The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 26

“This tea is sweeter than Tieguanyin, and more fragrant and rich than Biluochun. Could it be Hundred Li Fragrance (Bǎilǐ xiāng)?” Second Madam Zōng (also spelled Zong) carefully sampled the tea and reached a conclusion.

Such skill in tea tasting was not common; it required familiarity with countless varieties. Níng Fú (also spelled Ning Fu) couldn’t help but smile: “Second Madam is so knowledgeable. This tea is indeed Hundred Li Fragrance.”

Níng Fú had recently acquired this tea from Fù Jiāhuì (also spelled Fu Jiahui), and it was perfectly suited for Níng Yù’s (also spelled Ning Yu) wedding banquet.

Second Madam Zōng glanced at the two women nearby and remarked casually, “They say this tea is worth its weight in gold. Fourth Miss using it to entertain guests shows great thoughtfulness.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhāng’s (also spelled Zhang) two maternal aunts looked surprised. They had thought the tea was merely delicious, never imagining it was so valuable. At this point, they didn’t dare waste a single sip.

They also realized that even if the Níng State Duke Estate had been rejected by the Prince Xuān’s Estate, it was still far superior to their ordinary families. To ridicule the Níng State Duke Estate was to look down on themselves. They felt quite awkward for a moment.

Níng Fú couldn’t help but look at Second Madam Zōng, knowing the latter was intentionally speaking up for her.

“And these two are…” Second Madam Zōng looked at the pair.

Níng Fú replied, “They are the maternal aunts of my Eldest Uncle’s concubine, Madam Zhāng.”

“Ah, Madam Zhāng. When the State Duke took her in, it caused quite a stir in the capital back then,” Second Madam Zōng said.

Why was it a stir? Naturally, because a woman from such a humble family as Madam Zhāng managed to make the State Duke insist on taking her in. Such a mismatch in status truly clung to the State Duke Estate. What face did they have to watch the State Duke Estate’s misfortune?

The speaker had a meaning, and the listeners naturally felt it keenly. Madam Zhāng’s two aunts looked crestfallen. They had begged Madam Zhāng to be invited to the banquet today; otherwise, the State Duke Estate would never have acknowledged their kinship.

Second Madam Zōng acted as if she hadn’t noticed and sat down beside them with a smile. Although the two wanted to leave, they didn’t dare spoil the fun of the Prince Xuān’s Estate’s Second Madam and stayed to chat with her for a while.

“Fourth Miss, you look a bit thinner lately. Are you busy with your brother’s wedding?” Second Madam Zōng asked Níng Fú with concern.

“My appetite has been normal lately. Perhaps it’s just that the temperature has warmed up and I’m wearing fewer layers,” Níng Fú replied.

Second Madam Zōng had seen her earlier when she looked sickly, but recently, she appeared energetic. “The weather is fickle, warm one day and cold the next. Fourth Miss should still be careful not to keep changing your clothes, lest you catch a chill.”

Her words were full of solicitude. The Prince Xuān’s Estate didn’t seem to look down upon the Níng State Duke Estate at all; in fact, they appeared quite close, leading people to doubt the rumor that the Níng State Duke Estate was trying to curry favor with the Prince Xuān’s Estate.

When the banquet was about to begin, servants arrived to escort them to the dining area. Only then did Madam Zhāng’s two aunts stand up and follow the servants.

Níng Fú offered, “I will escort Second Madam to your seat.”

Second Madam Zōng was absolutely delighted and walked with her toward the front courtyard.

“Thank you, Madam, for speaking up for me today,” Níng Fú said gratefully.

“Fourth Miss is too polite. What those two said was merely gossip. The matter between you and Third Lord was only a lack of fate; there’s no talk of being rejected. It was simply that the two families didn’t see eye to eye, which is a very common occurrence.”

Níng Fú secretly thought that Second Madam Zōng’s words showed great respect for the State Duke Estate.

