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

Chapter 133 You Have to Get Used to My Presence
Pei Yanzhi reached his fingers to her chin and gently scratched it.

His posture and expression were as casual as if he were teasing a well-behaved cat or dog.

Xiang Ning felt a strange itch on her chin, and her body trembled slightly instinctively.

She unconsciously moved a few steps to the side, a hint of embarrassment and unease flashing in her eyes.

"Give me some freedom within the limits of what is feasible."

Xiang Ning mustered her courage to say those words, her heart clenching as if gripped by an invisible hand, so tense it felt like it was about to leap out of her throat.

She knew that the word "freedom" was like a fuse that could explode at any moment between them.

She feared that if she said these words, Pei Yanzhi would reject her without hesitation, and then she would have no chance to break free from this bondage.

But how could she possibly go back with him and then obediently and submissively become his concubine?

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi tilted his head slightly, his dark, watery eyes revealing little emotion.

After a brief silence, he parted his thin lips slightly and uttered two words: "Okay."

His quick and decisive agreement left Xiang Ning somewhat at a loss for words.

"Can?"

She could hardly believe her ears and murmured to herself.

"Thank you, sir..."

Xiang Ning lowered her head slightly, trying to pull her hand away from Pei Yanzhi's side.

However, Pei Yanzhi was one step ahead of her and took her hand in his. His hand was large and warm, but it made Xiang Ning feel as if she was being locked up by an invisible shackle.

"On the condition that you obey."

Pei Yanzhi's voice was deep and magnetic, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"Ah Ning, let's put this matter behind us, but if there's a next time, you should know my temper."

Pei Yanzhi was never a good-tempered person who could easily forgive others' mistakes.

The only reason he was willing to let Xiang Ning go was because he wanted to give her a chance to admit her mistakes and make amends.

But this opportunity is something no one else would ever have. It was a special one that he gave to Xiang Ning, and it was also a warning and a deterrent.

After making the threat, he chuckled: "The title 'Master' isn't appropriate. From now on, call me by my courtesy name, or Pei Lang, hmm?"

Hearing this somewhat teasing remark, Xiang Ning couldn't manage a smile no matter what.

A change in address can also signify the breakdown of a certain relationship.

But Xiang Ning had no right to refuse, so she softly called him "Pei Lang".

The man, in a good mood, accepted her address.

The carriage swayed and wobbled as it headed towards the capital.

When she arrived, Xiang Ning was filled with joy; when she left, she was filled with despair.

Along the way, Pei Yanzhi spent most of his time dealing with official documents, while Xiang Ning rested on the side.

Only occasionally, when Pei Yanzhi was in high spirits, would he continue to teach Xiang Ning to read and write.

On the surface, their relationship seemed no different from what it had been like at Mosongyuan.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface lie many unspeakable, invisible constraints.

That night, the carriage came to a smooth stop at the post station.

Xiang Ning stepped off the carriage and looked up at the flickering lights in the post station. A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

Pei Yanzhi walked beside her and naturally took her hand in an intimate manner.

After entering the room at the post station, Pei Yanzhi calmly sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a small sip.

His gaze was fixed on Xiang Ning, his voice low and carried an undeniable air of authority.

"A-Ning, come here."

Xiang Ning followed his instructions and moved forward, but kept her head slightly lowered, deliberately avoiding Pei Yanzhi's gaze. His gaze was intense and burning, like a raging fire churning wildly.

It was as if whenever their eyes met, it was equivalent to a silent response.

Pei Yanzhi put down his teacup, stretched out his slender fingers, and slowly lifted Xiang Ning's chin, forcing her to look directly at him.

The man's lips curled into a faint smile as he asked, "Going out for a bit, and you're still a coward?"

Xiang Ning subconsciously bit her lower lip and said softly, "I'm just a little tired."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi chuckled softly, then suddenly pulled Xiang Ning into his arms, making her sit steadily on his lap.

The two were very intimate at that moment, and his hand naturally landed on her lower back.

I gently stroked it through the layer of winter clothing that smelled of frost and snow.

Immediately afterwards, Pei Yanzhi's fingers deftly untied her belt, and his cool fingertips quietly slipped inside her clothes.

Xiang Ning suddenly felt something was wrong, and her body involuntarily twisted as if trying to escape, but he held her even tighter.

"itch……"

Overwhelmed by this unbearable feeling, the girl finally couldn't help but utter these words.

Pei Yanzhi's smile deepened as he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "A Ning, you have to get used to my presence."

Whether it's a kiss, a hug, or sexual intercourse.

It was as if he was determined to deeply integrate all these intimate gestures into Xiang Ning's very being.

That made her unable to forget his existence from that moment on.

Unable to tell whose scent had startled the other, a hurried kiss first landed on the sensitive neck.

The sharp teeth seemed to bite like a wild beast, but in the end, they only caused Xiang Ning a slight sting.

Her hand rested on Pei Yanzhi's shoulder, unconsciously tightening, her fingers hooking onto the accessories on his clothes, eliciting a soft chuckle from him.

However, Pei Yanzhi clearly only wanted Xiang Ning to understand the meaning behind his words, and did not intend to actually do anything.

When Chenghua brought in the food, he saw Xiangning sitting on the soft couch with a flushed face.

"Sir, there is a letter from Lord Ming."

Chenghua didn't dare to look up or look around, afraid that he might see something he shouldn't.

After he finished speaking, Pei Yanzhi raised his hand and wiped the moisture from the corner of his lips.

"Go out and talk."

After saying this, he got up and left the house, leaving Xiang Ning alone inside.

This time, however, Xiang Ning can't escape; the area around the post station is full of his men.

After arriving at the main hall of the post station, Chenghua said, "Sir, Prince Qing gave the Lu family business a lot of things."

"In addition, Shi Hao is dead, but he was clever and left himself a backup plan. His cousin did not die of illness, but was murdered."

Cheng Hua took out a letter and handed it to Pei Yanzhi.

He opened the letter, glanced at it, and then scoffed, "He deserved to die."

Pei Yanzhi folded the letter and put it away again. Shi Hao had done so much for the person behind the scenes, and he knew he wouldn't survive.

Whether they seek refuge with the person behind the scenes or tell Pei Yanzhi the truth.

"My lord, an urgent report from the capital: Princess Jian'an has gone missing."

Just as the two were discussing matters, Pei Yanzhi's subordinate rushed in and said something.

The Empress Dowager's decree arrived with urgent news: Empress Dowager Feng had only one son and one daughter.

Everyone knows that the frail and sickly Princess Jian'an was the apple of Empress Dowager Feng's eye.

"understood."

(End of this chapter)