Chapter 13 Hitting the Spot
There was a mother who came from a princess's mansion. Her dowry was extremely rich, so it took some effort to find Zhuo Yao.
It is made of burning sandalwood, which is much heavier than ordinary bows, but has better elasticity. The whole body is dark red, and the black jade inlaid on the bow arm is transparent. Common jades are either clear like lake water or bright like the red sun, or various types of yellow jadeite. Pure black jade is rare. These few jades alone are priceless.
This time, Nymph did not see the hidden picture album that taught couples how to behave.
Having just been reborn, she added comments after appreciating the work. If it was seen by outsiders, she would never be able to face anyone again, and Zong Si would not let her go. I'm afraid his face would be blacker than ink.
But Ning Fu did not think much about it. The warehouse was heavily guarded and no one dared to come in. There were so many things, most of them were hidden in some corner.
It is almost the beginning of winter. If Ning Fu wants to visit the Lu Mansion, she has to wait until after the beginning of winter. Ning Ran, the second daughter of the Ningguo Mansion who has married, has also returned to the mansion.
It is not easy for a married woman to return to her parents' home, but Ning Ran married well, and her mother, Wei, was also a daughter of the Wei family. This marriage was a close one, and her husband's family agreed with her.
Ning Ran was very beautiful, like a winter plum blossom, aloof and arrogant. Now that her life was going well, she had become a little rounder, but her charm was not diminished at all, on the contrary, she was even more charming.
Ning Ran's personality is such that she looks down on everyone and hates everyone equally. There is not a single female ruler in the capital that she likes. If there is anyone who is an exception, then Ning Fu can barely be considered an exception.
When Ning Fu was a child, she was bullied by her and was made to cry countless times by her malicious behavior. However, if there was a good thing, Ning Ran would only think of her.
Let’s look at Ning Ran’s husband Wei Xiao. Although his appearance is not outstanding, he is handsome and strong. He is also the eldest son of the Wei family and has a decent demeanor.
Wei Xiao also glanced at his sister-in-law. After seeing Ningfu clearly, he was stunned. He didn't expect that Ningfu had grown into such a beautiful girl.
Ning Ran glanced at him sideways with an unhappy look.
Wei Xiao looked away awkwardly, and couldn't help but look serious. He clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Grandmother, aunt, I have work to do at night, so I'll take my leave first."
He has always respected Ning Ran. Marrying the daughter of the Duke of Ning was already a bargain for him. His future prospects depended on the Duke's Mansion. Even if Ning Ran gave him a cold shoulder, he was willing to endure it.
Wei wanted to see him off, but Ning Ran stopped her: "Mother, don't worry about him. Just let him go back by himself."
Wei Xiao also said the same thing, and then said to Ning Ran: "I will come to pick you up in two days."
The couple had been married for a short time and had a very good relationship. They were reluctant to part even after being apart for just two days.
Seeing this, Mrs. Wei and Old Lady Ning were extremely satisfied. If a man's heart is not on his wife, then it will be on other women. Wei Xiao's attitude showed that he was wholeheartedly devoted to Ning Ran.
When Ning Ran returned home, she naturally talked with the old lady and Mrs. Wei first.
It was already the second day that Ning Fu was able to talk to her alone. Ning Ran had asked her maid to invite her early.
The orchid garden of the eldest wife's house was much more lively today. Even the fifth sister Ning He came today, but she was sent away after asking about her well-being.
Ning Ran doesn't like her half-sister Ning He.
"Sister Ran." Ning Fu called out.
"I heard about Princess Xuan's meeting with Grandmother that day. You don't have to take it to heart." Ning Ran said with a smile, "The prince told me in his early years that he liked the second Miss Xie and would not marry anyone else. No matter how beautiful other women were, it made no difference to him."
Zong Si actually never said this to her. When she went to see him, he ignored her. But she could lose to Xie Ruyi, after all, Xie Ruyi's family background and appearance were better than hers, but she couldn't lose to others.
Nymph said: "I never took it to heart."
