The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 23

Without waiting for Zong Si’s reply, Ning Fu lowered her eyes and said, “My personal matters are for the Duke’s Estate and my mother to worry about. Whatever I do, even if it’s over my head, it’s my own business.”

Although her tone was gentle, the sarcasm was very clear.

For the sake of the Duke’s Estate, Ning Fu was usually willing to be lenient and a harmonious young lady, but she would not allow Zong Si to overstep his bounds.

Zong Si looked at her. Her face still wore a polite expression, showing no change, but her flushed earlobes revealed a hint of her emotions. She was probably furious at the moment.

His expression remained the same, and his voice was as indifferent as ever. He said, “I just want to remind you that Sixth Prince is too experienced when it comes to women. He’s not a good choice.”

Ning Fu remained silent.

“My aunt has already chosen the future consort for Meng Ze,” Zong Si said calmly. “Besides, he has never been one to be particular about women. Even if he likes you now, there will be someone new sooner or later.”

“If the heir is being kind, you should speak more kindly,” Ning Fu said.

“You’re the one who immediately cast me as a villain,” Zong Si said.

Ning Fu paused, recalling what had just happened. He had indeed only told her that she would get no good from Meng Ze. She was speechless for a moment.

It was probably because the impression he had left on her in both her previous and present lives was not good, which made her assume he had malicious intent.

This was also his fault for being so morally corrupt in her past life.

“I will be going to the north in a few days,” Zong Si said, handing her a hand warmer.

Ning Fu thought for a moment, reached out, took it, and sat down next to him. “The heir used his injury as an excuse to delay the investigation of Grand Secretary Song. By all accounts, you should still be recuperating. How did you explain to the Sixth Prince that you’re leaving for the north after the New Year?”

The carriage was small, and the distance between them was not far.

Zong Si turned his head slightly and could see the exquisite hairpin in her hair, small and delicate, swaying gently with her movements.

The Fourth Miss’s posture was excellent. Even with the biggest movements, her hairpin and tassels never flew around carelessly, and she never lost her poise.

Zong Si said, “The barbarians have been recuperating for half a year and are now eyeing us menacingly. The situation is urgent, so even if I’m missing a leg, no one will be suspicious if I rush there at this time.”

“It will also take time to resolve the matter in the north. It’s more important, and it will be able to delay the Grand Secretary Song case for half a year,” Ning Fu also guessed his plan and couldn’t help but sigh at how he had arranged these matters so perfectly.

By using his injury as an excuse, he could delay his trip to the north for these days. Meng Ze wouldn’t say much about it. And after he went to the north, Meng Ze would have even less to say. The matter of Grand Secretary Song was scheduled for after his return from the north. This was even more strategic. When the Prince of Xuan’s Estate earned another military merit, Emperor Jing-wen would not be able to be impartial on the Grand Secretary Song case.

Zong Si’s plan was so meticulous. Not only did he clear his obstacles, but he also timed everything perfectly. It was no wonder that Grand Secretary Song met such a fate in her previous life.

“I don’t know why the heir wanted to see me today,” Ning Fu asked.

“If you have any news of the divine physician Mu, the Fourth Miss can write a letter and send it to the Qing-tian Pavilion,” Zong Si said, taking out a stick of ink. “This is a kind of invisible ink. Once the writing is dry, it will disappear from the paper. You’ll need a special solution to make it reappear.”

This was to prevent the letter from being leaked.

“I will act with caution. The heir should also be careful of the barbarians in the north. The battlefield is ruthless,” she said. But she knew in her heart that he wouldn’t be in danger. “Getting injured is still painful and affects one’s life.”

Zong Si then remembered the picture book of marital affairs that Ning Fu had sent him. He said slowly, “Where does an injury affect one’s life? For example, an injury to the waist?”

“An injury to the waist would naturally affect one’s life, and quite significantly,” Ning Fu thought. As a man leading troops into battle, an injured waist would probably make horseback riding difficult. Just thinking about it, she felt a little sympathetic.

Zong Si, however, let out a chuckle that was hard to understand. It was very faint and neither warm nor cold. “Thank you for your concern, Fourth Miss.”

Ning Fu was a little confused.

“I’ll be going now,” she said, putting the ink stick away.

Zong Si watched as she first lifted the curtain to check if anyone was outside. Only after confirming that no one was passing by did she get out of the carriage.

She left in a hurry.

The Fourth Miss’s identity was very suspicious.

Zong Si thought of those two seductive dreams.

Because of those two dreams, Zong Si felt a little differently about Ning Fu than he did before.

At the very least, when he met with other officials at the Yi-xiang Pavilion, where there was music, dancing, and luxury, the first woman who would come to Zong Si’s mind would be Ning Fu.

But this was not something he should appreciate. He had to forget those two dreams as soon as possible.

For Zong Si, a woman with a great family background like Xie Ru-yi, who was open-minded, tolerant, and talented, was the right choice for the mistress of his household.

“Fourth Miss.”

Ning Fu was about to follow the palace maid outside the carriage when she heard Zong Si call out to her.

She turned around. In the darkness, his figure was a little blurry, but his silhouette was tall and straight.

“Happy New Year,” Zong Si said calmly.

Ning Fu was stunned for a moment. In her previous life, Zong Si rarely corresponded with her, but every New Year, he would send her a letter with these four characters.

But things were different now. Ning Fu sighed inwardly and said, “You too, Heir.”

…

On the way back to the estate, Zong Duo looked at Zong Ning a few times and suddenly said, “Why aren’t you wearing any hairpins?”

Zong Si looked over.

“Why are you commenting on a young lady’s hair accessories today, Second Brother?” Zong Ning was a little surprised.

Zong Duo was also stunned. He had said it subconsciously. Now he was a little embarrassed and awkwardly made an excuse. “Just asking. I think Cousin Jing Wen looks very nice wearing them.”

Zong Ning was puzzled. “But Cousin Jing Wen isn’t wearing a hairpin. She’s wearing a jade one. Who do you think looks good wearing them, Second Brother?”

Zong Duo, having been exposed, said nothing.

Why didn’t Jing Wen wear a hairpin today?

Zong Ning recalled for a moment. The only people who wore hairpins today, besides the consorts, were Sister Xie, who wore a heavy floral hairpin, and Sister Ning, who wore an orchid one.

“Sister Ning was wearing a hairpin.”

Zong Duo: “…!”