Chapter 165 Go to Zong Si to discuss countermeasures (1)
Madam Ning looked at Lu Xingzhi again. He was just standing there obediently, unlike Zong Si who was so cunning.
However, although she liked Xingzhi's character, she was also dissatisfied with him. His performance recently clearly showed that she was not that concerned.
If there is no engagement, Madam Ning is willing to let the prince give it a try, so that Xingzhi will have a sense of crisis.
But now that the marriage has been granted, Madam Ning does not want her daughter to be caught up in rumors.
"When you return to Beijing this time, please discuss the date for your marriage with Afu. The marriage will be arranged now that she is of the right age." Madam Ning said to Lu Xingzhi.
These words were mainly said to Zong Si, in order to make him give up.
This sentence caused the expressions of the three young people present to change slightly.
Lu Xingzhi seemed a little hesitant, with a struggle in his eyes.
Zong Si's meaning was unclear and no one knew what he was considering.
Nymph seemed somewhat hesitant.
But no one spoke again.
Before Lu Xingzhi could respond, Madam Lu said happily, "I was worried that the Duke's Mansion wanted to keep Afu for two more years. Now that Madam has said so, I will prepare early and find a Feng Shui master to calculate the date."
On the way back to the mansion, Madam Ning kept looking at Ning Fu. Seeing that she was a little absent-minded, she couldn't help but say, "Afu, tell mother that your heart has been seduced by that prince."
Ning Fu now feels that Zong Si has become much better, and there are some things about him that make her heart beat, but she is not yet attracted to him. After thinking about it, she tells Lu Xingzhi the truth about her engagement. Lu Xingzhi asked for the emperor's permission to grant the marriage in order to help her avoid Meng Ze's coercion.
"What you mean is that Xingzhi has no real intention of marrying you," Mrs. Ning couldn't help but frowned.
Ning Fu lowered her eyes and said, "I don't know. I value his feelings the most."
"Does the prince also know about this?"
Madam Ning had the answer in her heart. In all likelihood, Zong Si knew everything about this matter.
And since he is so proactive, it would be hard for his daughter not to lean towards him.
"Your marriage is granted by the Emperor, and it is based on merit. Our Duke's Mansion cannot handle this marriage. The Emperor's every word is worth a thousand gold, so it is not that easy to cancel the engagement," said Madam Ning with a headache.
This is not a marriage that ordinary people would discuss. To have any evil intentions under the order of Emperor Jingwen would be a serious crime.
Mrs. Ning's troubles kept coming one after another. Her daughter's marriage made her unable to sleep or eat, and she was also worried about her son.
She had heard a little about the daughter of the merchant Fu leaving the capital some time ago, but she did not take it to heart. She did not expect that Fu Jiahui was actually going to look for her own son.
When Ning Zheng wrote back to Beijing, he expressed his thoughts at the moment and hoped his mother would approve his marriage with Miss Fu. The words in the letter were sincere and showed his true feelings. He would not marry anyone but Miss Fu and hoped his family would approve it.
Madam Ning had never thought about this. She was so shocked that she wanted to faint. How could a son of a Duke marry the daughter of a merchant?
If this gets out, the Duke's Mansion will lose its reputation. Who knows how many people will gossip about it behind their backs. Moreover, with officials marrying into businessmen, the future of his son will definitely be hindered.
This is how merchants are discriminated against in Dayan. If it was an ordinary girl from a good family, Mrs. Ning would be able to accept it.
"You two are so troublesome, you both want to piss off a mother like me to death." Madam Ning didn't show any good looks to Ning Fu this time. "I saw you always saying good things about Miss Fu before. I think you knew about the two of them a long time ago, and you teamed up to deceive me. Is that right or not?"
Mrs. Ning has always loved her two children to her core, and this time she was really angry.
Ning Fu said: "Sister Fu is also very sincere to you, mother, why don't you try to get along with her and then make a decision. Even if you find a woman who satisfies you, you may not be happy in the future."
"Your brother is so easy to talk to, and I am also sensible. When the lady marries into the Duke's Mansion, she will feel at ease and reassured when she sees how harmonious the family is. I will help her take care of the backyard, and she will treat your brother sincerely. How can your brother have a hard time?"
Madam Ning also had this experience of getting married. Which woman doesn't get married to live a good life in the beginning? As long as you treat the other person sincerely, you don't have to worry about not getting sincerity in return.
These days are better now, love can be that important
Mrs. Ning would never agree to this marriage no matter what.
Ning Fu wanted to speak, but Madam Ning said, "If you still help your brother, I will kill you too."
Ningfu didn't dare add fuel to the fire. Her mother was very angry now, so she should be more tactful.
Mrs. Ning wrote a heartfelt reply to Ning Zheng, stating her attitude and giving him good advice. It was not that she disliked Fu Jiahui, but she had to consider the obstacles and pros and cons behind it.
