Chapter 172 Marriage
However, the marriage proposal from Prince Xuan's Mansion was much faster than Ning Fu had imagined.
The weather was also very good that day. Ning Fu was sitting at the entrance of the bamboo garden basking in the sun, when she suddenly saw Dong Zhu running towards her and said, "Fourth Miss, the prince and the princess are here."
Ning Fu blushed for some reason. She knew without thinking why the two of them came, but she still pretended that she knew nothing and went to Qinyuan.
Mother, Mrs. Wei, and Old Lady Ning were all in Qin Garden at the moment. When they saw her, they all smiled.
This smile made Ningfu blush a little.
Zong Si was wearing a dark red silk brocade robe and a mutton-fat jade crown today, which made him look more solemn than usual. Hearing the noise, he turned around and glanced at Ning Fu. Although his face was cold and restrained, there was a smile in his eyes.
"Afu is here." The first person to speak was Princess Xuan.
"Yes." Ning Fu responded, and bowed again, "Long live the princess and the prince."
Princess Xuan looked at her with a smile.
Old Madam Ning waved to Ning Fu, and Ning Fu sat down beside her. She seemed to be very quiet today and said nothing.
Madam Ning looked at her daughter for a second longer. She was her own daughter, and she knew her daughter well. Even though she didn't say anything, she agreed in her heart. But she behaved very well and didn't even look at Zong Si.
This made Mrs. Ning feel somewhat satisfied.
When Ning Fu came, the marriage had been almost discussed. Now that Ning Fu had broken off the engagement, although many people sympathized with her, there were also many outsiders who were gossiping about her. In addition, considering Madam Ning's understanding of Zong Si, this marriage was considered to be something that everyone welcomed.
As for Old Madam Ning, now that Xingzhi has someone else and it was Prince Xuan’s Mansion who came personally to propose marriage, she has nothing to say.
This trip was quite enjoyable.
After Zong Si and Princess Xuan had dinner at the Duke's Mansion, they prepared to leave.
"Afu, you and your mother go see the princess and the prince off together." Old Lady Ning ordered.
Ning Fu nodded, but Princess Xuan pulled Madam Ning and walked in front. The two of them chatted about the latest dresses in Hongxiu Pavilion. Ning Fu and Zong Si walked behind.
Madam Ning couldn't help but glance back, and she knew what Princess Xuan was thinking. She wanted the two youngsters to talk, but now that the marriage was done, Madam Ning just pretended not to know.
Afterwards, Ningfu was a little embarrassed to speak for a moment. They had been husband and wife before, and she didn't know why it suddenly became like this.
Zong Si didn't say anything. In fact, if Ning Fu had paid attention, she would have known that he was blushing a little at this moment.
But his steps were slow and steady, and Nymph could tell that he wanted to walk with her a little longer, and that he must have a lot to say to her.
"I didn't expect the prince to act so quickly." Ning Fu said. She originally thought that it would take two months to finalize the marriage. After all, her engagement with Lu Xingzhi had just been called off, and if he rushed forward like this, he would inevitably be gossiped about.
"I'm afraid the night will be long and dreams will be many." Zong Si did not forget that he still had Meng Ze. Although Meng Ze was afraid of him, it would always be safer to marry him home first.
"My brother...didn't make things difficult for you." Nymph recalled what happened not long ago.
Zong Si considered this question carefully, and then said: "Although he doesn't like me, he should agree to this marriage."
I think it’s because the two of them have never gotten along since childhood, and now that he has become my brother-in-law, he still feels a little uncomfortable.
Nymph nodded and said, "I heard that you were too good at opposing him when you were a child."
My brother couldn't beat him, nor was he as cunning as him, so he suffered a lot at his hands.
"If I had known this day would come, I would have just tried to please him." Zong Si glanced at her.
Nymph said: "You should go back to the palace first."
Zong Si smiled and said, "After this marriage is finalized, everyone outside will know about it soon. By then, everyone will be watching you and me. I'm afraid it's not convenient for me to come to see you at this time. I will ask An Ning to come over more often."
Besides, there are still many things to do when preparing for the wedding.
Ning Fu lowered her eyes and said, "If there is anything, send someone over and I will go to Qingtian Pavilion."
"Okay." Zong Si said, "Give me two months, and I will marry you back to the palace."
Ningfu was about to ask if it was too hasty, but then she thought it was a good idea to do the important things first to avoid unnecessary complications in the end.
It’s different when people are engaged. Ning Fu can feel that although Zong Si keeps more distance, there is always an indescribable sense of clinginess between them.
