Lianxiang placed her hand on Ji Shisu's shoulder. She leaned close to him, whispering into his ear with a sweet breath.
"Second Master, how could I ever lie to you about such a thing? I'm truly carrying your child."
Ji Shisu closed his eyes, his heart filled with extreme annoyance.
"I've already arranged a mansion for you in the east of the city. You'll move there tomorrow and take good care of yourself and the baby."
Hearing this, Lianxiang's face darkened. But as a woman experienced in the ways of the world, she quickly regained her composure.
"Why waste your money, Master? Lianxiang is willing to follow you. I'm not afraid of any hardships."
She didn't want to be his mistress.
She had given up her position as the top courtesan of Tianxiang Tower not to be his mistress and bear his child.
What she wanted was to enter the Ji family, drive out that talent - less and plain - looking second young mistress, and become the mistress of the Ji family herself.
Ji Shisu naturally couldn't have guessed Lianxiang's ambition. The unexpected news of the child had thrown him into a state of panic.
He poured himself a glass of wine and gulped it down.
His heart was filled with annoyance, but he couldn't show it in front of Lianxiang. After all, she was carrying his child. His good upbringing from childhood made it impossible for him to ignore her feelings.
Lianxiang was pregnant with his child!
Who would have thought that a single night of passion would result in her pregnancy.
He didn't doubt Lianxiang. He had bought her virginity and had been keeping her for himself. Even if the madam had the audacity, she wouldn't dare let Lianxiang receive other guests.
What bothered Ji Shisu was the attitude of the Ji family.
It would be easier to deal with the old matriarch. After all, Lianxiang was carrying a grandson of the Ji family. If the baby was born safely, it would be the eldest grandson.
But he didn't know what to do about Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoning seemed gentle and weak on the surface, but she was actually very strong - willed. He wasn't afraid that she would harm Lianxiang's child. What he was afraid of was that with this new sin on his list, it would be even more difficult for her to accept him.
The scene when Zhao Luoning proposed the exchange condition to him was still fresh in his mind.
At first, he was just arguing with Zhao Luoning. He, the second young master of the Ji family, couldn't tolerate being looked down upon by a woman.
But after getting along with her for a while, he found that Zhao Luoning wasn't the kind of insidious, scheming woman he had imagined.
She was like a deep and calm river. Only by getting along with her for a long time could one gradually appreciate her goodness.
After all, they were going to spend their whole lives together, and he had already decided to accept Zhao Luoning.
Who would have thought that just when their relationship was starting to improve, Lianxiang came in and caught him off - guard.
So he had no choice but to order someone to prepare a mansion for Lianxiang.
Fortunately, he found out about this early, and the news hadn't spread yet.
Lianxiang had also held a coming - of - age ceremony tonight, inviting all the patrons of Tianxiang Tower. This marked the end of her life in the brothel.
"I'll leave Yu Chi here. If you need anything, just find him. After you move to the villa tomorrow, just let Yu Chi know."
Ji Shisu was about to get up when Lianxiang grabbed his sleeve.
"Master, today is the Qixi Festival. Won't you stay with Lianxiang and the baby in my belly?"
Ji Shisu frowned, and Lianxiang quickly let go of his hand.
"It's Lianxiang who overstepped. Please forgive me, Master."
Ji Shisu didn't like to be entangled too closely by women. This was no secret in the world of pleasure.
Which woman who had had a relationship with Ji Shisu wasn't reluctant to let go but had to cut off all ties?
But she, Lianxiang, was different.
At least she had a child. As long as she gave birth to a son, she was sure to win Ji Shisu's heart.
She had been in Tianxiang Tower for many years and had seen all kinds of men. Knowing how to be a woman that men liked was always her forte.
"I'll come to see you some other day. It's late. Your health is important. Go to bed early."
Lianxiang bowed gracefully, smiling as she replied.
"Thank you for your concern, Second Master."
When Ji Shisu returned to the Ji Mansion, Yu Chi was waiting at the door. Seeing him come back, he quickly stepped forward to greet him.
"Second Master, you're finally back. Several concubines have asked me several times. If you didn't come back, I wouldn't know how to explain."
After all, it was the Qixi Festival, a very special day, and everyone wanted to be with Ji Shisu.
Ji Shisu asked, "Where's the mistress?"
"The mistress? She and the eldest young lady returned to the mansion early. She should be asleep by now."
"Did the mistress ask about me?"
Hearing Ji Shisu's question, Yu Chi finally came to his senses and thought to himself: You went to Tianxiang Tower right in front of your wife. Do you still expect her to miss you?
Yu Chi replied in a matter - of - fact tone, "The mistress didn't come to find this subordinate."
It was expected.
Ji Shisu sighed and stepped inside.
Yu Chi quickly followed behind and asked, "Master, which concubine's room will you go to tonight?"
"Furong Courtyard."
"Ah?"
"Is it that surprising that I'm going to the second young mistress's room?"
"This subordinate just thinks... the second young mistress must be angry now. If you go there now, you'll probably get a cold shoulder again."
"She's angry?" Ji Shisu's tone suddenly became light. "Was she really angry today because I went to Tianxiang Tower?"
"Pro... probably." Yu Chi hadn't seen Zhao Luoning since they parted on the street, so he wasn't sure if she was really angry. But any wife would be angry if her husband went to a brothel right in front of her.
"That's great." Ji Shisu suddenly clapped his hands and laughed. "She's not a cold - hearted person after all."
"Ah? Master, are you out of your mind? The mistress is angry, and you're happy about it!"
"I'll still go to Furong Courtyard tonight. Don't spread the news. If they ask again, just say I came back late and was too tired, so I slept in the study."
Yu Chi nodded and followed Ji Shisu to Furong Courtyard, completely confused.
Furong Courtyard
After returning, Zhao Luoning took Ji Shihan to pay respects to the old matriarch before going back to her own room.
After a long day, she was so tired that her eyelids were drooping. But remembering her mother's teachings that one shouldn't take a bath or go to sleep right after eating, she could only read books in the room to digest her food.
She hadn't read a few lines of the poem when her eyelids started to droop again.
Finally, she couldn't resist the temptation of sleep. She just let down her hair and even forgot to take off her veil. She slumped on the chair and fell into a dream.
When Ji Shisu walked in, he saw her cute and sleepy appearance slumped on the chair.
Ji Shisu sat down beside Zhao Luoning.
Because she was going to take a bath, Zhao Luoning had let down her hair. Now her hair was in a mess, and a few strands had been blown to her forehead.
Ji Shisu gently pushed the strands of hair away from her face, then took off his cloak and covered her body.
The sudden warmth made her smile in her dream. She turned over and continued to sleep, but the book in her hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
The sound wasn't very loud, but it wasn't very soft either. Ji Shisu looked at Zhao Luoning, thinking that such a loud sound must have woken her up.
But for a long time, there was no sign of Zhao Luoning waking up. Instead, she slept more soundly. The gentle sound of her breathing came from beside him, and he felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
He picked up the book that had fallen on the ground, gently dusted it off, and then looked back at Zhao Luoning.
She was sleeping on her side. At this time, half of her veil had been lifted, revealing half of her face without makeup.
Her skin was really good.
It was different from what he had imagined.
Her skin was like that of a newborn baby, fair and tender. Her facial features weren't as sharp and unforgiving as he had thought. Instead, they were soft and a bit cute.
She was completely different from the woman with makeup.
Ji Shisu suddenly wanted to see what Zhao Luoning looked like without makeup under the veil.
He gently supported Zhao Luoning and laid her flat on his lap. Then he reached out his hand towards the veil on her face.