The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 15

Zong Si was wearing a black silk robe today. Although he had reined in his imposing aura, he was still intimidating. The mutton-fat white jade pendant he usually wore was replaced by an embroidered sachet of excellent craftsmanship, and it was unclear whose handiwork it was.

The two of them had just experienced the awkwardness of the failed marriage talks, and Ning Fu wished she could avoid him. She only bowed to him out of courtesy. Zong Si merely glanced at her from the corner of his eye, with the same look he gave Ning Ran or the women who used to love him, before he hurried to the inner courtyard. As he walked past her, Ning Fu thought she smelled blood on him. She couldn’t help but be stunned. Was he injured?

“Even if the Crown Prince is busy, he wouldn’t miss Miss Ning’s birthday,” said Butler Song, who was leading Ning Fu into the estate.

Ning Fu also guessed that Zong Si had come back for Zong Ning’s birthday.

Zong Ning was the only young lady in the Prince Xuan’s estate, and she was cherished so much that it was no exaggeration to say she was the center of attention. Even Emperor Jingwen would think of her when he had good things.

Ning Fu was considered a late arrival to the birthday banquet. The young ladies who were supposed to be there had already arrived and were already eating pastries and drinking tea. Everyone in the capital gave face to Zong Ning. Even during the Myriad Flowers Festival, fewer young ladies showed up. The atmosphere was very lively.

Zong Ning and Xie Ruyi were sitting together, cutting paper window decorations. The several young ladies surrounding them, who were younger, were all relatives of the Prince Xuan’s estate, which showed how important Xie Ruyi was in Zong Ning’s heart.

“Sister Ning, I wish you a year of good fortune and happiness in all things,” Ning Fu said, walking over.

When Zong Ning saw her today, she was not as enthusiastic as before. Her eyes were very complicated, and she just said distantly, “Thank you.” She didn’t even call her “Sister Ning” anymore.

Ning Fu understood. Zong Ning probably knew about the discussion between the Prince Xuan’s estate and her grandmother at the Fragrant Cold Temple that day. Since Zong Ning unconditionally sided with Xie Ruyi, she now shared the same enmity and thought Ning Fu was trying to get in between Zong Si and Xie Ruyi, which was why she no longer liked her.

Ning Fu also felt a little upset. She had nothing to do with this matter from beginning to end. But she didn’t blame her grandmother. Although her grandmother wasn’t thinking of her completely in this matter, she truly loved her on a daily basis. Besides, as an elder in the family, she had to consider the entire Duke of Ning’s estate. From her grandmother’s perspective, the Prince Xuan’s estate would naturally be able to help the Duke of Ning’s estate. But from her experience in the previous life, even if she had married into the royal estate, it would have been useless if she couldn’t win Zong Si’s heart.

“Sister Xie, I gave the sachet you made me to my third brother. When will you make me another one?” Zong Ning asked Xie Ruyi with a smile.

Ning Fu remembered that when she had run into Zong Si just now, he was indeed wearing a sachet. It turned out to be made by Xie Ruyi. Of course, she was not a foolish person and knew that Zong Ning’s words were meant for her to hear. If she had any common sense, she shouldn’t have come between the two childhood sweethearts.

Ning Fu felt terribly wronged. She had suffered enough in her previous life and now had a trauma. She would never try to get in between them.

“As long as you like it, I’ll go back and make one for you. Did you tell the Crown Prince that the sachet was made by me?” Xie Ruyi asked.

Zong Ning naturally hadn’t told him. She had told her third brother that she had made the sachet, but she couldn’t admit it in front of Ning Fu. “I told him.”

Xie Ruyi’s ears turned a little red. “What style do you want this time?” Zong Ning told her her preferences in detail. Xie Ruyi wrote them down and then looked at Ning Fu. She said gently, “Sister Ning, standing is tiring. Find a place to sit down.”

Ning Fu thought more highly of Xie Ruyi. Her perspective was not something an ordinary person had. She wasn’t confined by the idea of an enemy in love. Of course, this also showed that Xie Ruyi was a very confident person. As for her former sister-in-law, Zong Ning, her personality was a bit more straightforward and not malicious, so Ning Fu wouldn’t hold it against her. Of course, there was also the reason that she couldn’t afford to offend her.

