The girls were chattering away, their saliva nearly flying onto the carriage shaft.
Ming Yi listened, a cloud of confusion slowly forming in her mind. She had only stated a fact, why were they so agitated? Ji Bozai was indeed picky. Unless a woman was stunningly beautiful, he wouldn’t even want to touch her. Just look at Qing Li from Huamanyu Lou, who had fallen victim to this. She hadn’t said anything wrong.
Ordinary beauty was boring to him; he only cared for those of unparalleled beauty. These ladies outside clearly fell short.
But since they were speaking so passionately, Ming Yi didn’t want to interrupt. She just blinked and quietly watched them pretend to discuss the Six Cities Conference.
“I went with my brother to watch last year. Master Ji was uniquely impressive. That heroic bearing… those who haven’t seen it in person wouldn’t understand.”
“Not everyone can enter the venue. Don’t make it difficult for this country girl.”
“That’s true. This year, she might be able to go and broaden her horizons thanks to the master. Just hope she doesn’t embarrass him.”
Nanny Xun, who had been holding back, finally couldn’t resist. She came up with others and directly separated these girls: “Excuse me, our master has ordered that Miss Ming is precious and shouldn’t casually chat with miscellaneous people.”
Tianjing and the others stumbled back. Seeing it was just a few servants, they immediately became more insistent: “I am a noble lady of the Xu family. Who are you to push me?”
“Relying on your master’s power, you think you’re the mistress now.”
She pointed at Nanny Xun’s nose, but her insults were directed at the person sitting in the carriage. The maids behind the girls also came forward, pushing and shoving with Nanny Xun.
Ming Yi frowned. Just as she was about to get up and help the nanny, a tall guard appeared beside her. He brandished a steel sword, instantly frightening the crowd outside into screaming and backing away.
“Miss Ming.” Fu Yue turned and saluted her. “This way.”
It was Si Tuling’s guard.
Ming Yi quickly pulled Nanny Xun back into the carriage and nodded at him: “Thank you.”
Fu Yue didn’t respond. He escorted the carriage to Hua Biezhi, holding his sword sheath.
So Ming Yi knew that Si Tuling was also at Hua Biezhi.
She entered discreetly, following someone upstairs. She said to Nanny Xun: “This is the young master Si Tuling that the master wants me to meet. Please wait for me outside, nanny.”
Nanny Xun looked at the guard at the door, nodded, and led the servants downstairs to wait.
As soon as Ming Yi entered, she heard Si Tuling laughing: “None of those sisters know Yuan Power. How dare they speak to Sister Ming like that in the street?”
The news traveled fast, she marveled. Fu Yue had been with her all the way, yet he already knew what had happened.
“Thank you for your help, young master,” she went over and bowed. “I’m afraid the debt I owe you is becoming hard to repay.”
Si Tuling had bought sugar figurines again today. He casually handed her one, smiling: “Sister Ming is so kind. I’m willing to help you without asking for anything in return.”
Generally, those who say this do want something in return.
Ming Yi smiled and sat down, speaking sensibly: “Not repaying kindness would be shameful. If it weren’t for my young master’s love potion, I wouldn’t have such favor today. If there’s anything I can do for you, young master, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Speaking of this, Si Tuling asked curiously: “How did sister manage to make Master Ji drink that love potion?”
Blushing, Ming Yi pretended to be shy: “How can I talk about such things… There are always some ways. It’s truly miraculous, such a tiny thing made the master change his mind.”
Her eyes sparkled: “I have the mother bug. If I wanted the master to marry me, would he be willing?”
Si Tuling smiled: “Although this could be tried, Sister Ming’s status is not appropriate. Wrongly taking the position of the main wife would only bring trouble. It’s better to remain as you are with Master Ji, like immortal lovers. That’s happiness too.”
Ming Yi pouted: “Young master thinks I’m not worthy of the main position.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Si Tuling shook his head. “Sister doesn’t know, Master Ji’s background is unclear, he has many hidden secrets. If sister became the main wife, you would inevitably learn many things you couldn’t bear.”
This statement was more of a lure than a warning, immediately making one curious, especially given her “deep love” for Ji Bozai.
So Ming Yi cooperated by showing anxiety: “The master is clean and honest, what secrets could he have? Isn’t he also from a harsh background in the slave camp?”
“If someone from a slave camp could have such high talent, the people of our Muxing City should go thank our ancestors for their blessings,” Si Tuling handed her a plate of pear blossom pastries. “Please eat, sister.”
At this moment, how could she be in the mood to eat? Twenty-seven was right, Si Tuling, at such a young age, truly seemed to know everything. This was somewhat frightening.
“Could young master point out a clear path for me?” she pleaded pitifully. “I truly love Master Ji and want to be with him forever. I want to know everything about him.”
Si Tuling changed the subject: “Speaking of which, our Muxing truly has some good talents this year. Just now I saw…”
“Young master!” She wouldn’t fall for this, stomping her foot anxiously.
Si Tuling made a “hmm” sound and after a moment of silence, sighed: “If Sister Ming is truly interested, you can go to that old courtyard of the Ji mansion and look around. If there’s a sun-facing willow tree, there should be a copper-skinned makeup box buried underneath.”
Old courtyard? Ming Yi was startled: “Is it a courtyard covered with green tiles?”
“Has Sister Ming seen it?”
“I saw it from afar outside. The master doesn’t allow me to go near.”
With a knowing smile, Si Tuling said: “I’m glad to have seen sister today. I hope my sister will be more careful when going out in the future, and not provoke those troublesome women. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Ming Yi pretended to want to keep him, but Si Tuling left quickly, disappearing with his guard in the blink of an eye.
She sat down in the room and waited for a while. Feeling that no one was around, she took out the map from her sleeve and looked at it again.
The green-tiled courtyard was in the center of the Ji mansion, marked by her as an “old courtyard”.
According to Si Tuling, this place must not be simply an old residence that couldn’t be repaired due to lack of money, but everyone in the Ji mansion seemed to ignore it as if by tacit agreement.
Suddenly, someone knocked twice on the wall separating the room from the adjacent one. The sound startled her, and she quickly folded up the map.
Then a secret door in that wall opened, revealing Dan Er’s face.
“You succeeded much faster than I imagined,” he smiled, looking in the direction Si Tuling had left. “Based on what he just said, Miss Ming truly has won Ji Bozai’s favor.”
Hearing a hint of mockery, Ming Yi sneered: “When I’m a man, you can’t beat me in a fight. When I’m a woman, I’m more capable than you. Jealous?”
“Miss Ming is heaven’s chosen one. How dare we ordinary mortals compare ourselves to you?” Taking the map from her hand and looking at it, Dan Er clicked his tongue. “You haven’t even been inside this green-tiled courtyard?”