The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 73

Ning Fu couldn’t help but steal another glance at Mu Rong.

He wore a black python-patterned mask that concealed his features, yet his aura was unmistakable—a blend of coldness and detachment. It was likely this very demeanor, reminiscent of a high-born noble, that his admirers found so irresistible.

To toy with a man like him, to watch him lose himself in passion and plead for more, would offer the exhilarating thrill of snapping a frost-covered flower from a mountain peak.

However, Ning Fu kept such men at a distance unless she needed them as a cover. In a place like the Linglong Pavilion, the more beautiful a person was, the more dangerous they became; the patrons behind them were always a tangled web of power.

“If I didn’t remember you, why would I have come to the Linglong Pavilion today?” Ning Fu played along, sitting down beside him. “The management at home is strict; it’s no easy feat to see you. Massage my forehead for me.”

“I told you, the price of my service is not something you can afford,” Mu Rong said, his lips curling into a slow, meaningful smirk.

He’s clearly been spoiled by other patrons, Ning Fu thought. Since she had paid the silver, service should be part of his duty. Yet, she was also wary of whoever pampered him so much; they likely had a significant background.

Ning Fu snapped her fan shut and tapped it against her palm. “Then I shall have the manager find me another gentleman with better skills.”

As she moved to stand, Mu Rong pressed her back into her seat. His hands moved to her temples; though his movements were unpracticed at first, he quickly found the right rhythm under her guidance, providing immense comfort.

“Perhaps I should find a better path for your future, what do you think?” Ning Fu said, eyes closed in enjoyment.

“Whatever I want, I will take for myself in due time,” Mu Rong replied.

Ning Fu frowned and opened her eyes, turning to meet his deep, calm gaze.

Wei Ziyi, sensing the tension, said anxiously, “Young Master… Ning, I’d like to get some fresh air. Please come with me.”

Mu Rong gave Wei Ziyi a flat look. Wei Ziyi didn’t dare meet his eyes and looked pleadingly at Ning Fu.

Just then, a knock came at the door. Ning Fu brushed Mu Rong’s hands away. “I have matters to attend to. Wait for me here.”

“I suppose you’re off to see another ‘gentleman,'” Mu Rong said coldly.

“Why the jealousy? Seeing them is just for business. The silver I earn is spent on you, isn’t it?” Ning Fu had indeed spent a fair amount on him. “If I don’t manage my business, not only will my life be over, but you likely wouldn’t give me a second glance.”

A man of the demimonde would naturally be pragmatic. To Ning Fu, Mu Rong’s behavior was just a game of “hard to get,” fearing he might lose a generous patron. Even if she couldn’t match his high-level backers, the money she gave wasn’t a pittance.

Mu Rong remarked, “Why belittle yourself, Young Master? With your beauty, finding someone powerful and influential wouldn’t be difficult.”

Ning Fu chuckled, assuming he didn’t understand how heartless truly powerful people could be. She patted his shoulder. “Why don’t you become someone powerful and influential instead? It would certainly make things easier for me.”

Mu Rong laughed. Through the mask, Ning Fu saw a spark of genuine amusement in his eyes. She didn’t linger.

The moment she left, Qu Yang climbed in through the window.

“The Divine Physician Mu is here today, but his plans are unclear. Both the Fourth and Sixth Princes have visited the Linglong Pavilion recently. I wonder if Ning Zhenyuan is behind the Fourth Miss’s visit today, perhaps using her as a lobbyist for the Fourth Prince,” Qu Yang speculated.

Since the Liangzhou matter was settled, Ning Zhenyuan’s hands were no longer tied. He would naturally begin maneuvering in the capital, and his deep ties with the Fourth Prince were not easily severed. Doing so while away from the capital was even safer, as the Emperor wouldn’t suspect him.

“She doesn’t have such schemes today,” Mu Rong (Zong Si) said. He had come to keep an eye on her, but seeing her with Wei Ziyi, he understood her motive. Ning Fu would never discuss state secrets with Mu Ruoheng in front of her sister-in-law.