The look in his eyes when he left was also full of tenderness, which was completely different from the calm and distant look in his previous life.
Madam Ning then glanced at Ning Fu and said, "In the end, you still have to marry into Prince Xuan's mansion."
Ning Fu smiled and said, "There is nothing wrong with the power and influence of Prince Xuan's Mansion."
"It all depends on whether the prince will protect you. If he does, that's good." Madam Ning said, "But he cares so much about your brother and Miss Fu, so he must have you in his heart. And you saved his life, so I think he can at least protect you."
Madam Ning agreed to this marriage, but she also considered Meng Ze. Prince Xuan’s Mansion was a good choice.
Sure enough, the news of the marriage between the two families spread throughout the capital within a few days.
A few days ago, everyone was still regretting the marriage of Ning Fu and Lu Xingzhi, but they didn't expect that not long after that, the prince came to propose marriage.
"I see that the prince seems to be impatient." Someone analyzed from behind, "Do you think the reason why the prince has not engaged yet is because of the fourth girl?"
"I haven't seen any contact between the two on weekdays. Why does the prince suddenly like the fourth lady?"
"Maybe because the Duke's Mansion is not bad, the fourth young lady is pretty, and the prince is not young anymore, so if there is a suitable one, he will settle on it."
There are all kinds of speculations behind it.
After Xie Ruyi learned about this, she just smiled. This was already expected by her. Zong Si had not been engaged for such a long time, so this was the only possible outcome.
Meng Che said: "How did you feel when you heard that he was engaged?" Even though they had been married for such a long time and had a child, Meng Che was still jealous of Zong Si.
Xie Ruyi said: "How else can I feel? He is just a stranger to me. I just hope he and Sister Ning are happy."
Meng Che held her in his arms and said, "This can be considered as a very late marriage."
"He's worried about something." Xie Ruyi knew her husband very well and quickly sensed that something was wrong with him.
"There have been some unusual movements outside the Great Wall recently, so we have to worry about it." Meng Che said. In addition, he also slightly noticed that Emperor Jingwen was now partial to Meng Ze.
Meng Che was naturally unwilling in his heart, and he had to come up with a response plan as soon as possible, but he would not tell his wife about these things and would not let her worry about it.
Now that Ning Fu and Zong Si’s marriage has been decided, he has to be on guard against the attitude of the Duke’s Mansion.
Meng Che suppressed all the emotions in his heart and picked up his wife horizontally.
"What are you doing in broad daylight?" Xie Ruyi frowned.
"I haven't seen you for a few days. I miss you a little." Meng Che said softly.
Xie Ruyi blushed.
In the palace, Emperor Jingwen also felt some emotion because of this marriage.
"Do you think Sanlang values this marriage so much because of profit or because of emotion?" Emperor Jingwen has rarely had the energy to bask in the sun these days.
Eunuch Sheng did not dare to speculate, and said: "I dare not comment on the marriage of the prince."
"It's not a good thing that Prince Xuan's Mansion and Duke Guo's Mansion are close to each other." Emperor Jingwen said with a smile, "But it doesn't mean that they can be of the same mind just because they are husband and wife."
Eunuch Sheng pondered the intention of Emperor Jingwen in his heart, and was afraid that he had already found a way to keep the two families apart. Regardless of whether this marriage happened or not, Emperor Jingwen would still alienate the two families.
"It's a pity that I didn't give birth to a son like Sozaburo." Emperor Jingwen also felt that God was unfair, otherwise he wouldn't have considered this.
Why didn't Emperor Jingwen grant a marriage to Meng Ze and the fourth girl earlier? In fact, Emperor Jingwen also had longer-term considerations. Meng Ze was not strong enough when it came to women. Even if he married Ning Fu, he might not be able to live a stable and long-lasting life with her in the future.
Although the bond between personal feelings and personal stance is more stable, the risk is also greater. If Lao Liu changes his mind about Ning Fu, the situation will be out of control.
Therefore, in the eyes of Emperor Jingwen, marriage, although feasible, was not a must.
What Emperor Jingwen wanted was that after Meng Che's downfall, the Duke's Mansion would always support Meng Ze, so as to prevent the Prince Xuan's Mansion from overly controlling the situation in the court.
As long as there is a deep hatred between Prince Xuan's Mansion and Duke Ningguo's Mansion, after the fourth brother falls, they will naturally choose to help the sixth brother. General Ye and Prince Jin together can contend with Prince Xuan's Mansion, so that Prince Xuan's Mansion will not be able to cover the sky with one hand and bypass the imperial power in the future.
