The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 27

“Commander Zong, why are you so delighted?” Prince Xuan coldly glanced at Zong Duo, who was chuckling foolishly.

Prince Xuan was already over forty. When he wasn’t smiling, he exuded a stern authority. Having fought in battles for decades, the killing intent he carried was deeply ingrained, making him appear daunting.

Zong Duo contained his smile and stated solemnly, “Your subordinate is pleased that he saw through the Hu barbarians’ scheme.”

“This time, we owe a great deal to Commander Zong’s foresight. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable,” said Imperial Censor Du Fang, who was in charge of supervising grain transport, still shaken. “I just didn’t expect those Hu barbarians to be so bold as to infiltrate the Great Yan border to seize our provisions.”

Prince Xuan remained composed. “The more reckless the Hu forces become, the more it proves their military supply is failing, forcing them to resort to desperate measures. Their failure to seize the grain this time will only cause their morale to collapse further. Imperial Censor Du, you must be tired from your journey. You may step down and rest.”

Du Fang bowed and took his leave. Zong Duo then said, “For the Hu barbarians to know the precise date our provisions were scheduled to arrive, someone must have been feeding them information. I ask that Your Highness thoroughly investigate this matter.”

Prince Xuan replied, “Have you seen your father yet?”

“Reporting, Second Uncle, not yet.” Zong Duo switched his form of address, noting that Prince Xuan was now discussing private affairs.

“You should go down and get some sleep first. Your father is still at the military camp. We can gather once he returns,” Prince Xuan instructed.

Zong Duo looked at Zong Si, realizing the Prince had something he wished to discuss with his son. He then followed a soldier and departed.

“How is your Mother Consort?” Prince Xuan finally addressed Zong Si. Having been in the Northern territory for a year without returning, he naturally missed his wife.

Zong Si replied, “Everything is well, save for her worry over you.”

A slight smile appeared on Prince Xuan’s face. He sighed and said, “I fear she still resents me for delaying your marriage. However, after you repel the Hu forces this time and earn another military merit, you can return and request the Emperor grant the marriage.”

Though Emperor Jingwen did not wish the Prince Xuan’s estate to wed into the Duke of Qing’s household, he would not refuse a highly respected general who was useful to him and held great authority in the army. After careful consideration, he would certainly agree.

Zong Si did not respond.

If the Hu barbarians hadn’t revealed the desperate flaw of their dwindling supplies by attempting this raid, the decision to launch a punitive campaign against them might not have been made so quickly.

The Reunion and the Riddle

Later that night, General Zong also returned from the military camp. Seeing Zong Duo safe and sound, he was greatly relieved and laughed heartily. “It’s a good thing you were careful. If the grain had been seized this time, it would have been a great hardship for the soldiers of Great Yan.”

It was a rare family reunion for father and son, and Prince Xuan had specially permitted them to share a small drink.

“However, in past years when transporting provisions and military funds, the escorting army usually only had two companies, and there were never any incidents. Why were two extra companies temporarily mobilized this year?” General Zong asked curiously.

Though Zong Duo’s expression remained serious, a warmth surfaced in his heart. “To be honest, someone had a dream that I would meet with an accident on this journey and came to warn me. People say that a dream of a future event is an omen, so I kept an extra vigilant watch.”

Zong Si toyed with the wine cup in his hand, his expression calm.

That day in the palace, Miss Ning Four had used Jingwen to lead Zong Duo to Jingyang Palace for this matter. If it was merely to tell Zong Duo about a dream, her actions were overly elaborate and illogical.

It was more as if… she was absolutely certain that the events in the dream would occur.

The mystery surrounding Ning Fu extended beyond this one incident. Even the matter involving the Divine Physician Mu, upon closer thought, seemed illogical. Her reaction was as if she knew for certain that the physician would arrive within that six-month period.

This ability to “foresee the future” suggested that she had lived through it before.

But if a person truly had a previous life, wouldn’t that mean he was truly her husband?

