Chapter 59: The Secret of the Emperor
Ning Fu looked at King Jin and saw that although he was smiling, there was no trace of joking in his words.
In her previous life, she knew very little about her grandmother and Prince Jin, let alone Prince Jin's grandson.
"Marriage is a serious matter and needs to be treated with caution. I'm sorry that I can't make a decision right away." Nymph said.
The Prince of Jin said, "Although I am not in the capital for many years, I am still a good match for the Ningguo Mansion. In addition, with your grandmother's relationship, the Prince of Jin's Mansion will definitely not treat you unfairly."
Ning Fu knew this in her mind. No matter how powerful the Prince of Jin was, he was still a royal relative. If she managed things well, she wouldn't necessarily end up like she did in her previous life. If she could unite with Princess Kangyang's Mansion without any grudges, ensuring that they would be safe in the future would probably not be a problem.
The Prince of Jin holds military power and can play a role in his brother's affairs.
Considering the benefits alone, this can be considered a good deal.
But right now, the most important thing is my grandmother.
"Afu should also know that if I deliberately provoke a war, it will be a serious crime. If there are no sufficient benefits, I don't want to take this risk." King Jin said meaningfully.
Ning Fu lowered her eyes and said nothing. She had to think about what benefits were worth letting King Jin take the risk.
That afternoon, a group of people approached from afar, raising a cloud of dust. The man in the lead had a stern expression and was wearing a battle robe. Although he was not handsome, he was strong and muscular, and it was obvious that he had been fighting on the battlefield for many years.
Most men who have been in the military camp for a long time have such a tough image. There are only a few who are as handsome and well-behaved as the men in the Xuanwang Mansion. And the military camp also admires such tough men. In the early years, even the Xuanwang was despised because of his appearance. It was not until he became famous in a battle that no one talked about his appearance anymore.
"Grandfather." The man said respectfully after getting off the horse.
"Shen'er is back." Prince Jin said comfortingly.
Meng Shen said: "The person who privately sold the official salt has been arrested. I hope grandfather will deal with it."
"Let's not talk about this for now. We have a guest today. This is Princess Kangyang's granddaughter, Afu." Prince Jin introduced.
Meng Shen turned around and looked at Ning Fu with a cold expression.
Nymph only exchanged a few distant polite remarks.
Jingcheng looked strange.
After returning, Jing Chengcai took Ning Fu's hand and said, "My dear sister, you can't marry him."
"Why?" Ning Fu asked curiously. Meng Shen was not bad in all aspects.
Jing Cheng whispered, "You may not know this in Beijing, but everyone here knows that Meng Shen is a homosexual. If you marry him, your life will be ruined."
Before Ning Fu could open her mouth, she saw Meng Shen not far away, looking at her coldly with gloomy eyes.
Jingcheng was also a little afraid of him and didn't dare to say anything more.
Two days later, when Ning Fu got up, she opened the tent curtain and saw Meng Shen standing there. He said straight to the point, "I need a fiancée to cover for me right now. I think you are also anxious to save your grandmother. You and I can hold an engagement banquet first and then find a reason to cancel the engagement later."
He seemed a little anxious.
Ning Fu couldn't help but blink. If it was a fake engagement, it seemed like a good thing that came right to her doorstep and could solve her current urgent problem.
It just seems too much of a coincidence.
However, it was not until a few days later that Ning Fu found out why Meng Shen mentioned this matter. It turned out that his mother had been ill for a long time because of his marriage. The King of Jin thought that she was beautiful and might be able to change Meng Shen's preference, so he proposed the marriage.
When Meng Ying, the daughter of Prince Jin, learned that Meng Shen had actually agreed to the marriage this time, she got out of bed within a few days.
Fearing that the night would be too long and bring more trouble, Meng Ying arranged the engagement banquet within a few days on the grounds that she was ill and might die at any time.
"Although your parents and grandmother cannot come this time, I will definitely hold a grand wedding in the future." Meng Ying promised, "You can tell your parents..."
Since it was fake, Ning Fu would not inform her mother, otherwise she would be torn to pieces. She just smiled and said, "I have written a letter to my mother."
"That's good." Meng Ying felt relieved.
Zong Si was about to leave the day after tomorrow, but unexpectedly he received a wedding invitation from Prince Jin.
Qu Yang looked at Zong Si's indifferent expression and said in a somewhat incomprehensible way: "Meng Shen has always liked Long Yang, why would the fourth lady marry him?"
Zong Si said nothing.
"It's hard to refuse the invitation personally from the Prince of Jin, but I'm afraid that old villain Kang Yang will cheat with him and plot against the prince." Qu Yang said worriedly.
Zong Si pondered for a moment and said, "You and Yue Niang stay in Yongzhou, I will go alone. If I don't come back tomorrow, you should report to the capital as soon as possible. The King of Jin won't dare to do anything to me."
But when Zong Si arrived at the military camp, he saw lanterns lit everywhere and red silk tied everywhere. Although it was not as luxurious as in the city, it was also considered thoughtful.
