Ji Shisu was also aware that after he caused a ruckus at the Chenxiang Pavilion for Zhao Luoning last time, it had brought quite a bit of trouble to Luoning.
He also knew that his mother's provocation against Zhao Luoning this time was mostly a sequela of his outburst at the Chenxiang Pavilion.
This time, he was much calmer. He decided to go find Zhao Luoning first to get the lay of the land.
Caixue led Ji Shisu to the Buddhist hall.
Seeing Caixue return empty - handed, Zhao Luoning asked in surprise,
"What about the things I asked you to get?"
Caixue rushed over excitedly and said, "Miss, the second young master is back. You're saved!"
Zhao Luoning was completely confused. "Why do I need to be saved?"
Just as Ji Shisu stepped in, he frowned when he heard this.
"Zhao Luoning, do you really like being punished?!"
Caixue was very perceptive and exited the Buddhist hall, leaving the two of them some private space. As she backed out, she winked at Zhao Luoning, hinting for her to complain about Mrs. Ji.
Zhao Luoning sat side by side with Ji Shisu and ignored Caixue's hint. She picked up Ji Shisu's words.
"Who would like being punished? I had no other choice!"
It was rare for Zhao Luoning to lower her guard and talk to him so gently. Ji Shisu's heart softened immediately.
"Luoning, I owe you for the matter of Lianxiang. I know you're magnanimous. It's not your fault about her. I'll go to the old matriarch and ask her to persuade mother."
Zhao Luoning waved her hand and refused him, deliberately saying,
"Second young master, you have a misunderstanding about me. I'm not magnanimous at all. I'm very petty. If anyone makes me angry, I'll get back at them."
"Really? If that's the case, I'll be very happy."
Zhao Luoning was amused by his strange attitude.
"Ji Shisu, you're so strange."
It was rare for Zhao Luoning to show a smile in front of him. Ji Shisu turned his head to look at her. Since they were in the Buddhist hall, it was not appropriate to dress too grandly, so Zhao Luoning had taken off her outer robe and was only wearing a plain white single - layer dress.
Actually, Zhao Luoning had a good figure, curvy and graceful. Without looking at the strange and thick makeup on her face, just her figure was quite alluring.
Suddenly, the words of Nurse Xu popped into Ji Shisu's mind: "Won't the second young master know whether she's a virgin or not after sharing a bed with her?"
For a moment, he was distracted and enchanted. Looking at Zhao Luoning's fair and slender neck, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva.
Zhao Luoning also realized that Ji Shisu was looking at her. She turned her head to look at him too.
As soon as Ji Shisu's eyes met Zhao Luoning's, he felt like he had been electrocuted and quickly turned his head away.
Zhao Luoning pointed at Ji Shisu's ears as if she had discovered a new continent.
"Your ears are red. Are you running a fever?"
Ji Shisu quickly covered his ears in a flurry and came up with a lame excuse.
"It's because the Buddhist hall is filled with smoke and it's hard to breathe."
So the second young master Ji could be so flustered? Zhao Luoning laughed. Suddenly, she thought Ji Shisu was quite cute at times.
Ji Shisu didn't want to talk more about the topic of "red ears". The more they talked, the faster his heart beat. He felt a sense of shame, like being caught peeping at someone.
"Zhao Luoning, I... I have to go. I'll go find the old matriarch."
Zhao Luoning stood up and said, "Second young master, there's no need."
Ji Shisu said anxiously, "Don't be stubborn. I know it's not your fault. You shouldn't be punished here."
"But if I don't take this punishment today, mother - in - law will find other ways to punish me. Anyway, I have to let her vent her anger. Staying in the Buddhist hall for a few days is fine."
"You don't have to indulge her!"
"Second young master, this is an inner - courtyard matter."
With this reminder from Zhao Luoning, Ji Shisu had nothing to say.
Indeed, although Ji Shisu didn't agree with Zhao Luoning's giving in, he could go to the old matriarch or his mother right now to release Zhao Luoning. But he could only protect her for a while, not for a lifetime.
As long as Zhao Luoning stayed in the Ji family compound, she would have to face such situations.
The best way for him to protect her was to let her become stronger on her own.
"Zhao Luoning, are you really okay? If you need anything, just come to me."
"Don't worry, second young master. It's just copying Buddhist scriptures. It's not a big deal. I can just take a break for a while. The Buddhist hall is quite quiet."
Hearing this, Ji Shisu could only nod and say, "You've worked hard."
Zhao Luoning let out a chuckle. Copying Buddhist scriptures really wasn't a big deal.
"By the way, second young master, have you found out anything about the matter I asked you to investigate?"
When it came to this matter, Ji Shisu's expression instantly became solemn, and his tone was no longer as relaxed as before.
"Not yet."
The first lesson Zhao Luoning learned from the old master Zhao in business was to recognize people and things.
She was already very proficient in sizing people up.
Zhao Luoning knew very well that Ji Shisu must have found something, but he just didn't want to tell her.
She could also guess the reason why he didn't want to say it - Ji Shisu was afraid that she would leave the Ji mansion.
Although she didn't understand Ji Shisu's mindset, she had seen his reactions in the past few days. If she couldn't tell that Ji Shisu didn't want her to leave, she would be a fool.
Zhao Luoning didn't care whether Ji Shisu allowed her to leave or not. As long as she wanted to go, he couldn't stop her.
Zhao Luoning smiled and didn't expose Ji Shisu. She said, "In that case, please pay more attention to it, second young master."
When it came to this matter, Ji Shisu actually felt a bit ashamed for hiding it from her. He didn't dare to stay by Zhao Luoning's side any longer. He got up and left with a word: "Come to me if you need anything."
Zhao Luoning watched his departing back, picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and her smile was a bit sly.
"Ji Shisu, just wait and see how I'll deal with you!"
After taking a sip of tea, she looked down at the cup in her hand and suddenly realized: This was the cup that Ji Shisu had just drunk from!
Hadn't she just had an indirect kiss with Ji Shisu?
Zhao Luoning was so scared that she quickly put the cup back on the table, wiped her mouth, and didn't dare to drink tea anymore.
Just as Ji Shisu walked out of the Buddhist hall, Yuchi stepped forward.
"Sir, are we going to the Cihua Courtyard to find the old matriarch?"
Ji Shisu waved his hand.
Since Zhao Luoning said she could handle it, he should trust her.
"Send someone to watch over Luoning carefully. If mother wants to cause trouble for her again, you must tell me immediately."
Yuchi nodded.
Ji Shisu asked again, "Has Nurse Xu been dealt with?"
"Yes." Thinking of this, Yuchi remembered the ugly words Nurse Xu had cursed when he tortured her. He said angrily, "Sir, that Nurse Xu kept scolding the second young mistress and even slandered her for not being a virgin when she got married. Her mouth is really dirty."
"Yuchi, do you also think it's a slander?"
"Yeah." After answering, Yuchi felt something was wrong and counter - questioned, "Sir... could it be that..."