The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 44

While Madame Ning was focusing her schemes on Liangzhou, Ning Fu, on the other hand, was busy with the Spring Scholars’ Gathering.

The Spring Scholars’ Gathering originated in the previous dynasty, initially conceived as a feast for official families’ daughters to showcase their talents.

In the current dynasty, it gradually evolved into a charitable event. Since girls from poor families rarely had the opportunity to study and acquire skills, the noblewomen discussed how they could offer assistance. They eventually decided that the young ladies would sell their own poetry, calligraphy, paintings, or handicrafts, with the resulting funds used to provide opportunities for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This was also a rare opportunity for merchants to share a space with young noblemen; as it was a charitable endeavor, no one sought to stand on ceremony.

This year’s Spring Scholars’ Gathering happened to be hosted by the Ning State Duke Manor. In previous years, all the manor’s banquets were personally managed by Ning Ran. Now that Ning Ran was married, the task fell to Ning Fu.

Only when she took charge herself did she realize the multitude of intricate details involved. Even the invitations had to be checked several times, lest any noblewoman’s manor was missed.

Fortunately, Wei Ziyi was very familiar with the event’s procedures and helped her with much of the burden.

As for the location, Ning Fu leased the Guanghe Tower from Fu Jiahui, a building frequently mentioned in the poetry of literati.

The saying, “One does not ascend Guanghe and know the river’s vastness or the city’s boundless expanse,” refers to Guanghe Tower’s location at the confluence of the Xiangshan River and Qing Lake. Here, the current is swift, the banks are extremely wide, and the converging waters flow with a surging momentum. Guanghe Tower is also situated at the southernmost point of the capital, offering an uninterrupted view of the city walls to the north.

Not everyone was willing to spend such a large sum of silver to host a single Spring Scholars’ Gathering.

“Younger Sister Ning has such grand taste,” Cheng Shuang was the first to arrive that day, and she warmly pulled Ning Fu closer upon seeing her.

“Elder Sister Cheng is truly early. You can go upstairs to rest first,” Ning Fu responded with a smile, though she remained somewhat wary, still uncertain if Cheng Shuang had deliberately targeted Xie Ruyi in the palace that day.

The top floor of Guanghe Tower was specifically designed for viewing the scenery, especially the night view. At that hour, the night market would be flourishing, with lanterns lining up in sequence, their light casting fleeting shadows, and figures moving indistinctly, everything appearing concealed within that amber light.

A while later, Xie Ruyi, Zong Ning, and Rong Min also arrived.

“Thank you, Elder Sister Xie, for giving me face,” Ning Fu said. Since Xie Ruyi had already left the academy, it would have been perfectly acceptable for her not to come.

“I haven’t visited this Guanghe Tower many times either; I wanted to come and admire the view. If anything, I am basking in Younger Sister Ning’s light,” Xie Ruyi said softly.

Ning Fu felt that her spirits seemed low, and Zong Ning appeared to be the same.

Rong Min, as usual, found Ning Fu disagreeable and ignored her.

“Currently, only Elder Sister Cheng has arrived. Would the sisters prefer to sit here for a bit, or go upstairs to view the scenery?” Ning Fu specifically mentioned Cheng Shuang to prevent any awkwardness among the group.

“Since it’s a rare opportunity to appreciate this sight, why waste the chance? Younger Sister Ning, Younger Sister Rong, and I will head upstairs,” Xie Ruyi said.

Ning Fu felt relieved. She naturally wished for everyone to avoid conflict, especially since she was the hostess today.

By the hour of Sì (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM), all the expected noblewomen had arrived—even more than she had anticipated. Many legitimate daughters had brought their concubine-born sisters along to join the excitement.

Quite a few gentlemen also came. Among those Ning Fu knew were the two young masters of the Wei family, the Fifth Young Master of the Lin residence, and the Eleventh Young Master of the Rong residence. Others were familiar by sight but whose names she couldn’t recall. Merchants, too, were gathered in abundance.

