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

Chapter 125 I only have one question for you

Xiang Ning lay prone on the ground, her body seemingly weighed down by an invisible burden.

She could clearly feel Pei Yanzhi increase the pressure on her hand, the force transmitted through her skin, causing waves of pain to emanate from the back of her hand.

She looked up and her gaze met Pei Yanzhi's.

Pei Yanzhi lowered his head slightly and looked down at her.

Xiang Ning's already pale face looked even paler now, and a look of pain spread across her face.

She remained stubbornly silent, neither speaking nor answering the questions he wanted answered.

Her eyes remained as stubborn as ever, like wild grass that could not be broken no matter how fierce the storm raged.

No matter what difficulties they encounter, they never easily admit their mistakes.

Pei Yanzhi suddenly felt as if there was a raging fire burning in his heart that he could not extinguish.

There was still a breath that he couldn't exhale comfortably no matter what.

This feeling of unease was unbearable for him, as if countless ants were gnawing at his heart.

Just then, Pei Yanzhi slowly squatted down.

He lifted his foot, the movement gentle yet carrying an irresistible force, and reached out to take her hand.

Xiang Ning frowned, trying to pull her hand out of Pei Yanzhi's grasp.

"I'll only ask you one question: are you coming back with me or not?"

Pei Yanzhi held Xiang Ning's hand tightly, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as he stared straight at her.

Compared to her previous appearance at the Pei residence, where she was gentle, submissive, and obedient, she was much more submissive.

Even now, in her disheveled state, one can clearly see the yearning for freedom shining in her eyes.

This intense realization made Pei Yanzhi feel as if the fire in his heart was burning even more fiercely, almost burning away all his reason.

"Did Lord Pei rush to Yangzhou just to ask me this one question?"

"But I clearly remember that I told you the answer a long time ago."

She chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with endless bitterness.

Then, she grasped Pei Yanzhi's hand in return and, with his help, slowly knelt up.

“I don’t want to. Even if Lord Pei asks me a thousand or ten thousand times, my answer will be the same: I don’t want to.”

Her tone was firm and resolute, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth.

She didn't want to spend her whole life as Pei Yanzhi's appendage, dependent on him to survive, living a life without a sense of self.

She was even less willing to spend her entire life as a subservient concubine, enduring endless humiliation.

She never wanted much, just simple freedom and the right to control her own destiny.

Unfortunately, fate never favored her and never gave her even the slightest chance to fulfill her wishes.

"Good, you're doing very well."

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's resolute answer, Pei Yanzhi seemed to laugh in exasperation, a complex expression appearing on his face.

"If Huang Xu refuses to release them, do you know what will happen to you?"

Pei Yanzhi's voice was icy cold and chilling as he uttered each word clearly: "According to the laws of Daqing, anyone who attempts to kill someone shall be exiled to Youzhou and enslaved for life."

His words weighed heavily on Xiang Ning's heart like heavy shackles.

"You want freedom, you want a clean identity? That's just wishful thinking."

Even his words were a way of telling Xiang Ning that she was now in a predicament.

The only person who can save her is him.

If she were willing to soften her stance and beg for forgiveness, he would help her out of consideration for their past relationship.

In reality, Pei Yanzhi just wanted to hear a word of surrender.

But Xiang Ning refused.

Who has trespassed into the prison?

Just as the two were at an impasse, the jailer in charge of guarding the prison was also called over.

He didn't recognize Pei Yanzhi, but judging from his attire and the sword he carried, he knew Pei Yanzhi was someone not to be trifled with. "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

The jailer considered the question carefully before asking it.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi turned slightly to the side and uttered, "Dali Temple."

With just three words, the jailer's expression changed instantly.

From the Dali Temple?
"Could you please come to the main hall of the government office temporarily, sir? I will go and fetch the master right away."

The jailer dared not be negligent, fearing that Pei Yanzhi might have a powerful background, and his attitude became even more respectful.

"Take him down."

Pei Yanzhi's gaze fell on the drunken constable who had already passed out to the side.

The jailer saw a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.

Realizing this, the jailer quickly ordered the others to take the unconscious, drunken constable away.

He secretly wondered what this person from Pei Yanzhi had come for.

Pei Yanzhi then turned his gaze to Xiang Ning again, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Xiang Ning met Pei Yanzhi's gaze without flinching.

She reached out and grasped the wooden door of the cell, straightening her back. Despite being imprisoned, she still possessed an indomitable pride.

"Things in this world don't always go as I wish."

Xiang Ning's lips curled up slightly, revealing a bitter smile.

Pei Yanzhi remained silent for a moment, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. Without saying a word, he turned and left.

Xiang Ning watched his retreating figure, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

She knew that her words had left him no face whatsoever, and that she and Pei Yanzhi might never have anything to do with each other again.

That's good, that's very good.

With Pei Yanzhi gone, the prison returned to its usual silence, as if the recent events had never happened.

Xiang Ning slowly sat down, her mind filled with countless thoughts.

The magistrate was surprised to hear that a high-ranking official from the Court of Judicial Review, who had come from the capital, had arrived in Yangzhou.

Upon seeing Pei Yan, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Lord Pei?"

He had been to the capital before and met Pei Yanzhi, so he naturally recognized him.

What brings you to Yangzhou?

Pei Yanzhi slightly raised his eyes, his expression cold and stern.

"I have come to Yangzhou to investigate important matters."

The magistrate's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "What is the matter, sir? I will do my best to cooperate."

Pei Yanzhi's gaze was deep, and after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "I heard that the Yangzhou government has recently imprisoned a woman. I want to know the ins and outs of this matter."

The magistrate in the government office secretly groaned, knowing full well that this matter was troublesome.

But faced with Pei Yanzhi's questioning, he dared not hide anything and had no choice but to tell the whole story about Xiang Ning's attempted murder.

Pei Yanzhi's face grew even more gloomy after hearing this.

The magistrate, observing his expression, cautiously replied, "While there is some evidence, it is insufficient to draw a conclusion. However, according to the laws of Daqing, attempted murder should be severely punished."

Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I want to personally oversee this case. Before a decision is made, if I discover any further abuse of power..."

Before he could finish speaking, the magistrate repeatedly replied, "Yes, Your Excellency obeys."

"I know that the Huang family is all-powerful in Yangzhou, and the government has received a lot of benefits from them."

Pei Yanzhi picked up the teacup beside him, looked at the magistrate, and said this only in a low voice.

The magistrate was covered in cold sweat and knelt down with a thud: "Your Excellency, Your Excellency, please see the truth."

Pei Yanzhi said: I will no longer care about you.

Pei Yanzhi thought to himself: If you begged me even for a single word, no, I would soften my heart.
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(End of this chapter)