The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 11

Zong Si naturally didn’t take the young lady’s drunken words seriously. Even with her memories from the previous life, it still had to make logical sense. He had no motive to marry Ning Fu, and no one could force him to marry a woman he didn’t want. It was impossible for the two of them to become husband and wife.

Seeing that he couldn’t get any information, he didn’t delay. He stood up and lit a signal flare with a fire stick.

“I’m cold,” Ning Fu said softly.

Zong Si took off his cloak. The fourth Miss Ning had just recovered from a long illness and was physically weak, unable to withstand the cold. He didn’t mind doing Lu Xingzhi a favor. As he draped the cloak over her, Ning Fu instinctively sought a heat source and snuggled into his arms. At that moment, she still thought she was in her previous life and had no reservations. After all, she had managed his estate for three years, so what was wrong with using him for warmth? Their relationship might have been bad, but he was still there to be used. She didn’t need to make herself suffer.

Zong Si, who had trained in martial arts for many years, was always warm, and his tall, strong frame made for a comfortable embrace. Just as she was about to wrap her arms around his waist, he quickly blocked her.

“The fourth Miss should mind her dignity,” Zong Si said calmly.

“What a fake gentleman,” Ning Fu retorted. He put on a show in front of others, but at night, he would still come to her bedchamber.

Zong Si’s thin eyebrows raised slightly, but then he heard footsteps in the distance. The people who arrived were Lu Xingzhi and Ning Yu.

Lu Xingzhi looked at him.

Zong Si pulled away from Ning Fu and said calmly, “The fourth Miss and the princess are just drunk, they’re fine.” Seeing that Ning Fu was safe, both men finally relaxed.

Ning Yu said, “Thank you.”

“The night is cold. Let’s take the fourth Miss and the princess back,” Zong Si said, planning to leave now that someone was there to look after them. As he went to get his cloak, Ning Fu looked at him with teary eyes.

Zong Si’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he calmly looked away and turned to leave, not caring.

Ning Fu woke up at noon the next day. “You’re finally awake! Your big brother was so worried last night,” Wei Ziyi said with a smile. “Fortunately, you were just drunk, and nothing serious happened.”

Ning Fu hadn’t expected the wine to be so strong. Being drunk was not a pleasant experience, and she wouldn’t try it again. Rubbing her throbbing forehead, memories came flooding back a moment later, and Ning Fu froze slightly. Although some details from the night before were blurry, she clearly remembered calling Zong Si “husband.”

Ning Fu’s face fell. It wouldn’t be a wise move to act like nothing had happened after offending him. She planned to apologize to him, but she never saw him again. She learned from Ning Yu that Zong Si and Lu Xingzhi had returned to the capital together to deal with an urgent matter. So, she had to put the matter aside for now.

Ning Fu also didn’t see the princess again. The two of them causing a commotion while drunk was a big deal. Emperor Jingwen feared they would cause more trouble together, so he used Ning Fu’s need for rest to decline the princess’s invitation on her behalf.

The princess’s search for a consort also seemed to have no follow-up. Ning Fu was curious about who the princess’s good match was, but she had no memory of the matter. In the blink of an eye, the autumn hunt ended.

On the day they returned to the capital, Ning Fu received another reward from Emperor Jingwen: a pure white parrot. This parrot was the Sixth Prince’s pet in her previous life. She couldn’t take what belonged to someone else. She said, “Maternal Uncle, I’m not good at raising birds. It’s better to give it to the Sixth Prince.”

Meng Ze laughed. “A white parrot is rare and hard to find, a true rarity. Father is fond of you, which is why he gave it to you. You can just find a birdkeeper to raise it, cousin.”

Meng Ze’s single word, “cousin,” made Ning Fu uneasy. In her previous life, Meng Ze wanted to force her to marry him as a concubine, but it wasn’t because he liked her. What he wanted was the connections her maternal grandmother had.

Although Ning Fu’s maternal grandmother, Princess Kanyang, had requested to be sent away from the capital, she had a very good relationship with the Prince of Jin, who held military power. At that time, Meng Ze and the Fourth Prince, Meng Che, were still competing for the position of Crown Prince. He naturally hoped to get the Prince of Jin’s support, which was why he tried to force Ning Fu to marry him, and he almost succeeded. But later, she and Zong Si became engaged, and he had to rely on Zong Si, so he had no choice but to give up on the idea.

