After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 108 The Wen Family Breaks Off the Engagement

Xiao Ming walked out of the dimly lit cabin, the morning sun shining on him with a touch of warmth.

He squinted slightly, adjusted his eyes to the light, and saw Xiang Ning sitting quietly embroidering something to the side.

She looked focused, as if she had become one with her surroundings.

Xiao Ming smiled and greeted him softly.

"Get up so early?"

Upon hearing Xiao Ming's words, Xiang Ning stopped what she was doing, looked up, and nodded with a smile: "Brother Xiao, will we be able to disembark in two more days?"

Her eyes were full of anticipation, as if she had endless longing for the destination she was about to reach.

"Yes, we will rest for a day in Jinzhu Town and then travel to Yangzhou by land."

After saying this, Xiao Ming walked over and sat down opposite Xiang Ning, a look of exhaustion on his face.

"I'm getting so dizzy from sitting on this boat. If I keep sitting like this, I'll get sick."

Xiang Ning smiled with relief after hearing Xiao Ming's words.

"Aren't these monkey clothes? Did he ask you to make clothes for him?"

As the two were talking, Xiao Ming's gaze shifted downwards and landed on the clothes in Xiang Ning's hands.

There was a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"This kid asked you to mend his clothes?"

Seeing that Xiao Ming was about to get up, Xiang Ning quickly said, "I saw that the monkey's clothes were torn, so I brought them to mend them. It has nothing to do with him."

Her voice was urgent, as if she was afraid that Xiao Ming had misunderstood the monkey.

"You've helped me so much, I'm just mending your clothes, it's nothing."

It was just a patch for a garment; when Xiang Ning asked the monkey for it, the monkey wouldn't give it to her.

He was afraid that if his older brother found out, he would beat him up.

Xiao Ming treated Xiang Ning like a younger sister, so Monkey and Xiao Si treated her with great respect.

"You know what, you're really good at embroidery. You could open your own embroidery shop."

Xiao Ming looked at the clothes in Xiang Ning's hands and sincerely praised them.

Xiang Ning followed Xiao Ming's gaze to the clothes in her hands, and smiled, "If I weren't short of money, I probably would never have touched embroidery again in my life."

Because her embroidery skills led to her death, it was a hurdle and a knot in her heart that she could never overcome in her life.

After saying this, Xiao Ming didn't continue.

Everyone has a secret in their heart. Xiang Ning was unwilling to talk about it, so Xiao Ming naturally wouldn't ask any further questions.

Two days later, the ship arrived at Jinzhu Town.

Xiang Ning, wearing a veil, disembarked from the boat, and the four of them went to an inn to rest.

As soon as she entered the hall, she heard whispers around her, and she heard them talking about Miss Wen.

"I heard that the bandit forcibly married Miss Wen and lost her virginity."

"But isn't Miss Wen engaged to Minister Pei of the Court of Judicial Review?"

The fragmented words reached Xiang Ning's ears, and her eyes widened immediately.

"Miss Zhao, what's wrong?"

The monkey noticed Xiang Ning's actions and asked a question, but Xiang Ning shook her head.

"nothing."

Even so, Xiang Ning still had some worries about Wen Caifu.

Back in the Prince Qing's mansion, it was thanks to Wen Caifu that she was protected, and Xiang Ning has always remembered this kindness.

So when Xiao Ming and the others went to the second floor to rest, Xiang Ning came down and asked a question.

"You're asking about the Wen family? I don't know about that, but you can ask those two people; they're merchants from the capital."

The innkeeper shook his head, but pointed to a spot not far away.

Those two people were the ones Xiang Ning had seen when she first entered the inn; she had only heard about them from them.

Xiang Ning thanked the innkeeper and walked towards the two people.

"Brothers, what were you saying about the Wen family?" As she spoke, she took out a silver coin and placed it on the table. This was a gift she had received from a wealthy merchant's wife when she was repairing a drawing on the ship.

Hearing Xiang Ning's words, the two exchanged a glance and then put the silver away.

"Who are you, young lady?"

"My family is related to the Wen family, and we are preparing to go to the capital to seek refuge with them."

Xiang Ning casually made up a lie. Upon hearing this, the two sighed, "If you go now, the Wen family probably won't care about you."

"Why do you say that?"

"You don't know yet, do you? Miss Wen was kidnapped by bandits a few days ago. I heard that the bandit leader even forced her to marry him."

After saying this, the man picked up his teacup and took a sip: "However, when everyone outside was saying that Lord Pei would definitely break off the engagement, he actually did not."

"He can be considered a person of loyalty and righteousness."

After hearing the whole story, Xiang Ning smiled and thanked the two of them before getting up and leaving.

The rumors and gossip outside might kill Wen Caifu, but Pei Yanzhi's decision not to annul the engagement can be seen as a firm choice for her.

At this moment, in the Wen residence, Madam Wen was startled upon hearing Wen Caifu's words.

"Fu'er, do you know what you're saying?"

Madam Wen turned to look at Wen Caifu.

Wen Caifu's face was somewhat pale, and there was a mark on her neck from the ligature. She leaned against Lvzhi's chest and spoke weakly.

"Mother, I want to annul my engagement with Lord Pei and then go to Xiangguo Temple to live a life of seclusion."

After saying this, Wen Caifu closed her eyes. No one knows how the rumors spread.

However, if she continues to delay and refuses to annul the engagement, it will not be a good thing for Pei Yanzhi.

He didn't care because in his heart, anyone could be his wife.

But the Pei family cares. Even with Pei Yanzhi in front of her, it will be difficult for her to marry into the Pei family in the future.

It would be better to take this opportunity to give both sides some dignity.

"Fu'er, this is not your fault."

Madam Wen lowered her head and wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. If she hadn't gone to Xiangguo Temple, Fu'er wouldn't have encountered such a thing.

"Mother, this is the best solution right now."

"By announcing the engagement with the Pei family, Lord Pei will remember our kindness. If the Wen family is in trouble in the future, he will lend a helping hand."

After saying this, Wen Caifu got up from Green Branch's embrace.

Just as Madam Wen was about to reach out to help her up, she saw her kneel on the bed and kowtow to Madam Wen.

"Mother, please consider this as saving your daughter's dignity, okay?"

When the rumors first started, Pei Yanzhi returned to the capital. Upon hearing these rumors, he arrested many people.

But words spoken are like water spilled; no one can take them back.

"I, I'll go talk to your father right now. Fu'er, at worst we'll never get married. You can stay in the manor and live a good life, okay?"

Hearing Wen Caifu's words, Madam Wen was already crying uncontrollably.

She only has one daughter, how could she bear to let her go out and suffer?

The Wen family isn't unable to support her.

Wen Caifu stood up and reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of Madam Wen's eyes.

"Mother, don't cry, Fu'er feels sorry for you."

After saying this, Madam Wen could no longer hold back and hugged Wen Caifu, bursting into tears.

The person on the roof was dressed in black, with an iron mask covering his face, and the tassels on his sword hilt fluttering in the wind.

He raised his hand to remove his mask and looked down at the two people below who were embracing each other and crying.

What a hassle. He should have known better than to tease her in the first place.

He said that women are all hot potatoes.

Babies, please remember to wear your masks and keep warm these days! Don't get sick like me and spread the virus. Take good care of yourselves!
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(End of this chapter)