The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 21

“I know that the Lu family’s foundation in the capital is not deep. The young lady I fancy may not think much of me, but even if she does, I would never let her suffer any grievance,” Lu Xing-zhi said, looking at Ning Fu with a very serious expression.

Ning Fu didn’t know if the person he was referring to was herself, but her heart still beat a little faster.

She looked up at him. The young gentleman’s features were distinct. Although not a stunningly handsome face, his good looks were not inferior to others, like a cup of fragrant, rich tea that needed to be savored slowly.

“Young Master Lu, you will surely get what you wish for,” Ning Fu said, lowering her gaze.

Lu Xing-zhi saw her earlobes turn red and couldn’t help but smile. “I have to go. It’s cold outside, so the Fourth Miss should go back inside. Have a good time at the palace the day after tomorrow.”

They were ordinary words of concern, but for some reason, Ning Fu felt a sense of intimacy from him, as well as a feeling of being doted on like a junior.

Dong Zhu’s gaze lingered between the two for a moment. There was nothing outwardly improper between her mistress and Young Master Lu, yet they seemed inexplicably well-matched.

“Take good care of your mistress,” Lu Xing-zhi said, before catching up with the guards ahead.

Dong Zhu grumbled to herself, “With the way he so familiarly gives me orders, if an outsider heard, they’d probably think Young Master Lu is our future son-in-law.”

But Young Master Lu really was handsome and well-mannered, not inferior to the young masters of the Prince of Xuan’s Estate.

“No wonder there are so many families in the capital inquiring about the Lu family,” Dong Zhu said. “They must have their eyes on Young Master Lu.”

Ning Fu asked, “Where did you hear that news?”

“I heard it from Cui Zhu, who serves the Eldest Madam. She said that the young lady of the Rong Estate has her eye on Young Master Lu, and Lady Rong is inquiring about him everywhere,” Dong Zhu said.

Ning Fu now understood why Rong Min had not been speaking to her recently. It turned out she had a crush on Lu Xing-zhi.

She felt a little conflicted. Although she also liked Lu Xing-zhi, she knew that as long as they were not engaged, even if he liked her a little, it wouldn’t stop others from pursuing him.

Moreover, she was not sure if she could follow her heart and choose him. Her engagement could not be decided until she found the divine physician Mu.

If he was really working so hard to get a promotion for her sake… The thought of it made Ning Fu’s heart ache yet also feel sweet. But in the end, she sobered up and told herself not to be easily moved by a man.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. The old year was “sent off as spring arrives,” and “the year’s end is tonight.” The Duke’s Estate had already put up new couplets and hung red lanterns, filled with laughter and joy, waiting to welcome the new year.

Ning Yu had also returned to the estate the day before. Although his work was not yet complete and he was feeling a bit down, he put all his worries behind him at this moment and helped out with everything.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was held in Old Madam Ning’s Garden of Serenity, as it was every year. Besides the married Ning Ran and the distant Ning Zheng, everyone who should be there was present, even the concubines of the main household, Lady Zhang and Lady Mu, had also come.

Lady Zhang was charming, and Lady Mu was young. Neither of them lacked in beauty.

However, Lady Zhang was a sweet talker and was able to be both flexible and unyielding. Even after Lady Wei confined her for half a year, she could act as if nothing had happened in front of Ning Zhen-xiu and was always the most favored.

“The Fourth Miss is going to the palace later. This outfit is just perfect for the festive occasion,” Lady Zhang said to Ning Fu as she approached her, leaving her own daughter, Ning He, to the side.

“I think Fifth Sister also looks very pretty today.” In an off-white silk dress with a small, round bun, Ning He looked as charming as a flower bud. This style suited her age and was very appealing.

Ning He smiled at Ning Fu, grateful to her.

Lady Zhang, deep down, looked down on her daughter. She couldn’t compare to Ning Ran in any way, so she couldn’t rely on her. She said with a smile, “He is not very talented and is only a concubine’s daughter. How can she be compared to the Fourth Miss?”

Old Madam Ning frowned. “What’s this talk of a concubine’s daughter or an official’s daughter? They are all my granddaughters. Look, He dressed up carefully and is also a beauty. You should pay more attention to her. If I hadn’t sent someone to get her measurements, she probably wouldn’t even have this new dress.”

Ning He had taken Ning Fu’s words to heart and had gone to Old Madam Ning a few times to tell her that she didn’t have any clothes. The old madam felt sorry for her and had someone prepare a new dress for her.

Seeing the old madam protect her again today, Ning He couldn’t help but wipe away a few tears.

Lady Wei scoffed inwardly. Lady Zhang was truly foolish for not even protecting her own daughter. But she wanted to see her stay foolish, so she just smiled without saying a word.

Lady Zhang was scolded and gave Ning He a glare, but she agreed verbally.

Since it was New Year’s Eve, the old madam didn’t want to dwell on such a frustrating matter. She began to count the happy events of the Duke’s Estate this year: one was Ning Ran’s pregnancy, and the other was Ning Fu’s archery results.

The Duke’s Estate had a smooth and fulfilling year, and she hoped the next year would be the same.

Since Ning Fu had to go to the palace, the dinner ended earlier than in previous years.

Lady Zhang looked at Ning Zhen-xiu and said in a sweet voice, “My lord, would you mind taking a walk with me? I’m a little full.”

Ning Zhen-xiu looked at Lady Wei. He should have been with his main wife today.

“My lord, I haven’t seen you in a long time. This is my only small request,” Lady Zhang pleaded, lowering her posture. If she couldn’t charm her lord, how could she have a son?

Seeing this, Ning Zhen-xiu didn’t refuse. He could just go to Lady Wei’s room later. “Let’s go.”

