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

Chapter 121 Name Your Price

Xiang Ning took a breath and raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

The words in the dream really sounded like something Pei Yanzhi would say.

He could only think that she had tried every means to escape, but ended up in this predicament.

It's both laughable and pathetic; it's not pitiful at all and doesn't deserve any sympathy.

Xiang Ning wrapped herself tightly in the quilt and buried her head in it.

Not long after, she heard the sound of swords clashing and the panicked cries for help from the constables.

Xiang Ning looked up, and the sharp tip of the longsword was only an inch away from her eyes.

It was just an inch away from piercing her eye.

"There are assassins!"

For some reason, he stopped what he was doing.

He didn't intend to kill Xiang Ning; it was more like he wanted to confirm something.

Realizing this, Xiang Ning became even more nervous. She stood up, leaning against the wall, and asked him, "You are...?"

Before the rest of the name could be uttered, the man flicked his wrist, and his longsword slashed to the other end.

It wasn't Cheng Hua; Cheng Hua doesn't know martial arts.

But those eyes were so familiar; she must have seen him somewhere before.

Xiang Ning walked to the prison cell door and watched the guards chase the assassin out, but her heart could not find peace.

The assassin in black was cornered by the constables.

Then, with a light touch of his toes, he scaled the high wall of the government office and disappeared without a trace.

The government office was immediately brightly lit, but the assassin had already fled.

In an alley not far from the government office, the man in black removed his mask, revealing a familiar face.

Chenghua stepped forward and asked, "Lord Ming, is this Miss Xiangning?"

Mingxiang suddenly smiled and raised an eyebrow slightly: "What do you think?"

"Although the clothes have been changed, I can see clearly and there is absolutely no mistake."

He and Chenghua were originally going to work separately, but when Shi Hao fled, he passed through Yangzhou, so he followed him.

Cheng Hua had doubts, so naturally he would send a message to Pei Yanzhi.

Upon learning that Mingxiang was not far from Yangzhou, he also sent a letter to Mingxiang.

The best way to confirm someone's identity is to investigate in person.

Chenghua doesn't know martial arts, so only Mingxiang can do things like sneaking around at night.

After Mingxiang finished speaking, the two of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

It's Miss Xiang Ning, now everything is much easier.

"I'll go deliver a message to the master."

"Tell the adults what happened in Yangzhou."

Upon hearing Chenghua's words, Mingxiang added a sentence.

Chenghua nodded: "Of course."

After saying that, he turned and left. Mingxiang glanced back at the people around the government office.

He sheathed his longsword and gave them a slightly warning look.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Winter had already arrived in the capital. Although there was no snowfall, it had rained several times.

On a cold winter day, there were far fewer pedestrians on the streets.

Since breaking off the engagement with the Wen family, Pei Yanzhi has rarely returned to the Pei residence.

Mosongyuan has been fully renovated as he instructed, but he has not gone back to live there.

"My lord, I have an urgent report for you."

Pei Yanzhi handled official business at the Dali Temple all night, and only turned off the lights at dawn.

The candle burned all night, yet he lost track of time.

Someone knocked on the door, and after speaking, Pei Yanzhi called out to let him in.

He pushed open the door and entered, placing the letter on the table. Pei Yanzhi's gaze fell on the envelope.

Upon seeing that it was Cheng Hua's letter, he reached out and picked it up. After opening and reading it, Pei Yanzhi's expression turned cold.

"grown ups?"

Seeing Pei Yanzhi pick up his clothes and stand up, the man quickly asked, "Prepare the horse."

Pei Yanzhi uttered two words in a cold voice, his black cloak drawing an arc in mid-air. By the time the person reacted, Pei Yanzhi's figure had already disappeared into the distance.

The man quickly ran over to prepare the horse.

Yangzhou is not close to the capital. If one were to travel by water and land like Xiang Ning, it would take at least half a month.

However, Chenghua said in the letter that Xiangning had been involved in a murder case.

Although Madam Yu is not dead yet, the doctor at the clinic said that her chances of survival are slim.

After all, the porcelain shards are embedded in his brain; it's hard to say whether he'll live or die.

The Huang family wields considerable power in Yangzhou. If they intend to torment Xiang Ning, she will suffer greatly, even if she doesn't die.

Pei Yanzhi secretly wanted to make Xiang Ning suffer.

But this suffering can only be inflicted by him, not by anyone else.

She is still listed on his marriage contract.

By riding at full speed, the travel time can be greatly reduced.

Pei Mingxiu, who was in Yangzhou at the time, also learned about the assassination attempt the previous night. He heard that the assassin had not harmed anyone.

However, the government also increased its defenses in response.

Huang Xu accepted the calling card from Pei Mingxiu, requesting to meet him.

Pei Mingxiu is going to the Huang residence today to meet Huang Xu.

I heard that Huang Xu was the eldest son in his family and had lived a life of luxury since childhood.

The Huang family was large and powerful, which fostered Huang Xu's arrogant and disdainful nature.

He originally didn't think much of Pei Mingxiu's calling card.

As for why he eventually agreed, perhaps it was because he wanted to see what the people who came to the capital were like.

"This way, Mr. Pei Sanlang."

The butler led Pei Mingxiu into the flower hall.

"Please have a seat, the young master will be here shortly."

The butler's words sounded quite proper, and Pei Mingxiu, sitting to the side, nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

They waited there for almost half an hour, but still didn't see Huang Xu.

"Is Huang Xu trying to intimidate me?"

Ping An was somewhat indignant and muttered something under her breath. Upon hearing this, Pei Mingxiu simply picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said nothing more.

Huang Xu's arrogance and rudeness stemmed from the confidence he received from the Huang family.

However, given his personality, the conversation later on is unlikely to be pleasant.

"Third Master Pei, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I was just dealing with some matters and was delayed."

Pei Mingxiu sat there like an old monk in meditation. After about a quarter of an hour, he heard Huang Xu's voice coming from outside the flower hall.

He lowered his eyes and did not get up.

When Huang Xu walked in and saw this scene, his expression turned cold.

He'd heard plenty of compliments, but this was the first time he'd ever been so blunt with his words.

"Young master is very busy, I understand."

Pei Mingxiu put the teacup aside and looked up at Huang Xu.

His overall demeanor clearly indicated that of a noble young master, which made the somewhat round-faced Huang Xu pale in comparison.

"Young Master Pei, you must be getting impatient. But may I ask what brings you here today?"

Huang Xu stepped forward and sat down, looking at Pei Mingxiu with a probing gaze.

He heard from the steward that Pei Mingxiu had been in Yangzhou for a long time, and his visit today seemed rather strange.

"I want to protect that Miss Xiang'er. Young Master, name your price."

Pei Mingxiu raised his hand to straighten his wrinkled clothes and said these words.

He knew that Huang Xu and that Lady Yu had an affair; he had already found out about these things before coming to the Huang residence.

Otherwise, Huang Xu wouldn't have persisted like this.

Pei Mingxiu, of course, also had other ways to retrieve Xiang Ning.

But if Huang Xu persists in his pursuit, it will only lead to endless trouble, and even worse, it might attract Pei Yanzhi's attention.

That was not the outcome he and Xiang Ning wanted to see.

A battleground, a battlefield, let's fight!
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(End of this chapter)