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

Chapter 158 Marriage
For some reason, Pei Yanzhi heard a sarcastic tone in Xiang Ning's words.

However, Xiang Ning leaned into his arms and looked up at him, saying, "If that's the case, people will say I'm bewitching the emperor."

"You've compared me to King Zhou?"

Pei Yanzhi raised an eyebrow slightly and looked down at her.

Xiang Ning chuckled and reached out to pinch his cheek: "Then, Pei Lang, do you think Daji is an auspicious omen or a demon?"

Everyone in the world says that Daji is a fox spirit, but King Zhou compares her to an auspicious omen.

Although she may have brought ruin to the country, how can the blame be placed on a woman when the dynasty is nearing its end?
Hearing Xiang Ning's words, Pei Yanzhi pulled her hand down: "What books have you been reading lately?"

Even King Zhou and Daji knew about it.

"The storybook Chenghua found."

Xiang Ning sat up straight and sold Cheng Hua without hesitation.

Chenghua, who was outside, was unaware that he was about to be punished and was happily talking to Bitao.

Pei Yanzhi's eyes darkened, and he ultimately decided not to continue the discussion about King Zhou and Daji with her.

Before long, Kang Mama's voice came from outside, saying that the old lady had something to discuss with Pei Yanzhi.

Xiang Ning pushed away Pei Yanzhi, who was kissing her, and stopped his hands from getting inappropriate.

Pei Yanzhi's eyes still held a hint of desire, and he was somewhat impatient.

However, since it was the old lady who gave the order, he had no choice but to go.

Xiang Ning got up and straightened his clothes. When her gaze fell on the lip rouge on his collar, she didn't say anything to remind him.

If the old lady saw this, she would only dislike her even more.

Pei Yanzhi came out of the house and went to Ningfu Residence where the old lady was.

Inside sat the Second Madam, Dong Yan, and Qin Bijun, who looked ill. Most importantly, Rong Niang, who was never favored by the Old Madam, was also there.

Upon seeing Pei Yanzhi arrive, Qin Bijun looked up at him.

"grandmother."

Pei Yanzhi bowed, and Madam Pei immediately noticed the lip rouge on his lapel.

She frowned but didn't say much. She simply asked him to sit down: "Second daughter-in-law, the New Year is coming soon. Relatives in the mansion will be visiting frequently. Let Rongniang help you."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yan said nothing. Everyone knew that the eldest madam had been disliked by the eldest young master and had lost power.

When the old lady was ill, Aunt Rong took good care of her, which gradually changed the old lady's opinion of her.

Now they can even interfere in the affairs of the household.

"I invited you to the banquet today because I asked your second aunt to find a few good families in the capital."

"The previous marriage hasn't been finalized, but we can't keep putting it off indefinitely."

Madam Pei waved her hand, and Mama Kang took the scroll and went downstairs. The scroll was unfurled, revealing two women, each with their own unique charm.

"The Minister of Rites' daughter, and another one is the Grand Tutor's daughter."

"Although their social standing is somewhat high, they are a good match for you. Your second aunt has also hinted at it, and both families are interested."

The Wen family's situation made Old Madam Pei realize that it was better to find someone of equal social standing than someone of lower social standing.

Anyway, Pei Yanzhi will assist the emperor in the future and may be granted a title of king or prime minister. Why should his own children and grandchildren suffer the hardship of marrying daughters from humble families?

"Then I'll have to trouble my second aunt to take a look."

Pei Yanzhi said this in a low voice, and Dong Yan nodded in agreement, but her gaze was directed at Qin Bijun, who had been sitting silently to the side.

Madam Pei naturally noticed Dong Yan's gaze.

"If Yanzhi has nothing to say, then that's fine. I'll send you a letter after your second aunt has read it."

After saying this, Pei Yanzhi stood up and took his leave.

After he left, Madam Pei turned to Dong Yan and Rong Niang and said, "You two can go down now."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yan and Rong Niang stood up, bowed, and left the room.

“Bi Jun, even now, how can you still not understand?” “I request to step down.”

No sooner had the old lady finished speaking than Qin Bijun knelt down and said, "After I am divorced, how about Mother help Rongniang take her place?"

"You bastard, have you been ignoring everything I say?"

When Madam Pei heard her words, she became furious and smashed the teacup beside her legs, wetting her dress.

"Isn't that what Mother thinks? You entrusted my son's marriage to the second wife, and even let that slut into the house!"

"Where does the Pei family place me? Why have they made me suffer like this?"

Qin Bijun let out a cold laugh, and then laughed again after she finished speaking.

She has lived a failed life; her husband dislikes her, her son despises her, and now she has no face to remain in the Pei family.

Madam Pei looked at her and sighed, "If you are well, the position of the First Madam will always be yours."

Things shouldn't have escalated to the point of divorce. If we really did that, what would outsiders think of the Pei family?

Favoring a concubine at the expense of the wife? Forcing the legal wife to be divorced?

Qin Bijun didn't say anything more, but got up and left Ningfu Residence.

Madam Pei watched her closely, fearing that she might do something bad later.

"Find someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't cause any trouble."

Kang's mother nodded in agreement and hurriedly followed Qin Bijun out.

Outside, Liao Mama reached out to support Qin Bijun and said, "Madam, why are you doing this? By doing this, aren't you just making Haitang Garden proud?"

"I don't want to see anyone from the Pei family again."

Qin Bijun said this with eyes full of disappointment, whether it was her husband or her son.

Hearing this, Liao's mother couldn't help but sigh.

Isn't it all the First Madam's own fault that things have come to this?
Qin Bijun returned to her courtyard, sat by the window, and stared blankly into the distance.

Her heart was filled with mixed emotions as she thought about all the things that had happened in the Pei family over the years, and she couldn't help but feel a deep sadness.

Looking back, when she married into the Pei family, she was full of hope for the future, but now she has ended up in such a state.

Liao's mother watched with heartache, but didn't know how to comfort her.

"Madam, please eat something, don't harm your health."

Liao's mother gently urged, holding the meal.

Qin Bijun simply shook her head: "I can't eat, you may leave."

After saying that, Qin Bijun kicked Liao's mother out and wouldn't let anyone else in.

Fearing that she might do something foolish, Liao's mother had no choice but to stay outside the house and refuse to leave.

After leaving Ningfu Residence, Pei Yanzhi went straight back to Mosong Garden.

The old lady's words echoed in his mind; he had no particular interest in the marriage.

When Xiang Ning saw Pei Yanzhi return, she went up to him and asked with concern, "What does the old lady want with Pei Lang?"

Pei Yanzhi looked at her and briefly recounted the marriage arrangements that the old lady had mentioned.

Xiang Ning's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled, "It is indeed a good marriage proposal. Pei Lang should consider it carefully."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi pulled her into his arms, his voice carrying a subtle, unusual tone: "A-Ning, aren't you heartbroken to hear that I'm getting married?"

Xiang Ning leaned against Pei Yanzhi's chest, a smile playing on her lips.

"Didn't Pei Lang say that marriage is something you just have to do in life?"

"However, I have no right to interfere in Pei Lang's marriage."

Pei Yanzhi sensed the bitterness in her words, released her slightly, and placed his hands on her shoulders.

He wanted to say that if she asked, he would definitely answer, but she was unwilling to ask in the first place.

(End of this chapter)