Zixin nodded and said, "I just can't bear to part with you, miss. I have no attachment to this place, Huangcheng. You don't need to worry about me either. I've already figured it out. Compared with those women who are confined to the courtyard to serve their husbands and raise children, I'm already very happy that I can earn money with my own hands and don't rely on men. Besides, I have you, miss, and the friendship from the sisters in the nunnery, as well as the kinship from Zidou, my younger sister. In comparison, love is really not worth mentioning."
Zixin's words made Zhao Luoning's heart surge with emotion.
Zhao Luoning then realized that Zixin, this girl she had supported without much thought, seemed more tenacious and more thoughtful than she had imagined.
Such a girl, not to mention Yu Chi, even few of those young masters from noble families were worthy of her.
As she said, love was really not worth mentioning.
It would be even more of a pity to stop striving for love.
"Thank you, Zixin. Go ahead and do what you want. You don't need a man as your backing. Your sisters will always support you."
This was the first time Zhao Luoning referred to herself as a sister in front of Zixin.
Even though Zixin was cold - hearted, the word "sister" broke her defenses.
With red eyes, she bowed to Zhao Luoning in a standard manner. Everything was understood without words.
On the day Zixin left, Zhao Luoning personally went to the Ten - Li Pavilion to see her off. Watching their carriage go further and further away, Zhao Luoning felt quite emotional.
What Zixin was doing now was what she had originally wanted to do but failed to achieve.
It was good. Zhao Luoning was both envious and happy.
Looking at Guisu beside her, Zhao Luoning asked with a smile, "Guisu, did Yu Chi say anything to you?"
"Yes." Guisu still looked as dazed as ever. "Speaking of this, miss, you're really too much. How could you tell Yu Chi my gossip?"
"I didn't tell Yu Chi. I only told Ji Shisu. There are no secrets between husband and wife. What kind of gossip can't we talk about?" Zhao Luoning said meaningfully.
"Then it's the master who has a big mouth and loves gossip."
Zhao Luoning couldn't help laughing. Guisu, who was like this, still had the nerve to say others loved gossip.
"Then why can't Yu Chi know your criteria for choosing a husband?"
"Can that be the same?"
"How is it different? A man, alive, and someone you've known for many years and know very well. Yu Chi not only meets the criteria but also exceeds them."
It was only then that Guisu's little brain caught up.
" Oh, right."
Guisu actually just figured out this relationship now. Zhao Luoning couldn't help being curious.
"Didn't you say Yu Chi came to see you? What exactly did he say to you?"
"He just asked me to see if he met the criteria. I thought I wasn't his master. How would I know if he met the criteria or not? So I told him to ask the master himself."
Zhao Luoning: "..."
Yu Chi was really something. After being with Guisu for so long, didn't he know what kind of temper Guisu had? If he didn't confess his love directly, he'd never be able to marry a wife in this lifetime.
On the other hand, Yu Chi and Ji Shisu were whispering to each other.
"Master, I just told Zixin the truth. I really didn't mean to force her to leave."
"What? Do you feel guilty?"
"Not really. I'm just afraid the miss will have an opinion of me."
"Don't worry. Zixin has a great vision. They're going to pursue their own careers. Not to mention you're not the right man for her. Even if you were, she might not stop and wait for you. As for the miss, you don't need to worry even more. Do you think she's the kind of person who can't tell right from wrong and is picky?"
"That's good."
"However, I do want to ask you. How are things going between you and Guisu? The miss and I were planning to hold a wedding for you two. The miss even said she would prepare a generous dowry for Guisu."
Mentioning this, Yu Chi felt very frustrated.
"I asked Guisu, and Guisu told me to ask the master. I still don't understand what this has to do with the master."
Ji Shisu also couldn't figure it out.
In his life, he had only been devoted to Zhao Luoning. He didn't understand other women and didn't want to either.
"Don't be in a hurry. I'll help you ask Luoning. Maybe Guisu just doesn't have any ideas. Since she has no parents, she just wants me and Luoning to make a decision for her. If that's the case, it'll be easy."
After hearing this, Yu Chi nodded like a pounding garlic.
"Thank you, master. Thank you, miss."
After returning to the mansion, Ji Shisu and Zhao Luoning discussed it and both of them laughed so hard that they could hardly straighten up.
"This Yu Chi. I don't know where he picked up such a treasure as Guisu. She's really so funny."
"Master, when the Bai Mansion is completed, as long as they're willing, let the young couple live in the mansion all the time. Guisu is so cute. Our children will definitely like her in the future."
"Okay. I'll do as you say."
...
Yu Chi's attempt to win Guisu over by "the master's order and matchmaker's words" was a miscalculation.
After hearing about Guisu's misunderstanding from Ji Shisu, he immediately rushed to find Guisu.
"Guisu, be my master. Oh no, be my wife."
Guisu was gnawing on a pig's trotter. Yu Chi's sudden words scared her so much that the trotter fell to the ground.
Seeing that Guisu was so scared that she even gave up her favorite food, Yu Chi was very sad.
Just as he was about to back out, Guisu suddenly asked, "Will I get food and shelter if I become your wife?"
"What?" Yu Chi was a bit confused and said, "You're my wife. Naturally, I won't let you sleep in the open or go hungry and cold."
Although he was just a subordinate of Ji Shisu, Ji Shisu's status was high. As the second - in - command, he had saved a lot of money for his future wife over the years. At least, there would be no financial problems to buy a large courtyard with two or three entrances and open a store in this small county.
Guisu nodded and said, "Then I'll do it."
Yu Chi couldn't believe his ears. "Guisu, do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course I do. I'll be your wife."
"You have to think it through clearly. This is not like before. This..."
"Come on, the miss has already told me that you do meet the criteria. And we've known each other for so many years. It's better for me to choose you than someone else."
Yu Chi: "..." Although he had won his sweetheart, why wasn't he very happy?
Yu Chi asked stubbornly, "Guisu, don't you have any other feelings for me? Like, do you like me?"
Guisu wasn't as coy as him. She admitted generously. "I like you."
Yu Chi's face blushed instantly. "Ah, Guisu, you..."
"You'll bring me delicious food, and you're good - looking. I'm much happier than the miss."
Yu Chi: "..."
Forget it. Yu Chi gave up.
He should have known his wife's temper long ago. Being carefree was good. From now on, he could take care of her openly and justifiably.
Let her be a happy foodie for the rest of her life.
He could afford to support her.