The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 46

Zong Si stared at her for a moment before saying flatly, “Fourth Miss, for a young lady, you are remarkably open-minded.”

If she were not open-minded, what else could she do?

Should she cling to life and death simply because they had kissed?

To endure the same suffering as in the previous life?

Even for the sake of the Ning State Duke Manor, she could not live the same way she had in her last life.

“Being open-minded is excellent, otherwise, life is too exhausting.”

Zong Si remained silent.

Ning Fu continued, “I should thank the Heir Apparent not only for the antidote but also for handling the matter concerning Elder Sister Cheng.” Although Ning Fu did not hate Cheng Shuang, if Cheng Shuang did not leave the capital, she might cause trouble again in the future.

After this incident, even if Cheng Shuang escaped punishment, she would certainly be cold-shouldered by the Cheng family. At that point, she might wrongly blame the mishap on Ning Fu, and the malice of the human heart should not be underestimated.

Zong Si said, “Her target was never you.”

Ning Fu knew she was simply caught in the crossfire.

However, she was the hostess. If someone else had been harmed, she would still have a difficult explanation to make, potentially making enemies for the Duke Manor.

The fact that she was drugged, but suffered no actual harm, was a lucky accident that resulted in the best possible outcome.

Seeing his candor, Ning Fu couldn’t help but ask softly, “How could Elder Sister Cheng, a sheltered young lady, get her hands on that type of poison?”

It certainly couldn’t have been purchased openly, or it would be easily traced. Cheng Shuang would never take such a risk that could implicate the Cheng residence.

Ning Fu considered the situation: while other poisons might be easy to obtain, aphrodisiacs (meiyao) were considered contraband in Da Yan, and their control was exceptionally strict. Unless she sought out the Divine Physician Mu, it would have been impossible for her to acquire it.

Zong Si glanced at her. That day, after he and Fu Jiahui left Ning Fu’s room, they ran into Meng Che. Meng Che had returned after Zong Si and Meng Ze departed, remaining on a boat. His demeanor was a little anxious, as if he were waiting for something.

Meng Che was afraid Xie Ruyi would marry Zong Si, so he played a trick, hoping to consummate the relationship with Xie Ruyi to make the situation irreversible.

Ning Fu frowned. “If Elder Sister Xie was drugged and with another man… the people who would be happy are naturally those young ladies who wish to marry you. However, it could also be the man who defiled Elder Sister Xie.”

Thinking of this, Ning Fu’s feelings became complicated. If it was the latter, this plan to force the issue was too risky. If anything went wrong, wouldn’t Elder Sister Xie be ruined?

The only person Ning Fu could think of was Meng Che.

The thought of Meng Che sent a chill through her heart. If it really was Meng Che, to use such a method to obtain the woman he loved was too ruthless.

Did Xie Ruyi know that the man who would one day share her pillow would treat her this way?

Ning Fu drank a cup of tea before suppressing the chill in her heart. “The Fourth Prince likely also put pressure on Minister Cheng concerning Elder Sister Cheng’s departure from the capital.”

Zong Si saw that she had already guessed some possibilities and did not speak further, only refilling her empty cup with fresh tea.

“Heir Apparent, in the future, it would be best for you to be wary of the Fourth Prince,” Ning Fu kindly reminded him after a moment. This was his number one love rival, after all.

Zong Si, however, said, “You are currently weak. This is a Magnolia tea, which has the effect of invigorating the blood and cultivating health.”

Ning Fu continued, “Elder Sister Xie may not necessarily take a liking to the Fourth Prince in the future.”

“If I had the intention of marrying the Second Miss Xie, why would I need you to remind me?” Zong Si looked at her, sounding somewhat displeased.

To him, this felt like his own woman teasing him about other women.

Ning Fu sat correctly and remained silent.

Zong Si massaged his brow and said, “The relationship between the Prince Xuan’s residence and the Duke of Qing State Manor is not what you imagine.” However, he naturally wouldn’t elaborate on the details with her. Ning Fu was an outsider, and the Ning State Duke Manor was not one of his own people either.

Hearing this, Ning Fu ceased worrying about the matter. She had no intention of staying long. “I should go back.”

Zong Si said, “I will escort you.”

“Heir Apparent, please attend to your own affairs. I know the way,” Ning Fu subtly declined.

He stood up, his expression calm, clearly indicating that he would not allow her refusal.

Ning Fu had no choice but to concede.

They walked in silence.

“That day, I pushed you away and told you to wait for the antidote, but you clung to me, asking me to ease your discomfort first. It should be logical for us to marry, but you are so unwilling. Are you looking down on me, Fourth Miss?” As they reached the exit, the man suddenly asked in a calm voice.

Zong Si was unhappy with her overt rejection.

Furthermore, she was the one who pleaded with him at the time.

Ning Fu paused, silent.

In truth, that day, Ning Fu first hugged him, gently coaxing and kissing him. She seduced him with her tongue, whimpering in discomfort, begging him to be kind, and pushing him onto the bed.

He refused her several times.

She then called him “My Lord” over and over, her voice soft and alluring.

Only after that did the two of them continue kissing intimately.

It wasn’t until Ning Fu reached out to pull at his waist sash that he finally stopped her.

“My Lord, give it to me,” Ning Fu cried out pleadingly, her eyes wet and seductive.

Zong Si had never seen a woman in such a state of allure. His ears were red, but he refused to let her continue. Fuluo Meng was not without an antidote, and they were already acting without any sense of propriety. They could not make another mistake.

Ning Fu asked, “Does the Heir Apparent really intend to marry me?” Marriage would only add a resentful couple.

Zong Si looked at her and said, “Since I was conscious and acted that way toward you, it is right for me to take responsibility. The decision is in your hands.”