"When will the third brother enter the palace?" Emperor Jingwen asked again.
As he was speaking, Meng Yuan came over with a cane.
"You are the only one who has time to accompany me." Emperor Jingwen said with a smile.
"I am the most idle one." Meng Yuan said calmly.
"Floods in Chaozhou happen too frequently. Even if we repair the dam this year, it will collapse next year. In my opinion, it would be better to dig a canal to avoid floods and protect future generations." Emperor Jingwen said, "How about sending you to inspect?"
Meng Yuan didn't speak.
"You are the most fair and impartial, and I trust you the most." Emperor Jingwen said.
But these words sounded somewhat ironic. The reason why he was trusted was simply because he could not compete for that position. Besides, Emperor Jingwen might have other intentions in sending him there.
When Ning Fu arrived at the teahouse, Mu Ruoheng told her about this matter.
"The treasury is not full now, and building the canal is a big project." Ning Fu said with some concern. This will inevitably increase taxes, but the people of Dayan have a hard time, not to mention that the surrounding foreign enemies are eyeing them covetously, and it is not stable.
"The canal cannot be repaired at the moment." Mu Ruoheng said, "We need to rest and recuperate for ten years before we can consider the canal."
Ning Fu thought for a moment and said, "There will be war outside the Great Wall this year. If the doctor can delay the canal issue for a few months, then we can put it on hold for the time being."
Mu Ruoheng frowned and said, "Northern Qi had already negotiated a peace agreement several years ago, and a ten-year truce was reached. Why would they still be thinking about it?"
Nymph only judged based on the situation outside the pass in the previous life, and she didn't know the details.
"It is inconvenient for me to see the prince now. Miss Four, please tell him about this." Mu Ruoheng said.
Whether Zong Si went to the Third Prince's Mansion or came to this teahouse, it would easily arouse suspicion.
Nymph is a female monarch and does not interfere in the affairs of the court, so other people's opinions will not be placed on her.
On the way back home, Ning Fu happened to meet Lu Xingzhi's current fiancée, Shuiying, who was with Mrs. Lu.
However, she only said hello. From the corner of her eye, she saw the secret guards sent by Zong Si to protect her. They had retreated for a while, but after the incident with Meng Ze, they followed her again.
Ning Fu felt that this secret guard looked familiar. Then she remembered that in her previous life, the person Zong Si sent to watch over her was also this one, and he looked quite handsome.
When she met an acquaintance from her previous life, Nymph raised the corners of her mouth and smiled at him.
The secret guard had no expression on his face.
Then, Ning Fu saw Lu Xingzhi walking out of the shop.
When he saw her, he was stunned for a moment, but just nodded politely.
"I heard that the fourth young lady's marriage with the prince has been settled." Lu Xingzhi said.
Nymph nodded.
"That's good. Miss Four will never suffer any loss if she follows him." Lu Xingzhi said.
The tone was light and yet it made people feel sad.
A few days later, Prince Xuan's palace sent someone to set a date.
Both Old Lady Ning and Madam Ning felt that it was too fast.
Princess Xuan smiled and said, "This is the best day of the year. Although it is a little early, it is still auspicious."
After Ning Zhenyuan returned home, Madam Ning discussed the matter with him. Although it was a little too early, it was not impossible since the times were good.
Of course, the most important thing is the good attitude of Prince Xuan’s Mansion.
Therefore, the wedding date was set on the sixth day of the next month, hoping that everything would be auspicious and suitable for marriage.
Ning Fu also felt that Zong Si's speed was too fast. In total, including the engagement and the wedding, it only took three months.
Ning He smiled and teased her: "Fourth sister, it seems that the prince is impatient. I don't know how he has survived these years."
Nymph smiled and said, "Why are you teasing me? When I get married, you will be the only one in this house. Won't you find it boring?"
Ning He was a little distressed, and sighed: "I will be alone in the future, but fortunately, I can still go out to play with my sister-in-law."
Wei Ziyi also has a very good temper.
Because her child is still young, although Ningfu is also in the palace, she does not meet that often. It was only after learning that Ningfu's marriage date was set that Wei Ziyi came to her more often.
"It's so rare to have time to take care of the affairs of the mansion." Wei Ziyi sighed. Her mother-in-law, Wei, was a hands-off manager, and now everything was left to her to handle.
Ning Fu smiled and said, "I thought that since you married into the Duke's Mansion, we would have countless days to play together, but I never thought that we would have the time to play."
