The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 47

Before Ning Fu left for her maternal grandmother’s residence in Yongzhou, she sent people to donate all the money raised at the Spring Scholars’ Gathering to various private schools.

Reading makes people wise and knowledgeable about history, and it is a rare opportunity for girls from common families to broaden their horizons.

In addition, Ning Fu herself planned to pay out-of-pocket to donate some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones along with the money.

Xie Ruyi did this every year at the Spring Scholars’ Gathering, so Ning Fu was not surprised when she ran into her at the bookstore.

“Younger Sister Ning,” Xie Ruyi looked at her with some hesitation.

“Elder Sister Xie,” Ning Fu greeted her as well.

Xie Ruyi accompanied her to select some brushes and paper, saying, “Try to choose the cheaper ones. If they are too valuable, even if they are distributed to the children, their families will sell them off when they return home.”

Ning Fu nodded.

Xie Ruyi looked at her, feeling a degree of guilt.

The young ladies who grew up together did not wish to truly harm one another.

“If I had known that Younger Sister Cheng was administering that kind of drug that day, I would certainly have told you,” Xie Ruyi said. She had only wanted to teach Cheng Shuang a lesson, but never intended to truly harm Ning Fu. However, it was also true that she dared not risk herself.

She had originally thought that Ning Fu getting drugged would lead to Cheng Shuang being punished and taught a serious lesson, but she never expected Cheng Shuang to be so bold and ruthless.

“Since the matter has passed, Elder Sister Xie doesn’t need to dwell on it,” Ning Fu said. “Now that Elder Sister Cheng has been punished, and I am safe, this is the best outcome for Elder Sister Xie.”

Xie Ruyi observed her, feeling that Ning Fu was more distant than before.

She felt a little uncomfortable.

Xie Ruyi genuinely liked Ning Fu. Among the young ladies, Ning Fu was the least prone to bickering. She would help anyone who encountered difficulty and was very generous, never speaking ill of others.

The two only interacted infrequently because the interests represented by their respective families differed, but among the young ladies, the ones Xie Ruyi liked most were Ning Fu and Zong Ning.

“My Fourth Brother is returning to the capital next month, and our residence will host a banquet. Younger Sister Ning is welcome to come as a guest,” Xie Ruyi actively invited her.

Ning Fu smiled and said, “I’m going to my maternal grandmother’s; I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it.”

Xie Ruyi was momentarily stunned. She said, “Younger Sister Ning, I owe you an apology.”

Ning Fu smiled and said, “Elder Sister Xie, I have things to do, so I will be leaving first.”

Xie Ruyi could only smile back and say, “When Younger Sister Ning returns to the capital, please come visit my residence.”

Ning Fu naturally did not promise.

She later made a trip to the Lu residence and asked Madame Lu if she had anything she wanted to send to Lu Xingzhi. Yongzhou was close to Liangzhou, only a two-hour journey, so carrying some things was convenient.

Madame Lu had nothing to send to Lu Xingzhi, but she did have a package for Ning Fu. “These are some wooden items that Xingzhi entrusted me to give to the Fourth Miss, but I haven’t had a chance to run into the Fourth Miss.”

“Madame can always visit the manor as a guest; my mother is very fond of you,” Ning Fu said truthfully.

“Fourth Miss, please take good care of yourself. You look a little thinner than before,” Madame Lu said with concern.

“Thank you for your concern, Madame,” Ning Fu felt a warmth spread through her heart. Her mood always improved slightly when she visited the Lu residence.

She did not conceal her trip to Yongzhou and specifically said farewell to the young ladies at the academy. Zong Ning’s feelings toward her were complicated now; she wasn’t sure if Ning Fu would become her Third Sister-in-law in the future.

Zong Ning felt that Ning Fu and her Third Brother would likely face difficulties. Her Mother (Princess Xuan) would absolutely not agree. The Princess was already upset about losing Sister Xie as a prospective daughter-in-law. If Sister Ning were to come along, the Princess might wrongly blame the entire situation on Sister Ning.

