The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 17

At this moment, Ning Fu’s limbs were numb, yet she stood motionless, her eyes red as she held back her tears.

Zong Si looked at her indifferently, as if he were looking at a sparrow or a tree. His gaze was cold and sharp, filled with a detached, scrutinizing air, treating her like any ordinary object.

He was completely unmoved by her sorrow and showed no interest in it.

“So, Sister Fu is one of the heir’s people,” Ning Fu said, her voice betraying the effort it took to compose herself. Even if the heir was connected to her brother’s death in her previous life, she had no other choice now. Everything had to be planned from the long term.

Zong Si’s voice was cold. “Where did the Fourth Miss get these formulas?”

A gentle breeze rustled the jade-inlaid writing paper on the desk, the very formulas Ning Fu had given to Fu Jia-hui a few days ago.

Ning Fu knew in her heart that his presence today was because he had seen the formulas.

The formulas themselves were not the problem; the person who had given them to her in her previous life had a significant background.

Zong Si had probably already guessed that the formulas were related to the divine physician Mu.

Ning Fu glanced at Fu Jia-hui and said softly, “I only wish to speak with the heir.”

Zong Si gestured to Fu Jia-hui, who then left. Fu Jia-hui cast a worried look at Ning Fu, knowing there was nothing she could do to help at this moment.

“The divine physician Mu gave me the formulas,” Ning Fu said.

Zong Si stared at her, questioning, “How do you know the divine physician Mu?”

Ning Fu naturally couldn’t reveal her past life. If anyone learned about her rebirth, they would surely force her to disclose future events, and she might end up becoming a tool in a power struggle.

“I met the divine physician Mu once. He saw that I was injured and felt pity for me. He knew that women loved to be beautiful, so he gave me these formulas,” Ning Fu quickly fabricated a reason.

This was the same encounter she had with the divine physician Mu in her past life, except the timing was different.

Zong Si continued to press her. “Where did you meet the divine physician Mu?”

“In the capital.”

Zong Si remained silent. Her decisive answers made it seem unlikely that she was lying.

He had originally been completely uninterested in Ning Fu’s plan to open a business. Although it was against the law for an official’s daughter to engage in private commerce, it had nothing to do with him.

However, after Miss Fu mentioned that Ning Fu intended to use his mother, the consort, to promote her business, Zong Si personally examined Ning Fu’s formulas. Upon inspection, he discovered that a slight increase or decrease in any ingredient would result in a potent poison. If the formulas were followed precisely, the effect would be excellent.

Only the divine physician Mu Ruo-heng could create such formulas, as he was known for his extreme and unconventional methods, weary of those who didn’t strictly follow his medical advice. As a result, no one who sought his treatment dared to take his words lightly.

It had been years since the divine physician Mu’s whereabouts were known, so it was a great surprise to him that the Fourth Miss Ning had obtained his formulas.

Moreover, this wasn’t the only baffling thing about the Fourth Miss Ning. Her archery skills were as if he had taught her himself, which also astonished him.

Zong Si urgently needed to ask Mu Ruo-heng for something, so he naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Does the heir want me to find the divine physician Mu for you?” Ning Fu calmed down, guessing his intentions.

Zong Si replied, “Correct.”

Ning Fu thought for a moment, biting her lip. “The divine physician Mu is elusive. I can’t just find him whenever I want.”

If she had known the master behind the Fu family was Zong Si, Ning Fu wouldn’t have given up the formulas. Unfortunately, there was no such thing as a second chance.

“I will give the Fourth Miss six months.”

Ning Fu considered this; six months was a reasonable timeframe. “May I ask what the heir wants to find the divine physician Mu for?”

Zong Si said nonchalantly, “Does the Fourth Miss know of a poison called Jade Lotus? I am looking for its antidote.”

“I can try to find the divine physician Mu for you, but I can’t guarantee he will be willing to give you the antidote,” Ning Fu said in a low voice.

“All you need to do is find him,” Zong Si replied.

Ning Fu’s mind was in chaos, but her face remained calm. She lowered her eyes and said, “I can look for the divine physician Mu for the heir, but I hope the heir will show mercy on my father’s matters in the future.”

“Regarding the case of Grand Secretary Song, tell your father not to intercede on his behalf,” Zong Si instructed her.

Ning Fu was shocked. Then, she remembered her earlier visit to the Lu residence, where Lu Xing-zhi had mentioned he went to Lang-ya, probably to investigate the case of Grand Secretary Song.

The bribery case involving Grand Secretary Song was a major case in her previous life. Her father, unaware of the truth, submitted a memorial to plead for him and was subsequently infuriated by Emperor Jing-wen, putting the entire Ningguo Duke’s Estate in jeopardy. This had happened six months later in her last life, and it seemed the outcome had already been decided.

