She pleaded for mercy in his ear, but it only excited him more.
It was the first time he had gone crazy in such a thing and hurt her.
He wanted to find her and, even more, protect her.
Actually, although the light was dim that day, he still had a vague impression.
That Lianxiang somewhat resembled her in appearance. So when he caught a glimpse of her in Tianxiang Tower, he almost mistook her for the other woman. The madam probably noticed his gaffe that day and played a switcheroo, pushing Lianxiang on him.
But after that night, he was well aware that he had been deceived.
It was impossible to say he wasn't disappointed.
He wanted to find her, desperately.
One reason was to apologize for his recklessness that day.
Secondly, he had become addicted to her body.
It was a wonderful feeling that no other woman could ever bring him.
Just one night, and he was already hooked on her.
"Sir, that madam dared to play tricks on us. Should I find some guys to beat her up?"
Ji Shisu waved his hand.
"No need. Beating her won't help. She won't tell the truth anyway."
Moreover, although Miss Lianxiang wasn't a virgin, he was quite experienced in such matters and could tell what was going on at a glance.
After all, she was a virtuous girl he had bought, so he took Lianxiang in.
It was just one more woman to support.
With the financial resources of the Ji family, he could afford it.
...
The Zhao Mansion
"Father, Mother, Concubine Mother."
Zhao Luoning stepped in with Caixue and bowed respectfully to Lord Zhao.
Lord Zhao was still angry and didn't even bother to look at her. He just turned around and walked away.
Concubine Zhao sneered:
"Why are you back alone? Isn't your new husband with you?"
Madam Zhao looked at her daughter worriedly and asked with concern:
"Ning'er, why isn't your husband with you? Have you been bullied?"
"Madam, you don't know. The young master..."
Caixue was about to plead for Zhao Luoning when she was stopped.
"These days, there are many things to deal with in the shop. My husband is too busy, so he asked me to come here first to pay respects to Father and Mother."
Madam Zhao's eyes were full of pity when she looked at Zhao Luoning. As her mother, how could she not know her daughter?
It wasn't physical exhaustion but mental exhaustion.
But what could be done about all this?
Madam Zhao could only lovingly stroke her daughter's face.
The mother and daughter supported each other and walked towards the courtyard.
Madam Zhao hesitated to speak all the way.
Zhao Luoning knew what she wanted to say and took the initiative to speak:
"Mother, don't worry. He doesn't know about my matter. He is really too busy to come back for the return - visit. It's not because of this."
"How... how did you manage to hide it?"
"Who is Young Master Ji? There are plenty of girls waiting for his favor. How could he take a fancy to your daughter?"
Hearing this, Madam Zhao finally felt relieved and nodded.
"That's good, that's good."
Then, thinking it over, she felt something was wrong and sighed deeply.
"No, it's not good either."
Madam Zhao was extremely conflicted and sighed repeatedly looking at her daughter.
After finally coaxing her mother away, Zhao Luoning let out a long sigh.
She was most afraid of her mother's sighs.
She and Caixue were about to return to Yuzhu Courtyard to rest when she suddenly heard someone calling her from behind.
"Luoning."
From afar, Zhao Luochun, the eldest young master of the Zhao family, saw Zhao Luoning and greeted her from a distance.
Zhao Luoning turned around and, seeing it was her elder brother, gave him a charming smile.
This smile took Ning Huainan, who was standing beside Zhao Luochun, by surprise.
In his impression, Zhao Luoning was just a cute little girl. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the little girl had grown into a beautiful young lady, so gorgeous that she was out of this world.
Ning Huainan didn't even dare to breathe, for fear that a careless breath would blow this fairy - like girl away.
Zhao Luochun was a careless person. Of course, he didn't notice Ning Huainan's delicate feelings. He just happily chatted with Zhao Luoning.
"Ning'er, you're back for the return - visit today. Big Brother forgot to pick you up. I'm really sorry."
Zhao Luochun scratched the back of his head embarrassedly, looking rather simple - minded.
Zhao Luoning forced a smile, bitterness welling up in her heart.
Even her husband could forget about her. What did it matter if her elder brother remembered or not?
"Hey, where's my brother - in - law? Why don't I see him with you? Luoning, tell Big Brother, is that Ji Shisu treating you badly?"
Zhao Luoning shook her head, just thinking about how to explain it to Zhao Luochun when Ning Huainan's exclamation interrupted her.
"You said Cousin married Ji Shisu, the second young master of the Ji family!"
"Yes. So what?"
"Last night, the second young master of the Ji family spent a thousand taels of silver to buy the virginity of Lianxiang, the top courtesan of Tianxiang Tower. This matter has spread throughout the whole city. Don't you guys know?"
Zhao Luoning was shocked first. Before she could get angry, Zhao Luochun's veins were bulging with anger.
"That damned Ji Shisu. Let me teach him a lesson."
Saying this, Zhao Luochun was about to rush out. It took Zhao Luoning all her strength to hold him back.
"Big Brother, don't go."
Zhao Luochun looked at her in frustration and tried to break free from Zhao Luoning.
"Luoning, you've suffered such great grievances. Big Brother must avenge you."
"Big Brother, doing this will only make things difficult for me. Let me handle it myself, okay?"
Zhao Luochun was so angry that he had lost his mind. He waved his hand forcefully, and Zhao Luoning, who was not as strong as him, was pushed away. By accident, she hit the rock on the rockery.
"Luoning!"
Zhao Luochun regretted it deeply. He quickly hugged Zhao Luoning, and soon his hands were covered with blood.
"Big Brother, don't go, and don't tell Father and Mother. Let me handle this matter myself."
Zhao Luoning summoned all her strength, endured the severe pain on her head, and forced Zhao Luochun to promise.
Caixue was crying like a tearful mess. Finally, Zhao Luochun regained his senses. He picked up Zhao Luoning and rushed straight to Yuzhu Courtyard.
Yuzhu Courtyard
"Ming'er, how could you be so reckless? You've hurt your sister so badly."
Although Lord Zhao was angry that this daughter was so disappointing, seeing her lying here with a bleeding head, he was somewhat nervous.
Most importantly, now Zhao Luoning was the daughter - in - law of the Ji family. If she was injured during the return - visit, it would be hard for the Zhao family to explain.
Lord Zhao's scolding of Zhao Luochun woke Zhao Luoning up. She only felt parched and weakly pleaded for Zhao Luochun:
"Father, it's not Big Brother's fault. I was just careless."
Seeing Zhao Luoning wake up, everyone gathered around to inquire about her well - being.
Zhao Luoning pushed everyone away and asked:
"Mother, what time is it?"
"It's already dusk, Ning'er. You don't have to go back today. I'll send someone to inform the Ji Mansion."
Lord Zhao frowned and comforted her.
"No, Father. It's not proper etiquette. Please prepare a carriage for me, Father. I'll leave now."
Zhao Luoning was well - known for her stubbornness. Lord Zhao didn't persuade her anymore and ordered someone to prepare the carriage. Madam Zhao, however, felt sorry for her daughter and sighed:
"Alas, your stubborn temper. I really don't know what to do with you."