At the moment, Ji Shihuan was still sulking there, silent.
He wanted to be magnanimous, but only if the other person would appreciate it.
Just as Zhao Luoning was thinking about how to resolve Ji Shihuan's grudge, Ji Shisu lifted the curtain and walked in.
"Judging from the weather, it might snow soon."
It was very cold outside. Rubbing his hands for warmth, Ji Shisu walked in. Seeing Ji Shihuan, he was first taken aback, and then asked,
"Shihuan is here too. You've been coming to your second brother's place quite frequently these days."
Seeing Ji Shisu, Ji Shihuan couldn't help but think of Ji Jianxue.
Normally, the two brothers had a good relationship. But since Ji Jianxue moved in, Ji Shihuan felt that Ji Shisu was too cold - hearted towards his own daughter.
Ji Shihuan didn't even salute him. He just bid farewell to Zhao Luoning, lifted the curtain, and prepared to return to his own room.
"It's windy outside. Rendong, go and see off Young Master Four."
Rendong, who had been busy with needle - work in the room, responded quickly when she heard Zhao Luoning's call. She followed Ji Shihuan out of the door.
"What's wrong with Shihuan?"
Although Ji Shihuan was a bit naughty, he had never been so disrespectful to him as he was now. Ji Shisu couldn't help but ask Zhao Luoning his question.
"It's because he feels sorry for his little niece. After all, they are father and daughter. You are more distant to Jianxue than to a stranger. No wonder even a child like him can't stand it and wants to stand up for her."
Thinking of this, Zhao Luoning gave Ji Shisu a cold look. She stood up and was about to go into the inner room to change her clothes when Ji Shisu grabbed her long sleeve.
"Luoning, the time is not ripe yet. There are many things I can't tell you now, but I can be sure that I'm not the kind of person you think I am."
There was a pleading tone in Ji Shisu's words. He was pleading for Zhao Luoning's understanding and for her to stay with him.
"What kind of person do you think I think you are? Second Master, you're overthinking."
Just as Zhao Luoning was about to break free from Ji Shisu and leave, Caixue walked in with a hand - warmer.
"Miss, the hand - warmer is warm now. You can use it."
Caixue didn't expect Ji Shisu to be there. She was just about to bring the hand - warmer to Zhao Luoning.
"I'm not cold. Give it to the Second Master. He must be colder than me."
Caixue nodded. Sensing the tension between the two, she obediently handed the hand - warmer to Ji Shisu.
If it weren't for the previous episode, Ji Shisu would have been happy about Zhao Luoning's "concern". But now he was full of anger with nowhere to vent.
"Second Master?"
Caixue was wondering why Ji Shisu didn't take the hand - warmer. He had already stood up. He stared at Zhao Luoning for a long time, and finally gave in to her stubborn look. With a long sigh, he lifted the curtain and walked out.
"Miss, what's wrong with the Second Master?"
Caixue was completely confused. She thought Ji Shisu's anger was out of the blue. Zhao Luoning pursed her lips tightly. She stared silently at the evergreen tree outside, which was rustling in the cold wind. After a long time, she said "I'm tired" and walked into the inner room on her own.
Alas, looking at the quarreling couple, Caixue sighed.
They had just made up for a few days, and now they were at it again. Truly, only enemies would be a couple.
Fortunately, Ji Shisu's temper had improved a lot. Even if Zhao Luoning got angry with him, at most he would just get angry and leave in a huff. But he would still stay in Furongyuan as usual at night.
Ji Shisu had already seen Zhao Luoning without makeup, so Caixue didn't need to light the calming incense every night. However, according to Zhao Luoning's order, a day - bed was added to the room.
Ji Shisu found it both funny and annoying that Zhao Luoning was guarding against him like a thief. He had no choice but to let it be.
Of course, he wouldn't let Zhao Luoning sleep on the day - bed. Every night, he would lie on the day - bed, looking at the sleeping Zhao Luoning on the bed. He felt happy in his heart.
Zhao Luoning had no choice but to let him do as he pleased. Now Feixing had gone to the capital and hadn't come back. Zhao Luoning was at a loss and could only count on Ji Shisu to bring back new news.
On New Year's Eve, it was customary to worship the ancestors first.
Master Ji dressed in grand attire. He read the merit text in front of the ancestors. After that, he put the brocade into the furnace. Then everyone offered the sacrificial animals in turn. Only after that did they worship the ancestors in order of seniority.
As a female family member, Zhao Luoning's turn to worship came after the men. After Lady Ji finished her worship, Zhao Luoning stepped forward respectfully to perform the worship ceremony.
This was the first time Ji Jianxue had participated in the ancestor - worship ceremony since she could remember. Naturally, she was a bit nervous. Zhao Luoning kept an eye on her and noticed her slightly trembling legs and nervous eyes.
Zhao Luoning tilted her head and whispered a few words to Rendong. Rendong nodded, glanced at Ji Jianxue, and quietly stepped back.
As her turn was approaching, Ji Jianxue's heart was pounding. All the years of cultivation in the nunnery were forgotten when faced with such a grand occasion.
Just when Ji Jianxue was at a loss, Rendong, who seemed to come out of nowhere, took her hand and led her step by step through the ancestor - worship process.
People didn't really care about Ji Jianxue's worship ceremony. Instead, their focus shifted to Rendong.
Everyone knew that Rendong was Ji Shisu's personal maid. Although she had been assigned to Zhao Luoning, people still thought her master was Ji Shisu.
Now that she had come out to help this out - of - favor young lady, did it mean that Ji Shisu still cared about his daughter to some extent?
It was a pity that they were in the ancestral hall. Even though they had a lot of questions in their hearts, no one dared to gossip in this solemn occasion.
The atmosphere remained quiet, and everyone's actions were still in an orderly manner. But everyone's mind had already wandered away from the ancestor - worship.
After the ancestor - worship, it was time for the New Year's Eve dinner.
The old matriarch was in a good mood. She invited the long - serving old servants in the family to have the New Year's Eve dinner together. In the end, there were more than ten tables.
Since Zhao Luoning was the second young mistress, according to the rules, Ji Jianxue should call her "mother". And for this New Year's Eve dinner, concubines and maids - in - waiting were not qualified to attend.
Ji Jianhui was favored by the old matriarch, so Zhao Luoning didn't need to worry about her.
As for Ji Jianxue, she was arranged to sit next to Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoning was sitting next to Ji Shisu. At first glance, the three of them really looked like a "family".
The maids served up plate after plate of delicious food. When Ji Jianxue saw it, she frowned.
It turned out that she had always been observing Buddhist precepts and didn't eat meat. Most of the food served was something she couldn't even touch.
Zhao Luoning stood up and said a few words to the maid serving the food. All the meat dishes in front of them were replaced with vegetarian dishes and soups.
Ji Shisu saw what she did and said, "You're so nice to others, but they may not appreciate it."
"I didn't do it for them to appreciate."
"Then be a bit nicer to me too. I'll definitely appreciate it very much."
Zhao Luoning gave him a disdainful look.
Previously, he had saved her and even helped her keep the secret of her dressing up in opera costumes and singing. Zhao Luoning was really grateful.
But since they got home and she saw his attitude towards Ji Jianxue, that little bit of good impression had faded away.
Now Ji Shisu still liked Ruonian and was also quite good to Huier.
But what if he fell in love with someone else one day?
Would Huier become the second Ji Jianxue?