Chapter 51 Princess Mansion

Nymph thought about it and said with some disappointment: "A man is his wife's only one, but a woman cannot mention the word only in front of her husband."

In this world, most men marry more than one woman and can openly talk about taking concubines. However, if a woman does not allow her husband to marry other people, she will be labeled as jealous. How unfair is that.

Lu Xingzhi looked at her and said, "Since I want to be the only one, I just want to be with you for the rest of my life."

Ningfu's eyes were a little complicated, but her words might not change. Although they were true at the moment, true feelings could change rapidly.

"If Mr. Lu can do this, his future wife will definitely be very happy. But today, I am just discussing our respective emotional concepts with Mr. Lu, and I have no intention of offending you." Ning Fu said politely.

"Yes." Lu Xingzhi responded, "I know what the fourth lady means."

This time, Lu Xingzhi was passing by Yongzhou while escorting mountain bandits. He happened to have some free time, so he rested for a while in Yongzhou. Before leaving, he found her a lot of wood for carving.

"When we were suppressing bandits, we sometimes got bored in the mountains, so we found these good quality woods. Fourth Miss can use them to kill time." Lu Xingzhi said.

"I'm a little curious, how did Mr. Lu know that I like these little things?" Nymph said, "Even my mother didn't realize this."

It was after she got married that she found life too boring and started to love wood carving, which not only helped her pass the time but also cultivated her mind.

Lu Xingzhi was stunned for a long time before he said, "During the autumn hunt, I saw that when the fourth girl was bored, she would squat in the corner and carve wood blocks by herself."

Nymph did carve a rabbit, but she made a few mistakes and the rabbit was not formed, so she left it in the mountains. So she didn't suspect anything and just thought that he was meticulous, which gave him a lot of points.

"I have had some tea from the Fourth Miss, but I still have some official business to do. I will come to visit the Fourth Miss next time." Lu Xingzhi said.

Nymph's gaze fell on him. In order to prevent any trouble today, he wore armor, but the robe he wore when they met last time was a little old.

The Lu Mansion might not be able to give him enough money for entertainment, and he would probably have to return his salary to the Lu Mansion.

Although he didn't care, when he went out to do business, he always met a lot of snobbish people who looked down on him behind his back.

"Mr. Lu, can you tell me the size of the clothes?" Ning Fu thought for a moment and asked.

Lu Xingzhi looked at her, understood her thoughts, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, his eyes softened a little, and he did not hide anything, telling her the size of the clothes.

"Cousin, are you going to make clothes for Mr. Lu?" Jing Cheng laughed happily. When ladies find a man they like, they will make clothes and embroider handkerchiefs for him.

Although Ning Fu was only considering the convenience of Lu Xingzhi's work, her face still blushed a little because of Jing Cheng's words.

"Let me thank the fourth lady first." Lu Xingzhi did not refuse but bowed in thanks.

After Lu Xingzhi left, Ning Fu said, "Cousin Jing, how can a man be a big boss or a small boss? Saying this will make people talk about the female ruler of the princess's mansion."

"Who dares to talk about our princess's mansion?" Jing Cheng smiled. The look in his eyes made Ning Fu's heart beat faster. "Don't you want to try the fun of keeping a lover? Xie Heng is a gift from your grandmother. You can do whatever you want with him."

Ning Fu frowned and asked, "Why did cousin Jing say that?"

Jing Cheng smiled mysteriously, stroked her lips, and said softly, "I personally selected Xie Heng for you."

Ning Fu couldn't help but feel a little headache, and she also had some ideas in her mind. Jing Cheng was a high-ranking person in Yongzhou, and she was so beautiful, so she was used to men's flattery. Just from the fact that she was so calm when she saw the kiss marks on her body, it was known that she didn't take matters between men and women seriously.

If it was Ah He who saw this, he would have turned pale with fear.

If her grandmother could remain in a high position for her whole life, Ningfu would be happy for Jingcheng to live a life surrounded by thousands of people. However, once the princess's mansion collapsed, the consequences would be disastrous for Jingcheng, who is so beautiful.

In her previous life, Jing Cheng's fate was extremely tragic. She was kept by Meng Ze for a while, and then became a military prostitute. After that, Ning Fu lost all news of her and didn't know whether she was dead or alive.

In this life, she has to be careful.

"Cousin, would you like to make Mr. Lu's clothes yourself?" Jing Cheng asked again.

"I'll have to trouble my cousin to go buy cloth with me." Although Nymph's embroidery skills were not very good, she had nothing to do and it was a good opportunity to kill time.

