"The top priority now is to solve the crisis of the tea house first," Zhao Luoning said, rubbing her temples with a headache. She turned her head and asked, "Feixing, did you contact the neighboring tea houses after the incident?"
It would be quite difficult to get through this crisis relying solely on the Zhao family's tea house.
"I've already informed the owners of the other big tea houses. They all promised that they would be willing to come and help as long as you give the order."
"Only..."
"Only what?"
"Only I haven't reached an agreement with the Ji family's tea house yet."
"Although there's a competitive relationship between our family and the Ji family's tea house, we've never been on bad terms. Could it be that they're going to take advantage of our misfortune?"
"Not exactly. I heard the problem lies with the second young master of the Ji family."
"Ji Shisu?" Zhao Luoning was puzzled. "What's wrong with him?"
"I don't know why, but the second young master of the Ji family insists on seeing you or Master Zhao. He said that if you don't go to him, he won't agree."
Go to see Ji Shisu in this state?
Just thinking about it, Zhao Luoning quickly shook her head.
"Didn't you inquire? Why is Ji Shisu suddenly blocking our way?"
"I asked Yu Chi, who is beside the second young master of the Ji family. It seems that the second young master wants to vent your anger, so he's doing this."
"Vent my anger?"
"To be precise, it's to vent your anger, Miss."
"What on earth is Ji Shisu thinking? Is this how he's helping me? He's clearly taking advantage of the Zhao family's crisis to kick us while we're down!"
"So what should we do now? Do you want to make an appointment to see the second young master of the Ji family?"
"No." Zhao Luoning felt that she would surely be angered to death by this unpredictable Ji Shisu sooner or later. "My father has been living in comfort for all these years and has regressed a lot. He can't even see through such a low - level trick of my stepmother. It's time to find something for him to do. Let him taste the cold shoulder from the Ji family."
Hearing this, Feixing nodded and retreated to make arrangements.
At the Ji Mansion
The people sent from Zhaoming Temple brought back the news that Zhao Luoning was safe.
"Madam promised to fast for five days and sincerely worship the Buddha, so the second young mistress won't be back for a while. She specially asked us to tell the second master not to worry."
Hearing that she was okay, the big stone in Ji Shisu's heart finally dropped.
He waved his hand to let the messenger leave. Then Yu Chi brought a cup of hot tea and asked,
"My lord, why did Madam suddenly send the second young mistress to worship the Buddha? It feels like she's deliberately trying to get rid of the second young mistress."
"It's good that she's gone. She's just a nuisance in the mansion."
"My lord, look at what you're saying. You're going to be a bridegroom tomorrow night."
Bridegroom?
Ji Shisu sneered coldly.
"Do you want to be this bridegroom?"
Yu Chi waved his hands repeatedly. "Miss Lianxiang is carrying your child, not mine. Even if you gave me ten thousand guts, I wouldn't dare."
Ji Shisu knew that Yu Chi was teasing him. He was very depressed and couldn't refute Yu Chi.
It was a fact that Lianxiang was carrying his child, and it was also a fact that he was going to marry Lianxiang.
Ji Shisu thought that such a big thing as taking a concubine, his mother and grandmother must have discussed it with Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoning was the main wife. Without her approval, Lianxiang couldn't enter the door.
It was also kind of his mother to arrange for Zhao Luoning to go up the mountain.
Ji Shisu himself felt annoyed, let alone Zhao Luoning.
The saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.
But thinking of this, Ji Shisu felt very unwilling.
"Yu Chi, I'm about to take a concubine, and Lianxiang is carrying my child. Why isn't Zhao Luoning angry?"
Yu Chi thought his master must be crazy.
Others would wish for harmony between their wives and concubines and enjoy the blessings of having multiple women. But his master was good. He had a wife who didn't fight, compete or make trouble, but he was unhappy instead.
"My lord, having three wives and four concubines is very normal. Master Zhao of the Zhao family has favored his wife and suppressed his concubines for many years. In comparison, you respect the second young mistress and always think of her. She appreciates your care, so she doesn't make things difficult for you."
"Appreciate my care?" Ji Shisu looked up at Yu Chi. "Do you believe this yourself?"
Yu Chi thought of the cold and business - like attitude of the second young mistress towards the second master. He scratched the back of his head embarrassedly and laughed foolishly. "No."
Ji Shisu rolled his eyes. Just then, the steward from the shop came to him and said, "My lord, there's a letter from the second young master of the Zhao family."
"The second young master of the Zhao family? Zhao Luojing?!"
Mentioning Zhao Luojing, Ji Shisu became interested.
He quickly took the letter from the steward and opened it.
Dear Brother Ji,
My father has set up a banquet at Tongle Building and would like to invite you. I sincerely hope you can grace us with your presence.
Your younger brother, Zhao Luojing.
"So it's an invitation from Master Zhao of the Zhao family."
Ji Shisu felt a bit disappointed.
It wasn't an invitation from Zhao Luojing himself.
What a pity.
After all, he was Zhao Luoning's younger brother. He really wanted to meet him.
"Forget it. My father - in - law is also an elder. I can't refuse his invitation. Let's go."
Saying this, Ji Shisu took Yu Chi out of the Ji Mansion.
On the other side, Master Zhao, who was playing pai - gow in the room of his favorite concubine, the second wife of the Zhao family, also received a letter.
It was said to be sent by Zhao Luoning.
Master Zhao opened the letter and saw that it said:
Dear Father,
The second master has set up a banquet at Tongle Building and wants to discuss the cooperation of the tea houses with you. Please grace us with your presence.
Your daughter, Zhao Luoning.
"Why does Ji Shisu come to me instead of Luojing for business matters?" Master Zhao was very confused.
He was really not good at doing business. When the old master was alive, he just helped out. After the old master passed away, Luojing was able to handle things on his own. He had been living a care - free life for so many years and hadn't been involved in the family business for a long time.
The second wife of the Zhao family rolled her eyes. She gave a signal to the two maids who were playing cards with them, and the maids retreated.
After everyone left, the second wife of the Zhao family approached Master Zhao like a boneless cat and drew circles on his chest with her finger.
"My lord, since it's the second master of the Ji family who's inviting you, I think you'd better go."
"Can't Luojing go?" Master Zhao felt a headache just thinking that the Ji family was colluding with the rebels.
The Ji family was like a bomb that could explode at any time. They were so arrogant that they even dared to confront the emperor. Getting too close to them would surely get you blown up one day.
So when facing the Ji family, especially the second young master of the Ji family, he was very scared.
As soon as he heard that he had to attend Ji Shisu's banquet, Master Zhao's face was full of reluctance.
The second wife of the Zhao family analyzed, "My lord, you're wrong. Not to mention that the second young master of the Ji family has specifically asked you to go. If you don't go, you'll be giving him a cold shoulder. These years, Zhao Luojing has been staying at home rarely. He only comes home once a year. But he has full control of the Zhao family's business. My lord, are you really at ease with this?"
Master Zhao was very confused. "He's my own son. Why shouldn't I be at ease?"
"You've trusted him completely, but he may not be filial to you whole - heartedly."
"What do you mean?"