Chapter 153 Zong Si Returns to Beijing (5)
Lu Xingzhi was surprised, but not surprised, that Zong Si in this life would have such an attitude.
He is luckier than me.
In his previous life, he knew her, but he met her too late. Before he was rescued, his impression of her was just that of Ning Zheng's crying and delicate sister.
If he had already had a good impression of her before he was rescued, he would not have lived in suspicion in his previous life, unwilling to trust anyone, and thus missed a good marriage.
Seeing that Lu Xingzhi had been staring at the pearl bracelet, as if he was looking at something familiar, Ning Fu did not hide the truth: "This belongs to the prince. Now that we are still engaged, it is better to return it to him."
Lu Xingzhi said: "This bracelet must be delivered to the person you want to give it to within three days of receipt."
Ning Fu remained silent for a moment and then said, "Mr. Lu knows so much about this. I guess I saw him giving this bracelet to me in my last life. Who did he give it to in my last life?"
Lu Xingzhi was stunned.
"It's Zhang and my sister." Ning Fu looked up at him.
Lu Xingzhi said: "The prince did not send her off."
"That's Moon Lady"
"The relationship between the prince and Yue Niang is nothing more than a relationship of interest." Lu Xingzhi pursed his lips and said.
"If there really is something, how can you know it clearly? If he wants to have an affair with someone in private, he can hide it from you, an aide." Nymph looked at him with scrutiny in her eyes.
He knew too much about Zong Si's affairs.
Lu Xingzhi noticed that she was suspicious of him.
When he talked about things from his previous life, even some secrets, he actually had some selfish desires in his heart. He always had the thought that he wanted her to recognize him.
I want her to know his identity.
But reason told him that he could only be Lu Xingzhi.
"This bracelet was made by an old woman on the way back to Beijing. The prince didn't have a lover in his previous life, so he didn't buy this bracelet." Lu Xingzhi explained.
It was no wonder that he knew about this bracelet. Presumably, he was with Zong Si at that time. Ning Fu felt relieved.
Lu Xingzhi's explanation for Zong Si might just be from an objective perspective, but it also made it seem more and more that he only had gratitude towards himself.
No man would explain for his love rival.
Out of gratitude, he treated her differently, was willing to give everything for her, and was willing to marry her. I'm afraid even he himself didn't fully understand his heart.
Although Nymph felt a bit complicated, she quickly calmed down and said, "So that's how it is."
Lu Xingzhi looked at her for a moment, knowing what she was thinking, but he did not explain it for himself.
Human hearts are always so complicated. He hopes that she likes him a little, but now he doesn't want her to have a good impression of him even more.
Zong Ning was deep in thought, it seemed that the two of them were not that close. Master Lu seemed to be quite calm and composed, and did not seem to be deeply involved in it.
Just like my third brother, when his marriage proposal was rejected, he almost lost his appetite. Although there was not much change in his life outside, I don’t know how much wine he drank when he was alone in Jinghuaju.
Zong Ning was just feeling sorry for Ning Fu when he saw her say goodbye to Lu Xingzhi, get on the carriage and leave.
After she left, Lu Xingzhi's eyes became somewhat deep. He stared in the direction of Sister Ning for a long time, with a look of loss.
It was somewhat similar to how my brother felt when he was rejected.
Zong Ning was stunned.
Since Master Lu and Sister Ning have already decided on a marriage, why should he pretend to be calm and composed in front of her?
Could it be... that she was threatened by her brother?
There was a bit of weirdness on Zong Ning's face. Given Third Brother's personality, it was not surprising that he would be like that. Third Brother was a domineering person at heart.
Thinking of his third brother, Zong Ning felt a little warmer in his heart. Now that his third brother could come back safely, it was the best thing.
But on the day of Zong Si, when Zong Ning saw his third brother, he felt a sense of alienation.
The man sat on the horse, his expression indifferent and apathetic, very different from the former Zong Si.
The black brocade robe with gold patterns, the carved silk belt around his waist, and the mutton-fat jade gold crown on his head make him look noble, but also seem very distant. The horse's pace is orderly, making him seem to be in control of everything.
The Third Brother in the past did not have this kind of oppressive feeling. Now, not only does it make people feel that there is a huge difference between him and me, but he also seems like an ant that can die at any time.
Zong Si glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
Zong Ning felt a little uncomfortable. This was her third brother. He must be heartbroken to be like this.
She couldn't help but redden her eyes.
The next person to get off the carriage was Zhang He.
Zong Ning couldn't help but widen his eyes, almost unable to recognize that this was Zhang and his sister.
Now she has grown a lot taller, and from her original delicate and innocent appearance, she has become a rare beauty in the world, with a slender waist, which makes people can't help but look at her.