Ning Fu collected her thoughts. It was not a good time to offend Meng Ze. “Thank you for your generosity, Cousin.”

“If you run into anything you don’t understand, you can come and ask me,” Meng Ze said.

This was just a polite gesture. It wouldn’t be easy for a noble lady living in the inner court to see him. Upon entering the capital, the carriages of the various noble ladies and the Emperor’s entourage separated. On Changhua Street, Ning Fu saw her mother, Madam Ning, waiting for her at the entrance of the Duke of Ning’s estate.

“Mother,” Ning Fu said, a smile blooming on her face.

Madam Ning saw that her daughter was a bit tanned and thinner. Her heart ached. The moment Ning Fu got out of the carriage, she hugged her. “I heard you were sick. Your mother has been so worried these past few days. Are you feeling better now?”

“I’ve been well for a long time. Mother, my riding and archery skills have improved so much. Even His Majesty praised me,” Ning Fu said, telling her the good news. “Look, this is the white parrot His Majesty rewarded me with. It’s a rarity that is only hunted once every ten years.”

Madam Ning didn’t pay attention to the parrot. She was still examining her daughter, fearing that she was hiding an injury. When she saw that her wrist was a bit swollen, she felt both angry and heartbroken. “Why are you still hiding things from me, even from your mother?”

Ning Fu’s wrist was still very sore. She hadn’t paid much attention to her injury during the competition with the princess and hadn’t mentioned it to anyone afterward. It was important not to be too delicate when outside. Now that she was home, her mother’s heartbroken look made Ning Fu’s nose feel a little sore.

“Mother, I’m hungry,” she said, changing the subject.

Madam Ning replied, “Dinner is ready. Your grandmother is waiting for you at the Autumn Garden, and your father will be home soon. Oh, your eldest uncle is also in the residence today.”

Ning Fu’s eldest uncle was Duke Ning Zhenxiu, while her father was Ning Zhenyuan, the Minister of Personnel, a second-rank official in charge of managing the officials. Years ago, her maternal grandmother had looked down on her father, scolding her mother for being useless, a daughter of a princess marrying the second son of a duke. Later, her father’s official position rose, and he made a name for himself on his own, which finally eased her maternal grandmother’s discontent.

But Ning Fu thought about her father being demoted, and her mood became complicated for a moment. She had to find a way to change both her maternal grandmother’s sudden death and her father’s demotion in this life.

Ning Fu first went back to the Bamboo Garden to wash up. When she arrived at the Autumn Garden, her father had already arrived and was chatting happily with her eldest uncle.

“Father, Eldest Uncle,” she greeted them obediently.

Ning Zhenxiu laughed. “Ah Fu, your eldest uncle must praise you today. You’ve brought great honor to our Duke of Ning’s estate.”

It turned out that the news of her competing with the princess in riding and archery had already reached the capital, and Ning Fu had gained a good reputation.

It wasn’t just Duke Ning Zhenxiu who was happy. Ning Fu’s father and grandmother were overjoyed. Ever since the news reached the capital, they had been in high spirits every day.

“Is there anything you want?” Ning Zhenxiu asked her.

Ning Fu thought for a moment and said, “His Majesty gave me a white parrot. Eldest Uncle, please find me a birdkeeper.”

“Your eldest uncle will take care of it tomorrow,” Ning Zhenxiu promised immediately.

Afterward, Ning Fu went to her grandmother, Old Madam Ning, and her eldest aunt, Madam Wei, to tell them about the interesting things that happened during the autumn hunt.

The Old Madam was interested in how Emperor Jingwen treated her and how she was praised by him. When she heard that Emperor Jingwen told Ning Fu to call him “Maternal Uncle,” Old Madam Ning’s smile widened, and she started making calculations in her mind. Being appreciated by the Emperor was an advantage for Ning Fu’s marriage prospects.

Madam Wei said, “Your sister is also happy for you. She said to come to the Wei residence to play next time.”

Madam Wei was referring to Ning Ran, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke of Ning’s estate, who was also Ning Fu’s legitimate older cousin. It had been a while since she had seen her, and she asked with curiosity, “How has Sister Ran been recently?”

