The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 38

“Sister Ning is so beautiful. The Heir Apparent must also like such a beauty. If she is willing to be a secondary wife, will the Heir Apparent take her or not?” Cheng Shuang quickly followed him, speaking somewhat provocatively. Rather than provocation, it was more a desperate attempt to force a denial from him.

Zong Si’s steps halted. He turned back and looked at her with an indifferent expression, but he did not immediately deny her words. Cheng Shuang’s face turned a shade whiter. She was not entirely certain that the man who appeared with Ning Fu in the carriage was Zong Si. She didn’t even want that man to be him. If Zong Si were cold to everyone, she might feel better. However, his current attitude made it impossible not to overthink things. Although the Prince of Xuan’s Residence looked down on the Duke of Ning’s Residence, the requirements were less strict for taking a concubine. If he truly liked her, it wasn’t impossible.

If Ning Fu could know what she was thinking, she would surely sigh deeply. She was not so base; let alone becoming Zong Si’s concubine, she didn’t even want to be his main wife. Did they think being his main wife was a good assignment? An ordinary young lady, facing the ruthless and power-hungry man he would become, would likely cry daily. Ning Fu even felt she deserved the word “strong” in her previous life.

“It is perhaps not very kind of Miss Cheng to discuss a young lady’s private matters behind her back.” Zong Si glanced at Ning Fu, who was standing around the corner not far away. Cheng Shuang was, after all, a thin-skinned young lady. Being spoken to like this made her blush, and she lost the courage to question him further. For a moment, she felt his words were so proper that he didn’t seem like the type to meet privately with a young lady in a carriage. In all these years, she had never heard any rumors of his romantic affairs.

The inscrutable nature of Zong Si was evident here: he made people focus only on his attitude, failing to notice his choice of words. In fact, he had clearly not said a single word indicating whether he would or would not take Ning Fu as a concubine.

Ning Fu was not far away and had heard the gist of the conversation. Cheng Shuang, the person involved, didn’t hear clearly, but Ning Fu heard everything distinctly. Zong Si’s refusal to give a definitive answer was, in a way, him testing her attitude toward becoming a concubine, or perhaps intentionally letting her hear some rumors. Ning Fu was certain Zong Si was unwilling to marry her as his wife. If it were a concubine, it was hard to say, especially since he hadn’t forbidden relations with her in the previous life. And it was rumored he had a mistress in the Northern Territory, so he might not mind taking a concubine.

After Zong Si left, Cheng Shuang walked toward Ning Fu.

“Sister Cheng,” Ning Fu looked at her red-rimmed eyes. Cheng Shuang couldn’t help but throw herself into Ning Fu’s arms and burst into tears, crying extremely carefully so as not to draw attention.

“Blame me for not being the daughter of the Duke of Qing’s Residence and not being born into a good family. In fact, Sister Xie doesn’t even like him as much as I do,” Cheng Shuang lifted her head from Ning Fu’s arms moments later, wiping her tear-soaked eyes with a handkerchief.

“There are countless men in the world; there will always be a suitable match for you,” Ning Fu consoled her. If Zong Si hadn’t directly rejected her, it would only have harmed her. Cheng Shuang felt uneasy, suspecting Ning Fu might be secretly laughing at her. Not wanting to be ridiculed by the other young ladies, she hurried back to her residence.

“Why did Sister Cheng return to the residence so quickly today?” Wei Ziyi asked curiously when Ning Fu sat back down. Usually, Cheng Shuang would stay until the end. Ning Fu naturally wouldn’t expose someone’s fault: “Sister Cheng felt a little unwell.”

“She has been very strange lately. She didn’t like playing with you before, but recently, she has been seeking you out,” Wei Ziyi had mentioned this before. Ning Fu knew well why Cheng Shuang sought her out; it was simply because she didn’t like to gossip. However, Ning Fu couldn’t recall whom Cheng Shuang married in the previous life. It seemed she also quickly married outside the capital after Xie Ruyi left the academy. But Ning Fu didn’t know why she was married out of town.

