Chapter 48 Yongzhou City
Before Zong Si could speak, Zong Ning responded for him: "Second brother, your question is really useless. When Third Brother came back, he must have taken care of the matter."
"Your second brother is talking to your third brother, why do you have to say anything?" Princess Xuan put down her chopsticks and frowned.
Zong Ning shut up and looked at his mother pitifully, then at Zong Si, hoping that he could say a few good words for him.
However, it was obvious that Zong Si had no intention of indulging her in this matter and remained silent.
"Aunt, we are all family, there is no need to be so distant!" Zong Duo said seriously. This was how he and Zong Ning had always gotten along.
Princess Xuan also knew that her daughter had no bad intentions, but she was too well protected and everyone was willing to flatter her, so she was a little spoiled. She sighed and said, "It's fine to be like this at home, but I'm afraid she won't be able to change her temper when she goes out."
When Zong Ning saw Princess Xuan’s sullen face, he bowed his head and admitted his mistake.
Princess Xuan's expression eased a little, and she said to Zong Si, "A few days ago, Yue Niang sent someone to send you a few sets of clothes. The embroidery stitches are very delicate. I'm afraid you can't find any in the whole Dayan with more delicate workmanship than this. You also know that she always cares about your affairs."
Now that her marriage is not settled, Princess Xuan has started thinking about taking a concubine. Sanlang is a young man of marriageable age, so he must have a woman by his side.
She had also seen the good in Yue Niang over the years. She was considerate and thoughtful, and had no ulterior motives. If it had not been for that... I'm afraid it would have happened.
But it’s not too late now.
"Yue Niang is living such a comfortable life now, why should mother want her to serve a man?" Zong Si said, "Besides, mother should still remember what happened back then."
Princess Xuan no longer mentioned Na Yue Niang's matter. Anyone would have felt resentful about that incident.
She looked at Zong Si again, but she didn't know whether Sanlang had really fallen in love with Yue Niang back then.
After dinner, Zong Duo went to Zong Si’s Jinghuaju. The two brothers met to discuss serious matters.
"Are there any clues so soon?" Zongduo had not expected it to be so fast, so he was a little surprised to see him come back today.
However, when Zong Si left the capital this time, he was investigating the death of Li Fang, the former governor of Yongzhou. Li Fang had just been transferred from Yongzhou to Danzhou a month ago, and had just written to Prince Xuan's palace to discuss the Yongzhou turmoil, when he suddenly contracted malaria and died. This was too strange.
Zong Si said, "Before I even arrived in Danzhou, Li Fang's body had already been burned by his wife, and the Li family tried every means to stop me from investigating the matter. I'm afraid Li Fang's death is closely related to the group of people in Yongzhou."
However, Li Fang is an important person, but the evidence is currently cut off.
"They even dare to kill officials appointed by the imperial court. Do those corrupt officials in Yongzhou really think they can cover the sky with one hand?" Zongduo said angrily.
"I'm just afraid that there is someone there who has become the local bully." Zong Si said.
Although Princess Kangyang gave up her power and went to Yongzhou, her influence is still spread throughout the court and the country. She has been singing a different tune from Prince Xuan's palace for many years, and many of those who have been trying to trip her up behind the scenes are birds of a feather like Kangyang.
Not to mention Yongzhou, I'm afraid it has already been completely under her control.
Li Fang wanted to file a complaint against Yongzhou, which would certainly involve Princess Kangyang's mansion, so he was killed.
Zong Duo said with disgust: "Kang Yang is just relying on the military power held by the Prince of Jin to act so arrogantly, but the military power of the Prince of Jin is gradually declining. Once the Prince of Jin loses power, she will not have a good ending!"
Such a vicious woman deserves to be punished!
She is a thorn in the side of Emperor Jingwen and will be liquidated sooner or later.
"Why not use Li Fang's incident to direct the blame towards her this time?" Zongduo suggested.
Zong Si said, "She knows the current situation of the King of Jin, so she wants to win the credit of following the King before he falls, so as to protect the power of her Princess Mansion. The connections she has accumulated over the years are still there, and they cannot be underestimated now, so she should not act rashly."
Zongduo also knew this. If Kangyang was so easy to resolve, Emperor Jingwen would not have refrained from taking action and allowed her to go to Yongzhou.
Zong Si said: "Kang Yang has been unsure about his granddaughter's marriage. I'm afraid he has plans to marry her to the crown prince in the future." If he helps the fourth prince ascend the throne and his granddaughter becomes a concubine, the power of the Princess's Mansion will be secure.
However, Zong Si remembered another thing. Ning Fu went to Yongzhou just when Li Fang got into trouble. She had lived a lifetime and naturally knew a lot of things. She probably went to Yongzhou for this matter.
No wonder you have to go to Yongzhou.
Zong Si narrowed his eyes. Miss Ning Si really knew how to take advantage of the opportunity.
Because of Li Fang's matter, he and she would probably be in a tit-for-tat situation.