"Since the prince happens to be in Yongzhou, I might as well come here to be a witness. Thank you for your hard work on the journey." Prince Jin said in a good mood.
Zong Si said calmly: "The journey is not far, it's just right for me to come and have a drink of wedding wine to share in the festive atmosphere."
Prince Jin said with a smile: "Your Highness, at your age, it is time for you to get married. Then I will be the one to drink the wedding wine for you."
Zong Si also smiled, but it was as if he was wearing a mask, and even when he was smiling, it was difficult to tell his emotions.
"The military quarters are simple and the hospitality is poor. I hope you can forgive me." said King Jin.
Zong Si was greeted and taken to the rest tent. On the way, he bumped into Jing Cheng, whose eyes flashed and he quickly slipped to his side.
"Meng Shen is not a good husband. A homosexual man cannot have a wife. Will you find a way to take Afu away?" Jing Cheng looked at him expectantly. "Afu compromised for her grandmother's sake."
"That's the fourth lady's business. She doesn't mind suffering. What does it have to do with me?" Zong Si said ruthlessly and coldly.
Jing Cheng thought for a moment, and then said, "Can you contact Mr. Lu? Let him take Afu away. In fact, Afu doesn't have to sacrifice herself to get married. I can do it too. Meng Shen and I were quite familiar with each other when we were young. He is better than Afu."
Zong Si was too lazy to pay attention to her and his expression was extremely indifferent. Looking closely, he could see a hint of impatience when he heard Lu Xingzhi's name.
"But if Afu marries a husband like this, her life will be ruined." Jingcheng said anxiously.
However, her soft and hard persuasion did not make Zong Si soften his heart. The man did not pay any attention to her, nor did he turn around to look at her. He exuded a sense of indifference, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Ning Fu saw Zong Si when she came back from Meng Ying's place.
Compared with those rough guys in the army, he looked even more handsome. In fact, he was obviously not thin, but his proportions were too good. His broad shoulders and narrow waist looked just right. In addition, he was tall, so he didn't have that sense of arrogance.
In her hands, she held some rare fruits, all given to her by Meng Ying. Now that she saw Zong Si, she remembered that he asked Qu Yang to take her to see her grandmother. After thinking it over, she gave him the melon: "Sir, try it. The temperature difference between day and night here is huge. The fruits are sweeter than those in the capital."
Zong Si said, "Congratulations."
The nymph said nothing.
"He likes men and has a lover. If you marry him, it may not be possible for you to be in harmony with him." After a moment, Zong Si said lightly.
Ning Fu smiled and said, "Your Highness, don't worry about this matter."
"You and I are quite familiar with each other. You should know that if you marry him, you will not only not get your husband's love in your life, but you will also have to compete with other men for his favor day and night." Zong Si said with a vague meaning. If they hadn't run into each other today, he wouldn't have mentioned it. He mentioned it because he had some old feelings for her.
Because of their old feelings, he didn't want to see her sink into the quagmire.
Ning Fu was impatient to listen to Zong Si's false kindness, and said patiently: "Since I agreed, I am naturally prepared. I don't think there is anything wrong with it."
She knew what to do, and it was not his turn to worry about it.
"As long as you think it's good." Zong Si said coldly.
Nymph looked at the man's departing back and turned back to her tent.
On the morning of the second day, when Zong Si was leaving the tent, he happened to see a young man with bright eyes and white teeth being carried out of Meng Shen's tent. His clothes were disheveled, and his body was covered with red marks of torture. He didn't know if he was still alive.
The two men looked at each other, and Zong Si saw the provocation hidden deep in Meng Shen's eyes.
"Kang Yang's idea?" Zong Si said calmly with a cold expression.
Meng Shen looked at him coldly without saying a word.
Kang Yang and the King of Jin have always been on good terms, and their interests are deeply intertwined, so there is no need for an alliance. Letting Meng Shen marry her is just Xiang Zhuang dancing with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong, and he, Zong Si, is that Pei Gong.
Although the troops dispatched by the Prince of Jin could resolve the crisis in Kangyang, it was also dangerous. It would be better for the Prince of Xuan's Mansion to step forward and bear the responsibility for failing to perform its duties.
It's a pity that Kang Yang had a wrong idea. He had reminded Ning Fu that it was her own business to make her choice. He would not step in to stop this marriage, nor would he exchange the interests of Prince Xuan's Mansion for Ning Fu's freedom.
"For the princess, if she is interested, the prince is no match for her." Meng Shen said, "Besides, I am not completely unable to accept women. There is always a way to accept them."
The engagement banquet was held in the military camp. There were not many guests. Fortunately, there were enough officers in the camp, so it was quite lively.
Ning Fu found that Meng Shen looked much more handsome when he was wearing red.
She herself was also wearing a red skirt, which the King of Jin had someone find for her. Although it was not custom-made, it fit her well. She was already a beauty with skin as white as cream, and the bright red color made her look even more beautiful.
