Chapter 67 I Like It
Zong Si pulled the corner of his mouth and said lightly: "Who can make me unhappy?"
However, if a man is simply classified as "not so good" by a woman he has slept in the same bed with, he will inevitably feel resentful.
If it really didn't work, it would be fine, but he suffered the loss because it was his first time and he didn't know how to do it.
Zongduo felt the same way.
Who else could let his third brother suffer emotionally?
"Then why are you distracted?"
He rubbed his forehead and said, "I'm fine, I just have a headache about the transportation of supplies."
When Zong Si returned home, Princess Xuan also asked similar questions.
After hearing that nothing happened, Princess Xuan felt relieved, but also thought that she was overly suspicious. Sanlang never spent too much energy on matters between men and women. If he was really such a playboy, he would have had countless concubines in his mansion.
"Then Miss Mu Liu will come to the capital in the middle of this month. I will invite her to my house then. You can stay at home that day so that it will be convenient for you to see each other." Princess Xuan said.
Although she was quite satisfied with Mu Liu, who was well-educated, well-behaved, and had been raised by Old Madam Mu since childhood and was the most favored by her, she was married to Sanlang after all, so she still had to be approved by Sanlang.
"Okay." Zong Si said.
"You have never been passionate about your lifelong affairs. People who don't know you might suspect that you are homosexual." Princess Xuan glared at him. It was annoying that the young man in this family was too close to women. It was not good to be so indifferent, which made people anxious.
Zong Si still behaved indifferently.
I just remembered what Nymph said that day, "It doesn't matter if I just take a nap."
When Zong Si thought of this, he became a little impatient. In fact, it might be a good thing that Ning Fu rejected him. Otherwise, with such a mistress, the children she raised might have bad behavior.
But then he thought that maybe they had a child in their previous life, and who knows what kind of person she had taught him, and his eyes were filled with dark clouds.
However, Prince Xuan's Mansion was busy arranging the meeting between Zong Si and the Queen. Duke Ning's Mansion was also very busy with Ning Fu's coming-of-age ceremony.
Madam Ning loved her daughter the most, so she attached great importance to this celebration. From the food to the entertainment of the guests, everything was arranged by her. The chef invited from the most famous Yunhe Restaurant in Beijing was the chef in the kitchen, and the cost of a day's invitation was a thousand gold coins. The opera troupe invited was also not something that ordinary mansions could afford.
Seeing her extravagance, Wei was somewhat dissatisfied and complained to Old Madam Tong Ning.
"Okay, don't keep an eye on her every day." Old Madam Ning didn't want to bother herself with such trivial matters. She said, "When you were in charge of the household expenses, you bought a lot of things for Yu'er. When did the second wife ever complain about it?"
Wei said earnestly, "Grandfather, when have I ever been as extravagant as her? Besides, Yu'er is the eldest son of the Duke's Mansion. I am just afraid of losing the reputation of the Duke's Mansion."
Old Madam Ning was also annoyed that she did this but refused to admit it, so she could not help but say in a cold voice: "In my eyes, there is no distinction between the young and old girls in the Duke's Mansion. They are all children of our Duke's Mansion, even Ah He is the same."
Mentioning Ning He was a warning to her, the mistress, not to mistreat the child just because she was a concubine. Old Madam Ning knew what Wei had done, but she just turned a blind eye and didn't want to hurt the relationship.
Wei remained silent.
"If you have the ability, go and tell the second wife that it is more useful to tell Liu that she is wasteful than to come to me." Ever since Liu took charge of the household chores, the Duke's Mansion had gradually become more well-off. Old Madam Ning naturally regretted being partial to the first wife, because that had affected the Duke's Mansion.
Now let’s talk about the problem and help whoever is right.
Although Wei was unhappy, she didn't dare to bring it up again.
"Your two children are married, and you're still arguing with her." Old Madam Ning still felt sorry for the first wife. Seeing that she had listened, she slowed down her voice and said, "Zhenyuan is in Liangzhou now and can't come back. Afu and Azheng's marriages are still a headache. The second wife must be anxious. We are all family. If you still care about it at this critical moment, the second wife will be heartbroken if they know."
Wei sympathized with the second wife in this matter and couldn't help but sigh: "Zheng'er is a man, it doesn't matter if he waits for another two years. It's a pity that Afu has grown up to be so beautiful now."
Old Madam Ning sighed in her heart: "Forget it, it's all fate. As a mother, you should start to worry about Ah He's marriage."
"Aunt, you have to choose a good marriage for Ah He." When Ning Fu was at the door, she happened to hear her grandmother talking about Ah He, and she smiled and said, "Grandma, please ask Ah He to come and sit with us."
"Your mother is not restraining you today?" said Old Lady Ning. A few days ago, she had been asking Ning Fu to buy head ornaments and jewelry.
"It's hard to choose from such a wide variety of jewels. Come and relax for a while here, grandma." Nymph said with a smile.
