The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 54

“If the Fourth Lady has something to say, she might as well speak plainly.” The man was determined to press her for an answer.

Ning Fu saw that he was clearly enjoying himself. She pursed her lips and refused to utter another word.

Under the cover of night, neither spoke. The only sound was the rhythm of their breathing, which seemed to intertwine in the air—lingering and intimate. She instinctively slowed her own breath.

In the darkness, Zong Si paused, finally ceasing his teasing.

After some time, the people outside finally departed. Once Zong Si led her down, the two searched for their respective items in silence, exchanging not a single word.

Ning Fu hadn’t expected to find anything today. However, knowing Zong Si’s intentions meant her progress wasn’t entirely stalled; working alongside him would ultimately make things easier.

“That person must know for certain that Li Fang left behind a confession letter,” Ning Fu said, steadying her mind.

“Your maternal grandmother might not be as indifferent to this matter as you think,” Zong Si replied, glancing at her sideways.

Ning Fu felt compelled to speak up for Princess Kangyang. “The events in Yongzhou City aren’t entirely related to my grandmother.”

Zong Si countered, “There are rumors in the streets of Yongzhou: ‘Officials seize power and accept bribes; they use their positions for personal gain and engage in favoritism. The people have suffered long under them.’ Who do you think they are talking about, Fourth Lady? Such a person, even if beheaded…”

While his words weren’t entirely accurate, they did apply to Princess Kangyang to some extent. Ning Fu lowered her eyes and said, “If it was my grandmother’s doing, I will admit it. But if it wasn’t, I won’t let her take the blame. Besides, she isn’t truly so heinous.”

It was simply that Emperor Jingwen needed the Princess to be a treacherous official, so she had to play the part. Yet, the Princess Mansion had its merits—how much silver had her grandmother donated to the Prince of Jin’s army? Her eldest uncle had even died for the Great Yan Dynasty.

Zong Si remarked, “If it’s a death sentence regardless, what difference does one more crime make? People only judge whether one is ‘good’ or ‘bad’; they don’t keep a tally of every specific evil deed.”

Ning Fu felt as though she had been struck with a heavy blow. Her grandmother was already a target of Emperor Jingwen’s suspicion. One more piece of evidence or one less—the final outcome would likely be the same.

“Old Madame Ning’s words may seem cold and heartless, but by telling you to break ties with the Princess Mansion, she is actually showing how much she cares for you,” Zong Si said, his expression cold.

He was not one to care for the lives of others. It was only because of their “past ties” from his previous life that he offered this kind advice. If she were wise, she would not involve herself in Kangyang’s affairs now.

Even if Kangyang hadn’t committed a crime, Emperor Jingwen could not allow her to remain. Many wanted the Princess dead—Zong Si included.

Ning Fu felt a sharp pang of sorrow. She remembered her previous life: her grandmother’s humiliation in a prisoner’s carriage before committing suicide, Cousin Jingzhe dying of poison, her uncle dying in prison, and Cousin Jingcheng reduced to a military courtesan. Tears finally escaped her eyes.

She quickly wiped them away, acting as if nothing had happened. “I only want a just result,” she said.

Zong Si paused and said no more.

When they returned to the villa and stood under the candlelight, Zong Si noticed the shimmering tears in her eyes. His cold gaze fixed on her. Even in grief, she was breathtakingly beautiful—looking more than ever like the woman from his dreams of their past life.

The woman who used to call him “husband.”

He reached out and brushed away her tears. Ning Fu’s body went stiff, and she instinctively leaned back to avoid him.

For a brief moment, Zong Si seemed to feel a flicker of pity for her.

“I will help the Heir find the confession, and I can help you even more,” she seized the opportunity to say. “If we find that my grandmother isn’t as contemptible as the world says, I hope the Heir will show mercy.”

“It’s late. Rest,” Zong Si said, withdrawing his hand. His tone was calm, leaving her plea unanswered.

Ning Fu hesitated. She recalled his words before they left the capital—that they should discuss “their business” upon her return. She wondered if he was intentionally letting her see his pity.

“I’ve been out long enough. I’m leaving,” Zong Si said before departing.

“My Lady, who are you talking to?” Dong Zhu knocked on the door, sounding worried. Aside from the few days Jingcheng had borrowed her, Dong Zhu had been by Ning Fu’s side constantly.

Ning Fu brushed her off with a vague answer and began to reflect. Whoever knew Li Fang had a backup confession must have been close to him. But in Yongzhou, everyone shunned him. Who could have been his secret associate?

She thought of Madame Yu, who had been brought back to the Princess Mansion. Someone close to Li Fang would have visited his residence privately; Madame Yu would likely recognize them. Among the nobles in Yongzhou, she was the one Madame Yu would know best.

Madame Yu wouldn’t dare speak openly, but a person’s subconscious behavior cannot lie. There was a way to get information out of her.

Ning Fu stayed at the mountain villa for several days, partly to finish her grandmother’s birthday gift and partly to ensure her late-night excursion didn’t look suspicious.

With Princess Kangyang’s birthday approaching, Xie Heng was busy and left her in peace. Finally, on the day of the banquet, a carriage from the Princess Mansion arrived to fetch her.

“Cousin!” It was Jingcheng who had come with the carriage.

“Cousin Jingcheng, how has the mansion been these past few days?” Ning Fu asked as she boarded.

“The Heir interrogated Madame Yu for two hours, but nothing came of it. He hasn’t made a move since.” Jingcheng had been worried earlier but was now relieved.