Ning Fu looked around and finally settled on sitting next to Fu Jiahui, the daughter of a merchant. In her previous life, her brother and Sister Fu had gone through a lot of hardships. Finally, after they were engaged, her brother passed away, and Sister Fu took her own life rather than marry someone else. Ning Fu hoped that in this life, they could live happily ever after in peace.

The Fu family was considered well-known now. If you were to mention the wealthiest people in the capital, most people would immediately think of the Fu family. They were involved in all sorts of businesses, from the silk, jade, and tea used by nobles in the palace, to the inns and fabrics used by common people.

However, Great Yan’s policy was to prioritize agriculture and suppress commerce, so even if a merchant was rich enough to rival the country, they would not be looked upon favorably by officials. Fu Jiahui was invited to the Prince Xuan’s estate today, first, because of her outstanding talent, which made her admirable. Second, the Prince Xuan had benefited from the Fu family in terms of military supplies, so he was naturally willing to give the Fu family some face. The Fu family also needed to find a backer to protect their family fortune, so it was a mutually beneficial relationship.

Ning Fu had her own agenda for coming here today. She hadn’t given up on her idea of starting a business. The Duke of Ning’s estate needed money not only because of her eldest aunt’s poor management of the family finances, but also for her brother’s matters in the future. Ning Fu had a way to make money, and all she needed was someone who could implement her plan. Fu Jiahui was the best candidate.

“Sister Fu,” Ning Fu said, sitting down next to her.

“The fourth Miss,” Fu Jiahui replied. She had no previous interaction with Ning Fu, so she was a little surprised that she had come to find her, but she quickly returned to normal and smiled at her. Because of Ning Zhen, Fu Jiahui actually hoped to get closer to Ning Fu.

Ning Fu sat quietly beside her for a moment. Suddenly, she saw a man in armor walking toward Zong Ning. When Zong Ning saw him, her face immediately lit up, and she happily called out, “First Brother.” This was the Prince Xuan’s elder brother, the eldest son of the Great General Zong Sheng, named Zong Ting. He was over thirty years old. Prince Xuan Zong Zhan and Zong Sheng had a very good relationship, so the younger generation was also very close. Zong Ting had also rushed back to celebrate Zong Ning’s birthday. However, in the previous life, there was some estrangement between Zong Si and Zong Ting. It was unclear if it was due to their personalities or if there was another reason.

In her previous life, Zong Si was even more cold. Although he cared about Zong Ning and the Consort, he spoke very little to them. Ning Fu wondered if he had gone through something later on.

Ning Fu thought for a moment and said to Fu Jiahui, “All of Ning’s older brothers love her very much.”

Fu Jiahui thought of Ning Zhen, and her heart stirred. “Isn’t your brother also very good to you?”

Ning Fu knew that Fu Jiahui liked her brother, so she was deliberately looking for topics to talk about with her. “My brother is naturally very good, but it’s hard to see him.”

“When will Master Ning return to the capital?” Fu Jiahui asked.

“He will probably be back next year,” Ning Fu said, deliberately giving her some information, worried that her future sister-in-law was getting impatient, and also worried that she might be snatched away by someone else.

Fu Jiahui wanted to ask more questions, but she had no right to. Although she had kissed Ning Zhen two years ago, she had scared him away, and she didn’t know what he thought of her now. Furthermore, Madam Ning probably wouldn’t accept the daughter of a merchant, and she had yet to come up with a plan to deal with that.

“When your brother comes back, it will be time for him to find a wife,” Fu Jiahui said playfully, but her heart felt empty.

Ning Fu subtly hinted, “My mother did mention this to him in her letters, but my brother rejected all of them. I’m afraid he already has someone in his heart.”

Fu Jiahui felt a little better. Before Ning Zhen left the capital, there were no other women around him. And in the border regions, it was hard for him to meet any women. If Ning Zhen had someone in his heart, it could only be her.

“Sister Fu, I have an unreasonable request for you today,” Ning Fu said, finally getting to the point.

“Please, the fourth Miss,” Fu Jiahui said.