After all, those in business never lacked money, and who wouldn’t want to seize this opportunity to gain a good reputation?

Rong Zheng, the Fifth Young Master of the Rong Manor, was only thirteen and looked overly delicate. He and Zong Ning had been at odds since childhood. When Zong Ning saw him, she said with a forced smile, “Why does Young Miss Rong Five have time to play today?”

Rong Zheng’s face flushed crimson, but he could only stammer, “Who… who is a young miss?”

Zong Ning slowly drawled, “If you’re not a young miss, how could you not even beat me? I remember when we were little…”

Rong Zheng glared fiercely at her.

“Younger Sister Ning, there are many people here today. Give him a little dignity. Otherwise, he’ll go home and cry again,” Rong Min teased.

Everyone laughed.

Ning Fu felt a little sentimental. Rong Zheng still resembled a delicate young woman now, but in two years, he would be completely different—a complete transformation into a man whose physique would not lose to Zong Duo’s. He was also extremely fond of Zong Ning and obeyed her every whim.

“What is everyone so happy about?” Meng Ze’s voice suddenly interjected.

Everyone looked toward the sound. The Sixth Prince Meng Ze, the Fourth Prince Meng Che, and Zong Si had arrived. Although the relationship between the two princes was extremely poor, their public civility was passable.

Both princes wore dark robes today. Zong Si, however, was clad in a deep-blue-green round-collared robe with dark engraved silk patterns, and his jade crown was simple in style, likely to avoid stealing the thunder from the two princes.

His gaze swept over Rong Zheng, showing no emotion, appearing somewhat cold.

Ning Fu knew in her heart that he had probably sensed Rong Zheng’s true feelings and was worried he might harbor designs on his younger sister.

Men were strangely protective in this way: they could harbor designs on other people’s sisters, but they were unwilling for their own sister to be looked at too closely by others.

Everyone paid their respects.

“I heard Cousin Ning leased this Guanghe Tower today. My Fourth Brother, Cousin Zong, and I happened to be passing by, so we came to join the excitement,” Meng Ze was already a handsome gentleman, and when he smiled, he looked three points more tender, causing many noblewomen to blush. “I hope we haven’t disturbed Cousin Ning’s arrangements.”

“It is my honor that the Prince and the Heir Apparent would grace the gathering with their presence. How could it disrupt my arrangements?” Ning Fu said courteously, lowering her eyes. “I only hope the Prince will lend his support.”

The purpose of the day was to raise silver for common girls, and Meng Ze and Meng Che would certainly contribute a considerable sum for the sake of their reputations, which also served to support her status.

Meng Ze’s smile became more pronounced. He said, “How could I not support Cousin Ning’s event?”

As a cousin, this remark could be deemed acceptable, but upon closer inspection, it held a different implication: Why would he definitely support her event? This was clearly a skillful flirtation.

Zong Si glanced at him and remained silent.

“Thank you, Sixth Cousin,” Ning Fu replied gratefully.

Meng Ze was not one to usurp the host’s place. He, the Fourth Prince, and Zong Si merely sat in a private room in the corner of the second floor.

When Ning He accompanied Ning Fu into the private room to deliver pastries, she blushed and stood to the side, daring not to look around much.

“These were made by my manor’s pastry chef. I brought them for the two Princes and the Heir Apparent to try,” Ning Fu said.

Meng Che’s relationship with Ning Zhenyuan was unusual. Although he currently harbored suspicions about Ning Zhenyuan’s conduct in the Elder Song incident, Ning Fu was, after all, his ally, so he courteously thanked her, giving her face.

Zong Si’s tone was cool and clear as he also offered his thanks.

“I heard Cousin’s tea-making skills are excellent. Might I request a cup of tea from Cousin Ning?” Meng Ze asked.

That would take quite a long time, and Ning Fu felt awkward.

Meng Che, naturally unwilling to see Ning Fu get close to Meng Ze, frowned and said, “Sixth Brother, why trouble Cousin Ning?”

Meng Ze merely smiled, looking at Ning Fu and waiting for her answer.

