Shi Ning'an went back and told Rong Sui about her speculation.
Rong Sui's eyes sparkled. He nodded with a smile. "My Ning'an is really smart."
Shi Ning'an looked worried. She quickly asked again, "So, you still don't plan to fight back? Are you just going to watch the Third Prince's power grow stronger?"
Rong Sui didn't talk about these things with her. He just stepped forward steadily, cornering her against the wall, and was about to kiss her.
Shi Ning'an quickly pushed him away. "Can you stop doing this? We're talking about something serious."
Rong Sui paused for a moment. He cupped the back of her head with his hand and kissed the tip of her nose. "There's nothing more serious than kissing you."
Shi Ning'an didn't understand why. Rong Sui seemed so proper and uninterested in women in public, but in front of her, he was like a different person. Every time he saw her, he couldn't stop kissing her, and he didn't know his own strength with his hands. What's more, they weren't married yet. The last time it happened was in a moment of urgency, and the family members didn't know about it. Naturally, such a thing couldn't happen again.
Rong Sui refused to stop kissing her. Every time he saw Ning'an, he wondered why they still had to wait for half a year to get married. On one hand, he was reluctant to be separated from her for half a year. On the other hand, he was glad that they had to be apart before the wedding. Otherwise, it would be really hard to bear seeing her every day but not being able to have her.
When Shi Ning'an was kissed until she couldn't catch her breath and collapsed limply in Rong Sui's arms, Rong Sui finally stopped, still looking reluctant.
"Ning'an, I've said before. You just need to stay safe and wait to be my wife. I'll take care of everything else."
Shi Ning'an couldn't feel at ease. But even though she was worried, it was time to set off for the Zeng family.
In public, Rong Sui was calm and self - controlled. He didn't even seem to look at Shi Ning'an more often. Only when their eyes met occasionally, the burning look in his eyes always made Shi Ning'an blush.
Rong Sui couldn't ride a horse yet. It was Rong Xuan who took on the task of seeing off Second Master Zeng and Shi Ning'an.
They escorted them all the way to the outskirts of the capital. Shi Ning'an got off the carriage to say goodbye to Rong Xuan. Only then did she notice that there were quite a few young masters and ladies out for a spring outing today. The Prince of Northern Qi and Wei Hongmiao were also among them.
Compared to when they met in the main hall, Wei Hongmiao seemed even more gloomy. There was an unpredictable air about him. For no reason, Shi Ning'an thought of the evil spirits in hell.
She couldn't help shivering.
Wei Hongmiao stared at Shi Ning'an all the time. Seeing how scared she was, he couldn't help showing a smile, a proud one.
Shi Ning'an quickly regained her composure. In her previous life, Wei Hongmiao could set up a scheme for ten years. Even in a high position, he could analyze things calmly and plan step by step. She didn't think she could push him into the mud with just one move.
Moreover, as long as the Third Prince behind them didn't fall, they wouldn't either. This was true for Wei Hongmiao, and it was also true for Shi Qingmei.
However, both Wei Hongmiao and Shi Qingmei were very different from their previous lives.
Shi Ning'an found it interesting. She had forgotten. She thought Wei Hongmiao was still the man who was infatuated with Shi Qingmei in her previous life.
In this life, without her as a target, could these two people who were supposed to be deeply in love really go on smoothly?
At this moment, Shi Qingmei was lying on the bed, her clothes in disarray and her eyes empty.
She was the well - known most talented lady. When had she ever fallen into such a situation? Even she herself wasn't clear.
The Wei Hongmiao she thought she could rely on was a violent tiger. The father she thought loved her was a shameless wolf. Her life was completely ruined. She called out to the heavens but got no response. Even death was not up to her.
Since Shi Aoxue died, Shi Yongtang blamed all the mistakes on her. At first, he just spoke coldly to her. After Wei Hongmiao's hint, Shi Yongtang became like a brute...
Shi Qingmei's eyes were so dry that she couldn't even shed tears.
But clearly, it was the Third Prince, Wei Hongmiao, and Shi Yongtang who designed all these. They wanted to use Shi Aoxue's life to bring the Rong family to ruin. What did it have to do with her? What did it have to do with her?
She was just unwilling. She just wanted to strike back at Shi Ning'an. Moreover, she had made an agreement with Wei Hongmiao before. She wanted Shi Ning'an to see how Rong Sui treated another woman!
Wei Hongmiao clearly seemed willing too! She knew in her heart that Wei Hongmiao was no longer the Wei Lang who loved her. Wei Hongmiao's heart was all on Shi Ning'an. He loved and hated Shi Ning'an, and there was no room for anyone else.
Even though they were betrothed, Wei Hongmiao would rather give her to Shi Yongtang than touch her.
There was a rustling sound at the door.
Shi Qingmei suddenly widened her eyes. Her feet were chained to the end of the bed. To prevent her from committing suicide, there wasn't even a single sharp object in the room. Just now, Shi Yongtang had sent away the maid beside her in order to humiliate her.
A dirty face appeared. The idiot next door who liked to climb over the wall was looking at her with a silly smile.
Shi Qingmei gasped and shouted, "Get out."
The idiot tilted his head and stepped forward to ask, "Sister, my mother said you're a slut. What's a slut?"
Shi Qingmei was so angry that she trembled all over. "Get out of here. Your mother is the slut. Your whole family are sluts. Danju, where is Danju!"
The idiot was holding a hammer in his hand. "Are you asking about the sister outside? My mother said that if I just do 'bang' like this, that sister will fall down. I tried it, and it's really true!"