Ning Zheng had made up his mind and refused to give in.
Madam Ning then settled for the second best. If Miss Fu was willing to be a concubine, she could accept it. She would not be biased and would treat Miss Fu sincerely, as if she were her own daughter. She would not let other women in the mansion look down on her in the future.
But Ning Zheng was unwilling to do even this, and told Madam Ning the truth in his heart that he had already made preparations long ago, and if he could not marry Miss Fu, he would never marry in his life.
But in the future, if she doesn't want to marry, then she won't. But at this time in Dayan, not having an offspring is no small matter. People will criticize her. Besides, outsiders will only think that the mother did not teach her son well. When people are in this environment, they will be affected by it. How can they not care about this matter?
Madam Ning was also heartbroken that her son refused to consider the family. However, he spent all day outside the Great Wall and on the battlefield killing enemies. Wasn't it also for the reputation and future of the Duke's Mansion?
My son has always been filial, but he is so paranoid about this matter.
However, she still tentatively told her husband and ancestors about this.
When Mrs. Ning heard this, she frowned and said, "As long as I am here, the Duke's Mansion will not accept a merchant's daughter. You know the seriousness of this. If Ah Zheng marries the daughter of the Fu family, the Duke's Mansion will be doomed from him on. For a woman, this century-old foundation will be abandoned."
As long as he marries a merchant girl, his descendants will not be able to hold an official position above the fourth rank in the future, and will not be able to hold important positions. This is no different from destroying the Duke's Mansion.
It is difficult to judge who is right or wrong in this matter. In Ning Zheng's opinion, he does not care about false reputation. He is doing all this for Dayan, for the people, and for the Duke's Mansion. He helps Meng Che because Meng Che cares more about the people than Meng Ze.
He fought on the frontier, firstly for the country, and secondly to protect the stability of the Duke's Mansion. No matter what happens in the future, Emperor Jingwen will spare his father and uncle's lives because of his merits.
It's just that he doesn't want to suppress his emotions anymore and wants to pursue what he likes. After all, it's his elder brother Ning Yu who will inherit the Duke's Mansion. People should live for themselves once, and who knows if the law will change in the future?
If Meng Che came to power, it is not impossible that there would be opportunities for cooperation between officials and businessmen.
It makes sense that Madam Ning and Old Lady Ning are considering the future generations. Who would want their foundation to be ruined like this? As for the future, why bother to gamble?
Ning Zhenyuan did not want to negotiate at all. He did not agree with this marriage. If Ning Zhengfei insisted, he would pretend that he did not have this son.
This incident made the entire Duke's Mansion unhappy. No one could tell who was winning or losing, and everyone was in great pain.
Even Mrs. Wei felt sympathy for Madam Ning. If Yu'er was like this, she would probably be in tears all day long. If this happened outside, everyone would only blame the mother for not raising her well.
Being a woman means having to bear countless mistakes and taking responsibility for mistakes that are not your own.
Mrs. Ning was so worried about this that she fell ill.
Ningfu felt so distressed that she served her all day long.
When Ning Zheng learned about this, he also rushed back to Beijing. Seeing Madam Ning like this, his eyes turned red. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times, saying, "My son is unfilial."
Madam Ning didn't want to see him. Even though she knew her son must be exhausted after traveling so long, she didn't even look at him.
Madam Ning specifically asked to see Fu Jiahui.
Fu Jiahui came to the Ning Mansion and brought many high-quality supplements. She was also worried that something might happen to Madam Ning. She was Ning Yu's mother, and Fu Jiahui treated her as her own mother.
Fu Jiahui felt a little nervous when she came to the Ningguo Mansion, but Mr. Ning did not say a word to belittle her.
"Miss Fu, please sit down." Mrs. Ning was quite polite and asked Ning Fu to pour her tea.
"Madam Ning, I know that the Duke's Mansion looks down on me, and I know there are obstacles between us. But I really care about Ning Zheng, and I want to work harder." Fu Jiahui said sincerely, "To be honest, Madam, I am willing to die for Ning Zheng."
Ning Fu thought of Fu Jiahui who committed suicide for love in the previous life, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red.
Madam Ning was also moved. She said softly, "I also know that Miss Fu is a very kind person. Ah Zheng is willing to protect you like this, and I have never thought of pointing the finger at you. When I was young, I also hoped that the man I cared about would do the same for me."
"However, you and Ah Zheng will not only affect you two. In the future, several younger generations in the Duke's Mansion, such as Ah Fu and Ah Yu, may also be affected. You also know that Emperor Jingwen is most worried about collusion between officials and businessmen. The Fu Mansion is also very wealthy. If you and Ah Zheng are together, the Duke's Mansion will no longer be trusted by the emperor, which is unfair to others."
