Just as Zhao Luoning was so flustered that her palms were sweating and didn't know how to handle the situation, Cai Xue and Yu Chi suddenly pushed the door open and walked in together.
"Miss, the eldest young lady wants to see you."
"Second master, Miss Shu invites you over."
If Yu Chi hadn't mentioned it, Zhao Luoning would have forgotten about Ji Shisu's childhood sweetheart.
"Second master, you're really never idle," Zhao Luoning sneered secretly, then stood up. "Then this concubine won't bother the second master anymore."
Ji Shisu stood up and was about to explain, but Zhao Luoning had already left the room with her maid.
Watching Zhao Luoning's back, Ji Shisu suddenly felt a surge of anger.
"This... this woman is so presumptuous!" He, the second young master of the Ji family and the person in charge of the family's real power, had never been given such a cold shoulder before.
Yu Chi covered his mouth and snickered. "Second master, it's all your fault for spoiling her."
"Me spoiling her? How could I spoil this woman? It's so inexplicable."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Yu Chi didn't argue with him.
The second master just couldn't feel comfortable if the second young mistress didn't give him a cold shoulder for a day.
The second master ignored all the soft and fragrant beauties and the warm embrace in the boudoir, but still came back to live in Furong Courtyard with a flattering face.
The second master complained that the second young mistress spent money extravagantly, but still felt sorry for her and was afraid that she would run out of money, so he went to the accounting room every day to put all her expenses on his own account.
This wasn't just spoiling a woman.
It was clearly serving a living ancestor.
Ji Shisu didn't catch the irony in Yu Chi's words. His mind was still on Zhao Luoning.
Yu Chi couldn't stand it anymore and reminded him, "Second master, in my opinion, you might as well explain to the second young mistress the origin of all your concubines in the backyard. Maybe she'll understand you and live in peace with you."
Hearing this, Ji Shisu got angry. "Explain to her? What do I have to explain! I just like to flirt with women and have a large number of concubines. What can she do about it?"
Yu Chi shut up.
The second master's stubborn and prideful nature would surely make him regret it in the future.
At this moment, Ji Shisu suddenly asked, "What does Shu Danyao want with me?"
"I don't know, but the madam is also in Miss Danyao's room."
Just hearing about his mother gave Ji Shisu a headache.
Since the last time Zhao Luoning threatened to kill herself rather than let the midwife check her virginity, Madam Ji had been full of opinions about Zhao Luoning. Although she didn't say anything in front of Zhao Luoning, she had been up to all sorts of tricks behind her back.
Shu Danyao was one of her tricks.
Thinking about this, Ji Shisu had a headache. He waved his hand and said, "Forget it. Go and decline for me. Say I'm busy."
Yu Chi joked with a smile, "Second master is really lucky with women. Why decline?"
Ji Shisu gritted his teeth in anger. "You rascal, you're so naughty!"
Seeing this, Yu Chi flashed away with a smile.
After Yu Chi ran away, Ji Shisu's expression gradually became serious.
The Ji family had always been in a precarious situation. Both the court and the common people were eyeing the Ji family covetously. At this time, his mother was still only focused on the affairs in the backyard. If she really caused any trouble, it might endanger the entire family.
It was said that the man was in charge of the outside affairs and the woman was in charge of the inside affairs. This matter should have been handed over to Zhao Luoning.
Thinking of Zhao Luoning, Ji Shisu shook his head with a bitter smile.
This girl couldn't wait to leave the Ji family as soon as possible.
Forget it. He'd just have to work harder and clear the obstacles for her.
On the other hand, Zhao Luoning, whom Ji Shisu was thinking about, had already rushed to the pavilion in the back mountain. Ji Shihan, the eldest young lady of the Ji family, was waiting for her there.
Zhao Luoning didn't expect Ji Shihan to come to her. She had also heard from Cai Xue about how Ji Shihan had used a magic pill to save her life. Of course, Zhao Luoning would be more polite to her savior.
Zhao Luoning called her affectionately. Ji Shihan stood up with the support of Hongshao. Her body was weaker than before.
