The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 19

Meng Ze lifted the curtain, and Ning Fu stood there politely. It seemed she had grown a little taller since their last meeting. Just standing there, she was radiant and dazzling.

Ning Fu was also observing Meng Ze. He was a cousin to Zong Si, and they looked somewhat alike, but compared to Zong Si’s handsome looks, Meng Ze was more elegant and refined. If the two stood side by side, the taller Zong Si would still be the one to catch people’s attention.

It was no wonder that Meng Ze would have some conflicts with Zong Si in the future. As a dignified prince, why would he be willing to be upstaged?

“How did you know it was me?” Meng Ze asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Among the few princes in the palace, I’m only familiar with Sixth Cousin, so I was bold enough to ask. I just hoped it was Sixth Cousin,” Ning Fu replied, having already prepared her words, smiling brightly.

The corner of Meng Ze’s mouth curled up. “Cousin, you should get a new coachman. If you had encountered the Prince of Xuan’s Estate today, you might not have been able to get away with this.”

Meng Ze was naturally referring to Zong Si. The fact that he brought him up now suggested he held a grudge against him.

“Thank you for the reminder, Cousin,” Ning Fu said, lowering her eyes.

Although Meng Ze had toned down his temper for her, he was not in the mood for romance at the moment. He simply instructed his guard, “Let Cousin Ning go first.”

Ning Fu naturally noticed his suppressed anger and could easily guess where it came from. Since she and Zong Si were now temporarily on the same side, she couldn’t help but inquire, “Does Sixth Cousin have something on his mind?”

Meng Ze suppressed his impatience. “It’s nothing major, just a small disagreement with the heir.”

“The heir and Sixth Cousin are family. A disagreement is a small matter, but don’t let it hurt your relationship. My mother often says that only family will help each other without holding back. It would be a great loss if you fall out,” Ning Fu said, putting in a good word for Zong Si.

Upon hearing this, Meng Ze calmed down. She was right. After all, he was Zong Si’s family. Although Zong Si hadn’t been wholehearted in the matter of Grand Secretary Song, could he really side with the fourth prince?

Harboring resentment and creating a rift with him would only benefit the fourth prince.

Thinking this way, Meng Ze’s resentment truly subsided. He felt that Ning Fu’s words were extremely sincere and that she was genuinely thinking of him.

Meng Ze lived in the deep palace, where he witnessed endless scheming and backstabbing every day. Even his own younger sister might not be sincere with him. He became even more gentle toward Ning Fu. “Cousin Ning is right. There’s nothing to be particular about when it comes to family.”

“Cousin is very busy. I won’t delay you any longer today. You should go first,” Ning Fu said, stepping aside to clear the way.

“How is that white parrot doing?” Meng Ze asked, with the leisure to ask another question.

“My eldest uncle found a bird keeper for me. It’s lively, but I can’t seem to fatten it up. I won’t hide it from you, Cousin; I worry about this parrot day and night and sometimes can’t even sleep well,” Ning Fu said truthfully. She was worried about the parrot given by Emperor Jing-wen. If it died, it would be a sign of great disrespect.

Meng Ze couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “This bird has a stubborn and wild nature. It’s difficult for an ordinary bird keeper to understand its habits. The next time you enter the palace, bring the parrot with you, and I’ll take care of it for a while.”

Ning Fu thought he was just being polite. She was not a member of the royal family, so she didn’t have many opportunities to enter the palace. She didn’t ask further but just accepted his offer with a grateful and joyful smile as was customary.

This gratitude also had a great deal of skill behind it. The more surprised and joyful she seemed, the more accomplished the benefactor would feel.

After Meng Ze left, Ning Fu pondered his relationship with Zong Si. It seemed their bond was not unbreakable. Unfortunately, in her previous life, the palace affairs were not settled, so she didn’t know who would eventually take the throne.

And in her last life, Zong Si didn’t like to hear Meng Ze’s name from her, so Ning Fu was not clear about their relationship at that time.

