Zhao Luoning didn't believe for a second that Zhao Luoyue was short of money.
Even if Zhao Luoyue was broke, Zhao Luoming still had plenty.
The most likely scenario was that Zhao Luoyue had used the pretext of taking care of their mother to get money from Zhao Luoming and then pocketed it for herself.
Caixue was still naive and couldn't see this far. She murmured with a sigh,
"I used to think Lady Zhao the Second was an invincible tigress, fierce and powerful. But now it seems she's just a paper tiger."
"Silly girl, those who rely on others are all paper tigers."
This was the wisdom Zhao Luoning had gained over the years.
Caixue eyed the fish soup that Zhao Luoning had unconsciously consumed a fair amount of and asked playfully, "What about those who rely on their husbands? Are they also paper tigers?"
She thought this would make Zhao Luoning blush, but instead, Zhao Luoning stared at the remaining half - bowl of fish soup, lost in thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.
"Yes."
As she said this, Zhao Luoning's expression was a bit forlorn.
"During those years in Shiguan, I was blinded by happiness. Later, when I realized I'd been deceived, it was too late to escape."
Although her expression was forlorn, her tone was firm. "That's when I learned that loving someone also requires principles and boundaries. No matter how much you love, you can't lose yourself."
Zhao Luoning had almost fallen into that trap.
During her time in Shiguan, although she was happy, her life had revolved entirely around Ji Shisu. If Uncle An and Maid Lu hadn't been capable stewards, her shops would probably have gone bankrupt long ago.
It was no wonder Zhao Luoning had been so lost at first, almost losing her sense of self.
Ji Shisu had been too good to her.
He had spoiled her to the point where she had lost her self - sufficiency.
In Shiguan, the clothes she wore were bought by Ji Shisu, her cosmetics were all taken care of by him, and even the people around her were all his.
Zhao Luoning didn't deny that Ji Shisu loved her.
But after these days, she had also come to understand.
The more Ji Shisu loved her, the more she needed to stay clear - headed.
This clarity wasn't the coldness she had before falling in love with Ji Shisu, when she had ignored everyone and everything, only focusing on her own business.
Nor was it the complete dependence she had in Shiguan.
This clarity wasn't the aloofness of pushing people away, nor the foolishness of being a caged bird.
This clarity meant being able to accept others' love calmly but also being able to face changes clearly.
When in love, not being afraid or awkward, understanding love and being able to accept it.
When love was gone, not being afraid of loneliness and having the ability to stand on her own.
No matter how much she loved someone, she wouldn't lose herself.
Before becoming Lady Ji, she would first be Zhao Luoning.
Thankfully, in these days, Ji Shisu seemed to have matured a lot.
If Ji Shisu had really trapped her in that replica Furongyuan on the night of the farewell banquet, then their relationship would have been truly over.
Ji Shisu seemed to have learned to respect her. Although Zhao Luoning could feel his torment, he had managed to restrain himself.
He was no longer the over - bearing man who thought he knew what was best for her and made all the decisions for her.
This was why Zhao Luoning was willing to listen to Guisu's chatter and drink the soup sent by Ji Shisu, not cutting off their relationship completely.
What Zhao Luoning said was too profound for Caixue to understand.
She scratched her head and asked Zhao Luoning, "Miss, you've said so much. So, are you going to forgive Master Ji or not?!"
Zhao Luoning smiled as she drank the last mouthful of fish soup and said, "It depends on his performance."
Caixue nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Master Ji should learn a lesson."
On the other side of Huangcheng, Ji Shisu, who was "learning a lesson", was in great distress.
"Did Ning'er really say that? It was too salty?"
"Yes, sir. You should adjust your taste."
In fact, Ji Shisu's cooking skills had improved a lot in the past two years. Especially after finding Zhao Luoning, he had almost devoted himself to studying cooking in the kitchen. Whenever someone told him that something was good for pregnant women, he would find a recipe and learn it.
If he couldn't learn from the recipe, he would ask the cook in the mansion to demonstrate on - site and learn by following.
If the cook at home couldn't make it delicious, he would invite chefs from big hotels outside to teach him.
After all, cooking was the only thing he might be able to learn.
He couldn't very well learn from the embroiderers to make clothes for the baby or learn from Zixin and the others to make cosmetics for Zhao Luoning.
He had put a lot of effort into learning cooking, and it had paid off. At least the crucian carp soup he made had a milky - white color, which was quite successful.
Afraid of repeating the mistake of the longevity noodles from a few years ago, he had even asked everyone around him to taste it first, and only sent it to Zhao Luoning after making sure it was okay.
So why did she say it was too salty?
The anxious Ji Shisu couldn't help but wonder.
Was Ning'er deliberately making things difficult for me?
Does she still not forgive me?
Jingsu reminded him upon seeing this, "Sir, our taste might not suit the lady. When Ghost - Star and I served the lady before, she did prefer lighter food."
Jingsu's words woke Ji Shisu up.
Indeed, when he used to dine in Furongyuan, the food was like this.
It wasn't that it wasn't delicious, but it was just too light. Every time he finished eating in Furongyuan, he always felt empty - mouthed and would look for snacks to fill the void.
Thinking of this, Ji Shisu regained his motivation.
"Fine, I'll cook it again tonight. I don't believe I can't satisfy Ning'er."
Ghost - Star was stealing peanuts from the kitchen. While chewing, he reminded Ji Shisu,
"Sir, the lady also said that your fish soup didn't taste like fish soup at all."
Now that he had Zhao Luoning as his backer, Ghost - Star was extremely arrogant. He even started to boss Ji Shisu around, perfectly demonstrating the phrase "using the tiger's might to intimidate others".
Ji Shisu didn't even have the heart to care about Ghost - Star's over - the - top behavior of munching on peanuts while pointing fingers at him. He was extremely troubled.
"Fish soup is fish soup. How else can I prove it?"
Ghost - Star started to come up with a crazy idea.
"Sir, why don't you leave the fish in the soup after boiling it? I heard from the old maids that pregnant women can benefit a lot from eating fish."
As soon as Ghost - Star said this, Jingsu refuted him.
"You don't know what you're talking about. Can crucian carp be the same as other fish? It has so many bones. How is the lady supposed to eat it? If a fish bone gets stuck in the lady's throat, see what you'll do."
Ghost - Star shrugged and said, "I don't know then."
Zhao Luoning had indeed posed a difficult problem.
Among fish, crucian carp was the best for making soup, but unfortunately, it had the most bones. Other fish like perch had fewer bones, but they were more suitable for steaming or braising, and rarely used for making soup.
Ji Shisu rolled up his sleeves and said,
"As long as it's what Ning'er wants to eat, I'll make it!"
No matter how difficult the problem was, he was up for the challenge!