Lady Wei was half-dead with anger, but on the surface, she had to appear magnanimous and act as if nothing had happened.

On the second household’s side, Lady Ning and Ning Zhen-yuan were getting along well. Since they had made up, they were almost inseparable whenever Ning Zhen-yuan was at the estate.

They both saw Ning Fu off and helped her into the carriage.

“Remember, you must not show favoritism toward either Consort Zong or the Empress,” Ning Zhen-yuan said with a serious expression.

The fact that her father knew about this matter in the palace showed how much Consort Zong and the Empress were at odds.

But Ning Fu could understand them. Not to mention the palace, even in an ordinary household, mothers would fight tooth and nail for their sons.

The palace was no different from her memory. Although it was lavish, dignified, and magnificent, standing at the very center of the capital, it was also so deep and oppressive that it made her breathless. Every step she took had to be taken with the utmost caution.

The only young ladies and gentlemen invited to the palace for New Year’s Eve, besides those from the Prince of Xuan’s Estate, were Xie Ru-yi and Ning Fu.

Xie Ru-yi was a little different from Ning Fu; she had been invited several times in previous years.

Ning Fu knew Zong Si and Zong Duo. Closer to Emperor Jing-wen were the princes. Ning Fu only recognized the Fourth Prince, Meng Che, who was the Empress’s son, and the Third Prince, Meng Yuan, and the Sixth Prince, Meng Ze, both of whom were the sons of Consort Zong.

Ning Fu gave the Snow-Jade Pills she had brought to the consorts.

“I heard that these are the divine physician Mu’s formulas. I wanted to try them a long time ago, but I never had the chance. I didn’t expect the Fourth Miss to bring them to me today,” Empress Wang said with a kind smile.

Consort Zong looked at the Empress mockingly and then at Ning Fu, feeling a little surprised.

Although she had heard many people say that Ning Fu’s beauty was unmatched, Consort Zong had scoffed at the idea. No matter how pretty she was, could she really be more beautiful than herself in her youth? But after seeing her today, she realized that everyone’s words were true.

If she weren’t Ning Zhen-yuan’s daughter, she and her third nephew would have made a handsome couple.

“The Fourth Miss has grown into such a lovely young woman,” Consort Zong also said with a smile.

Ning Fu bowed. “Consort is too kind.”

Emperor Jing-wen said with emotion, “You are a thoughtful girl. It’s your first time in the palace, and you haven’t forgotten a single one of my concubines.”

He then looked at the white parrot in the cage. It was much thinner than when he had last seen it, looking listless in its cage. He couldn’t help but say, “How did you manage to raise a perfectly good parrot like this?”

Ning Fu knelt and kowtowed, humbly admitting her fault. “Your Majesty, to raise this parrot well, my eldest uncle personally found a bird keeper for me. However, I truly have no talent for raising birds, so I brought the parrot to the palace, hoping that you could help me find a solution.”

Although Meng Ze had told her to bring the parrot to the palace, she couldn’t mention him at the moment.

“Only Sixth Brother is an expert in raising birds. Let him take care of it for you,” Emperor Jing-wen said.

“Your subject will obey the decree,” Meng Ze said, getting up to bow.

Ning Fu looked toward Meng Ze and saw that he was also looking at her with a half-smile. But it was only for a moment. He quickly looked away as if the parrot had nothing to do with him and it wasn’t his idea at all.

Zong Si, who was not far from him, was even more nonchalant, clearly not interested in her affairs.

Ning Fu then remembered that day when he used his sword to lift her chin, the cold touch.

She could still recall it. At the time, she thought he might not have recognized her, but on second thought, if he really hadn’t recognized her, he would have stabbed her with that sword long ago. Why would he be so merciful? Moreover, when the sword was against her chin, it was clear that he was holding back his strength.

And that posture, if she thought about it carefully, had a hint of teasing. If it were anyone else, Ning Fu would have already concluded that his actions were flirting.

However, Zong Si usually had no intention of getting close to her. He had even tried to drive her away multiple times. He was cold and didn’t speak much. It didn’t seem like he was interested in her. Although she was confused, she didn’t dwell on it and just assumed he was a strange person.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for finding a solution for me,” she said. Now that the parrot matter was resolved, she felt a little less burdened. She then said to Meng Ze with gentle gratitude, “Thank you, Sixth Cousin.”

A beauty’s words made one feel better. Meng Ze smiled and said, “It’s such a small matter, Cousin. There’s no need to thank me.”

Emperor Jing-wen granted Ning Fu a seat next to Princess Jing Wen.

The princess was curious. “Your archery is so good. Is your horsemanship also good?”

“I only know a little,” Ning Fu said modestly.

“Do you know how to play cuju?” Princess Jing Wen asked. “If you do, you should play with us in the next match.”

Princess Jing Wen felt a sense of goodwill toward her because of her amiable nature.

On the other side, Meng Ze had looked at her several times. Compared to his younger sister, Jing Wen, the Fourth Miss had a more feminine charm. He had seen countless women, and in two more years, Ning Fu’s figure would be perfect.

If he had the chance, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep her by his side, but he would have to wait until Ning Zhen-yuan was no longer able to protect her.

Zong Duo frowned. He had sensed Meng Ze’s intentions.

What a scoundrel!

All he ever thought about was scheming against other people’s daughters!

However, he was not in a position to speak out, so he could only drink in silence.

By the end of the banquet, he had drunk a whole pot of wine, and his unhappiness was almost impossible to suppress.

He did not want Meng Ze’s schemes to be directed at Ning Fu.

It wasn’t until Zong Si put his hand on his wine cup and said calmly, “There will be a fireworks show in a little while. Do you want to lose your composure?”