Madam Wei sighed. “Your Sister Ran’s husband listens to her, and her mother-in-law respects her. She told me she feels so free after getting married. She’s so ungrateful.” But despite her words, her expression was filled with pride.

To be able to keep her husband in the palm of her hand, Ning Ran was indeed quite impressive. Even though the Wei family wasn’t of the highest social standing, their life was still quite pleasant. In her previous life, Ning Fu didn’t have this ability. When she returned home, she was mostly alone. Seeing Ning Ran and her husband as a loving couple, it was impossible for her not to be envious.

“Eldest Aunt, Sister Ran’s life is good. Even after she got married, she always remembers the Duke’s estate in her heart,” Ning Fu said.

Madam Wei’s smile became more sincere. Of course, her own daughter was the best. She also knew what Old Madam Ning was scheming, but she didn’t think that if the Prince Xuan’s estate didn’t take a liking to her own daughter, they would take a liking to Ning Fu. Of course, if they did, it would be a good thing for the main branch, but it wouldn’t be easy for Ning Fu to hold onto Zong Si, and she might not have a good life in the future.

The main branch and the second branch rarely gathered together. The family happily had a reunion dinner.

“Zhenxiu and Ah Fu have both just returned to the residence. You should all go back,” Old Madam Ning waved her hand.

The two brothers said their goodbyes at the entrance of the Autumn Garden.

“My lord, I’ve made some soup in my room. It should be just right to drink now,” Madam Wei said eagerly.

Ning Zhenxiu replied dismissively, “I don’t have much of an appetite today. You go back. I’m going to Madam Zhang’s place.” He then strode away.

Madam Wei’s smile froze on her face. She touched her face, which was no longer young, and her eyes gradually grew cold. Madam Zhang was vying for favor without any restraint, she must have forgotten the difference in status between a wife and a concubine.

On Ning Fu’s side, Madam Ning and Ning Zhenyuan walked a long way without saying much. Ning Zhenyuan, however, secretly looked at Madam Ning the entire time.

“Mother, Father really misses you. He only wanted to see me as an excuse; he actually wanted to come back and see you,” Ning Fu said, playing the peacemaker.

“Your father wouldn’t miss me. Maybe he already finds me old,” Madam Ning said, calm and collected.

Ning Zhenyuan said anxiously and humbly, “I never…”

“Do you need me to arrange for another concubine for you?” Madam Ning continued.

Ning Zhenyuan suddenly flinched and admitted his mistake. “It’s my fault, but nothing ever happened between me and that Madam Yu. I was thinking that after a few years, when Mother passes away, I would send Madam Yu away. This way, I wouldn’t be betraying you and wouldn’t make Mother sad either.”

Madam Ning looked at him. “What will you do if there’s a next time?” Madam Yu had almost harmed Ning Fu, so Ning Zhenyuan wouldn’t dare keep another woman by his side.

He promised, “There will never be a next time. If Mother tries to persuade me to take another concubine, I will stop going to the Autumn Garden until she relents.”

No one is perfect. As long as he was willing to change, he could be forgiven. Ning Fu tugged on Madam Ning’s sleeve. “Mother.”

Madam Ning stopped taunting Ning Zhenyuan. She had gotten the answer she wanted, so there was no need to push her husband further away, especially since he was still easy to manage.

When they arrived at Madam Ning’s Lotus Pavilion Garden, Ning Zhenyuan was no longer shut out. After four months, he entered Madam Ning’s bedchamber again. Ning Fu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

For three consecutive days, Ning Zhenyuan came out of Madam Ning’s bedchamber in the morning, and he even returned to the residence a little earlier. Three days later, Ning Zhenyuan was ordered to go to Yangzhou to handle some business.

Ning Fu finally had some time alone with Madam Ning and brought up the matter of Princess Kanyang. “His Majesty mentioned my maternal grandmother this time. Even though my maternal grandmother… His Majesty still told me to call him ‘Maternal Uncle’.”

Madam Ning said, “His Majesty dislikes your maternal grandmother. You don’t have to take it seriously that he told you to call him ‘Maternal Uncle.’”

