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

Chapter 145 Give A Jing a Child

Bitao stood to the side, clearly noticing Pei Yuanrong's cold and almost indifferent attitude.

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling a few strands of hair at her temples. She bit her lower lip, as if a thousand words were churning within her.

Just as he was about to say something, he saw Xiang Ning walking forward with a normal expression and without any concern.

On the covered bridge, wind chimes swayed in the wind, making a series of tinkling sounds.

Xiang Ning walked ahead, but Bi Tao felt that Xiang Ning had changed a lot since she returned to the Pei residence.

"Sister, you're not angry?"

Thinking of this, Bitao stepped forward and asked softly, her voice tinged with confusion.

Hearing Bitao's words, Xiangning slightly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a faint smile: "Why would I be angry?"

Her gaze was calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Xiang Ning's nonchalant attitude made Bi Tao even more puzzled. She tilted her head, her eyes full of confusion.

"The second young lady has never spoken to me, and this is the first time I have met her. Before this, our impressions of each other were all based on what other people had told us."

Xiang Ning paused, then continued calmly, "If you hadn't met me and were only hearing snippets of conversation from others, you would surely have formed preconceived notions. So why should I be angry with the Second Miss?"

As she said this, Xiang Ning lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a shadow under her eyelids.

"Furthermore, one's reputation is something given to oneself, not something given to one by others."

If I were someone who cared about what others thought, I might have felt sensitive and inferior because of Pei Yuanrong's gaze.

But she wasn't; that was the truth, and Xiang Ning couldn't change other people's opinions.

In other people's eyes, she might be a weirdo, giving up the opportunity to stay by Pei Yanzhi's side and insisting on running away.

But you are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?

Xiang Ning's ultimate desire was freedom, not to be trapped in a secluded mansion.

No one understands her persistence, and she doesn't need anyone to understand her.

"Sister is right, I misunderstood."

After hearing Xiang Ning's words, Bi Tao felt enlightened. She stepped forward, took Xiang Ning's arm, and a sincere smile bloomed on her face.

"If you care too much about others, you'll only feel bad inside. It's better to be like your sister, carefree and at ease."

The two smiled at each other and walked towards Bitao's house.

Mosongyuan is very large, but Qingyiju is not.

Although Pei Yanzhi did not say that Xiang Ning should stay in Qingyi Residence.

However, Xiang Ning was unwilling to go out.

The most urgent task is to open the embroidery workshop first, then save up money and wait for the right opportunity.

After doing some embroidery with Bitao, Xiangning figured Pei Yanzhi would wake up soon, so she went back to her room.

Since she returned to the Pei residence, Pei Yanzhi has treated it as his own home, moving all his belongings there.

His own room grew completely cold.

"Where have you been?"

As soon as Xiang Ning opened the door, she saw Pei Yanzhi sitting by the bed.

He looked unusually relaxed, even his eyebrows and eyes were filled with a sense of ease and contentment.

Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's question, Xiang Ning closed the door and said, "I went out for a walk and ran into the Second Miss. She said she was delivering something to Master."

Xiang Ning walked to the table, poured Pei Yanzhi a cup of tea, and handed it to him.

He took the teacup and sipped it lightly: "You saw Yuan Rong?"

Xiang Ning nodded. Pei Yuanrong had always stayed in Ling'an and rarely returned to the Pei residence.

It is said that the Second Madam felt that she could learn more in Ling'an, after all, everyone in the Pei family is cunning.

It would be better to stay away from the Pei residence; that way, life would be more comfortable.

Pei Yuanrong had never met Xiang Ning, but she was very respectful to her elder brother, Pei Yanzhi.

The two had a fairly good relationship.

"Yuan Rong is straightforward and doesn't like beating around the bush. If she says anything, don't take it to heart." Pei Yanzhi said reassuringly, as if remembering Pei Yuan Rong's personality.

"The second young lady left as soon as she put down her things, without even saying a word to me."

Xiang Ning put the teacup in Pei Yanzhi's hand aside, looked up at him, and seemed to be waiting for him to continue.

Pei Yanzhi's eyes are best at seeing through people's hearts, how could he not see Xiang Ning's intentions?
However, he closed his eyes and said nothing more.

Xiang Ning frowned slightly and spoke first: "Is A-Jing planning to back out?"

"You promised me yesterday."

Her voice trailed off, and she seemed somewhat unable to fathom Pei Yanzhi's thoughts.

Logically speaking, she has no right to bargain with Pei Yanzhi right now.

If he wants to back out, there's nothing she can do about it.

Xiang Ning didn't receive a reply from Pei Yanzhi after she finished speaking, and she couldn't help but sigh, feeling somewhat sad.

Indeed, one should not place their hopes on men.

Just as she got up to leave, Pei Yanzhi reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"You need my help, can't I even pretend to be reserved?"

Pei Yanzhi wrapped his arms around her, inhaling her pleasant scent, and couldn't help but sigh.

Who knows, we might never hear her begging for help again.

Xiang Ning was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Pei Yanzhi to say that.

She turned her head and met Pei Yanzhi's gaze.

"There's no rush with the shop. I've asked Chenghua to find the roster. We can go take a look after we've chosen our items."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning breathed a sigh of relief. For some reason, the relief she felt made her feel a little awkward.

He really took her words to heart.

"Sir, Physician Chen has arrived."

Just as Xiang Ning was about to say something, Cheng Hua's voice came from outside.

"Let Physician Chen come directly to Qingyi Residence."

Upon hearing Cheng Hua's words, Pei Yanzhi suppressed his smile and said in a deep voice.

"You're sick?"

Xiang Ning loosened her grip on her waist and watched as Pei Yanzhi got up and got out of bed.

Upon hearing this, the man turned to look at her: "It's not for me to see a doctor, it's for you."

In an instant, the words he had said in the past kept flooding into Xiang Ning's mind.

They came to see her for a medical checkup...

"In Yangzhou, the doctor said that you are physically weak and will have difficulty conceiving in the future."

"Imperial Physician Chen is a renowned gynecologist in the capital. He was the one who protected the Empress Dowager during her pregnancy with His Majesty."

Pei Yanzhi looked at Xiang Ning with a normal expression. He could see that Xiang Ning was stunned, and he could guess what she was thinking.

But he said that he would find a doctor to help her recover when he returned to the capital.

He pulled Xiang Ning up from the bed, placed his broad hand on her lower abdomen, and said softly, "A Ning, we will have a child with blood ties."

Like the string tightly wrapped around a kite, the child is proof of all the feelings between them.

Pei Yanzhi knew what Xiang Ning was thinking. If she were the kind of person who would give up and run away so easily, he would feel that this was not her.

But it doesn't matter; he has countless ways to keep those he wants to stay.

"unhappy?"

The three words uttered in a cold voice fell into Xiang Ning's ears. She looked up and smiled: "No, I also want to take good care of my health and have a child for A Jing."

Before she has the ability to leave the Pei residence, Xiang Ning cannot reveal her purpose, not even the slightest bit.

He was an agile and swift cheetah; if he sensed her intentions, he would devour her whole.

(End of this chapter)