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

Chapter 129 Don't Make Me Unhappy

Pei Yanzhi put his arm around Xiang Ning and turned to look at Zhu Zhang sitting to the side.

When Zhu Zhang felt Pei Yanzhi's gaze fall upon him, he was startled, and his heart seemed to skip a beat.

He hurriedly stood up, looking nervous, and said in a rapid voice, "Sir, how could I dare disobey your orders? I already sent bedding and food to the young lady last night."

Upon hearing Zhu Zhang's reply, Pei Yanzhi didn't even glance at him, as if Zhu Zhang's response wasn't worth his reply.

He picked up Xiang Ning and stood up, a move that stunned everyone present, and all eyes were on Pei Yanzhi and Xiang Ning.

Surprise, doubt, speculation, and other emotions mingled in the air.

"Chenghua, clothes."

Pei Yanzhi slightly parted his lips and gave an instruction to Cheng Hua behind him.

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.

Cheng Hua quickly picked up Pei Yanzhi's cloak, hurried over, and skillfully draped it over Xiang Ning.

The cloak formed a warm barrier for Xiang Ning.

"Sir, she is still a suspect."

Seeing that Pei Yanzhi was about to take the person away, Zhu Zhang couldn't help but whisper a reminder.

His tone carried a hint of hesitation and worry, clearly indicating that he neither wanted to offend Pei Yanzhi nor was he worried about taking responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi glanced at him sideways.

The sharpness and authority revealed in those eyes made Zhu Zhang feel like he had a thorn in his back.

"You mean my concubine is going to stay here for you to interrogate?"

Pei Yanzhi's words were filled with obvious questioning and dissatisfaction, and his powerful aura made the surrounding air seem to freeze.

Before Zhu Zhang could react, Huang Xu staggered and nearly fell.

Huang Xu's face showed a panicked expression, clearly intimidated by Pei Yanzhi's words and aura.

His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say.

A concubine? This woman is actually Pei Yanzhi's concubine?

Huang Xu felt as if he was about to die.

Pei Yanzhi took Xiang Ning back to their residence, and Cheng Hua then went to fetch a doctor.

In the room, only the occasional soft crackling of burning charcoal stood out clearly in the quiet atmosphere.

Pei Yanzhi sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Xiang Ning with her eyes closed, his gaze somewhat dark.

She has lost a lot of weight; her once round cheeks are now slightly sunken, and her chin has become more pointed.

Perhaps because he had spent too long in prison, he looked quite disheveled.

Her hair was scattered messily on the pillow, and her face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color.

His clothes were tattered and worn, revealing the suffering he had endured in prison.

As if remembering something, Pei Yanzhi slowly reached out and took Xiang Ning's hand.

Her hands were cold and rough, and the backs of her hands were covered with shocking scars.

"what are you up to?"

Before the doctor arrived, Xiang Ning suddenly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were filled with vigilance and doubt, but where her gaze fell was Pei Yanzhi.

She quickly pulled her hand back as if it had been burned, leaned back, and distanced herself from Pei Yanzhi.

Seeing her so wary, Pei Yanzhi chuckled.

"If I really wanted to do something to you, I wouldn't have brought you back."

Xiang Ning pursed her lips and remained silent, turning her gaze away from Pei Yanzhi.

Who tortured you?

Pei Yanzhi turned to the side, his somewhat cold gaze falling on Xiang Ning's hair.

Upon hearing this question, Xiang Ning pulled down the sleeve that Pei Yanzhi had just pulled up, covering the scars on the back of her hand.

"Besides Huang Xu, there's no one else."

Her voice was very soft, so soft that it seemed as if it could disappear in an instant.

She didn't know how Pei Yanzhi had explained things to the officials, but after Pei Yanzhi left, someone brought her some bedding and food. Then, in the early hours of this morning, an official from the government arrived and, without saying a word, gave her a severe beating.

If Xiang Ning hadn't been wrapped in a blanket, she probably would be dead by now.

"Ah."

After a long silence, Xiang Ning heard Pei Yanzhi hum in response.

Before long, Chenghua arrived with the doctor.

The doctor walked to the bedside and carefully took Xiang Ning's pulse, occasionally frowning slightly.

After taking his pulse, the doctor left some ointment for the wound and gave him some instructions.

He looked at Pei Yanzhi, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating. Pei Yanzhi understood and walked out with him.

"Sir, may I ask if this young lady has taken large amounts of contraceptives?"

The doctor's voice was low, tinged with worry and doubt.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi frowned, seemingly having a vague idea in his mind.

"go on."

"Although that contraceptive is quite effective, it is extremely harmful to the body. In addition, her body is cold, so it will be difficult for her to have children in the future."

The doctor's tone was heavy, and his face showed regret.

"However, sir, there is no need to be too pessimistic. If you take care of him, he may be able to recover."

At this point, the doctor offered a word of advice.

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Yanzhi raised his hand and gestured for Cheng Hua to take the person out.

He stood at the doorway, looking at the snow-covered landscape outside, and suddenly felt like laughing.

When Fang Mama came with the old lady's orders, she said that she was afraid that he was not yet married and could not have illegitimate children, so she had to give Xiang Ning a contraceptive medicine.

Pei Yanzhi didn't want Xiang Ning to take contraceptives, so he said it didn't matter.

But he didn't expect that it was Xiang Ning who didn't want children.

"Sir, it's getting chilly, please go inside."

Cheng Hua's voice rang in his ears, but Pei Yanzhi seemed not to hear it, his mind churning with thoughts.

A moment later, he turned and went inside.

Xiang Ning overheard the doctor's conversation with Pei Yanzhi, which came through intermittently.

She lowered her eyes and did not look at Pei Yanzhi.

"Go back to Beijing tomorrow."

After uttering those five simple words, Xiang Ning abruptly looked up: "I won't..."

Pei Yanzhi raised an eyebrow slightly and stepped closer: "What? You don't want to come back with me?"

"Your indenture and concubine agreement are in my hands. Do you have a choice?"

He leaned down and reached out to pinch Xiang Ning's chin: "I feel sorry for you and don't want you to take the contraceptive soup, but you are willing to damage your own body to leave me."

A subtle, almost imperceptible glint flashed in Pei Yanzhi's eyes.

Xiang Ning was forced to look up at him, and just as she was about to say something, Pei Yanzhi's kiss followed.

As she conquered cities and seized territories with a hint of ruthlessness, she seemed to taste the metallic rust filling her mouth.

"You went to great lengths to gain my protection, so naturally I'll grant your wish, hmm?"

After an unknown amount of time, Pei Yanzhi held Xiang Ning's head and then released her.

Both of their lips were stained with a touch of crimson. He chuckled and uttered those words.

Don't make me unhappy.

He used his other hand to wipe Xiang Ning's lips, then stood up straight.

Xiang Ning looked up at him, but ultimately said nothing more.

Because Pei Yanzhi is right.

He held everything she had in his hands. As long as he didn't let go, he would find her and bring her back no matter where she ran.

(End of this chapter)