“Heir Apparent, the Fourth Miss is no ordinary woman. We must remain on guard,” Qu Yang warned.

“How has Ning Yu been lately?” Zong Si asked tonelessly.

“I saw him drinking heavily with Ning Zheng a few days ago. It’s rare to see him like that,” Qu Yang replied.

“He’s never been particularly invested in official duties. What affects him like this is family matters.” Combined with Ning Fu bringing Wei Ziyi to see Mu Ruoheng, it wasn’t hard to deduce they were seeking a cure for the couple’s infertility.

Recalling Ning Fu’s earlier behavior, Qu Yang couldn’t help but add, “The Fourth Miss is quite… bold in her interactions with men. Whoever marries her will likely never feel at peace leaving her home alone.”

Zong Si did not respond.

Meanwhile, Ning Fu and Wei Ziyi were in a quiet room, with Wei Ziyi so tense she hardly dared to breathe. Mu Ruoheng finished checking her pulse and looked at Ning Fu.

“Is it difficult to treat?” Ning Fu asked nervously.

“For others, yes. For me, it is not. Since the Fourth Miss brought the Madam to me, I shall not disappoint you,” Mu Ruoheng assured them.

Both women breathed a sigh of relief. As Mu Ruoheng wrote the prescription and handed it to Old Song, he smiled warmly. “I heard the Fourth Miss went to Yongzhou.”

“I stayed with my grandmother for a time,” she replied.

“The mountains of Yongzhou are unique in all of Great Yan.”

“Has the Divine Physician been to Yongzhou as well?” Ning Fu asked curiously. Thinking of her cousin, she added, “My cousin, Princess Jingcheng, often feels restless and lonely. Could you prepare some soothing medicine for her?”

Mu Ruoheng paused. “Wait a moment, Fourth Miss.”

“It might be a sickness of the heart, born from longing,” Ning Fu added. Though Jingcheng rarely spoke of it, Ning Fu knew her loneliness stemmed from her memories of Meng Yuan.

Mu Ruoheng said nothing, meticulously crafting the prescription. Finally, he asked, “Does the Fourth Miss know your cousin well?”

“Princess Jingcheng once invited me to be her ‘companion,'” Mu Ruoheng said with a wry smile. “But she didn’t know my identity; she took me for a traveling doctor. She spoke to me of ‘that person’ and, seeing I was a good listener, wanted to keep me by her side.”

Ning Fu thought for a moment. “If the Divine Physician is close to that person, I hope you might introduce me if the opportunity arises.”

Mu Ruoheng’s attitude toward Meng Zhe (the 6th Prince) and Meng Ze (the 4th Prince) was lukewarm at best. Besides them, there was only Meng Yuan. Ning Fu had once thought Meng Yuan was indifferent to the world, but now she knew better. Gaining his favor would be immensely significant.

Mu Ruoheng looked at her thoughtfully. “If there is a chance, I will relay your message.”

He didn’t deny it, which meant she had some value. Ning Fu felt relieved.

“Sister Ning, do you think it will work?” Wei Ziyi asked as they descended the stairs.

“Don’t worry, Sister. The Divine Physician never makes a mistake,” Ning Fu comforted her.

“I just don’t know why such a man would stay in a place like this,” Wei Ziyi whispered, still too afraid to look around. “And that gentleman you were playing along with earlier… he didn’t seem simple. You should stay away from him.”

Ning Fu was about to tease her when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure watching a play in the main hall. It was none other than Meng Ze, the Fourth Prince. The two rows of silent men behind him were clearly the Imperial Guard. They were here on an investigation.

If she were caught here, her reputation would be the least of her worries; the Ning Duke’s Manor would be in deep trouble for being associated with the place under investigation. Furthermore, Wei Ziyi was with her—the Wei family would be dragged down as well.

Meng Ze stood up, a smirk on his face. He seemed to have recognized her. Though he couldn’t be certain from the face, her silhouette and gait were familiar. Finding her in a place like this meant he could toy with her without being blamed for any fallout.

