The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 32

Ning Fu having raised the topic of Zong Si’s upcoming marriage at this time clearly had her own objective.

This was a way of showing that she had no desire for him whatsoever; she would be happy to see him marry. In fact, she was eagerly hoping he would quickly wed Xie Ruyi into the Prince of Xuan’s residence.

However, for Zong Si, she was the one who knew about the previous life. Now, despite being in the position of his wife/concubine (in the past), she was congratulating him on his marriage to another woman. Even if he didn’t like her in this life, he surely could not be entirely unfeeling or emotionless about her actions.

Zong Si tugged at the corner of his mouth and said flatly, “Fourth Miss certainly concerns herself with my affairs.”

“I naturally hope the Heir Apparent will also have success in his romantic life,” Ning Fu said with a faint smile. Although it had an element of polite formality, her sentiment was also entirely sincere.

“Go back now,” Zong Si stopped bringing it up and curtly ushered her out.

Ning Fu paused in thought for a moment, then added, “If the Heir Apparent sets his betrothal in the near future, if there is news about Divine Doctor Mu, shall we still meet at Qingtian Pavilion as planned?”

“If there are any changes, someone will notify you,” Zong Si replied without much interest. Once married, things would naturally be less convenient than when he was unmarried.

“At that time, if it is not urgent, I will find Sister Fu to relay the message to you,” Ning Fu cooperated fully.

Zong Si left.

However, Ning Fu felt a knot of unease in her heart. Zong Si’s mood did not seem good after she congratulated him on his marriage to Sister Xie. His attitude toward her was somewhat different from before. It wasn’t affection, but there was a complexity that was hard to describe; in any case, it was different from how he treated other women. She just didn’t know why he had suddenly changed. Ning Fu recalled that he had just asked about her teacher, wondering if he had perceived something.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but worry: Was he suspecting that she had been reborn?

On her way back, she happened to run into Zong Ning and her group.

“Sister Ning, why are you wandering alone…?” Zong Ning felt she looked lonely and felt increasingly guilty, believing it was her fault that the young ladies had ignored her a long time ago.

“Isn’t the Heir Apparent’s residence not far from here?” Rong Min suddenly insinuated.

This remark was clearly implying that Ning Fu had ulterior motives. Zong Ning’s expression shifted as she heard this. Rong Min might not be certain, but she actually knew that Ning Fu and the Third Brother had previously discussed marriage matters.

Ning Fu was not accustomed to indulging Rong Min. She said with a smile, “I didn’t realize the Heir Apparent’s residence was over here. However, I am surprised that Sister Rong is so concerned about the Heir Apparent.”

Rong Min became angry: “Don’t slander me!”

“I thought since Sister Rong likes to slander others so much, she herself isn’t afraid of being slandered,” Ning Fu countered.

Zong Ning also felt Rong Min was wrong. She said, “Sister Rong, Sister Ning could not possibly have intentions toward my Third Brother. When she sees my Third Brother, she wishes she could hide far away. Please, do not speculate about her like that.” Ning Fu might marry her Second Brother in the future, so her character absolutely could not be maligned by outsiders, much less linked to her Third Brother.

Seeing Zong Ning speak up, Rong Min suppressed her anger and had to stop arguing with Ning Fu.

Only Cheng Shuang remained silent. She had genuinely wanted to see Zong Si, and seeing no one now left her disappointed. Soon, Zong Si’s marriage to Xie Ruyi would be settled, and she would have no further opportunity to express her love for him. The mere thought caused Cheng Shuang intense pain. Sister Xie likes Zong Si for his background; only she wholeheartedly loves the man himself. Why couldn’t the wife be her? Furthermore, the Princess Consort of Xuan had also praised her as intelligent and clever, showing fondness for her. If it weren’t for Sister Xie, perhaps it would have been her? Cheng Shuang bit her lip and lowered her gaze, collecting her thoughts.

Zong Ning invited them: “Sister Ning, the rockery is cold. Come stroll with us.”

Ning Fu considered it for a moment. Although the Prince’s residence held no novelty for her, she was bored right now, so walking with them was better than nothing.

“It seems we haven’t seen Second Young Master Lu for quite a while,” Zong Ning remarked as they entered the covered corridor.