Ning Fu, however, knew better. Zong Si was simply being discreet; it was impossible for him to be idle. She wondered if he had made any progress.

The Princess Mansion was more modest than Ning Fu expected today—lacking its usual extravagant opulence. Even the gifts were not overly precious. Only the red carpets covering the ground and the red lanterns everywhere lent a festive air.

With so many guests, Jingcheng soon had no time to attend to her.

“The gentleman standing next to the Heir—though simply dressed, he is quite handsome. I wonder who he is? Let’s go find out,” a young lady from Yongzhou said boldly.

“That is Lord Lu from Liangzhou. I heard he isn’t married yet,” another girl teased.

Among the crowd, Ning Fu spotted Lu Xingzhi. He seemed to have noticed her early on, as his gaze quickly shifted toward her.

She wondered if she was overthinking it, but the way he looked at her seemed different from how he looked at others—more indulgent, more patient. She couldn’t understand why he treated her this way; after all, kindness rarely comes without a reason in this world.

Zong Si also looked over, his expression unreadable.

Ning Fu lowered her eyes and did not go over to greet them. Instead, she returned to the West Court to change. In Yongzhou, she had grown accustomed to dressing for comfort, but today required the dignity of a capital noblewoman.

“My Lady, it’s been so long since you wore this wide-sleeved gown. I can’t take my eyes off you, let alone those young lords,” Dong Zhu praised as she tied Ning Fu’s sash.

Ning Fu felt the bodice was a bit tighter than before, but it was manageable. “Has the birthday gift from my father arrived?”

Her father, Ning Zhenyuan, was too busy with official duties to attend. If his gift hadn’t arrived, she would need to prepare a second one.

“The Madame prepared it long ago; you needn’t worry,” Dong Zhu laughed.

Ning Fu felt relieved. “Find two unfamiliar faces and, in the name of the Heir, invite Madame Yu to the mansion to celebrate grandmother’s birthday. Say that the Heir is apologizing for his rudeness the other day.”

“Will the Heir be angry?” Dong Zhu asked worriedly.

“I will explain it to him.” Ning Fu understood Zong Si well enough; if it was for serious business, he would be flexible. Moreover, the excuse was reasonable.

At the banquet, Ning Fu made her first formal appearance before the various families of Yongzhou. She wore a begonia-red wide-sleeved gown, the tight waist highlighting her graceful figure.

“Grandmother,” Ning Fu called out with a sweet, smiling voice. Even her tone when acting spoiled with her elders was enough to melt one’s heart.

Xie Heng couldn’t help but steal extra glances at her. He usually saw her bare-faced and fresh as a gardenia; today, with makeup, she was as vibrant as a lotus. He wasn’t the only one; many young lords in Yongzhou were starstruck. Only Lu Xingzhi and Zong Si remained unmoved.

Princess Kangyang glanced at Zong Si and beckoned Ning Fu to sit beside her.

“The Princess’s grandchildren are each more beautiful than the last. Both Jingcheng and the Fourth Lady are exceptional,” said Xie Kangwei, Xie Heng’s father.

“I’ve never seen ladies more outstanding. If one could marry my son, my household would never mistreat her,” another official joked, testing the waters.

“The ladies of the Princess Mansion aren’t just for anyone. Stop joking, Lord Zhang,” Tu Zhizhong said with a faint smile.

Amidst the verbal sparring, Princess Kangyang smiled. “Don’t flatter them too much, or they’ll become insufferable.”

Just then, Madame Yu arrived. Ning Fu noticed Madame Yu first glance at Tu Zhizhong, then at Zong Si. Tu Zhizhong seemed indifferent, watching like an outsider.

Madame Yu knelt. “Your Highness, the Heir sent someone to invite me to congratulate you.”

Ning Fu looked at Zong Si. He paused, then said composedly, “Lord Li worked hard for Great Yan. As his widow, Madame Yu represents him and those heroes who sacrificed themselves. Is it not fitting for her to offer her respects?”

Moved by the memory of her eldest son, Kangyang gave Zong Si a meaningful look. “I am happy she could come. Someone, bring a seat.”

Madame Yu remained cautious, sitting in a corner and glancing at Tu Zhizhong again. Twice was no coincidence. In a dangerous environment, a person looks toward the one they trust most.

However, Tu Zhizhong’s indifference seemed genuine. This suggested there was no secret affair, but rather that Madame Yu recognized him from seeing him frequently with Li Fang.

“The Heir and the Fourth Lady are both so prominent among the youth in the capital. Why did you two never catch each other’s eye?” someone suddenly asked.

Ning Fu and Zong Si locked eyes in silence.

“The Fourth Lady is so beautiful she has countless suitors. She will surely find a fine match in the future,” Zong Si replied moments later, his tone distant but polite.

Seeing him distance himself, Ning Fu remained silent. He would never let anyone discover his true thoughts.

Jingcheng smiled and intervened, “Why tease the Heir? Lord Lu is also a fine gentleman from the capital. Why not joke about him and my cousin?”

Everyone knew that Lu Xingzhi’s background was far below that of the Duke of Ning’s mansion. However, Princess Kangyang smiled. “Xingzhi had the ability to suppress bandits in Liangzhou and is highly learned. He is a talent in both civil and military affairs. Even Fu’er’s archery was taught by him. He is quite impressive.”

With the Princess’s public endorsement, the atmosphere changed instantly. It was as if she were giving him her formal backing.