On that day in the long street, Ming Yi had used Ji Bozai as a shield to humiliate her. Today, in front of so many people, Lord Ji openly favored her. Xu Tianji couldn’t have been happier, her joy evident in her expression as she stared at Ming Yi, hoping to see some sign of distress or helplessness.
However, Ming Yi only seemed momentarily dazed when Ji Bozai spoke, and then she simply turned and walked towards the lower seats as if it were a common occurrence.
“Hey!” Xu Tianji was dissatisfied. “Weren’t you quite talkative just now? Why are you leaving so quietly now?”
Ming Yi didn’t even turn her head.
In this world where women had to rely on men to get by, what good was it to win an argument if she still had to sit in the lower seats? She might as well go there early and save herself the trouble.
Laughter and mockery followed her, but Ming Yi pretended not to hear, casually finding a seat by the pond.
Men’s words were not to be trusted. Earlier at the Flower Pavilion, he had said he would always favor her. Now, it seemed he had probably said that to many others. She was no match for him in this game. With a sigh, she thought, just consider it paying off a debt.
More people gathered on the Tage Platform, but it wasn’t noisy. Everyone sat at the main seats, frowning at the pile of tributes in the distance. These were not all the tributes, just samples of each type, yet they were piled as high as a small mountain. It was unimaginable how much wealth would be given away in total.
Everyone from Muxing City present was in a foul mood, especially those skilled in dueling, who looked particularly grim.
“Can’t we avoid giving them next year?” Luo Jiaoyang asked Fan Yao, frustrated.
Fan Yao pursed his lips. “Chaoyang City lost a great general, and next year we have Ji Bozai. Maybe we can take a chance.”
“Does it have to depend on him?” Luo Jiaoyang was both excited and frustrated.
Fan Yao nodded seriously. “Every year, the Six Cities Tournament involves over twenty events, including Yuan Power control, dueling, artifact creation, and beast taming. Although there are many categories, the core is always about the strength of Yuan Power. In terms of Yuan Power, many in the Six Cities can surpass us, but those who can surpass Ji Bozai are few and far between.”
Luo Jiaoyang turned away. “But I feel he doesn’t care about Muxing City. He just sees the competition as a tool for profit.”
Every duelist was nurtured by their city and held a love for it, willing to risk their lives for a higher position. But Ji Bozai wasn’t like that; he was just a fighter dug out from the slave market, raised with high rank and salary.
The uncertainty made him uneasy.
He wasn’t the only one. The Grand Secretary, sitting at the main seat, shared the same thought. That’s why today, at the welcoming banquet, the Grand Secretary had Ji Bozai sit at his right hand.
“Why don’t I see the young lady who was with you earlier?” the Grand Secretary asked kindly.
Ji Bozai bowed and lowered his eyes. “I am very fond of Ming Yi, but on a day like today, I fear I won’t have time to attend to her, so I had her sit in the lower seats.”
The Grand Secretary was slightly taken aback, then showed appreciation in his eyes. “Good, you are a sensible man.”
Earlier, Situ Ling had said he was under a love spell, which made him both happy and worried. Happy because there was a way to control him, worried because the love spell might affect his duties. But seeing him today, everything seemed fine. He was affectionate when it was time to be affectionate and focused on the big picture when it was time to focus on the big picture.
Originally, Situ Ling had wanted to investigate his background, but so much time had passed without any solid evidence, so he decided not to delve deeper. After all, Ji Bozai was the only one they could rely on at the moment.
“The envoy from Zhuyue City has arrived—the envoy from Xincao City has arrived—” came the announcement from outside.
Xu Tianji quickly leaned over and whispered to Ji Bozai, “The one from Zhuyue City is Bo Yuankui, who has always been at odds with our city and has very high Yuan Power; the one from Xincao City is Zuo Ping, who never holds back his words and also has very high Yuan Power.”
Ji Bozai nodded slightly, feeling that she seemed more useful than Ming Yi, at least having attended many welcoming banquets and knowing the backgrounds of these people.
So he picked up his chopsticks and served her a piece of meat.
Xu Tianji was flattered, glanced at the meat with difficulty, but still ate it immediately, all the while glancing towards Ming Yi in the distance.
She was sitting directly across from them, behind the pond, able to see the actions at the table clearly, and naturally saw Ji Bozai’s gesture.
But she still showed no reaction, even propping her chin and starting to doze off.
Xu Tianji squinted and signaled to Xiuyun, who was standing by to serve.
Xiuyun understood and, under the guise of serving dishes, quietly walked to the lower seats.
The once-glorious little dancer now sat alone in this remote corner, dozing off, looking pitiful.
Xiuyun crouched down and deliberately taunted her, “Tianji said the meat Lord Ji served was delicious, only available at the main seats. Do you want to try it?”
Ming Yi opened her eyes, unsurprised to see a face with a hint of malice.
However, this little girl was quite pretty, with almond-shaped eyes and a delicate nose, even a faint mole on the tip of her nose. Despite her ill intentions, she was somewhat endearing.
Meeting her gaze, Xiuyun felt guilty, averting her eyes, yet still speaking harshly, “Tianji is much more suitable for that position than you. You’re good for nothing but your looks.”
That comment was oddly pleasing.
Ming Yi leaned closer, blinking, “What do you find pretty about me?”
Xiuyun had come to provoke her, not expecting her to remain unbothered and even smile as she leaned in. She widened her eyes, about to scold her further, but then noticed her skin, truly fair and smooth, with no visible flaws even up close.
She couldn’t help but exclaim, “What brand of face powder do you use?”
“From Luo’s shop on Changrong Street, mixed with finely ground pearl powder,” Ming Yi lazily gestured. “It takes three hours to grind a small jar. Mix one scoop of powder with three scoops of cream, and your skin will be as smooth as jade.”
Xiuyun was amazed. “So complicated?”
“If it weren’t complicated, it wouldn’t look this good,” Ming Yi switched hands to prop her chin, extending her hand to Xiuyun. “Look, I used to do a lot of rough work, my hands were coarse and cracked. I soaked them in goat’s milk for a month.”
Xiuyun was shocked, pulling her hand to feel it. Although there were still traces of calluses, the back of her hand was as smooth as mutton fat.
“You’re really beautiful everywhere,” she accidentally spoke her mind, full of envy.
Ming Yi smiled, “If you want to learn, I can teach you when I have time.”
After all, she learned it from Zhangtai. Among the inner courtyard dancers, no one dared claim to be the best in beauty care.
“Okay!” Xiuyun nodded quickly, afraid she would regret it.
But after nodding, she realized, wait, wasn’t she here to provoke her?