In the realm of Qingyun, most women were timid. Even those raised in noble families and showered with countless favors dared to speak only a few words in public; anything more was beyond their courage.
But Mingyi was different. She not only dared to spar with men and publicly rebuke faithless men but also dared to use poison.
She dared to use poison on Ji Bozai!
Situling found it extremely amusing. With Ji Bozai’s profound elemental power and deep scheming, what would happen if he fell victim to a love potion?
He looked up and saw Ji Bozai sitting on the beast carriage, his profile sharp and radiant like the sun. His crimson sleeves draped lazily over the armrest, giving him a somewhat relaxed air.
Passersby, regardless of age or gender, couldn’t help but turn their heads to steal a glance at him. Being looked at so often inevitably made him a bit impatient.
“If the master doesn’t come down, how can I help the maid check the fabric?” Mingyi emerged from a shop, but instead of immediately getting on the carriage, she stood beside it, looking up at him with a playful pout.
Ji Bozai’s impatience vanished instantly, and even a hint of amusement gleamed in his ink-black eyes. He lazily leaned to the side, propping his chin on his hand as he faced her. “Your taste is surely better than mine.”
“It’s not the same. These things are all for you to see, so what you like is the best.” She pouted and lightly stomped her foot. “Come down~”
The silver hem of her skirt swayed with her movements, exuding charm that captivated onlookers.
With a smile in his eyes, Ji Bozai sighed and got off the carriage to her side. Mingyi immediately took his arm and led him to the next shop.
Behind them, the beast carriage moved slowly, with stacks of various red silk boxes piled high on the rack behind.
This extravagant display of affection was unparalleled, making the people of Mustar City unable to pretend they hadn’t seen it.
“She’s just a nameless dancer, yet she’s so arrogant.”
“Hmph, apart from her, Ji Bozai doesn’t entertain anyone else in his mansion, and he even takes her to Duke Gong’s banquet from time to time.”
“She’s pretty, but what’s the use of just being pretty? She lacks any talent.”
The gossip buzzed around, carrying a hint of jealousy. But the two in Flowing Jun didn’t pay any attention. They spent their days sipping tea and admiring flowers in the daylight, and engaging in intimate activities at night.
Mingyi had dark circles under her eyes for several days. She sat yawning in front of the bronze mirror, discontentedly applying powder to cover them, muttering, “So tired.”
Old Nurse Xun chuckled, her eyes disappearing into a smile. “The master’s youthful vigor naturally involves some exertion, but the city’s selection process is nearing its final stages. He will have to stay in command for a few days, giving the young lady some respite.”
The Six City Conference determined whether each city would contribute or receive resources annually, so every city took it seriously. They began selecting fighters in late spring to prepare for the next year’s competition.
Mustard City already had formidable fighters like Ji Bozai, but with various events in the competition, they needed to select five or six more to fight alongside him.
Although Old Nurse Xun was an ordinary person without elemental power, she was still very interested in the Six City Conference, and her eyebrows raised as she spoke.
However, Mingyi didn’t even lift her eyelids, just changed her eyeliner and continued to draw her brows. “If the master doesn’t return for lunch today, shall we go to Hua Biezhi for a snack?”
Old Nurse Xun snapped out of her thoughts and remembered that Mingyi was just a girl from a remote village, probably unaware of what the Six City Conference entailed, let alone caring.
So she didn’t mention it again. “Of course, we can go. The master specifically instructed that the young lady should travel with a Qingluan beast carriage and four attendants. I’ll go prepare.”
Mingyi watched her leave, then with a flick of her shoe, she opened the drawer under the dressing table and pulled out the half-drawn map.
Single Er only said he needed a map of the Ji’s Mansion, and she had already roughly drawn one. She even marked the old residence in the Qingwa District, which should suffice.
Rolling up the paper and tucking it into her sleeve pocket, she got up and left.
The streets of Mustar City were already tense, with numerous fighters coming and going, and various elemental powers occasionally appearing in the sky, making people feel uneasy.
Mingyi passed by these people without even glancing at them, just sipping tea while sitting in the beast carriage.
The Qingluan pulling the carriage was tamed by Ji Bozai himself. Its appearance alone was captivating and coupled with its spiritual aura, it was stopped by people not far along the way.
“May I ask who’s inside the carriage?” Excited voices sounded from outside.
Mingyi crouched down, pinched her silk fan, and pushed aside the carriage curtain with a courteous smile. “This is the carriage of the Ji Residence, and I am honored to be seated here.”
As soon as they saw her, the expressions of the three or four girls outside changed simultaneously. Some sneered, while others pursed their lips in disdain.
“So, it’s you. We’ve heard of your name for a long time, but seeing you today… is nothing special,” Tianji said, raising her sleeve to cover half of her face, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. “You know it’s a crucial time for selections. Why are you still flaunting yourself by sitting in Master Ji’s carriage?”
The fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl spoke quite boldly.
The smile on Mingyi’s face faded, and she glanced at her with her fan. “I’ve inconvenienced you with my attention. My apologies.”
“What did you say?” Tianji couldn’t maintain her composure anymore, and the other girls chimed in, “Country bumpkins like you just don’t understand the rules. We received the Phoenix Tail Flower rightfully. Don’t talk about being attentive or not. Who knows, you might end up under Ji’s Mansion someday.”
The Phoenix Tail Flower was an unwritten rule. During the selection period, the grandmasters of various cities would send Phoenix Tail Flowers to some noble girls. Carrying the Phoenix Tail Flower symbolized being the master of the city, allowing the fighters to choose accommodations, arrange meals, and move around freely.
In essence, it was a way to preemptively gain favor with the fighters for the benefit of the city’s ruler.
Mingyi always found this rule absurd and felt sympathy for these girls. She never expected to encounter a few who not only enjoyed it but also flaunted it.
She responded lightly, “Master Ji is quite selective.”
He truly was. He required a woman with a slender waist like a willow and the strength to carry him. She had to be naive yet able to understand his intentions, kind-hearted yet willing to cooperate with his devious schemes.
It was not a job for just anyone.
However, her comment seemed to have touched a nerve with a few of the young girls outside. They immediately became annoyed. “Do you think you’re so great? With a pretty face, you’re just like an embroidered pillow! You’re only able to entertain Master Ji as a plaything, but do you understand what it means to be a fighter? Do you understand the Six Cities Tournament?”
“Exactly. In the coming months, you probably won’t even have anything to talk about with Master Ji. Unlike us, who can converse with him about anything.”
“Looks are fleeting. Like a flower plucked from its stem, only a rooted plant can stay evergreen. Think carefully, miss!”