Ji Shisu had no idea about all the twists and turns in Zhao Luoning's mind.
To be honest, he was a bit jealous.
His wife cared more about the illegitimate daughter than she did about him.
"Why do you always take her side and oppose me?" he asked.
"Because you're in the wrong," she replied.
"Is it wrong for me not to like a child born to someone else?"
"What do you mean 'a child born to someone else'?" Zhao Luoning quickly glanced in Ji Jianxue's direction. Fortunately, the girl hadn't heard. "You can't say such things just because you don't like Nan Shuang anymore."
Ji Shisu knew that Zhao Luoning had misunderstood him, but he simply couldn't explain the situation to her at this moment. So he decided to put on a playful smile instead.
"Everyone else is a stranger to me except you," he said.
Zhao Luoning was speechless.
"Luoning, I actually like kids, both boys and girls. Why don't you give me one?"
Ji Shisu might have seemed flippant, but only he knew that every word he said was sincere.
Zhao Luoning rolled her eyes at him and ignored his comment. Instead, she picked up the pastries that the servant had just served and offered them to Ji Jianxue sitting beside her.
Ji Jianxue was a perceptive girl. She was deeply touched by Zhao Luoning's consideration, but being a bit shy, she didn't know how to express her gratitude.
It wasn't until after the New Year's Eve dinner and the fireworks show that everyone went back to their own courtyards. Then she quickly ran to catch up with Zhao Luoning.
"Miss," she called out.
Caixue was the first to notice Ji Jianxue following them. She stopped Zhao Luoning. Before Zhao Luoning could figure out what was going on, Ji Jianxue had already reached her.
"Thank you..."
Ji Jianxue just couldn't bring herself to call Zhao Luoning "mother." Instead, she stuffed the amulet that her master had given her before she left the mountain into Zhao Luoning's hand.
Then, as if there was a monster chasing her, she ran away before Zhao Luoning could react.
Looking at the amulet in her hand, Zhao Luoning felt ashamed of her initial wariness towards Ji Jianxue.
She was just a child!
Zhao Luoning smiled, put the amulet in her sleeve, and walked towards Furongyuan with Caixue.
After a long and tiring night, both Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning were exhausted. Everyone returned to their own quarters, and Ji Shisu stayed the night in Furongyuan.
Zhao Luoning asked Caixue to light some incense in the room. When she entered, Ji Shisu was already fast asleep.
She walked up to the couch and made sure that he was in a deep sleep before she picked up a thick cloak hanging by the bed. She blew out the candle and left the room.
Zhao Luoning left Furongyuan and went straight to the side courtyard where the servants lived.
She stopped in front of Caixue's door and saw her cutting window decorations by the candlelight. When Caixue saw her enter, she dropped the scissors and rushed over to hold her hand.
"Miss, Caixue thought you weren't coming tonight," she said.
Zhao Luoning smiled at her and sat down on the couch.
"Silly girl, I've always stayed up with you on New Year's Eve. How could I forget? Are you cutting window decorations?"
Caixue proudly showed her the window decorations she had just cut.
"I just learned from Aunt Li yesterday. They're not very good, so I only dared to show them to you, Miss."
Zhao Luoning picked up one of the decorations. It was a pair of rabbits, but it was a bit lopsided.
"Not at all. I think they're great, Caixue. Cut a few more. We'll put them all in my room tomorrow."
Caixue was overjoyed at first, but then her face fell.
"But I'm afraid others will think they're ugly."
Zhao Luoning smiled and comforted her.
"I'm the only one in the room. At most, Rendong will come in and out. There's no need to be afraid of outsiders. Besides, aren't you cutting them to be put up?"
Hearing this, Caixue felt relieved. She snatched the paper-cut from Zhao Luoning's hand and said,
"This one isn't well-cut. There's still a whole night. I'm sure I can do better."
Zhao Luoning looked at Caixue with a kind and caring look, nodded with a smile, and let her do as she pleased.
Just as they were talking, a sudden gust of wind blew, making the wooden windows rattle.
Caixue put down her work and walked over to the window. She opened it wide, and a cold wind rushed in, blowing the window paper all over the room.
Caixue shivered and quickly closed the window and drew the curtains. Then she came back to Zhao Luoning and picked up the scattered window paper.
Zhao Luoning knew that he had come.
Caixue also excitedly jumped off the kang.
"Feixing, why are you just coming back? You almost missed the New Year."
After making sure there was no one else in the room, Feixing jumped down from the beam and landed steadily in front of them.
He knew that Zhao Luoning was waiting for news about Aunt Luo. He glanced at Caixue and simply bowed to Zhao Luoning and said,
"Miss, the person is dead. I was too late."
Zhao Luoning nodded.
"The time was too tight. It's not your fault." Since Caixue was there, she didn't want to say more. So she greeted him, "Come on. It's the New Year. Don't talk about such things. When did you come back? Have you seen Big Brother?"
"Master has finished the New Year's Eve dinner and is staying up. He specially sent me to greet you and tell you not to worry."
Zhao Luoning smiled. It was good that he was safe.
Feixing knew that Zhao Luoning was most concerned about her elder brother and mother. So he continued,
"The Zhao Mansion has been in a mess because of Zhao Luoyue's marriage, but Madam is fine. Miss, you don't have to worry. Third Master asked me to tell you that he hopes Second Master can go back to take charge. Without a proper head, the family is in a complete mess."
Zhao Luoning fell silent and thought about the possibility of this. Caixue heard this and quickly replied,
"What does Zhao Luoyue's marriage have to do with our Miss? Our Miss is already married. Why do they always come to ask our Miss for help whenever something goes wrong?"
When there were no outsiders around, Caixue and Feixing would directly call the people from the second branch by their names.
Feixing was more polite and would address Zhao Luoming as Third Master, but Caixue was different. When she got angry, she would even call him by his name in front of him.
Feixing knew that Caixue was just a child with a fiery temper, so he didn't say anything. He just patiently waited for Zhao Luoning's reply.
"After all, it's my natal family. I should help when something goes wrong, especially since my mother still lives in the Zhao Mansion. Feixing, go back to Zhao Luoming tomorrow and tell him not to worry. He should focus on the things at hand first."
Feixing nodded and said, "Okay."
Caixue dragged out a small charcoal stove from under the couch, added some charcoal, and carried it into the inner room.
At first, Feixing refused to accept it, but Zhao Luoning said from outside, "Caixue won't let her family get cold. It's the New Year. Just do as she says this time." Then he finally took the stove.
Caixue was happy. She ran over to cut window decorations and asked Feixing some strange questions. Feixing was very patient with her and answered all her questions one by one.
Zhao Luoning watched their interaction and thought about her own problems.
Now, if she wanted to find out about Caixue's background, she really had to rely on Ji Shisu.
But there were still a lot of things going on in the Zhao family. Every time she went back to handle things in the name of Zhao Luojing, it was hard to explain to the Ji Mansion.
This couldn't go on like this forever.
Sooner or later, the truth would be revealed.
She had to think of a way.