She then pondered Zong Si’s trip outside the capital. Grand Tutor Song’s bribery case would be fully investigated in half a month. His trip now was likely related to this matter. After waiting about half a year, this matter was finally coming to a close. Similarly, her request to Divine Doctor Mu for the Jade Hibiscus antidote was also progressing quickly, and soon she wouldn’t have to see him again.

That evening, Ning Zhenyuan returned to the residence looking preoccupied. After inquiring about Ning Fu’s studies, he quickly dismissed her. Later that night, a fire was lit in the secluded courtyard of the residence, thoroughly burning all the confidential letters exchanged with Grand Tutor Song. The already-charred letters were swept into the lake.

“If anyone speaks a word of what happened tonight to an outsider, I will cut out their tongue!” Ning Zhenyuan’s expression, illuminated by the firelight, was cold and decisive.

Upon returning to the Lotus Pavilion Garden, Madam Ning was equally worried: “The Sixth Prince informing you of this matter in advance is likely an attempt to win you over.”

Ning Zhenyuan let out a cold laugh: “He has no place for me by his side. This is clearly an attempt to sow discord between the Fourth Prince and me. Grand Tutor Song is already in trouble, and I have not been implicated. Even without his reminder, the Fourth Prince would try his best to protect me.” He hadn’t submitted a memorial to plead for Grand Tutor Song, managing to preserve himself. The Fourth Prince must have caught wind of the situation in advance and would certainly distance him from the trouble while ensuring he remained uninvolved. The Sixth Prince informing him first had the ulterior motive of faking goodwill and setting him up. If the Fourth Prince fell for his trick and suspected him, it would suit his purpose. If the Fourth Prince didn’t believe it, the Sixth Prince suffered no loss. Ning Zhenyuan let out a long sigh. This was an open scheme; the Fourth Prince could guess the reasoning, but human nature was inherently unpredictable.

Madam Ning took his hand and caressed it, offering comfort. Ning Zhenyuan looked at her, covered her hand with his other, and instructed, “The Emperor has issued a secret order. Those connected to Grand Tutor Song will be thoroughly investigated these next few days. The Ministry of Punishment will surely come to investigate me in the next day or two. If anything unexpected happens, you and Ah-Fu do not need to worry about me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open.

“Father,” Ning Fu said.

“Why are you still awake so late?” Ning Zhenyuan frowned at his suddenly appearing daughter.

“I overheard your entire conversation with Mother,” she said straightforwardly.

Ning Zhenyuan pressed his lips together, unwilling to involve his daughter.

Ning Fu said, “Father, you have always been on good terms with Grand Tutor Song, yet you are so clean in this matter. Although the Emperor has no evidence to condemn you, he may harbor suspicion, perhaps guessing that you knew about Grand Tutor Song’s character early on and are birds of a feather, which is why you did not plead for him.”

Ning Zhenyuan’s brows furrowed even tighter. This was exactly what he worried about. Although he avoided condemnation, if Emperor Jingwen suspected he colluded with Grand Tutor Song, he would sooner or later be marginalized.

“I read the biography of Prime Minister Zhou of the Hua Dynasty. The Prime Minister was open and upright, serving the country and the people, yet the Crown Prince suspected him of colluding with Prince Shang to amass wealth. Unwilling to bear such an insult, the Prime Minister requested to be sent out of the capital to prove his dedication to practical governance. He managed the Tongzhou region so well that people left things on the road and didn’t lock their doors at night. Later, the Crown Prince personally invited him back to court,” Ning Fu suggested, feigning casualness.

Ning Zhenyuan thought seriously. Right now, the Fourth Prince probably couldn’t fully trust him. Temporarily relinquishing his authority would not only show Emperor Jingwen that he was not like Grand Tutor Song, but also that, like Prime Minister Zhou, he refused to bear the insult of being greedy and corrupting the country and simply wanted to serve the nation. It would also reassure the Fourth Prince during such an anxious time. Once he figured this out, he felt suddenly enlightened.

