Si Mayi's appearance and disappearance were like a fleeting dream in the mortal world.
Zhao Luoning also made up her mind that from then on, she would never mention Si Mayi again.
It was as if Si Mayi had never appeared in her life.
But in her heart, Zhao Luoning silently prayed for him.
She blessed him to find his true love, someone who would be whole - heartedly devoted to him and accompany him for the rest of his life.
The moment she lifted the tent curtain, Zhao Luoning had already decided to let the past fade away with the wind.
The man sitting on the felt blanket with a warm smile was the one she should pour all her heart into.
"How did things go?"
A blazing fire was lit in the tent. Ye Hua had also adapted to the local customs and didn't put on the airs of an imperial envoy at all. He sat on the ground with Ji Shisu.
The red fire cast a rosy glow on both of their cheeks.
Since they were all close friends, Zhao Luoning didn't feel constrained. She sat cross - legged beside Ji Shisu as he wished.
Her long dress bloomed like a lotus flower, setting off against the green felt blanket. It was truly a pleasing sight.
"The medicine Doctor Li asked for is too precious. Not only our Yujing Pharmacy, but probably no pharmacy in the whole country can gather them all. We can only owe him this favor and find a chance to repay it slowly in the future."
As Zhao Luoning spoke, she took the hot tea handed over by Guisu. It was a bit too hot.
Seeing this, Ji Shisu quickly reached out his hand, wrapped a handkerchief around the cup, and only handed it back to Zhao Luoning after making sure it wasn't hot.
Just coming in from outside, Zhao Luoning really needed a cup of hot tea to warm herself up. But if she got burned, it would really be a pity.
Seeing Ji Shisu's undisguised doting on Zhao Luoning, Ye Hua took a sip of tea and showed a subtle smile.
The couple was so affectionate that it seemed the emperor's wish to take revenge on Zhao Luoning would be in vain.
Well, it was time to leave this time to this newly - wedded - like couple. He'd better go back and think about his wife and his cute and sly little son, Ye Nian'en.
After only a few words, Ye Hua got up to bid farewell. Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning didn't try to stop him. After seeing him off, the people around also tactfully withdrew.
In the huge tent, only the couple was left sitting by the blazing fire.
"Does Lord Ye have something on his mind?"
Ji Shisu was sorting out the files on the desk. As the day of their return was approaching, he had to organize these case files well and hand them over to the emperor when they returned to the capital.
Hearing her question, Ji Shisu stopped what he was doing.
But he quickly recovered and answered casually.
"Lord Ye said that the soldiers have been guarding here for a whole year. It's really not easy. He wants to reward the whole army."
It's not that Zhao Luoning looked down on Ye Hua, but with his meager salary, could he really afford to reward the whole army?
"Let Lord Ye save his money. But his suggestion is really good. The soldiers have worked so hard, and now they've achieved great success. I heard that General Lian will be back soon. Have you thought about how to reward them, husband?"
Hearing Zhao Luoning's words, Ji Shisu suddenly froze.
He stared blankly at Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoning was puzzled and asked,
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with what I just said?"
"What did you just say?" Ji Shisu asked.
"Reward the whole army."
"No, not this sentence. You just called me something."
Zhao Luoning blushed.
She refused to say it again.
But Ji Shisu became more insistent. He stopped sorting out the case files, walked up to Zhao Luoning, hugged her, and insisted that she call him husband again.
Zhao Luoning quickly changed the topic.
"Um, I'll pay for the money to reward the whole army."
Ji Shisu grabbed her hand.
"My dear wife, no matter how much money you have, it's not enough for such extravagance. You've already given out cloth and medicine, and now you even want to pay for the celebration banquet?!"
Zhao Luoning tilted her head in confusion and asked, "I'm not spending your money. Why are you so worried?"
Ji Shisu: "..."
Only Zhao Luoning dared to say such words in front of him.
And only Zhao Luoning had the confidence to say such words in front of him.
Ji Shisu: "If you were spending my money, I wouldn't be so worried. You're not a wasteful person. Why can't you stop being so charitable?"
Zhao Luoning leaned her head on his chest and murmured, "I don't want to be charitable. I just want you to be well."
"What?" Ji Shisu pressed, "What do you mean by wanting me to be well?"
Being annoyed by Ji Shisu's pressing, Zhao Luoning blurted out all her heartfelt words.
"If the soldiers are well - fed and well - clothed, you'll have more people to use in the war. If the soldiers have medicine to cure their illnesses, there will be more people to protect you. You're charging into the battlefront to defend the country. I want you to have no worries. You defend the country, and I'll protect you."
All along, it had always been Ji Shisu who said endless sweet words to Zhao Luoning.
But none of them.
Was as shocking as Zhao Luoning's words: You defend the country, and I'll protect you.
Ji Shisu was deeply touched. Usually a very eloquent man who could often make Zhao Luoning's heart flutter, at this moment, he couldn't say a single word.
Having a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?
But Zhao Luoning didn't even realize how much her words had shocked Ji Shisu.
She was still holding the cup in her hand. Looking at the water in the cup, she quickly calculated in her mind.
"I've really spent a lot this year, but don't worry. It's not a loss. Since the pharmacy and the silk shop changed their names, I've been worrying about how to re - establish their reputations. Coincidentally, this happened. I've calculated that as long as the war is over, the profit of our stores will at least triple."
"Silly girl." The more Ji Shisu listened, the more tenderly he felt towards her. "My money is yours. If you need it, just ask Yu Chi for it."
Zhao Luoning pouted and said, "Come on. Your money isn't really yours. It belongs to the Ji family. I don't want to use the Ji family's money."
Zhao Luoning loved Ji Shisu, but it didn't mean she liked the Ji family.
Since the old matriarch of the Ji family forced Shihan to death in order to marry into the Si family, she didn't want to have anything to do with the Ji family anymore.
Ji Shisu moved his lips, but the words didn't come out.
He'd explain it to her later.
One day, she would use his money without any psychological burden.
Zhao Luoning continued to calculate, "But I still have some silver. There shouldn't be any problem preparing a celebration banquet to reward the whole army."
"You still have silver?" In the year in Shiguan, Ji Shisu had seen Zhao Luoning spend money like water.
It seemed his wife was truly wealthy.
"Yes. If it really doesn't work, there are still those jewelry you gave me. I can just sell them."
Ji Shisu was so angry that he was about to explode when he heard this.
Zhao Luoning actually wanted to sell the things he gave her?!