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

Chapter 130 I Have Power and Influence
After Pei Yanzhi left the room, Xiang Ning lay on the bed for a while, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts, unable to calm down.

After a while, she lifted the covers and got out of bed.

As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw the servant guarding the entrance.

The servant's face was respectful, yet it carried a hint of wariness.

"Young lady, the master wants you to rest well in the room."

Judging from this, Pei Yanzhi clearly intends to place Xiang Ning under house arrest.

Xiang Ning frowned slightly, looking at the servant's hand blocking the doorway, a sense of helplessness welling up in her heart.

She paused for a moment, closed the door again, and turned around to examine the furnishings in the room.

Although this is Pei Yanzhi's temporary residence, it is in no way inferior to the Pei residence.

The room was decorated with exquisite elegance, and the furniture was placed just right. Every detail revealed the owner's nobility and taste.

Xiang Ning's gaze wandered around the room, but her mind was on other things.

Thinking of Pei Yanzhi's words, Xiang Ning lowered her eyes, feeling a little depressed.

His resolute demeanor suggested that he wouldn't give up until he brought me back.

Xiang Ning sighed softly, knowing that she had no way to escape now.

Pei Yanzhi is keeping such a close watch on her, undoubtedly because he's afraid that what happened last time will happen again.

Xiang Ning was extremely unwilling to go back.

That grand mansion felt like a cage to her, confining her.

It seems the only way to escape is on the way back to the capital.

Pei Yanzhi can no longer see any affection for her; it's simply because she's the first person who dared to defy him.

Perhaps once he returns to the capital, he won't feel the same way about her anymore.

But by then, it was she who was trapped in the deep mansion.

Xiang Ning sat on the edge of the bed, her hands unconsciously twisting together as she fell into deep thought.

Her only worry now is the concubine-taking document. With the document, even if she runs away, it will be inconvenient for her to do things.

But even if she goes back with Pei Yanzhi, she might not be able to destroy the documents and then escape smoothly.

Xiang Ning felt somewhat distressed, unsure of what to do to escape her current predicament.

At noon, a light footstep was heard outside the door. Chenghua pushed open the door and entered the room.

He was holding a tray with some food and tea on it.

"Miss, the master instructed me to bring you some food."

Cheng Hua remained calm, placed the tray on the table, and then stood respectfully to the side.

Xiang Ning looked at the food on the tray, but had no appetite whatsoever.

Her mind was completely focused on how to escape this situation, and she had no time to think about anything else.

Chenghua hesitated for a moment when he saw Xiang Ning's attitude, then sighed and said, "Miss, I am truly sincere towards you."

"At least in all the time I've served him, I've never seen him go to such lengths for someone else."

Chenghua had said this to Xiangning, but Xiangning didn't believe it then, and she still doesn't believe it now.

Does Pei Yanzhi seem like a thoughtful person?

Xiang Ning sneered: "In his eyes, I'm nothing more than a plaything that he can manipulate at will."

Cheng Hua frowned slightly, feeling somewhat helpless at Xiang Ning's words.

“Young lady, you have really misunderstood him. Although he may seem cold and aloof on ordinary days, he treats you differently.”

“Since you left, the master has been staying at the Dali Temple and hasn’t gone back. He’s afraid that if others ask about you, he won’t be able to keep it a secret.”

"Although the master's words can sometimes be harsh, if he really wanted to do something to you, he wouldn't have traveled all the way to Yangzhou."

Xiang Ning turned her face away, unwilling to listen to Cheng Hua's words any longer. If she had been hoping for Pei Yanzhi's sincerity, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to leave the Pei residence in the first place.

Chenghua sighed softly: "My master is in a high position and has many things he can't do. But his feelings for you are truly sincere."

In all these years, Chenghua has never seen Pei Yanzhi treat others like this.

Xiang Ning must be a special person in the master's heart.

Xiang Ning was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I'm tired."

Chenghua opened his mouth, but didn't know how to persuade him further.

He might understand Xiang Ning's concerns, but how could he possibly control the master's thoughts?

"Young lady, please think about it again. He is not as heartless as you think."

After saying that, Chenghua turned and left the room.

Xiang Ning was left alone in the room again. She looked at the food on the table, but her heart was not stirred at all.

Xiang Ning got up and walked to the window, gazing at the scenery outside, but her thoughts drifted far away.

Pei Yanzhi kept such a close watch on her that she had almost no chance.

Perhaps she could take advantage of Pei Yanzhi's current feelings for her to lower his guard, and then find an opportunity to escape.

Although this method was somewhat risky, she had no other choice.

Pei Yanzhi wasn't so easily fooled, especially given the previous example; he would be even less likely to believe her.

If she wants to deceive everyone, she'll probably have to pay a price.

At this moment, Pei Yanzhi returned to the government office. Zhu Zhang and Huang Xu exchanged a glance as they watched him go.

Now that they all know about Pei Yanzhi and Xiang Ning's relationship, how could they dare to want Xiang Ning dead?

They should be grateful as long as Pei Yanzhi doesn't pursue their problems.

"Sir, we...we will not pursue this matter."

Huang Xu stepped forward and said something, and Pei Yanzhi turned to look at him: "Not going to sue? Didn't she kill someone?"

For some reason, Huang Xu felt that Pei Yanzhi's words contained a hidden sarcasm.

"Perhaps, it's just, just a misunderstanding..."

Huang Xu's current appearance is completely different from his previous arrogant demeanor; he is practically a different person.

Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at Huang Xu. The pressure in his gaze caused fine beads of sweat to appear on Huang Xu's forehead.

"Misunderstanding? That's not what you said before."

Huang Xu panicked and quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet Pei Yanzhi's gaze.

"My lord, I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness before. I wronged that young lady. Please forgive me."

Zhu Zhang chimed in, "Sir, there may indeed be a misunderstanding. We will definitely reinvestigate and clear that young lady's name."

Pei Yanzhi scoffed, "Isn't Young Master Huang all-powerful in Yangzhou? He says no amount of money will do, and he wants to take my life."

"Your Excellency is wise and discerning!"

His words were full of pressure, and Huang Xu immediately knelt down with a thud.

Pei Yanzhi lifted his foot and placed it on Huang Xu's shoulder, leaning slightly forward as he said, "Power is indeed a good thing, don't you think?"

Huang Xu's body trembled slightly with fear, and he replied in a trembling voice, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. I... I know I was wrong."

Pei Yanzhi curled a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, slowly retracting his foot, but the chill in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"Coincidentally, I have power and influence, so don't even think about doing anything behind my back."

This was a blatant threat, and Huang Xu nodded repeatedly, not daring to say anything more.

(End of this chapter)