The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 25

Madam Níng’s (also spelled Ning) words were nothing short of spiteful.

Madam Wèi (also spelled Wei) harbored a deep-seated revulsion for Madam Zhāng (also spelled Zhang). Asking Madam Wèi to hand over the management of the household finances (the zhongkui) to Madam Zhāng was comparable to asking her to kowtow to Madam Zhāng or letting Madam Zhāng steal her position as the legal wife.

Years ago, Madam Wèi had tried to dismiss Madam Zhāng, but the sly woman had some skills, managing to utterly bewitch her husband. Madam Wèi vividly remembered that when she had once struck Madam Zhāng, her husband refused to see her for a full six months.

Now that Madam Níng had brought up Madam Zhāng, Madam Wèi felt very unpleasant but couldn’t openly flare up. She merely said, “Madam Zhāng is vain and snobbish. If she were allowed to manage the estate’s affairs, she’d probably be so arrogant her tail would be wagging at the sky.”

“Big Sister-in-law’s words are not without reason,” Madam Níng said, sounding unconcerned.

Níng Fú (also spelled Ning Fu) agreed with her eldest aunt. If Madam Zhāng were put in charge of the zhongkui, she would likely cease to respect Mother within a few months. Besides, Madam Zhāng was certainly not a woman capable of such a task.

Madam Zhāng was the type of person who bowed only to power.

After leaving the Lotus Pavilion Garden, Madam Wèi’s face fell. She sneered, “The Second Branch is clearly coveting the bit of power I hold, yet they insist on feigning a high-minded appearance. After being in-laws with her for almost twenty years, do I not know what kind of person she is?”

“The Second Madam’s arrogant demeanor over the years truly hasn’t changed. She looks incredibly unapproachable,” Nanny Lǐ (also spelled Li) commented.

“She still acts as if she’s the legitimate daughter of the Princess’s Estate. Frankly, the Princess’s Estate is now an eyesore to the Emperor and will be pulled out sooner or later,” Madam Wèi said, unable to swallow her anger.

“Madam, please don’t be upset over such matters. Right now, we need to figure out a way for the Second Branch to help. The ledger needs to be quickly dumped onto the Second Branch’s shoulders, letting her find a way to balance it,” Nanny Lǐ patiently advised. “Even if the Second Branch can’t balance it, it will be the Second Branch’s inefficiency, and the blame won’t fall on the First Branch.”

Madam Wèi sighed deeply. Although she had long known there were problems with the State Duke Estate’s finances, she had privately taken out a significant amount of silver for her husband’s socializing. Now, the method of robbing Peter to pay Paul was quickly failing.

The best solution now was to make the Second Branch use her own dowry to cover the deficit. After all, the Second Branch also benefited from the State Duke Estate’s daily expenses. If she had money, why shouldn’t she contribute when the State Duke Estate was in trouble?

However, all plans had to wait until Yù’s (also spelled Yu) wedding was complete.

Before Níng Yù’s wedding, Níng Fú took Níng Hé (also spelled Ning He) to the Wèi Estate.

The woman Wèi Zǐyī (also spelled Wei Ziyi) most wanted to see before her marriage was Níng Fú. Upon seeing her, Wèi Zǐyī was overjoyed, pulling her along to view her wedding dress.

Wèi Zǐyī was beloved in the Wèi Family, and the marriage was a happy union between two related families, so both sides treated it with extreme importance. Even the wedding dress was made by the best tailor in the capital. The material was light, the style novel, enhancing every one of the bride’s merits. It was not only expensive but also required a long wait in line.

The accompanying glass brocade was equally exquisite. The intricate silver thread embroidery, combined with the interplay of black and vermillion jade, gave it a noble and ethereal quality.

“What a beautiful wedding dress,” Níng Fú praised with a smile. “My elder brother will likely be dazzled.”

Wèi Zǐyī couldn’t help but blush, gripping Níng Fú’s hand as she asked, “What has your elder brother been busy with lately?”

