Chapter 16 The Man Behind the Scenes
Ningfu was comforting the little maid Fuxin, but the latter continued to sob and wipe her tears with her sleeves.
"I spilled the Second Young Master's ink. He will definitely punish me." Fu Xin said fearfully.
The second young master had spent a lot of effort to find this ink, which is a rare treasure among inks and is named "Like Gold". With such a name, it must be a rare thing.
The Second Young Master asked her to deliver the ink to his study, and then she spilled the ink. Fu Xin didn't know how to explain to the Second Young Master.
What's more, the Second Young Master is not as gentle as the First Young Master, nor as indifferent as the Crown Prince. It is said that he is never merciful when punishing people in the army.
If Ningfu knew what Fuxin was thinking, she would definitely refute it. In fact, Zongduo was the one who was easiest to get along with, easiest to talk to, the most trusting, and the kindest person.
At the moment, Ning Fu was a little embarrassed. She didn't want to get too close to the people in Prince Xuan's Mansion, but in her eyes, Fu Xin was just a little girl. Although she had only met her a few times, she knew that she had a kind heart. Ning Fu couldn't bear to see her being punished.
"Where is the second young master?" After hesitating for a long time, Ning Fu decided to plead for her.
Fu Xin pointed to the bend and said, "After turning this corner, there is a pavilion. The second young master is there."
"If the Second Young Master asks you about it, just say that I bumped into you accidentally." Nymph said.
Fu Xin reacted, but she didn't expect that the young lady of the Duke's Mansion would be willing to help her like this, so she knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Fourth Miss, Fu Xin is very grateful."
Zongduo on the side: "..."
Is he such an unreasonable person?
He is stricter in the army, but at home, he is not the type to punish servants arbitrarily!
What if the fourth girl misunderstands him as a bad guy?
He was a little anxious and returned to the pavilion. But after a moment, he saw Miss Ning coming towards him.
Today, Nyingfu wore a goose down white embroidered dress. If her skin was dark or had blemishes, the white would make her skin look worse. However, Nyingfu inherited Madam Ning's good skin, and this dress made her look even more frosty and snowy. The light pink plum blossom hairpin on her forehead made her look extremely pretty.
As Zongduo watched, he suddenly felt a little shy.
"Second Young Master." She bowed tenderly.
Even when she was greeting, Zongduo felt that she was different from others. She seemed shy when she bowed, but was extremely graceful when she stood up. She was very beautiful.
But he is not into delicate little girls. Nymph may look delicate, but actually she is not. She won first place in archery!
"Fourth Miss." Zongduo remained calm. He had to be steady!
Ning Fu said, "I am here to apologize to the Second Young Master. I accidentally bumped into your maid just now, causing her to spill ink. I hope the Second Young Master will not punish her. I also have some good ink. I will ask someone in the mansion to bring it to the Second Young Master later."
Zong Duo immediately said, "This is not a big deal. Miss Four, don't take it to heart. As long as it's not a matter of betraying the master, I never punish anyone around me."
He explained for himself.
He is not such a vicious and evil young man!
Zongduo didn't want to leave a ferocious impression on Nymph. Although he might not really do anything to Nymph, she was the first woman he admired after all.
If there was a chance, he would like to learn riding and archery from her!
Ning Fu exchanged a few polite words with him, then realized belatedly that Zong Duo had not asked her how she knew that Fu Xin was the one serving him. But since he didn't ask, Ning Fu didn't bother to say any more.
"Second Young Master, I hope you won't tell the Crown Prince about what happened to you today." Ning Fu said at the end.
"Okay." This was his private matter, and Zongduo would not tell it.
It seems that my third brother thinks too much!
In the eyes of the fourth girl, the third brother is probably not as good as herself!
Zongduo felt a slight sweetness in his heart.
In Ningfu's previous life, she and Zongduo were uncle and daughter-in-law, so they didn't have much private communication. Although she knew that he only looked difficult to deal with on the surface, but was actually a kind-hearted person, she didn't expect that he was easier to talk to than she thought.
She secretly thought that her grandmother might as well have considered Zongduo at that time. Not only was the chance of success higher, but Zongduo was also easier to get along with. He was not so heartless and cold-hearted, and he didn't have a childhood sweetheart. He could be considered a suitable man to live with.
But Ningfu herself would not consider Zongduo. After all, he was her uncle before. She was incapable of accepting him. This was no different from incest.
Nymph did not stay long, but the faint sweet smell in the air did not dissipate immediately.
Zong Duo sat in the pavilion for a long time before going to Zong Si's Jinghuaju.
My eldest brother Zong Ting is here too.
Zongduo still had great respect for his elder brother, so he stood aside. However, when he thought of Ningfu, he couldn't help but smile.
Zong Si had taken off his clothes at this time. There was a very deep wound more than two inches above his chest and one inch below his shoulder. Although it had been bandaged, blood was still oozing out.
Zong Ting couldn't help but frowned: "The injury is serious, why rush back?"