He was not someone who dared to act but not take responsibility.

He had considered the consequences the moment he kissed her.

She was his person in the previous life, and he was not averse to marrying her.

Thinking that they might have a child together, he sometimes hoped that child could also come into the world in this life.

“The man I want to marry, first, must truly love me and never abandon me for self-interest. Second, he cannot have other women by his side. Third, he must sincerely treat the Duke Manor, and genuinely regard my father, brother, and maternal grandmother as family, willing to protect them. Can the Heir Apparent meet these conditions?” Ning Fu asked calmly.

She didn’t list these three points idly. She could fulfill them herself, and thus, she hoped her partner could as well.

Ning Fu was also clear that Zong Si could not meet them.

Zong Si frowned, unable to believe someone could be so naive.

How much true love and affection could there be in the world? Life was just about getting by. If they found each other tolerable and weren’t repulsive to each other, that was already rare. He had some feelings for her, and a residue of affection from the previous life, but to say he deeply loved her was clearly an exaggeration.

As for the third point, their relationship hadn’t even reached that stage, making it even harder to guarantee. Sacrificing his own interests for the Ning State Duke Manor was something Zong Si naturally could not do right now. He was willing to offer support, but asking him to endure hardships together was asking too much.

Zong Si released her and said flatly, “I cannot guarantee these things for you right now.”

“So, the Heir Apparent need not take responsibility for me,” Ning Fu said, lowering her eyes. “I have no such intention either. If we were to marry, divorce in the future would not be a simple matter.”

“How many people do you think can achieve that level?” Zong Si frowned in disagreement.

“Someone will be able to,” Ning Fu never doubted this. When she loved him most in her previous life, she was willing to die for him and to protect the Prince Xuan’s residence for him. She would treat her husband the same way in this life. Someone like her existed.

“Why don’t you give an example? Who can be devoted to that extent?” Zong Si countered pointedly.

Ning Fu was speechless, but still insisted, “I will find him.”

Zong Si said, “The depth of feeling must be forged through interaction. Right now, we do not know each other well enough. It is too early to talk about love.”

Ning Fu did not believe time would change things, and she knew he was likely mocking her naivety in his heart, so she did not argue further.

As he saw her off to the carriage, Zong Si saw that she had not uttered a word. He finally spoke, “Regarding our matter, it is not too late to decide when you return from your maternal grandmother’s. Send word when you plan to leave for your maternal grandmother’s residence.”

Ning Fu did not look at him again, lowered the curtain, and the carriage swiftly departed.

“I wonder why you kept me waiting. It seems it was for a lovers’ quarrel,” a voice suddenly came from behind. “I wonder which young lady that was; she is quite beautiful.”

Zong Si glanced at him. “Did the Fuluo Meng in Cheng Shuang’s possession come from Mu Ruoheng?”

This was what they were discussing before Ning Fu arrived.

The man grew serious. “Meng Che indeed obtained that item from Mu Ruoheng. It seems he is happy to see the Duke of Qing State Manor turn toward Meng Che. He and Meng Ze have no private involvement.”

“That doesn’t mean he values Meng Che,” Zong Si said.

“What exactly is his plan?” The man couldn’t help but wonder. Everything else was manageable, but he feared Mu Ruoheng might be a spy for foreign tribes.

“We will have a chance to know his intentions in the future,” Zong Si said composedly. “Have Yue Niang keep an eye on him.”

“Yue Niang is truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Even that girl just now pales in comparison to Yue Niang. If you hadn’t known her capabilities back then, you would probably have taken her in long ago, wouldn’t you?” The man winked at him.

“If you dare to harbor designs on Yue Niang, you won’t live to see tomorrow,” Zong Si said flatly.

The man could only cease his chatter.

“Lu Xingzhi has been in Liangzhou recently and is spending a lot of time with Ning Zhenyuan. Should we be wary?” the man asked. “Anyone unaware of the situation would think he’s actively working for his father-in-law.”

If it were anyone else, it would be normal.

But coming from Lu Xingzhi, who never fawned over anyone, it was quite intriguing.

Zong Si paused, then said, “You go and keep an eye on him.”

Having said that, he turned back, seeming rather displeased.

The man looked thoughtful.

Before Ning Fu left for Yongzhou, she accompanied Madame Ning to the Crimson Sleeve Pavilion.

Madame Ning intended to select two outfits for Princess Royal Kang Yang.

“Your maternal grandmother is much pickier than I am, but she will certainly like whatever you send her,” Madame Ning said with a mix of happiness and reluctance now that her daughter was going to the Princess’s Manor.

“She will surely like what Mother chooses as well,” Ning Fu said.

“I wonder if your maternal grandmother is well now; she used to be susceptible to the cold,” Madame Ning mused. It had been a long time since she had been back.

Ning Fu smiled. “I will take good care of her.”

As soon as she spoke, she saw Zong Si descending the stairs, with Yue Niang following beside him. After he left, Yue Niang remained standing there for a long time, seemingly reluctant to see him go.

Madame Ning exclaimed, “I never expected the Heir Apparent to be Yue Niang’s benefactor!”

Ning Fu remained silent.

“No wonder she refuses to marry,” Madame Ning now understood Yue Niang’s mindset. Marrying a common man would be inferior to becoming a concubine in the Prince Xuan’s residence. If she later bore a child, she could secure some status.

If the child were successful, it would be even better; even if they were born of a concubine, their standing would far surpass that of a legitimate child in an ordinary household.

Yue Niang also saw Madame Ning and exchanged pleasantries with her for a while.

Ning Fu stood obediently to the side, never speaking a word.

She did not mention to Zong Si when she would be leaving for her maternal grandmother’s.

Her affairs were not necessary for her to account for to him.