Chapter 152 Zong Si Returns to Beijing (4)
Zong Si was probably afraid of being noticed, so he wore an ordinary black brocade robe. His face was dignified and handsome, and he looked noble but with the same distant and cold air as in his previous life.
This familiar feeling of indifference made Nymph stand there for a long time without moving.
"After just half a year of not seeing each other, Fourth Miss didn't recognize me?" the man asked in a calm and deep voice.
As soon as he opened his mouth, the feeling of indifference instantly disappeared, and people could discern the slight sarcasm in his words.
Nymph then breathed a sigh of relief, but looked around for a while first.
"I've checked, and there's no one else following us." Zong Si said when he saw that she was alert.
Nymph then decided to get on the carriage. She just lifted up her skirt and a hand reached out to her.
The man's knuckles were clearly visible, but he had been through a lot in the past year, so his knuckles were covered with thin calluses and healed wounds.
Just as Nymph was about to walk around him, he lowered his gaze and lifted her into the carriage.
Not far away, Yaoyao also noticed something was wrong and asked with concern: "Fourth Miss, you had an accident."
"I'm fine, Miss Yaoyao, please go back." Ning Fu didn't want Zong Si to recognize that Yaoyao was Jingcheng.
Zong Si said: "I came to the teahouse today just to see your cousin."
Nymph: "..."
She looked at the man warily. Although she knew that Zong Si knew Yaoyao's identity, she still had to be on guard when he brought it up so openly.
Zong Si comforted her, "Since Jingcheng is the fourth lady's cousin, she is also my cousin. I have no intention of making things difficult for her."
"What do you mean, my lord?" Ning Fu frowned slightly.
"Of course I love the whole family." Zong Si looked at her, "Although I have some opinions about your grandmother, but since you like Jingcheng so much, I will protect her."
Ning Fu lowered her eyes. It was hard to believe that these words came from Zong Si's mouth.
"How is my coachman?" She looked out of the carriage again worriedly.
"It's just a matter of activating his Xue. He will be able to unlock the system in an hour." Zong Si explained.
He knew Ningfu's bottom line. The people under her were all carefully selected by her. If he touched her people, it would undoubtedly annoy her. Therefore, he also knew his limits and would not do anything that would displease her.
"The previous Yuhuan was a concubine that Meng Ze planned to place beside you. She was not an ordinary girl from an ordinary family."
The so-called "placed girls" are maids who are selected and trained to be spies. They are naturally more sensitive and alert than ordinary women.
Nymph said: "I didn't let her follow me."
"Even if you let her follow me, I will have to deal with her when I return to Beijing." Zong Si naturally would not tolerate Ning Fu having anyone from Meng Ze around her, otherwise it would be a huge disaster in the future. Even if the couple has feelings for each other, they will fall apart sooner or later.
Ning Fu paused and understood. She thought that in her previous life, Zong Si also knew Yuhuan's identity, but he never interfered in her affairs. He probably thought that she still had feelings for Meng Ze and deliberately kept him by her side.
If he was more suspicious, he might think she was Meng Ze's spy.
As a husband, he must be somewhat unhappy to have done such a thing. Even if Zong Si disliked her, it did not mean that he was indifferent to the cuckolding.
Whether he tolerated her being a spy or tolerated her being cuckolded, Zong Si probably did not pursue the matter in his previous life because he had saved her life.
Ning Fu pondered for a moment and said, "The prince returned to Beijing early to inquire about the situation in the palace."
Now, Zong Si feels that there is a gap between himself and the palace, and he would be embarrassed to return home.
"The carriages are not traveling fast, so I will go back to the capital to see you first." He also helped her deal with the extra clues left in the Sixth Prince's mansion.
"I met Sister Ning earlier. She was extremely worried about the prince's condition." Ning Fu spoke for Zong Ning.
Zong Si curled the corner of his mouth. An Ning was naturally worried about her, and so was his mother. However, if she had to choose between the palace and him, his mother would not choose him.