Madam Ning looked at her and said seriously, "I have been thinking about whether to compromise these days. I am not afraid of being talked about behind my back. Ah Zheng is my son. I accept that I did not teach him well. But I don't want to implicate other people. I am the mistress of the Duke's Mansion. I have to be worthy of my ancestors and the rest of the people. If you were an ordinary girl from a good family, why would I make things so difficult for you?"
Fu Jiahui's tears began to fall.
She also understood Mrs. Ning's difficulties and concerns, and could feel that she did not look down on her.
She heard Ning Zheng say that Madam Ning never liked businessmen, but she was extremely respectful to her. It was obvious that she loved her because of Ning Zheng.
Such sincerity made Fu Jiahui feel even more uncomfortable. If Madam Ning forced her to leave, she would not be afraid and would persist. But now, she felt sorry for Madam Ning.
Women are more sympathetic to women. Fu Jiahui said, "Madam, you are a good mother and a good mistress. I am the one who made things difficult for you."
Mrs. Ning felt very sad to see her being so empathetic. She held back her tears, took a handkerchief, went barefoot to the ground, and wiped away her tears.
But Fu Jiahui didn't want to share her husband with others. She didn't want to be a concubine. Such a life was too painful. She had to think carefully about her relationship with Ning Zheng.
When Fu Jiahui saw Ning Zheng, there was a flash of pain in her eyes. He knelt obediently, kneeling very devoutly and seriously for their future. It was a pity that she kept saying that she would not give up, but now she was thinking about giving up.
She walked up to him and squatted down, and Ning Zheng's expression changed slightly.
He understood her so well that even without her saying anything, he knew what she meant.
"A Zheng, I am sorry for you. If I hadn't found a way to make you lose your virginity to me, you would have been restrained enough. I forced you into such pain. Without that night, you would have been the Young Master Ning who devoted himself to the Duke's Mansion." Fu Jiahui stroked his face gently.
But she doesn't regret it.
Even if there is no future, she will not regret it.
No matter how badly Ning Zheng was injured, he could always smile and pretend nothing had happened. He talked excitedly about the scene of fighting a life-and-death battle with the enemy. But now, he pursed his lips and tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Don't cry, don't cry, it's my fault. I selfishly wanted to keep you, even at the cost of anything." Fu Jiahui's throat was dry, and her heart ached. She endured it, smiled gently, and said, "I was the one who set you up, so you don't have to take it to heart. It's not your fault, and you don't have to be responsible for me, and you don't have to feel guilty in the future."
Ning Zheng couldn't help but tremble, his voice was trembling, he begged her humbly, saying: "Don't abandon me."
He was like a poor puppy, wagging his tail pitifully, trying to please her and make her change her mind.
Fu Jiahui's heart also began to tremble. She closed her eyes and said, "Go see your mother. She is a very good mother. Zheng, don't betray your mother for anyone else."
Fu Jiahui stood up, turned around and left quickly.
…
At the same time, Nymph's carriage stopped at the teahouse.
Mu Ruoheng said: "Even if I end up in that position, I will not open this loophole. In the long run, marriage between officials and businessmen will easily breed corruption and monopolize materials. The mutual protection between officials and businessmen will sooner or later destroy the country."
Mu Ruoheng said, "Even if the fourth lady told me a huge secret, I will not compromise on this matter. What I am considering is the entire Dayan."
Ning Fu knew it was impossible, but for the sake of her brother and Sister Fu, she still tried it.
"If I can come up with a solution, would the doctor be willing to cooperate with me?"
"As long as it doesn't threaten my safety, it's fine." Mu Ruoheng said.
"Thank you." Nymph said.
Ning Fu was upset, but she still went to Prince Xuan's mansion.
When the steward saw her, he was polite and said, "The fourth lady is here to see the young lady."
Ning Fu actually wanted to see Zong Si, but on the surface, she naturally came to see Zong Ning.
However, the first person Ning Fu saw was Princess Xuan.
"A Ning went to the palace to see Jing Wen today and will not be back until the afternoon. A Fu, please sit for a while. I will prepare some cakes for you." Princess Xuan took her hand and said warmly and kindly.
Nymph smiled and said, "Thank you, Princess."
"Why should you be polite to me? From now on, just treat this as your own business." Princess Xuan also laughed.
Ning Fu had just sat down when Zong Si came. He had not left the house today and was only wearing a smoke-green round-necked robe, which went perfectly with Ning Fu's plain turquoise skirt.
"My brother is back." Nymph said dejectedly.
Zong Si knew that she was in a bad mood, so he said softly: "Don't be anxious, take a rest first, and we will think of a solution together."
The clear and cold voice, coupled with a gentle tone, can quickly calm people down.
Ning Fu said: "I haven't been to the Duke's Mansion recently because I'm afraid of annoying my mother."
"Well, I don't have the courage to offend your mother." Zong Si was speaking the truth. Compared to others, Madam Ning's attitude was what he needed to consider most carefully.
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