Chapter 11 You and her, like a couple
Zong Si naturally did not take the little girl's drunken words seriously.
Even if there was a previous life, it had to be logical. He had no motive to marry a nymph, and no one could force him to marry a wife he didn't want to marry. There was no possibility for the two of them to become husband and wife.
Seeing that he couldn't get any information out of him, he didn't waste any more time and stood up to light a signal firework with a tinderbox.
"I'm cold." Nymph said softly.
Zong Si took off his cloak. Miss Ning had just recovered from a long illness and was too weak to stand the cold, so he didn't mind doing Lu Xingzhi a favor.
When he put the cape on her, Nymph subconsciously looked for the source of heat and snuggled into his arms. At the moment, she still thought it was a past life and had no scruples. She had helped him manage the palace for three years, so what if she needed him for warmth?
It’s okay to have a bad relationship, it’s okay to use it, there’s no need to put yourself in a difficult position.
Zong Si has been practicing martial arts for many years, so his body is always hot. He is tall, so it is comfortable for him to be embraced. She was about to put her arms around his waist, but he stopped her quickly.
"Fourth Miss, please respect yourself." Zong Si said calmly.
"Why are you pretending to be such a hypocrite?" Nymph said. He pretended to be serious in front of others, but he still had to stay in her bedroom at night.
Zong Si's thin eyebrows raised slightly, but he heard footsteps not far away.
The people who came were Lu Xingzhi and Ning Yu.
Lu Xingzhi looked at him.
Zong Si distanced himself from Ning Fu and said calmly, "The fourth lady and the princess just drank too much, they are fine."
Seeing that Nymph was safe and sound, the two of them felt relieved.
Ning Yu said: "Thank you."
"It's a chilly night. Let's take the fourth lady and the princess back first." Since someone was looking after them, Zong Si naturally planned to get away. When he went to get his cloak, Nymph looked at him with tears in her eyes.
Zong Si's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he calmly withdrew his gaze and turned away without caring.
When Nymph woke up, it was already noon the next day.
"Finally you woke up. Your elder brother was really worried last night." Wei Ziyi said with a smile, "Fortunately, he was just drunk, nothing serious happened."
Nymph didn't expect the wine to be so strong, and getting drunk wasn't pleasant, so she would never try it again.
Rubbing her dizzy forehead for a moment, memories came flooding back and Nymph paused slightly.
Although some details of what happened last night are vague, I remember clearly calling him Mr. Zong Si.
Nymph's face looked a little bad. It was not a wise move to offend him and then pretend nothing happened.
She was thinking about apologizing to him, but she never saw him again. Ning Yu told her that something happened in the capital, and Zong Si and Lu Xingzhi went back to the capital to deal with it.
This matter can only be put on hold for now.
Ningfu never saw the princess again. That day, the two of them got drunk and made a big fuss. Emperor Jingwen was afraid that the two of them would cause trouble again, so he rejected the princess's invitation on her behalf, saying that Ningfu needed to rest.
And there seemed to be no follow-up to the princess's search for a prince consort.
Nymph was curious about who the princess's ideal husband would be, but she had no idea of this.
In the blink of an eye, the autumn hunt was over.
On the day she returned to Beijing, Ning Fu received another reward from Emperor Jingwen, a white parrot as white as snow.
This parrot was the Sixth Prince's plaything in his previous life. She couldn't take away someone else's love, so she said, "Uncle, I'm not good at raising birds. Let the Sixth Prince raise it."
Meng Ze smiled and said, "A white parrot is hard to come by in ten years. It is a rare and hard-to-find creature. Father gave it to you because he loves you. Cousin, just go back and find a bird slave to take care of it."
Meng Ze's word "cousin" made Ning Fu feel uneasy.
In her previous life, although Meng Ze wanted to force her to marry him as a concubine, it was not because he liked her. He just wanted the connections in her grandmother's hands.
Ning Fu's grandmother, Princess Kangyang, had requested to be sent away, but she had a very good relationship with Prince Jin, who held military power. At that time, Meng Ze was still competing with the fourth prince Meng Che for the position of crown prince, so he naturally hoped to get the support of Prince Jin, so he wanted to force Ning Fu to marry him, and he almost succeeded at that time.