Thinking that her grandmother's birthday was approaching, Princess Kangyang knew all kinds of rare things. Madam Ning's treasures originally came from the princess's mansion, so there was nothing new in giving them as gifts. Ning Fu simply planned to make a dress for her grandmother.

This embroidery work is a huge project. It will take a month just to embroider the peony on the collar. Fortunately, the most difficult part is only this embroidered peony, and the rest of the work can be completed within a month.

In order to find peace and quiet, Nymph simply moved to a villa in the suburbs.

But it was not just for the sake of peace and quiet. She had also found out a lot of information during this period. The deceased Lord Li Fang lived in the suburbs, which was very close to the villa.

Yongzhou is located to the east of Dayan and is surrounded by mountains. Even though it is summer, it is not scorching hot. In Yongzhou, people have hung red lanterns on the city walls, and there is a festive atmosphere everywhere.

"Why are the preparations for the eldest princess' birthday so early this year?" asked the farmhand while resting under the shade of a tree.

"I heard that this year is the eldest princess' birthday, and the emperor will have to send people to celebrate. The distinguished guests representing the royal family will be here soon." The head farmhand was more knowledgeable and had heard some rumors.

"I see that the masters of the various mansions don't look happy either."

"These corrupt officials are used to bullying others in Yongzhou. Who knows if the higher-ups are sending people to punish them? How can they be happy?" the head foreman whispered.

A few days later, the Yongzhou Kangyang Princess's Mansion, the Xie Mansion, and other prominent mansions were waiting outside the city.

By noon, a group of people and horses finally stopped in Yongzhou City. The royal carriages and horses were extremely luxurious, and all the horses were famous horses. Even after a long journey, they did not look tired.

The man in the lead, dressed in black brocade, was noble and aloof, as handsome as the man in the painting, which made people think of the praise that described him as "unique and handsome, there is no one like him in the world".

Even a woman like Kang Yang, who had seen countless men, secretly thought that the third son of Prince Xuan's Mansion was indeed a man who stood out from the crowd in terms of temperament and appearance. No wonder so many female monarchs came to him one after another, and even his own beautiful Afu was not in his eyes.

This man is used to being flattered by his mistress, so it's inevitable that he is arrogant.

Looking further down, one can see the jade pendant worn around his waist. This was bestowed by Emperor Jingwen himself. Seeing this is like seeing the emperor in person.

Everyone knelt down and bowed.

"I am deeply touched that His Majesty still remembers my aunt." Kang Yang wiped away non-existent tears and said as if he was flattered.

Zong Si looked at the old fox in front of him. Although she was already at this age, Kang Yang did not look like an old lady at all. Every part of her body reflected her elegance and grace, which showed how comfortable her life was in Yongzhou City.

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler who believes in filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty and trustworthiness. The eldest princess is his aunt, so naturally, his Majesty has always been concerned about her." Zong Si said calmly and flatteringly to her.

Kang Yang couldn't help but feel a little disdainful. The bloodshed and corpses of Emperor Jingwen when he fought for the throne were still vivid in his mind. It was nothing more than the winner was the king and the loser was the bandit. Nowadays, the people are heavily taxed, and Emperor Jingwen can't be considered a wise king.

"Is your Majesty well?"

"Your Majesty has always valued talents. Now that Lord Li has passed away due to illness, Your Majesty is deeply saddened." Zong Si stared at Kang Yang without changing his expression.

"Li Fang and I are familiar with each other. He was doing well in Yongzhou, but unexpectedly he went to Danzhou. Something happened to him in just a few months. It's such a pity." Kang Yang sighed.

But she pushed the matter to Danzhou.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The two men had a brief confrontation, and neither of them showed any weakness.

Kang Yang said, "Your Highness, why don't you go to the mansion and rest first?"

"Thank you for your help, Princess." Zong Si also did not show off.

When all the carriages had entered the princess's residence, a woman in a white gauze dress got off the last carriage. She had a slender figure, skin as white as jade, and a beautiful face. She was so beautiful that people couldn't help but gasp.

Yue Niang bowed and said, "I have met Her Royal Highness the Princess. My name is Yue Niang."

Kang Yang's expression didn't change much, but Jing Cheng thought in her heart that Yue Niang was even more beautiful than she had imagined, and her voice was so delicate that once she opened her mouth, people's hearts would feel numb. Even A Fu couldn't compare to her.

No wonder Zong Silian brought her with him when he came to Yongzhou. He must have doted on her very much.

"Is Yue Niang the prince's concubine?" Jing Cheng asked with interest.

Zong Si did not deny or admit it, but only said: "Yue Niang has been patient and tired all the way, please take her to rest first."

It was obvious that he was unwilling to reveal the details. Jingcheng was also clear about this. Most people who came from the capital had bad intentions, but Princess Kangyang's Mansion could not offend him.