A month before the wedding, the couple ceased to see each other, but the closer the wedding drew, the more she wanted to know his every move.

“My brother is personally furnishing the courtyard for your future home,” Níng Fú’s tone held a hint of teasing.

Wèi Zǐyī asked, “Are you there to supervise for me? I don’t like what your brother likes, so I hope I won’t have to redecorate everything myself after the wedding.”

“Why would I need to supervise? Big Brother asks me about your preferences every day. Don’t worry, Sister Wèi, you will definitely love the courtyard,” Níng Fú assured her.

Expectation flashed in Wèi Zǐyī’s eyes. Níng Yù was so sincere toward her, and the State Duke Estate held her in such high regard. Even if she had to endure hardships with him in the future, she was willing.

Níng Fú also saw the unique longing of a young lady in her eyes. Every bride, on the eve of her wedding, always imagined a life of harmonious marital bliss with her husband. However, in the future, the light in her eyes would gradually be worn away until nothing remained.

Sister Wèi was too kind and was often targeted in her past life. She and Níng Yù had also experienced estrangement, their life together far less harmonious than she had anticipated.

Yet, this wasn’t entirely Níng Yù’s fault. Wherever interests lie, conflict is inevitable, and people will always side with their own kin. No matter how much Eldest Aunt and Grandmother liked Sister Wèi, it would never compare to their affection for Big Brother. Just as the Princess Consort Xuān was kind to her, she always sided with Zōng Sì (also spelled Zong Si).

But now, Níng Fú did not want to say anything depressing. Besides, being in the Níng State Duke Estate, she could always help her somewhat.

“I’m already very content that I can be with you often once I move into the Níng State Duke Estate,” Wèi Zǐyī looked at Níng Hé behind Níng Fú and said gently, “Fifth Sister, you must also come and keep me company often.”

Níng Hé tore her eyes away from the dazzling wedding dress and said, “Sister-in-law, you can call me if you’re bored.”

Upon realizing what she had just said, Níng Hé became flustered, while Wèi Zǐyī’s face turned an even deeper shade of red.

Níng Fú couldn’t help but laugh nearby.

The Wèi Estate had a great many guests these days. Níng Fú and Níng Hé only stayed for an hour before returning to their estate.

“Sister Wèi’s wedding dress is so beautiful,” Níng Hé told Níng Fú.

As a concubine’s daughter, she had always been perceptive, knowing that some people looked down on those born from concubines. Her own friends were also concubines’ daughters from other families. She rarely spoke in front of others, which was why she hadn’t praised the wedding dress in front of Wèi Zǐyī.

Furthermore, she knew Wèi Zǐyī wanted to talk to Fourth Sister, not her, and she didn’t want to disturb them.

However, Níng Hé had fewer reservations with Fourth Sister and liked to come back and talk to her privately about things.

Níng Fú looked at her. Fifth Sister was no longer a child and could be married off in a few years. “If you like it, I can gift you one when you get married in the future.”

Níng Hé was stunned. She hadn’t expected Fourth Sister to be so kind, but she quickly calmed down: “Fourth Sister, I’m very happy that you care for me so much, but I will only be able to marry a concubine’s son. Being too ostentatious might make me an object of resentment once I enter my husband’s family.”

Though she felt unwilling and thought about not underestimating herself, how many concubines’ daughters could truly marry well? Even if she married into a good family, her husband would only be a marginalized figure in the inner residence.

“The more ostentatious you are, the more it shows the State Duke Estate values you, and the less people will dare to bully you,” Níng Fú said, spoiling her by gently pinching her slender wrist and smiling. “Study hard, build leverage for yourself, and I will also plan carefully for you. I certainly won’t marry you off carelessly.”

Níng Hé’s feelings were complicated. Her original intent in approaching Fourth Sister was knowing she couldn’t rely on her own concubine-mother. She wanted to use Fourth Sister to meet more people and find a good marriage for herself, and perhaps gain some benefits from Fourth Sister along the way.