"Second sister-in-law came back, but I've been too busy to visit you. Please don't blame me, second sister-in-law."
"I heard you were seriously ill. I should have visited you. But I've been away from the Ji Mansion for so many days. First, I've been busy with a lot of affairs. Second, I heard from the doctor that you need to rest quietly. I was afraid of disturbing you." Zhao Luoning guessed that Ji Shihan wouldn't come to her for no reason, so she asked, "Did you come here today for something?"
Ji Shihan twisted the edge of her skirt and couldn't squeeze out a single word for a long time. Hongshao was anxious to see Ji Shihan like this and spoke on her behalf.
"Oh, miss, there's no need to be so secretive in front of the second young mistress. The thing is, today is the Qixi Festival. Miss finally wants to go out for a walk and worship the Seven Sisters at the bridge. But the old matriarch said that she'd only feel relieved if a young mistress accompanied you."
"That's a good thing," said Zhao Luoning. For her, it was indeed a trivial matter. "Shihan, go back and rest first to get enough energy. I'll prepare the carriage and come to find you in the evening."
Seeing that Zhao Luoning had agreed, Ji Shihan was naturally overjoyed. She thanked Zhao Luoning several times before being supported by Hongshao back to her room.
After noon, Zhao Luoning went to the old matriarch to ask for permission for Ji Shihan to go out of the mansion. After getting the old matriarch's approval, she asked Rendong, who was more familiar with the affairs in the mansion, to arrange the carriage and the inn for rest.
Ji Shihan rarely went out of the mansion to play on weekdays. One reason was that she was in poor health, and the other was that there was no opportunity.
Among the female relatives in the Ji Mansion, few were close to Ji Shihan. And considering her health, they didn't dare to take her out.
So in previous Qixi Festivals, Ji Shihan had always just placed some fruits in the mansion and casually worshiped the Seven Sisters.
So this time, Ji Shihan was really happy from the bottom of her heart.
There were bursts of laughter coming from Ji Shihan's courtyard. It was unusually lively.
When Zhao Luoning stepped into Ji Shihan's room, she saw that the room was filled with maids. Everyone was chattering about what clothes Ji Shihan should wear when she went out.
"Second sister-in-law, please save me," Ji Shihan was driven to a corner by the noisy maids and quickly asked Zhao Luoning for help.
Zhao Luoning stepped forward, rummaged through a pile of clothes, and picked out a bright red waist-length ruqun.
"Try this one."
Some of the maids below were not convinced and whispered, "What kind of clothes did the second young mistress choose? Miss always only likes to wear plain and elegant clothes. That dress is so bright. How can Miss wear it out?"
Cai Xue was about to argue with those maids, but was stopped by Zhao Luoning.
While they were talking, Ji Shihan had already changed her clothes and come out.
As soon as Ji Shihan showed up, everyone was speechless. They had to admire Zhao Luoning's taste.
This bright red long dress on Ji Shihan seemed to drive away her sickly aura all at once. Against the background of the red dress, there was a touch of blush on her pale face.
At this moment, Ji Shihan looked like a girl of sixteen or seventeen should.
Ji Shihan was used to wearing plain clothes. She was naturally a little uncomfortable wearing such a bright dress all of a sudden.
Seeing everyone staring at her, she asked embarrassedly, "Do I look bad like this? I'll go and change right away."
Hongshao was afraid that Ji Shihan would change the dress, so she quickly grabbed her.
"Miss, you look so charming like this. It's just right. You don't need to change."
Ji Shihan blushed at Hongshao's praise. Zhao Luoning smiled, picked up a wooden comb from the table, and led her to the dressing table.
Ji Shihan's black hair seemed to come to life in Zhao Luoning's hands and flexibly wound around her fingers.
Looking at Zhao Luoning through the mirror, Ji Shihan's eyes suddenly filled with tears.
Thinking of her previous prejudice against Zhao Luoning, she felt even more uncomfortable. She choked with sobs and said, "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry."
"Why do you say that?"
Ji Shihan hesitated. Should she tell Zhao Luoning those rumors?