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

Chapter 161 Clues
Pei Miaohan, hiding behind Xiang Ning, replied to Pei Yanzhi: "Second sister has people with her, so I came to Mosong Garden. Big brother, you won't be angry, will you?"

Before Mo'er came to the Pei family, Pei Miaohan was the youngest child in the entire household.

She doesn't usually have many children her age to play with.

Previously, the Fourth Prince sent Pei Miaohan to study at a girls' academy, but later, for some unknown reason, she refused to go again.

I heard that the people at the academy look down on Pei Miaohan because of Lady Wanyi's status.

Young women are naturally sensitive, and after this incident, she became unwilling to interact with others.

Bai Tuan became Pei Miaohan's only good friend.

Upon hearing Pei Miaohan's words, Pei Yanzhi looked at Xiang Ning and said, "I don't like cats."

"The white ball didn't wander off; it's been sleeping here the whole time."

He had barely finished speaking when Pei Miaohan quickly spoke up, and then Pei Yanzhi smiled faintly, "For the sake of your sister Xiang Ning, I'll let it go this time."

He doesn't like cats, but Xiang Ning seems to like them quite a bit.

Furthermore, if she can get along well with the people of the Pei family, it might change some of her thoughts.

With Pei Miaohan able to come to Mosong Garden, Xiang Ning finally has someone to accompany her.

"I told you your older brother wouldn't say anything."

Xiang Ning tilted her head to look at Pei Miaohan and reached out to rub her head.

"Are you going to plant flowers?"

Hearing Pei Yanzhi's question, Xiang Ning nodded and said, "This courtyard is too spacious. Planting some flowers would be nice, but I don't know if the flower seeds will freeze to death in the dead of winter."

Xiang Ning's tone was very familiar and natural, as if she were making plans for their family.

"If it doesn't grow, we can plant it again next spring."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning lowered her eyes. Year after year, it seemed as if he was using the peach blossoms, whose survival was uncertain, to try and keep her here.

Pei Yanshang stepped forward, took Xiang Ning's hand, and said softly, "Your hands are cold. Let's go back inside. Let Chenghua and the others do these things."

"If you like, you can do whatever you want with this yard."

Pei Miaohan watched the two of them from the side, somewhat surprised.

She had never seen her older brother like this before. Just as her mother had said, Xiang Ning was different.

"Then once the peach blossoms are planted, can I come to Mosong Garden every day?"

Upon hearing Pei Miaohan's words, Pei Yanzhi pretended to be serious and said, "No."

The little girl's eyes were full of anticipation, but she immediately collapsed after hearing Pei Yanzhi's words.

But Pei Yanzhi was so famous that she didn't dare ask him why.

"You're getting on in years, you can't just think about playing all day. You should learn more about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

Pei Yanzhi's words were somewhat unexpected; Xiang Ning had thought he was going to say that he didn't like being disturbed.

At this point, he did seem to have an older brother.

"Then I will study hard and come to see my sister whenever I have free time."

Pei Miaohan wasn't the kind of girl who was unreasonable. After hearing Pei Yanzhi's reason, she obediently and sensibly uttered those words.

Xiang Ning kept Pei Miaohan to wash her hands and eat some pastries before letting her leave.

As Xiang Ning watched Pei Miaohan's figure disappear into the snow, she couldn't help but smile.

“She is indeed very sensible; her fourth uncle taught her very well.”

Pei Yanzhi pulled Xiang Ning into his arms and said these words.

Seeing Pei Miaohan filled him with even greater expectations for the child.

Seeing you and Miaohan together today, I'm actually looking forward to our future children.

"As beautiful and gentle as you."

Xiang Ning leaned against him, feeling a stirring in her heart.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Pei Lang, go take a bath and change your clothes. You've had a long day."

She spoke up to stop Pei Yanzhi from speaking and changed the subject.

The tenderness in Pei Yanzhi's eyes vanished in an instant.

He wanted a future with her, but she didn't want one, she refused. "Okay."

Pei Yanzhi released Xiang Ning, said this, and then turned and left the room.

Xiang Ning pulled her clothes tighter around herself; his body heat seemed to still linger on her body, but it dissipated with a gust of cold wind.

At this time, Lu Jiang finally arrived in the capital.

He rushed here day and night, afraid of missing the news.

It was already close to the New Year, and Tang Yanjun was somewhat surprised to see him arrive looking travel-worn.

Why didn't you stay home for the New Year before coming?

"I was so anxious that I couldn't stay still any longer. I came as soon as I received your letter."

Hearing Tang Yanjun's words, Lu Jiang replied with a smile, "I'm sorry to bother you."

"Don't be so formal with me. Come in and sit down."

After saying this, Tang Yanjun instructed the servant to prepare the guest room and tea.

"It's quite a coincidence. If I hadn't gone to Xinkang County that day, I really wouldn't have been able to find it."

"Perhaps it was fate that your family was destined to be reunited, but unfortunately your aunt is no longer here."

Tang Yanjun sighed as he said this, and Lu Jiang shook his head: "Although my aunt is no longer here, my sister is definitely still alive."

"I want to go to Xinkang County today."

Hearing Lu Jiang's words, Tang Yanjun said helplessly, "You've only just arrived in the capital. It's not too late to rest for a day before you go."

"Besides, won't you listen to the situation first before making any plans?"

Tang Yanjun knew Lu Jiang was anxious, but she didn't expect him to be in such a hurry.

That makes sense. After searching for so many years, we finally have some news. How could we not be anxious?

"I almost lost my head, thanks to Brother Tang for reminding me."

After he finished speaking, the servant brought over the tea, and then Tang Yanjun poured a cup of tea for Lu Jiang.

Then he spoke up, saying, "Actually, after your aunt passed away, the people of Xinkang County didn't know where your sister went either."

"Does nobody know?"

Lu Jiang frowned slightly, quite surprised.

How could a perfectly healthy person disappear without a trace?

He originally thought that once he got to Xinkang County, he could find his sister by following the clues, but he did not expect that things would be far more complicated than he had imagined.

Tang Yanjun noticed his disappointment and patted him on the shoulder.

"However, I heard that your aunt seemed to have been hunted before she died. Oh, by the way, I asked about your sister's name this time."

Lu Jiang suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes: "What's her name?"

"Xiang'er, that's what all the neighbors call her."

"As for her father's name, nobody knows. The neighbors just call him Ah Lin."

Hearing Tang Yanjun's words, Lu Jiang lowered his head: "Lu Lin is a guard of the Lu family. I didn't expect that my aunt came to the capital with him."

At least we're not completely lost anymore; now that we have names, everything is easier to trace.

"There's another thing. I heard that when your aunt was seriously ill, someone plotted to sell Xiang'er into a brothel, and then she disappeared without a trace."

This was also the only clue that Tang Yanjun found that was related to Xiang'er.

What is the name of the brothel?

"Jin Yu Lou".

Hearing Tang Yanjun say this, Lu Jiang nodded: "Tomorrow we'll go to Xinkang County first, then to Jinyulou."

A hint of joy appeared in his eyes; this time, he was certain he could bring his sister back to Ling'an.

To ensure that my father has no regrets in his lifetime.

"But Brother Lu, you should be prepared. Those brothels are full of all sorts of people, perhaps..."

"I don't care what state Chaoguang is in now, as long as she is alive, I will definitely bring her back to Ling'an safely."

(End of this chapter)