The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 42

Ning Ran frowned, however, and said, “The Crown Prince has someone in his heart. With the Second Miss Xie there, he won’t look at anyone else.”

Wei Xiao was unconvinced. The Second Miss Xie was dignified and virtuous, gentle and generous—suitable for a wife, for managing the rear courtyard. But when it came to amusement, someone like Ning Fu was far more interesting.

“Not necessarily. No man is immune to beauty,” Wei Xiao said.

“You think everyone is like you,” Ning Ran replied coldly.

The two had just reconciled, and this statement immediately cooled their mending relationship somewhat. Seeing her defend Zong Si so fiercely, Wei Xiao chuckled lightly and said, “Just you wait and see if the women in his courtyard will decrease in the future. Second Miss Xie certainly won’t be able to control him.”

“I think it’s you, who finds my fourth sister pretty, isn’t it?” Ning Ran said.

Wei Xiao tried to coax her, “Why are you jealous of her? Aside from being beautiful, what does she have that can compare to you, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ning?”

Ning Ran’s mood eased a bit. Then, on second thought, even Wei Xiao, who listened to her, had more than just her by his side. A man as powerful, influential, handsome, and brave as Zong Si would have countless women wanting to cling to him. Among all the different kinds of beauties, there would surely be one he liked.

If Zong Si wished to take a concubine, Xie Ruyi definitely couldn’t resist him. She would probably have to swallow her resentment and welcome the person in with a smile, to demonstrate the magnanimity of the legitimate wife.

“If A-Fu could be with Zong Duo, it actually wouldn’t be a bad choice. That man clearly takes to soft approaches and not hard ones; he is honest by nature and easy to coax. A-Fu only needs to act a little spoiled, and life won’t be too difficult,” Ning Ran mused.

Wei Xiao replied absentmindedly, “Unless the rice is already cooked (shēng mǐ zhǔ chéng fàn – meaning, having sex and getting pregnant), this matter will likely be difficult to achieve.”

Ning Ran remained silent, lost in thought. After a moment, she said determinedly, “Although I want A-Fu’s marriage to be beneficial to me, I absolutely won’t use her chastity to scheme against her. Our Duke of Ning’s manor doesn’t have girls who turn on their own.”

Wei Xiao retorted, “My intention was to say the matter is difficult! When did I tell you to scheme against Fourth Sister?”

Over at the Prince Xuān’s estate, neither Zong Si nor Zong Duo spoke much; a decision already made wouldn’t be changed by a single encounter.

However, Zong Duo suffered from insomnia that night. After tossing and turning several times, he simply got up.

By this month, the nights were no longer that cool. Under the moonlight, the lake surface shimmered, and the subtle sound of insects could still be heard. He practiced sword forms for a while before feeling considerably calmer.

When he looked up again, he saw Zong Si drinking alone in the lakeside pavilion.

Third Brother is awake in the middle of the night, too!

“Why are you up so late?” Zong Duo walked over.

Zong Si poured him a drink and said faintly, “I just finished a discussion outside.”

As Zong Duo approached him, he could smell the faint scent of rouge and powder on him, knowing who he had been out to see. He said no more, sat down, and joined him for a small drink. The wine was sweet and fragrant, not strong.

“Yue Niang has been with you for a long time. When your marriage is settled, will you take her into the manor?” Although Zong Duo had only seen Yue Niang a few times, he knew she was a pitiable person. Surviving in the desolate and frigid Northland was incredibly difficult, and she never competed or fought, simply managing the Red Sleeve Pavilion dutifully for Zong Si.

The feelings she harbored for Zong Si, her savior, were naturally self-evident.

And Zong Si, when he first met her, was only just reaching adulthood. It was unknown if he developed any feelings upon meeting such a great beauty.

Zong Duo didn’t know much about male-female affairs, so he naturally couldn’t guess Zong Si’s thoughts.

Zong Si, however, said, “Since Yue Niang handles matters for me, I shouldn’t have any private involvement with her. Acting on emotion is detrimental to both of us.”

Then, remembering something, his expression cooled slightly, and he spoke no more.

