#### Green Lotus Pavilion
"Madam, this servant has found out some news."
The maid Chunxue rushed in in a flurry and told her mistress all the gossips she had heard.
Since the Second Young Mistress became the mistress of the household as soon as she entered the family, there were naturally a lot of idle rumors. Moreover, as the Second Young Mistress was out of favor with Ji Shisu, the servants became even more insolent, spreading all kinds of rumors.
A few days ago, even the maids in the Green Lotus Pavilion were gossiping that the Second Master didn't return to his bridal chamber on the wedding night, but the Second Young Mistress presented the red silk kerchief indicating her virginity.
As a result, rumors like the Second Young Mistress being unchaste were endless.
She had once lost her temper with the servants in the Green Lotus Pavilion because of this matter. After all, a woman's chastity was no joking matter and should not be casually spread.
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, the matter had become such a big deal.
"How is the Second Young Mistress now?"
Lüqu felt a bit admiring of Zhao Luoning. Not everyone had the courage to prove their innocence by threatening to die.
"Just now, the people from the Second Young Mistress's natal family came and took her back. The Second Master promised in public that he would thoroughly investigate this matter and clear the Second Young Mistress's name."
Lüqu sighed faintly and suddenly felt a bit envious of Zhao Luoning. She herself had lacked that kind of courage back then and thus ended up in such a plight today.
"Madam, Madam."
Afraid that Lüqu would recall sad memories, Chunxue called out to wake her up.
"Oh, I'm fine. You can go and attend to your duties."
Chunxue left as told, but looking at Lüqu in a daze, she felt faintly worried.
When Zhao Luoning opened her eyes, she found herself in the Bamboo Jade Courtyard.
Such a familiar place. For the first time, Zhao Luoning felt a sense of home in the Zhao Mansion.
With a "creak", the door was opened, and Caixue came in with a basin of water.
"Miss, you're finally awake."
Overjoyed, Caixue quickly put down the water and bombarded Zhao Luoning with questions.
"I didn't die."
Zhao Luoning's voice was still extremely weak, but her complexion was much better than before.
"Shoo, shoo, shoo. Good luck. Miss, you nearly scared this servant to death. Don't say such things again in the future."
Zhao Luoning looked at Caixue. Although she was scolding her, her eyes and heart were filled with concern. Zhao Luoning also knew that this incident had really frightened her.
"How did I get back?"
Zhao Luoning asked curiously.
"It was the Eldest Master who brought you back. After you had the accident, this servant was afraid that the people in the Ji Mansion would treat you badly, so I informed the Eldest Master."
"Did Big Brother know about it?"
Caixue shook her head repeatedly.
"The Eldest Master thought you were bullied, so he brought you back. He doesn't know about that matter. Don't worry."
"Caixue, thank you." Zhao Luoning really meant it. After all, in that situation, she could only try to stop the mid - wife. Fortunately, Caixue was smart enough to call the Eldest Master. If she had stayed in the Ji Mansion any longer, her secret might not have been able to be kept.
"Miss, this incident is really too strange. Madam suddenly attacked you without any sign. Even the immortals would find it hard to prevent."
"It seems that those people are not satisfied with me just being a well - behaved Second Young Mistress. Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless."
She had always adhered to the principle of keeping a low profile and not causing trouble, and had been quite diligent.
But she never expected that the good - natured would be bullied.
Since they had bullied her, there was no need to endure any longer when the patience was exhausted!
Seeing Zhao Luoning looking so imposing, Caixue seemed to see the time when Zhao Luoning dressed up as a man.
When Zhao Luoning was dominating the business world, she had this kind of imposing manner.
Her domineering had once startled even the Eldest Master who accompanied her on business trips.
"Master and Madam have come to visit you. They just left."
Zhao Luoning didn't reply. Even Caixue couldn't guess what Zhao Luoning was thinking at this moment.
"Miss, does your hand still hurt?"
Caixue took Zhao Luoning's hand. It was wrapped in gauze, and the shocking wound couldn't be seen for the time being.
"It doesn't hurt anymore. Caixue, I've been lying in bed for so many days and feel a bit tired. Find a set of clothes for me to change into. I want to go out for a walk."
Caixue wanted to persuade Zhao Luoning to have a good rest, but seeing the strong pleading in Zhao Luoning's eyes, she didn't say anything more and obediently went to get the clothes.
It had been a long time since she last returned to the Bamboo Jade Courtyard!
Zhao Luoning couldn't help but feel emotional.
It seemed that it hadn't been that long, but it felt like a lifetime had passed.
During this period in the Ji Mansion, it had really been a year in a day.
"Luoning!"
Zhao Luoning was feeling sad about the scenery when she heard someone calling her.
She turned around and saw Ning Huainan pushing aside the bamboo leaves and coming towards her.
"Brother Ning."
Zhao Luoning replied with a faint salute and consciously kept a distance from Ning Huainan.
Although she was no longer in the Ji Mansion, she was still Ji Shisu's legal wife after all. Ning Huainan was just an outsider. At this time, she had to be more careful.
"Luoning, there's no need for us to be so estranged. Remember when we were kids..."
Ning Huainan was about to talk at length when he was interrupted by Zhao Luoning.
"The past has vanished like clouds and mist. Brother Ning, please don't mention it anymore."
"Luoning."
Ning Huainan sighed helplessly and didn't say anything more.
After all, he had come a step too late.
He didn't know if she had received the letter he had sent.
"I won't leave this time when I'm back. I'll first establish a firm foothold here and then bring my parents back to live. They've always been longing to come back. As their children, we must fulfill their wishes."
Zhao Luoning tilted her head, her big eyes rolling.
Different from Ning Huainan's cautious probing of feelings, Zhao Luoning was thinking that the Ning family must be planning to move their business back here.
That meant that the Zhao family would have an additional competitor.
She had to think of a good countermeasure.
#### Ji Mansion
"Second Master, it's getting late. It's time to rest."
Yu Chi reminded Ji Shisu. It was already past midnight. After finally sending back the group of people gathered in the Lotus Courtyard to their respective rooms, Yu Chi thought Ji Shisu must be very tired. So he had prepared the hot water, waiting for Ji Shisu to rest.
"Yu Chi, you've been in the Ji Mansion for ten years, right?"
Ji Shisu suddenly said something out of the blue. Although Yu Chi didn't understand Ji Shisu's intention, he still replied respectfully.
"Ten years and three months."
"Then tell me, what are those people who targeted Zhao Luoning thinking?"
Although Yu Chi really wanted to add "Master, don't you dislike the Second Young Mistress the most?", he didn't dare to say it out loud. He just remained silently as usual.
"I've lived in this mansion for more than twenty years and still can't figure out their thoughts. How can you understand?"
Yu Chi still didn't say a word and just retreated to make the bed for Ji Shisu.
Ji Shisu stayed in the yard alone for more than half an hour. He didn't even notice that it had started to drizzle.