"I don't want to miss Aning's birthday." Zong Si's tone was indifferent, as if he was not the one who was injured.
Zong Ting remained silent. His third brother was not a spoiled person and had been injured many times on the battlefield.
Zong Si said calmly: "If I show that I am seriously injured, the Sixth Prince will become suspicious." Covering up the injury and keeping it a secret is his style. Meng Ze is someone in Prince Xuan's Mansion, he will know about his injury.
"The Sixth Prince is quite wary of Lord Song's connections. Now that there is a breakthrough, he naturally hopes that you can catch him as soon as possible." Zong Ting also heard some of what Zong Si said, and said, "Do you have evidence of Lord Song's bribery?"
Zong Si naturally said: "Now is not the time to deal with Elder Song."
Lord Song is a veteran of two dynasties. Many high-ranking officials are his students and have close ties with him in terms of interests. Therefore, he is extremely well-informed, and in the officialdom, intelligence is the most valuable.
If such a person is one of our own, he or she will be the best resource.
But Lord Song is the Fourth Prince’s man.
For Yu Mengze, now is naturally a good opportunity to get rid of one of the arms of the Fourth Prince Meng Che. He naturally hopes that Zong Si will find out the evidence of Lord Song's guilt as soon as possible. Moreover, he can bring the support of Prince Xuan's Mansion to the surface, which will be a good bargaining chip for him and help him win over many neutral ministers.
However, this is not a good thing for Prince Xuan’s Palace, and now is not the time to take sides openly.
Zong Si was "assassinated" on the way to Langya to investigate Lord Song. This sword attack was the consequence of his game with Meng Ze.
Zong Ting did not say anything else, but looked at Zong Duo who was distracted and a little embarrassed, and said: "Second brother, what are you grinning at?"
Zong Duo came back to his senses and said embarrassedly: "I thought of something interesting." After that, he stepped forward and wanted to look at Zong Si's wound.
"Did you go to Yixianglou to do some work today?" When he approached, Zong Si smelled the unique sweet scent of a woman on him.
Zongduo looked at him with some doubt and said, "Today is An Ning's birthday. I have been in the mansion and have not gone out."
The smell was somewhat familiar. Zong Si glanced at him but didn't say much.
It was a rare occasion for the brothers to get together, and after seeing off the guests, they gathered in the living room.
Zong Ting has been married for ten years and his son is seven years old. He has been with Zong Ting in the military camp for many years. He is stronger than his peers, but very naughty and is not afraid of beatings.
Madam Zong Er was very happy to see her grandson, but when she looked at Zong Duo, she couldn't help but sigh and said, "Sanlang's marriage is related to the royal palace, so it can only be put on hold for the time being. But when do you plan to get married?"
Zongduo usually never paid attention to this matter, but today he was uncharacteristically shy and said, "I'm just afraid that the one I like won't be liked by my mother."
Zong Si looked at him.
Madam Zong Er said, "As long as you like it and your family background is clean, I like it."
Erlang was neither the heir of Prince Xuan's mansion nor the eldest son, so he had much more freedom in marriage matters. Even if a woman wanted to persuade him, Erlang did not have much power to stop her.
To put it bluntly, I was fooled, which is not a big deal.
Zongduo pondered for a moment and said, "Let's see."
Mrs. Zong Er knows her son well. If she could have mentioned it, she would have mentioned it now. The hesitation may mean that the woman he likes is of special status and may have met Sanlang before.
But she was not a pedantic person. They had dated but were not in love. After they got married, Erlang had his own yard and she rarely ran into Sanlang.
Madam Zong Er had a vague guess in her mind that it might be Miss Ning Si.
Princess Xuan doesn't like Ning Si and prefers Xie Er, but Madam Zong Er thinks Miss Ning Si is good. She also glanced at her from a distance at the birthday banquet today. Although An Ning gave her a cold look, she was still friendly and didn't try to please An Ning deliberately. She was a tolerant and sensible person.
Erlang is just not very knowledgeable about matters between men and women, but he has good intentions, and living with a lady like her is not a bad thing.
But this is just Madam Zong's guess, but it will never be wrong to be polite to Miss Ning.
.
After Ning Fu returned home, she found some gold foil ink and asked the servant in the mansion to deliver it to Zongduo.
When I saw Madam Ning, I saw the smile in her eyes and eyebrows, which she couldn't hide.
"What's so happy about, mother?" Nymph asked curiously.
"Your grandmother sent a message praising your talent and rewarding you with a restaurant." Madam Ning said with a smile.
Ning Fu's eyes lit up, and she was about to ask about the restaurant, but she heard Madam Ning ruthlessly say, "I will manage the restaurant for you first, and when you get married, I will give it to you along with your dowry."
Ning Fu didn't dare to act coquettishly about this matter. She just hoped that the talks with Sister Fu would go smoothly.
"Did your trip to the palace go smoothly today?" Madam Ning straightened her clothes for her.
