The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 51

Ning Fu contemplated for a moment before speaking with a hint of melancholy. “A man is his wife’s entire world, yet a woman cannot even mention the word ‘exclusive’ in front of her husband.”

In this era, most men married more than once and could openly discuss taking concubines. If a woman tried to prevent her husband from doing so, she would be branded as “jealous”—a profound injustice.

Lu Xingzhi looked at her and replied, “Since I wish to be your only one, I desire only one couple for a lifetime.”

Ning Fu’s expression grew complex. Such words were prone to change; though sincere now, a person’s heart is a fickle thing.

“If Master Lu can achieve this, his future wife will surely be very happy,” Ning Fu said politely. “However, today I am merely discussing our respective views on affection; I mean no offense.”

“I understand,” Lu Xingzhi replied. “I take no offense at Fourth Lady’s meaning.”

This time, Lu Xingzhi was passing through Yongzhou while escorting mountain bandits. Having found a moment of leisure, he rested in the city, but before leaving, he had sought out several pieces of high-quality wood for her carving.

“While suppressing bandits in the mountains, things can get dull. I found these woods with decent grain; you can use them to pass the time,” he said.

“I am curious,” Ning Fu remarked. “How did Master Lu know I liked these little trinkets? Even my own mother hasn’t noticed.”

She had only taken up wood carving after marriage to stave off the boredom of her days. It served both to pass the time and to cultivate her temperament.

Lu Xingzhi paused for a long moment. “During the Autumn Hunt, I saw you squatting alone in a corner carving wood whenever you were bored.”

Ning Fu remembered indeed carving a rabbit back then, though she had made mistakes and left the unfinished piece in the mountains. She didn’t suspect him; instead, she felt his attentiveness earned him many points in her eyes.

“I’ve enjoyed the tea here, but I have official business to attend to. I shall visit you again next time,” Lu Xingzhi said.

Ning Fu’s gaze fell upon him. To avoid trouble today, he wore armor, but the robe he wore during their previous meeting had looked somewhat worn. She suspected the Lu household did not give him enough silver for social expenses, and his salary likely went back to support them.

“Master Lu, could you tell me your clothing measurements?” Ning Fu asked after a moment’s thought.

Lu Xingzhi looked at her, understanding her intent. A smile played at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes softened. He did not hide it and told her his full measurements.

“Is my cousin going to make clothes for Master Lu?” Jing Cheng laughed playfully. When noble ladies favored a man, it usually involved making clothes or embroidering handkerchiefs.

Though Ning Fu was only considering Lu Xingzhi’s professional convenience, her face flushed slightly at Jing Cheng’s remark.

“I thank Fourth Lady in advance,” Lu Xingzhi said, bowing in gratitude without refusal.

Once Lu Xingzhi left, Ning Fu said, “Cousin Jing Cheng, a man isn’t someone you ‘keep’ like a concubine. Saying such things will make people gossip about the ladies of the Princess’s Residence.”

“Who would dare gossip about us?” Jing Cheng laughed. Her eyes sparkled in a way that made even Ning Fu’s heart skip a beat. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to try the joy of keeping a male consort? That Xie Heng was a gift from Grandmother; you can do whatever you wish with him.”

Ning Fu frowned. “Why do you say such things?”

Jing Cheng gave a mysterious smile, brushed Ning Fu’s lips, and whispered, “I chose Xie Heng for you myself.”

Ning Fu felt a headache coming on. She realized that Jing Cheng, as a high-ranking beauty in Yongzhou, was accustomed to the flattery of men. The fact that Jing Cheng had reacted so calmly to seeing a “hickey” on Ning Fu’s neck showed she didn’t take the traditional restrictions on men and women seriously.

If it had been Ah He who saw it, the girl would have turned pale with fright.

Ning Fu worried for her cousin. In her previous life, Jing Cheng’s end was tragic—kept by Meng Ze for a while before descending into a horrifying fate as a military prostitute. In this life, Ning Fu had to be on guard.

The Arrival of the Royal Envoy

A month later, the city of Yongzhou was draped in festive red lanterns. It was the birthday of the Grand Princess Kanyang, and the Emperor had sent a representative from the capital.

The party of horses and carriages arrived at noon. At the head of the troop was a man in black brocade—noble, aloof, and as handsome as a figure from a painting. This was Zong Si, the third son of the Prince of Xuan’s mansion.

Even Grand Princess Kanyang, a woman who had seen countless men, secretly marveled at his peerless temperament. It was no wonder so many ladies threw themselves at him—and no wonder her own beautiful Ning Fu had failed to catch his eye in the past.

“The Emperor still remembers this paternal aunt; I am deeply moved,” Kanyang said, dabbing away non-existent tears.

Zong Si looked at the “old fox” before him. Despite her age, Kanyang showed no signs of frailty; her luxury was evident.

“The Emperor is a virtuous ruler who values filial piety,” Zong Si replied smoothly. “As you are his aunt, he naturally keeps you in his thoughts.”

Kanyang felt a flicker of disdain. She remembered the blood spilled when the Emperor took the throne. He was no “virtuous ruler,” but a winner of a brutal game.

“Is the Emperor well?” she asked.

“The Emperor cherishes talent. He is heartbroken over the passing of Master Li Fang due to illness,” Zong Si said, his eyes fixed on her.

“Li Fang and I were well-acquainted,” Kanyang sighed, shifting the blame away from her jurisdiction. “It is a pity he fell ill so shortly after moving to Danzhou.”

The two exchanged words like swords, neither revealing a weakness.

As the carriages entered the Princess’s Residence, a woman in a white gauze dress descended from the last carriage. She was exquisite, with skin like white jade.

“Greetings, Grand Princess. My name is Yue Niang,” the woman said in a voice so sweet it could melt one’s heart.

Jing Cheng noted that this Yue Niang was even more beautiful than she had imagined. Even Ning Fu might struggle to compete with this level of charm. No wonder Zong Si brought her along to Yongzhou.

“Is Yue Niang the Prince’s concubine?” Jing Cheng asked with interest.

Zong Si neither denied nor confirmed it. “She is exhausted from the journey. Please take her to rest.”

The next morning, Zong Si remained aloof in the East Wing. When Jing Cheng came to invite him for a boat ride on the lake, he initially refused.

“It should have been Ning Fu hosting the Prince,” Jing Cheng said suggestively. “She and the Prince are both from the capital and are surely well-acquainted. It is a pity she has fallen ill.”

Zong Si’s brow furrowed. That explained why she hadn’t greeted him yesterday.

“Prince,” Yue Niang whispered, “Fourth Lady is at her grandmother’s house; she will be well-cared for. I fear Lady Jing Cheng has other motives.”

Zong Si said nothing, but he appeared at the lakeside shortly after.

“It seems the Prince is not so heartless after all,” Jing Cheng smiled.

“Speak plainly,” Zong Si replied, his expression unreadable.

“You are worried about her illness,” Jing Cheng teased. When he didn’t answer, she continued, “She hasn’t appeared at all. Don’t you want to ask where she is, who she is with, or how sick she is?”

Zong Si stopped walking and looked back at her.

“She is surrounded by beautiful young men,” Jing Cheng whispered. “Does the Prince truly not worry? Especially with the excellent Master Lu visiting her so frequently.”