The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 55

Princess Kangyang was not entirely satisfied with Lu Xingzhi, but she refused to let a gentleman her granddaughter favored be looked down upon by others.

Furthermore, his success in suppressing bandits in Liangzhou was a genuine achievement. If he continued on this solid path, he would undoubtedly become a figure of great influence. Maintaining a good relationship with him was a wise move—not to mention it served as a perfect opportunity to dampen Zong Si’s arrogance.

“The Grand Princess praises me too highly,” Lu Xingzhi said as he rose. His expression remained modest and composed, devoid of any trace of sycophancy.

Zong Si, for his part, showed no sign of displeasure. Successful men often shared this same unshakeable, calm temperament.

Ning Fu found it difficult to comment on these romantic undertones. She couldn’t appear too indifferent, lest she seem overly world-weary, so she adopted an air of delicate, youthful bashfulness.

When Kangyang shifted the conversation toward official business, Jingcheng took the opportunity to slip away with Ning Fu.

“Grandmother’s birthday banquet this year is far more tedious than usual,” Jingcheng grumbled once they were away from the crowd.

“With people here from the capital, Grandmother naturally cannot be too extravagant. If word reached the Emperor, it might stir up unnecessary trouble,” Ning Fu explained.

Jingcheng’s elegant brows furrowed. “That Heir of the Prince of Xuan’s mansion targets Grandmother at every turn. I originally thought he came here for you, but now I see he is solely intent on dealing with her.”

Ning Fu lowered her head in silence. Her greatest concern was indeed Zong Si’s relentless attitude. If she managed to find the confession letter, what leverage would she have to negotiate with him?

“I… I owe you an apology. I wrote him a letter in your name,” Jingcheng said, her eyes flickering like a guilty puppy. “He must think you like him.”

After a moment of stunned silence, Ning Fu shook her head. “He surely realized long ago that I didn’t write it.”

The fact that Zong Si hadn’t mentioned the letter meant that, upon reflection, he wanted to move past the incident at Guanghe Hall. He was a man who rarely made mistakes; every move he made was the result of calculated self-interest.

“He came, but he brought that great beauty with him. The lords of Yongzhou couldn’t stop staring at Yue Niang—their eyes were practically glued to her chest,” Jingcheng teased, sticking out her tongue.

Soon, Jingcheng was swept away by other noble ladies she knew. Ning Fu, having no desire for social pleasantries, sat alone in a secluded corner of the rockery. She enjoyed the gentle evening breeze so much that she even untied the ribbon of her hairpiece, letting her thick, dark tresses dance in the wind.

When she eventually turned her head, she saw Lu Xingzhi standing there. She had no idea how long he had been waiting.

“Lord Lu,” Ning Fu said, rising.

Lu Xingzhi stood still for a moment before walking toward her.

“I…”

Before Ning Fu could speak, she froze. Lu Xingzhi reached out to tidy a stray lock of her hair. He was a man who strictly adhered to etiquette; such an intimate gesture was entirely uncharacteristic.

Then, the scent of alcohol reached her. He was drunk.

“Since Lord Lu was looking for me, why didn’t you come over sooner?” Ning Fu asked politely.

“It has been a long time since I could look at you properly,” Lu Xingzhi whispered. “I wanted to see you.”

His voice drifted into her ear, blending with the wind, making the moment feel surreal. Though Ning Fu was beautiful and accustomed to admiration, she had rarely heard such tender, affectionate words. Her heart fluttered, and her face flushed. She knew she should steer the conversation back to propriety, but for a moment, she couldn’t speak.

Lu Xingzhi rubbed his temples, realizing his lapse in judgment. After a brief silence, he said, “Grand Princess Kangyang dotes on you, but she may still trade your marriage for political gain. Be careful, Fourth Lady.”

Ning Fu never doubted this. If her paternal grandmother would do it, her maternal grandmother would likely do the same—though Kangyang would at least consider Ning Fu’s well-being in the process.

“Thank you for the warning, Lord Lu.” She offered him a gentle smile, her eyes shining like bright stars.

Lu Xingzhi pursed his lips.

Nearby, the light of torches flickered—patrols were approaching. Ning Fu performed a departing salute. “Someone is coming. I must go. You’ve been drinking, Lord Lu; please stay safe.”

“Mm,” he responded.

