Our Father Is a Good Man

"What secret? Tell me, Sis!" Ning Hui's curiosity was instantly piqued, and he stared at Ning Sang-sang with an eager expression. His sister really was a treasure trove-she knew so many secrets. With her around, he would never be bored again.

Ning Sang-sang smiled. "First, tell me the secret between you and Chen Zihao."

I'd like to hear what secret my little brother and Chen Third have that I'm not allowed to know.

"Sis, Chen Zihao asked me to find out how many mistresses his father keeps outside," Ning Hui lied.

Disappointment filled Ning Sang-sang's face.

I thought those two were sitting on some huge secret. This counts as a secret?

Hearing that, Ning Hui deliberately said, "Sis, Chen Zihao was really upset when he found out his father kept a mistress. I hope he won't have anything else to be sad about."

That hope's dashed. Chen Zihao will be utterly heartbroken later. His father will conspire with his mistress to murder his mother.

Ning Sang-sang muttered inwardly.

Hearing Ning Sang-sang say that, Ning Hui could not help feeling a little sympathy for Chen Zihao. His own father conspiring with another woman to harm his mother-what an awful mess! If his father were to keep a... Pah, pah, pah! His father was utterly devoted to his mother. There was no way he would keep a mistress. Still, when he thought about how even Chen Zihao's father, whom everyone considered a good man, kept a mistress, Ning Hui grew a little worried.

"Sis, do you think our father might keep a mistress behind Mother's back, like Chen Zihao's father?" he asked Ning Sang-sang fearfully.

Ning Sang-sang answered without hesitation, "No. Our father is a good man."

Father is an absolutely peerless husband. He's devoted to Mother alone and has no interest in other women. He only has eyes for her. He would never keep a mistress behind her back.

Ning Sang-sang's words reassured Ning Hui. As long as his father did not keep a mistress, whether anyone else did was none of his concern. Suddenly, something occurred to him. He looked at Ning Sang-sang curiously and asked, "Sis, what was that secret you mentioned?"

Ning Sang-sang picked a random piece of gossip to satisfy him. "Lord Li of the Minister's Residence likes smelling his concubine's three-inch golden lotuses. Every day, he goes home, takes off her shoes, and sniffs her bound feet. If he goes a day without smelling them, he can't eat."

Ning Hui: "..."

What sort of secret was that?

He had thought it would be some major scandal.

"Come on, Hui. Let's go to the Back Garden and watch the talent performances," Ning Sang-sang said with a grin.

The Flower-Viewing Banquet has started by now. The noble young ladies are all showing off their talents in the Back Garden. It must be quite a spectacle. I have to go feast my eyes.

Hearing Ning Sang-sang's thoughts, Ning Hui immediately nodded and went to the Back Garden with her.

Although he was not particularly interested in these talent performances, his sister wanted to watch, so he would keep her company.

They passed through the winding covered corridors and around the rockery, soon arriving at the Back Garden. It was bustling with activity, a large crowd having already gathered. The many noble young ladies were each displaying their own special gifts, vying to outshine one another and striving to present their most beautiful selves.

Ning Sang-sang led Ning Hui through the crowd and found the best spot to watch. Then she watched the noble young ladies' performances with relish, offering comments in her mind.

Mm, that girl in green sings well.

That girl in pink dances well.

That girl in blue has lovely calligraphy.

The people standing beside her suddenly heard this voice and followed it, turning their gazes toward Ning Sang-sang.

Ever since Ning Sang-sang's inner voice had begun speaking, Ning Hui had been watching the expressions of those around them. Seeing their gazes fall on his sister, he frowned slightly. Wasn't that far too many people who could hear her thoughts?

Noticing the people around her looking at her, Ning Sang-sang blinked in bewilderment.

What are they staring at me for? I washed my face today. There isn't any sleep crust in my eyes, either.

As the people around her listened to Ning Sang-sang's thoughts, astonishment filled their faces. They could not understand how they could hear her speaking when she had not opened her mouth.

Looking at their expressions, Ning Sang-sang raised her brows and muttered inwardly:

Goodness, these people are so strange. Why are they staring at me with such dumbfounded expressions? Am I just too pretty today? Have I stunned every last one of them?

The people around her were utterly astonished by Ning Sang-sang's thoughts. They could hear this young lady's voice even though she had not opened her mouth? How strange!

Just then, the clear notes of a zither rang out, drawing Ning Sang-sang's attention along with everyone else's. She looked toward the source and saw Su Miaoling sitting in the pavilion, playing the zither. Her long, jade-like fingers brushed gently over the strings, and a beautiful melody poured forth like flowing water. The notes she played sounded like music from the heavens, utterly enchanting.

Listening to the zither, Ning Sang-sang muttered inwardly:

This supporting female character's halo is ridiculously powerful. Even when she just plays the zither, it sounds like heavenly music. What man could hear that without his heart going thump, thump, thump?

A supporting female character? Her halo was powerful? What did that mean?

Ning Hui looked completely bewildered as he listened to Ning Sang-sang's thoughts. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, a sweet but displeased voice rang out behind them. "Ning Sang-sang, are you deliberately avoiding me? I've been looking everywhere and couldn't find you."

Ning Hui and Ning Sang-sang turned to look behind them and saw Pei Yunluo approaching with displeasure written all over her face. Song Huanhuan and her two brothers followed behind her. Pei Yunluo marched angrily up to Ning Sang-sang and demanded, "Where did you run off to?"

Ning Sang-sang: "..."

Little Luo, you're overstepping. That isn't your place to ask.

Hearing Ning Sang-sang call her "Little Luo" in her mind, Pei Yunluo's face darkened at once, and she glared at Ning Sang-sang with her beautiful eyes.

Pei Yunluo really is temperamental. She could give Proud One a run for his money. Those two should go study the art of face-changing.

Who was Proud One?

Everyone listening to Ning Sang-sang's thoughts could not help wondering. Then, the very next moment, her inner voice rang out again.

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives. Proud One is here. Here he comes, strutting as though he wouldn't acknowledge even his own kin.