Zong Si did not believe in such an absurd idea. Furthermore, if he and Miss Ning Four truly shared such an intimate relationship, she should have informed him about Zong Duo’s situation, not another man.

However, on the off chance that Miss Ning Four really was reborn…

Thinking too much about it inevitably gave rise to a feeling akin to finding one’s own red apricot (a metaphor for one’s wife) has left the inner wall for another.

Zong Si curled his lips in a look of extreme coldness, set down his cup, and stopped dwelling on it.

Zong Duo’s statements made both General Zong and Prince Xuan curious as to who this person was.

Unfortunately, Zong Duo refused to reveal the identity of the person.

“It seems this person brings you great fortune,” Prince Xuan joked.

Zong Duo felt the same way. Ning Fu brought him great fortune. Once he returned to the capital, he would ask her what she thought of him. If she also had a good impression, he would inform his uncle. He assumed that since they knew he was saved from an accident by Ning Fu’s timely warning, they would not object.

Thinking of this, Zong Duo couldn’t wait to return to the capital soon.

Friendships Renewed

A few days later, Ning Fu also received the news that Zong Duo had safely delivered the grain to the Northern territory, and she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

With the New Year celebrations concluded, the assessments for Imperial Arts and Music Arts were only a half-month away. The young ladies gradually became busier, returning to the academy even before the Lantern Festival.

“When Second Lord returns, he’ll likely be promoted again for repelling the Hu barbarians this time,” Rong Min said admiringly as she leaned close to Zong Ning.

At his age, Zong Duo was already a Cavalry Commander of the Fourth Rank, Upper Grade. If he continued at this pace, he would likely be a third-rank official or higher before he turned thirty. Even without relying on the Prince Xuan’s estate, his future was limitless.

Zong Ning was very proud of her elder brother. Just as she was about to boast, she spotted Ning Fu. She then recalled that the day before, her paternal aunt and her mother had discussed Elder Sister Ning and showered her with praise for everything from her character to her appearance.

Combined with the straightforward meaning of her second brother’s words before he left the capital, the awkwardness she felt toward her disappeared entirely. She even took the initiative to walk over to Ning Fu’s side. “Elder Sister Ning.”

Seeing this, Ning He stood up and offered her the seat.

“My second elder brother was ambushed by the Hu barbarians while transporting the provisions this time, but he was heroic and resourceful, and he managed to resolve the situation,” Zong Ning said as she sat down beside her.

“Second Lord’s abilities have always been admirable,” Ning Fu replied, rubbing her nose in cooperation.

“I didn’t act well a while ago. Elder Sister Ning, I truly know I was wrong in my heart, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak to you. Can you make peace with me?” Zong Ning looked at her with hopeful eyes.

Ning Fu said gently, “I was never angry with you.”

“That’s good. I want to sit with you today.” She turned her head to look at Ning He. “Is that alright, Younger Sister?”

Ning He smiled sweetly. “Of course. I’ll sit behind you two.”

For several days in a row, Zong Ning sat with Ning Fu. This made the other young ladies who had been isolating Ning Fu feel awkward, and they, too, began speaking to Ning Fu voluntarily.

Zong Ning’s heart wasn’t bad when she refused to speak with Ning Fu; she simply didn’t want to be near her. The others who followed suit, while mostly obligated to take a side, included some who enjoyed watching a spectacle. But as they were willing to offer an apology, Ning Fu was also happy to save face.

After Zong Ning and Ning Fu reconciled, she wrote a letter to Zong Si, who was far away in the North, asking if he was accustomed to the territory and what interesting sights there were.

At the end of the letter, however, she couldn’t help but boast:

“Third Elder Brother, please tell Second Elder Brother that I will handle the relationship with Elder Sister Ning for him. I’ve been saying many good things about him to Elder Sister Ning these past few days. He must thank me properly later!”

Zong Ning thought to herself, she truly was a thoughtful younger sister to her brother. Her second brother must be incredibly touched.