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

Chapter 163 Someone is preventing him from investigating further.

Xiang Ning was embraced by Pei Yanzhi, and as they whispered these words in each other's ears, Xiang Ning listened to him repeat them over and over again.

He seemed drunk, yet not drunk, stubbornly wanting to hear these answers from her.

Do you love me? Or do you want to stay with me forever?

The two of them tossed and turned in the house for a long time, until it was almost noon, when Pei Yanzhi finally fell asleep holding Xiang Ning.

But Xiang Ning couldn't fall asleep.

His uncharacteristic behavior left her completely baffled.

Could it be that something is bothering him?

Xiang Ning couldn't understand it, so she simply closed her eyes and fell asleep with him.

When she woke up again, it was almost dark, and Pei Yanzhi had already gotten up to attend to other matters.

Xiang Ning touched her stomach, feeling a little hungry. Just as she thought of this, she saw the door being pushed open.

"woke up?"

Pei Yanzhi walked in carrying a small, exquisite food box. He saw Xiang Ning sitting on the edge of the bed, looking sleepy, and couldn't help but smile.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning rubbed her eyes, got up, and walked over.

"Did Pei Lang go out to buy food?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to eat red bean pastries last time?"

After Pei Yanzhi placed the food box on the table, he reached out and pulled the person into his arms.

Her hair was disheveled, with a few strands sticking to her face.

Fortunately, Pei Yanzhi washed her body afterward, so she wasn't covered in sweat.

Xiang Ning sat on Pei Yanzhi's lap and felt him tidying her hair. Soon, her long hair was bound with a hairband.

"Eat."

He released Xiang Ning and watched her eat.

Xiang Ning couldn't ignore that burning gaze no matter what.

strange……

Before dawn today, Lu Jiang couldn't sleep, so he came to Jin Yu Lou.

After the hustle and bustle faded, only a dim lamp remained in front of the Jin Yu Lou, which burned all night before finally going out.

Lu Jiang stood at the door and saw the gate open, and a pimp yawning came out.

"Sir, what brings you here?"

Seeing that Lu Jiang was dressed in an extraordinary manner, the pimp spoke to him with great respect.

But this is the first person to come to the brothel so early in the morning seeking pleasure.

"I'm looking for your madam."

Lu Jiang tossed a silver ingot to the pimp and went straight into the brothel.

The pimp took the silver, then looked at Lu Jiang who had already walked in, and quickly followed.

There are still quite a few guests staying overnight at Jin Yu Lou right now, so it wouldn't be good to offend them.

However, Lu Jiang was clearly not there for pleasure. After sitting down in the lobby, he asked the pimp to call the madam.

The madam was still half asleep when she heard the pimp say that someone was looking for her, and she frowned.

"He looks like a young master from a wealthy family, and he says he has important business to attend to."

Upon hearing this, the madam immediately sobered up and couldn't help but think of the person who had come looking for her yesterday.

"Go and ask him what he's here for."

Upon hearing the madam's words, the pimp nodded and left.

Before long, Lu Jiang saw the pimp return alone.

"Mother just got up and is getting ready. Let me serve you a cup of tea first."

After the pimp finished speaking with a smile, he reached out and poured Lu Jiang a cup of tea.

He glanced at Lu Jiang discreetly and asked, "Sir, you're quite a rare guest to arrive so early in the morning. Are you here to look for someone, or..."

"Don't misunderstand, sir. Perhaps I know something."

The pimp was already quite pleasing to the eye, and after saying that, he even made a gesture towards Lu Jiang.

It means that money is indispensable to know the news.

Lu Jiang glanced at his gesture, and as if struck by a thought, asked, "In the Golden Jade Pavilion, is there any lady whose nickname is Xiang'er?"

Although most women change their names after coming to a brothel, the pimps, who serve the women there, naturally know their real names.

After hearing Lu Jiang's words, the pimp stroked his beard.

They really came for Xiang'er.

The pimp rolled his eyes and pondered to himself. He then looked at Lu Jiang and saw a hint of urgency in his expression, so he knew that this matter was probably not simple.

"Sir, there is such a person as Xiang'er, but she was redeemed by a gentleman some time ago and is no longer in our Golden Jade Pavilion."

The pimp said with a smile, but his eyes were fixed on Lu Jiang's reaction.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiang frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

He pressed on, "Do you know which gentleman redeemed her?"

The pimp shrugged and said, "I don't know much about that, I only know he's a big spender."

Lu Jiang's face grew increasingly gloomy. He took out an even larger silver ingot from his pocket and slammed it on the table.

"Think about it again, is there anything special about it? Even just a clue would be helpful."

The pimp's eyes lit up, and he quickly put the silver into his pocket, pretending to rack his brains to remember.

"That gentleman looked very wealthy and noble, but judging from his accent, he wasn't from Beijing. It sounded more like a southern accent. As for anything else, I really don't remember."

Lu Jiang's eyes sharpened instantly, and his gaze fell on the pimp's face.

"If you remember anything in the future, come to the Tang residence to find me."

Having said that, Lu Jiang got up and left without waiting for the madam to come.

As Lu Jiang emerged from Jin Yu Lou, he bumped into Tang Yanjun.

"Why did you come so early?"

Tang Yanjun noticed that Lu Jiang's complexion wasn't good, and felt somewhat worried.

"When we were investigating in Xinkang County, we were found out that there would be no more news of Chaoguang from Jinyulou."

Lu Jiang said this with a cold expression.

"what do you mean……"

“Someone is preventing me from investigating further. This person is very high-ranking and powerful. I guess Chaoguang is probably right next to him.”

After listening to Lu Jiang's words, Tang Yanjun nodded: "So what are you planning to do next?"

"Let's stay in Shangjing for now. If the pimp is trying to lure me out, it means that Chaoguang is still in Shangjing."

Lu Jiang wasn't stupid. The pimp seemed greedy, but every word he said was a test.

He wanted him to leave the capital.

Lu Jiang looked up into the distance, a hint of determination in his eyes.

"I will investigate secretly, and I will find Chaoguang no matter what the cost."

Tang Yanjun patted Lu Jiang on the shoulder: "It's not like we've come away empty-handed. At least we have a lead now."

The two walked outside, talking as they went.

Pei Yanzhi had known about Lu Jiang's visit to Jinyulou before noon.

The madam said she had done as he instructed and told him that Xiang'er had been redeemed and taken away.

Pei Yanzhi was still somewhat uneasy. Lu Jiang was able to manage the entire Lu Family Business and was highly respected by the business managers.

Behind a seemingly gentle and polite demeanor, there is bound to be more than just a simple person.

You can hide it for a while, but you can't hide it forever.

"Why does Pei Lang seem so distracted?"

Xiang Ning waved her hand in front of Pei Yanzhi, bringing him back to his senses.

He snapped out of his daze, reached out and took her fingers, placing them to his lips.

The aroma of red beans filled his nostrils, and he lowered his head to gently kiss her fingertips.

"After the New Year, would you like to visit Yangzhou again?"

"To Yangzhou?"

Xiang Ning unconsciously curled her fingers, and tilted her head slightly upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's words.

Why did you suddenly bring up going to Yangzhou?
(End of this chapter)