Wei Ziyi said: "The prince is so eager to marry you, don't worry, he will definitely treat you well. If he doesn't care and is not anxious about anything, then you should be worried."
How could Ning Fu not know what Zong Si was thinking now? It was she herself who was not fully prepared.
Since Ning Zheng had been married not long ago, she should have gone back, so she planned to stay for two more months. Madam Ning was with her every day, and every day they spent together was a day less.
"Mother, remember, I raised you from your childhood." Madam Ning gestured with her hand to indicate the length, only a tiny bit, "Age is not forgiving."
Nymph's eyes turned red.
"If you encounter any problems when you go to Prince Xuan's mansion in the future, you must remember to go back and tell mother." Madam Ning stroked her face and said, "If the prince is not a good person, you can do whatever you want. You can scold him if you want. Then mother will play the role of a good person and say good things."
Nymph nodded, "He is not a good person, so I will divorce him."
Madam Ning smiled with satisfaction.
But on the wedding day, Nymph was very calm. Perhaps it was because it was too similar to her previous life, or perhaps it was because this marriage had a purpose, so she didn't feel nervous.
The entire Prince Xuan's Palace was filled with joy.
This wedding banquet was considered the most extravagant and lavish in the entire capital in recent years, and it was often mentioned in the following years.
At that time, Ning Fu and Zong Si's daughters were born, and some people still talked about it with relish: "I have never seen the prince blush, but on the day of the wedding, the prince was very shy, but the prince's wife was relatively calm. At that time, I said that the prince would definitely be controlled in the future. Look, now it is indeed the prince's wife who has the final say."
Of course, this is all a story for later.
Right now, Nymph was sitting quietly in her boudoir.
"The fourth girl looks really beautiful today." Dongzhu said happily from the side.
"Yes, yes, the girl is so beautiful." The speaker was Dongxue. As Yuhuan was gone in this life, the maid who came with her dowry was also replaced.
Ning He sat aside and talked to Ning Ran.
Ning Ran is now in the Wei Mansion and has the final say. Her mother-in-law, Xiao, only wants her to stay in the Wei Mansion with her children and hardly dares to go in front of her to get in her way.
Now that her mean and hypocritical husband was dead and she had power in her hands, Ning Ran felt that this kind of life was quite good. As for remarrying, she had no interest in it. In fact, as long as she wanted, it would not be difficult for her to marry a young man who had never been married.
"Afu, men are not important, power is important." Ning Ran said.
This is something that sisters have said to each other countless times.
The nymph nodded at her.
Ning Ran turned back to look at Ning He: "Did you hear it?"
"Second sister, you are in better condition than before." Ning He said.
At this time, someone said, "The prince is here."
Everyone stopped chatting and covered Nymph's head with the veil. Soon Nymph felt someone walking in front of her.
"The prince looks so handsome today." No one knew who spoke first, but everyone laughed out loud.
"Thank you." Zong Si said in a deep voice, seeming particularly gentle today.
Just by hearing his voice, Nymph knew how different he was today.
"Afu, I'll carry you out." Zong Si said.
The journey from the bedroom to leaving the Duke's Mansion was actually quite long. When Ning Ran got married, Wei Xiao had to rest several times along the way. However, Zong Si's steps were always steady, whether in this life or the previous one.
The only difference was that in this life, along the way, he had been talking to her.
"Afu, you look really beautiful today." This was the nth time he had praised her, and his tone was very calm.
Zong Si spoke completely from the bottom of his heart, without any flattery, he just couldn't help but say it.
Nymph said, “I understand.”
"You probably don't fully understand," he said patiently. "It's hard to put into words."
Nymph thought about it and decided to reciprocate, so she said, "The prince is also very strong."
Zong Si paused for a moment, was silent for a moment, and said: "There should be one tonight."
Nymph blushed slightly. These were serious yet thought-provoking words. She wondered if men were born to say these things.
She ignored him.
Zong Si was still talking to her in a disjointed manner.
Until Nymph got on the sedan chair.
"What a handsome bride and groom." Everyone exclaimed.
He climbed onto the horse and looked at the person in the sedan chair. His face was filled with pride as he had married his beloved. The coldness he usually showed in front of others had completely disappeared.
…
Not far away, Lu Xingzhi watched this scene and couldn't help but smile.
After being reborn, he still felt that Afu was stunningly beautiful, and everyone present was amazed.
He and Zong Si looked at each other from a distance across the crowd.
Zong Si nodded towards him, not sure if it was to express his gratitude or something else.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