"Speaking of which, it might be convenient for Fourth Miss Ning and Young Master Lu to meet now." Zong Duo said.
Zong Si sneered lightly.
After Zongduo left, Zong Si went to Qingtian Pavilion.
"My lord, do you want to send someone to deliver these prepared items to Fourth Miss Ning in Yongzhou?" Fu Jiahui didn't dare to make a decision on her own on this matter.
Zong Si was silent for a while, as if he was weighing the pros and cons, and finally said calmly: "No need."
Because of their past love, he thought it was okay to marry her, but when he calmed down, he realized that it was not an easy task. Even if he was responsible for Nymph, the two of them would probably become enemies in the end.
It was actually a good thing for him that Fourth Miss Ning did not pursue his crossing the line that day. If he had gone astray, it would not be easy to put things right.
Judging from her attitude, they would not have been a couple who shared weal and woe in their previous life. Perhaps it is because of these conflicts of interest that they why they should go back to the old path in this life.
Fu Jiahui lamented how ruthless men are. On that day, Zong Si was obviously a little moved by Ning Fu. Even after leaving Guanghe Tower, he still stayed nearby. The redness on his ears had not faded for half a day. In the following days, he treated her differently from other women. When would Zong Si prepare luggage for people, and show concern for them?
Now, less than a month has passed, and he has become the calm and self-controlled man again, as if nothing had happened.
Even if he took the initiative to tell outsiders that he had a good impression of Ning Si, no one would believe it and would just think he was scheming.
Two days later, Zong Si saw the poem written by Ning Fu hanging in the secret room and asked someone to put it away.
This was bought in Guanghe Tower by Fu Jiahui for five thousand taels of gold, and was later taken away by Zong Si.
"If you don't want it, please give it back to me." Fu Jiahui really liked it.
Zong Si said, "Put it there first, wait for her to come back and get it herself."
Fu Jiahui understood. It seemed that the prince still wanted to see Ning Fu's final attitude. After all, he had said before that it would not be too late to make a decision later.
But I don't know if it's because he offended Nymph that day and as a man he has to take responsibility for what he did, or if he still feels reluctant to part with Nymph.
The prince's attitude towards Nymph has always been difficult to fathom.
In June, the surrendered Hu envoys came to pay homage to the emperor. Accompanying them was the famous general Yelu Tuo. He was still indignant about the defeat and felt that Zong Si had narrowly defeated him last time. He clamored several times to compete with him.
Although Zong Si was not prepared, he still drew the sword of the guard beside him and said calmly, "General Yelu, please."
"Your Highness, go get your sword." Yelu Tuo snorted. Zong Si might be better than him in strategy, but he would not be his opponent if he fought alone.
"It's okay, this sword will do." Zong Si said.
Yelu said, "If you lose, you can give Yue Niang to me, how about that?"
Yue Niang was the one who escaped from Yelu's hands. Such a beauty would naturally make Yelu remember her for many years. He only regretted that he had taken pity on her and did not take her directly, otherwise she would not have fallen into Zong Si's hands.
Zong Si's voice was as cold as water: "I can't decide Yue Niang's affairs, and you can't defeat me."
The last half of the sentence is too nonchalant and confident.
Yelu felt it was extremely annoying, so he squinted his eyes, held the sword with both hands, and attempted to defeat the enemy with one strike. He stabbed directly at the spot three inches below Zong Si's throat. Even if he was stabbed here, his life would not be in danger.
Zong Si held the sword horizontally to block back, then with lightning speed, he switched the sword to his left hand, changing from a defensive position to an offensive one. His sword moves were full of killing moves. He didn't know who had made him so unhappy, it seemed like he was taking his anger out on himself.
Yelu was greatly shocked, but Zong Si's expression remained calm.
After another three moves, the sword in Yelu's hand fell to the ground and his face turned pale.
Emperor Jingwen glanced at Yelu Tuo and asked with some interest, "Who is Yue Niang?"
Zong Si, however, did not even glance at Yelu. He put the sword back into the guard's scabbard and reported Yue Niang's life story to Emperor Jingwen.
Hongxiu Pavilion is not far from the imperial palace.
Emperor Jingwen sent someone to invite Yueniang to the palace. As soon as he saw her, he was struck by her beauty. She was like a fairy from heaven, untainted by the world and not involved in vanity. Every part of her body was just right. He smiled meaningfully and said, "No wonder Jingzhu would be so angry today for the beauty he loves."
Zong Si frowned calmly but did not deny it.
Yue Niang glanced at Zong Si, blushed, and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the prince took me in just because he felt sorry for me. There is nothing innocent between the prince and me, and there is no love between a man and a woman."
Emperor Jingwen smiled and said, "Since Sanlang has a kind heart, you can just stay in Hongxiu Pavilion and make a living." He said this to Yelu Tuo. How could a general of a defeated country have the qualifications to point fingers at Dayan? Emperor Jingwen did not pursue the matter this time for the sake of his reputation, but it did not mean that there would be a next time.
