The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 58

Ning Fu was well aware that although Yue Niang no longer harbored thoughts of entering the Prince of Xuan’s estate, she still held a lingering affection for Zong Si.

Even now, Yue Niang was likely dissatisfied with the argument Ning Fu had with the Heir. As someone working for him, Yue Niang was naturally protective, which was why she had politely signaled for Ning Fu to leave. Seeing this, Ning Fu wasted no time; she had to return quickly to arrange the next steps.

Inside the study, Zong Si rubbed his temples. Yue Niang saw his furrowed brow and longed to reach out and smooth it away, but she knew he detested being touched.

“The Fourth Lady’s affairs are hers alone, my Lord,” she said softly. “You need not take her words to heart.”

“You may leave,” Zong Si replied with a hint of impatience.

Yue Niang paused, then forced a smile. “Yes. Please rest early, my Lord. We return to the capital in a few days; do not trouble yourself further with these trifles. Important matters await you back home.”

Once Yue Niang left, the room fell into a heavy silence. Zong Si began to write a letter to the Prince of Xuan’s mansion to report recent events, but the memory of a tearful voice crying “Husband” suddenly echoed in his mind. His brush halted in mid-air. His eyes darkened for a moment before he resumed writing as if nothing had happened.

“You’re finally back.” Jingcheng’s expression relaxed when she saw Ning Fu, and she rushed forward to take her hand.

“A few days ago, Grandmother likely tried to strike a deal with the Heir, but it seems they couldn’t reach an agreement,” Ning Fu mused. “Where is Cousin Jingzhe now?”

“Brother hasn’t returned for several days,” Jingcheng replied worriedly.

Ning Fu’s premonition grew darker. “Cousin, prepare your luggage tonight. We… we may need to seek out Prince Jin.”

Jingcheng’s eyes welled with tears, but she managed a bright smile and hugged Ning Fu tightly. “Your father is in Liangzhou. If things go wrong, go to him. I’ll find you to play again later.”

Ning Fu held her tight. She wouldn’t leave her behind; she would see her cousin safely to Prince Jin.

“Afu, you are a daughter of the Duke’s mansion. You must not get dragged down by the Princess Mansion’s troubles,” Jingcheng insisted.

That night, the two slept in the same bed. Jingcheng clung to her, murmuring, “Why are men all like this?”

Ning Fu remained silent. Jingcheng rested her head on Ning Fu’s arm and kissed her cheek. “In our next life, I’ll be the man, so I can take good care of you.”

“Deal. But in this life, you must live well too.”

“Did I ever tell you? The man I liked was also a bad man,” Jingcheng whispered. “He kissed me, then told me to get lost. He didn’t even come to see me when I came to Yongzhou. He was probably afraid the Princess Mansion would tarnish him.”

“A gentleman from the capital?”

“The Third Prince, Meng Yuan,” Jingcheng said with a sad laugh.

Ning Fu could not bring herself to smile. She suddenly remembered the Divine Physician Mu Ruoheng’s words: “There are more than just two princes in the palace.” She had assumed Mu meant he hadn’t picked a side between Meng Che and Meng Ze. But according to Jingcheng, could Mu Ruoheng be supporting Meng Yuan?

No one ever considered Meng Yuan in the struggle for the throne—which was exactly Emperor Jingwen’s style: letting others fight so he could reap the rewards. Meng Yuan, with his leg disability, rarely left his palace and was often forgotten. No one truly knew his character.

“Afu, I’m sleepy,” Jingcheng said.

“Sleep then. I am here.”

In the dead of night, Ning Fu was awakened. A man bowed before her. “Fourth Lady, I am here to take you to the Grand Princess.”

“Who are you?”

“It is I. The Heir ordered me to take you to her. He said… consider this his way of settling what he owes you.” The man looked up; it was Qu Yang.

What Zong Si “owed” her was the accidental intimacy from before. By “settling” it, he meant to clear the slate between them completely. Ning Fu said nothing, dressed quickly, and followed Qu Yang out.