“Interesting,” Meng Ze murmured. If he couldn’t find his suspects, playing with the Fourth Miss Ning would be a fine substitute.

Ning Fu grabbed Wei Ziyi and turned back immediately.

“What is it?” Wei Ziyi asked, trembling.

Suddenly, the crowd became chaotic. “Imperial business! No one move!”

“No one is permitted to leave the Linglong Pavilion! Anyone who tries will be treated as a fugitive!”

Wei Ziyi gripped Ning Fu’s hand, her heart racing. “What’s happening?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Ning Fu said, leading her back upstairs. She calculated quickly: she couldn’t go back to Mu Ruoheng, as that would risk exposing him.

She remembered the letter she sent via Fu Jiahui. Fu Jiahui would surely have told Zong Si. Given his suspicious nature, he would have someone watching her. Since Zong Si and Meng Ze were allies, Meng Ze wouldn’t harass Zong Si’s people. Zong Si’s men were likely watching her right now.

She knew too much about Zong Si. If Meng Ze captured her and tortured her, and she “accidentally” revealed secrets about Zong Si that Meng Ze didn’t know, how would Meng Ze react? Allies fear nothing more than mutual suspicion. Therefore, Zong Si’s men would never let Meng Ze take her.

Ning Fu stopped walking.

“Ah Fu?” Wei Ziyi gasped. The guards were already moving up the stairs.

Ning Fu broke into a cold sweat. She was gambling, and she couldn’t be certain she was right.

“If we are caught, what will happen to the Manor’s reputation?” Wei Ziyi whispered, regret filling her. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here. If we are caught, tell them I brought you here for medicine. You aren’t married; you can’t afford the scandal. As for me… your brother will understand my plight.”

“Sister Wei, you staying here will only hinder me,” Ning Fu said, her voice sharper than usual to stop the arguing. Wei Ziyi froze. Before she could protest, Qu Yang appeared.

“Meng Ze’s men are guarding the exits. I can only take one person out,” Qu Yang said.

Ning Fu pushed Wei Ziyi toward him. “Take Sister Wei back first. Then inform the Heir Apparent to come. I may not be able to withstand torture; I cannot guarantee I won’t talk.”

Qu Yang cursed her in his heart as a “poisonous woman”—even in this crisis, she was forcing the Heir Apparent to come clean up her mess.

“Sister Ning!” Wei Ziyi resisted.

“Go!” Ning Fu commanded. Qu Yang didn’t wait; he grabbed the reluctant Wei Ziyi and vanished.

The sound of the guards was getting closer. Ning Fu turned and ran back to Mu Rong’s room. If his patron was powerful, Meng Ze might give him some face. She just needed to stall until Zong Si arrived.

Inside, Mu Rong was still calmly sipping tea. He only glanced at her as she burst in.

“I wonder who the Fourth Prince is looking for,” Ning Fu said, testing his reaction. If he wasn’t panicked, he had a powerful backer.

Mu Rong looked at her but said nothing. Seeing his calm, Ning Fu felt a surge of hope. “Please… lie in bed with me for a while. I will reward you generously with gold.”

Even if Meng Ze searched the rooms, he likely wouldn’t inspect the details of an intimate encounter too closely.

“Fine,” Mu Rong said calmly.

“It has to look… real,” Ning Fu whispered awkwardly.

“Mm,” he replied.

Casting aside her shyness, she climbed onto the canopy bed. She then watched as Mu Rong unhurriedly untied his belt, revealing a lean, powerful physique—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and perfect musculature.

With the mask still on, he possessed an almost feral, savage beauty. The only physique Ning Fu had seen that compared was Zong Si’s in her previous life, though Zong Si’s chest had been a bit broader. As for this life’s Zong Si… she hadn’t seen much of him during their one encounter.

She wondered how the current Zong Si would compare to Mu Rong.

As Mu Rong climbed into the bed beside her, the space suddenly felt dangerously small.