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

Chapter 127 Confrontation
The fire on the table was still burning, and the flickering flames illuminated everything around it.

Pei Yanzhi sat there, his gaze indifferent, like a calm, still lake, watching Pei Mingxiu.

His gaze was cold, distant, and carried an indescribable indifference, as cold as ice.

Pei Mingxiu had seen that look in Pei Yanzhi's eyes many times, and every time he saw it, a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

He knew that Pei Yanzhi had never taken him seriously; in Pei Yanzhi's heart, he seemed to always be an insignificant figure.

Pei Mingxiu smiled softly, a smile tinged with bitterness and a hint of resentment.

He slowly met Pei Yanzhi's gaze and asked, "Brother, are you so confident in Xiang Ning's choice?"

"At least I didn't force her. Even if she dies, she won't go back with you. Why do you think that is, brother?"

His voice rang out in the silent space, two questions, calm yet with a barely perceptible tremor.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi's fingers curled slightly, his slender fingers appearing exceptionally white in the firelight.

Then, he gently tapped the table, making a crisp sound.

"so?"

Pei Yanzhi leaned back slightly, a seemingly casual movement that revealed an innate air of nobility.

He looked at Pei Mingxiu with a hint of disdain on his face.

"Are you trying to tell me that Xiang Ning will choose you?"

"She's not stupid; she can see through your intentions."

Hearing Pei Yanzhi's calm and composed question, Pei Mingxiu could only sense that his words were full of sarcasm.

The mockery was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart.

"I am certainly no match for my elder brother."

Pei Mingxiu's voice was low and deep, filled with a profound sense of helplessness.

He was at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

What Pei Yanzhi possessed was something Pei Mingxiu could only dream of for his entire life.

Some people are born with things that others can never obtain in their entire lives.

"I've given you the way."

"In the Pei family, I have never felt that a person's background means anything, but if you insist on courting death, I can't stop you."

Pei Yanzhi reached out and picked up the hot water from the side. The water swirled in the teacup, and then he stood up to leave.

Pei Mingxiu watched Pei Yanzhi's actions, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

The fire in the stove was still flickering, as if telling the story of the undercurrents between the two.

Pei Yanzhi walked to the door, paused slightly, but did not turn around.

"Just take care of yourself."

His voice was cold and clear, like the winter wind.

Then, he left with steady steps, leaving Pei Mingxiu alone in the room filled with firelight yet feeling exceptionally cold.

Pei Mingxiu stood there, looking at the still-burning fire in the furnace, his heart filled with bitterness.

He knew that the difference between him and Pei Yanzhi was not only their backgrounds, but also their demeanor and confidence.

Some things seemed destined, but he was never willing to accept it.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.

After a long while, Pei Mingxiu slowly stood up, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

Pei Yanzhi was right; he didn't like Xiang Ning much.

At first, he felt a strange sensation from Xiang Ning's pure nature.

Later, it was because of Pei Yanzhi's attitude towards Xiang Ning.

He wondered what Pei Yanzhi's mindset would be if Xiang Ning were taken away from him.

But now, he didn't want to know what Pei Yanzhi was thinking. He wouldn't give up so easily; even if the road ahead was difficult, he would fight for himself.

As Chenghua came out of the courtyard, he watched Pei Yan get into the carriage. He didn't ask anything, but simply told the driver to take the carriage to a place to rest.

When Pei Yanzhi returned to his residence, he crossed the covered bridge and looked at the snow scene outside, but his thoughts drifted to distant places.

He knew Pei Mingxiu's ambition, but he never thought of truly suppressing him.

As long as Pei Mingxiu doesn't do anything excessive, he can turn a blind eye.

However, Xiang Ning's incident forced him to re-evaluate his younger brother.

The next day, as dawn broke and the frost and snow had not yet melted, Pei Yanzhi, dressed in a long black robe, exuded an air of majesty.

When he arrived at the entrance of the government office, he unexpectedly saw a figure.

After receiving Zhu Zhang's letter last night, Huang Xu felt an indescribable unease.

He had intended to come immediately, but it was already late at night, and traveling would be inconvenient, so he had to suppress his anxiety and wait until today.

At this moment, Huang Xu looked hurried, his brows furrowed, as if he were carrying a heavy burden in his heart.

When he looked up and saw Pei Yan, he frowned slightly, his expression seemingly carrying a hint of impatience and annoyance.

Without even saying hello, he bypassed Pei Yanzhi and strode towards the government office.

Cheng Hua watched this scene, a look of anger flashing across his face, then he seemed to laugh in exasperation.

"This Huang Xu is really arrogant. Relying on his power, he acts so disrespectful. Doesn't he realize where he is? I wonder if Huang Xu will still act this way when he sees me later."

Pei Yanzhi watched Huang Xu's retreating figure, his expression unchanged, still calm and composed.

He slightly raised his hand, signaling Chenghua to calm down.

Then, he leisurely walked into the government office.

Inside the government office, Huang Xu stood in a corner, talking quietly with an official.

His expression was filled with anxiety and worry, and his brows were furrowed.

Perhaps the matter at hand was extremely difficult, for his tone was urgent and his gestures were unconsciously gesturing.

When he caught a glimpse of Pei Yan out of the corner of his eye, a strange expression instantly appeared on his face.

It was an expression of surprise and wariness, as if they had seen someone they had never expected.

But he quickly regained his composure, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and continued talking with the official.

Pei Yanzhi walked to the main hall and sat down unhurriedly.

His posture was upright and his demeanor was calm, like a majestic mountain peak, giving people an undeniable sense of pressure.

His gaze was calm as he looked at Huang Xu, his eyes deep and sharp, as if he could see through people's hearts.

Cheng Hua stood aside, his eyes full of disdain.

Huang Xu was even more surprised to see this.

A strong sense of unease welled up inside him, as if something bad was about to happen.

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, his eyes widened and a look of shock appeared on his face.

In a letter yesterday, Lord Zhu Zhang from the prefectural government said that someone from the Dali Temple in the capital has come to personally try the case.

At the time, Huang Xu couldn't understand how the Dali Temple had taken notice of the Yangzhou matter.

Not to mention, this case is nothing more than a trivial matter in the local government office.

The Dali Temple usually deals with difficult cases, so they have no time to pay attention to these kinds of things.

"Lord Pei, you've arrived?"

Just then, Zhu Zhang walked in from outside and said respectfully.

"Why haven't you come to pay your respects to Minister Pei of the Court of Judicial Review yet?"

(End of this chapter)