Before the shop opened, Ning Fu quietly went to the Qing-tian Pavilion once.

Even Ning Fu admired Fu Jia-hui’s efficiency. The formulas had already been made into Snow-Jade Pills and Skin Restoring Balm. The wooden boxes for them were made of high-quality mahogany, gorgeous and luxurious.

At a glance, one could tell they were high-end goods.

Ning Fu instantly understood why there was a saying about buying the box and returning the pearl in ancient times. Even she was attracted by the exquisite gift boxes.

“Is this what you originally had in mind?” Fu Jia-hui asked.

“Sister Fu’s design is much more exquisite than my idea. I’m afraid you would laugh your head off if you knew what I had imagined,” Ning Fu said, a little embarrassed.

Fu Jia-hui was amused. “Younger Sister Ning, you’re such a smooth talker. No wonder so many people like you.”

The largest restaurant in the capital belonged to Fu Jia-hui, and many young gentlemen frequented it. Fu Jia-hui had heard countless times that many handsome young men were discussing Ning Fu behind her back.

Many of them had feelings for her, but they were held back because Ning Fu had not yet had her coming-of-age ceremony.

Ning Fu smiled and said, “I still haven’t figured out how to get Sister Xie to give these beauty products to the Prince of Xuan’s Consort.”

“You don’t have to worry about this anymore. The heir has already personally sent them to the Prince of Xuan’s Consort,” Fu Jia-hui said.

Something sent by Zong Si himself was naturally more effective than something sent by anyone else. It was worth the extra portion of the profits she had to give up. Although he was cold and heartless, he was the most reliable person to get things done.

As for the manager, she had to install someone she could trust. Ning Fu found the accountant, Zhang Zhong, who had been expelled from the Ningguo Duke’s Estate by her eldest aunt, Lady Wei, for stealing. He had resorted to stealing because his mother was seriously ill.

Ning Fu saw that Zhang Zhong was a filial person, and his mother could be the leverage she held over him.

She spent money to hire the best doctor for his mother and expressed that she was moved by his filial piety. But she also implied that if Zhang Zhong were not loyal to her, she would not continue to be so kind. It would be unavoidable to stop the old lady’s medicine then.

With this carrot-and-stick approach, Zhang Zhong was extremely grateful. “I’ve been tormented by the matter of stealing from the Duke’s Estate for years. I am so touched that the Fourth Miss is willing to trust me. Please rest assured, I am not a person who would break my promises.”

After this, Ning Fu finally felt at ease about the business.

At the same time, she didn’t forget to show goodwill to Zong Si. She said to Fu Jia-hui, “It’s rare for me to see the heir. If Sister Fu runs into him, please convey my thanks.”

“The heir has been resting on Cold Fragrance Mountain recently to recover from his injuries. If the Fourth Miss wants to find him, you can find a reason to go yourself. He must be lonely on the mountain,” Fu Jia-hui reminded her. “Building a good relationship with the heir will also be very beneficial for the Ningguo Duke’s Estate.”

If it weren’t for Ning Zheng, Fu Jia-hui wouldn’t have said so much.

Ning Fu was aware of this. She also wanted to inquire about the Grand Secretary Song matter for her father.

Thus, Ning Fu went to Cold Fragrance Mountain once more. She was afraid that her frequent trips out of the estate would make her mother suspicious, so she disguised herself and slipped out of the Duke’s Estate alone. She then borrowed a carriage from the Qing-tian Pavilion.

This was Ning Fu’s first time going out alone. As a woman who was powerless, it was impossible for her not to be nervous. However, fortunately, the customs of the Great Yan Dynasty were simple and honest, and she didn’t run into any bad people.

Zong Si had excellent eyesight. From a distance, he saw a woman in men’s brocade robes walking gracefully. When she passed by the plum blossoms, she broke off a branch before continuing her careful ascent along the winding path, afraid of falling.