Ning Ran didn't believe it, and thought that the little girl was just being stubborn because she wanted to save face. Just like her, she still hadn't completely gotten over being rejected by Zong Si, but she had to pretend that she had let it go.
Women also have a desire to conquer. Who wouldn't want to see a powerful man fall for them? But in the end, they are often the ones who fall for him.
"Grandmother also thought that since you won first place in archery, Prince Xuan's Mansion would look upon you with new eyes. I didn't expect..." Ning Ran sighed.
Ningfu didn't say anything. The thing she disliked most about her second sister was that she was too self-centered. She felt good when others were not doing well. It seemed like she felt sorry for her, but in fact she was in a very good mood.
If I don't have a good life, others can't have an easy life either. This kind of mentality is unacceptable and will only make you countless enemies.
However, she did not persuade Ning Ran. People's nature cannot be changed overnight. If they suffer losses in the future, they will naturally change on their own initiative.
"What has Aunt been doing these days?" Ning Ran asked about the business.
Ning Fu was cautious. According to common sense, Ning Ran would not deliberately mention her mother, just like she would not mention her aunt Wei. Once she mentioned her, it meant something was wrong.
Could it be what my grandmother mentioned last time, about helping my aunt manage the affairs of the Duke's Mansion?
"He's busy watching me study." Nymph said, which was not false and made sense.
There are still several exams after the new year, so Ning Fu’s studies are naturally more important right now, so Ning Ran didn’t ask any more questions.
In the afternoon, he personally went to Heting Garden and gave her some Longjing tea that was just released this year: "I know Auntie doesn't lack good tea, but since I got it, I still wanted to give her some."
Madam Ning smiled and said, "I am very happy that you can remember me."
Ning Ran politely explained her purpose. It was indeed for the household affairs. Madam Ning did not say anything final. She only said regretfully, "I'm afraid I won't be able to spare the time before the New Year."
"Aunt, you should naturally take care of A-Fu's affairs first. It will be fine if I can help you next year." Ning Ran said, "My mother is embarrassed to trouble you. As a daughter, I can't bear to see her worrying about the affairs of the mansion every day, so I took the initiative to nag you."
In fact, with Wei's temperament, if she was really embarrassed to trouble others, she would have stopped Ning Ran from coming.
Furthermore, Wei's work was not for the sake of the mansion, but for profit. With the household expenses in hand, she must have made a lot of money in the past ten years.
Ning Ran's words not only flattered Wei, but also set a trap for Madam Ning. If she did not help, it would mean that she did not care about the Duke's Mansion.
"Sister Ran, the reason why mother personally supervises my studies is because she is afraid that I will lose face for the Duke's Mansion." Ning Fu said with a smile. Everyone does it for the Duke's Mansion, and everyone knows how to flatter.
Ning Ran couldn't help but glance at Ning Fu. She seemed much more mature and tactful than the last time they met.
She sat in the Lotus Pavilion for half an hour and then said goodbye.
"It seems that Sister Ran came back home this time just for this matter." The eldest aunt was too embarrassed to do so, so she found Ning Ran, the lobbyist.
Madam Ning didn't care. She thought that unless Wei came to talk to her in person, it would be useless if anyone else came.
"Mother, what should we do if our aunt gets a big hole?" Ning Fu reminded gently.
"When the time comes, it will be easier to talk."
Ning Fu was reluctant to use the second house's assets to fill the gap, and said, "Mother, why don't you let me try to do business."
The pharmacy where she previously removed Princess Xuan's scars was of considerable pedigree and was a good place. If she opened a shop, she would probably make a fortune.
Madam Ning frowned and said, "I advise you not to have any evil thoughts." In Dayan, agriculture is more important than commerce, and if an unmarried woman from an official family goes into business, she will be looked down upon.
Ning Fu sighed in her heart, wondering how her mother would feel if she knew that the woman her brother would like in the future was the daughter of the Fu family, a famous merchant family in Dayan.
Ning Ran was taken away by Wei Xiao after the beginning of winter.
He couldn't wait even a day, so after finishing his shift, he didn't go back home, but went straight to the Ningguo Mansion.
