The person Zhao Luoming saw was none other than Xin'er, the maid beside the second mistress.
Like a mouse seeing a cat, Zhao Luoming dragged Zhusheng away in a hurry.
Seeing Zhao Luoming disappearing in a flash, Xin'er bit her lip and couldn't help regretting calling out to him.
She thought to herself that she should have waited until she got closer before speaking.
After running a long way and making sure Xin'er wasn't chasing after them, Zhao Luoming and Zhusheng finally heaved a sigh of relief. They leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.
Although Zhusheng was out of breath, seeing the usually suave and dashing Zhao Luoming reduced to this state, she couldn't help chuckling.
"Hehe... Third... Young Master... Is Sister Xin'er... really that... scary?"
Zhao Luoming knew Zhusheng was laughing at him. His face darkened and his expression turned serious.
"If it weren't for Mother's repeated questioning about the dowry, would I need to avoid them like the plague?"
It took Zhusheng a long time to stop laughing. She persuaded him.
"Third Young Master, although your relationship with the second young lady isn't very harmonious, she's still your own sister after all. Now that you're in charge of the family, it's only right for you to provide a dowry."
Zhao Luoming patted off the grass clippings he got during the run. His tone was full of annoyance.
"Let's not mention that I've only been in charge of the family business for less than half a year. You know my situation better than anyone else. The capital inflow is directly connected to the accountant's office. The butler knows every single penny clearly. Do you think I don't understand Mother's intention? But being in charge of this family is really a thankless task."
Just as Zhao Luoming was complaining, his page boy, A Shun, popped up.
"Hey, Third Young Master, so you're here. I've been looking for you for ages."
Zhao Luoming's anger hadn't subsided yet. He stroked his chest and asked.
"How's the matter I asked you to investigate?"
It turned out that when he was checking the accounts, he couldn't find the account books of Zhao's silk shop and pharmacy no matter how hard he tried. So he asked A Shun to go to the butler in the accountant's office to inquire about the situation.
"Steward Xu said that before these two shops developed, the second young master had already asked the old master for them. Although these two shops are still under the name of the Zhao family, they've long become the personal property of the second young master."
He finally understood why Zhao Luojing didn't let him manage these two shops. At first, he thought Zhao Luojing knew the development potential of these two shops was limitless and was reluctant to let go.
It turned out that they had long become his personal property.
The Zhao family's business had reached its peak. It would take a lot of effort just to maintain the current situation, let alone continue to develop.
Moreover, no matter how much money was earned, it wouldn't be his own. In the end, he'd be exhausted, and there'd still be a whole family waiting to be fed.
He was really no match for his second brother, who was as shrewd as a god. Who else could be as ingenious as him?
In the town, the business of the silk shop and the pharmacy was far inferior to the other industries of the Zhao family. But anyone who had seen the world knew very well that the reputation of these two shops outside was much better than the other industries of the Zhao family.
Especially in the capital, since Song brocade became a tribute appointed by the emperor, Zhao's silk shop had risen to fame and even opened a branch in the capital.
It could be said that the Zhao family's rise to fame was all thanks to these two shops.
He was just wondering why he couldn't find the account books of these two shops no matter how hard he tried. No wonder these two shops had developed so rapidly in just a few years.
Roughly calculated, the profit of these two shops had already exceeded more than half of the total profit of the Zhao family.
He really had a backup plan!
"By the way, Third Young Master, Steward Xu asked me to bring this invitation to you."
As A Shun said, he took out an invitation from his bosom.
"Grand Lady Ji's seventieth birthday? Is Father going?"
"The head of the Ji family sent a personal letter. Father must be going. It seems the second young master also received an invitation."
"The Ji family just helped our family. Brother will definitely go too. Perfect." Zhao Luoming held the invitation and a smile spread across his face. "I'll just ask about those two shops then!"
Early the next morning, the grand lady's birthday banquet would be held.
These days, Zhao Luoning had been so busy that she hadn't had a wink of sleep.
Although everything was ready and they were just waiting for dawn, Zhao Luoning still couldn't rest easy. She couldn't help giving instructions.
"Rendong, go to the kitchen again and make sure the food is clean."
Rendong pressed Zhao Luoning into a chair and said.
"My dear second young mistress, please take a rest. Second Master heard that you've been staying up all night these days and has already scolded us all."
Caixue also stood on the same side as Rendong this time.
"Yes, Miss, please take a rest. Isn't there still me and Rendong to take care of the family affairs?"
"Yes, because of the shop's business, Second Master hasn't been home to rest for several days. He came back specially for you tonight. If you don't rest, Rendong and I will be scolded again."
Unable to resist the earnest requests of these two maids, Zhao Luoning had no choice but to agree to rest. After these busy days, she really couldn't take it anymore. In just a few days, she already had backaches and muscle aches.
"Caixue, go and prepare water for me. I want to take a bath."
Only then did Caixue show a smile and quickly went down to give the order.
Just then, Ji Shisu lifted the curtain and walked in, just passing by Caixue. Caixue simply bowed to him and then ran out.
"That's right. Although Grandma's birthday is important, it's not worth it to exhaust your body."
Ji Shisu sat down beside Zhao Luoning. Looking at the exhaustion that couldn't be hidden in her eyes, a wave of heartache welled up in him for no reason.
"You're back."
Zhao Luoning greeted him indifferently, just like an old married couple who had been together for many years.
"There's been a lot of business in the shop these days. I just finished sorting out all the matters today. Don't worry. I'll always be with you during Grandma's birthday."
Zhao Luoning glanced at Ji Shisu. She didn't expect him to be so considerate. But just thinking about what he had done before, there was still some lingering resentment in her heart.
"Thank you."
This thank you was so soft that even Zhao Luoning herself didn't notice it, but Ji Shisu heard it clearly.
Although he was a bit dissatisfied with her aloofness, a simple thank you meant that their relationship was softening. He was happy to see this.
Zhao Luoning's slender hand slid across the jade bracelet hidden in her sleeve. There were many things hidden in her heart. All the things that had happened since she married into the Ji family flashed through her mind one by one.
Seeing Zhao Luoning lost in thought, Ji Shisu didn't intend to disturb her. He picked up a copy of *Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government* from the table and flipped through it casually.
Not long after, Rendong had already prepared the hot water. She lifted the curtain and called out.
"Second young mistress..."
"Shh!"
Ji Shisu whispered to remind Rendong and waved his hand, signaling her to go out first.
It turned out that after relaxing, the extremely tired Zhao Luoning fell asleep soon. At first, she was just resting her head on her hand, but she kept swaying and couldn't sleep soundly. Seeing this, Ji Shisu put down the book in his hand and let Zhao Luoning rest her head on his lap to sleep.
When Rendong came in, Zhao Luoning had just fallen asleep. Ji Shisu was afraid that Rendong would wake her up, so he waved his hand to let her go out.
Rendong covered her mouth and sneaked out with a smile. She also carefully closed the door for them.
Ji Shisu looked at Zhao Luoning sleeping soundly like a baby. A charming smile played on his lips.