Shi Qingmei let out a shrill scream.
...
The air in Nanling was fresher than that in the capital. Second Master Zeng and Shi Ning'an didn't manage to get home before the Dragon Boat Festival. By the time they got back, the weather was extremely hot.
Lu'er was okay. This was the place where she had grown up since childhood. Yingtao and the other three girls felt like fish on the riverbank. No matter how much water they drank, they still felt thirsty.
There were not many people in the suburbs of Nanling. Shi Ning'an rolled up the curtain of her carriage. When the carriage was moving, there was wind, so she didn't feel the heat was so unbearable.
Lu'er was very excited. While telling Yingtao about the local customs and traditions of Nanling, she sighed, "When I left last year, I thought I would never come back in my life. I didn't expect that in just one year, I could come back again."
Yingtao asked listlessly, "Are all your family members here?"
Lu'er shook her head. "I'm an orphan. When I was a child in the mansion, I recognized Nurse Bo beside the old lady as my foster mother. Nurse Bo has two daughters. They're my elder sisters. They've always been very kind to me. Now that I think about it, I can't wait to see them."
Nurse Liang listened to her chatter and looked up at Shi Ning'an. "Miss, you'll be able to see Old Lady Zeng soon."
Shi Ning'an leaned against the window of the carriage, her eyes full of smiles. Lu'er was extremely happy to come back after more than a year of separation. How much more so for her? In her previous and present lives, she had been away from Nanling for almost thirteen years.
Thirteen years was almost as long as her whole life.
In her memory, there weren't many impressions of Nanling. In her previous life, after she went to the capital, she became a different person. She was restricted by etiquette everywhere. She became a puppet of the Shi family. She wasn't herself anymore.
Now, wherever she looked, she felt both familiar and strange. She even had an urge to cry.
This was her hometown. She missed it so much. Her stupidity in the previous life and her schemes in this life were all beyond her control. Only here could she be truly herself.
Yingtao always heard the people of the Shi family say that the miss came from the countryside of Nanling. Although she knew that the Zeng family wasn't an ordinary family, in her mind, she still thought it should be a small - scale family.
It wasn't until she saw the main gate of the Zeng Mansion that she couldn't help opening her mouth wide. The Zeng Mansion was located in the west of Nanling City. Just looking at it, it was almost the most imposing place in Nanling. The kylin statues and the main gate in front were as magnificent as those of the Rong Mansion.
Some servants came forward to greet them. Shi Ning'an didn't get off the carriage. The carriage went straight inside. When they reached the inner courtyard, two strong old women carried a sedan chair over.
Lu'er quickly helped Shi Ning'an onto the sedan chair. The two old women followed Second Master Zeng and walked towards the inner courtyard all the way - Second Master Zeng didn't take the sedan chair.
Yingtao stole a glance at the appearance of the Zeng family. She was shocked again. Different from the regular appearance of the big families in the capital, the Zeng family seemed to pay attention to an irregular but harmonious layout. However, every pavilion and building seemed to be of the same style. As they walked, she felt a little dizzy.
Before long, they arrived at the gate of a courtyard. There was a small stream flowing in front of the gate, and there was a small bridge over the stream. From afar, it seemed to be a bamboo - wooden bridge.
When Yingtao stepped on it, she couldn't help lightening her steps. When she got closer, she realized that this wasn't a bamboo - wooden bridge. It was made of bricks and painted to look like bamboo and wood.
It was really interesting.
Shi Ning'an got off the small sedan chair at this time. An old woman held an umbrella and led them in. Only Lu'er followed behind Yingtao. The other servants waited beside the courtyard gate.
An old woman came over and served them tea. Her face was kind, but she was also very proper and orderly.
When Shi Ning'an stepped into the room, her eyes turned red.
Zeng Ruoyun had been waiting at the door. She immediately stepped forward and hugged Shi Ning'an. "Oh, I've finally been able to wait for you to come back. When Grandmother heard that you were coming back, she's been looking forward to it day and night."
When Shi Ning'an saw her grand - aunt again, she almost didn't recognize her. The plump old lady last year had become so thin that she was hardly recognizable. Her face was a bit flushed, but her spirit was still okay.
Grand - aunt was suffering from diabetes.
Shi Ning'an stepped forward and knelt in front of Grand - aunt's couch.
Old Lady Zeng reached out and stroked Shi Ning'an's face. She let out a long sigh before she could speak. "Last year... I said I was ashamed to see you, Ning'an girl. If it weren't for the entrustment of the Rong family, I'm afraid our grandparents and grandchildren would have been separated by death long ago."
Shi Ning'an's tears flowed down. She shook her head. "Grand - aunt, don't talk nonsense."
Old Lady Zeng looked at her lovingly. "I'm not talking nonsense. I know my own body. It's getting hot, and I can't bear it anymore. I'm just worried about my Ning'an girl..."
Shi Ning'an raised her eyebrows and looked at Zeng Ruoyun. Seeing that although her eyes were red, she didn't show much reaction, she realized that what Grand - aunt said was true.
She couldn't help feeling sad. In her previous life, Grand - aunt didn't pass away so early. In this life, it was two years earlier!
Old Lady Zeng looked at Shi Ning'an seriously, nodded and smiled. "You've grown well. It seems that you've been living a good life. Grand - aunt is relieved."
Shi Ning'an's tears welled up. She burrowed into the old lady's arms like a child. "No, I'm not good. There's nothing good about me. Grand - aunt must always remember me and not be at ease."
Old Lady Zeng burst into laughter. For a moment, she seemed to regain her spirit and was no different from an ordinary old person.