Meng Ze already knew that Yue Niang's plan was a failure, so he had lost interest in it. He just lowered his head and teased the chubby white parrot. In comparison, the owner of the white parrot was more interesting.
It’s a pity that he went to Yongzhou and we won’t be able to see each other for a while.
The story of how Zong Si defeated Yelu Tuo in three moves soon spread throughout Dayan. Also widely known was Yue Niang's stunning beauty. Stories of heroes saving beauties are always talked about with great relish.
"I think Yue Niang is the prince's concubine."
"No wonder the second Miss Xie's marriage with the prince has not been settled. I'm afraid she is worried about the prince having such a concubine."
However, although outsiders are wary of Yue Niang's beauty, his bravery can still attract the ladies to come one after another. There are many ladies who have their eyes on Zong Si, and they will not suffer any loss if they sleep with a man like him, not to mention that he is powerful.
…
But Ning Fu finally arrived in Yongzhou after a month's journey.
It could have been faster, but Ningfu was not used to the local climate and was delayed for a few more days on the road.
"Is that Fourth Miss Ning in the carriage?" Before she arrived in the city, someone came to pick her up. Ning Fu heard a male voice in the carriage.
Nymph opened the curtain and saw a young man sitting on a horse. He was dressed in a black robe, with a jade crown carved with extremely fine craftsmanship, and his posture was upright.
"That's right." said Nymph.
"My name is Xie Heng. I'm here to greet the fourth young lady on the orders of the eldest princess." said the young man.
Nymph smiled politely and said, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."
After entering the city, I saw shops everywhere. Although Yongzhou was not as prosperous as Beijing, it was much better than most places along the way.
The carriage reached the Princess's residence. After only an incense stick of time, Ning Fu got off the carriage and saw a woman standing there. She had a dignified look and looked energetic. She didn't look like she was seventy years old at all.
Everyone around him is respectful.
Ningfu recognized her as her grandmother at a glance, as her mother looked very similar to her.
"Grandma." Nymph called out timidly. It was their first meeting, so she was a little nervous.
Kang Yang had never seen his granddaughter before. Now that he saw her, he felt that she was well-behaved and her looks were not inferior to those of the female rulers in Yongzhou. He liked her even more and smiled gently, "Come, let your grandmother take a good look at her."
Nymph walked over.
Kang Yang took her hand and looked at her carefully. Ning Fu also looked at her and said, "Grandma, my mother has always been thinking about you. It's a pity that she can't come."
"I also know her difficulties. I have to consider you and your sister. It is definitely not a good thing for you to get too close to me." Kang Yang sighed and said with some sadness, "Fortunately, your father is a good person. I will be satisfied if you can live a good life."
Nymph also felt a little sad.
"Even you are this old now. In my impression, your mother is just a little princess of your age." Kang Yang looked at Ning Fu and couldn't help but think of his daughter.
Nymph hugged her and comforted her, "Grandma, you will definitely have the opportunity to meet mother in the future. By the way, mother brought you a lot of things this time."
Kang Yang was somewhat moved. His granddaughter was willing to be so close to him. It was because she was not taught by the Ningguo Mansion not to be close to him.
Because she had never met her before, what she was most worried about was that her granddaughter would become unfamiliar with her.
Her enthusiasm at the moment made Kang Yang somewhat happy.
Now that she is older, she hopes that the younger generation can be close to her even more.
"You've been on a long journey, and I'm sure you've been tired. Go and rest first. When you wake up, your cousins will be returning home by then." Kang Yang felt distressed when he saw the dark circles under her eyes. She must not have gotten enough rest along the way.
Kang Yang personally took Ningfu to the West Garden. After entering the princess's mansion, Ningfu realized what luxury was. Every stone slab underground was made of top-quality Linglong rock, and the quality was even better than that in the imperial palace.
The seldom seen jade orchid can be seen everywhere in Princess Kangyang's mansion. Even in Prince Xuan's mansion, it is a rare item.
Clear waters and beautiful buildings are also common, which are jaw-dropping.
Ning Fu was shocked, but also a little worried. Her grandmother was so extravagant, how could Emperor Jingwen let go of Princess Kangyang's mansion?
"Your grandmother wanted to marry you to Prince Xuan's mansion, but she didn't know that it wouldn't be easy for a woman to marry." Kang Yang sneered, "In my opinion, you'd better marry in Yongzhou. With your grandmother, she will definitely protect you."
Kang Yang and Prince Xuan's Mansion have always been at odds with each other. If she hadn't dealt with Li Fang first this time, Prince Xuan's Mansion would have used the evidence to kill her.
This time, Ning Fu came to Yongzhou for recuperation, and Kang Yang also showed her the young masters of various mansions.
All the prefectures in Yongzhou have good relations with her. If she were to marry into any of the prefectures, it would be a close relationship. Ning Fu would then be considered the mistress of Yongzhou City, and her life would be no less than that of the prince.
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