For a moment, Zhao Luoning thought she had returned to the Ji Mansion.
This courtyard was exactly the same as the Furong Courtyard in the Ji Mansion.
Not only the layout, but even the faded window - paper cuttings she and Caixue had made a few years ago were kept intact.
Jing Xiu led Zhao Luoning towards the master bedroom.
When he pushed open the door, Zhao Luoning felt as if time had looped back.
It was as if nothing had happened.
The furnishings in the room were identical to those in the Furong Courtyard.
Zhao Luoning opened her mouth wide and walked into the room. The books on the bookshelf were all those she had read and annotated before.
Ji Shisu had truly replicated a Furong Courtyard!
What Zhao Luoning didn't know was that while she was in a daze, Jing Xiu had already left the room.
Ji Shisu appeared outside the door at some point.
Leaning against the door frame, he looked at Zhao Luoning with tears in his eyes.
From the moment Zhao Luoning entered the door,
he had recognized her.
No matter whether she was wearing Zhao Luoyu's clothes, whether she was holding Ji Jianhui's hand, or whether she was wearing a veil.
As long as he was in front of her, he could recognize her at once.
When he first saw Zhao Luoning, Ji Shisu thought he was having a hallucination.
His heart stopped beating for a long time.
Ji Shisu watched as she found a corner to sit down. He held his breath, afraid that his exhaled breath would blow her away.
Ji Shijun was beside them and tried to cover up her identity.
"Hey, Luoyu and Huihui must be afraid of disturbing our brothers' drinking. Come on, have another drink."
Ji Shisu raised his wine cup and clinked it with Ji Shijun's. He gulped down the strong liquor in one go.
He deserved to drink this cup of wine.
He knew that it must be his elder brother and sister - in - law who had helped for Zhao Luoning to be here today.
Unable to express his gratitude in words, he drank three cups in a row.
All his feelings were in the wine.
Since he found out that Zhao Luoning had come,
Ji Shisu's mind had been completely taken away by her.
During the meal, he couldn't help but glance in her direction.
He even specifically told his subordinates to serve the delicious dishes in front of her.
Then he found that Zhao Luoning seemed to be really unwell, with her brows knitted deeply.
Ji Shisu was very annoyed.
He had only thought about making Zhao Luoning eat well and had forgotten that she never liked meat.
Seeing that Zhao Luoning didn't seem to have a good appetite, Ji Shisu told the kitchen to make two light dishes.
For some reason, at this moment, Ji Shisu remembered the vague speculation that Zhao Luoning might be pregnant.
Although the one who might be pregnant was Zhao Luochun's concubine, at this moment, Ji Shisu somehow specifically told the kitchen to make some sour dishes to whet Zhao Luoning's appetite.
Watching Zhao Luoning sitting alone in the corner, Ji Shisu felt really uncomfortable.
He couldn't hold back his yearning any longer.
Actually, he had already toasted once before Zhao Luoning took her seat.
He stood up again and toasted table by table.
Just because he needed an excuse.
An excuse to get close to Zhao Luoning openly without scaring her away.
When his stomach was bulging from the alcohol, he finally walked up to Zhao Luoning.
He took a gulp of wine to keep his voice from trembling.
He called her, "Elder sister - in - law."
In his heart, he had called her "Ning'er" countless times.
He watched as Zhao Luoning picked up her wine cup and stood up.
Ji Shisu tightened his fists again and again. He used all his strength to suppress the impulse to hug Zhao Luoning into his arms.
Being so close to her, Ji Shisu seemed to be able to smell the faint fragrance on her body.
As soon as Zhao Luoning stood up, Ji Shisu, looking down from a higher position, could just see her slightly protruding belly.
He knew Zhao Luoning's figure very well.
He had left his marks on every part of her body.
Her figure was well - proportioned and curvy.
Moreover, she looked thinner.
There was no way that every part of her body had gotten thinner except for her belly which had suddenly grown bigger.
The small flame that had been extinguished in Ji Shisu's heart flared up again.
Ning'er...
Ji Shisu looked up at Zhao Luoning.
He really wanted to ask her, "Ning'er, are you pregnant?"
But all he could see was the back of her head.
Zhao Luoning didn't even dare to look up at him.
Ji Shisu was very frustrated.
Was he some kind of monster? She didn't even want to look at him.
Moreover, not only did Zhao Luoning not look at him, but she even raised that glass of wine.
Ji Shisu was almost mad at her.
What was wrong with her?
She was pregnant and still wanted to drink?
Was she going to act so recklessly when he wasn't watching?
Ji Shisu reached out and snatched the cup from her hand.
Seeing her stunned, he suddenly felt full of guilt for frightening her.
Ji Shisu quickly told the servant to bring warm water and called Zhao Luoning "elder sister - in - law" again.
It seemed like he was ordering the servant, but actually he was trying to comfort Zhao Luoning.
Ji Shisu felt really bad.
Calling his own wife "elder sister - in - law".
The bitterness in this was only known to himself.
Zhao Luoning was quite obedient. Since he didn't let her drink, she didn't insist.
Ji Shisu couldn't help but admonish her.
"Even for the sake of the child, you have to take good care of yourself."
In his heart, he was saying, "Ning'er, you're so worrying. What should I do?"
Afraid of scaring Zhao Luoning again, he added another "elder sister - in - law".
Zhao Luoning was like a wooden statue. She just stared blankly and even covered her face tightly with her sleeve when she raised her head to drink water. She didn't look at him at all.
Ji Shisu was so angry that he asked her, "Am I a monster?!"
Only then did Zhao Luoning look up at him.
The moment Zhao Luoning raised her eyes, Ji Shisu instantly regretted it.
He shouldn't have forced her.
Just one look from Zhao Luoning could make all his self - control crumble instantly.
He was against the light while Zhao Luoning was facing the light.
The light shone on her face, making her skin look as white and smooth as jade.
Her eyes were full of affection as if nothing had ever happened.
Just one look from Zhao Luoning could make him surrender.
Tears welled up in Ji Shisu's eyes instantly.
He really wanted to hug her, to tell her how much he missed her, to melt her into his body to relieve the pain of separation.
Until a tear rolled down.
The cold touch instantly woke Ji Shisu up.
He couldn't scare Zhao Luoning.
If Zhao Luoning ran away again, he didn't know when he would be able to see her.
Yes, Ji Shisu didn't dare to have any extravagant hopes now.
As long as he could see Zhao Luoning,
he would be satisfied.
Ji Shisu said with difficulty, "Elder sister - in - law, I still have guests over there. I'll excuse myself first."
How he hoped that Zhao Luoning would speak up and ask him to stay.
Even if she didn't say a word, as long as she showed a little bit of reluctance, he wouldn't leave.
But there was nothing.
Zhao Luoning looked relieved. She sat down and let out a long sigh.
Ji Shisu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
It was his fault. He had scared her.