Ning Fu hesitated slightly. Agreeing to Meng Ze now would offend Meng Che, but she did not want to offend either of them. Just as she was thinking of a strategy, she suddenly heard Zong Si speak.

“The Fourth Miss Ning has heavy duties today. There will be plenty of opportunities to drink tea later.”

He spoke unhurriedly, with no fluctuation in his tone, and he did not even look at her.

Ning Fu took the opportunity to smile and say, “Sixth Cousin, if you wish for tea, you can visit the Ning State Duke Manor as a guest another day. I still have many matters waiting for me to manage now.”

Meng Ze said nothing further.

As they left, Ning He looked back and saw Zong Si’s peripheral gaze sweeping over them. She was startled and quickly averted her eyes.

Before the auction began, many more merchants arrived, but their purpose was not simple. They came to support the young ladies of the noble manors, aiming to cultivate relationships. No matter how wealthy they were, it was absolutely impossible to succeed without a backer.

Therefore, regardless of the quality of the noblewomen’s works, there was always someone willing to bid a thousand liang of silver.

When Xie Ruyi’s embroidery, Yearning for Spring, was displayed, it caused a small stir. The embroidery was skillful and deeply symbolic, depicting the arrival of spring not directly, but through melting ice and disappearing snow, with a flock of geese faintly appearing, seemingly flying from afar, signaling the imminent change of seasons.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but praise it—a wonderful scene of late winter.

“To use the desolation of winter to contrast the approaching spring—an excellent perspective,” Meng Ze said, stroking his folding fan. “It is quite refreshing, truly worthy of the Second Miss Xie. This embroidery is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Are you going to bid?”

This was directed at Zong Si.

Quite a few people joined the bidding.

The atmosphere was very lively, drawing many onlookers to surround the Guanghe Tower.

This artwork eventually sold for two thousand liang of gold.

“Who do you think bought this piece?” Cheng Shuang whispered.

Ning Fu glanced at the private room in the corner of the second floor. It was certainly one of the people inside, though she didn’t know if it was Zong Si or Meng Che; perhaps the two had secretly competed.

Men’s desire for victory was sometimes difficult to understand.

Cheng Shuang’s smile looked somewhat strained.

The next moment, Ning Fu saw Zong Si descend from upstairs. A person who rushed to meet him whispered in his ear, and then he left.

Xie Ruyi watched him leave, lost in thought.

Ning Fu withdrew her gaze. Next was her own poem, which expressed the vitality of spring with the lines, “The East Wind awakens the flower souls several times, willow buds still timidly fear the cold of three parts. Orioles test their songs, swallows are first heard, a thousand reds and ten thousand purples scatter and bloom.” She concluded with a plea to cherish time, “I advise you not to let a bright day pass you by, an inch of time is a new leaf.”

While using spring scenery to express emotions was conventional, her detailed observation of the season and the quality of her rhetoric were excellent. Coupled with the powerful and sharp nature of her calligraphy, the work was far from ordinary.

“Two thousand liang of gold,” Meng Ze said with a smile.

Such a large sum with the first bid caused a significant commotion. Even Ning Fu herself frowned; her poetry was certainly not worth this price.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but look at Meng Ze. Although he was as distinguished as ever, he looked languid, carrying an air of absolute certainty.

She feared his certainty was not about the artwork, but about her person.

Ning Fu couldn’t help but recall her previous life, when he had been equally certain when forcing her into marriage.

She thought of his insidious expression and felt a momentary wave of nausea.

She certainly could not allow him to gain the upper hand in this display of dominance.

Ning Fu pondered for a moment and looked towards Fu Jiahui. She could not bid on her own poetry, otherwise, people would speculate about what was happening between her and Meng Ze. Now, she could only rely on Fu Jiahui for help. Since Fu Jiahui had a backer, she didn’t need to worry about stealing Meng Ze’s thunder.

“Two thousand five hundred liang,” Fu Jiahui said after meeting her gaze.

Meng Ze calmly said, “Three thousand liang.”