Ning Fu knew that Emperor Jingwen asked her to call him “Maternal Uncle” to show his generosity and broad-mindedness in front of the officials. She was worried about the safety of Princess Kanyang’s estate. “Mother, you should still send someone to tell my maternal grandmother about this. If she knows, she will be much more cautious, and it will be safer.”

Madam Ning paused for a moment and said with her eyes, “I’ll listen to you, Mother.”

“Mother, please also convey my regards to my maternal grandmother,” Ning Fu added.

Madam Ning was a little moved. “Have you forgotten your grandmother’s instructions to you?”

Emperor Jingwen had wanted to kill Princess Kanyang more than once in the past. To avoid being implicated, Old Madam Ning deliberately weakened the relationship between Ning Fu, Ning Zheng, and Princess Kanyang’s estate, forbidding them from having any contact with the princess’s estate. The habit of not visiting was formed when they were young, and they were also far apart. Even when Ning Fu became mature and started to visit, they were not that close. Her mother and maternal grandmother had silently accepted this, but they were also sad.

“Mother, even though I haven’t had contact with my maternal grandmother, didn’t His Majesty still mention her when he talked to me? Grandmother’s approach is too extreme. If His Majesty intends to make trouble, he can find fault even with the most distant relationships,” Ning Fu analyzed.

“You shouldn’t speak ill of His Majesty in private,” Madam Ning interrupted with a frown. Emperor Jingwen was not someone who could be discussed behind his back.

Ning Fu paused, knowing that what she said was inappropriate, and said no more. Madam Ning’s expression softened a bit. A moment later, she said, “Your maternal grandmother will surely be very happy.”

The distance between Yongzhou and the capital was very far. Ning Fu didn’t know if her maternal grandmother had received Madam Ning’s message, but her archery assessment day arrived first. Although Ning Fu’s archery skills were good, she lost her appetite for pastries in the days leading up to the assessment. On the day of the assessment, she was already awake before dawn.

But Ning Fu was not the only one who was nervous. The noble ladies arrived at the school even earlier than usual. “Sister Wei, do you know who the examiner is this year?” someone asked Wei Ziyi. The examination was managed by the Ministry of Rites, and Wei’s father held a position there. She didn’t have to take the exam this year, so she was the one most likely to have some inside information.

“That’s a difficult question to answer. Besides the Minister, probably no one knows,” Wei Ziyi said. To ensure fairness, both the men’s imperial examinations and the women’s assessments became stricter each year. The examiner was confined a month before the exam, and only the Minister of Rites could meet with him.

Ning Fu remembered who the examiner was. He was from out of town and not familiar with any of the families in the capital, so it was impossible for him to give high scores as a favor.

Xie Ruyi and Zong Ning arrived last. The latter’s injuries from the autumn hunt had completely healed. Ning Fu couldn’t help but feel that people with true talent really do show up last. She remembered that both of their final scores in archery were excellent.

The order of the assessment was decided by drawing lots. Ning Fu drew the sixth number. Before the start, someone called out, “The Crown Prince has come to watch with Master Guanyang.” But there were too many people, so Ning Fu couldn’t see Zong Si, who usually stood out like a crane among chickens.

When it was her turn to be assessed, she had no time to be distracted. She had ten arrows for the moving target and ten for the fixed one. She didn’t miss a single shot, but the final score would only be announced in a few days. The tension that had been hanging over Ning Fu’s heart finally subsided. As long as she performed as usual, her score wouldn’t be bad.

Master Guanyang smiled. “So this is the noble lady His Majesty mentioned that Xingzhi taught?”

Zong Si grunted in response.

Master Guanyang stroked his beard. “I’ve looked at her technique, and it’s more like yours.”

Zong Si had noticed that earlier. He said, “I went back to the capital to investigate before the autumn hunt but didn’t find any spies from Princess Kanyang’s estate around me.”

Master Guanyang laughed. “To be so similar, it’s impossible to have been learned by just peeking.”

Zong Si paused, but didn’t say anything.

“I can tell that you only gave Ah Ning and Miss Xie pointers, and they understood it themselves. But the fourth Miss Ning’s archery seems like you taught her hand-by-hand. The force and skill are as if you held her hand and guided her, trying it again and again.”

And this method of practicing archery went far beyond the normal boundaries between men and women. It was a level of intimacy only a married couple would have.