“It seems you have been reading quite a bit lately,” Ning Zhenyuan said with satisfaction.

“I have read all the history books Father sent me. I noticed that every event has a shadow in history,” Ning Fu smiled. Ning Fu made this suggestion because she knew her father had accomplished several great things during his time away from the capital. If it weren’t for those events slightly changing Emperor Jingwen’s view of her father, the Duke of Ning’s Residence might have been doomed long ago. In the previous life, her father was only considered to be atoning for a crime; in this life, it would be a solid achievement, so he had to go.

As Ning Zhenyuan expected, the next day, personnel from the Ministry of Punishment arrived to thoroughly investigate the Duke of Ning’s Residence. The guards were all tall, stern-faced, and authorized to execute anyone who resisted on the spot. The Duke of Ning’s Residence was prepared, and nothing unexpected was found. No secret letters exchanged with Grand Tutor Song were discovered.

The situation was not so fortunate for other residences. In just half a month, more than twenty people were arrested, including six who accepted bribes and more than ten who knew and protected the corruption without reporting it. These included many court officials and local gentry from Langya. Grand Tutor Song’s illicit wealth was astonishing, and he was sentenced to be beheaded immediately.

A few days later, Ning Zhenyuan submitted a memorial at court, requesting to be sent out of the capital to the most chaotic region, Liangzhou.

“My dear subject, you must consider carefully. The officials in Liangzhou are not as easy to deal with as you might imagine,” Emperor Jingwen said with a hint of deep meaning.

“I am dedicated to serving the nation, not seeking ease. If the people of Liangzhou can live in peace and contentment, I am willing to endure any hardship,” Ning Zhenyuan stated seriously.

The Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince exchanged glances, both harboring their own thoughts.

“Since you possess such a heart, how can I disappoint you? Very well, I hope you can impress me,” Emperor Jingwen showed a slight look of satisfaction, though there was little trust in his eyes. With this resignation, he was immediately granted permission to leave. Just three days later, Ning Zhenyuan arranged his carriage and horses, preparing to depart.

Madam Ning was reluctant to part with her husband; the desolation of Liangzhou was known throughout the Great Yan.

“Once I stabilize things in Liangzhou, if there is an opportunity, I will bring you and our daughter over,” Ning Zhenyuan was also sad to leave his wife and daughter.

“How will Ah-Fu go? She will reach the age of majority in just a few months; she must stay in the capital to find a husband. How will she find one if she goes there?” Madam Ning disagreed, then suddenly remembered that Lu Xingzhi seemed to be in Liangzhou as well. She pondered this carefully. “Second Young Master Lu of the Lu Residence is also in Liangzhou. You are both from the capital; take care of him when you can,” Madam Ning instructed. Ning Zhenyuan’s impression of Lu Xingzhi was also good, but he didn’t say much.

After seeing her father off, Ning Fu studied the Grand Tutor Song case, looking through the list of those implicated. When she saw Hezhou Xing, she was stunned, and memories from her past life surfaced. The Prince of Xuan once said to Zong Si, “Fortunately, you dealt with the He family a few years ago, otherwise the Prince of Xuan’s Residence would have hardly escaped this calamity.” So, the He family was dealt with during this incident. Zong Si delaying the Grand Tutor Song matter was likely due to waiting for this person to take the bait. The timing of the Grand Tutor Song incident was perfectly orchestrated, and in this scheme, Zong Si was achieving multiple objectives with one move. However, even though the matter was concluded, Zong Si still hadn’t appeared. She didn’t know what he was busy with.

“Young Lady, the manager from Nuanxiang Pavilion sent a letter,” Dong Zhu entered Ning Fu’s bamboo courtyard early the next morning. Ning Fu had just woken up. Upon hearing this, she reached for the envelope, poured the developing solution onto the paper, and the handwriting was revealed. The script was flowing and graceful; Mu Ruheng invited her to meet at Linglong Terrace.