Fu Jiahui smiled slightly, “Five thousand liang.”

Meng Ze: “…” Do business people not treat silver like silver?

Ning Fu: “…”

Five thousand liang!

Ning Fu’s heart ached. How was she going to return this silver to her later?

“Since Miss Fu is so fond of this artwork, I might as well act the part of the generous one,” Meng Ze said with a laugh. He could certainly afford the price, but countless eyes were watching him. If the price was ridiculously high, he feared someone would use it to create trouble.

Especially Meng Che.

He would undoubtedly impeach Meng Ze over this, and the Emperor was most displeased by extravagance and waste.

Fu Jiahui respectfully bowed and said, “Thank you, Sixth Highness, for yielding. I was born in spring and regret my own lack of diligence, so I am deeply moved by the Fourth Miss’s poem. Even ten thousand pieces of gold would be worth it.”

Meng Ze exchanged a few polite words, but he understood clearly that this was Ning Fu’s doing. Still, as before, the more she refused to take the bait, the more interesting she became.

With his mood spoiled, Meng Ze naturally had no desire to stay and watch the excitement. He said to Meng Che, “I have something to attend to. Fourth Brother, are you staying or leaving?”

Meng Che said, “Since you have matters, then let’s go.”

As the two left, much of the excitement dissipated.

Ning Fu then invited Fu Jiahui to a private room and said, “Thank you, Elder Sister Fu, for today. However, I will have to hand over the silver to you in a while.”

Fu Jiahui laughed. “Younger Sister Ning, don’t worry. We are practically working together now. Since I helped you out of a tough spot this time, if I have difficulties in the future, you can simply help me then.”

She would inevitably need Ning Fu’s help concerning Ning Zheng’s matters in the future. Fu Jiahui smiled like a fox: Having accepted this favor, you’ll have to acknowledge me as your sister-in-law later.

Ning Fu was silent for a moment and said, “Then thank you, Elder Sister Fu.”

“However, Younger Sister Ning, you would be wise to keep your distance from the Sixth Prince. He has never been sincere toward women,” Fu Jiahui advised.

Looking down from the Guanghe Tower, hundreds of meters away, the water flowed swiftly, but close by, the river surface was extremely calm. Small boats floated on the water. At night, when these small boats lit their lanterns, they offered a different kind of beauty, with many people drinking tea and composing poetry on the boats.

Ning Fu suddenly saw Zong Si enter Xie Ruyi’s small boat.

She had thought Zong Si had left, but unexpectedly, he had not; he was waiting for Miss Xie.

Ning Fu withdrew her gaze and went to deal with the guests.

On the small boat.

Xie Ruyi said, “There is no destiny between us, and no one is to blame. The Heir Apparent and I are both people who prioritize our own self-interest too much.”

Zong Si did not speak.

“Therefore, even if the Heir Apparent harbors some thoughts towards Younger Sister Ning, it is absolutely impossible for him to marry her,” Xie Ruyi said with a slight smile.

“The Fourth Miss Ning and I have no improper relations,” Zong Si said plainly.

It was only because of their relationship in the previous life that he had considered protecting her and taking her as a concubine.

If she was unwilling, he naturally wouldn’t force her; it made little difference to him.

Although his words were cool, they were also intended to prevent Ning Fu from being dragged into the mess.

Xie Ruyi, however, said, “The Sixth Prince’s attitude toward her today must have made the Heir Apparent very unhappy, didn’t it?” But if he truly wanted to compete, Meng Ze would not have been able to snatch her away. It is because he himself has no intention of vying for Ning Fu.

Zong Si glanced at her but did not respond.

“If the Fourth Miss were in trouble, would the Heir Apparent save her?” Xie Ruyi asked again.

“I will not take risks for her,” he said coolly, leaving this remark hanging.

After Xie Ruyi returned, Cheng Shuang came to talk to her for a while.

“I didn’t mean to that day in the palace. Is Elder Sister Xie still holding a grudge against me because of my coldness today?” Cheng Shuang asked, biting her lip.