But later on, she got married to Zong Si, and he had to rely on Zong Si, so he had to give up and never had any thoughts about her again.
Ning Fu withdrew her thoughts, but she didn't want to offend Meng Ze at the moment: "Thank you, cousin, for giving up your love."
"If you encounter something you don't understand, you can ask me." Meng Ze said.
This is just a polite remark. It is not easy for her, a lady living in a secluded house, to meet him.
After entering the capital, the carriages of the ladies of each mansion and the emperor's carriage dispersed. When they arrived at Changhua Street, Ning Fu saw Madam Ning waiting for her at the gate of Ningguo Mansion from afar.
"Mother." Nymph smiled.
Mrs. Ning looked at her daughter, who had become darker and thinner, and felt distressed.
As soon as Ningfu got off the carriage, she was hugged by her mother: "I heard that you were sick. Mother has been worried about you these days. Are you feeling better?"
"It's already healed, mother. My riding and archery skills have improved a lot. Even His Majesty praised me." Nymph told her the good news. "Look, this is the white parrot that His Majesty gave me. It's a rare sight to hunt once in ten years."
Madam Ning didn't care about the parrot, and continued to look at her carefully, afraid that she was injured and hiding it from her. Seeing that her wrist was a little swollen, she was angry and distressed and asked, "Why, you have to hide it even in front of mother?"
Nymph's wrist was still very painful. When she competed with the princess that day, she didn't pay much attention to the injury and didn't mention it to anyone afterwards. It was not good to be too squeamish in public.
Now that she was back home, her mother looked as if she had suffered a great injustice, which made Ningfu feel a little sad.
"Mom, I'm hungry." She changed the subject.
Madam Ning said, "Dinner is ready. Your grandmother is waiting for you in Qin Garden, and your father will be back soon. By the way, your uncle is also in the mansion today."
Ning Fu's uncle is Ning Zhenxiu, the Duke of Ningguo, and Ning Fu's father is the second-rank Minister of Personnel, in charge of official personnel management.
In the early years, my grandmother looked down on my father and scolded my mother for being useless. The legitimate daughter of a princess actually chose the second son of a duke.
Later, my father's official position gradually became higher, and he made a name for himself on his own, which appeased my grandmother's dissatisfaction.
But Ninfu thought of her father being demoted, and couldn't help feeling complicated for a moment.
In this life, she has to find a way to change her grandmother's sudden death and her father's demotion.
Ning Fu first went back to Zhuyuan to wash up. When she arrived at Qinyuan, her father had already arrived and was having a pleasant conversation with her uncle.
"Father, uncle." she called obediently.
Ning Zhenxiu smiled and said, "Afu, uncle has to praise you today. You have brought honor to our Ningguo Mansion."
It turned out that the news of the horse riding and archery competition with the princess that day had already been reported back to the capital, and Nymph had gained a good reputation.
It wasn't just Ningguo Duke Ning Zhenxiu who was happy. Ning Fu's father and grandmother were even more delighted. Ever since the news reached the capital, they have been feeling refreshed every day.
"Is there anything you want?" Ning Zhenxiu asked her.
Nymph thought for a moment and said, "The emperor gave me a white parrot. Uncle, please find a parrot slave for me."
"Uncle will do it tomorrow." Ning Zhenxiu agreed immediately.
Afterwards, Ning Fu went to Old Lady Ning and her aunt Wei and told them about the interesting things that happened during the autumn hunt.
What the old lady cared about was how Emperor Jingwen treated her and how Emperor Jingwen praised her.
When she heard that Emperor Jingwen asked Ning Fu to call him cousin, Old Lady Ning's smile became more obvious and she had some thoughts in her mind.
Gaining the emperor's appreciation would be a bargaining chip for Nymph in marriage.
Wei said, "Your sister is happy for you too, and will let you visit the Wei Mansion next time."
The person Wei was referring to was Ning Ran, the legitimate daughter of Duke Ningguo, and Ning Fu's legitimate cousin. She hadn't seen her for a while, so she asked curiously, "How is Sister Ran these days?"
