Zhao Luoning was still carried into the carriage by Zhao Luochun. Secretly, she thanked Zhao Luochun.
Her elder brother had originally intended to help her but ended up getting scolded.
"Luoning, if that guy dares to bully you again, tell big brother. Big brother will teach him a lesson," Zhao Luochun said through gritted teeth. Zhao Luoning forced a bitter smile.
If something really happened, she wouldn't dare to tell him.
...
Ji Shisu rushed back to the Ji Mansion in a hurry. What greeted him were the furious Old Madam and Lord Ji.
"You still remember to come back! Do you know what day it is today?" Lord Ji started scolding as soon as he opened his mouth. "I usually turn a blind eye to your wild behavior outside, but you even forgot your wife's home - coming day for a woman from a brothel! How can we face the Zhao family with any dignity!"
Madam Ji stepped forward to smooth things over, but Lord Ji swept the teacup off the table. The fine Pu - erh tea spilled on the floor.
"This unfilial son! It's all because you spoiled him."
"Shisu, you've really gone too far this time," the Old Madam gasped, on the verge of fainting.
"Grandma, please calm down. It's grandson's fault. Don't hurt your health," Ji Shisu quickly supported the Old Madam and helped her catch her breath.
"Someone, take the Old Madam back to her room to rest."
Lord Ji quickly ordered someone to take the Old Madam back to Cihua Courtyard. Ji Shisu still knelt on the ground, waiting for Lord Ji's punishment.
"Look what you've done to this family," Lord Ji said, rubbing his forehead. He got angrier just looking at Ji Shisu.
"You're a married man with a career. I won't beat you. Go to the ancestral shrine and kneel in front of the ancestral tablets to plead for forgiveness. Don't get up until Ning'er forgives you."
---
When Zhao Luoning returned to the Ji Mansion, it was already pitch - black outside.
She asked Caixue to inform the Old Madam, saying that she had caught a cold on the way back and couldn't go to pay respects.
Then she went straight back to Furong Courtyard to rest.
Furong Courtyard
Zhao Luoning had a high fever, and the area around her wound seemed to be festering.
Caixue found a doctor for her. The doctor prescribed a few doses of medicine and left Furong Courtyard, shaking his head.
"Miss, why are you doing this to yourself?"
Caixue sighed softly as she fed the delirious Zhao Luoning the medicine.
Her miss was torturing herself like this to maintain the overall situation, but how many people would appreciate it?
Furong Courtyard was lit up all night. Since Zhao Luoning returned to Furong Courtyard, she had been in a coma.
Every morning, Zhao Luoning had to go to pay respects to the Old Madam.
Obviously, she couldn't go in this state.
Caixue thought she should let her miss rest longer, so she made her own decision and prepared to use yesterday's excuse to ask for leave from the Old Madam in Cihua Courtyard.
As soon as Caixue left, Ji Shijian stepped into Furong Courtyard.
Considering the propriety between men and women, Ji Shijian, the third young master of the Ji family who had proposed marriage to the Zhao family that day, stood under Zhao Luoning's window, intending to plead for Ji Shisu.
"Second sister - in - law, elder brother was indeed wrong about the home - coming matter. I apologize on his behalf."
Seeing that Zhao Luoning didn't respond, Ji Shijian thought she was still angry and continued,
"Elder brother was really out of line yesterday, but he has been punished. He has been kneeling in the ancestral shrine for a day and a night without eating or drinking. Please go and plead for him, and ask father to let him out."
Ji Shijian waited for a long time, but there was still no sound from the room.
He was, after all, the third young master of the Zhao family. When had he ever been so humble? He was furious.
"Second sister - in - law, you and elder brother are husband and wife after all. Do you have to push him to the brink of death?"
No matter how harsh Ji Shijian's words were, the unconscious Zhao Luoning couldn't hear anything.
Ji Shijian, who was unaware of the situation, had never been treated like this before. He threw the gift he had brought to apologize to Zhao Luoning on the ground and left angrily.
Caixue had just finished reporting to the Old Madam and came back at this moment. Seeing Ji Shijian coming out of Furong Courtyard, she quickly bowed.
"Third Master."
"Humph, a bunch of ungrateful things."
Ji Shijian had just been angry, so he naturally didn't have a good expression.
His reaction left Caixue completely confused.
When had she offended him?
Ancestral Shrine
Ji Shisu knelt on the ground. His knees were sore, and cold sweat was streaming down his forehead.
The door of the ancestral shrine was opened a crack, and Ji Shijian sneaked in with a food box.
"Elder brother."
Ji Shijian brought the food in front of Ji Shisu.
The extremely thirsty Ji Shisu gulped down the tea in the cup. Then he had the strength to ask,
"Has Zhao Luoning come back?"
"She came back last night. Maybe she's deliberately angry with you. She didn't even go to pay respects this morning. I just went to plead with her, but she didn't say a single word."
Ji Shisu's face darkened. At this moment, the door of the ancestral shrine was suddenly pushed open.
"Who allowed you to eat? Shijian also said that Ning'er hasn't forgiven you yet. You must continue to be punished."
Lord Ji suddenly appeared in the ancestral shrine, which surprised both of them.
Ji Shijian quickly pleaded for Ji Shisu.
"Father, elder brother hasn't eaten for a day and a night. Please let him eat something."
Lord Ji ordered someone to take all the food away, dragged Ji Shijian out of the ancestral shrine, locked the door, and sent someone to guard it.
"Father, do you really have to be so cruel to elder brother?"
Ji Shijian pleaded desperately, hoping that Lord Ji would let Ji Shisu out.
"I'm cruel? Is he any less cruel to Ning'er? Don't say any more. My mind is made up."
Lord Ji left the ancestral shrine without looking back, leaving Ji Shijian helpless and anxious in place.
Furong Courtyard
Zhao Luoning was in a coma for two whole days before her high fever subsided and she slowly woke up.
"Caixue."
Zhao Luoning weakly pushed Caixue, who was sleeping beside the bed. Caixue opened her eyes and was overjoyed to see Zhao Luoning awake.
"Miss, you're finally awake. You scared Caixue to death."
Caixue thoughtfully poured a cup of warm tea for Zhao Luoning to moisten her dry throat.
"Caixue, how long have I been asleep?"
"For two whole days and nights, and you've had a high fever. Caixue was so scared."
At this sad moment, Caixue's tears fell.
"What did you tell the Old Madam?"
"What else could I say? I just said you caught a cold and weren't feeling well. I was afraid you'd infect others, so you were resting in your room."
"And Ji Shisu?"
Zhao Luoning suddenly remembered her nominal husband.
"Oh, miss, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Miss, please go and save the young master quickly."
Caixue's words puzzled Zhao Luoning.
What happened to Ji Shisu that she had to save him?
Supported by Caixue, Zhao Luoning rushed to Yucheng Pavilion where Lord Ji lived.
She never expected Lord Ji to punish him so severely. She had been in a coma for two days. Counting the day of the home - coming, didn't it mean that Ji Shisu had gone without food or water for three days and three nights?
Even though she was resentful towards Ji Shisu, she never wanted to kill him.
Lord Ji was also in a dilemma in his room.
On the one hand, he was worried that Ji Shisu couldn't hold on. On the other hand, he was troubled by Zhao Luoning's long - awaited silence.