The Night Before the Divorce, She Was Reborn to Before Her Marriage - Chapter 8

“It was my mistake. My cousin has always been indifferent to these dancers. Even the beautiful courtesans at my residence have failed to catch his eye,” the sixth prince said.

In the sixth prince’s eyes, Zong Duo was an unfeeling man who had not yet been enlightened on the matters of men and women, while Zong Si understood everything but had little interest in women. His indifference was because he was rational, and his ambition was all about power.

However, the Prince of Xuan’s residence was his mother’s family, and although the sixth prince was wary of their growing influence, he was happy to see it at the moment.

“I didn’t seek out those beautiful courtesans for your amusement,” Zong Si said calmly.

“Cousin, sometimes business and personal matters are intertwined,” the sixth prince said with a faint smile. “They have helped me with many things.”

Zong Si looked at Ning Yu again and saw Lu Xingzhi looking at him.

He seemed to be unhappy with what Meng Ze had said about being interested in the dancers, or more accurately, a particular dancer among them.

The corner of Zong Si’s mouth curved into a fleeting, cold, and apathetic smile.

.

Ning Fu returned backstage and quickly changed back into her own clothes before going to Wei Zi-Yi’s tent.

“A-Fu, I truly don’t know how to thank you this time,” Wei Zi-Yi said as she came forward and held her hand. Even now, she was still shaken, and as her worries were relieved, she couldn’t help but start crying.

Ning Fu held her tightly and wiped away her tears. “Sister Wei, you know that I’ve always seen you as my own sister. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“From now on, this life of mine is yours. If you ever need anything, I will do everything in my power to help you,” Wei Zi-Yi swore.

Ning Fu vaguely felt that their relationship was now a little deeper than before, which made her a little happy and touched.

“Sister Wei, if anyone comes to ask about the dancers, just find someone with a similar build to me to make up an excuse.” It was night, so no one would be able to see clearly.

“Don’t worry, they won’t guess it was you,” Wei Zi-Yi said.

Ning Fu sighed inwardly. Her fate was trying to get the best of her. Someone had probably already recognized her. Lu Xingzhi was probably fine, but Zong Si and her father were on bad terms. She didn’t know if he would use this to undermine her father.

But at least he had no proof.

She didn’t go back to the banquet. Although she knew the chances of something bad happening were slim, she couldn’t stop thinking about whether everyone would find out. If they did, how would she protect the reputation of the Duke’s residence?

Moreover, there was the additional crime of deceiving the Emperor.

But this was the best method. The Duke’s residence and the Wei family were now in a relationship where they would either prosper together or be ruined together. If the Wei family were to commit an act that would “harm the dignity of the country,” Sister Wei would be guilty of a capital offense, and the Duke’s residence would also be implicated. Her father, her uncle, and her two brothers’ careers would also be affected, which would be a greater impact than her own reputation being damaged.

This thought kept her from sleeping.

The next day, she became a little ill.

The accompanying imperial physician took her pulse and said that her illness was caused by anxiety and that she had caught a cold from the drowning incident a while ago.

Wei Zi-Yi didn’t go out to play and took great care of her.

She had heard that everyone had a great time hunting, but unfortunately, she and Ning Fu couldn’t go.

Ning Fu was listless and had no energy.

When Wei Zi-Yi returned, she said, “Oh, by the way, I ran into the Crown Prince’s son earlier. He asked how you were doing.”

Ning Fu frowned. “Did he only ask about my condition?”

“He asked if you were feeling better, and that was all.”

Then it was probably just a courtesy.

Ning Fu was relieved.

Later, Ning Yu came to see her, and so did Lu Xingzhi.

Ning Fu was not supposed to see a man who was not family, but since her brother was there, it was fine.

“Big Brother, Second Young Master Lu,” she greeted them.

“Before I left, my aunt told me to take good care of you, but now you’re sick. I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to her when I get back,” Ning Yu sighed.

Ning Fu smiled. “I’ll be better in a couple of days. Don’t worry, Big Brother. I’ll still have to practice my riding and archery, and I’ll have to trouble Second Young Master Lu then.”

As she spoke, she looked at Lu Xingzhi. His expression was very distant. She had never seen him so cold before.

“It’s no trouble,” he said calmly, noticing her gaze.

Ning Fu didn’t say anything more.