“Has the heir’s injury healed?” Ning Fu suddenly remembered his wound. In this situation, she had to maintain a polite formality.

Zong Si looked up at her across the desk. The young lady’s eyes were still red, carrying a mix of sorrow and a hint of resentment.

He was only asking her to find the divine physician Mu, not taking her family’s life. He couldn’t understand why her reaction was so extreme.

Zong Si’s gaze fell on her earlobe, where a green earring made her skin appear even whiter and more supple. He paused before looking away.

Ning Fu saw Zong Si hand her a silk handkerchief and looked up at him, puzzled.

“Clean yourself up. Otherwise, Miss Fu might misunderstand that I bullied you,” the man said in a flat, distant tone, clearly drawing a line between them.

Ning Fu immediately understood what he meant by “bullied.”

She looked at her reflection in a nearby mirror and finally understood why he said that. Her wet, misty eyes and reddened lips indeed looked as if she had been in an intimate moment.

Ning Fu felt embarrassed.

Outside the Qing-tian Pavilion, a light drizzle fell.

There were fewer pedestrians on the road than usual.

The carriage moved smoothly.

Ning Fu’s mood in the carriage, however, remained unsettled.

She had been Zong Si’s wife for three years but had never realized his connection to the Fu family. It was clear he had countless secrets.

If Ning Zheng’s death truly was related to him, Ning Fu would not just sit back and do nothing.

As for finding the divine physician Mu for Zong Si, the matter of Grand Secretary Song was approaching. In this life, she couldn’t let her father get involved again, and finding the man wouldn’t be too difficult.

But Ning Fu knew too well that people like them, who prioritized gain, couldn’t be trusted. The Prince Xuan’s Estate and the Ningguo Duke’s Estate were never on the same side. For now, he might provide some convenience for her father, but in the future, to help the Sixth Prince, Meng Ze, seize the throne, they would surely become mortal enemies.

Even in her previous life, perhaps she simply hadn’t lived to the point where Zong Si would turn his blade on her father. Who knew what would happen ten years from now?

She would have to consider everything else once the divine physician Mu appeared. As for her brother, there was no need to rush.

After the Winter Solstice, snow fell one after another, piling up to half a foot high. People were already up sweeping snow before dawn.

Traveling by carriage became difficult, so Ning Fu had to wake up half an hour earlier than usual to get to the academy on time.

Ning He was also allowed to leave her confinement and return to the academy. As a concubine’s daughter, her carriage was too small and might slip on the road, so she rode in Ning Fu’s carriage.

Ning Fu was a diligent student. On her way to the academy, she was rarely idle, either reading or reciting poetry from the Classic of Poetry. Ning He couldn’t slack off either.

“Fourth Sister, your dress is so pretty,” Ning He said, unable to focus on her book and instead eyeing Ning Fu.

Among the young ladies in the capital, Fourth Sister’s taste was one of the best.

Ning He envied Ning Fu for having a powerful and loving mother who raised her so well. She was beautiful from head to toe; even her hair was thick and dark like silk.

Unlike her own mother, Lady Zhang, who only cared about having another son and paid no attention to her, often scolding or hitting her.

Ning Fu thought for a moment. Fifth Sister was also of marriageable age and probably loved beautiful things. “When we are dismissed, you can come to my room and pick out a couple of dresses.”

“Really?” Ning He’s eyes lit up.

“Of course,” Ning Fu said, curious. “Why are the clothes your mother makes for you all so plain?”

Ning He grew a little sad at the question. “My mother rarely cares for me beyond wanting me to marry into a good family. All my clothes are arranged by my main mother, and she doesn’t really like me.”

The “mother” Ning He referred to was the principal wife of the main household, Lady Wei.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but feel that Lady Wei’s actions were a bit petty. If it were Ning Fu, even if she didn’t like a concubine’s daughter, she wouldn’t be harsh on her food or clothing. A concubine’s daughter didn’t compete for the family’s assets, and the money wasn’t her own. Why not be more generous? Perhaps she could even help the family after she married.

Family harmony leads to prosperity—the ancients must have been right.

“Spend more time with Grandmother; she will naturally provide for you,” Ning Fu advised her. Although Grandmother wasn’t particularly fond of Fifth Sister, she was still her granddaughter.

It wasn’t that Ning Fu was reluctant to give these things away. It was just that their second household couldn’t interfere with the main household’s affairs, or else the eldest aunt might develop a grudge against them. It was fine to help others, but she shouldn’t get herself into trouble.

After Ning Fu’s relationship with Zong Ning became precarious, she felt isolated in the academy.

In truth, Zong Ning was simply standing firmly with Xie Ru-yi and not speaking to her. She didn’t mean to isolate her, but others followed suit and “consciously” chose a side.

