The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 41

Wei Xiao cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “A-Lin is naughty; my apologies for his abruptness, Esteemed Nephew.”

Wei Lin grumbled, “Elder Brother, I am not naughty! Mother said I am much better than you were as a child. You even used to raid birds’ nests and steal eggs. Afterward, whenever a mother bird saw you, she would try to peck you.”

Ning Ran smiled without warmth, “That mother bird is quite straightforward. She punishes whoever makes her unhappy. Some people love to stir up trouble, and they deserve it.”

It was clear to anyone with eyes that she was using this as an opportunity to mock Wei Xiao. Zong Duo looked slightly awkward, while Zong Si’s face remained expressionless.

Wei Lin said innocently, “The one who loves to stir up trouble must be my Elder Brother; he’s always causing problems.”

A faint blush appeared on Wei Xiao’s face. Being exposed publicly made him feel somewhat annoyed and ashamed. He looked toward Ning Ran and felt a headache coming on. It was only twice he had visited his concubine when she couldn’t share the bed, and yet she had refused to speak to him ever since.

He usually indulged her so much, acquiescing to her every whim, so why couldn’t she be more understanding of him? Was there a single man in the capital who didn’t have a concubine or two?

Wei Xiao complained inwardly, his gaze drifting toward Ning Fu. His sister-in-law was not only beautiful—her looks were among the best in the capital—but her temperament wasn’t domineering either. If he had married her instead, perhaps he wouldn’t have had all these problems after the wedding.

It was just that Ning Zhenyuan’s future prospects were uncertain. If he had married Ning Fu, he would inevitably be dragged down with him.

Ning Ran noticed his look and her face turned cold, a deep discomfort stirring in her heart.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but feel a sudden wave of worry.

Zong Si’s peripheral vision caught her movement, and only then did she withdraw her gaze.

“Brother, can you hit that leaf on the tree?” Wei Lin looked at the maple tree that had just grown new leaves.

“I’ll let you try it.” Zong Si removed his jade thumb ring and placed it in Ning Fu’s hand. He held Wei Lin’s hand, found a slight angle, pulled the slingshot back, and released it. The stone hit the leaf precisely.

“Wow! Brother is amazing!” Wei Lin now found Ning Fu less interesting and clung to Zong Si. “Try that flower over there, the one even farther away.”

Zong Si, of course, hit the bull’s-eye every time.

Ning Ran watched him teaching Wei Lin. He was not only skilled but also very patient. She couldn’t help but fantasize about what Zong Si would be like as a father; he would surely dote on his children. The Prince Xuan’s Estate had always cherished its descendants.

She touched her belly. If only she could have caught his eye; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had to marry Wei Xiao and suffer his neglect. She had clearly married beneath her station, yet he still didn’t cherish her.

“Elder Sister Ning, you should learn from Brother, too. If he holds you and shows you, you’ll be able to learn it,” Wei Lin was unwilling to monopolize Zong Si and was quite happy to share this excellent teacher with Ning Fu.

Zong Duo said, “Young Miss Ning cannot learn from my Third Brother in that manner.”

“Why?” Wei Lin asked curiously.

Ning Fu lowered her gaze and said, “Men and men can learn things so closely, but with a woman, one must be mindful of propriety and not break the rules.”

Wei Lin was momentarily troubled, but he quickly came up with a solution and said with a cheerful smile, “Elder Sister Ning, marry Esteemed Nephew Brother! That way, no one can gossip, and you’ll definitely be able to master the slingshot.”

Ning Fu was speechless for a moment.

Zong Si initially remained silent, but once Ning Fu began to feel awkward, he finally said, “One does not marry to learn a skill.”

“I know! I heard Mother tell Elder Sister-in-Law that one marries to have children. Brother and Elder Sister Ning are both good-looking, so they will definitely have a beautiful younger sister. Mother and Sister-in-Law said that if you try more often at night, you will have children.” Wei Lin, naturally, did not understand the meaning of “trying more often.”