Ning Fu considered for a moment, then lowered her voice. “I have a few beauty recipes. Although the medicinal herbs are hard to find, the cost is not high. I want to open a few shops.” The scar-removing recipe she had recommended to the Prince Xuan’s Consort earlier was one of these recipes.

“If you want to open it under the Fu family’s name, I can help you, but we must first clarify three things,” Fu Jiahui said, understanding her intention. “First, I see that your target customers are probably noble ladies and wives in the capital. If something goes wrong, the Fu family can’t bear the responsibility, so I have to check the safety of the recipes first. This also poses the risk of me leaking the recipes, so you have to decide if you can accept that. Second, how will we split the profits? Third, if the shops fail, who will bear the losses?”

Ning Fu said seriously, “I trust you, Sister Fu, so of course you can verify the recipes. We’ll split the profits 50/50. As for the losses, I will bear them in the beginning. But you must not reveal that I am a co-owner of the shops.”

Fu Jiahui smiled. “The split will be 60/40 in my favor.”

Ning Fu frowned.

“Otherwise, the deal is off.”

Ning Fu was speechless.

“Sister Ning, that’s how business works. Right now, you are the one asking for my help, so I can naturally ask for a high price. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you,” Fu Jiahui said, handing her a cup of tea.

Ning Fu thought for a moment. She didn’t have many bargaining chips right now, but that might not be the case in the future. She would have opportunities to negotiate later. Gritting her teeth, she agreed. “Then it’s 60/40 in your favor.”

As for the details, they would discuss them another day. The two of them made a new appointment.

The Prince Xuan’s estate was indeed influential enough to be heard by Emperor Jingwen. Even the palace’s opera troupe had been invited. After finishing their discussion, Ning Fu and Fu Jiahui parted ways, and Ning Fu quietly listened to the opera. The play was Dream of a Trip to the Garden, which told the story of a scholar who failed his exams and, with no hope for his future, mistakenly entered a peach blossom spring. The actor’s singing was melodic and beautiful, like the sound of heaven, making people feel completely immersed.

“The palace’s opera troupe is truly extraordinary. It’s impossible not to be captivated,” Ning Fu couldn’t help but exclaim after the song ended.

“What did you get out of it, Sister Ning?” Xie Ruyi asked, looking at her.

Ning Fu said, “It is suitable to use Lu You’s poem to describe it: ‘Mountains and rivers doubtfully lead nowhere; a dark village appears with blooming willows.’ Despair is not necessarily despair.”

Rong Min curled her lips in disdain. “Show-off.”

Ning Fu frowned. The young ladies in the capital had all grown up together since they were children, and those of the same age generally had a good relationship. Only Rong Min always liked to put her down.

“Sister Rong, I’ve always been curious, what did I do to offend you?” Ning Fu asked directly. Rong Min was speechless, as she hadn’t expected her to ask so directly.

“It’s not wrong for Sister Ning to feel a little emotional and express her thoughts,” Xie Ruyi said, trying to smooth things over.

Ning Fu gave Xie Ruyi a sweet smile. Rong Min naturally wouldn’t disrespect Xie Ruyi, so she didn’t say anything else.

Zong Si didn’t show up until the start of the banquet. When he had returned earlier, he looked a bit tired from the journey, but the third son of the Prince Xuan’s estate was still handsome even when he was exhausted. Now, he had changed into a dark blue silk robe with a round collar. His demeanor was cold, but it was a captivating coldness like that of a plum blossom, especially his deep-set eyes, which were most likely to make a woman fall for him.

He was even more eye-catching than Zong Ning, the birthday girl. Ning Fu thought that many young ladies had come just to see him. “Third Brother,” Zong Ning, who was born of the same mother, was even happier to see him than her other brothers. She patted him on the shoulder. “Are you done with your business?”

“Mm.” Zong Si frowned, then returned to his normal expression. He said, “I’ve had your birthday gift sent to your room. These candies are for you to share with the young ladies.”

“Thank you, Crown Prince,” many young ladies said, taking the opportunity to talk to him.