In her previous life, she had gotten used to such a cold reception from Zong Si, and she no longer had the passion to put herself out there.

Two days later, she was feeling better. When she went to the horse training grounds, she saw Lu Xingzhi sitting by a rock in the distance. She wondered if he was waiting for her.

Because of his coldness, Ning Fu had not told him when she planned to practice riding, so she didn’t know if he had been there for the past few days.

“Second Young Master Lu,” Ning Fu said as she walked over.

Lu Xingzhi stood up and said, “Fourth Miss.”

“Have you been here these past few days?” she asked.

He looked at her and nodded calmly. “I was afraid you would come to wait for me.”

Ning Fu’s heart softened, and she became a little more enthusiastic. She said with a hint of guilt, “I should have told you when I was coming. I’m sorry for making you wait.”

He seemed not to mind and began to teach her how to ride. He was very dedicated, and he was also very skilled. He could tell her shortcomings with just a glance. However, his tone was neither warm nor cold, and he didn’t say much. She would ask him a question, and he would only answer a few words.

Ning Fu hesitated and said, “Second Young Master Lu, you are very much like a certain person.”

Lu Xingzhi looked back at her and asked calmly, “Like whom?”

Ning Fu lowered her eyes and did not speak.

He was like Zong Si, not the current Zong Si, but her husband, Zong Si, from her previous life.

The current Zong Si was just distant and cold. The Zong Si after marriage was dark and heartless. He was the cold-bloodedness of a powerful official looking down on all living things.

His cold demeanor always reminded her of her previous life.

“Second Young Master Lu, if there’s anything I’ve done wrong these past few days, please tell me directly,” Ning Fu thought for a moment and said. “I’ve had contact with you before, and I know you’re not this cold. I don’t like it when people ignore me. It’s a little hurtful.”

Lu Xingzhi paused and said, “Fourth Miss Ning was also among the dancers that day, wasn’t she?”

When he brought it up, Ning Fu became a little wary, but for some reason, she did not deny it in front of him.

“The dancing was arranged by Miss Wei. It seems that something must have happened to Miss Wei, but the fourth Miss Ning should not have taken such a risk,” Lu Xingzhi said.

“I was scared afterward, too. I will definitely be more careful in the future. Please keep this a secret for me, Second Young Master Lu,” Ning Fu pleaded.

Lu Xingzhi frowned and said, “I will naturally not speak of your matters.”

Her riding skills were not bad, and after two days of getting familiar with it, she got the hang of it. After all, Lu Xingzhi was a man who was not family, so she mostly practiced by herself.

Sometimes, Ning Fu would also see Xie Ru-Yi and Zong Si together. The Crown Prince’s son was not a warm person and was busy on ordinary days. Many people asked him for guidance on riding skills, but he only agreed to guide Xie Ru-Yi.

However, the distance between the two of them was not close.

Xie Ru-Yi was reserved, and the Crown Prince’s son was cautious. Both of them were very mindful of the distinction between men and women and would not give others something to talk about.

Ning Fu also deliberately avoided them.

But sometimes, too much avoidance can have the opposite effect.

One day, Ning Fu woke up early as usual.

The morning mist in the mountains was like a fairyland.

Ning Fu was leading her horse and was ready to start practicing. She couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. Everyone praised her for how quickly her riding and archery skills were improving, but they didn’t know that she was a slow learner who had to work much harder than others.

A hundred meters away from the lake, she let go of the reins and let the horse eat some grass.

When she looked up into the distance, she unexpectedly saw Zong Si with his upper body bare and his broad shoulders and narrow waist exposed. It was clear that he had just finished bathing.

He was like a lotus rising from the water, his beauty pure and unmatched.

The hunting ground was remote and not as convenient as the capital. There was also a shortage of manpower, and hot water was reserved for the young ladies first. The men mostly chose a time when no one was around to bathe in the lake.

Zong Si put on his close-fitting clothes, covering his body, and tied his belt.

Ning Fu held her breath. The situation she was in was now a trap. She had seen Zong Si’s body, and now they were alone. It was her reputation that was at stake.

The next moment, the horse’s hooves clattered inappropriately.

Zong Si heard the sound and turned his head.

His look back was even more breathtaking. Underneath his noble demeanor, there was a hint of an enchanting charm, but his eyes were sharp and cold.