Old Madam Ning ordered Ruyi to call Ning He over and said, "Since Fu is worried about Ah He, release her from the ban and let her come to see her fourth sister."
Ning Fu had a plan in mind, fearing that something might have happened in the first wife's house while she was away from the capital.
Wei poured her some tea and said kindly, "Your mother has been busy these days. She has always loved you. Your coming-of-age ceremony is probably one of the best in the capital."
Ning Fu joked, "My mother said that in order to hold my coming-of-age ceremony, she would empty all her dowry for me." This was naturally said to Wei. Wei was concerned about money and would easily get angry about these things. It would be better to let her think that my mother was spending her dowry. As for what money was really spent, the finances were in my mother's hands and she had the final say.
Wei's expression became better. "If you need help from your aunt, just ask your mother to call me."
Nymph nodded.
After a while, she heard a timid "Grandma". She turned her head and saw Ning He walking in from outside.
Compared to nine months ago, she hasn't changed much, just a little taller.
When she saw Ningfu, she was not like the others, with a flash of surprise in her eyes. Instead, she felt relieved and whispered, "Fourth sister."
Then he said to Wei: "Mother."
"Your fourth sister is always talking about you," said Old Lady Ning.
Tears flashed in Ning He's eyes.
Ning Fu waved at her, and she quickly walked over to her, took her hand, and never let go of her hand during the rest of her chat with Old Lady Ning.
Although Nymph was talking to the old lady, she was holding her tightly.
After the two of them left Qin Garden, Ning Fu asked, "Why did you stop walking again?"
Ning He whispered, "It was my aunt. She was pregnant before, but the child was not kept. My aunt was in a bad mood. My zodiac sign and the child's were in conflict. She blamed me for killing the child and locked me up... My aunt said it was a younger brother and I ruined her future."
As soon as she finished speaking, tears began to fall. Nymph wiped them away gently with a handkerchief: "Didn't your grandmother speak for you?"
"My aunt fell seriously ill because of this, so grandma couldn't intervene." Ning He choked up and said, "Today, I have you as an excuse, and my aunt is feeling better now."
Ning Fu cursed Zhang in her heart for being stupid. Even if it was just for profit, she only had one child. If she didn't treat him well, she would have no one to rely on when she got old. She had mentioned this to Zhang before. As for the unborn child, even if there were no accidents, it might not be born.
In the backyard, there is no shortage of these dirty things.
"Let's go to Bamboo Garden today and sleep with me," Nymph coaxed, "You must be scared after being locked up alone for so long."
Ning He's eyes became moist again.
She was under house arrest in a remote courtyard, and no one came except the maid who brought her meals.
She was scared every day.
Every day, she felt as if she would never be able to leave this yard again, and even if she died in the yard, no one would notice.
Ning He could only recall the days when she was with her fourth sister and was protected by her.
The aunt laughed at her coldly, "Who would care about you, a lowly concubine's daughter? Do you think the fourth lady really takes you seriously? She just calls you to come and dismiss you at will, and treats you as a tool to kill time."
Ning He said in her heart, no, she had seen many concubines, as long as they had a concubine by their side, they all lived well. And no one cared about her, just because even the concubine who gave birth to her didn't care about her.
And she believed that her fourth sister would not just treat her as a tool.
Today, when she heard her grandmother say that her fourth sister was thinking about her, she felt very happy. She was not a poor person who was ignored by everyone.
"I want to sleep with you recently." Ning He wiped her tears and said more presumptuously in front of her.
"Okay." Nymph said.
When Ning Zheng saw Ning He, he was also very kind and gave her a portion of the snacks he prepared for Ning Fu: "Fifth sister, try some too."
Ning He was a little flattered.
At night, Nymph discovered that her body was still covered with scars, but she did not ask much. She just let her lie on the bed and cleaned her wounds with salt water.
"Fourth sister, I heard that there is a big rift between Prince Xuan's Mansion and Princess Kangyang's Mansion." Ning He lay on Ning Fu's soft bed, feeling her pity.
"I can't deal with it at all." said Nymph.
"Princess Xuan has taken a fancy to the sixth young lady of Marquis Mu'an's mansion. What should you and the Crown Prince do then?" Ning He turned around and asked her. The Crown Prince kissed her fourth sister that day in Guanghe Tower. After thinking about it, she also felt that the Crown Prince should be responsible.
Ning Fu thought that if Ah He knew what happened in Yongzhou, she would be terrified. But it was not just Ah He, Ah Mother might not be able to bear it either.
"I'll take you to buy two sets of clothes tomorrow." Nymph changed the subject.
Ning He knew what to do and didn't ask any more questions. She just put the coming-of-age gift she made for her in front of her like she was presenting a treasure: "I made it when I was under house arrest. I'll show it to you today. I'm afraid there will be too many treasures and you won't be able to see them all."
It was a string of beads that she had strung together by hand, and each bead was of very high quality. I guess he had strung together all his finest jewellery to give to her.
"Fifth sister is really skillful, I like it." Nymph said.