Ning Fu secretly guessed that Zong Si’s injury was probably on his shoulder. Ning Yu had told her that Lu Xingzhi had left the capital with him a few days ago. She wondered how Lu Xingzhi was. Ning Fu was a little worried, but she was too embarrassed to ask Zong Si. After thinking about it, she decided to ask Xie Ruyi to ask for her. Since Ning Yu wasn’t around these days, if she didn’t ask Zong Si, she wouldn’t be able to know how Lu Xingzhi was doing.

Zong Ning probably wouldn’t bother with her right now, and she didn’t want to go up to her. Besides, Ning Fu didn’t mind letting Xie Ruyi know who she was interested in, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. What’s more, Xie Ruyi was not a gossip, and asking about an injury wouldn’t harm her reputation.

Xie Ruyi looked at her. Although she knew that it was Zong Si who had rejected Ning Fu, she still felt a strange sense of relief when she heard Ning Fu mention Lu Xingzhi. Perhaps it was because Ning Fu was simply too beautiful. How many men could truly not love beauty? Although Ning Fu was not suitable to be the Crown Prince’s official wife, what about a concubine? The Duke of Ning’s estate might one day decline, and if the fourth Miss Ning waited a few more years, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to become a concubine. Could a man truly not favor such a concubine?

“Don’t worry, Sister Ning. I’ll ask for you,” Xie Ruyi said.

Although Zong Si’s injury wasn’t fatal, he needed to rest for a while, so he didn’t plan on staying for long. However, getting this sword wound was his deliberate doing, so he could use the excuse of recovering from his injury to avoid getting involved in the recent disputes in the palace.

When he was leaving, Zong Si was blocked by Xie Ruyi. “Greetings, Crown Prince,” she said softly.

Even though Zong Si was not in the mood to deal with anyone, he could still be a little patient with Xie Ruyi. He said, “Is there something you need, Miss Xie?”

“Miss Ning asked me to ask if Master Lu was injured,” Xie Ruyi said. She had her own selfish reasons, so she didn’t hide Ning Fu’s affection for Lu Xingzhi. To Zong Si, this sounded a little intriguing. Ning Fu must have noticed that he was injured, which made her think of Lu Xingzhi. The fourth Miss Ning had a sense of propriety; she didn’t ask a single thing about him. But he was not in the mood to play their little game of passing on messages.

“Xingzhi is fine,” Zong Si said flatly before leaving.

Xie Ruyi wondered if she was mistaken, but the Crown Prince seemed a little unhappy.

When Ning Fu heard that Lu Xingzhi was not injured, she was completely relieved. She said gratefully, “Thank you, Sister Xie.”

Xie Ruyi said, “I still have to help A-Ning receive the other young ladies. If you’re bored, Sister Ning, you can walk around on your own. You can go home after the banquet.”

Ning Fu, however, felt that the crowd was too noisy, so she avoided them and wanted to get some fresh air. There were many guests in the royal estate today, and the servants were extremely busy. A young maid of about fifteen fell in front of Ning Fu, her face turning pale with fright. “I’m sorry for disturbing you, Miss. I should be punished.”

Ning Fu knelt down, helped her up, and asked in a low voice if she was hurt. “Are you the maid from the second young master’s room?” Ning Fu had some impression of her. In her previous life, she often took care of Zong Duo’s children, and sometimes Dongzhu would chat with her. She had a good relationship with Dongzhu.

“Yes,” she said timidly. “My name is Fuxin.”

Zong Duo was actually nearby, and he had heard what Ning Fu said. How did Ning Fu know Fuxin? Did she deliberately try to find out information about me? Thinking of this, Zong Duo couldn’t help but feel a little flattered. She hadn’t been looking for information about his third brother; she had been looking for information about him! Does this mean she thinks I’m more charming than Third Brother? Although he didn’t like to compare himself to his third brother, he was secretly happy.

She was also so gentle to the servants, it was enough to make one’s heart melt. She was truly a kind young lady! Not long ago, Zong Si had rejected the marriage with the fourth Miss Ning. When Zong Duo heard the news, he was secretly relieved. And when he found out that Ning Fu had gotten first place in archery, he was full of admiration! A woman like that was the most charming woman ever!