She knew she was beautiful. Although not as striking as Fourth Sister or Second Sister, she was far better than others. Someone would surely be taken with her.

“Attracting people with beauty doesn’t last. Study your lessons. Knowledge is always your own, and the reputation gained from good studies is also your own. If you have your own value, your husband’s family will respect you genuinely,” Níng Fú told her earnestly.

Níng Hé couldn’t help but tear up. This wasn’t the first time Fourth Sister had said this to her, but only now did she truly listen.

Níng Fú gently wiped her tears with a handkerchief: “Ah Hé (also spelled A He), remember that you are a daughter of the State Duke Estate. I will always be your sister. I might not be sincere with everyone else, but I am always sincere with you.”

Níng Hé nodded and wrapped her arms around Níng Fú.

Níng Fú smiled at her affectionate manner and gently patted her head.

Níng Yù’s wedding was not the first joyous banquet of the year in the capital, but it was the most lively. Although the State Duke Estate was not as powerful as before, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The display was considerable. Red silk covered every inch of the path, and lanterns and colorful decorations were everywhere.

There were over sixty tables of guests, countless nobles among them, all brilliantly dressed, adding great color to the celebration.

The journey from the Wèi Estate to the Níng State Duke Estate was filled with gongs and drums. Níng Yù, buoyed by the joyful occasion, looked even more handsome in his red wedding robes.

Níng Fú privately thought that Eldest Aunt was quite bold. Despite the enormous hole in the State Duke Estate’s finances, she still splurged so much on Big Brother’s wedding. However, Níng Fú had no objection to this. Even if the bride wasn’t Wèi Zǐyī, she still felt it should be done this way; the bride shouldn’t be slighted.

After a moment, Wèi Zǐyī stepped out of the sedan chair, adorned in a phoenix coronet and robes of rank (fengguan xiapei). With every step, she seemed to tread on blooming lotuses, graceful and elegant.

“What a beautiful bride,” someone nearby sighed.

“The next wedding more extravagant than this will likely have to wait until someone in the Prince Xuān’s Estate gets married, won’t it?”

“Even the Crown Prince’s wedding a few years ago couldn’t compare to this. When the Heir gets married, I wonder how luxurious it will be. I heard the Níng State Duke Estate has always tried to cozy up to the Prince Xuān’s Estate, but the Prince Xuān’s Estate won’t allow it.”

Níng Fú looked back. The speakers were two of Madam Zhāng’s maternal aunts.

“Is this Fourth Miss?” one of them asked, her eyes lighting up with admiration upon seeing Níng Fú.

Níng Fú smiled and nodded, asking, “Would Madam like some tea?”

She then brewed two cups. Just as she was about to present the tea, she heard someone warmly call out, “Second Madam, please come and sit.”

Níng Fú was wondering which Second Madam they were referring to. When she turned around, she saw it was the Second Madam Zōng from the Prince Xuān’s Estate.

“May I beg a cup of tea from Fourth Miss?” Second Madam Zōng smiled kindly.

She had originally intended to find a chance to speak with Níng Fú, but she had just overheard the two women disparaging the Níng State Duke Estate in relation to the Prince Xuān’s Estate. Therefore, she walked over directly to lend Níng Fú some support.

The person her son valued was someone she naturally had to protect.

Fourth Miss Níng seemed to have ignored the two women’s gossip. She was calm and unwilling to engage, a temperament that was well-suited for managing an inner residence without fuss.

“Please wait a moment, Madam,” Níng Fú said.

When Second Madam Zōng tasted Níng Fú’s tea, she was amazed: “Fourth Miss’s tea brewing skill is excellent. The bitterness is very faint.”

“I’m glad Madam likes it,” Níng Fú smiled.

Second Madam Zōng looked at her bright face, thinking, No wonder my second son likes her. I wonder what she thinks of my second son.