Although Zong Ning had a grudge against her, it was not a serious matter, so Ning Fu nodded.
The date with Fu Jiahui was scheduled at the bookstore for fear of arousing suspicion. They just chatted a little more, thinking that they bumped into each other by accident.
Tianqing Pavilion is the largest bookstore in Beijing. There are many ladies and gentlemen who come here on weekdays. Although Nymph's beauty occasionally makes people stop and stare, no one is surprised by her appearance.
"Fourth Miss, follow me." When the shopkeeper saw her, he came forward respectfully.
"I'm waiting for Sister Fu."
"Miss Fu has arrived." said the shopkeeper.
Ning Fu didn't expect that Qingtian Pavilion was actually also a property of the Fu family.
"Sister Fu really opened my eyes." Ning Fu smiled when she saw Fu Jiahui.
Fu Jiahui said, "This is not my territory. I am just managing it for someone else. Did you bring the recipe?"
Ning Fu handed her the recipe and said, "Women love beauty. Rouge and powder are selling very well in the market, so beauty products will naturally not be bad either. The only problem is how to build a reputation for it."
Not everyone dares to try new things on their face.
Fu Jiahui listened quietly, waiting for her to continue.
Ning Fu pondered for a moment and said, "If we can get the princess to say that the recipe is effective, then there will be no problem. The noble ladies in the capital will be willing to buy it." Ning Fu said that the princess had a very high status in the capital, and people had always been learning how to eat, dress and spend money from her.
Fu Jiahui was choked: "You are too bold, you even dare to hit on Princess Xuan's idea, not to mention other things, how can the princess be willing to say that the prescription is useful?"
Ning Fu had thought about this problem a long time ago. Princess Xuan didn't like her, so she would definitely not want to tell anyone about the prescription she got from her, for fear that Prince Xuan's Mansion would be linked to Duke Ningguo's Mansion.
But if someone who pleases her gives her the recipe, she will definitely show it off. The thoughts of elders are all similar. They all like the younger generation to take their knowledge to heart and love to share the younger generation's kindness to them.
Now that Zong Ning has a prejudice against her, Ning Fu thinks that she can only start with Xie Ruyi.
Ning Fu said, "Make the recipe into pills and give them a more attractive name. Find a way to have Sister Xie give it to the princess. The princess will definitely tell her friends about this and let everyone know that Sister Xie bought the pills from you."
The name of the object is also extremely important. For example, "radish" and "wensong" are the same thing, but the feelings they give people are very different.
"The premise for this method to work is that your prescriptions are really effective," said Fu Jiahui.
Ning Fu said: "If it had no effect, I wouldn't have thought of opening a shop." Besides, she thought of the princess because Princess Xuan had used this recipe before and it worked very well.
"Everything has to wait until I verify the prescription first. If there is no problem, I will do as you say." Fu Jiahui said.
Ningfu nodded, and after finishing her business, she strolled around Qingtian Pavilion for a while.
Coming out with her was her personal maid Dongzhu.
Ningfu needed help, and Dongzhu was extremely careful, so she didn't intend to hide this from her. After the initial surprise, Dongzhu quickly calmed down. She and her mistress were always on the same side. She would help when she should help with her master's affairs, and would keep her mouth shut when necessary.
Three days later, Ning Fu received the letter. Fu Jiahui invited her to Qingtian Pavilion again.
Ning Fu went there in a low profile, and this time it was Fu Jiahui who was waiting for her in person.
"Sister Fu." Ning Fu walked forward with a smile.
Fu Jiahui did not reply to her, her eyes were a little complicated. After all, she was Ning Zheng's sister. She reminded her, "Just tell me the truth when I ask you something later."
Nymph's smile faded.
Perhaps it was because of her mood, but this time in Qingtian Pavilion, Ning Fu always felt a little colder.
Ning Fu walked over step by step, her heart sinking little by little for no reason. When she saw Zong Si, she couldn't help but feel a surge of shock in her heart, but she quickly calmed down.
Qingtian Pavilion belongs to Zong Si, so everything makes sense.
Ning Fu sorted out a lot of things. How could the Fu family's business be so big? Just by helping Prince Xuan's Palace share some military pay, they could get the protection of Prince Xuan's Palace behind the scenes?
There is only one explanation, the Fu family is just a figurehead and only gets a small share, and the owner behind these industries is Zong Si.
Ning Fu broke out in a cold sweat as she thought of something even more terrifying. Since the Fu family was Zong Si's agent, her brother's death might have something to do with Zong Si.
The Fu family has huge interests, and what Zong Si needs is a loyal minion.
Sister Fu likes her brother and once said that she would no longer interfere in the Fu family's business after she got married. Zong Si was reluctant to part with Sister Xie, his right-hand man, and he couldn't let the secret leak out, so he couldn't keep her brother Ning Zheng.
In his previous life, my brother had also secretly investigated the affairs of the Fu Mansion.
"Fourth Miss." Zong Si glanced at her, his voice as indifferent as the chilly spring snow in the mountains.
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