Second Madam Zōng smiled meaningfully and added, “However, the people in the Princely Estate have different opinions. I, for one, think very highly of Fourth Miss. You are generous, good-looking, and have great vision.” Others spoke ill of her to her face, yet she didn’t retaliate; she has great composure.

Níng Fú was simply unconcerned. Madam Zhāng’s two relatives were irrelevant people to her; they couldn’t affect the State Duke Estate in the slightest. If she were to fuss over every piece of gossip, the matters she would have to worry about in this life would be endless.

What was more important right now was analyzing Second Madam Zōng’s attitude. Níng Fú didn’t believe she would be so warm towards her for no reason.

“Second Madam is too kind,” Níng Fú said humbly.

“My second son, Zōng Duó (also spelled Zong Duo), has gone to the Northern Territories, and I don’t know how long he will stay. I hear the Hu people (barbarians) are not easy to deal with,” she sighed.

Níng Fú immediately comforted her: “Second Lord is brave and resourceful, with outstanding martial arts skills. Dealing with the Hu people will certainly be no problem for him.”

Second Madam Zōng was very satisfied hearing her positive evaluation of her second son.

The seating arrangement for the banquet was also significant: one table for family, one for relatives, and then tables for distinguished guests like the Prince Xuān’s Estate, the Qìng State Duke Estate, and the Grand Tutor’s Estate.

After Níng Fú escorted Second Madam Zōng back to her seat, Second Madam Zōng said thoughtfully and warmly, “Fourth Miss has other duties to attend to today. There’s no need to run around accompanying me.”

The other madams at the table all glanced at Níng Fú. Although the Second Madam of the Prince Xuān’s Estate was known to be kind, she wasn’t so attentive to just anyone.

“Shouldn’t the Heir’s marriage be settled when he returns?” someone asked after Níng Fú left.

Second Madam Zōng merely smiled without answering.

Among these madams, some were actually considering Níng Fú as a match. Though the Níng State Duke Estate was declining, for most people, she was still a good candidate. They couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant now.

After the banquet ended, Second Madam Zōng took the initiative to chat with Madam Níng.

Madam Níng immediately understood her meaning. Although she wouldn’t actively seek out the Prince Xuān’s Estate, if they took the initiative, she could certainly consider it.

Madam Níng had a decent impression of Zōng Duó. His family background was excellent, yet he wouldn’t inherit the Princely Estate, meaning his responsibilities were lesser. Moreover, Zōng Duó was handsome, his future promising, and Second Madam Zōng’s demeanor suggested she was easy to get along with.

In all aspects, Zōng Duó was commendable, but the prerequisite was that he must have genuinely fallen for Ā Fú.

What a person liked themselves and what their family liked were entirely different things. A couple that genuinely liked each other would live in peace and be willing to protect the wife. Marriages chosen by the family often resulted in the husband taking new concubines within a few years.

Madam Níng was experienced. There were men in Great Yàn who did not take concubines, but they were usually those who had married someone they chose themselves, not someone arranged by the family.

Madam Níng spoke with Second Madam Zōng for a few moments.

“Shouldn’t the Heir’s marriage be settled when he returns?” Madam Níng asked tentatively.

Second Madam Zōng laughed: “Third Lord’s matter is already settled, and no one in the Princely Estate worries about it. I worry more about Second Lord. Whatever kind of woman Second Lord likes, I will fight for her.”

Madam Níng understood: this was Zōng Duó’s own idea. This was quite good, but she still didn’t give a definitive response.

Meanwhile, Níng Fú saw Níng Yù completely drunk. Since childhood, this was the only day he had been so uninhibited. His face was entirely flushed, and his steps were unsteady as he was helped into the bridal chambers.

She suspected there was some feigning involved. Having just married Sister Wèi today, he must have been a little shy about the wedding night, so he pretended to be drunk to bolster his courage.

“I’ve never seen Big Brother so happy,” Níng Hé said.