Ning Fu was somewhat touched. She knew it best. Wei Xiao had been doing this for six years. When she and Zong Si had just married, she went back to her parents' home alone. Wei Xiao was puzzled and asked her why Zong Si didn't go back with her.
Later, she was always alone, and Wei Xiao understood the reason and didn't ask any more questions.
The pride that Ning Fu felt when she first married Zong Si was gradually worn away.
.
The day Ning Fu went to see Lu Xingzhi, she specially wore a lotus pink straight-sleeved waist-covering skirt. The fabric of the skirt was light and thin, not thick even in winter, and her waist was still slender. The light pink color made her look delicate and cute, and added a bit of color to this plain season.
The fox cloak worn on the outside is still white, but it brings out the pink inside, giving it a vague and hazy beauty, as gorgeous as lotus and as elegant as peony.
Ning Fu was invited by Madam Lu, and her fifth sister Ning He, who had not been seen for a long time, was with her.
The Lu family has few members, most of whom are working in other places. Now among his peers, only Lu Xingzhi is in the capital.
This was the first time Ningfu met Mrs. Lu. She was different from all the women she had met before. She was dressed simply, had no makeup on, and was taking care of flowers and plants.
"Long live Madam Lu." Ning Fu whispered.
Madam Lu glanced at her and said casually, "Miss, are you here to thank Xingzhi for teaching you archery? He is in the study, you can go find him yourself. Go left to the room at the end."
Ning Fu thought for a moment and said, "Last time, I should have gone to thank you with my mother, but the lady went back to her parents' home to visit her relatives."
Mrs. Lu looked at the well-behaved and pretty little girl in front of her and smiled, "I was the one who told you that you don't have to come, mother. I don't like socializing."
Ning Fu had a better impression of the Lu family. With Mrs. Lu's personality, she must be someone easy to get along with.
The Lu Mansion was only half the size of the Ningguo Mansion, and the study was not difficult to find. Ning Fu looked at the burning light in her hand and knocked on the door of the study: "Mr. Lu."
Lu Xingzhi was discussing the case of Lord Song's bribery with Zong Si when he stopped talking when he heard the voice.
Nymph's voice is very recognisable.
"Don't keep the fourth young lady waiting for too long." Zong Si said after a moment of silence.
Lu Xingzhi looked at him for a while before he stood up and opened the study door.
Zong Si was in the study room and could just see what was happening outside. Even the dumbest person would know that the young lady had dressed up very carefully today, and that was not an ordinary effort.
As soon as Ning Fu saw Lu Xingzhi, she felt happier and shared with him happily: "I won first place in archery."
Lu Xingzhi and Zong Si were talking about a tense situation, but when he saw her smiling, his expression gradually softened and he said, "I heard about it."
"Thanks to you, thank you for teaching me so carefully."
Nymph brought the Zhuoyao bow that had been placed aside to him and said, "This bow is called Zhuoyao. It was General Shentu's personal weapon in the previous life. I'm giving it to you."
This sentence made Zong Si in the study room pause slightly and recalled the dream that day.
Lu Xingzhi's eyes were complicated, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or unhappy. He was stunned for a moment, then glanced into the study, and then said, "This thank-you gift is too expensive."
"I don't want to give it to anyone else, I only want to give it to you." Nymph said.
But after saying it, Ning Fu felt a little embarrassed. When she coaxed Zong Si to consummate their marriage, she seemed to have used similar words, nothing new.
Lu Xingzhi stared at her and pursed his lips.
Just when Ning Fu thought he was going to refuse, he took Zhuo Yao and said, "Okay."
"But I heard that the prince has always wanted Zhuo Yao." Lu Xingzhi said to Ning Fu, "If you give Zhuo Yao to me, the prince will regret it."
After saying that, he looked straight at the person in the study. Although he was calm and composed, Zong Si still sensed a hint of provocation.
But after a moment, Lu Xingzhi looked at Ningfu again, waiting for her answer.
"The prince's regret is not my concern. I only consider your feelings." The young lady outside the door said.
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