When the dowager lady saw Zhao Luoning this time, she was much kinder than before. One couldn't help but wonder if she had been intimidated by Zhao Luoning's outburst. The dowager lady pulled Zhao Luoning to her side and apologized sincerely.
"Child, you've suffered a great deal these days."
Zhao Luoning was caught off - guard by this sudden show of concern.
The dowager lady held her hand and continued speaking on her own.
"I, an old woman, have wronged you in this matter. You've dedicated yourself to the Ji Mansion whole - heartedly. I really shouldn't have hidden the matter of Lianxiang from you. It was my folly." Mentioning this, the dowager lady smoothly added, "I've also talked to your mother - in - law. Lianxiang was never a well - behaved person. How could we blame you for the matter of the virgin's blood?"
Huh? What was going on? Zhao Luoning was completely confused. What was the dowager lady up to this time?
Just then, Ji Jianhui finished eating the pastries, wiped his hands clean, and climbed back to the old woman's side. Hugging the dowager lady's hand, he raised his little face and praised, "It's great to admit your mistakes and correct them!"
The dowager lady's face turned bright red. One couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or joy.
Zhao Luoning originally thought that the dowager lady's act was to make her accept Ji Jianhui. So she waited for a while. By the time she got up to leave, the dowager lady hadn't even mentioned the request.
Was the dowager lady really just apologizing?!
The dowager lady wanted to keep Zhao Luoning for dinner, but Zhao Luoning declined. There were still a bunch of things waiting for her to handle in Furong Courtyard.
As she walked out of Cihua Courtyard, she seemed to be back to the time when she had just entered the mansion, when the scene of the kind grandmother and filial granddaughter was everywhere.
Zhao Luoning was the kind of person who would stand up to those who were strong. If someone dared to bully her, she would surely fight back. She seemed fearless.
But she had a soft spot.
She couldn't accept kindness from others.
Having endured so much hardship, even a little bit of sweetness was enough to break down all her psychological defenses.
As long as someone showed her a little kindness, she would surrender immediately.
The dowager lady had already softened her attitude first. Coupled with the fact that she had truly cared about her in the Buddhist hall before, Zhao Luoning's heart softened. She decided not to argue with the old woman anymore.
Since the dowager lady liked Ji Jianhui so much, let Ji Jianhui be recognized as a member of the Ji family.
Zhao Luoning sent someone to invite the elders of the clan to discuss Ji Jianhui's recognition into the clan. When the dowager lady saw the clan elders, she was so touched that she was almost in tears.
She held Ning Ruonian's hand, tears streaming down her old face.
"Ruo'er, you're right. We should treat others with sincerity in return for their sincerity."
If it weren't for Ning Ruonian's good words about Zhao Luoning in front of the dowager lady these days, making the dowager lady recall the harmonious days when Zhao Luoning had just entered the mansion, the dowager lady wouldn't have softened her attitude so quickly.
Actually, when the dowager lady said those soft words that day, she just didn't want to leave a stubborn image of refusing to admit mistakes to her grandson. Moreover, the matter of Ji Jianhui's entry into the family genealogy had not been settled yet, which made her feel uneasy. So, thinking of Ning Ruonian's words, she decided to give it a try.
Unexpectedly, the effect was excellent.
The dowager lady had been shrewd in the inner courtyard all her life, used to calculating people's hearts. In the end, she was persuaded by a baby and a woman who had been in the mansion for less than a month.
Ning Ruonian said with a smile, "Yes, Sister Luoning is not a bad person. If you treat her sincerely, she will be grateful."
Now the dowager lady was extremely grateful to Zhao Luoning.
Actually, her obsession with seeing a long - grandson in the Ji family was just because she hoped that one day when she went underground and met the old master, she could give him an explanation.
She wanted to tell her husband, "Look, after you left, I helped you manage the Ji family well. We have a large and happy family. I haven't let you down."
The matter of Ji Jianhui's entry into the family genealogy was in full swing.
Zhao Luoning wasn't idle either.
Early one morning, before she even got out of bed, the yard was filled with people.
Ji Shisu had stayed in Furong Courtyard as usual in the past few days. When Zhao Luoning was woken up, Ji Shisu also turned over with a sign of waking up.
Zhao Luoning was so scared that she quickly got up, dressed, and put on her makeup.
By the time she finished all this, Ji Shisu had also woken up.
The two of them went out together and were both startled to see the people filling the yard.
Ji Shisu still had traces of sleep in his eyes and yawned while speaking.
"What are you all doing here so early in the morning?"
An old maid in blue stepped out from the crowd and replied, "Second Master, Second Mistress, the dowager lady's birthday banquet is approaching. We're all so anxious, so we came to ask."
Who would be so eager to find work?
Zhao Luoning took a glance at them and knew what was going on.
It wasn't these maids who were anxious. It was clearly her good mother - in - law.
Zhao Luoning wasn't idle. She had to manage not only these maids but also hundreds of people in the mansion.
The dowager lady's seventieth birthday was no small matter. Many dignitaries would come to offer their birthday greetings at that time. If they accidentally offended any distinguished guests, it would be a serious problem.
So the whole mansion had to be mobilized, and everyone in every courtyard had to cooperate.
Such a large - scale personnel arrangement couldn't be completed in just one or two days.
Now that they were standing in the yard, Zhao Luoning's persuasion was useless. They seemed determined not to leave until Zhao Luoning assigned them tasks.
Zhao Luoning asked Caixue.
"Is the list all compiled?"
Caixue nodded and handed Zhao Luoning a stack of rice paper.
Ji Shisu knew Zhao Luoning's difficulties. He said to everyone,
"All of you are long - time servants in the family. This matter can't be decided in an instant. After I discuss it with Ning'er, I'll give you instructions tomorrow."
Ji Shisu stepped in to help Zhao Luoning out of the situation, and only then did the crowd disperse.
Caixue looked at Ji Shisu's back and whispered in Zhao Luoning's ear,
"Miss, that's exactly what you wanted to say. They're clearly bullying you as a newcomer."
Zhao Luoning didn't stop Caixue's whispering as she used to. She looked at the gradually dispersing crowd and said softly,
"They say a new official makes three burning starts. I haven't even made one yet! It's time to start those three fires."
Ji Shisu heard Zhao Luoning whispering behind him. He turned around and casually asked,
"What?"
Zhao Luoning showed a smile to cover it up.
"Nothing."
Ji Shisu was slightly stunned.
Zhao Luoning didn't smile often, but every time she did, she had the charm to make his heart flutter.
Zhao Luoning went back to her room to deal with the personnel allocation, while Ji Shisu washed up and went out to continue arranging the invitation cards.
Zhao Luoning was extremely busy. At noon, the gatekeeper suddenly sent a visiting card.
"A visiting card? For me?"
Who would come to see her?
Zhao Luoning took the visiting card from the gatekeeper's hand in confusion. The bright red silk cover with the gilded words "Visiting Card" was particularly eye - catching.
She skimmed through it roughly and became even more confused.
"Mrs. Ye Lin? Is she the wife of the newly - appointed county magistrate?"
Who was this person? Why would she come to see her?