Chapter 71 Heart's Desire
Xie Ruyi was very surprised at that time, and her emotions were very complicated, even a little sad.
Zong Si didn't like her. If he had some sincerity towards her, Xie Ruyi thought, she probably wouldn't be so heartless. But when she thought of the Duke of Qing's Mansion, her thoughts disappeared. Nothing could compare to the family's glory.
She, Xie Ruyi, does not need a husband who cannot bring benefits to the family, no matter how much she likes him.
She calmed down and asked him, "Who is the prince planning to marry?"
Zong Si did not answer.
Xie Ruyi knew the identity of that person, and it must be a bit tricky. She also had some guesses in her mind, and said, "The fourth lady came here before to have her marriage fortune told, and it was also a good fortune."
Although Zong Si's tone was indifferent, it was clear that he was somewhat interested in this topic: "She planned her marriage quite early."
He never made comments about others casually, so Xie Ruyi concluded that the marriage he had calculated was with Nymph.
But judging from Nymph's reaction now, it might not be her.
"But life will definitely be hard if you marry a man who can't even persuade you." Xie Ruyi couldn't help but smile and comforted her, but she was also comforting herself.
Nymph said to her, "Sister Xie, you are so outstanding. You don't have to worry about your marriage. Whoever marries you will be blessed."
Xie Ruyi smiled faintly at her.
Zong Ning was watching from a distance, originally thinking of chatting with Ning Fu, but he heard Rong Min say unhappily, "She only looks good on the outside, but in reality, her character is terrible. She flirts with other men, and who knows if she has any other men behind her in Yongzhou."
"Sister Rong, you should be careful with your words. Sister Ning is not the person you are talking about." Zong Ning frowned, but what he was thinking about was the matter between his brother and Sister Ning.
Seeing her like this, Rong Min inevitably felt a little guilty, but she still added with some jealousy: "I don't know what she and Mr. Lu talked about just now. No decent lady would do this."
Zong Ning said, "What does it matter in public? Even though I often talk to Brother Xie from the Duke of Qing's Mansion, am I also an improper queen?"
Rong Min didn't dare to say anything bad about the young lady from Prince Xuan's Mansion, so she quickly pulled her aside and said, "My dear sister, I'm not talking about you. I won't say any more nonsense."
Zong Ning was upset, wondering what her third brother had done to Sister Ning.
"Sister Ning, do you think Mr. Lu likes her?" Rong Min felt a little uneasy. She noticed that Lu Xingzhi looked at her several times today.
Zong Ning then noticed Lu Xingzhi. He seemed to be calm among the young masters and had no interest in anything. But Sister Ning was right in his sight, and he would not miss even a moment of her smile.
…
Lu Xingzhi was not the only one looking at Nymph.
Among them was General Ye’s son, Ye Sheng.
It was hard for Ye Sheng not to be attracted by Nymph. She was beautiful enough on ordinary days, and today she was like a fairy from heaven. Ripples of emotion filled his heart.
However, after Lu Xingzhi changed his sitting position, he blocked his view.
Ye Sheng couldn't help but look at him. The man was also looking at him and nodded at him as a greeting, distant but polite.
For some reason, Ye Sheng felt something was wrong. He felt that Lu Xingzhi seemed to be sizing him up, but he didn't know what to say.
"Last year, Afu fell into the water, and it was thanks to Lord Lu who rescued her. Ning Zheng said sincerely that he was grateful to Zong Si for this matter, but the relationship between the two governments was not good at the moment, so there was no need to thank him again in person.
If Zong Si encounters any trouble in the future and it has nothing to do with the Ningguo Mansion, he is willing to help and repay the favor.
"It's just a small favor, no need to thank me, Qiuwei." According to Lu Xingdao, Ning Zheng is Ning Qiuwei.
Ning Zheng had always admired him, and now that he was showing goodwill, he was naturally willing to make friends with him. He said, "Lord Lu has just returned to the capital and was transferred to Liangzhou. He must be unfamiliar with the capital. If you have any difficulties, just come to me."
Lu Xingzhi readily agreed.
Ning Zheng looked at him and suddenly came to his senses. Now that he was a favorite of Emperor Jingwen, it was logical that he should be the one to show goodwill to him. However, he was so proactive, which was a little unusual.