"Shen'er, the fourth girl is a good child. Live a good life in the future and don't mess around again." Meng Ying warned seriously.
Meng Shen held Ning Fu's wrist and used a little strength in annoyance after hearing these words. Although Ning Fu felt a little pain, she didn't say anything. When he let go, her entire wrist was shockingly red.
"Okay." Meng Shen said calmly.
Zong Si's eyes were indifferent.
Jingcheng was a little worried.
They sat down.
The men in the army drank strong liquor, and Nymph felt drunk after only half a bowl.
She looked at the Prince of Jin and Meng Shen, who were showing deep intentions, and suddenly felt something was wrong. Why did Meng Shen propose a marriage to her at such a perfect time?
Meng Shen stared at Ning Fu for a moment, then looked at Zong Si. In front of him, he swallowed the pill, fed another pill to the drunk Ning Fu, and smiled coldly at him, full of provocation.
There was no change in Zong Si's expression.
Jingcheng looked at Nyfu, whose cheeks were flushed and she seemed drunk, and couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"Everyone continue. Afu is drunk. I'll take her downstairs to rest first." Meng Shen picked up Ning Fu and carried her sideways. The drug was taking effect at this moment. The raging feeling was really hard to control, and yet inexplicably refreshing. In fact, after taking this drug, there was no distinction between men and women. All he wanted to do was do that.
Two people who have taken medicine are in the same room. It depends on whether Zong Si can bear to watch it.
Jingcheng stood up, glanced at Zong Si, and followed him out, but was stopped outside the tent.
Zong Si was still sitting there calmly, without even raising his eyebrows, but there was finally a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Prince Jin showed a mysterious expression: "The effect of the medicine will take effect in about a quarter of an hour. If the prince really doesn't care, I don't mind having Duo Afu as my granddaughter-in-law. This is a good thing to strengthen the relationship. As for Shen'er's temper, I will take care of him when I am here."
If he were gone, it would be hard to say.
This is clearly forcing Zong Si to make a choice, and he still has the opportunity to take Ning Fu away.
Kang Yang is betting on Ning Fu's lifelong marriage and his unwillingness to do so.
"What happens to her has nothing to do with me." Zong Si said coldly. He never liked being schemed against.
Prince Jin said slowly: "Kang Yang has always been a man who is willing to accept defeat. If you think so, you can leave now."
Zong Si walked out of the military camp as if he had heard nothing.
Jingcheng heard the footsteps and looked back. She saw that his face was gloomy and his steps were hesitant.
The nymph in the tent called out softly, "My dear."
The voice floated out.
For a moment, Zong Si stopped in his tracks.
…
Nymph had a dream.
She dreamed of the wedding banquet in her previous life. She was in the bridal chamber. Zong Si walked in, lifted her red veil, unbuttoned her clothes in a moment, and pressed her down on the soft bridal bed.
The man's panting made people blush.
At some point, Zong Si's face seemed to have turned into Lu Xingzhi's again. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he no longer looked expressionless. There was endless sorrow and pain in his eyes.
He was calling her Afu, confessing that he was wrong, but why did Lu Xingzhi feel guilty towards her?
"Master Lu," Ning Fu called out while panting softly, but the voice was so delicate and charming that she couldn't help but blush.
The man on her body paused.
The red roots of the ears disappeared in an instant.
Probably not at this time, but hearing another man's name, would have spoiled the fun.
Ning Fu came back to her senses and remembered that she and Zong Si did not consummate their marriage on the day of their wedding.
She opened her eyes.
Ning Fu looked into Zong Si's eyes. He was looking at her intently. His eyes were deep, filled with coldness, desire, inquiry, and a hint of hatred and resentment.
Ningfu didn't know what emotion she should have at the moment. She felt a little numb, perhaps because she had not yet accepted everything that was happening.
"Mr. Lu." Zong Si said calmly, "You really miss me, but it's a pity that I'm the only one here right now."
He set this trap for her, but she only remembered others, and even at this time, she was calling out for others.
Zong Si was not angry, but felt a slight pain in his heart.
Nymph closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"Did you have any contribution in your grandmother's plot against me?" Zong Si pinched her chin and asked calmly.
Ning Fu actually knew in her mind that the Prince of Jin's suggestion of marriage was naturally fake. Everything was just to cooperate with her grandmother. The same should be true for Meng Shen and Meng Ying.
That day, my grandmother said that whatever she wanted would be given to her, but my grandmother misunderstood her and thought she wanted Zong Si, so she set up a trap.
The reason her grandmother thought so might be that she had known about her several private meetings with Zong Si and mistakenly believed that they were no longer innocent.
Of course, my grandmother would inevitably take advantage of the Xuanwang Mansion. At the moment, it was like my grandmother had thrown out this olive branch. Since Zong Si had accepted it, he had to pay a price. The price was naturally the matter of Li Fang, and the Xuanwang Mansion had to bear the responsibility.
"Whatever you think." Nymph said a little tiredly.
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