Wei sighed and said, "Your sister Ran's husband listens to her, and her mother-in-law respects her. She told me that she feels very comfortable after getting married. She is really heartless."
But even so, he looked extremely proud.
Ning Ran is indeed a powerful person as she can hold her husband in the palm of her hand. Even though the Wei family is not the best, they can still live a happy life.
In her previous life, Ning Fu didn't have such a talent, and she usually went back to her parents' home alone. Seeing Ning Ran and her husband traveling together, it was impossible not to be envious.
"Aunt, Sister Ran is living a good life. Even after getting married, she always has the Duke's Mansion in her heart." Ning Fu said.
Wei's smile became more sincere. Her daughter was naturally the best. She also knew what Old Lady Ning was planning, but she didn't think that if Prince Xuan's Mansion didn't like her daughter, they would like Ning Fu.
Of course, if they like him, it would be a good thing for the first wife, but it would not be easy for Ning Fu to get Zong Si, and her life might not be easy in the future.
.
It was a rare reunion for the first and second wives today, and the whole family happily had a reunion dinner.
"Zhenxiu and Afu have just returned home, you all can go back." Old Mrs. Ning waved her hand.
The two brothers said goodbye at the gate of Qinyuan.
"Master, I have some soup in my room. I think it's perfect for you to eat now," Wei said attentively.
Ning Zhenxiu said perfunctorily: "I don't have much appetite today. You go back. I'll go to Zhang's place."
After saying that, he strode away.
Wei's smile froze on her face. Finally, she stroked her ugly face and her eyes gradually grew colder. Zhang was so obsessed with vying for favor that he probably even forgot the distinction between the nobility and inferiority of his wives and concubines.
On Ningfu's side, Madam Ning and Ning Zhenyuan walked all the way without saying a few words to each other.
Ning Zhenyuan actually stole a glance at Madam Ning along the way.
"Mother, father missed you very much. His desire to see me was fake. He actually wanted to come back to see you." Nymph acted as a peacemaker.
"Your father won't miss me. Maybe he has already thought I'm too old." Madam Ning said calmly.
Ning Zhenyuan said anxiously and humbly: "I have never..."
"Do you need me to take you another concubine?" Madam Ning continued.
Ning Zhenyuan was shocked and admitted his fault, "It's my fault, but nothing happened between me and that Yu. I originally thought that after a few years, when my mother passed away, I would send Yu out of the house. This way, it would not be considered as betrayal to you, and it would not make my mother sad."
Madam Ning glanced at him and said, "What will you do if there is a next time?"
Yu almost harmed Ning Fu, how could Ning Zhenyuan dare to keep a woman by his side?
He promised: "It won't happen again. If my mother persuades me to take a concubine again, I will not go to Qin Garden anymore. I will go again when she gives in."
No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. As long as you are willing to change, you can be forgiven.
Nymph tugged at Madam Ning's sleeve, "Mother."
Mrs. Ning did not ridicule Ning Zhenyuan anymore. After getting the answer she wanted, there was no need for her to push her husband further away, especially since her husband was still very obedient.
When he arrived at Madam Ning's Lotus Pavilion Garden, Ning Zhenyuan was not turned away again. After four months, he entered Madam Ning's bedroom again.
Only then did Nymph feel relieved.
For three consecutive days, Ning Zhenyuan came out of Madam Ning's bedroom every morning, and even returned home earlier.
Three days later, Ning Zhenyuan went to Yangzhou to handle official business as ordered.
Ning Fu finally brought up the matter of Princess Kangyang when she was alone with Madam Ning: "Your Majesty mentioned my grandmother this time. It's obviously my grandmother...but Your Majesty asked me to call her my cousin."
Madam Ning said, "The emperor doesn't like your grandmother, so you don't have to take it seriously if he asks you to call her your cousin."
Ning Fu naturally knew that Emperor Jingwen asked her to call him cousin simply to show his humility and broad-mindedness in front of his ministers.
She was worried about the safety of Princess Kangyang's mansion: "Mother, you should send someone to inform Grandmother about this. If Grandmother knows about this, she will be more cautious. It's better to be safe."
