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

Chapter 122 His Selfishness
Upon hearing Pei Mingxiu's words, Huang Xu suddenly raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a smile that was difficult to decipher.

The smile was fleeting, yet it seemed to carry a hint of mockery and ridicule.

"I thought that Pei Sanlang came to my Huang residence for business matters, but I never expected it to be for a woman."

Huang Xu slowly leaned back, his posture lazy and casual.

A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, as if he thought it was utterly ridiculous to come for a woman.

"However, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Pei Sanlang. I want this woman dead."

These words, uttered by Huang Xu, were filled with determination and ruthlessness.

His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Upon hearing this, a flash of killing intent crossed Pei Mingxiu's eyes. The killing intent was so quick that Huang Xu didn't even notice it.

After Huang Xu finished speaking, a hint of smugness appeared in his eyes.

He had inquired about this Pei Sanlang and learned that he was just an unfavored illegitimate son in the family.

The sons of concubines had a low status, were not valued, and did not have much real power.

The only member of the Pei family that he was wary of was Pei Yanzhi, who worked at the Dali Temple.

As for the rest, Huang Xu didn't care.

So even after saying such harsh words, he didn't think Pei Mingxiu could do anything to him.

In his view, Pei Mingxiu was an insignificant figure who was no match for him.

"I've heard that the young master's relationship with Madam Yu seems to be somewhat unusual."

Pei Mingxiu's face regained a faint smile, a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, yet one that was hard to fathom.

After saying this, he calmly picked up the teacup beside him and took a small sip.

"Yunshan Pu'er is a fine tea, but unfortunately, the young master seems unable to appreciate its deeper meaning and used the most ordinary well water to brew it."

Pei Mingxiu's voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a clear warning in it.

Anyone could hear the dissatisfaction and sarcasm in his words.

Before Huang Xu could react, Pei Mingxiu had already stood up and was about to leave.

Pei Mingxiu had actually anticipated that the negotiations might fail when he came to the Huang residence today.

Especially after learning about Madam Yu's affair with Huang Xu, Pei Mingxiu had even less hope.

Huang Xu just made it very clear that he will not let Xiang Ning go; what he wants is Xiang Ning's life.

Therefore, Pei Mingxiu did not intend to continue entangled with Huang Xu here and waste time.

Arguing with someone like Huang Xu is pointless.

After Pei Mingxiu left, Huang Xu frowned and looked at the butler beside him, asking with a puzzled expression, "Did he just curse at me?"

Pei Sanlang didn't utter a single vulgar word, but Huang Xu still sensed a blatant malice.

The butler lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and then said only one sentence: "Yunshan Pu'er tea must be brewed with spring water, and the water must be boiled and scalded three times."

"I've heard that when you brew Yunshan Pu'er tea this way, drinking it feels like being on the summit of Yunshan Mountain."

The butler's explanation made Huang Xu suddenly understand.

Pei Mingxiu's "What a pity" was clearly an insult to Huang Xu, calling him an ignorant fool.

Even the best things would be a waste to send here.

After listening to the butler's explanation, Huang Xu realized what was going on, and his face instantly darkened, as if covered by a stormy sky.

“Go and say hello to the people in the government office. Tell them that I, Huang Xu, have bought that woman’s life. Anyone who tries to let her go is going against me.”

Huang Xu's tone was firm and left no room for argument.

He simply couldn't believe that those people in the government office, who had been receiving benefits from the Huang family year after year, would turn around and betray the Huang family.

Don't they realize how many people the Huang family supports, and what their status is in Yangzhou? The steward agreed and turned to carry out the task.

When Pei Mingxiu came out of the Huang residence, his mind was filled with many thoughts.

As he walked, he pondered how to ensure Xiang Ning's safe escape.

This Huang Xu is a heartless person; for his own selfish desires, he actually tried to take Xiang Ning's life.

He had to come up with a foolproof plan to prevent Xiang Ning from being put in danger.

"Master, Chenghua sent a letter to the capital today."

Pei Mingxiu had just returned from the Huang residence when he heard his men say this, and he was immediately startled.

"To the capital? To the Pei family?"

Upon hearing this, the guard nodded in agreement.

Pei Mingxiu slowly sat down, his hands firmly resting on the table. His expression was complex and unreadable, making it difficult to guess what he was thinking.

It seems that Cheng Hua's doubts have been definitively confirmed.

Therefore, Pei Yanzhi should already be on his way to Yangzhou.

Even if they rushed here at top speed, it would probably take about ten days.

Time was of the essence; he had to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

Pei Mingxiu had his own selfish motives; he didn't want Pei Yanzhi to find Xiang Ning.

It was a feeling that was hard to hide and couldn't be explained.

Ever since Xiang Ning was imprisoned, Shuang Lu has been extremely anxious and has been racking her brains to find a way to get into the prison to see Xiang Ning.

However, because they had received benefits from Huang Xu, those people resolutely refused to let Shuanglu see anyone, no matter how much she pleaded.

Not only that, Huang Xu also cut off all the connections that Pei Mingxiu had painstakingly built up.

Even Lord Lin was temporarily transferred away from here and could no longer protect Xiang Ning.

The Huang family held absolute power in Yangzhou, having already bribed the local government. Now, with their connections severed and Lord Lin transferred, Xiang Ning was completely isolated and helpless in prison.

Pei Mingxiu understood that in order to rescue Xiang Ning, he first had to suppress Huang Xu.

As the saying goes, the enemy of your enemy is your friend.

Pei Mingxiu decisively decided to start with the Huang family's rivals. He began to secretly and carefully investigate the families and forces in Yangzhou that had conflicts of interest with the Huang family.

The Su family naturally became his primary target.

However, despite their long-standing rivalry, the Su family and the Huang family have maintained a facade of peace.

Pei Mingxiu knew in his heart that Master Su might not be willing to lend a helping hand.

At this moment, Shuanglu originally wanted to send some things to Xiangning in prison through Pei Mingxiu, and then she heard Pei Mingxiu mention that he wanted to see Master Su.

Shuanglu was slightly taken aback, then quickly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to overhear."

Upon hearing this, Ping An quickly turned to look at her, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "You know Master Su?"

Shuanglu hesitated for a moment, then gently bit her lip and replied, "I have met Master Su, but only from a distance. I am not familiar with him. However, the Su family is a prominent family in Yangzhou, and their rivalry with the Huang family has a long history. If we can get help from the Su family, perhaps we can really find a way to rescue Xiang'er."

Ping An frowned slightly and looked at Pei Mingxiu.

"It seems we need to seriously consider how to persuade Mr. Su to cooperate with us. After all, the relationship between the Su family and the Huang family is complicated, and Mr. Su may not be willing to take the risk easily."

Pei Mingxiu said calmly, his mind racing with various possibilities.

To get the Su family to lend a hand, we must demonstrate sufficient sincerity and offer substantial benefits to show Mr. Su the value of cooperating with us.

Unfortunately, he didn't have much time left, and he didn't have time to make a more detailed plan.

"If you discover that Pei Yanzhi has entered the city, immediately return."

(End of this chapter)