Ning He couldn't help but smile.
She was not just talking about it. She put on the bracelet the next day when she took Ning He to buy clothes. The emerald green jade was the embellishment on her slender white wrist, adding a touch of color.
For fear of running into Yue Niang, Ning Fu did not go to Hongxiu Pavilion today, but went to Tianxiang Tower. However, in the store, she ran into Princess Xuan and a gentle-looking lady, who was pretty, elegant, dignified and generous.
This must be Miss Mu Liu, Ning Fu guessed.
"Princess, I'm fine." Ning Fu would not lose her manners.
Princess Xuan just gestured, then withdrew her gaze coldly and started chatting with Mu Liu about clothes.
Mu Liu took a closer look at her. He had heard that the fourth young lady of the Ningguo Mansion was the most beautiful. He didn't know if it was the fourth young lady, but the other lady next to her was also very beautiful.
Ning Fu has always been generous to her own people, and she also intended to let Ning He shine at her coming-of-age ceremony, a young man with a good appearance, so she bought her a wide-sleeved skirt, which was also a rare one.
It’s not that Ning Fu thinks Ning He has to get married, but as for Yu He, she cares about marriage, so Ning Fu makes plans for her.
After they picked out their dresses, they decided to go to a nearby teahouse and sit for a while.
"Sir, what is the name of this tea? It tastes bitter at first, but gradually becomes sweeter and mellower, and then becomes fragrant again when it enters the throat. It is rare to have such a complex taste."
Ning Fu suddenly heard a female voice. When she looked up, she saw Zong Si looking at her from the corner of his eyes in a private room not far away with an open curtain. His eyes were cold and he looked away after just one glance.
"If Miss Mu likes it, you can take some tea back." Zong Si said lightly.
Ning Fu took Ning He to sit in the corner, where they could enjoy the scenery outside the window, which was the perfect place to go with their tea.
Ning He was a little uncomfortable at first, but when she saw that her fourth sister didn't care, she relaxed. The two of them drank tea and talked about the clothes they bought today.
However, beauties always attract attention, causing people in the teahouse to look at her frequently.
"Shopkeeper, I'd like to treat the two beauties upstairs to this tea." said the dashing man downstairs.
Zong Si stroked the wall of the cup and glanced downstairs.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir, but it's not necessary. I will treat the guests of the teahouse today." Ning Fu said with a smile.
A visit to this teahouse is quite expensive, so she was revealing her background in a tactful way to discourage such rash people.
Sure enough, no one came to disturb her again.
Mu Liu looked at her. The beauty sitting there drinking tea quietly, which was quite charming. She couldn't help but look at Zong Si, but he didn't even glance at her.
"Is that the girl from the Ningguo Mansion?" Mu Liu asked.
Zong Si looked at her and didn't answer, but his mood seemed a little cold.
Mu Liu knew why he was so cold. Mu Anhoufu had also heard about his relationship with Kang Yang. If he had not been under house arrest by Emperor Jingwen, the two would have met long ago.
"There are beauties everywhere in the capital." Mu Liu looked at him and said.
"It's just an empty shell. What matters most is one's moral character." Zong Si said calmly.
Mu Liu felt relieved: "The fourth lady paid for us, can you please come forward and express your gratitude?"
Zong Si was silent for a moment and said, "No need."
When Ning Fu left, she passed by his private room but did not look at him again. She treated him no different from the scoundrel downstairs. She did not care. To her, he was just like that stranger.
Zong Si took a sip of tea. Perhaps because the tea was cold, it had no taste.
"Which young man was the fourth young lady promised to?" Mu Liu wanted to know who got such a beauty.
Zong Si frowned imperceptibly, feeling slightly impatient and annoyed by Mu Liu's gossip.
Why do you care so much about other people's affairs?
When Princess Xuan arrived at the teahouse, Zong Si had important business to attend to in the palace, so he left first.
Lu Xingzhi is about to return to Beijing, so he has to fight for a position for him.
"Lord Lu sacrificed his life for the stability of Liangzhou. If we want future generations to follow his example and fight for Dayan, the emperor's attitude towards Lord Lu is extremely important." Zong Si said.
As for what Emperor Jingwen considered in his mind, no one knew, but the final decision was almost the same as what Zong Si had imagined.
On the day Lu Xingzhi returned to Beijing, he went to the palace first.
"Xingzhi, you have worked hard this year," Emperor Jingwen said kindly.
He was granted the rank of fourth-rank military commander. At his age, if he moves up a level, he will have a bright future.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Xingzhi said.
"But your clothes today are a bit shabby." Emperor Jingwen joked.
It’s not that the fabric is bad, the material is excellent, but the stitching is a bit rough.
In fact, Ning Fu's craftsmanship was not crude, but Emperor Jingwen used the best, so her needlework was not good enough.
Lu Xingzhi glanced at Zong Si, then smiled and said, "The person who made this dress for me has never done this kind of work before, so he is not very good at it, but I like it."
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