Ning Fu paid attention upon hearing Lu Xingzhi’s name. She hadn’t heard any news of him since he was sent out to suppress bandits.

Rong Min had the most up-to-date information about Lu Xingzhi. “Although Young Master Lu has eliminated the mountain bandits, His Majesty worried that the bandits were skilled at hiding. Within a few months, they became rampant again, so he appointed Young Master Lu as an Inspecting Censor, temporarily stationed in Liangzhou.”

Ning Fu understood immediately: Emperor Jingwen clearly valued him. If this continued, his future would undoubtedly be limitless. The prosperity of the Lu Residence might well begin with his generation.

Zong Ning looked at Rong Min suspiciously: “Why do you know this so clearly?”

Rong Min couldn’t help but blush and changed the subject: “The scenery of the Prince of Xuan’s residence, even the palace can’t compare. The colors everywhere are somewhat dry and dull, but the residence is full of vitality.”

Seeing this, Zong Ning didn’t press further. Every young lady had someone she admired, especially since Lu Xingzhi was someone even her own mother spoke highly of. Zong Ning also had a good impression of Lu Xingzhi, but it wasn’t romantic; she preferred to regard him as an elder brother. However, although Lu Xingzhi sometimes acted on behalf of his elder brother, he seemed to dislike the Prince’s residence. He was neither fawning nor concerned with the people of the residence; he was cold and distant, almost as if the residence and he had a past conflict. Zong Ning simply attributed it to his cold personality, as there were many who did not view the Prince’s residence favorably.

After strolling a little longer, the group ran into the Princess Consort of Xuan and Madam Xie, who were also out for a walk.

“Mother Consort, Madam Xie,” Zong Ning greeted cheerfully.

The others followed suit with bows.

Madam Xie smiled, “It’s been a long time, Ah-Ning; you seem to have grown taller.” Her gaze then inevitably fell upon Ning Fu behind her. The young lady was indeed beautiful, but like the Princess Consort of Xuan, she still believed it was best for young ladies not to be excessively beautiful; relying on looks was not sustainable. Therefore, from beginning to end, Madam Xie never considered the Duke of Ning’s Residence a real rival. When the rumors spread that the Duke of Ning’s Residence wanted to ally with the Prince of Xuan’s residence, she dismissed it as a joke and didn’t take it seriously.

“Mother Consort and Madam should discuss important matters. We will leave first,” Zong Ning deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the words “important matters,” with a tone of teasing.

Ning Fu thought that now that Zong Si had returned victoriously, what this “important matter” referred to was self-evident: Zong Si and Xie Ruyi’s marriage. Both families placed great importance on this union, so formality was necessary, and every aspect required careful consideration.

With her son’s marriage imminent, the Princess Consort of Xuan was in high spirits and couldn’t help but smile, “Entertain the young ladies well for your mother; don’t neglect anyone.”

There were also quite a few young masters touring today. When they returned to the banquet hall, Ning Fu saw Zong Si again among the young masters. A person who had fought on the battlefield was naturally sharp; as Ning Fu looked his way, he had already noticed and looked back at her. However, their earlier conversation had not been pleasant, and his expression was very cold.

Ning Fu paused, then offered him a slight, conciliatory smile. He paused, then slowly shifted his gaze away in an unhurried manner. After he looked away, Ning Fu’s smile vanished. If he hadn’t helped her father with the matter involving Grand Secretary Song, and if it weren’t for the need for harmony among the young ladies, she wouldn’t bother giving him a pleasant expression.

“The Heir Apparent is currently enjoying success in both his romantic life and official career. Even I, upon receiving such a letter, would be rushing back,” said one of the advisors of the Prince of Xuan’s residence. That day in the Northern Territory, he was the one who personally handed that letter to Zong Si. He had also seen the letter’s contents. It read: May the Heir Apparent be at peace; I hope for your safe return. The battle situation was not going well that day, and the Heir Apparent’s mood was almost gloomy, but it eased after reading the letter. He hadn’t burned the letter but had kept it safe. This person who wrote the letter, he was certain, was the young lady of the Xie family. How could he have guessed that the person who truly wrote that letter was that Fourth Miss from the Duke’s residence?