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

Chapter 153 A Beautiful Moonlit Night in Spring, Lanterns Never Die

Pei Yanzhi's voice, whispered in Xiang Ning's ear, was like a seductive spell, luring her into his trap.

In reality, although these words sounded like a plea, she had no right to refuse.

So she obediently rested her head on his shoulder and nodded.

In the dim light, Xiang Ning seemed to see clusters of fireworks blooming before her eyes.

His kisses were delicate and gentle, landing on her lips.

This was a novel experience, giving her a feeling of having a secret pleasure.

The hand that once held the pen became the starting point for igniting a prairie fire.

Xiang Ning couldn't help but sob, and Pei Yanzhi patted her back reassuringly.

In a secluded corner, amidst the cacophony of voices, they indulged in unbridled revelry.

After an unknown amount of time, they heard the sound of fireworks outside fading away, and Pei Yanzhi held Xiang Ning in his arms.

He reached out and pulled down an inch of her cloak, revealing her eyes, which looked as if they had been washed clean, and gestured for her to look outside.

Xiang Ning turned her head to look and saw that outside the alley, Kongming lanterns were rising from the ground into the air.

The originally pitch-black night was illuminated by these lamps.

A bell rang in the distance. Pei Yanzhi straightened her slightly wrinkled clothes and said softly, "Another year has passed."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning came to her senses. Tomorrow... it should be tomorrow now.

The beginning of the year is the start of a new year; once the beginning of the year is over, it is the start of a new year.

That's why it's so lively today.

"The moonlit night is beautiful in spring, the lanterns never go out, year after year, just like today."

Pei Yanzhi wanted her to stay by his side forever, but deep down he knew that this was probably impossible.

When the two came out of the alley, Xiang Ning was being held by Pei Yanzhi, her whole body wrapped in a cloak.

Covering up his earlier absurdity, he carried the person onto the carriage and headed towards the Pei residence.

Xiang Ning was feeling drowsy, and once she arrived at the mansion, she didn't know where Pei Yanzhi had taken her.

He forced her to do the things he hadn't been able to do outside.

He also made her promise to watch the lanterns with him every year from now on.

Even though he knew the answer he received was coercion, he stubbornly clung to the act like a child begging for candy.

"A-Ning and I will be together forever."

"Say it again."

He tied Xiang Ning's hand with a hairband and coaxed her to say the words "forever together" countless times.

By the end, Xiang Ning was parched and exhausted.

Sometimes, Pei Yanzhi can be so stubborn as to be obsessive about certain things.

The candles in the room burned all night and were not extinguished until dawn. Xiang Ning wrapped herself in the quilt and fell into a deep sleep.

As dawn broke, Pei Yanzhi got up.

After the morning court session today, a month-long rest period will begin.

Except for important matters, court officials no longer need to attend the morning court session, which is a rare rest at the end of the year.

When Pei Yanzhi left, Xiang Ning was still asleep. He deliberately told Bi Tao not to wake her.

I reckon she won't wake up by the time he gets back.

She was exhausted yesterday.

"My slave understands."

Bitao responded and watched as Pei Yanzhi led Chenghua away.

She stayed up all night and knows best that the water was called three times.

Thinking of this, Bitao went to the small kitchen and asked Xu Mama to make some medicinal dishes to nourish Xiangning's blood and qi.

At this moment, in the palace, Pei Yanzhi was stopped by a palace maid as soon as he entered the palace.

"Greetings, Lord Pei. His Highness has something he wishes to say to you."

This palace maid was Princess Jian'an's personal maid. Pei Yanzhi had met her when he was investigating Princess Jian'an's disappearance.

“I have nothing to say to Your Highness,” Pei Yanzhi said in a cold and indifferent tone.

Hearing this, the palace maid frowned: "His Highness is not far away. It's just a matter of a few words. It won't delay Lord Pei from attending the morning court."

Even after hearing Pei Yanzhi's words, the palace maid remained relentless.