Madam Ning paused for a moment, and said with a look in her eyes, "Mother will listen to you."
"Mother, please also say hello to my grandmother for me." Ning Fu said again.
Madam Ning was somewhat moved and asked, "Have you forgotten what your grandmother told you?"
Emperor Jingwen had intended to kill Princess Kangyang more than once in his early years. In order to avoid being implicated, Old Lady Ning deliberately weakened the relationship between the siblings Ning Fu and Ning Zheng and Princess Kangyang's Mansion, preventing them from having any contact with the Princess' Mansion.
She developed the habit of not visiting when she was young and they lived far apart. Even when she matured and started to interact with him, they were not as close anymore.
Although my mother and grandmother tacitly agreed to this approach, they were also sad.
"Mother, I have no contact with my grandmother. When His Majesty spoke of me, did he mention my grandmother? My grandmother's behavior was too extreme. If His Majesty wanted to make things difficult for me, he would be able to find some information even if we have no connection at all." Ning Fu analyzed.
"But don't say anything bad about the emperor in private." Madam Ning interrupted her with a frown. How could Emperor Jingwen talk about others behind his back?
Ningfu paused, knowing that she was inappropriate to say this, and said no more.
Madam Ning's expression eased slightly, and after a moment she said, "Your grandmother will definitely be very happy."
Yongzhou is very far away from the capital, and I don’t know if my grandmother has received Madam Ning’s instructions, but Ning Fu’s archery test arrived first.
Although Nymph's archery skills were not bad, she even lost her appetite for cakes a few days before the test.
On the day of the test, she woke up before dawn.
But Nymph was not the only one who was nervous. The female lords came to the school earlier than usual.
"Sister Wei, do you know who will be the examiner for this year's assessment?" someone asked Wei Ziyi.
The assessment is handled by the Ministry of Rites, and Wei's father works in the Ministry of Rites. She doesn't have to take the exam this year, so she is naturally the one who knows the most about the situation.
"This is really embarrassing for me. I'm afraid no one else knows the examiner except the Shangshu." Wei Ziyi said.
In order to ensure fairness and justice, the imperial examinations for men and the assessments for women became stricter each year. The examiners were confined to their homes one month before the exams, and only the Minister of Rites was allowed to meet with them.
Ning Fu did remember the examiner. He came from another place and was not familiar with the various prefectures in the capital. It was absolutely impossible for him to give a high score out of favor.
Xie Ruyi and Zong Ning arrived the latest, and the latter's injuries from the autumn hunt had already fully healed.
Ning Fu couldn't help but sigh that the talented people were the last to appear. She remembered that the archery skills of these two people were both top-notch in the end.
The order of the assessment is determined by drawing lots, and Nymph's lot is sixth from the positive number.
Before the show started, someone shouted, "The prince is here with Mr. Guanyang to watch."
However, there were too many people at the scene, and Ning Fu did not even see Zong Si, who usually stood out like a crane among chickens and could be seen at a glance.
When it was her turn to take the test, she had no time to be distracted. She shot ten arrows at both the moving target and the fixed target without missing a single one. However, her specific results would not be known until a few days later.
Nymph's heart finally settled down.
As long as you perform as usual, even the worst performance won't be too bad.
.
Mr. Guanyang smiled and said, "Is this the female ruler of the Xingzhi Sect that the emperor mentioned?"
Zong Si said “hmm”.
Mr. Guanyang stroked his beard and said, "I think her skills are more like yours."
Zong Si had seen through it before and said, "I went back to the capital to check before the autumn hunt, but I didn't find any spies planted by Princess Kangyang around."
Mr. Guanyang smiled and said, "It is impossible to learn it secretly if it is so similar."
Zong Si paused and said nothing.
"From the archery skills of Ah Ning and Miss Xie, it can be seen that you only gave them some tips, and they relied on their own understanding. However, Miss Ning Si's archery skills seem to have been taught by you. The strength and dexterity seem to have been tested by you holding her hand over and over again."
This way of practicing archery goes far beyond the boundaries between men and women. Only husband and wife can be so intimate.
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