However, he did not blame his mother and sister. As people in the palace, their duty was to protect the palace.
As for my father and my elder brother Zong Ting...
Zong Si raised the corner of his mouth, revealing a meaningful, cool smile.
"My lord, please don't think about those unhappy things anymore. What has passed has passed. Now that you are fine, you might as well look forward. You know who are the good people." Seeing that he was about to show coldness again, Ning Fu said hurriedly.
Zong Si paused for a moment, then softened his voice and said, "Okay, I'll listen to Afu."
Ning Fu lowered her eyes and said nothing. His tone made it seem as if she could be the master over him.
The two sat in the carriage, silent for a long time.
Nymph was lost in thought, and the man was patiently waiting for her to speak.
Zong Si now seems to be particularly patient.
"The affairs of the North have now been settled," Nymph started talking to him about business.
"Afu saved me at that time, and everything after that was under my control." After the Northern Land learned of his death, it would surely collapse and become lazy, and the eldest brother Zong Ting would also be busy fighting with the Meng Ze forces and the Jingwen Emperor forces.
When he emerged after gathering his strength, all the forces were naturally caught off guard. As for those who opposed him, they were dealt with. As long as he was alive and the Hu people invaded, how could Meng Ze properly establish his merits and swallow up his political legacy?
However, Meng Ze did not have this determination from the beginning. He thought that an arrogant army would eventually be defeated, and Zong Si also threw out a little bait. Meng Ze thought that he could also dare to give it a try, so he thought about asking Emperor Jingwen for permission and came up with the idea of swallowing up his political legacy.
When the carriage was about to reach the Ningguo Mansion, Zong Si said: "Don't use the beauty trap in front of Meng Ze in the future. He is not worthy of you. If A Fu really has something to plot, you'd better let me use the beauty trap and do it for you."
Ning Fu said to the man, "We are almost at the mansion. I have already arranged a marriage, and now I need to pay attention to my reputation. My Lord, please leave quickly."
Zong Si hadn't had time to mention her marriage yet, so he narrowed his eyes and said, "I forgot to mention that the fourth lady's marriage with Lu Xingzhi was decided very quickly."
Nymph did not waste any more time. When she passed an empty alley, she opened the curtain and drove him out of the carriage.
When had Zong Si ever been treated so coldly? Although he felt helpless, he was not really angry. He had missed her every day during the past six months in the north. Now that they finally met, how could he bear to be angry with her?
"Your Highness." Qu Yang felt that he was unlucky to have witnessed his master being despised by others, but his master seemed to be enjoying it. "Dr. Mu invites you to come and taste tea."
Zong Si retracted his gaze, regained his calm demeanor, and said, "Let's go."
After a moment, the man disappeared into the alley.
…
When Ning Fu returned to the mansion, Ning He said curiously: "Fourth sister, the pearl bracelet on your hand is so beautiful."
Nymph took a look and found that the pearls were of similar size and as bright and translucent as white jade, but she didn't know when Zong Si had put them on her.
Naturally, she felt a little complicated. The current Zong Si was completely different from the cold and indifferent person he was in his previous life. It was impossible to say that there was no fluctuation at all.
But to say that I'm moved is a little lacking.
"But it was given to fourth sister by Mr. Lu," Ning He asked curiously.
Ning Fu paused, and before she could say anything, she heard Ning He say: "Most of the gifts from Master Lu are meaningful things, rarely valuable things like this. Could it be the Sixth Prince? But it doesn't seem likely. Pearls are not produced in the capital. I haven't heard that the Sixth Prince left the capital. Could it be the Crown Prince?"
Ning He's guess was not blind. People in Beijing had already heard that Zong Si had set off for Beijing recently.
Moreover, the prince had also proposed to marry the fourth sister.
If it were to be told to others, others would only think that the prince looked down on the fourth sister. Who would know that it was the fourth sister who did not want to be with the prince?