Ning Fu could only pretend not to understand.

Zong Si looked self-possessed.

Zong Duo, however, thought, If Xing Zhi knew this, he would certainly be displeased!

“Stop talking nonsense!” Wei Xiao scolded.

Ning Fu smoothed things over, saying, “Brother-in-Law, children’s words are innocent; it’s fine.”

Wei Lin pouted and did not speak again.

“Do you still want to play? I’ll teach you.” Zong Duo didn’t want Ning Fu to continue feeling awkward, so he stepped forward. He then said to Zong Si, “You and Wei Xiao go and discuss your business.” In any case, he couldn’t offer any constructive advice.

Zong Si did not refuse. He simply walked to Ning Fu’s side to retrieve his jade thumb ring, then left with Wei Xiao.

Ning Ran, however, felt that something was slightly off. Zong Si seemed to regard her Fourth Younger Sister with an indescribable coldness, which was subtly different from his usual aloofness, as if tinged with some extra emotion. But then she thought, since he had already rejected the marriage proposal, she didn’t pay it any mind.

“Second Brother is even better at the slingshot; you should learn from him,” Ning Fu told Wei Lin. While Zong Si had a slight edge in archery, Zong Duo was more skilled at pastimes like cricket fighting and slingshot shooting.

Unlike Zong Si, who had known his responsibilities from an early age, Zong Duo was not the eldest son of the Second Madam Zong, and was thus raised with less restriction, allowing him to enjoy a relatively pleasant childhood.

Ning Fu actually felt that Zong Duo sometimes seemed more like a younger brother than an elder brother in Zong Si’s presence.

Hearing her praise him so, Zong Duo’s mood felt somewhat pleasant. He inwardly reminded himself to mind his boundaries; there was no possibility between them, and he must not offend Young Miss Fu!

Wei Lin didn’t believe her at first, but he was quickly won over by him. He cast Zong Si out of his mind and focused completely on pestering Zong Duo to teach him.

Ning Fu retreated to Ning Ran’s side and watched Zong Duo teach Wei Lin from a distance.

“You don’t need to take Lin’er’s words to heart. He teases everyone like this; it doesn’t mean he truly thinks you and the Esteemed Nephew are well-matched,” Ning Ran said.

Ning Fu did not reply. Once Zong Si was mentioned, Ning Ran would habitually praise him and belittle others, especially when the person linked to Zong Si was herself.

Although Zong Duo had given up the thought of marrying Ning Fu, when he saw her again now, his eyes still could not leave her. After not seeing her for a while, she still impressed him! The force she used when trying the slingshot earlier was better than what most men could manage.

While teaching Wei Lin, unlike Zong Si who hadn’t spared Ning Fu a glance, Zong Duo secretly looked at her several times.

“Do you want to marry Elder Sister Ning?” Wei Lin asked.

Zong Duo snapped back to attention and denied it with a cold face, “No.”

“If not, why do you keep looking at her?”

Zong Duo: “…”

Even Ning Ran noticed that Zong Duo kept looking at Ning Fu. Although his expression was cold, his eyes were not cold at all; rather, they held a certain fervor.

She wondered how this Second Young Master Zong, who was supposedly ignorant of the relationship between men and women, had taken a fancy to Ning Fu. Although Ning Ran had heard some rumors from Lady Wei that the Second Madam Zong might be considering Ning Fu—and this was likely at Zong Duo’s own request—the matter had later come to nothing.

Therefore, Ning Ran had never quite believed it.

But seeing him today, she began to believe it somewhat.

Ning Ran looked at Zong Duo. He was naturally a desirable match. If the matter had come to nothing before, then so be it. But seeing his attitude now, there might still be a chance.

If Ning Fu married Zong Duo, the benefits to the Duke Ning’s Estate went without saying, and it would also make it easier for her husband, Wei Xiao, to rise up the ranks. The future of the Wei Estate was the future of the child in her belly, so she naturally had to take it seriously.

