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

Chapter 126 What makes you think you can keep her?
The magistrate was filled with fear and knelt before Pei Yanzhi, his body trembling slightly.

Although the trembling was not severe, it was enough to show his extreme unease.

Pei Yanzhi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was a well-known figure in Daqing. He was a trusted minister of the Empress Dowager, and everyone in Daqing knew him.

Sometimes, Pei Yanzhi's attitude often reflects the Empress Dowager's thoughts.

That's why the magistrate was so nervous, his heart pounding in his chest.

He kept wondering what orders Pei Yanzhi had brought to Yangzhou.

If there is even the slightest mishap, one's career and even the entire family could face annihilation.

"If I were to see clearly, Lord Zhu's official career would have come to an end."

Pei Yanzhi slightly raised his chin, his eyes filled with majesty and indifference, and uttered these words with a sneer.

Although the sound was not loud, it was like a thunderclap in the ears of the magistrate, making him even more frightened, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

His face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled slightly, and he wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin.

"The Huang family is indeed all-powerful in Yangzhou. Countless people in Yangzhou are now relying on the Huang family to do business."

"But I really didn't covet the Huang family's money."

The magistrate spoke haltingly, his voice filled with obvious panic and helplessness.

As he spoke, he secretly observed Pei Yanzhi's expression, trying to find clues from his expression to determine how he should respond next.

Then Pei Yanzhi said two words: "Alright."

These two simple words seemed to carry immense weight, instantly silencing the magistrate and silencing him.

"I will personally preside over this case."

Pei Yanzhi slowly rose to his feet, his posture as upright as a pine tree.

He slightly raised his hand and smoothed out the wrinkles on his sleeves, as if he were organizing his thoughts.

Upon hearing this, the magistrate naturally agreed repeatedly, not daring to have the slightest objection.

He nodded his head vigorously, like a chicken pecking at rice, repeatedly saying, "Yes, sir, I will do my best to cooperate with you in the investigation."

That respectful attitude was as if they were facing an inviolable deity.

Pei Yanzhi nodded slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over the magistrate.

"Lord Zhu had better remember your words. If there is any mishap during the trial, you know the consequences."

His words contained a veiled warning, and the magistrate quickly replied, "Rest assured, sir, I will not dare to be negligent in the slightest."

Pei Yanzhi said no more and turned to walk out the door.

The magistrate hurriedly got up and respectfully saw Pei Yanzhi off.

Only after Pei Yanzhi's figure disappeared from sight did the magistrate breathe a sigh of relief and wipe the sweat from his forehead.

He thought to himself, "With Pei Yanzhi personally handling this case, it seems he's planning something, and it's hard to hide it now."

"Quickly send a message to the Huang family."

Upon hearing his command, the attendant beside him immediately turned respectfully to the side and quickly leaned in to listen.

The magistrate leaned closer to his attendant, lowered his voice, gave his instructions, and the attendant nodded and left.

As Pei Yanzhi emerged from the government office, he saw Cheng Hua and Ming Xiang standing at the entrance.

Cheng Hua held the heavy cloak in his hand, waiting anxiously.

Upon seeing Pei Yanzhi emerge, Cheng Hua hurried forward, his steps quick, his cloak swaying slightly with his movements.

Just as she was about to drape it over Pei Yanzhi, she heard him ask, "Where is Pei Mingxiu?"

Cheng Hua was slightly taken aback, then quickly realized what he meant and hurriedly replied, "The Third Young Master is currently living in Yangliu Lane. Do you want to see him now?"

Cheng Hua understood why Pei Yanzhi was asking Pei Mingxiu at this moment.

He asked Pei Mingxiu, presumably because he knew what Pei Mingxiu had been doing behind his back in Yangzhou.

Especially knowing Xiang Ning's identity, Pei Mingxiu dared to act on his own initiative, which undoubtedly crossed Pei Yanzhi's bottom line. Pei Yanzhi stood at the entrance of the government office, looking up at the white snow falling again on the horizon. The pure white snowflakes fluttered down, just like his complicated thoughts at this moment.

His gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce through the swirling snow.

If he hadn't come to the government office today, no one knows what Xiang Ning would have encountered.

Despite Pei Yanzhi's harsh words and her resistance, he still couldn't abandon Xiang Ning.

Pei Yanzhi could never bring himself to watch her die.

It was an unspeakable longing, an emotion that, even though it hurt from her stubbornness, could not be severed.

"Go see Zhu Zhang tomorrow."

Pei Yanzhi slightly raised his hand and beckoned to Mingxiang with his finger.

Mingxiang immediately understood and stepped forward.

Then Pei Yanzhi slowly said, "The Huang family must have dirty hands. Ask Zhu Zhang if he still wants to keep his official hat."

Pei Yanzhi's voice was cold and authoritative, and his words were full of pressure.

"Yes, I will take care of it tomorrow."

Pei Yanzhi nodded slightly and turned to walk towards the carriage.

Cheng Hua quickly followed and lifted the carriage curtain for Pei Yanzhi.

Pei Yanzhi got into the carriage, and Cheng Hua followed him in and sat down beside him.

"Go to Yangliu Lane."

The carriage moved slowly forward, leaving two shallow tracks in the snow.

Pei Yanzhi sat in the car with a cold expression, but he was thinking about meeting Pei Mingxiu.

Before long, the carriage arrived at Yangliu Lane.

Pei Yan got off the carriage and looked at the small courtyard in front of him by the moonlight.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the sound of snowflakes falling.

Pei Yanzhi walked straight to the main room, pushed open the door, and saw Pei Mingzheng sitting at the table, holding a book in his hand, seemingly deep in thought.

Hearing the door open, Pei Mingxiu looked up and saw Pei Yanzhi, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.

He quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Brother? What brings you here?"

Pei Yanzhi looked at Pei Mingxiu with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Third brother has been in Yangzhou for so long, it’s time for him to return to the capital.”

His words were direct and unvarnished. Pei Mingxiu gripped the book in his hand and stared at Pei Yanzhi.

Chenghua, who was standing outside the door, tactfully stepped forward and closed the door.

"Brother, my business deal isn't finished yet."

Pei Mingxiu finished speaking, and Pei Yan stepped forward and sat down opposite him.

There was still hot water boiling in the small stove on the table, and he reached out and poured himself a cup of hot water.

Wisps of white steam rose from the teacup, and through the steam, Pei Yanzhi looked up at Pei Mingxiu.

"You think I don't know what you're thinking?"

Pei Yanzhi's lips curled into a mocking smile. He had indeed made a purpose in dragging Pei Mingxiu out of the corner of the Pei family.

But Pei Mingxiu himself also had ambitions.

"You don't like Xiang Ning, you want to use Xiang Ning to embarrass me."

"I couldn't even keep Xiang Ning, so what makes you think you can?"

(End of this chapter)