As Ning Fu turned to leave, a hand suddenly swept around her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace. The scent of strong wine enveloped her.

Before she could resist, Lu Xingzhi pushed her deep into the shadows of the rockery. He turned her around, pressing her against the uneven stones, and covered her lips with his left hand, stifling any sound.

“Afu, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid,” he murmured, his voice low and raspy yet strangely comforting.

Perhaps because she was familiar with him, that sense of recognition allowed her to calm down.

“I just missed you so much. I…” His posture was rigid, and his mind clearly clouded by drink. Though his grip was strong, Ning Fu had noticed his unsteady footsteps earlier. “To see you again… nothing could be better. I am so happy. Heaven has truly smiled upon me.”

Lu Xingzhi looked at her. In the reflected light, his face was no longer a mask of indifference. His eyes were moist, and his lips were pressed thin as if he were suppressing a great tide of emotion.

“Call me husband, just once? Please?” he whispered into her ear, his voice a mix of pleading and gentle coaxing. “I want to hear it.”

He was a completely different person from the sober Lu Xingzhi.

Naturally, Ning Fu could not utter such a title. Her face burned; she hadn’t realized that beneath his upright exterior lay such a repressed, passionate soul.

When she reached out to push him away, his right hand tightened around her waist. Under the moonlight, his eyes shimmered, and then he leaned in—kissing the back of his own hand, which still covered her mouth.

Even though he didn’t touch her skin directly, Ning Fu saw him close his eyes. His lashes trembled, and his nose nearly brushed hers. In that intense, focused proximity, it felt more intimate than a real kiss. Ning Fu felt as though she were on fire, her face turning crimson.

She had never been kissed with such reverence. In her past life with Zong Si, their encounters were driven by raw desire—something that stirred the body but never felt beautiful to the soul. This was entirely foreign, leaving her breathless and shy.

When she pushed him again, Lu Xingzhi lost his strength. He stumbled back and then slumped against her shoulder, completely overcome by the alcohol.

“Afu… my Afu,” he muttered. The sheer sorrow in his voice caused a pang of grief to rise in her own heart.

Just as Ning Fu was wondering how to quietly call for someone to help him, she saw Zong Si. His expression was thin, almost entirely void of emotion.

The moment she saw him, Ning Fu’s heart sank. She stood frozen, locked in a silent confrontation with him. Zong Si was cold—unusually so. She had a premonition that he was deeply displeased.

“Lord Lu drank too much today. He didn’t mean it,” Ning Fu said, her first instinct being to make excuses for him. Lu Xingzhi had no powerful background; he relied on the Prince of Xuan for his career. He could not afford to offend Zong Si.

She was clearly protecting him.

Zong Si’s face grew even colder. Ning Fu had overlooked one thing: by speaking up for Lu Xingzhi now, she appeared to be taking his side as if they were family.

She opened her mouth to say more, but Zong Si said nothing. He didn’t even mention the scene. He simply turned and walked away.

Left with no choice, Ning Fu called two guards to take Lu Xingzhi to rest. She stopped wandering and returned to Kangyang’s side. The banquet was winding down, and guests were departing.

“It seems Lord Lu’s tolerance for wine is not very high,” Kangyang joked upon hearing he was drunk.

“Lord Lu simply didn’t want to dampen your spirits on your birthday, Your Highness,” Tu Zhizhong added flatteringly.

Ning Fu glanced at Madame Yu. She had invited her in Zong Si’s name, and although Zong Si was gone, Madame Yu didn’t dare leave.

“Sister, are you looking to head back?” Ning Fu asked her with a smile.

“Your Highness, I did not come here of my own accord today, I…” Madame Yu knelt, trembling.

Kangyang glanced at her coldly. “You are here now. Stop that sniveling; people will think I am bullying you.”

Madame Yu fell silent, bowing her head.

“Grandmother, the outskirts are remote. Perhaps we should find some guards to escort her back,” Ning Fu suggested.

Kangyang grew cautious. “Madame Yu lives at the Li estate. Why would you think she lives in the outskirts?”

Ning Fu acted surprised. “A few days ago, while at the villa, I saw lights at the Li family’s country residence. I thought someone was staying there.”

“That house has been empty since Li Fang left for Danzhou. Why would there be lights? Afu, you must have seen wrong,” Kangyang said, though suspicion began to take root in her mind.

