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

Chapter 136 He Has the Intention to Protect You

Layers of snow piled up on the towering ancient trees fell softly in the biting cold wind, like pear blossoms fluttering in the air.

The two stood under the tree, the chill growing stronger. Pei Yanzhi pulled the collar of Xiang Ning's cloak up a little higher.

As he moved, his collar slowly rose, just enough to cover her eyebrows and eyes.

It also conveniently covered their tightly joined, slightly trembling, moist lips.

He exuded a faint, cool scent of cedar, and at this moment, that scent seemed to grow stronger, lingering around them.

Xiang Ning tried to open her eyes, but he gently bit her, saying in a teasing tone that she wasn't paying attention.

The sound of footsteps coming and going was incessant, and Xiang Ning felt both anxious and annoyed.

She tried to break free from his embrace, but his arms were like iron clamps, and she could only silently pray that he would let go of her.

After an unknown amount of time, the intense, oppressive feeling finally dissipated, and Xiang Ning breathed a sigh of relief, her chest rising and falling slightly.

Pei Yanzhi reached out and gently touched her swollen lips with his fingertips, wiping them softly. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said, "Go."

He turned his head slightly, and Cheng Hua, who was in the distance, understood immediately and quickly stepped forward: "Miss, come with me."

Xiang Ning's face was already flushed red, like a ripe peach, delicate and tempting.

She turned around without hesitation, her back view hurried, looking as if she were fleeing in panic.

Watching Xiang Ning's departing figure, the gentle smile that had been on Pei Yanzhi's lips vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.

His eyes were deep and cold, and he turned around and strode away.

Wen Caifu has been living at Xiangguo Temple for a long time. The days in the temple are peaceful and serene, which makes her feel much more relaxed compared to the constraints she faced at the Wen family home.

"Miss, look, isn't that Miss Xiang Ning?"

Green Branch was carrying firewood and was about to go into the small kitchen to start a fire and cook when she looked up and saw Xiang Ning standing outside in the distance.

Wen Caifu, who was focused on tending the fire, was slightly taken aback when she heard this, and then stood up.

"Miss Wen."

Xiang Ning walked over and saw Wen Caifu, dressed in plain clothes and without makeup, yet still exuding a beautiful and refined air. A hint of heartache unconsciously appeared in her eyes.

"Are you... are you better?"

Wen Caifu carefully wiped her hands with a clean handkerchief, came out of the small kitchen, and asked softly.

After all, Pei Yanzhi had previously told Xiang Ning that he would publicly claim that she was sick and needed to rest.

Therefore, Wen Caifu's question was reasonable and would not arouse suspicion from others.

“Miss Wen, the master has business to attend to today, so please rest here for the night.”

Chenghua, standing behind him, offered an explanation.

Hearing this, Wen Caifu nodded slightly: "Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

After saying that, she stepped forward and pushed open the door, and Xiang Ning followed her.

The room was decorated in a simple and elegant style, yet the simple decor exuded warmth.

It seems that Wen Caifu isn't so unhappy living here.

"I heard something happened in the palace. Lord Pei must have been worried about you, which is why he sent you to Xiangguo Temple."

Wen Caifu smiled and poured Xiang Ning a cup of tea, the warm tea still steaming.

Xiang Ning sat to the side, feeling a little embarrassed.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling awkward?"

"Or do you have something to ask me?"

Wen Caifu sat down gracefully and, seeing Xiang Ning's hesitant expression, asked a question.

Hearing this, Xiang Ning opened her mouth, but shook her head: "It's nothing." "If you want to ask me why I was at Xiangguo Temple, Lord Pei should have told you everything."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Xiangguo Temple is quite peaceful, and there aren't many messy things there."

Wen Caifu held a teacup in her hand and spoke with a smile.

It's just gossip, she doesn't care anymore.

"The Wen family must have been hiding this matter, but we don't know who it was..."

"It is Princess Huihe."

Xiang Ning said this with some concern, and upon hearing it, Wen Caifu replied.

Besides Princess Huihe, there was no one else.

Only she wanted Wen Caifu dead, and only she didn't want Wen Caifu to marry Pei Yanzhi.

Wen Caifu gently put down her teacup, her expression calm, as if she were telling someone else's story: "She went to such lengths, all she wanted was to marry Lord Pei."

"However, despite all her calculations, she misjudged my attitude toward this marriage."

Xiang Ning frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Miss Wen, what do you mean by that?"

Wen Caifu looked up at the tranquil snow scene outside the window and said slowly, "Marriages between aristocratic families have always been based on interests, not love."

“The Pei family chose me because my father is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and I chose the Pei family because Lord Pei is the highest family I can reach.”

"If I were in love with Lord Pei, I might be hurt by those rumors, but I don't care, so they can't hurt me."

Xiang Ning was startled; she hadn't expected Wen Caifu to be so insightful and open-minded.

Wen Caifu turned to look at Xiang Ning, her eyes filled with understanding: "I noticed long ago that Lord Pei treated you differently."

"If Princess Huihe knew of your existence, she would definitely not let it go, and there would surely be many more troubles in the future."

However, Wen Caifu felt that with Pei Yanzhi around, Princess Huihe would definitely not be able to hurt Xiang Ning.

“Miss Wen, it’s wonderful that you think this way.”

Xiang Ning sighed, thinking that Wen Caifu was truly insightful. But that was good, because she didn't take things to heart, and what others said couldn't hurt her.

Wen Caifu waved her hand gently, poured some more tea for Xiang Ning, and said, "Lord Pei is no ordinary person. He is willing to protect you, and he must have his own plans."

Xiang Ning gently grasped the teacup, feeling the warmth entering her palm, without saying anything more.

At this moment, Green Branch whispered from outside the door, "Miss, the temple has prepared vegetarian food. Would you like to have some now?"

Xiang Ning looked at Wen Caifu, who said, "Luzhi, go to the dining hall and bring us the vegetarian food. Xiang Ning and I will eat in the room."

Green Branch outside nodded in agreement and led Chenghua to get the vegetarian meal.

The vegetarian food at Xiangguo Temple is famously delicious, comparable to the food in restaurants.

When Green Branch brought back the vegetarian meal, the two ate while talking, and their relationship grew much closer.

After the meal, Wen Caifu asked Lüzhi to clean up the adjacent room for Xiang Ning to stay in.

The afternoon sun shone on the roof tiles, and Xiang Ning stood under the eaves, watching the snow melt and drip down.

Birds in the distance flap their wings and fly, their freedom amidst the vast, white expanse of the sky is truly enviable.

“Our young lady doesn’t have many close female friends, so it’s rare to see her being so enthusiastic towards anyone.”

Green Branch, holding clean bedding in her arms, smiled and said something to Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning nodded slightly in agreement: "Miss Wen is truly an extremely good person."

But in this world, good people always have to go through hardships.

(End of this chapter)