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

Chapter 142 I Want to Marry Lord Pei

The batch of official documents that Chenghua brought were left unattended.

Instead, the books that were neatly arranged on the small table in front of Xiang Ning were scattered all over the floor, with the papers piled up haphazardly.

The frost outside the window was as sharp as a blade, and the chill seeped into the room through the cracks in the window frame.

In the chilly silence, Pei Yanzhi held Xiang Ning tightly in his arms, his body temperature burning hotter and more real than his words.

They nestled together, closely connected, their breaths mingling and blending together.

Warm breaths lingered around their noses, as if trying to etch each other's presence deep into their very bones.

In that instant, time seemed to stand still, and the whole world consisted of only the two of them.

"A Ning."

Pei Yanzhi's words, tinged with a sigh, ignited Xiang Ning's body once more.

Clothes were disheveled, and the candlelight flickered.

When the morning light shone through the thin bed curtains onto Xiang Ning's face the next day, she opened her eyes.

What came into view was that familiar bed curtain.

Xiang Ning moved her body, but was surprised to find that she did not feel sticky or uncomfortable.

She was slightly taken aback, and with some confusion, she slowly sat up, supporting herself with her hands.

Only then did I notice that I had changed into clean and tidy clothes, the soft fabric against my skin, bringing a touch of warmth.

Xiang Ning raised her hand and rubbed her head, as the various scenes from last night flashed through her mind like a tide.

She suddenly felt a dry mouth and throat, as if a fire was burning inside her throat.

The room was covered with floor heating, and the charcoal in the brazier was burning brightly, just like the fire that had ignited her the night before.

"Sister, are you awake?"

Just as Xiang Ning was about to get up to pour herself a glass of water to quench her thirst, Bi Tao's voice suddenly came from outside.

Upon hearing this question, Xiang Ning cleared her throat and replied.

Then, the door was pushed open, and Bitao walked in: "Sister, are you going to eat now?"

As Bitao spoke, she poured Xiangning a glass of water, then carried the water to the bedside and handed it to her.

Xiang Ning reached out, took the glass of water, and tilted her head back to drink a mouthful.

"Master...has he gone out?"

Xiang Ning put down her cup, hesitated for a moment, and asked softly.

When Pei Yanzhi wasn't around, she still preferred to call him "Master".

Perhaps it was because the title "Pei Lang" was too intimate that she found it difficult to say it.

I always felt that this title contained too much meaning.

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's question, Bi Tao tilted her head slightly, thought for a moment, and then replied.

"Someone came from the palace this morning. They seemed to be in a hurry. The prince should be going to the palace now. But he specifically told me that he would come back for dinner."

After speaking, Bitao sat down next to Xiangning, a hint of worry in her eyes.

She frowned slightly and asked softly, "Sister, you don't seem very happy to be back this time. Did something happen? If you don't mind, you can tell me."

Xiang Ning turned her head and looked into Bi Tao's concerned eyes, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

But in the end, she gently shook her head and said in a flat tone, "It's nothing."

The matter between myself and Pei Yanzhi is too complicated, like a tangled mess, so it's best not to involve anyone else.

Moreover, deep down, Xiang Ning always felt that she was destined to leave the Pei family.

Like a bird trapped in a gilded cage, it may have moments of warmth and comfort, but the free sky is its ultimate longing.

Seeing that Xiang Ning was unwilling to say more, Bi Tao obediently did not continue to ask.

She stood up, walked to the window, and gently pushed it open a crack.

"Then I'll have Aunt Xu bring breakfast in. After my sister finishes eating, we'll go out for a walk."

Upon hearing Bitao's words, Xiangning nodded in agreement.

At this moment in the palace, Empress Dowager Feng coughed lightly while sitting in a chair, with the young emperor sitting beside her.

Wei Ziqian sat in the lower seat, holding a cup of tea. A short while later, a palace maid came to announce that Lord Pei had arrived.

Pei Yanzhi entered the hall and bowed. Empress Dowager Feng then spoke calmly, "Minister Pei, did you say that Jian'an had not left the palace and was still there?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi felt a chill run down his spine, but he replied calmly, "Yes."

Empress Dowager Feng narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze revealing a hint of scrutiny and authority.

She tapped the armrest lightly, making a rhythmic sound that broke the brief silence in the hall: "Yanzhi, do you know the consequences of deceiving the emperor?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi understood that Empress Dowager Feng did not believe him.

He lowered his head slightly and said calmly, "The Marquis of Anping should have already reported the matter to the Empress Dowager."

"Please, Your Majesty, order a search; perhaps there will be unexpected results."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Feng's gaze towards Pei Yanzhi deepened.

However, she also knew that Pei Yanzhi was not the kind of person who would lie.

Pei Yanzhi wouldn't do anything he wasn't sure of.

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Feng turned to look at the young emperor beside her.

"Mother, I think Lord Pei is right. Let's follow Lord Pei's suggestion."

The young emperor said in a deep voice, "The royal sacrificial ceremony will be held in one more day."

If we can't find my elder sister, something terrible might happen.

Although the Empress was in poor health, she was usually not allowed to participate in these kinds of activities.

However, this time he was the chief officiant, while his elder sister was to lead the female members of the household to perform the sacrifice on the side.

The young emperor was also quite troubled at this time, and hadn't slept well for a long time.

Since the emperor had already spoken, Empress Dowager Feng naturally wouldn't refuse him.

"In that case, Ziqian, I'll leave the search to you."

Wei Ziqian put down his teacup, stood up, and respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys."

The people in the palace are all recorded, so searching them shouldn't be too difficult.

By comparing the names with the roster, we can find out who these unnamed and unregistered people are.

After receiving the order, Wei Ziqian quickly began to arrange the search.

Inside the Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Feng, the young emperor, and Pei Yanzhi were all waiting.

Compared to the young emperor's anxious expression, Pei Yanzhi appeared indifferent.

Just after noon, Pei Yanzhi entered with a man.

Lu Ruoyao, dressed as a palace maid, looked somewhat pale. Upon seeing Empress Dowager Feng, before she could even speak, two lines of tears fell from her eyes.

"Mother."

Seeing Lu Ruoyao like this, Empress Dowager Feng's heart clenched.

"Where have you been these past few days?"

"Mother, why don't you let my elder sister go and bathe and change first?"

The young emperor interrupted Lu Ruoyao, speaking to Empress Dowager Feng, but his gaze turned to Pei Yanzhi and Wei Ziqian.

Seeing this, the two stood up, bowed, and left the Cining Palace.

As soon as they stepped outside, Wei Ziqian smiled and said, "Your prediction was spot on."

"His Highness was found in the laundry department, and the reason is similar to what you said."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi nodded without saying anything more.

After Pei Yanzhi and Wei Ziqian left, Lu Ruoyao cried and said, "Mother, I don't want to marry Sang Ruifeng."

Although she had already guessed the reason, Empress Dowager Feng was still somewhat unwilling to hear these words from Lu Ruoyao's mouth.

"Then you shouldn't have..."

"I want to marry Lord Pei."

(End of this chapter)