Nymph put the bracelet away.
Regardless of whether she and Lu Xingzhi are successful or not, it is not appropriate for her to wear Zong Si's bracelet now.
A few days later, Rong Min, who had not been seen for a long time, actually took the initiative to visit the Ningguo Mansion.
Rong Min was already married, and had a bit more of the charm of a mature woman. She took her hand and said with a smile: "I didn't expect that your marriage would end up with Mr. Lu."
Rong Min had once secretly loved Lu Xingzhi, and had been at odds with Ning Fu over this, but now that they were married, all that was a thing of the past.
In fact, after getting married, it is not important to know which gentleman you like. Most marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers, but the love and affection between a man and his wife is lifelong.
Now Rongmin regretted very much that he had a bad temper and was unable to have fun with everyone.
Ning Fu smiled and teased her: "It seems that Sister Rong's husband treats Sister Rong very well, so Sister Rong can no longer look down on anyone."
"I knew you would still make fun of me about Mr. Lu." Rong Min reached out and tapped her forehead, saying, "Sister Xie's child has reached the fun age now, you must come with me to see her."
"I'll go with Sister Rong." Nymph said. Nowadays, women and kings meet each other less and less each time, so how can they not cherish each other.
Thinking that Zong Ning would probably go as well, Ning Fu put on the pearl bracelet that Zong Si gave her.
Xie Ruyi was already getting extremely upset over the household affairs. As the mistress of the prince's mansion, the pressure was not comparable to that of an ordinary mansion. But just seeing everyone, her mood improved a little.
The first child Xie Ruyi gave birth to Meng Che was a son, the grandson of Emperor Jingwen. Meng Che loved him so much that he spent most of his time taking care of the child every day when he returned from the palace.
Today, the child was only brought over hurriedly for everyone to take a few glances at, and then was taken away by Meng Che, leaving Xie Ruyi to reunite with everyone.
"The Fourth Prince is so good to Sister Xie." Zong Ning said. Now that Zong Si was fine, she felt much better than before.
Xie Ruyi's eyes showed some tenderness, and she said: "Yes, he is very good, so good that I have never regretted getting married." He is so good that if one day, if something happens to Meng Che, she will not stay out of it. Wherever he goes, she will be there.
Being a daughter-in-law of a royal family is not easy, but she has never regretted it.
Everyone thought that Xie Ruyi was just showing off her affection and laughed and teased her, except Ning Fu and Zong Ning, who did not say a word.
Behind Xie Ruyi's words, it represents her sharing of life and death with Meng Che.
Ning Fu looked at Zong Ning again. After this year, she was no longer as naive as before. She knew deeply what was behind the royal family.
Xie Ruyi looked at Ning Fu again and said with a smile: "The results of this year's female talent selection will be out soon. Sister Ning, are you paying attention?"
Ning Fu had paid attention to this matter before, but now, she didn't care so much about this false reputation, and said truthfully: "No."
"Sister Zhang went to the north and did not participate in the subsequent assessment. She was the only one who could compete with you. Now that she has lost the qualification for assessment, the title of female talent probably belongs to you." Xie Ruyi said.
She seemed to have something to say, but thinking that Nymph was already engaged, her eyes flickered and she did not mention it.
Ning Fu smiled openly and said, "Then I guess I got lucky. My mother said that good luck is also a skill."
Rongmin and Xie Ruyi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
After lunch, Rongmin was the first to leave.
Xie Ruyi said to Ning Fu: "Originally, I thought that your marriage with Sixth Brother was about to be settled." Meng Che was also a little worried about this matter.
Nymph smiled and said, "Marrying into the royal family is a feeling that ordinary people cannot endure."
These words hit Xie Ruyi's heart, and she was speechless for a moment.
After careful consideration, Xie Ruyi said.
"I know my husband may not be able to ascend to that position, and I also know that Meng Ze and the prince will not let my husband go if they succeed in the future, but I am not afraid of this. If that day really comes, I will do it for my dignity. But there is one thing I hope Afu can help with."