Yue Niang's face was a little flushed, revealing a woman's shyness, which made her even more beautiful.

When Jingcheng saw her, she was unconsciously attracted to her, not to mention the man, who was a disaster-causing person.

She had to discuss something with her clansman in private.

But it is not easy to meet him.

Jingcheng couldn't help but think seriously, how can I meet him?

The princess's mansion was very large, and Zong Si was arranged in the East Garden. Ordinary distinguished guests were accommodated here. As for the extravagance of the princess's mansion, Kang Yang had people evacuated early on, so there was no sign of it.

Before the group left Dongyuan, Jingcheng couldn't help but look back. Zong Si didn't even ask a word about his cousin, and it seemed that he had no personal feelings for Afu.

Zong Si was very observant, he glanced at her, and just this one glance was enough to give him a strong sense of oppression.

Jingcheng hurriedly looked away.

She wanted to test him for Afu, but she didn't know how he felt after reading the letter.

After Kang Yang returned to the main hall of the princess's mansion, he arranged all the matters.

Jingzhe said worriedly, "The prince will definitely secretly investigate the matter of Li Fang when he comes this time. Grandmother has to be more careful."

Kang Yang was also having a headache. Zong Sanlang from Prince Xuan's Mansion was not someone who could be easily dismissed. "He will stay in Yongzhou for no more than a month. We should send him away as soon as possible."

Jingzhe asked again: "Where's Afu?"

"Let her stay in the villa in the suburbs for the next few days. The Duke's Mansion has shown goodwill to Zong Sanlang before. It will only be awkward for A-Fu to meet him. It's better not to let them meet. If anyone asks, just say that A-Fu is sick and is recuperating in bed."

Especially today, I saw that Zong Si was accompanied by a beautiful woman.

If Afu saw this, she would probably be sad.

Kang Yang never told Ning Fu who the person sent from the capital was.

…

"Kang Yang's spies are everywhere outside." Qu Yang said. It was clear that he wanted to keep them in the East Garden. "If you want to go out and investigate something, it may not be easy."

Zong Si had already expected this situation and said nothing.

But after a moment, someone came to the door asking to see him.

Zong Si was a little impatient. The people from Yongzhou just wanted to get close to him, so he had no intention of paying any attention to them.

Qu Yang sent them away one by one.

Yue Niang said in a gentle voice: "Your Highness must be very tired from all the traveling today. You should rest early."

Zong Si said calmly: "You should also go to bed early."

Yue Niang curled up the corners of her mouth and smiled.

Early the next morning, Jing Cheng sent guards to invite Zong Si to sit by the lake.

It took her a lot of persuasion before her grandmother gave her the important task of taking Zong Si out for fun, but it was also because she was the one who knew how to have fun the best.

Zong Si naturally didn't have such leisure time.

Qu Yang sent the guards away.

Jingcheng had no choice but to invite people herself.

"Afu should have been the one to entertain the prince. She and the prince are both from the capital, so they are probably familiar with each other. It's a pity that Afu is sick."

Jingcheng's words are very meaningful.

Firstly, she deliberately said "familiar", which meant not only superficial familiarity, but also pointed out that the relationship between the two was not ordinary.

Secondly, it also shows that A-Fu is "sick". If Zong Si cares about her, he will naturally want to know about her condition and will not refuse her invitation to go boating on the lake.

Zong Si frowned. This could explain why Ning Fu did not come out to receive him yesterday when he came on behalf of the emperor.

Yue Niang couldn't help but say, "My Lord, the fourth young lady is at her grandmother's house. If she gets sick, there will be someone to take good care of her. I'm afraid that Miss Jingcheng has other intentions, so it's better not to go."

Zong Si said nothing.

When he appeared by the lake, Jing Cheng's smile became more obvious. She was originally worried that he would not come: "It seems that the prince is not that ruthless."

"Miss Jingcheng, just speak frankly." He said without showing any emotion.

It is true that Zong Si wanted to find out about Ning Fu, but he also wanted to see what tricks Princess Kangyang was up to.

"You are worried about Afu's illness." Jingcheng smiled meaningfully.

Zong Si never intended to reveal his thoughts to strangers, and this time was no exception. He did not say a word.

Jing Cheng asked him curiously again, "She hasn't shown up yet. Why don't you ask where she is, who she is with, and how sick she is?"

Zong Si didn't say anything, but he didn't move. He turned around and looked at her.

"She is surrounded by handsome young men, so is the prince worried?" Jing Cheng asked softly, "Besides, there is also an outstanding young man like Lu Erlang, who can meet her often."