The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 65

Before this, the only thing Lu Xingzhi lacked was a prestigious family background. In terms of both appearance and talent, he was exceptional; whenever Madam Ning conversed with the ladies of other noble households, they spoke of him with nothing but praise.

Now, he had carved out a future with his own hands. He was now considered a top-tier young gentleman of the capital—the sort of man who naturally won the hearts of noble ladies.

“Master Lu sustained many injuries in Liangzhou,” Ning Fu remarked. “The suppression of bandits is a merit earned through hard work. If the Emperor treats him poorly, no one will be willing to take on such thankless, grueling tasks in the future.”

Furthermore, Lu Xingzhi’s presence in Liangzhou had provided her father with significant convenience. Without him, her father’s affairs would not have proceeded so smoothly.

Madam Ning studied her for a moment, unable to suppress a smile. “Why do you think your mother mentioned him in the first place?”

Ning Fu remained silent. It wasn’t that she lacked a good impression of Lu Xingzhi, but the mess between her and Zong Si had to be resolved first. Moreover, she currently had no desire to pursue a romantic entanglement with anyone.

“Lady Lu treats me quite differently from the others,” Madam Ning noted. She could sense that Lady Lu favored Ning Fu; during their meetings, the older woman had mentioned Ning Fu several times. “However, the most important thing right now is your Ji Li (Coming-of-Age ceremony). We must make up for it as soon as possible.”

The next time Ning Fu ventured out, it was at the invitation of Princess Jingwen. Since she intended to foster a good relationship with the Princess, she did not decline.

The palace gates were as deep and imposing as ever. Upon entering Jinghe Palace, she found Jingwen and Zong Ning in the middle of a private conversation.

“Why is Sister Ning coming?” Zong Ning whispered. “My Third Brother got into trouble because of her grandmother. It will be so awkward to see her.”

“We are but young ladies; why should we care about the affairs of our elders?” Jingwen countered. “Your mother may dislike her, but do you dislike her as well?”

Zong Ning fell silent. She actually liked Sister Ning quite a bit; Ning Fu was never petty and was always easy to talk to.

“My mother hates the Princess Kangyang Manor more than anything,” Zong Ning added. “If it weren’t for them, my Third Brother’s marriage would have been settled upon his return. The sixth daughter of the Marquis Mu’an has been fond of him since they were children.”

She paused, looking thoughtful. Before Sister Ning left the capital, her Third Brother’s attitude toward her had been… difficult to read.

“Your mother won’t know we are playing with Sister Ning in secret,” Jingwen whispered.

The two were speaking with such intensity that Ning Fu, standing at the doorway, decided not to enter just yet. She smiled to herself and retreated to a nearby garden to admire the flora. The palace grounds were, as always, a feast for the eyes.

“Cousin Ning, why are you standing here instead of looking for Jingwen?”

Ning Fu heard Meng Ze’s voice behind her and turned around. When her eyes fell upon Zong Si, she looked at him as if he were a complete stranger, not offering him a second glance.

“Greetings to the Heir Apparent. Greetings to Sixth Cousin,” she said with her usual polite curtesy.

Zong Si was dressed today in a smoke-blue silk cloak with a gold crown securing his hair. He was an exceptionally handsome man, possessing a refined elegance. However, Ning Fu knew that a man this handsome was never a simple creature; he was a pearl to be viewed from a distance, not played with. A woman must not be too blinded by a pretty face, she thought, lest she suffer a great loss. Had she not learned that in her previous life?

A man’s beauty cannot put food on the table—unless a woman holds the power, in which case a bit of flirtation and romance might be acceptable.

Zong Si’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t spare her an extra look, saying coldly to Meng Ze, “Do not be late.”

“Father is waiting for us, so I cannot entertain you, Cousin Ning,” Meng Ze said with a smile. Ning Fu nodded in understanding, and the two men departed.

Meng Ze, buoyed by the sight of a beauty, was in high spirits. “Cousin Ning doesn’t lose out to Yue-niang, does she?”

Zong Si said nothing. His gaze was cold. She could call Meng Ze ‘Cousin,’ yet she was icy toward him. She was likely more polite to Meng Ze’s parrot than she was to him.

“If you don’t even find Cousin Ning beautiful,” Meng Ze teased, “you might as well become a monk.”

Zong Si, of course, found her beautiful. He knew exactly how beautiful she was—he was well aware of the charm and allure in her eyes when she was swept up in passion. Her beauty was breathtaking; if it weren’t, he wouldn’t find himself constantly haunted by memories of their night together.

The Orchid Hairpin

After discussing the transport of supplies to the North with the Emperor, Meng Ze was detained for further business. Zong Si took the opportunity to return to where Ning Fu was.

Ning Fu was still crouched there, mesmerized by the scenery. She was so engrossed that she didn’t even notice her hairpin had fallen to the ground. Zong Si watched her for a moment with an expressionless face before walking over.

Sensing a shadow beside her, Ning Fu froze. Zong Si had already picked up the hairpin—a delicate white jade piece carved in the shape of an orchid.

“I thank the Heir Apparent,” Ning Fu said, standing up. She looked around anxiously; it would be impossible to explain if someone saw them alone together. “Please, return the pin to me quickly.”

He showed no intention of handing it back.

“Give it back,” she urged, her eyes lowered.

Instead, Zong Si reached out and tucked the hairpin back into her hair himself—a gesture that reeked of possessiveness.

“What do you want for your Coming-of-Age ceremony?” He studied her exquisite face, his gaze eventually dropping to her earlobes—the very ones he had tasted countless times that night. She was sensitive there; every time he had taken an earlobe into his mouth, she would let out uncontrollable, soft moans.

His own ears turned slightly red. His gaze was deep and calm, yet it carried an undeniable predatory edge.

Ning Fu’s heart sank. In Great Yan, only a father, a brother, or a husband could gift meaningful items for a lady’s Ji Li. For a stranger to do so was improper.

It was clear as day: he intended to claim the role of “husband.”