Yongzhou was silent, save for a few patrols. Qu Yang’s martial prowess was staggering; it was no wonder he was Zong Si’s right-hand man. When they reached the Li estate, Ning Fu realized her grandmother was effectively under house arrest.

“Grandmother!” Ning Fu’s eyes reddened.

Kangyang glanced at Qu Yang, then thought of the man she had sensed in Ning Fu’s room that morning. “They don’t dare do anything to me yet,” she sneered, maintaining her regal bearing. “Take Jingcheng to Prince Jin. As long as the Emperor has a use for Prince Jin, the Princess Mansion will remain safe.”

“Understood,” Ning Fu nodded.

“Afu, no one gets to take advantage of you for free,” Kangyang added cryptically.

“Go now.” Kangyang looked at Commander Qu Yang and laughed mysteriously. Qu Yang felt a chill; everyone knew how ruthless the Grand Princess was. Even his master, the Heir, had struggled to gain an edge over her.

Upon returning, Ning Fu woke Jingcheng. After a moment of shock, Jingcheng realized the gravity of the situation. “We must go.”

A carriage and driver were already waiting. The Princess Mansion might have looked like a den of pleasure, but it was always prepared for crisis.

The journey toward Prince Jin’s camp took half a day. As they crossed into his territory, the lush wetlands of Yongzhou gave way to desolate, rugged mountains. Only then did the tension in Ning Fu’s mind begin to loosen.

At the camp entrance, a tall, weathered man walked out. Despite his wrinkles and the dust of travel, his stature was powerful—a true lion in his old age.

“Prince Jin!” Jingcheng ran toward him, tears streaming down her face.

“Little Jingcheng, are you hungry?” Prince Jin asked.

“Grandmother has been imprisoned! You must save her,” Jingcheng pleaded.

Prince Jin snorted. “Your grandmother is selfish. If I help her, she’ll probably turn around and bite me the moment she’s safe.”

“Grandmother has always liked you best!”

“If she liked me, would she have tried to steal my subordinates to be her gigolos?” Prince Jin’s anger flared at the memory, even decades later. That incident rankled more than any of her political schemes.

Prince Jin looked over at Ning Fu. Her hair was a bit messy, but her exquisite face showed no sign of panic. She held her bow with a practiced, defensive grip.

“You must be Chengyin’s girl, Fu’er?”

Ning Fu nodded. “Greetings, Prince Jin.”

“You have your mother’s spirit,” he laughed. “I wanted her to marry my son, but your father beat us to it.”

Ning Fu forced a smile. She missed her parents dearly. Life in the military camp was harsh; they could only wash briefly and eat dry rations.

“Military life is bitter, which is why most men don’t bring their wives to camp,” Prince Jin noted. He was surprised to see Ning Fu stoically finish a piece of dry bread. This girl’s adaptability was impressive.

“Prince Jin, I want to talk about my grandmother,” Ning Fu said, initiating the conversation.

“What are your thoughts?” he asked with interest.

“In the Emperor’s eyes, no matter your personal feelings, you and the Grand Princess are a single unit. If one falls, the other is isolated and becomes the next target,” Ning Fu analyzed.

“And how exactly should I help her?”

“If war breaks out here and the Emperor needs your troops, he will naturally drop the charges against her. In times of trouble, one cannot afford to offend generals. That is why the Emperor tolerates the growth of the Prince of Xuan’s power.”

Prince Jin sighed. “True. But I cannot trust your grandmother. I’ve suffered too many losses at her hands.”

Ning Fu understood; he was looking for a guarantee. He wouldn’t help for free. “What do you want, Prince Jin? If it is within my power, I will not refuse.”

“Interests must be bound to be trusted,” Prince Jin smiled. “The fastest way to bind interests is through marriage.”

He looked at her. “You are Chengyin’s daughter, and I like you. If you marry my grandson, I will save your grandmother. What do you say?”