"Ah He!" Mrs. Zhang from Hua'an Mansion couldn't help but go forward to greet him.
"Mother." Zhang He couldn't help shedding tears when she saw Madam Zhang. She felt extremely guilty towards her mother and Hua'an Mansion. "It was my fault. I ignored your advice and went to the Northland by myself."
Madam Zhang hugged her tightly and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
He then expressed his gratitude to Zong Si, "Thank you, Your Highness, for taking care of Ah He in the North. I think she has caused a lot of trouble for you."
Zong Si said calmly: "Miss Zhang is in the north, she is worried about the people, she gives out porridge in Danyang when she has time, she doesn't need my care."
Zhang He said: "I lost my way, and it was my brother the prince who found me. If it weren't for my brother the prince, I'm afraid I would..."
She still felt frightened when she talked about this.
If the Crown Prince had not found her, she would probably have been abducted by the Hu people... At that time, she thought about biting her tongue to commit suicide, but the Crown Prince appeared at the right time like a god.
Zong Si looked around the crowd and saw Ning Fu standing in a corner, looking a bit unhappy.
"It's just a simple favor." He kept his distance and said calmly. Fearing that Nymph would have trouble distinguishing, he added, "If one of my men was in danger, I would do the same. Madam Zhang, don't take it to heart."
Zhang He lowered his eyes, with a hint of loss in his eyes.
In the north, although the environment is a bit difficult, she can often see the Crown Prince, and there are no other female rulers around.
On Ningfu's side, Dongzhu also sighed: "Miss, the lady of Hua'an Mansion is really like a different person now. It's true that the lady grows up very fast at her age."
Ning Fu was a little depressed. She didn't hate Zhang He, but when she saw her now, she always felt an indescribable rejection in her heart.
"Let's go back home." Nymph said.
When Zong Si saw her leave, he frowned almost inaudibly.
But right now, Zong Si naturally has to go to the palace to meet the emperor first.
Meng Yuan was the one who greeted him today. The two of them were together but did not talk.
When Meng Yuan was outside, he was the type who didn't care about anything. Now Zong Si was even colder. The eunuch who came to greet them didn't dare to say a word. He just bowed and walked in front of the two to lead the way.
"Your Majesty has been suffering from an old illness lately, so he is unable to personally welcome the Crown Prince." At first glance, Meng Yuan's words seemed to be an explanation for Emperor Jingwen, but in fact they were telling him that Emperor Jingwen's health had not been very good recently.
"Of course, the emperor's health is the most important thing." Zong Si said.
In the palace, there was not only Emperor Jingwen, but also King Xuan.
Zong Si knelt down and saluted, saying: "Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingwen looked at him with a kind and gentle look in his eyes, saying: "Sanlang is much more mature and steady than he was a year ago. Now that you have returned triumphantly, I think Dayan cannot do without you."
This sentence is very meaningful. How could Dayan be inseparable from Zong Si? Naturally, Emperor Jingwen wanted to show goodwill. Although he lost to Prince Xuan's Mansion in the fight, for the sake of the country, he naturally had to talk about cooperation.
However, Emperor Jingwen was not without regrets in his heart. If he had not been seriously ill, there would have been a lot of discussions in the court, and the important ministers would have been in a panic, which led to his control over the power in the court gradually weakening. He might not have lost to Prince Xuan's palace.
I just lost at the wrong time, otherwise the Prince Xuan's Mansion would have been seriously damaged by this incident.
However, it is meaningless to talk about this now.
Zong Si said calmly: "As a minister, serving the country is my duty."
"You are so loyal, but Sun Zheng wants to kill you because of his hatred and contempt for you. I am very angry." Emperor Jingwen said with great sorrow. He should have dealt with the fourth brother today, but now he has to let him continue to fight with the sixth brother.
If the fourth brother was dealt with, it would be natural to appoint a crown prince. However, the current situation makes it impossible to think of appointing a crown prince, as I am afraid that some people in the court will not accept it, and it will also make enemies for the sixth brother for no reason.
Emperor Jingwen had a thousand thoughts in his mind, but he didn't show any of them on his face.
Zong Si's mouth curled up in a subtle ironic way, and he said in a deep voice, "Sun Zheng was in cahoots with the Hu people, and he wanted to kill me for them, not because of any personal grudge. When he assassinated me that day, he used the Hu people's moves, and he also had dealings with the Hu people. I have a secret letter from him to the Hu people, and I sent it to the Chief Censor before returning to Beijing."
This letter was, of course, genuine. Sun Zheng could not say openly that it was Emperor Jingwen's intention to assassinate him, so he had to pretend that it was the Hu people who ordered it. He did not expect that it would become irrefutable evidence that destroyed Sun's mansion.