Ning Fu caught Tu Zhizhong’s eyes shifting, though he pretended to be unaware. “Grandmother, it wasn’t just me. Dong Zhu saw it too.”

Kangyang sneered. “It seems someone still hasn’t let go of Li Fang.”

Ning Fu knew her grandmother. Once suspicion was planted, she would investigate. With the Princess’s resources, she would find out who had been in and out of that house.

Ning Fu’s goal was twofold: to make her grandmother wary of those around her, and to ensure the Li residences were guarded so that “certain people” couldn’t enter easily. As for the confession letter, Ning Fu couldn’t mention it yet. If her grandmother found proof of her own crimes, she would likely destroy it immediately.

Back at the West Court, Ning Fu tossed and turned. The timing of Li Fang’s death—just as he was writing a secret letter to the Prince of Xuan—was too convenient. It looked like a cover-up. Ning Fu began to suspect that her grandmother had been framed or manipulated into the act.

In the East Court, Qu Yang grew alert as a figure dressed as a maid approached. He gripped his sword. Though Kangyang wouldn’t dare kill them, caution was necessary.

The maid pulled down her veil, revealing Ning Fu’s bright, elegant face. “Commander Qu, I am here to see the Heir.”

Qu Yang lowered his sword. “The Heir has already retired for the night.”

“I have urgent business. Please, inform him,” Ning Fu said anxiously. She knew Tu Zhizhong would move tonight before the Princess could investigate the country house.

Qu Yang hesitated but went inside. However, it was Yue Niang who walked out.

Ning Fu noticed Yue Niang was wearing “Four Seasons Silk”—a fabric so rare her own mother could only obtain one bolt a year. It suited Yue Niang perfectly, making her look like a ripe, luscious peach.

“Fourth Lady, the Heir is bathing. Please wait a moment,” Yue Niang said, her voice like a clear bell.

Ning Fu waited. Zong Si was clearly making her wait on purpose, likely because of the scene with Lu Xingzhi. But she knew he wouldn’t let a personal grudge interfere with business for long.

Half an hour later, Yue Niang finally said, “Fourth Lady, please come in.”

Inside the bedchamber, the air was misty. Zong Si’s hair was unbound, tied only with a simple ribbon. He looked less like a noble lord and more like a wild, untamed rebel.

Yue Niang said softly, “Shall I use the agate crown when I do your hair tomorrow, my Lord? You would look wonderful in it.”

It was clear Yue Niang handled Zong Si’s daily needs. High-born lords were always attended to by women—if not maids, then concubines. A legal wife rarely did such menial tasks. It was easy to see how such intimate care could capture a man’s heart.

As Zong Si’s former wife in her past life, Ning Fu had never met Yue Niang, but she could sense the history between them now.

“I was the one who invited Madame Yu today. The person at the Li residence was likely Tu Zhizhong,” Ning Fu explained, detailing the night’s events. “Tu Zhizhong will surely search other locations for the confession tonight. If the Heir follows him, it will save much time.”

Zong Si looked at her thoughtfully. He called Qu Yang over, whispered a few words, and Qu Yang immediately departed.

Yue Niang smiled. “The Fourth Lady has been waiting a long time. Would you like some tea? It’s ‘Hundred-Mile Fragrance’ from the capital.”

“Don’t trouble yourself, Sister Yue,” Ning Fu replied.

“Anything else, Fourth Lady?” Zong Si asked.

Ning Fu debated telling him that her grandmother was being used, but before she could speak, Zong Si said coldly, “Yue Niang, escort the Fourth Lady back.”

At the door, Yue Niang thoughtfully adjusted Ning Fu’s veil. “Be careful on your way back.”

Ning Fu nodded.

“The Heir…” Yue Niang hesitated. “In all the years I’ve known him, he has never cared for anyone’s ‘face.’ Don’t take his coldness to heart.”

Ning Fu looked at Yue Niang for a moment and smiled. “I heard the Prince of Xuan’s mansion once wanted the Heir to take you as a concubine.”

Yue Niang stiffened, then gave a resigned laugh. “That was a long time ago. I no longer have such thoughts. I made a grave mistake and disappointed him.”

“If you hadn’t made that mistake,” Ning Fu asked, “the Heir would have agreed to take you, wouldn’t he?”