. “Since you’ve been affected by the love potion, I should show some gesture.”
Remembering this, Ming Yi quickly understood his meaning and immediately smiled, sitting down close to him. “Thank you, master.”
She sat close, her body heat seeping through their clothes, carrying a hint of a beautiful woman’s fragrance.
This didn’t seem like she was averse to him.
Ji Bozai was puzzled. He tried to lean in, but she covered her face with a fan, revealing only a pair of autumn-water eyes looking at him. “Master?”
Ji Bozai understood. She was just displeased that he had stayed at Huamanyu Lou for too long, so she was unwilling to be intimate with him.
He was both angry and amused. “I’ve already told you I didn’t touch Qing Li.”
“Ah?” Ming Yi was stunned.
“I didn’t touch her. During this time, Bu Xiu has been taking her to buy clothes and jewelry. At night, after the lights were out, Bu Xiu slept with her. I stayed alone in a guest room to handle official business.”
Ming Yi listened with a fake smile. “The master is truly diligent.”
Handling official business at a place like Huamanyu Lou was like cheating at cards in a graveyard—who was he trying to fool?
“Qing Li is not as beautiful as you, nor as interesting. Why would I eat vegetables when there’s meat available?”
This was quite convincing. Ming Yi wavered a bit.
“Moreover, why would I lie to you?” He frowned. “Even if something had happened, it would be a common occurrence. Why would I bother to explain it to you specifically?”
“Then why is the master explaining to me now?” She tilted her head.
“Because you’re stupid,” he said through gritted teeth, looking out of the carriage. “If I don’t explain clearly, I’m afraid you’ll be upset.”
She wasn’t upset, but someone was.
However, Ming Yi felt more at ease. Good, he was clean. She could still use him.
So when he leaned closer again, she didn’t dodge.
Ji Bozai was very clear that Ming Yi’s way of thinking was crossing a line. As a woman, she was already in a disadvantaged position and had no right to demand a man’s chastity for her sake. That was too absurd. But as he was about to admonish her, he swallowed his words.
Everyone understood the principle, but when a woman truly liked someone, she became domineering and selfish. Why should he correct this?
Shaking his head, he punished her by biting her lower lip.
Ming Yi winced in pain and gave him a soft glare. Ji Bozai looked at her, feeling his heart lighten. Yesterday’s gloom dissipated, and he smiled heartily, pulling her close to embrace her.
The carriage arrived at Changrongus Street with great fanfare. Ming Yi had thought she’d be lucky to buy a few hairpins and rings, but to her surprise, Ji Bozai said, “Take whatever you like.”
Ming Yi’s eyes lit up like the North Star at night.
“Master, aren’t you afraid I’ll take too much?” She swallowed.
Ji Bozai lazily hummed, “Let me see what you’re capable of.”
With his words, Ming Yi didn’t hold back.
Although taking gold would be the most profitable, it would be too inconsiderate and boring. She thought for a moment and decided to browse each shop, buying two or three items from each, from clothes and jewelry to dressing tables and cosmetic boxes.
This caused quite a stir, soon attracting the attention of other nobles on the street.
“Isn’t that Ji Bozai?” Judge Zhao stopped Si Tuling beside him. “Wasn’t it said that the dancer had fallen out of favor?”
Si Tuling glanced over and shrugged. “Perhaps Sister Ming used some clever tactics.”
“But if so, there’s still room for investigation in Prince Ping’s case,” Judge Zhao frowned. “One coincidence is a coincidence, but multiple coincidences must be a plot.”
Si Tuling shook his head. “The master has already reported the case details to the Dasi today. There’s no need to create additional complications.”
That’s true. At his age, preserving his reputation and retiring peacefully was the most important thing.
Looking at Ming Yi from afar, Judge Zhao couldn’t help but mutter, “Such a fine young lady, how did she end up in Ji Bozai’s hands?”
Si Tuling also looked at them, but he smiled. “Who has fallen into whose hands is yet uncertain.”