“He married the person he loves, so naturally, he’s happy,” Níng Fú agreed. The wedding night was indeed a joyful human occasion.

“Big Brother likes Sister Wèi so much, he’ll definitely be very good to her in the future.” Níng Hé couldn’t help but look forward to her own marriage, wondering whom she would marry one day.

Níng Fú felt a pang of melancholy at her words. Although Big Brother liked Sister Wèi, he also caused her considerable distress in her past life. She only hoped that this lifetime, he could protect her well.

The Níng State Duke Estate was lively tonight. Even after returning to the Bamboo Courtyard, Níng Fú felt no desire for sleep.

Madam Níng came to sit with her for a while, checking her schoolwork. Just as she was about to go to bed, she suddenly heard Madam Níng ask, “What do you think of Second Lord Zōng?”

Given Second Madam Zōng’s enthusiasm today, Níng Fú had indeed guessed it might be related to Zōng Duó.

Zōng Duó’s character was naturally good. Although somewhat straightforward, he was honest and kind. However, Níng Fú could not accept him at all.

Moreover, his future life would be perfectly happy; she absolutely could not ruin someone else’s marriage.

“Didn’t Mother say the Prince Xuān’s Estate was unsuitable?” Níng Fú chose to evade the topic, knowing she couldn’t tell her mother the truth for now.

“That’s when the elders of the two families discuss marriage. But if Second Lord has set his sights on you himself, that’s a different matter altogether. These few young men in the Prince Xuān’s Estate, unlike your elder brother who is managed by the elders, are all strong-willed. If they genuinely like you, they will protect you,” Madam Níng said.

Níng Fú was a little perplexed. Zōng Duó was interested in her? They had barely exchanged a few words; how could he have taken a fancy to her?

Could it be that my excellent riding skills caught his eye?

“However, there’s no rush,” Madam Níng said. “There are also a few other families who showed favor to me today. I will find opportunities to meet them another day.”

Níng Fú didn’t pry about which families they were. She had no immediate plans to consider marriage, believing it wouldn’t be too late to think about it after her coming-of-age ceremony (jījí).

She then recalled Lù Xíngzhī (also spelled Lu Xingzhi), remembering his words before leaving the capital: if he wanted to protect the woman he liked, he had to seek fame and fortune and climb the ranks. She was momentarily lost in thought.

When he reached a high position, the ladies who liked him would be countless. He would have many excellent choices.

This made her sigh inwardly.

Madam Níng only mentioned the topic briefly, and neither of them brought it up again later.

The next day, Níng Fú saw Wèi Zǐyī during the tea ceremony. Having become a true couple with Níng Yù last night, her face was still flushed, and she dared not look at anyone.

“Grandmother, please have tea.”

Old Madam Níng smiled widely and gave her a priceless jade bangle: “I only hope you will bring a child to the State Duke Estate soon.”

Wèi Zǐyī was too shy to look up, while Níng Yù watched her tenderly from the side. The two appeared to be deeply in love.

Níng Fú watched them, thinking, If Sister Wèi could always be this happy, that would be wonderful.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Wèi Zǐyī had a chance to speak with her.

The two chatted about everyday life. Towards the end, Wèi Zǐyī suddenly remembered something and said, “Yesterday in the sedan chair, I heard someone say that Second Lord Zōng encountered Hu people intercepting his grain and supplies. I wonder what his situation is.”

Níng Fú knew what she meant, only wondering if Zōng Duó had managed to avoid the danger thanks to her reminder.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Zōng Duó was distracted while relaying the details of his mission.

He thought of Níng Fú. He couldn’t explain why he felt so moved. If the Fourth Miss hadn’t warned him, he would have likely met with disaster this time.

It was a blessing that he had taken her words to heart.

Fourth Miss Níng is no wicked woman! I will never listen to anyone speak ill of her again!

She is my lucky star!

Thinking this, Zōng Duó couldn’t help but smile.