As for the person, he naturally recognized her. Who else but the young lady from the Ningguo Duke’s Estate would walk so delicately?

When Ning Fu arrived at the entrance of the wooden house, Zong Si was practicing his sword. The strikes were swift and fierce, like a hawk soaring in the sky. As the sword wind passed, the piled-up snow scattered. Every strike seemed to be able to kill.

In the blink of an eye, the sword was aimed at her, stopping just a hair’s breadth from her throat.

“Heir, it’s me,” Ning Fu quickly pulled down her hood.

Zong Si looked at her in confusion. He lifted the blade of his sword, gently touching her chin, and then raised the sword to lift her chin.

…This gave her the illusion of being teased.

Ning Fu remembered she was wearing men’s robes, but she didn’t believe he hadn’t recognized her. She bit her lip and said, “I am Ning Fu.”

Zong Si gave her a calm look and withdrew his sword.

“I thought that since the heir’s sword injury hasn’t healed, I should personally thank you for the business matter.” On second thought, having Sister Fu convey her thanks was indeed not sincere enough.

Zong Si glanced at her hand, as if questioning why she had come empty-handed.

Ning Fu’s face turned red, then pale. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to bring something, but bringing a valuable item out of the estate would arouse suspicion. She might not even have been able to get out of the Duke’s Estate.

“Heir, why didn’t you tell me that day that this plum blossom is called Floating Dream and is poisonous?” Ning Fu held out the plum blossom for him to see. She had a reason to scold him now.

Zong Si looked at her but didn’t say a word. He just put away his sword and turned to walk back into the wooden house.

Ning Fu followed him in. “If Fifth Sister hadn’t told me this plum blossom was poisonous, it would probably have stayed in my room for a long time. Over time, the poison might have seeped into my internal organs.”

Just thinking about it made Ning Fu feel that he was malicious. Could it be that he was afraid she knew too many secrets and wanted to use this method to quietly get rid of her?

Zong Si paused and said meaningfully, “The Floating Dream’s toxicity is not strong. It’s mostly used in brothels. An ordinary young lady should avoid this plant.”

Used in brothels.

Ning Fu remembered the dream she had that night, where she and Lu Xing-zhi were in this wooden house, passionately entangled as if in life and death. Her face flushed. When she saw Zong Si looking at her thoughtfully, she felt a strange sense of forbidden betrayal, and her face turned even redder.

“Did the Fourth Miss keep the Floating Dream in her bedroom for a night?” Zong Si asked calmly.

To Ning Fu, this sounded like he was mocking her for having improper thoughts at night. She wanted to retort, ‘I wasn’t thinking about you anyway, so what does it matter to you?’

But she couldn’t be so rude in front of him, so she remained silent.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

After a moment, Ning Fu sat up straight and said seriously, “What does the heir think of using the divine physician Mu’s reputation to promote the shop?”

The heir’s share of the profits was too harsh. She needed ten thousand taels to fill her eldest aunt’s hole. It would be difficult to earn that much money in a short period of time, so she had to use the divine physician Mu’s name to sell more.

Furthermore, at this time in her life, the divine physician Mu did not know her and had not given her the formulas. He would surely think she was using his name to deceive people and might even come to find her on his own, so she wouldn’t have to wait for six months.

Zong Si thought for a moment and said, “Tell people that these are formulas he left behind in the past.”

He didn’t want others to know that the divine physician Mu’s whereabouts were known. Ning Fu replied, “Okay.”

And since she had come, she had to put on a show of fake concern to express her care. Although it wouldn’t move Zong Si, since she had started the act, she had to see it through.

If you pretend to be good for a lifetime, it becomes true goodness. If you pretend to care for a lifetime, how is that not a kind of true care?

Zong Si looked at her for a moment, remembering the two dreams he had, and said in a deep voice, “Since the Fourth Miss is so grateful to me, why don’t you give me ‘Radiant Blaze’?”