The old matriarch quickly ordered someone to help her up, but Zhao Luoning refused to rise. She gave Caixue a meaningful look.
Caixue understood. She took out a large purse from her sleeve, which was filled with several solid silver ingots!
The old matriarch asked, "What do you mean by this?"
"Grandmother, Ning'er is truly sincere in making amends. My maid made a grave mistake. Ning'er is extremely anxious. I hope grandmother, father, and mother can accept my compensation."
There was no such rule that elders should accept money on the day of the tea - offering ceremony.
Even though Zhao Luoning dared to offer the money, others didn't dare to accept it.
The old matriarch said with a cold face, "Quickly put the money away and explain the matter clearly. You are going to be the mistress of my Ji family. How could you lose your composure over a trifling matter and do such a thing?"
But Zhao Luoning insisted on not taking back the money. The old matriarch gave a look to the servant beside her.
The maid beside her understood and went out to inquire. In a short while, she came back and told them about the fight between Zhao Luoning's maid and the cook.
"Bold!" The old matriarch slapped the table and stood up. "Is it so difficult for the young mistress of my Ji family to have a piece of meat?"
Previously, it was always Lady Ji who managed the household. After this incident, Lady Ji quickly stepped forward to admit her mistake.
"Old matriarch, please calm down. It's Ning'er's fault for poor management."
Zhao Luoning put on a panicked look.
"Grandmother, please don't blame mother. It's Ning'er's fault. Ning'er didn't discipline the servants well. Moreover... moreover, Ning'er is really not a gluttonous person."
Zhao Luoning's explanation made the old matriarch both angry and amused.
She got up herself and helped Zhao Luoning, who was kneeling on the ground, up.
"This matter is not your fault, nor is it the fault of your little maid. She did the right thing. You are the proper second young mistress and the in - charge mistress of my Ji family. You should show the dignity of a mistress. How could you be easily bullied?"
Saying this, the old matriarch looked at Lady Ji beside her. "In the final analysis, it's Su'er's fault. If he hadn't run out on the wedding night, these old women wouldn't have dared to bully the new bride."
This was accusing Lady Ji of poor parenting.
Lady Ji felt bitter but couldn't say a word. She immediately said, "Old matriarch, please rest assured. Your daughter - in - law will immediately set some proper rules."
...
The grand show came to an end. The leading actress wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Finally, in the worried and sympathetic looks of the others, she got up and went back to her room.
The old matriarch kept Lady Ji behind. Presumably, she was going to instruct her on how to deal with the servants. Zhao Luoning had won her first battle and felt secretly delighted. Supported by Caixue, she returned to her Furong Courtyard.
"Miss, the new young master is really too much," Caixue complained for Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoning held Caixue's hand and reminded her carefully, "This is different from the Zhao Mansion. You should be more careful in what you say and do. I almost couldn't protect you today. Do you know that?"
Caixue pouted. She wanted to say something but held it back.
"Caixue, remember to ask about the situation in the kitchen."
After all, since the show had been staged, they should know the outcome.
Zhao Luoning waited all night but didn't get the result even when she fell asleep.
Early the next morning, as soon as Zhao Luoning woke up, the first thing she did was to ask about the result of the handling.
"Caixue, how did Lady Ji deal with the matter in the kitchen?"
Caixue had been distracted all morning. Zhao Luoning called her several times before she reacted.
"Huh? What did you say, miss?"
"What's wrong with you today? You seem absent - minded."
"N... nothing..."
Zhao Luoning noticed that Caixue's hands were slightly trembling while helping her comb her hair. She asked with concern, "What? Did those old women threaten to take revenge on you after being punished? Don't worry. I'll support you."
"N... no..." Caixue stammered. "Those old women... are no longer here."
"Are no longer here? What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, Lady Ji only deducted the monthly allowances of those old women who caused trouble. But somehow, this matter reached the ears of the second young master. The people under the second young master each beat those old women who caused trouble in the mansion twenty big boards and threw them out of the mansion, never to be re - employed."
Caixue had secretly gone to the kitchen and heard with her own ears the miserable screams of those old women being beaten. Just thinking about it made her shudder.
"Ji Shisu? What does he care about the inner - house affairs for?"
"The second young master said that you, miss, are his wife through proper match - making and wedding procedures. Anyone who shows disrespect to you will end up like those people."
Was Ji Shisu establishing authority for her?
Clearly, he had disliked her very much on their wedding night. Why did he care about her affairs now?
Maybe he drank too much and damaged his brain?
Maybe it was to make up for the kitchen incident.
Early in the morning, Lady Ji ordered someone to send the account books and the keys to the household management.
Zhao Luoning spent the whole night going through the detailed accounts of the Ji Mansion. When she walked out of the accounting room, it was already broad daylight.
She stretched her body and was about to go to pay respects to the old matriarch. At this time, Caixue rushed over with a letter in her hand.
"Miss, look quickly."
Zhao Luoning unfolded the letter and scanned it quickly.
This letter was from her distant cousin, Ning Huainan.
Zhao Luoning was very puzzled. She and Ning Huainan had only met a few times in their childhood. Why did he send a letter at this time?
Although the letter was filled with words of concern, there were no inappropriate remarks. However, it was obviously beyond the care of a cousin for his cousin.
Most importantly, Ning Huainan also said in the letter that he would set off for Huangcheng soon and asked her to wait for him.
Why should she wait for him?
"Caixue, burn it. In the future, don't show me such letters. Just destroy them directly."
Caixue took the letter and, following Zhao Luoning's instructions, threw the letter into the incense burner in the room.
"Miss, weren't you on very good terms with Young Master Ning Huainan? Why don't you even look at his letter now?"
"Caixue, be careful with your words. My good relationship with my cousin was only when we were children. Don't mention it again."
Caixue then realized that she had said something wrong and stuck out her tongue.
Zhao Luoning opened the door. Just as she was about to go out, when she opened the door, she almost bumped into someone outside.
Zhao Luoning steadied herself before she could see clearly who had bumped into her.
She had never seen such a handsome man before. Zhao Luoning was really impressed.
He was even more handsome than Pan An. This man was truly extremely good - looking.
Zhao Luoning considered herself to have traveled far and wide over the years and had seen many beautiful people. But in front of him, everyone else paled in comparison.
Zhao Luoning was stunned for a moment and felt that this person in front of her looked a bit familiar.
She hesitantly called out a name.
"Ji Shisu?"
Zhao Luoning suddenly felt a bit nervous.
When had Ji Shisu been there? How much of what she and Caixue had said had he heard?
Ji Shisu looked extremely impatient. He sidestepped and was about to walk in. He rummaged through the room as he spoke.
"What are you doing?"
"Packing my clothes. I'm going out to live."
Zhao Luoning couldn't have been more pleased. She stepped forward actively and helped him separate his clothes.
This made Ji Shisu dissatisfied instead.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm afraid my lord might be too busy alone, so I'm helping you pack."
"No need. Just take care of yourself." After a pause, Ji Shisu added, "You are the person in my room. Don't disgrace me."
Zhao Luoning quickly understood what he meant. She lowered her head and smiled, saying, "Okay, I will surely bring glory to my lord."
Ji Shisu looked at her delicate body that seemed as if it could be blown away by the wind and shook his head.
"You women are really troublesome."
"Then I'll have to trouble my lord to accompany me back to my natal family tomorrow."
Ji Shisu stopped walking but didn't turn back. He said impatiently, "Got it."
Then he picked up the packed clothes and walked out of the door.
Zhao Luoning was left standing there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
What did he mean by "you women are really troublesome"?
It was as if she was begging him for help!
...