Ming Yi had eaten two of the five sugar-coated hawthorns on the skewer, leaving three. If Ji Bozai wanted to try, she wouldn’t be stingy and would give him one. However, when Ji Bozai took her skewer, he opened his mouth wide and in one bite, swept all three remaining hawthorns off.
Staring at the empty skewer and the remaining sugar coating, Ming Yi took a moment to realize what had happened. He wouldn’t do anything remotely human!
Angrily throwing the skewer to the ground, Ming Yi glared at him fiercely before turning her back on him.
Ji Bozai didn’t know why he suddenly wanted to tease her. It was just a few candied hawthorns; he just wanted to see her get annoyed. Who knew she’d get angry, her back puffed up and steam practically rising from her head.
He was displeased. Was it really necessary? It’s not like she was short of food.
After finishing the candied hawthorns, he also turned his head away, not intending to indulge her temper.
So the beast carriage drove into the inner courtyard in dead silence.
Today, the Da Si was unexpectedly waiting in the Feng Pavilion next to Tage Tower. As soon as Ji Bozai arrived, he was invited over by a servant.
“My dear minister,” the Da Si looked at him with rare kindness, “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Glancing sideways, he noticed Si Tuling sitting nearby. Ji Bozai had a premonition.
Sure enough, before he could answer, the Da Si continued: “Since we’re introducing Miss Ming Yi as a golden hairpin duelist, her status naturally can’t be too humble. For this reason, Minister Si Tu has voluntarily requested to recognize Miss Ming Yi as his elder sister, making the Si Tu family her natal family. What do you think, my dear minister?”
What did he think? He thought very poorly of it. Si Tuling had ulterior motives and kept having designs on Ming Yi. He was very displeased.
Ji Bozai opened his mouth to refuse.
Unexpectedly, the Da Si suddenly laughed heartily: “Good! Good! You’ve always been considerate of my concerns. Then it’s settled.”
Ji Bozai:?
What was settled? Had he even spoken?
“To be frank, Master She has taken a liking to Ming Yi and wants to adopt her as his goddaughter and take her to Chao Yang City. I really couldn’t refuse, so I could only find a natal family for Ming Yi to rely on,” the Da Si walked aside with Ji Bozai and sighed softly, “You understand, don’t you, my dear minister?”
She Tianlin? What did this have to do with him?
Ji Bozai turned back to glare at Ming Yi. This young girl looked so gentle and weak, how could she cause so much trouble?
Ming Yi was bewildered by the glare. Before she could react, Ji Bozai’s expression changed to one of doting affection as he sighed lightly to the Da Si: “As long as she agrees, I agree.”
Though he said this, his eyes clearly said, “You dare agree and you’re dead.”
If you can’t play, don’t play, Ming Yi thought resentfully. He got to be the good guy, while she had to be the bad one? If he couldn’t refuse the Da Si, how could she, a mere dancer, overturn the heavens?
“Elder Sister Ming, don’t worry,” Si Tuling came over, smiling to show his canine teeth, “My parents died early, so there’s no one at home to set rules. We won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. Having a natal family just gives you a place to go.”
These words were thoughtful, and Ming Yi was somewhat moved.
Ji Bozai, however, was not so comfortable hearing this: “Is Minister Si Tu suggesting that she has nowhere to go now?”
“The Ji mansion is Lord Ji’s residence, not Elder Sister Ming’s. She’s just staying there temporarily,” Si Tuling smiled, “If one day Lord Ji tires of her, wouldn’t she be left with nowhere to go?”
That makes sense, Ming Yi nodded along.
Ji Bozai’s eyes darkened: “Since she was bestowed by the Empress, how could I tire of her?”
“Since she was bestowed by the Empress, it’s even more important to give her a good status. This way, Lord Ji can bring her to see the Da Si more often.”
“Minister Si Tu, aren’t you overstepping?” he sneered.
Si Tuling was taken aback, then lowered his eyes, looking pitiful as he hid slightly behind Ming Yi: “I’m not as powerful as Lord Ji. I only have a heart that cares for Elder Sister Ming, so naturally, I consider what’s best for her.”
Ming Yi blinked as she listened.
No wonder Ji Bozai liked the weak type. Who wouldn’t feel protective seeing this little act?
So she shielded Si Tuling behind her and said seriously to Ji Bozai: “This servant naturally follows the Lord’s orders, but Young Lord Si Tu has no ill intentions. Why must Lord be so fierce?”
He’s fierce? He’s fierce?!
Ji Bozai laughed angrily: “Only you could stand his affected manner.”
“Who’s affected? He’s sincere.”
“I think he has ulterior motives.”
“You…”
“Elder Sister Ming, don’t argue with Lord Ji for my sake,” Si Tuling sighed, stopping her, “You still have to live with Lord Ji. It’s not worth incurring his resentment over a moment of quick words. I’m fine.”
Listen, listen to how every word is for her benefit.
Ming Yi gave him a deep look, then frowned at Ji Bozai before turning to bow to the Da Si: “Since it’s the Da Si’s grace, this servant humbly accepts.”
“Good,” the Da Si, who had been watching the show for a while, didn’t pay much attention to Si Tuling but observed Ji Bozai’s reaction with satisfaction, nodding, “Then quickly take your seats.”
After the Da Si left, Ji Bozai stepped forward and grabbed Ming Yi’s wrist.
“What is Lord doing?” she asked innocently.
“I should be asking you that,” he said with a forced smile.
Ming Yi blinked, even more confused: “Wasn’t Lord just now letting me cooperate with you in acting, to make the Da Si think you’re deeply affected by the love potion?”
…He didn’t know about that.
Staring hard at her face, making sure there was no hint of guilt in her eyes, he coldly released her hand: “Don’t act on your own.”
“Then next time, Lord should give clear instructions,” she said worriedly, “This servant isn’t a worm in your belly, how could I know so much?”
Liar, she knew before.
Ji Bozai was angry inside. He hadn’t let go of her hand and led her into Tage Tower.
Today’s welcoming banquet, like yesterday’s, had the Iris Girls in attendance. However, Xu Tianji was far less arrogant and domineering than yesterday. She sat listlessly next to Ji Bozai’s seat. Seeing them approach hand in hand from afar, her expression changed.
“My Lord,” she hurried forward, urgently saying, “Although there are no unfamiliar envoys coming today, there are some things you haven’t seen before. This humble girl should be by your side.”
As she spoke, she kept looking at Ming Yi, her heart seething with hatred.
Yesterday, she could have put Ming Yi to death, who knew how she turned the tables, even causing the Empress Dowager to punish her, resulting in a good scolding for herself?
Today, no matter what, she couldn’t let Ming Yi sit beside Ji Bozai.
“There’s only one place beside me,” Ji Bozai didn’t let go of Ming Yi’s hand, his attitude very clear.
However, this person was truly inconsiderate. She stepped forward to push Ming Yi aside, saying to herself: “Then this young lady will have to trouble herself to sit at the end again.”