He was not looking for a suitable excuse for Emperor Jingwen, but was targeting one of Emperor Jingwen's confidants, Lord Sun, the Minister of Punishments.
Since Emperor Jingwen was no longer able to put the blame on Meng Che, Zong Si took advantage of this opportunity.
In the future, he will make Emperor Jingwen even more uncomfortable.
There was a bit more complexity in King Xuan's eyes when he looked at him. How could he not notice that his own son had changed?
He didn't look at himself.
…
After leaving the palace, Zong Si was not in a hurry to return to the palace, but instead wanted to go to the Ningguo Mansion.
He had to explain the matter of Zhang He to Afu in time. He saved Zhang He that day only for her father's sake, and he did not carry her back personally. It was Qu Yang who did it.
"Sanlang." King Xuan called him.
Zong Si paused but did not look back.
King Xuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Your elder brother was instructed by me in that matter, so please don't make things difficult for him."
Zong Si said coldly: "Even if I make things difficult for him, what can you do?"
King Xuan was speechless.
"Your Highness should know that since I am not dead, I will have nothing to do with Prince Xuan's Mansion in private in the future." Zong Si said as he walked away.
…
While Ning Fu was reading at the entrance of the Bamboo Garden, she heard Dong Zhu say, "Fourth Miss, the prince has come to visit the Duke's Mansion and brought many gifts. The old lady doesn't know what to do now, so she sent Ruyi over. Please go and take a look."
Old Madam Ning had indeed never seen the Prince of Xuan’s Mansion, who was always so arrogant, flattering others like this.
Wei was also confused.
"I am here today to express my gratitude to the fourth young lady for saving my life." Zong Si said.
Ning Fu came over and heard this, but she was afraid that he was talking nonsense, so she asked: "What kind of tea would you like to drink, my lord?"
"I'll drink whatever the Fourth Miss wants me to drink." Zong Si tactfully didn't mention it again.
Ning Fu pondered for a moment and said, "My mother's room has received some good tea. How about you follow me to the second room, my son?"
Although there is no need to hide the matter of saving lives anymore, it still needs to be polished.
Zong Si followed her.
"This prince is much easier to talk to now." Wei said.
"I think it's only like this for Afu." Old Mrs. Ning said a little uneasily.
Wei said cautiously, "But our Afu's marriage has already been decided."
Old Mrs. Ning frowned, hoping that this would not be the case.
Mrs. Wei was somewhat unhappy. Her daughter's marriage was a mess, but A-Fu had a very good marriage.
But then she thought about how Afu had devoted herself to her daughter when it came to Wei Xiao's affairs, and that slight thought of comparison disappeared.
After all, Afu is good to the Duke's Mansion, Ayu, and Aran.
…
"Who asked the prince to come to the house without even informing me?" Ning Fu, who was on her way to the second house, started to settle accounts with her clansman.
"Didn't the old lady send someone to inform you?"
"The prince won't let Sister Fu come to inform." Ning Fu meant that he could only come to the Duke's Mansion with her consent.
Zong Si said: "Then you won't see me."
He was right, Nymph didn't want to see him today.
"Miss Zhang also has to return to Beijing now, and I can't let her come back alone, so I brought her with me. As for the life-saving grace, the one she should thank is Qu Yang. It was him who carried her back to the tent, and it was also him who applied medicine for her." Zong Si said.
Ning Fu said: "She did not even want a female talent for the sake of the prince."
"I didn't need her sacrifice. She didn't help me at all. But Afu's life-saving grace to me was real. Without Afu, there would be no Zongsi today. And Afu saved my life regardless of danger, which can be regarded as sacrifice."
To put it bluntly, Zhang He's sacrifice was just self-touching, while Ning Fu's sacrifice actually saved Zong Si's life.
It's not just a life, it's also his soul. Without that ray of warmth, he dared not think about what kind of withered person he would become.
Zong Si also figured out some things. Why did she reject him so much? He thought that after experiencing all these in his previous life, he must have become mentally distorted, poor at communication, extremely suspicious, and distrustful of everyone.
I'm afraid it left a shadow on her.
As for Zhang He, judging from what Ning Fu said, he seemed to have had something with her in his previous life. However, Zong Si couldn't figure out why he liked her in his previous life.
He couldn't find any clues.
"Since she doesn't want the title of female talent, that's perfect. I guess the reputation of female talent will be yours." Zong Si said.
Nymph: "..."
She glanced at him, but couldn't understand why he was so shameless.
But Nymph didn't know him well enough. There were countless such shameless scenes on the battlefield. As the saying goes, all is fair in war.
"The prince is a little afraid to return to the palace." Ning Fu quickly grasped the crux of his coming to the Duke's Mansion.
Zong Si paused but did not deny it.
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