The once obscure town of Huangcheng has transformed into a highly sought - after important town in the Chen State.
The young masters of Huangcheng have also become the darlings in the spotlight.
Now, all the young masters of the Ji family are already betrothed. Among the Zhao family's young masters, one rarely shows up, and the other has become the princess's consort.
The only family left is the Ning family.
After Zhao Luoyue left, Ning Huaizhi took a second wife.
This new wife was the exact opposite of Zhao Luoyue. She was extremely gentle - tempered and didn't even dare to say a word more in front of Ning Huaizhi. Soon after she entered the Ning family, she gave birth to a son for Ning Huaizhi.
The entire Ning family was extremely satisfied with this daughter - in - law.
However, after only a short period of sweetness with his new wife, Ning Huaizhi went out to visit brothels again.
This time, not only did the two elders of the Ning family disapprove.
Even Ning Huainan couldn't stand it.
He called Ning Huaizhi aside and asked, "Huaizhi, before, Zhao Luoyue had a bad temper, and I could understand why you didn't like her. But isn't Mo Niang good? Why do you still fool around outside?"
Ning Huaizhi looked nonchalant.
"She's boring."
"Boring? Who are you calling boring?"
"Come on, big brother. Don't be so sensitive. I'm talking about the woman in my room. She's so boring, extremely boring."
"One should marry a virtuous wife. Zhao Luoyue didn't bore you, but could you handle her?"
Just mentioning Zhao Luoyue still gave Ning Huaizhi a headache.
"Why do you keep bringing up Zhao Luoyue! Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?"
Ning Huainan advised,
"I'm not trying to annoy you. I just want you to cherish the person in front of you. Mo Niang is good enough."
Ning Huaizhi shook his head repeatedly.
"I don't think so. She's not exciting enough."
"Oh, so the women in Tianxiang Tower are exciting enough? What kind of excitement? The stench of painted women?"
Ning Huaizhi waved his hand. Suddenly, he looked at Ning Huainan with a sly look in his eyes.
"Big brother, don't you think there's a certain charm about Zhao Luoning?"
Although Zhao Luoning was now a mother of several children, just mentioning her still made Ning Huainan's heart flutter.
There was indeed a charm about Zhao Luoning.
A never - say - die spirit.
She was different from other women. It would be hard to find another extraordinary woman like her in a thousand years.
"Don't compare your painted women with Luoning. You'll only defile her."
"Oho, look at you. You don't even want her to be mentioned."
Ning Huaizhi nudged Ning Huainan's shoulder and asked mischievously, "Big brother, don't tell me you're still waiting for that woman? What? Are you waiting for Ji Shisu to die so you can take her in?"
"Can you please stop talking so disgustingly!" Ning Huainan got angry.
"Come on, don't get so worked up just because I mentioned Zhao Luoning. I'm just trying to make you face the facts. Ji Shisu is in good health and won't die anytime soon. Don't waste your whole life waiting for Zhao Luoning. Look at you. You're not getting any younger. If you keep wasting time, you won't be able to find a wife."
Ning Huainan glared at Ning Huaizhi fiercely and said, "Mind your own business! First, take care of your own backyard!"
With that, he flapped his sleeves and left.
Ning Huaizhi watched Ning Huainan's angry back, stroking his chin with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
His big brother was just too much of a gentleman.
If he hadn't been so hesitant back then, Zhao Luoning would have been his sister - in - law by now.
Thinking of Zhao Luoning, Ning Huaizhi touched his chin, and a warm current rushed through his body.
Ning Huaizhi looked down in surprise.
Few women could have such an effect on him.
And she was a married woman.
This Zhao Luoning was truly an exceptional woman!
The Bai Mansion
Zhao Luoning was reading a book in the courtyard and fell asleep while reading.
The autumn sun shone through the gaps in the leaves and cast uneven patches of light on Zhao Luoning's body.
It was a rare and peaceful afternoon.
However, this peace was soon shattered by Guisu's loud voice.
"Madam!"
Zhao Luoning turned over, not wanting to pay attention to Guisu.
Unexpectedly, Guisu was persistent. Seeing that Zhao Luoning ignored her, she even pounced on her and ruffled her.
"Madam, don't sleep anymore. There are guests."
"Who could be coming at this time?"
"I don't know. I've never seen them before. They claim to be distant relatives of the Zhao family and are here to seek refuge with you, madam."
"The Zhao family members should go to Huangcheng. Why are they coming to me? I'm now a Jun, not a Zhao."
Hearing this, Guisu corrected herself.
"Oh, I said the wrong thing. She said they're here to seek refuge with the second young master of the Zhao family."
Hearing this, Zhao Luoning wasn't sleepy anymore.
Over the years, she and Zhao Luoyu had taken turns going out in the name of Zhao Luojing.
After Lord Zhao died of tuberculosis due to his opium addiction, Zhao Luojing, who had separated from the Zhao family, became the pillar of the Zhao family.
It was too late to change into men's clothing now.
Zhao Luoning could only get up and go to greet the guests first.
"Who's coming?"
"They said they're distant cousins of the Zhao family. It's a mother - daughter pair. From the mother's intention, she wants the second young master to find a good marriage for the girl in Huangcheng."
It had to be said that after all these years of following Zhao Luoning, although Guisu still had a loud and brash temper, her ability to judge people had improved a lot.
This mother - daughter pair was really here to ask for Zhao Luoning's help.
The mother was so heartless that she left her daughter with Zhao Luoning and walked away.
Zhao Luoning had no choice but to send someone to inquire about the girl's family background first and temporarily took the girl in.
Guisu took the girl away.
Unexpectedly, after the girl washed up and changed into a new set of clothes, she looked like a completely different person.
Even Guisu said, "Madam, this Miss Zhao looks a bit like you."
Taking a closer look, her eyebrows and eyes were indeed a bit similar.
At this time, Ji Shisu was coming back from practicing boxing outside with Bai Zhaomo.
Hearing what Guisu said, he took an extra look at the girl.
Just one glance, and he averted his eyes, focusing all his attention on Zhao Luoning.
"Guisu, now that you're married, why has your taste gotten worse? Where does she look like madam?"
Guisu retorted dissatisfiedly, "What does taste have to do with being married?"
Zhao Luoning reminded her with a headache, "Guisu, the master is making fun of you." By saying this, wasn't she indirectly admitting it?
Guisu nodded, "I can tell. I'm not a fool. One should be realistic. Taste really has nothing to do with being married."
After hearing this, Ji Shisu laughed, "You're right. Back then, your madam introduced so many young masters from noble families to you, but you didn't like any of them. Instead, you chose that one. Taste really has nothing to do with being married or not."
Now, Ji Shisu liked to make fun of Guisu, as if he wanted to avenge all the gossiping Guisu had done about him before.
Zhao Luoning quickly stopped his bad habit and reminded him, "Her mother left her here. This is a problem. Is there a suitable candidate among the young masters in Huangcheng?"
Unexpectedly, Ji Shisu replied without thinking, "There's one person who's perfect."
"Who?"
"Ning Huainan."