Ning Fu promised: "If I have the ability, I will save Sister Xie's child's life."
This was not the first time the two had talked about this matter, and now that they were talking about it again, it was obvious that Xie Ruyi had heard something about the situation behind it.
Xie Ruyi's eyes were slightly red.
"But... I also have a request to ask Sister Xie. If the Fourth Prince becomes estranged from my brother in the future, I hope Sister Xie will try her best to save my brother's life." Ning Fu said.
She glanced at Meng Che who was not far away.
Of course, Ning Fu wasn't talking to Xie Ruyi; she was talking to Meng Che.
It was true that she felt pity for Xie Ruyi, but she was willing to agree to keep the child for her just to do Meng Che a favor. Even if Meng Che was in a desperate situation in the future, if her brother was also in that desperate situation, he would definitely think twice because of the child.
The entire Fourth Prince's Mansion would never recover, and Meng Che knew which was more important, saving the child's life or not.
Meng Che had a smile on his face. As long as his wife was around, he was not afraid of any situation.
He married the best woman in the world.
However, he had never thought of asking her to die with him. If one day, he would undoubtedly die, he would personally find a good husband for her. Although it would be a humiliation for the royal family for the prince's wife to remarry, he never cared about it.
He just wanted his wife to be safe.
Meng Che withdrew his thoughts, but Lu Xingzhi beside him was a little distracted.
Meng Che and Xie Ruyi were like this in both lives.
And what he longed for in his heart might be this kind of feeling.
"Mr. Lu, do you need me to call the fourth lady for you?" Meng Che said.
"Then I'll trouble Your Highness the Fourth Prince." Lu Xingzhi said.
Now that the two of them are engaged, as long as Meng Che doesn't make it public, there's no problem in meeting them. Besides, the two of them have never cared about such things in the Duke's Mansion.
Ning Fu was not surprised that Lu Xingzhi appeared in the Fourth Prince's Mansion. Now that he was her chosen husband, she would naturally not get along with Meng Ze, who had plans for her.
For Yu Mengche, this is someone worth winning over.
"Mr. Lu, would you like to try some grapes?" Ning Fu asked. These were given to the emperor's grandson as a reward from the palace, and they tasted delicious.
Lu Xingzhi was not a greedy person, but since she offered it to him, he did not refuse.
“How does it taste?”
"Sweet." Sweet in the heart.
In his previous life, he rarely received such treatment.
Lu Xingzhi understood why Zongduo always liked to eat the lady's food when he returned home. If his wife fed him personally, it would be difficult for him to refuse, otherwise he would seem ungrateful.
Zong Ning, who was standing aside, felt jealous for her third brother. Don't think she didn't see that Mr. Lu was deliberately seducing Sister Ning. He was just enjoying the favor Sister Ning showed him.
Originally, Sister Ning was my sister-in-law.
Lu Xingzhi glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and swallowed the grapes slowly.
Before Ning Fu left, she remembered the pearl bracelet and gave it to Zong Ning.
Although Zong Ning was a little surprised, he still took it.
Lu Xingzhi also saw the pearl bracelet and his eyes couldn't help but flash.
In his previous life, he did not buy this bracelet.
The old woman selling the bracelet said that if you give this bracelet to someone you love, the love will last long.
But at this time in his previous life, he had no one he liked, and the price of this bracelet was too unreasonable, so he just left in a hurry after passing by.
"Sir, buy this bracelet and give it to the girl you like within three days. You will have a happy and fulfilling life." The old woman called him from behind.
He sneered, thinking that if even blood relatives were calculating, how perfect could the relationship between husband and wife be?
In this life, Zong Si bought it.
The bracelet appeared in Nymph's hand again, and it seemed that someone had hurried back.
If a man believes in such superstitious words, he will lose his rationality and it will be the beginning of his downfall.
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