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

Chapter 149 He Wants to Forcibly Abduct a Woman
Xiang Ning had anticipated that Pei Yanzhi would ask this question.

After all, if he followed the trail, he would inevitably encounter Qin Rui.

So she pretended to be hesitant and conflicted, and then replied, "He... he wants to forcibly take a woman from the countryside."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi couldn't help but frown.

He wouldn't believe it if someone else said it, but looking at Xiang Ning's face, he really thought it was somewhat possible.

However, Pei Yanzhi knew Qin Rui well; he was not a lecherous man.

Thinking of this, he ran his hand through Xiang Ning's long hair and slowly said, "Qin Rui is not lustful."

Xiang Ning's heart skipped a beat, but she was betting that Qin Rui wouldn't tell anyone what he wanted.

Even if he falls into Pei Yanzhi's hands, he will keep his mouth shut.

If that's the case, then the reason must be something she just said casually.

“My parents and I are just an ordinary family. My father does odd jobs to support us, and my mother and I do some embroidery to supplement our income.”

“But my mother is in poor health, so I'm the one who goes to town to sell embroidery.”

At this point, Xiang Ning turned to Pei Yanzhi and said, "I met Qin Rui in town. He said I was as beautiful as Xiu Pin."

"He also said he would take me home and I would have endless money from now on."

With each word Xiang Ning spoke, Pei Yanzhi's face darkened further.

"Did he really say that?"

Hearing Pei Yanzhi's question, Xiang Ning nodded. She had only exaggerated what Qin Rui had said, and it wasn't exactly a lie.

“I refused to be with him, and I even threw my embroidery at him in public. The scar on his forehead is from when I hit him.”

"After I hit him, I was terrified, afraid that he would chase after me."

At this point, Xiang Ning's eyes reddened: "Perhaps because my family was poor, he couldn't find out about me, and I forgot about it. But I never expected that he was actually the First Madam's cousin."

Tears streamed down her face as she threw herself into Pei Yanzhi's arms and sobbed softly.

“He was going to do something indecent to me on the ship, so I stabbed him in the arm with a dagger. He said that he would settle old scores with me.”

These words successfully smoothed things over.

With tears in her eyes, Xiang Ning looked up at Pei Yanzhi from his embrace and said, "If you don't believe me, you can go and ask him."

The girl wrapped her arms around his waist, tearfully recounting Qin Rui's evil deeds.

Pei Yanzhi reached out and put his arm around her, wiping away her tears with his other hand: "I believe in A Ning."

So after he brought Qin Rui back, he didn't let Qin Rui have an easy time.

"It's good that Pei Lang trusts me. I never expected him to be such a vengeful person, even going so far as to chase after me to kill me."

"Although I am still a little sad, I am very grateful that Pei Lang came that day."

She was referring to the incident in the water town where she was being chased by Qin Rui and Pei Yanzhi appeared.

If Pei Yanzhi hadn't found her, Qin Rui might have killed her long ago.

"Didn't you bring that on yourself?"

Pei Yanzhi pinched her face and said this in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning's nose stung, and she was about to cry again: "If Pei Lang brings this up again, I will ignore you."

She turned her head away and slapped his hand away.

"You've only been a few days of my care, and you're getting even more irritable, aren't you?"

"Would you want to see me treating you timidly all day long?"

She mumbled something, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Pei Yanzhi's eyes flickered slightly, and his heart quickened as well.

He turned her around to face him, looked at Xiang Ning's red, tear-filled eyes, and said, "Of course you didn't want to, but you've thought it through and want to live a good life now?"

Xiang Ning pursed her lips and nodded gently.

After a while, she finally spoke: "I do not want to be a concubine, but I think that if I leave Pei Lang, I may never have such a comfortable life again."

Pei Yanzhi sensed a degree of sincerity in those words, though he was unsure how much of it was feigned.

"Once you've figured it out, take a good look at your shop. If you come back early tomorrow, I'll take you there." His hand rested on her waist, and a hint of tenderness appeared in his dark eyes.

Xiang Ning looked at him, reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, and hummed in agreement.

At this moment, they seemed to have put aside all their differences and were like a loving couple.

As night fades and dawn breaks, dappled sunlight filters through the carved window frames, quietly spilling into the room.

Pei Yanzhi raised his hand to rub his temples and got out of bed.

He woke up exceptionally early today because he was going to Xiangguo Temple to participate in a grand sacrificial ceremony.

As soon as Pei Yanzhi moved, Xiang Ning beside him also opened her eyes.

"It's still early, let's sleep a little longer."

After saying this, he stood up and was about to get his suit when Xiang Ning told him that she would help him get dressed.

Xiang Ning picked up the sacrificial robes she would wear from the side.

The dress was made of the finest silk, with a deep and dignified color, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with exquisite and intricate gold thread patterns.

Shining brightly in the morning light, it reflects the owner's distinguished status.

She carefully adjusted Pei Yanzhi's inner garment, tied the belt, picked up the belt beside her, wrapped it around Pei Yanzhi's waist, and tightened it.

Pei Yanzhi looked down at Xiang Ning, who was busy working for him, his gaze somewhat complicated.

As she stood up, he took her hand and whispered, "Wait for me to come home."

Things he had never expected to say before, now came out of his mouth with perfect ease.

Xiang Ning nodded obediently: "Okay, I'll wait for you to come back and take me to see the shop."

Upon hearing her reply, Pei Yanzhi nodded in acknowledgment and turned to leave the room.

After Pei Yanzhi left, Xiang Ning's smile vanished instantly.

Dealing with Pei Yanzhi was not easy, but fortunately, he was now half-believing and half-doubting his words, so the situation was temporarily stabilized.

Xiang Ning walked to the window, opened it, and a cold wind blew in, completely waking her up.

Her gaze was fixed on the distance, her expression solemn.

Pei Yanzhi was not completely deceived by him; he was intelligent and perceptive.

Why is my sister standing by the window in the cold wind?

Bitao's voice brought Xiangning back to her senses. She looked at Bitao and smiled, "It's a bit stuffy in the room."

"When Grandpa left, he told my sister to sleep a little longer."

She reached out and closed the window, then walked in from outside.

"If my sister catches a cold from the wind, I will also be held responsible."

After Bitao finished speaking with a smile, she stepped forward and pulled Xiangning back to the bedside.

"Bitao, may I leave Mosong Garden today?"

Xiang Ning sat on the edge of the bed, looked at Bi Tao, and asked this question.

Bitao looked somewhat troubled: "Master won't let my sister leave Mosong Garden."

She said she was afraid people would bully Xiang Ning, but in reality it was because the old lady disliked Xiang Ning very much these days.

I'd definitely be angry if I saw her.

"Oh, okay then. Could you find me some embroidery patterns?"

I thought Xiang Ning would be angry, but she just said "oh" and didn't say anything else.

It's as if you've already accepted everything you're going through.

"elder sister……"

"Okay, go find it for me now."

Xiang Ning stopped Bi Tao from speaking. She didn't want to put Bi Tao in a difficult position. She would ask Pei Yanzhi for the chance to go out herself.

Qin Rui: While I'm in jail, trouble falls from the sky.

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(End of this chapter)