Thinking of this, he smiled knowingly. He didn't mind having Lu Xingzhi as a brother-in-law. If his sister followed him, it would be a good marriage.
Ye Sheng understood what Ning Zheng meant and felt a little uneasy. What about him?
Not far away, Ning Fu was standing with Madam Ning and Old Lady Ning, and talking with them were Madam Lu and Mrs. Wei.
After the coming-of-age ceremony was over, Ning Fu personally saw Mrs. Lu out. Lu Xingzhi followed beside her, listening to the two of them chatting enthusiastically without interrupting.
"The fourth young lady and I have a good idea. We are going to the street to buy flower seeds in a few days. Do you want to come with me? It's boring to go alone usually." Mrs. Lu took her hand and smiled kindly.
Nymph calculated the days and found that she was free, so she smiled and said, "Of course I am willing to accompany Madam."
Lu Xingzhi waited for the two to finish speaking before saying, "Fourth Miss is also tired today, go to bed early."
"Mr. Lu has an injury on his hand, so be careful not to touch water." Ning Fu reminded.
"Yeah." There was a smile in his eyes. Although he was serious, he seemed very obedient.
Ningfu's face turned a little red. After exchanging a few words of greeting, she turned around and went back home.
Zong Ning, who was sitting in a carriage not far away, couldn't help but worry about his third brother. If Sister Ning and Mr. Lu were together, what would happen to his third brother?
However, when Zong Ning returned to the palace, he went straight to Zong Si's Jinghua Residence.
But her third brother was not there, so she went to the front house again, only to see Princess Xuan and Sixth Miss Mu drinking tea and admiring flowers in the garden.
Mu Liu had just come of age and had a good temper, so she was very much to Princess Xuan's liking.
"I heard that the second young master's marriage is about to be decided?" Mu Liu inquired.
"Once Erlang's marriage is settled, it will be Sanlang's turn." Princess Xuan smiled frankly.
"Princess, the Third Young Master is very polite to me, and we are just getting to know each other now." Mu Liu felt that Zong Si was very distant and was a little unsure. Although the Prince was excellent, he inevitably made people feel like a tower in people's eyes, out of reach.
Princess Xuan smiled and said, "He is like this to everyone."
Zong Ning first thought that it was different when his third brother gave Sister Ning a jade hairpin.
Third brother and Sister Xie have parted ways because third brother was unwilling to use Prince Xuan's Mansion to pave the way for Fourth Brother Xie. Now he directly rejects Sixth Miss Mu, whom mother values. Mother does not know his preferences and is anxious about his marriage, so she will certainly urge him to make a choice quickly.
My third brother may not have any plans to get married at the moment, so he deliberately let me know so that I can easily negotiate for him in front of my mother.
I just don't know if he is waiting for Sister Ning since he has no plans to get married for the time being.
It was not until nightfall that Zong Ning saw Zong Si return home.
The man had obviously just finished a conversation, and he was no longer wearing the attire of a servant in the Ningguo Mansion. He was wearing brocade clothes and a jade crown, looking very handsome.
"Why are you still here with me so late?" Zong Si asked.
"Third brother actually doesn't agree with Mu Liu's plan." Zong Ning said.
Zong Si glanced at her, without denying it, and said in a somewhat cold tone: "Ms. Mu Liu, although you are willing to meet me, it does not mean that you don't have a childhood sweetheart."
Zong Ning understood. It was not easy for his third brother to refuse Mu Liu, and the same would be true if Mu Liu refused his third brother. His mother would have nothing to say and would not blame his third brother. His mother always thought that his third brother was an outstanding person, and being rejected by Miss Mu Liu would also dampen his mother's pride. She would probably doubt herself for a while and would not urge his third brother anymore.
I guess the most important thing is not to rush.
"That man will appear in the capital. In the next few days, take her to travel around the capital more often." This is one of the aspects where Zong Si needs to use Zong Ning.
Zong Ning couldn't help but feel emotional. In front of a woman he didn't like, a man's heart was cold and he didn't care at all whether he was the one being rejected.
"What exactly happened between you and Sister Ning?" Zong Ning asked.
Zong Si didn't want to hear Ning Fu's name at the moment, so he rubbed his brows and said lightly: "It's late, let's go back."