Ning Ran made a plan in her mind, and her mood improved. Thinking of creating a private moment for the two of them, she said to Ning Fu, “I feel a bit tired. Stay here and play with Lin’er. I’m going back for a short nap.”

Ning Fu nodded. However, she still watched from a distance, only clapping her hands in admiration when Zong Duo shot a few eye-catching stones.

Zong Duo was distracted by her, and for a moment, he lost his aim, which made Ning Fu laugh.

The surrounding area was filled with peach blossoms that had just formed their buds, the most stunning time before they fully bloomed, yet they were not half as captivating as Ning Fu.

Zong Duo withdrew his gaze, not daring to look again. Non-observance of impropriety!

Until Wei Lin pointed to another spot, which happened to be in Ning Fu’s direction, Zong Duo was still distracted. The stone, without deviation, hit the back of Ning Fu’s hand.

Zong Duo’s heart sank. Forgetting everything else, he rushed to Ning Fu’s side and held her hand. Her originally long and slender hand was already a little red and swollen. He had never felt more remorseful than he did at that moment. He said, “Quickly, find a doctor.”

“It’s nothing,” Ning Fu said. Although it hurt a little, the stone was smooth and hadn’t injured her bones or tendons. Ning Fu wanted to withdraw her hand, but he held it tightly.

“Young Miss Fu, if we don’t have a doctor examine it, how can we know for sure whether there’s any problem?” Zong Duo asked.

His sudden request for a doctor also alarmed Zong Si and Wei Xiao.

“What happened?” Wei Xiao asked anxiously, afraid that an esteemed guest had been injured in his estate. He didn’t even pay attention to why Zong Duo was still holding Ning Fu’s hand at that moment.

“Second Elder Brother Zong’s stone went astray and hit Elder Sister Ning’s hand,” Wei Lin said.

Zong Si often stayed in the army and knew how to assess injuries. Only when he stepped forward did Zong Duo let go of her hand. It was only then that he remembered what he had just done, and his face instantly flushed with heat and guilt.

He had let Lu Xing Zhi down!

Zong Si said, “It’s nothing serious. Get some cold water to reduce the swelling.”

Ning Fu said, “Thank you, Esteemed Nephew.”

Zong Si glanced at her but did not respond.

After this incident, Lady Wei dared not let Ning Fu continue playing with Wei Lin and sent Ning Fu to rest.

Zong Si had also finished his business and did not linger long with Zong Duo.

Before leaving, Zong Duo said worriedly, “After the doctor has examined her, please have someone inform me of Young Miss Fu’s condition.”

Wei Xiao agreed verbally, but he already had a plan in mind. Zong Duo did not usually know how to care for women, but his concern today was very noticeable, clearly indicating a different kind of feeling for Ning Fu.

That evening, Ning Ran finally sent someone to ask him to return to their bedroom. Wei Xiao was naturally happy. The two embraced and shared a moment of intimacy before talking about Ning Fu.

“I observed Zong Duo’s attitude today; he seems to feel differently about A-Fu. If A-Fu marries into their family, your promotion this time will surely be secured,” Ning Ran said.

Wei Xiao replied, “Second Young Master is indeed somewhat different toward your Fourth Younger Sister. However, since your Second Uncle was just demoted to Liangzhou, even if he truly likes your Fourth Younger Sister, he probably won’t consider a marriage.”

Men understood men better. What man wouldn’t like a beauty like Ning Fu? However, a man would not sacrifice his interests to marry a woman.

“Furthermore, I also feel that the Esteemed Nephew is somewhat unusual toward her,” Wei Xiao said. If Zong Si also had feelings for Ning Fu, it would be interesting, and it wasn’t impossible. When Zong Duo held Ning Fu’s hand, Zong Si seemed to have looked at them several times, which might be why he ignored Ning Fu after she thanked him later.