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

Chapter 109 Why not marry me?
After the two had finished crying, Madam Wen slowly stood up. Her eyes were still red, and her expression was full of exhaustion and reluctance.

Watching her mother's departing figure, Wen Caifu calmed herself down slightly, then told Lüzhi to go down as well.

The green branches, which had been protecting him, quietly withdrew.

Wen Caifu had just lain down when she heard the door open.

"Green branches?"

There was a hint of doubt in her voice.

The newcomer did not speak, only the steady footsteps echoed, the sound seeming to pound on Wen Caifu's heart, causing her heart to clench involuntarily.

"you……"

The girl had barely uttered a single syllable when a long, slender hand with distinct knuckles reached in from behind the gauze curtain.

The jade stones around the bed curtains gently clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

Duan Zhuo's undeniable face appeared before her. His expression was cold and stern, his eyes filled with amusement, radiating warmth like a blazing fire from head to toe.

"Miss Wen, it's been so long! How did you get so sick?"

Duan Zhuo was dressed in black, with a mask on his head, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.

With his other hand resting on the hilt of his sword, he stood tall and relaxed, looking as if he had suddenly decided to take a stroll here.

However, Wen Caifu's expression was far from pleasant when she saw him.

A flash of anger and wariness crossed her eyes. She quickly reached under the pillow and then stabbed at Duan Zhuo.

The man had noticed her movements long ago, and the instant she raised her hand, he grabbed her wrist with lightning speed.

"No matter what, we were almost husband and wife, weren't we? Are you trying to murder your husband?"

Duan Zhuo's tone was lazy and tinged with a hint of teasing.

His fingers lightly touched her wrist, and Wen Caifu felt as if her hand had lost all strength, unable to exert any power at all.

The dagger clattered to the ground with a crisp sound.

Duan Zhuo pulled the person close to him with a forceful pull, instantly closing the distance between them.

"Miss Wen, why don't you consider marrying me?"

"Thief!"

Wen Caifu was unable to move because Duan Zhuo was holding her wrist.

Hearing his words, I felt even more indignant.

Her eyes burned with rage as she glared at Duan Zhuo.

"I'd rather cut my hair and become a nun than marry you!"

Her words were firm and resolute, filled with resistance to Duan Zhuo.

Even her hand, which was being held by Duan Zhuo, was struggling. He chuckled and then released her abruptly.

Wen Caifu fell backward, but fortunately she was on the bed and didn't hit her head.

"I ruined Miss Wen's marriage, so I'll compensate you with another one."

"No need, stay away from me."

Duan Zhuo's words sounded extremely arrogant, which made Wen Caifu feel dissatisfied.

In his words, marriage was a major life event that could be exchanged at will.

“Pei Yanzhi is not your ideal man, there is no need for you to remain chaste for him.”

Duan Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly, withdrew his hand, and stood up straight.

Wen Caifu was unwilling to say anything more to him and turned her gaze away from him.

"The person who spread the rumors is Lu Jiamin."

After leaving those words behind, Duan Zhuo turned and left, as if those words were his way of making amends.

Wen Caifu turned her head to look at the doorway. When he held her hand just now, she seemed to feel the calluses on his hand.

Shouldn't the calluses on a bandit's hands, which he uses to wield a knife year after year, be the tiger's mouth?

Thinking of this, Wen Caifu quickly shook her head, trying to clear her mind of all thoughts.

Why is she thinking so much?

However, Duan Zhuo's words gave Wen Caifu a plan. Lu Jiamin really would stop at nothing to marry Pei Yanzhi.

Wen Caifu certainly wouldn't swallow this insult; she would make Lu Jiamin pay the price.
-
In Jinzhu Town, Xiang Ning handed over her embroidery to the town's embroidery workshop and naturally received a considerable sum of money.

This money would be enough to support her for a while after she arrived in Yangzhou.

"Sister."

As soon as Xiang Ning returned to the inn, she saw Xiao Ming walking over with a solemn expression.

Seeing this scene, Xiang Ning also had a bad feeling.

"Brother Xiao, what's wrong?"

"We probably won't be able to go to Yangzhou; we'll have to go to the border."

Xiao Ming said somewhat embarrassedly that he hadn't yet safely escorted the person to Yangzhou.

Xiao Ming was also a little worried about leaving Xiang Ning alone here at this time.

"I thought it was something serious. It's nothing, Brother Xiao. You can go and take care of your business."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming sighed: "So you're all alone?"

"Don't worry, you've already arranged for the caravan to Yangzhou, haven't you? I'll go with them tomorrow."

Xiang Ning wore a veil the whole way, so no one could see her face clearly.

Once we arrive safely in Yangzhou with the caravan tomorrow, we'll have truly gotten rid of Pei Yanzhi.

"Okay, here's some money. Take it and use it. We won't be lingering at the border for long; we'll be back soon."

Xiao Ming smiled after hearing Xiang Ning's words.

Xiang Ning looked at the silver that Xiao Ming handed her and took a step back: "No, Brother Xiao, this is too valuable, I can't accept it."

After saying that, Xiang Ning picked up the silver she had received that day and waved it around.

“Look, I am capable of supporting myself. Brother Xiao, you have already helped me a lot. I absolutely cannot accept this money.”

"The border is a long way away, and money is needed everywhere."

Xiao Mingchao reached out, intending to put the silver into Xiang Ning's arms, but Xiang Ning refused to accept it no matter what.

Helpless, he could only shake his head and sigh, "Alright, I'll listen to you."

Xiang Ning smiled and nodded: "I'll go out and prepare some things for you. It's always good to prepare more."

Before Xiao Ming could say anything more, Xiang Ning walked out.

Xiao Ming had helped her a lot along the way, and preparing some things for them to use on the road was Xiang Ning's way of thanking them.

Xiang Ning bought some food and some clothes, and finally exchanged silver for a silver note and stuffed it into the clothes.

"You bastard, you brought me to a place like this?"

A familiar voice came from behind her, and Xiang Ning froze instantly.

She had only heard that voice once, but she remembered it very clearly.

Marquis Anping, Wei Ziqian, was also the brother Pei Yanzhi was preparing to recognize for her.

Why is he here?

Without hesitation, Xiang Ning hid in a corner of the shop to conceal herself.

The carriage passed by the cloth shop and finally stopped in front of the inn not far away. Wei Ziqian reached out and pushed open the carriage door to get out.

"My lord, I apologize for making you stay at the inn for the night. We will set off for the capital tomorrow."

The attendants were also suffering greatly; who would have thought that Wei Ziqian would travel so far to chase after a fugitive?

But he was used to being pampered and wouldn't tolerate the slightest grievance on the road.

This was tough on the people who served him; it was common for them to be scolded several times a day.

"It's always the same thing. I'm too lazy to even talk to you anymore. Alright, go inside."

Wei Ziqian suppressed his impatience and stepped into the inn. Xiang Ning watched his figure disappear before emerging from the corner.

"Miss Zhao? You're here."

(End of this chapter)