Concubine Qin had regained favor.
Her regaining favor really startled everyone.
Didn't the Second Master mind her illness?
Of course, the matter of Concubine Qin's illness was just passed around among the servants. How could the masters know about it?
Hearing this, Ning Huainan advised, "Throughout history, doting on concubines and neglecting wives never ends well. You should treat Morniang better."
"Don't worry, big brother. No matter how many women there are, they're just for fun to me. As long as Morniang is obedient, her position as my wife will always be secure."
Hearing this, Ning Huainan sighed and said, "Huaizhi, when will you ever settle down?"
"Big brother, I'm still young, and I've got you at home. Back then, I endured so much humiliation for the family when I courted that Zhao Luoyue. If I don't have my fun now, I won't feel good."
Hearing this, Ning Huainan didn't know how to persuade him anymore.
Ning Huaizhi's first marriage was unhappy, and the Ning family was indeed partly to blame.
Back then, the Ning family's intention in arranging the marriage with the Zhao family was not pure. They thought that if they became in - laws, perhaps Zhao Luojing would spare the Ning family.
But no one expected that the Zhao family's daughter would be of such poor character.
Zhao Luoyue was taken away on their wedding day, which was already a great disgrace to the Ning family.
After marriage, she became even more excessive.
She was disrespectful to her in - laws, didn't serve her husband, often beat and scolded others, and constantly restricted Ning Huaizhi.
The two elders of the Ning family wanted a grandson, so they arranged for a concubine to be taken in for Ning Huaizhi.
Unexpectedly, after Zhao Luoyue found out, she not only beat the concubine to death on the spot and threw her body into the mass grave but also rushed into the room of the two elders of the Ning family and scolded them to their faces.
After this incident, the two elders of the Ning family were terrified of Zhao Luoyue.
Poor old people, they were so cautious in their own home, afraid of making the slightest mistake and upsetting this fierce daughter - in - law.
Of course, among them, Ning Huaizhi suffered the most.
It was also from then on that Ning Huaizhi developed the habit of staying out at night.
This was what the Ning family owed to Ning Huaizhi.
Ning Huainan sighed and could only pat Ning Huaizhi on the shoulder, saying, "Anyway, you should be more careful."
Ning Huaizhi waved his hand carelessly and said, "Got it."
Ning Huainan shook his head and turned to walk out.
Ning Huaizhi called out behind him, "Brother, where are you going?"
"I'm taking Miss Zhao out for a stroll."
Miss Zhao referred to the little cousin of the Zhao family, whose boudoir name was Zhao Ruyue. Since the Ning family often mentioned Zhao Luoning and besides calling her Lady Bai, they also sometimes referred to her as Miss Zhao. To distinguish them, they called this cousin Miss Zhao.
"Big brother, don't tell me you're really in love with that Zhao Ruyue?"
"You'd better take care of your own business first."
Ning Huainan didn't answer him directly and just walked away.
Ning Huaizhi mimicked Ning Huainan's tone behind him in a sarcastic way, "Take care of your own business!"
But Ning Huaizhi really didn't want to care about the progress between Ning Huainan and Zhao Ruyue.
Actually, when he heard that the person in the west wing was Concubine Qin that day, although Concubine Qin was quite good in bed and that night made him feel on top of the world, since he didn't get the little cousin of the Zhao family, he still felt annoyed.
Afterward, he went to find Morniang and questioned her why she had deceived him.
Morniang said firmly, "My husband, you won't like that little cousin of the Zhao family."
"Why?"
"Her boudoir name is Ruyue."
Zhao Ruyue.
It sounded only one character different from Zhao Luoyue.
Ning Huaizhi immediately lost all interest in that little cousin of the Zhao family.
However, seeing that his big brother was progressing so fast with this Zhao Ruyue, Ning Huaizhi was calculating in his mind.
If this Zhao Ruyue really became his sister - in - law, he should plan to move out of the house.
Otherwise, he would be really annoyed!
However, for now, he'd go to find Concubine Qin and have some fun.
But just as he reached Concubine Qin's door, Ning Huaizhi felt a strange itch in a private part.
Could it be that his clothes weren't washed clean?
Ning Huaizhi didn't think much about it.
But his plan to try new things with Concubine Qin had to be abandoned.
Forget it. He'd just take a rest for one night.
On the other hand, Ning Huainan took Zhao Ruyue out of the mansion. Instead of going shopping, they went straight to a restaurant.
In a private room of the restaurant, there were many young gentlemen and ladies competing in poetry.
When they saw Ning Huainan coming, they all welcomed him.
Since Jun Zhifou was granted the title of imperial - appointed lady, the status of women in the Chen Kingdom had been greatly improved. The bolder ones dared to show themselves in public and compete with men in poetry and prose to prove their abilities.
Of course, they were all young masters and ladies from noble families in the Phoenix City and were all familiar with each other.
The only stranger was Zhao Ruyue.
Ning Huainan briefly introduced Zhao Ruyue. "This is my little cousin, Miss Zhao."
Everyone there was very easy - going. They didn't show any exclusion and patiently accepted this little cousin.
Zhao Ruyue wasn't shy at all and quickly got along well with everyone.
Although her knowledge wasn't as profound as those present, she was not restricted by books and had novel views.
The topic of this poetry competition was "Ode to Snow".
Zhao Ruyue picked up a brush and wrote on the paper: One flake, two flakes, three or four flakes.
"Is this even a poem?" Everyone laughed and waited to see what else she could write.
Zhao Ruyue continued writing: Five flakes, six flakes, seven or eight flakes.
Finally, someone couldn't help but ask, "Miss Zhao, are you just trying to fill in the words?"
Soon, that person was proven wrong.
Zhao Ruyue dipped her brush in ink and wrote the last two lines in one go.
Thousands and millions of flakes, countless flakes, Flying into the plum blossoms and disappearing without a trace.
"Bravo!"
A young gentleman in the crowd took the lead in applauding.
"Nowhere in the whole poem is the word'snow' mentioned, but it makes people feel as if they're seeing a snow - covered scene."
Everyone also praised her.
Zhao Ruyue stole the show.
Ning Huainan was sitting on one side, pouring tea. Looking over here, although he was smiling, it seemed that he was thinking about something.
After the poetry competition ended and everyone had left, when Ning Huainan was taking Zhao Ruyue back, he finally said,
"What's your impression of that Young Master Shen just now?"
"Young Master Shen?"
"The one who took the lead in praising you."
Zhao Ruyue burst out laughing. She had a deep impression of this young gentleman.
After laughing, her expression became solemn.
"Brother Ning, do you not like Ruyue very much? How could a blind - date partner help arrange another blind date?"
Zhao Ruyue wasn't stupid.
From the moment she stepped into the room, she knew what was going on.
Ning Huainan walked side by side with her and comforted her, "Miss Zhao, I already have someone in my heart."
Zhao Ruyue knew this.
The way Ning Huainan looked at Zhao Luoning was different. Anyone could tell.
Zhao Ruyue dared to accept Zhao Luoning's arrangement and be with Ning Huainan because she knew that there was no way between Ning Huainan and Zhao Luoning in this lifetime.
"Brother Ning, you know it's very difficult for you and her."
"I know. There's no way in this lifetime."