Pei Yanzhi merely glanced at her, said nothing, and walked past her.

The palace maid turned to chase after him, but Chenghua stopped her with his hand: "My lord still has to attend the morning court session."

After saying that, Cheng Hua turned around and caught up with Pei Yanzhi.

Walking along the long palace corridor, Chenghua couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness suddenly sought me out. Does she know about what happened yesterday?"

"Whether she knows or not has nothing to do with me. The Sang family was originally chosen by the Empress Dowager for her husband. It's just a matter of correcting past mistakes."

Pei Yanzhi said calmly that even if the Empress Dowager knew, he would not be afraid.

At most, he would be reprimanded in front of the Empress Dowager.

Watching Pei Yanzhi and Cheng Hua walk away, the palace maid had no choice but to relay Pei Yanzhi's words to Lu Ruoyao.

Lu Ruoyao, who was waiting for the palace maid in the cold wind, widened her eyes upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's words: "Did he really say that?"

"Your Highness, that is indeed what Lord Pei said."

Lu Ruoyao felt a tremor in her heart. She chose Pei Yanzhi only because, among the families in the capital, Pei Yanzhi was not only favored by the Empress Dowager.

He was the first choice for many noble ladies. Everyone felt that Pei Yan's household was clean and tidy, and although he was aloof, he was not a womanizer.

Compared to other young masters with three wives and four concubines, Pei Yanzhi was perfect in every way.

Everyone wants to marry into a good family, and Lu Ruoyao certainly does too.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is already drafting an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon you and Young Master Sang. If the Empress Dowager finds out, you should come to see Lord Pei..."

The palace maid hesitated, but Lu Ruoyao took a deep breath and said, "I am not reconciled."

The look in Sang Ruifeng's eyes was filled with only self-interest and calculation, devoid of any sincerity.

Lu Ruoyao didn't want to hand herself over to someone like that.

"I will think of another way. In short, I am unwilling to marry Sang Ruifeng."

After saying this, Lu Ruoyao walked towards Cining Palace. The palace maid sighed and hurried after her.

The capital was bustling with activity today, and amidst this excitement, rumors of Lu Jiamin's secret rendezvous with a man during the royal sacrificial ceremony were flying everywhere.

She cried all morning at home, and her eyes were swollen from crying.

When Prince Qing, Lu Yongkang, entered, he saw the broken pieces scattered all over the floor and shook his head helplessly.

"What's wrong with my precious daughter?"

Upon hearing Prince Qing's voice, Lu Jiamin raised her head and then cried even harder.

"Father, someone is plotting against me!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing walked over and sat down: "It's just some rumors. Father has already sent people to deal with it."

"You are my daughter, no one dares to say anything against your will."

Lu Yongkang tried to comfort Lu Jiamin, but upon hearing this, Lu Jiamin sobbed, "I can't swallow this."

The misfortune that should have befallen Lu Ruoyao instead fell on her head.

"Even without these rumors, you should give up your idea of ​​marrying Pei Yanzhi as soon as possible."

"I have already had your mother choose a family for you."

Lu Yongkang narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze towards Lu Jiamin carrying a hidden meaning.

He and Pei Yanzhi are political enemies, and there is absolutely no possibility for Lu Jiamin and Pei Yanzhi to be together.

I originally thought that Lu Jiamin would fall in love with someone else after a while, but I never expected that she would be so fond of Pei Yanzhi for so many years.

He even threatened to harm the princess for Pei Yanzhi's sake.

"Father, what do you mean by that?"

A beautiful moonlit spring night, the lanterns still burn. —Zhang Yueran, "The Narcissus Has Gone Riding a Carp"

Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you all a prosperous and beautiful new year, and all the best!
Ten lucky readers who check in at the end of this chapter will be randomly selected to receive 52 reading coins each. The giveaway ends at 10 PM tonight, first come, first served.

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(End of this chapter)