If he was being truly honest, his desire to take Ning Fu as a secondary wife—due to duty and the relationship in the previous life—was also somewhat acting on emotion.

Zong Si’s heart also grew cold.

Zong Duo actually didn’t have the mind to care about Zong Si; he merely mentioned it in passing. Thinking of Ning Fu again, he couldn’t help but finish his glass of wine in one go. Only when the liquor reached his throat did he feel a bit more refreshed.

He felt a little regret. If only he had met Ning Fu before Lu Xingzhi returned to the capital, that would have been great.

In that case, perhaps they would have been married already, and who knows, might even have children!

Although the wine wasn’t strong, drinking too much could still make one feel a little hazy.

“If I were to have children with the Fourth Miss, their riding and archery skills would certainly be outstanding,” Zong Duo said. He would certainly teach them well himself. They would definitely be top-notch young masters!

Moreover, both he and Ning Fu were skilled with slingshots. If they had children, the children’s childhood would surely be extremely enjoyable.

Zong Si also thought of the matter of children.

Zong Duo was merely fantasizing, but he and Ning Fu might truly have a child.

Ning Fu was so gentle and attentive to Wei Lin; perhaps it was because Wei Lin reminded her of her own child.

Zong Si couldn’t help but guess: Could that child be the same age as Wei Lin?

He regained his composure and poured cold water on the idea. “Fourth Miss Ning will not have children with you.”

Zong Duo was puzzled. “Why are you so unhappy?”

Zong Si paused, then did not speak.

“If I didn’t know you, I would think the Fourth Miss was your wife,” Zong Duo commented.

In the previous life, she was indeed.

But he shouldn’t be reacting like this.

Zong Si said faintly, “The Duke of Ning’s manor and the Wei manor both hope she marries well, counting on her husband to give the men in their family a leg up. Don’t look like a lovesick young master every time you see her.”

Moreover, Ning Fu cared deeply for the Duke of Ning’s manor. Even after marriage, the Duke’s manor would still be her priority, not her husband’s family.

He couldn’t help but feel a headache. Why he married her in the previous life now seemed particularly baffling.

And she didn’t want to mention the previous life at all.

Even Zong Si couldn’t help but suspect that the reason she refused to acknowledge him in this life was perhaps because she didn’t gain any benefits from him in the last life, and failed to secure any advantages for the Duke’s manor in the Prince Xuān’s residence.

Hence, in this life, she was so averse to becoming his secondary wife.

Thinking this, Zong Si couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, an inexplicable feeling of annoyance arising.

Zong Duo sat in the wind for a while, gradually calming down. He wiped his face, remembering what he had said, and felt deeply ashamed. How could he be so disloyal to Lu Xingzhi!

He said with a sense of guilt, “What happened today was me losing control. I shouldn’t have brought her up. Xingzhi and she… are actually quite well-matched.”

A talented man and a beautiful woman. After Xingzhi returns to the capital, his future prospects will be settled, and furthermore, the two are mutually devoted.

“We have to go to the palace tomorrow. Go back and rest early.” Zong Si did not stay long, his tone devoid of emotion.

Zong Duo, however, was somewhat bewildered.

Why did he suddenly become so impatient for no reason?

It’s truly difficult to guess Third Brother’s mind!

A few days later, upon seeing Wei Xiao again, Zong Si heard him tentatively ask, “Does the Crown Prince have any decent young men around him?”

Zong Si glanced at him. “That depends on what standard you are using.”

“My wife’s uncle was recently demoted to Liangzhou, so my sister-in-law’s marriage prospects might be difficult now. My wife is quite worried about this. She thought that the Crown Prince must know many excellent young men, so she asked me to inquire.” Compared to Zong Duo, Wei Xiao was more concerned with Zong Si’s attitude.

“The Fourth Miss has not yet reached her hairpin ceremony. She will surely choose a good husband,” Zong Si replied with indifferent politeness.

Speaking of the other day, Zong Si’s willingness to teach Wei Lin how to use the slingshot was entirely due to the possibility that Ning Fu and he might have a child together. It was because of that “child” that he felt a touch of warmth, rather than trying to attract Ning Fu’s attention.