Not only the young ladies at the academy, but even young gentlemen like Zong Duo, Meng Ze, and Rong Zheng also found out that Ning Fu had gone to Yongzhou, though these were all relayed by others.

In contrast, Zong Si, who had been busy outside the capital recently, was the last one to receive the news.

“Younger Sister Ning left for Yongzhou the day before yesterday,” Fu Jiahui told him after his return to the capital.

Zong Si frowned. “She didn’t come to say goodbye?”

“Perhaps she was too busy or couldn’t make it; she didn’t come,” Fu Jiahui said, choosing her words carefully. She certainly didn’t dare mention that Ning Fu had even visited the Lu residence just days ago.

“You may leave,” Zong Si said with a composed expression.

Zong Si arrived back at the residence early today and was even on time for dinner.

Princess Xuan now saw him, not without complaint. Why did the excellent Second Miss Xie situation turn out like this? But seeing her son’s slightly tanned face, she ultimately felt a mother’s heartache. “Chun Ying, bring a bowl and chopsticks for the Third Young Master.”

“What happened between you and Ruyi? How did it come to this?” Princess Xuan couldn’t help but ask.

“If Father supports the Fourth Master Xie this time, then refusing the Rong and Lin residences in the future will offend people,” Zong Si said. “The Prince Xuan’s residence has come a long way. Whether it is Father, Eldest Uncle, or Eldest Brother and Second Brother, their reputations were earned through their own efforts, and they must cherish their standing.”

Princess Xuan understood this principle, but she still held reservations. “But what does this have to do with you and Ruyi?”

“The Prince Xuan’s residence cannot support the Duke of Qing State Manor, but someone else can. Mother, do you intend to stop water from flowing to higher ground?” Zong Si asked without much emotion.

Meng Che was quite proactive in this matter.

Princess Xuan frowned. “Is the Duke of Qing State Manor favoring Meng Che?”

“How should I know? Mother should go ask them,” Zong Si said, appearing completely indifferent.

Zong Ning buried herself in her food, not uttering a single word. She felt that her Third Brother’s emotions were currently unstable.

But unfortunately, someone did not grant her wish for quiet.

When Zong Duo arrived, he chatted with Zong Si about some official business, then asked Zong Ning, “Has the Fourth Miss of the Ning State Duke Manor gone to Yongzhou?” This would place her close to Lu Xingzhi, and they might have many chances to meet.

Zong Ning forced herself to nod. “I heard she went to Princess Royal Kang Yang’s residence to recuperate.”

Princess Xuan said, “Her entanglement with that maternal grandmother is not a good thing. Princess Royal Kang Yang is among the top three people Emperor Jing Wen most despises. It is not a wise move for the Ning State Duke Manor to send her to Yongzhou.”

Zong Duo agreed entirely with Princess Xuan.

The Fourth Miss Ning was a good girl, but her maternal grandmother was not!

“How did Second Brother know?” Zong Ning asked, fearing her Third Brother would misunderstand that she had told Zong Duo.

“I was with Rong Zheng and heard Rong Min mention it. She said Ning Fu specifically said goodbye to everyone she was familiar with.” Zong Duo said.

Zong Si was expressionless.

He was the only one who had made extensive preparations for her: the Magnolia scented tea she drank daily, the female guard arranged for her convenience, and even the clothes added for her at the Crimson Sleeve Pavilion. Yet, she specifically chose not to come and say goodbye to him.

He had rushed back to the capital early just to be able to see her.

Even a few days earlier, he could have rushed back for a visit before leaving the capital again to handle his affairs, provided she had just sent someone to notify him.

Though Zong Si’s feelings for her were not love, he was willing to give everything within his means, both in effort and money.

He would have gained considerable benefits from the arrangement.

Zong Duo looked at Zong Si and said, “I thought you needed half a month to return from outside the capital. Why did you come back so quickly? Was there something urgent that required you to rush back?”

Zong Duo was being tactless, bringing up exactly what Zong Si didn’t want to hear.