Zhao Luoning now believed that Ji Shisu hadn't premeditated this.
This carriage was obviously decorated temporarily. Since they couldn't find any cushions, Ji Shisu actually ordered people to lay several quilts on it.
Was she really that delicate?
With a black line across her forehead, Zhao Luoning stepped onto the carriage.
Ji Shisu stood beside the carriage, instructing Guisu.
"Drive slowly. Don't startle Ning'er."
Guisu felt that the whip in her hand had become heavier.
After giving the instructions, Ji Shisu lifted the curtain and said to Zhao Luoning inside the carriage, "Ning'er, could you let me know where you're going in the future?"
Ji Shisu used a pleading tone, afraid that Zhao Luoning would refuse. He asked very carefully.
Zhao Luoning couldn't bear to refuse and nodded.
Just this single nod could make Ji Shisu overjoyed for several days.
Ji Shisu wanted to say a few more words, but was interrupted by Zhao Luoning.
"Alright, I'm tired. I want to go back."
Ji Shisu didn't dare to delay. He quickly put down the curtain and stepped aside.
Guisu didn't understand Ji Shisu's reluctance to part with Zhao Luoning at all. She whipped the horse and drove the carriage away.
Jingsu watched the carriage leave and asked worriedly, "My lord, is it really okay to let Guisu send the madam?"
Guisu was reliable in doing things, but she couldn't keep her mouth shut. What if she let something slip in front of the madam again?
"Guisu is straightforward. Ning'er will feel more at ease."
Hearing this, Ji Shisu couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He never expected things to develop to this point.
As her husband, he had less credibility in her eyes than a maid.
Ji Shisu of course knew what Jingsu was worried about. With Guisu's temper, as long as Zhao Luoning coaxed her a little, she would tell everything.
Let her tell then.
Ji Shisu really knew he was wrong.
It would start with Guisu.
He would be honest with her.
Show her the real and complete self.
It wasn't until Zhao Luoning's carriage had gone far away and completely disappeared from sight that Ji Shisu withdrew his reluctant gaze.
He turned around and found that most of the guests had come out and were standing at the door watching.
Ji Shisu clasped his fists and apologized to the guests.
"I'm very sorry, everyone. The farewell banquet can't be held."
Everyone asked with concern, "What's wrong? Has something happened to the Second Master's mansion?"
Although everyone was very curious about the identity of the masked woman, they held back and didn't dare to ask.
Ji Shisu said with a smile, "It's because I've decided not to leave."
Everyone: "..."
The sound of the wheels rolling was especially clear in the dark mountain night.
With Ji Shisu's instructions, Guisu didn't dare to drive fast. The carriage swayed forward slowly. It was not until they had gone a long way that Guisu remembered to ask.
"Madam, where are we going?"
Zhao Luoning: "..."
Zhao Luoning had always been curious about how Guisu, with her careless personality, could stay by Ji Shisu's side.
Anyway, the journey was boring. Zhao Luoning sat beside Guisu and asked.
"Guisu, did you and Jingsu sign a slavery contract with Ji Shisu?"
Otherwise, why were they so loyal to Ji Shisu?
Unexpectedly, Guisu shook her head and said, "The lord didn't ask us to sign. We all followed the lord voluntarily."
"Ah?" Being a servant was supposed to be a bound position, but they were free?
"We've followed the lord since we were kids. The lord provided us with food and shelter and taught us martial arts. Jingsu and I don't have any great ambitions. We just want to follow the lord and earn a living. Some people have other aspirations, and the lord didn't stop them. They could come and go as they pleased. Don't be misled by what outsiders say about the lord being cruel. He's actually very kind to us."
Although Guisu was simple-minded, she wasn't stupid. She quickly explained, "Madam, don't misunderstand. There's nothing between us and the lord. We hardly see the lord a few times a year. We're either practicing martial arts on the mountain or running errands for the lord outside."
Zhao Luoning certainly didn't suspect Guisu and Jingsu.
Although she hadn't spent much time with them, Zhao Luoning knew very well that whether it was Ji Shisu's feelings for them or theirs for Ji Shisu, it was just a simple master - servant relationship.
Zhao Luoning pouted and said, "I believe you, but it doesn't mean Ji Shisu isn't a womanizer. There must be countless women outside."
Guisu, being straightforward, nodded and replied, "There used to be quite a few."
Zhao Luoning: "..."
Guisu didn't realize how much her words were blackening Ji Shisu. Once she started talking, she couldn't stop.
"I still remember that my first mission was to help the lord rescue his concubine, Nan Shuang. That woman was quite miserable. To protect Lady Ji, she was defiled by bandits and later gave birth to a bandit's child. At first, the lady and the old matriarch disliked her, but the lord was just. Since she had protected the master, he took her into his house. But Nan Shuang gave up on herself and didn't talk to the lord much after that."
Zhao Luoning: "..."
Anyway, the journey was boring. Guisu told Zhao Luoning all the gossips she knew.
"And there's also Chen Chuliu. I hate her the most. I've never seen such a shameless woman who throws herself at men. She even schemed against our lord! If it weren't for her good birth, the lord wouldn't have taken her in because of Master Yuchi."
While talking, Guisu didn't forget to interact with Zhao Luoning.
"Actually, I think Chen Chuliu wasn't liked by the lord and was divorced without even consummating the marriage because she asked for it. But Nan Shuang was really stupid. Why did she get angry with the lord for no reason? Am I right, madam?"
Zhao Luoning: "..." Thanks. I feel offended.
Before this, Guisu had received instructions from Ji Shisu that no matter what Zhao Luoning asked, she could tell everything without any hesitation or concealment.
Ji Shisu was determined to be honest with Zhao Luoning.
But who was Guisu?
She was the one who was best at causing trouble for her master.
She thought that since the lord had said so.
It should be okay for her to tell even if the madam didn't ask.
Anyway, the lord said there was nothing to hide.
She might as well confess everything for the lord at once.
Guisu thought for a while. There were still two people she hadn't mentioned, so she said, "Madam, do you still have an impression of Lianxiang? Actually, she climbed into the lord's bed by pretending to be you."
At this point, Guisu added, "In fact, the only one who can really make the lord crazy is you, madam." She inadvertently redeemed a little of Ji Shisu's image.
Finally, there was only Luqu left. There wasn't much to say about her.
Zhao Luoning already knew about her affair with Ji Shijian.
So Guisu skipped the process directly and started to summarize.
"The lord is quite pitiful. Although there are a yard full of women, he can't even find a place to sleep. Every time he has to use Miss Luqu as an excuse and beg her to let him stay in her room. Madam, you don't know how cold Miss Luqu's temper is! Every time the lord stays in Luqu's pavilion, he has to bear the anger from both sides. He's scolded by Miss Luqu and also by the Third Master."
As Guisu spoke, she shook her head and sighed, "Some people look glorious on the surface, but they're actually living a miserable life."