The young ladies usually played together happily, but now the atmosphere was strange.

Wei Zi-yi was about to get married and had left the academy. If she were there to mediate, many of the other young ladies would still talk to her.

Ning Fu had always been a good person and rarely made enemies. This was the first time in both of her lives she had experienced such a situation.

She wasn’t a little girl anymore, so she wasn’t completely sad, but there was a certain amount of disappointment. Still, she didn’t spend too much time at the academy, so it just meant she had no one to chat with.

No one invited her to the upcoming snow appreciation outing, which was a shame since it was the perfect time for it. If she missed it, she would have to wait until next year.

Ning He, who had received an invitation, hesitated about whether to go.

Ning Fu advised her, “Since you’ve been invited, you should go. The snow on Cold Fragrance Mountain is at its best right now. Besides, building a good relationship with them will be more beneficial than not.”

What’s more, getting along well with people was never a bad thing. The young ladies weren’t bad at heart. If they were familiar with each other, they would still be willing to help one another with small things.

As a concubine’s daughter, it was even more important for Ning He to maintain good relationships. If she could befriend a young lady from a prestigious family, it would be a good thing.

Ning He nodded and went, wearing the dress Ning Fu had given her.

When she returned and described her time, her face was full of excitement, which made Ning Fu feel a little regretful.

In her heart, there was a sense of regret, though not too much, as she didn’t have the energy to dwell on it.

What she was more worried about, however, was the formulas. Fu Jia-hui’s side had yet to provide a result.

Ning Fu kept this matter on her mind, and the days seemed to pass slowly. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait for long.

Fu Jia-hui used the excuse of inviting her to admire the snow, and the two met again.

The peak of Cold Fragrance Mountain was an excellent spot for snow viewing, but it was not only expensive but also required reservations in advance, which were extremely difficult to get. That’s why the young ladies went together, riding on the coattails of Xie Ru-yi and Zong Ning, to have the opportunity to see the endless white silk landscape.

The entire way up the mountain was covered in white snow, whiter than downy feathers, like a celestial realm with endless white clouds. The fine snow fell from the sky like a myriad of blooming flowers. Thousands of trees seemed to come alive, full of life yet completely silent, magnificent and boundless.

“Such scenery calms the mind,” Ning Fu said, looking out from the carriage.

“From the top of the mountain, you can see for thousands of miles,” Fu Jia-hui said with a smile. “It’s warm in the house on the peak, so it’s even more comfortable to enjoy the snow.”

“What are your plans regarding the formulas, Sister Fu?” Ning Fu asked straightforwardly. This matter had to be discussed sooner or later, and the remaining time could be used to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

“I have already made arrangements. We will open one shop first. If it sells well, we will open another one in the north and south of the city,” Fu Jia-hui explained. “If we incur losses, you don’t need to bear any of it. The heir said it would be your compensation.”

Ning Fu thought to herself that Zong Si might not be doing this out of kindness. He was probably certain that the Snow-Jade Cream made from these formulas would sell well, as he knew of the divine physician Mu’s abilities.

“Thank you, Sister Fu.”

“However, the profits will have to be split three-seven,” Fu Jia-hui said.

Although Ning Fu was unhappy, she was also sensible. Relying on Fu Jia-hui, the business could expand on a larger scale and she wouldn’t have to worry as much. It was better to earn something.

In the blink of an eye, they reached the mountaintop.

The ice sculptures along the way were already exquisite and magnificent, but they paled in comparison to those on the peak, which were so smooth and transparent that it was difficult to distinguish whether they were ice or jade.

“Someone will bring food soon. Younger Sister Ning, you can rest in the house for a while,” Fu Jia-hui said.

The bed in the house was directly facing the window. Although the window was wide open, no cold air entered. Instead, it allowed them to admire the snow scenery below the mountain, which was breathtakingly beautiful.

Ning Fu was captivated and leaned against the window, not noticing when someone entered. However, the person who came in also didn’t disturb her.

At this moment, Ning Fu had taken off her cloak. For ease of movement, she wore a form-fitting dress underneath. This posture highlighted her extremely shapely and full buttocks. The plain sash cinched her slender waist, and even her chest was accentuated.

Zong Si’s eyes grew cold when he saw this.

He remembered the even more lewd dream he had last night. She had cast a flirtatious glance at him, obediently lying beneath him. A moment later, she frowned and pouted娇娇地撂挑子道, “I’m done, I’m tired.”

Even her complaints sounded like an invitation.

“You’re so heavy, I can’t breathe,” she said, pushing him. When he didn’t move, she suddenly smiled and said, “If you still want to, then beg me for it.”

He kept a straight face. Although he was displeased, he couldn’t get angry. After a moment of staring at her, he actually lowered his head and kissed her lightly, showing a full gesture of entreaty.