"If it is impolite, Third Brother should be responsible to Sister Ning." Zong Ning spoke up for Ning Fu.
"She doesn't need me to be responsible." Zong Si said without any emotion.
Zong Ning was stunned, and then thought of the tall and straight Lu Xingzhi. She bit her lip and said, "Is it because Sister Ning likes Mr. Lu?"
"Do you think she likes him?" Zong Si was silent for a moment and looked at her.
"I heard someone say today that Sister Ning and Mr. Lu look very compatible, as if they are destined to be husband and wife." Zong Ning hesitated for a long time, but still said.
Normally, no one dared to make such jokes about male and female monarchs. If someone did, it was probably because they had heard some rumors. In addition, the relationship between Madam Ning and Madam Lu was becoming increasingly close, so some things were not difficult to guess.
Zong Si then recalled Lu Xingzhi's powerful words "Your Majesty" that day.
He had been in the role of her husband in the previous life for a long time. When he heard the word "my wife" that day, he felt like he was being cuckolded at that moment. He wanted to ask Nymph what happened in the previous life.
But judging from her attitude, I'm afraid her husband is indeed not him, otherwise why would he be so cold to me but so enthusiastic towards Xingzhi.
"Does Third Brother like Sister Ning?" Zong Ning asked cautiously.
Zong Si said, "I don't like it."
He also ordered the servants to send her back to her bedroom. Zong Si never liked Zong Ning staying up late and was very strict with her.
Zong Ning said quickly: "If you are unhappy because Sister Ning likes Mr. Lu, then she likes him a little."
Zong Si paused, but did not speak again for a long time.
On the second day in Qingtian Pavilion, Fu Jiahui handed him the box that Ningfu had asked someone to give her. After hesitating for a while, she said, "The fourth lady asked me to return this to the prince."
Lying in the box is a white magnolia hairpin.
But the next day, she couldn't wait to return it, as if she was afraid of being associated with him.
Zong Si didn't even glance at it, and said calmly, "Leave it there."
…
Mrs. Ning was naturally happy to see that Ning Fu went out with Mrs. Lu to choose flower seeds.
Madam Lu got up early, so Ning Fu also got up early today. Ning He, who slept with her, also wanted to get up, but Ning Fu smiled and said, "You don't need to pay respects to grandma today. Just go back to sleep."
Ning He turned over and continued to sleep.
The morning market in the capital is very lively. The nobles in the capital never come here, and this is also Nyingfu's first time here.
"My grandfather is just a constable in a small county town. I have been accustomed to this kind of place since I was a child. If you can't adapt, you can wait for me on the side." Mrs. Lu said.
Nymph smiled and said, "I'll accompany you."
"The flower seeds inside are all covered in mud, so they're a bit dirty," said Mrs. Lu.
"I specially wore old clothes today, Madam Lu, you don't have to worry about me." Ning Fu said, without braiding her hair into a bun, but only pinning it with Lu Xingzhi's wooden hairpin. She didn't have to worry about makeup, such a simple outfit was the most comfortable.
Mrs. Lu's impression of her became better. She looked delicate but not shy at all.
After they selected the flower seeds, Mrs. Lu bought her a string of candied haws and took care of her like a little princess.
Then he got on the carriage and prepared to return to Lu Mansion.
"You and I get along so well. It would be best if we could become a family." Mrs. Lu said when the carriage stopped at the gate of the Lu Mansion.
Princess Xuan had a pretty good relationship with Madam Lu. When she heard what she said, she couldn't help but look at the carriage. When she saw Nyingfu, she raised her eyebrows.
"Madam Lu, the fourth lady and Mr. Lu are a good match." Princess Xuan didn't like Ning Fu, but Lu Xingzhi was working for the Xuan Palace now, and since Madam Lu liked him, she had to give him some face.
As long as Ningfu doesn't miss her own Sanlang, in Princess Xuan's opinion, it's okay for her to marry anyone. Getting her married as soon as possible can also be a way to avoid future troubles.
However, she would have to mention this matter to Sanlang when she returned. If Ning Fu followed Lu Erlang, her attitude towards the Ningguo Mansion would have to change in the future.
After all, Lu Erlang sometimes also worked for the palace.
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