“Is the Young Lady going to that place again?” Dong Zhu was reluctant. Ning Fu had already gone to change into men’s clothes. She was tall, and although slender, she truly had the look of a young gentleman at first glance.

“Let’s go,” she said, carrying a new jade-handled folding fan today.

The two were much more familiar with the route upon their second visit to Linglong Terrace. The woman who greeted her brightened upon seeing her: “Quickly tell Murong that his Young Master has arrived!”

In a moment, Murong appeared before her. “Thank you, Young Master, for paying for my rest,” Murong said in a low voice. Compared to the noble and cold Murong from the last time, this one was much gentler and more amiable. Ning Fu realized that the two were not the same person. It wasn’t hard to understand. Perhaps Murong was very popular, so Linglong Terrace had mass-produced many “Murongs” to earn money. Truly a master of big business; Ning Fu greatly admired their business acumen and level of cunning.

Ning Fu took him into a private room to enjoy tea for a while, and then Old Song led her upstairs to meet Mu Ruheng.

“The Jade Hibiscus antidote has been prepared. I invited the Young Lady here today to collect it,” Mu Ruheng said. On the desk, a bottle of pills contained in blue and white porcelain was likely the antidote.

“Divine Doctor, what is your view on the Grand Tutor Song matter?” Ning Fu thought for a moment and asked.

“The human heart is never satisfied; he deserves his death,” Mu Ruheng replied. Such an attitude suggested he was not the Fourth Prince’s man. However, Zong Si was right: as the world’s only Divine Doctor, he might not be affiliated with any one person.

“The Young Lady’s father is the one I admire,” Mu Ruheng added. “A gentleman is judged by his actions, not his intentions. If he can govern Liangzhou well, even if it wasn’t his will, he will achieve complete success.” This assessment was quite bold, but he had the ability to disregard everyone. Ning Fu couldn’t help but be cautious: “Divine Doctor should be more prudent.”

“Why the need? Since people are born into this world, they are constantly judged, even the nobles in the palace are no different.”

“Divine Doctor, what is your view on the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince?” Ning Fu asked after thinking.

Divine Doctor Mu smiled, “There are more than two princes in the palace.”

Ning Fu replied, “There is also a Third Prince, but he is frail, has an old leg injury, and rarely appears in public.”

Mu Ruheng said, “To me, whoever cherishes the common people, is willing to implement reforms, and reduces taxes is suitable for the position of Crown Heir.” Ning Fu thought the same way. The world needed an enlightened ruler, not someone who disregarded the consequences for the sake of power.

“Divine Doctor, is there anything you desire in exchange for giving me the Jade Hibiscus?” she asked.

“If this antidote is used for a righteous purpose, I will give it. If not, I will not give the Young Lady any more antidotes,” Mu Ruheng replied with a smile.

Returning to the lower level of Linglong Terrace, Ning Fu carefully stored the antidote. She then heard a flute playing a graceful and melancholic tune. Ning Fu looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man in white brocade robes playing the flute. His face was like jade, a rare beauty that evoked pity. The beauties in Linglong Terrace were one more stunning than the last. If she didn’t have to consider the Duke of Ning’s Residence, she would also want to take a couple in; what a wonderful life that would be.

Ning Fu admired him for a moment, then suddenly heard a voice say faintly behind her: “Taken a liking to another one?”

She turned around. “Murong” was looking down at her, still wearing that fanged mask. He was clearly right behind her; with a slight lack of attention, the two could be touching. The posture was a bit too intimate.

“How about you and him serve me together?” Ning Fu asked flippantly, feigning indifference.

Murong looked at her for a moment and asked seriously, “Me and him together? Even with just me, can you manage?” Ning Fu couldn’t help but blush. Though both spoke of “serving,” his words instantly made one think of something inappropriate.

“How does the Young Master’s husband usually teach the Young Master?” Murong suddenly asked, as if he recalled something.

Ning Fu managed to stammer, “I am a man; where would I get a husband?”

Murong replied, “Perhaps the Young Master was a woman in the previous life; then naturally, you would have a husband.”