Ji Shisu thought something had happened to her family. He leaned over to see if he could offer any help. Zhao Luoning quickly hid the letter and gathered her composure. She pretended to be calm and said,
"Second Master, it's nothing. The letter is just about Luoyue's engagement to the Ning family."
Ji Shisu remembered what Zhao Luoning had said before about their family being bullied by the second branch. He thought she was worried that after Luoyue got married and had the support of her husband's family, Mrs. Zhao the Second would become even more overbearing. He gently patted her on the shoulder with concern.
"Luoning, don't worry. They have the support of the Ning family, but you have me. Your backer is much stronger than theirs."
Ji Shisu's narcissistic words made Zhao Luoning burst out laughing.
This smile hit Ji Shisu hard. "What? Don't you believe me?!"
For the sake of his male pride, Zhao Luoning held back her laughter and replied seriously, "How could that be? Second Master is a real hero, much better than that Second Young Master Ning."
This was no exaggeration.
Ning Huaizhi was a sneaky and vicious person. Only Zhao Luoyue was blind enough to treasure him. She didn't think much of him.
"That's right. You've got good taste."
Being praised by the one he loved, Ji Shisu was naturally happy.
What he didn't know was that the family letter in Zhao Luoning's hand was not about Zhao Luoyue's engagement to Ning Huaizhi at all.
It was an invitation card personally sent by him, Ji Shisu.
The person invited was, of course, Zhao Luojing.
At the tea - tasting banquet, Ji Shisu had helped the Zhao family so much. For this birthday banquet of the old matriarch, it was only reasonable for "Zhao Luojing" to attend.
So this time, Feixing had brought the invitation card, instead of making an excuse that the master was unwell and declining as usual.
Not only Feixing, but Zhao Luoning also had a headache when she saw this invitation.
After Ji Shisu left, Zhao Luoning took out the invitation.
"Forget it. Just say I'm unwell and ask Feixing to find an opportunity to decline."
"But, Miss, if we do this..."
"There's no other way. We can only do it like this." Half - way through her order, Zhao Luoning seemed to remember something and asked, "What has big brother been up to lately?"
Reminded by Zhao Luoning, Caixue came to her senses and quickly said,
"Feixing saw the young master doing hard labor at the dock today, Miss. Please think of a way quickly."
"What?!"
Since he was born, he had been trained as the successor of the Ji family. When had he ever done such dirty and tiring work?
"Does this have anything to do with the concubine?"
"According to Feixing, Mrs. Zhao the Second once told the young master that he was just sitting around at home doing nothing and that as an elder brother, he even had to rely on his younger brother to support him. Maybe the young master was stimulated by these words and has already moved out with the young mistress and Sister Huaci."
Hearing this, Zhao Luoning was shocked. No wonder her mother had been so hesitant at Zhaoming Temple that day. At first, Zhao Luoning had even grumbled about when her mother had become so concerned about family matters.
It turned out that something had happened to big brother.
She should have noticed earlier.
"What? Why didn't anyone stop him and let him act recklessly?"
Caixue knew her miss's temper. Although she seemed cold and aloof on the surface, she valued her family very much in her heart.
"I also asked Sister Huaci. She said that the madam, the young mistress, and Sister Huaci had all tried to persuade him, and the master had even beaten him, but the young master is just a straightforward person. He would rather not spend a single cent from the Zhao Mansion than stay in that home."
Zhao Luoning sighed silently. Her big brother was really confused.
She had thought that after the fake tea incident, he would learn to be more scheming and restrain his temper. But she never expected things to turn out like this, making the relatives sad and the enemies happy.
"Miss, what should we do to help the young master turn things around?"
Zhao Luoning said angrily,
"You know my father's temper very well. Now that he has caused such a big mess, it will take at least three to five years for my father to forgive him. Where is he now? Take me there."
Just as Zhao Luoning stood up, the key she had forgotten in her sleeve fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
She bent down to pick up the key. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind.
"Caixue, wait."
Caixue looked at Zhao Luoning in confusion, not knowing what she was up to.
"Since this is big brother's own choice, I'll respect him this time. Go and send a sealed letter to Feixing for me. Ask him to make arrangements outside for me. I won't show up myself."
As Zhao Luoning said, she handed the key in her hand to Caixue.
"But, Miss, isn't this the ancestral house given to you by Mrs. Ye? Didn't you say you couldn't accept it and wanted to find a way to return it?"
"Silly girl, I do need to return this favor, but if I return the house as it is, it will seem rather inconsiderate."
Caixue was completely confused.
"Miss, what do you mean?"
"I heard that since County Magistrate Ye passed the imperial examination, he has intended to expand the school in Huangcheng to cultivate more students."
"Yes, but what does this have to do with Mrs. Ye?"
"Ask Feixing to gather the local gentry in the name of Luojing. Our Zhao family will take the lead and contribute 300 taels to build a new private school. We should support such a thing that will benefit the local people."
Caixue suddenly understood.
"Oh, I get it, Miss. You're returning the favor like this."
Zhao Luoning nodded with a smile. Caixue understood and happily went out with the key and the deed.
---
The Ye Mansion in the farmstead.
"Feixing, why did you bring me here?"
Zhao Luochun, with Yaron and Huaci on his side and carrying their valuables, looked at Feixing in confusion as he opened the door of the Ye Mansion.
"This is what the eldest miss meant. This mansion was rented by the eldest miss. You and the young mistress can stay here for the time being. The eldest miss wants you to renovate this mansion. She doesn't trust others to do it."
Feixing's words immediately filled Zhao Luochun with great ambition.
"Go and tell Luoning that I'll take care of this. Tell her to rest assured."
Feixing still had a cold face. After showing the three of them to their rooms, he took out several letters from his bosom and handed them to Zhao Luochun.
"The eldest miss said that the plaque on the main gate should remain the same, still saying 'Ye Mansion'. You can renovate the other rooms as you like. You can also arrange the mountains and fields around the mansion. Just ask her to reimburse all the expenses."
Feixing relayed exactly what Zhao Luoning had told him to Zhao Luochun, who listened very carefully. After he finished speaking, this big man's eyes turned red.
"Did Luoning buy this mansion for us?"
Feixing nodded. Huaci, having been with Zhao Luoning for some time, understood her quite well.
"Master, the eldest miss cares most about you and the madam in her heart."
Zhao Luochun's wife, Xu Yaron, looked at the mansion and was extremely grateful to Zhao Luoning.
Before Zhao Luoning got married, Xu Yaron and Zhao Luoning had a very good relationship. If it weren't for the fact that Huaci had taken care of Zhao Luoning and there was this bond, she wouldn't have allowed Huaci to enter the house.
Others might not be able to tell, but she understood Luoning.