“The Crown Prince is absolutely right. This matter cannot be rushed,” Wei Xiao saw his attitude and knew he had miscalculated, so he could only laugh.

As for Zong Duo, his face was cold and hard, and he said nothing.

After returning from the Wei manor, Ning Fu stayed at the Duke of Ning’s residence and had not gone out again except for attending school.

The Prince Xuān’s estate sent people over twice to inquire about her injury and delivered a lot of golden wound medicine.

The injury was actually not serious, the swelling subsided after two days, and everything was back to normal. Even Madam Ning, who usually fussed over Ning Fu’s smallest scrape or bruise, did not say much this time.

With only five months left until Ning Fu’s coming-of-age ceremony, Madam Ning’s current focus was on arranging the banquet for the ceremony.

“I wonder how much you will grow in these six months,” Madam Ning worried that the new dress might be too small by then. However, the best embroiderers had to be booked now.

Ning Fu thought for a moment and said, “I should still grow a bit, but the difference shouldn’t be too significant.”

“Mother is worried that the bust might not fit,” Madam Ning glanced at her budding chest. This was the time of greatest change for a woman.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but blush. Her mother was too direct.

“Mother has an appointment with the embroiderer today. You will come with me to have your measurements taken,” Madam Ning said.

Noble families usually went to the Red Sleeve Pavilion  to custom-order dresses. Ning Fu had been there once with Fu Jiahui, and the manager’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, likely recognizing her.

“Madam Ning, Fourth Miss, please come in,” the manager greeted politely.

The further inside the Red Sleeve Pavilion one went, the more magnificent it became. There were countless embroideresses, all renowned throughout the Great Yan Kingdom. Ning Fu estimated the revenue and couldn’t help but lament that war truly burned through money.

When she reached the innermost room, Ning Fu saw a woman sitting elegantly. Her eyebrows were like crescent moons, her lips like cherries, her skin like frozen fat, and her eyes like clear springs. This face alone made people sigh in admiration at her national beauty, and her slender waist was even more astonishing.

Even Madam Ning’s eyes showed appreciation.

The woman curtsied slightly, and when she spoke, her voice was even sweeter and softer. “Fourth Miss, please come forward so I can take your measurements.”

As Ning Fu approached her, she caught a faint scent of osmanthus.

“How do you know my name, Madam?” she chatted with Madam Ning.

“Madam Lin told me that there is an embroideress named Yue Niang at the Red Sleeve Pavilion, a talent difficult to find in a thousand people. This is the first time I’ve heard your name,” Madam Ning said.

“I’ve only been in the capital for a few years. My health was poor in previous years, so I took on very few commissions,” Yue Niang smiled lightly.

“Where are you from, Miss?” Madam Ning asked.

“I am from the Northland. I was captured by the Hú people back then. After escaping, I was rescued by a nobleman, and later I came to the Red Sleeve Pavilion,” Yue Niang replied.

Yue Niang couldn’t help but recall the events of that year.

She had endured countless hardships. She had just fled from the Hú people’s military camp with a group of people, having been starved for a long time, ragged and utterly disheveled.

Then, she happened to run into the army returning to the capital of the Great Yan Kingdom.

And the nobleman, who sat in his carriage like a deity, looked at her indifferently, inspiring reverence.

“Drive her away! Don’t delay our journey!” the deputy general beside him shouted.

Yue Niang knew this was a rare opportunity, and she also knew that despite her current disarray, she was still beautiful.

So, she knelt before him, weeping softly, “Please, Young Master, take me in.”

She raised her head, knowing that her helpless appearance would easily inspire pity. Biting her lip, she added, “I am still a virgin. If you take me back, I am willing to serve you.”

The nobleman curled the corner of his mouth. His expression was cool and detached, seeming playful yet thoughtful. He didn’t respond.

However, the deputy general by his side took her along before leaving. This was the nobleman’s unspoken will.

Only after arriving in the capital did Yue Niang learn that this nobleman was the Crown Prince of the Prince Xuān’s estate, Zong Si.