Xie Ruyi remained silent. After a moment, she sighed and said, “No matter how much you like someone, you should not scheme against others.”

Cheng Shuang insisted she had not done it on purpose that day.

Xie Ruyi stared at her for a moment and said, “I have something to say to Younger Sister Ning. Can you call her over?”

Cheng Shuang glanced at the wine cup, somewhat nervous, and nodded.

When she saw Ning Fu, Xie Ruyi’s expression softened slightly. She spoke of the incident in the palace that day, then meaningfully advised, “Younger Sister Ning, you must be careful of her.”

Now that Ning Fu knew the truth, she would certainly be more vigilant.

After their conversation, the night darkened. The focus of the Guanghe Tower event was the night scenery, so the noblewomen did not return home.

After Ning Fu bid farewell to Xie Ruyi, she went to the top floor. Guanghe Tower was the tallest building in the capital, and looking out, it certainly gave the feeling of “looking down upon all the houses.”

As the evening breeze came, Ning Fu gradually felt a sense of heat, and her head began to feel dizzy.

She wondered if she had caught a chill.

Ning Fu asked Ning He to take her to rest. However, when they reached the bedroom on the floor below, she gradually realized something was terribly wrong. The heat spread from her lower abdomen, making her unbearably restless.

Soon, her consciousness began to fade.

Ning He was terrified, knowing something had happened. She turned and ran, rushing down the stairs. She had to find a physician immediately, but she collided with someone on the first floor.

Fu Jiahui helped her up and, seeing her distress, asked curiously, “What happened?”

Ning He naturally refused to say a word and turned to leave, but seeing Fu Jiahui walking upstairs, her heart sank. She quickly followed behind her and anxiously said, “Elder Sister Fu, Fourth Sister is in trouble.”

Fu Jiahui looked at the unconscious Ning Fu, whose face was flushed crimson.

“The Fourth Miss has been drugged,” Fu Jiahui said with a frown, recognizing it as an aphrodisiac.

“I’ll go find a physician,” Ning He said.

“Fifth Miss, don’t rush. The Fourth Miss’s matter cannot be publicized. You stay here and guard her. I will go call someone.”

Fu Jiahui turned and left.

When she informed Zong Si of the situation, he clearly showed his reluctance to get involved in this mess.

“Heir Apparent, please, consider this my plea to you,” Fu Jiahui couldn’t help but beg. Ning Fu was Ning Zheng’s sister, and she couldn’t bear to see something happen to her.

Zong Si hesitated for a long time. Going now would certainly stir up trouble and was not worth the risk.

However, recalling those dreams, where she softly and charmingly called him Lang Jun with tender eyes, he finally rose.

He would do it for the sake of their bond in the previous life.

When Ning He saw Zong Si, her heart sank.

“Heir Apparent, you cannot enter,” Ning He knelt down and cried as he stepped into the room.

Zong Si’s expression was extremely aloof, his usual cold demeanor. “If this is not handled quickly, everyone will soon know.”

Ning He’s face was pale, and she no longer tried to stop him.

Zong Si instructed, “You go and deal with the guests for your Fourth Sister.”

Ning He wiped her tears and quickly rose.

After Zong Si entered the room, he closed the door.

“Heir Apparent, is the Fourth Miss suffering from an aphrodisiac?” Fu Jiahui asked.

“It is Fuluo Meng (Floating Luo Dream),” Zong Si replied flatly.

“It’s fortunate we discovered it in time. Otherwise, if the Fourth Miss remained unconscious, she might be taken advantage of without knowing. If she were seen when the banquet dispersed, the consequences would be unthinkable,” Fu Jiahui said.

Zong Si, however, thought of Xie Ruyi’s earlier words. She had asked him if he would be willing to save Ning Fu, clearly knowing this situation was imminent.

On the bed, Ning Fu’s consciousness was scattered. Perhaps hearing the familiar voice, she whimpered miserably, “Lang Jun, Lang Jun.”

Zong Si’s eyes finally showed some subtle shift.