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

Chapter 165 Reencounter with Lu Jiang
After Xiang Ning and Pei Yanzhi returned to Mosong Garden, he went to his study alone.

He didn't come back until it was time for me to go to sleep that night.

Xiang Ning vaguely knew why he did it.

After all, it was not a glorious thing for him that his parents had reached the point of divorce and he was considering becoming a monk.

Thinking of this, she finally got up, put on her clothes, and went through the corridor to the study to find him.

The room was pitch black with no lights on; a pale, waning moon hung in the sky, casting a few silvery rays of light in.

Xiang Ning saw Pei Yanzhi sitting at his desk, holding a book in his hand.

Just by getting closer, you can see that the book hasn't even been turned to the first page.

His figure seemed even more lonely in this inexplicably desolate winter day.

Hearing footsteps, Pei Yanzhi looked up and asked, "Why are you up?"

"What is Pei Lang thinking about?"

Xiang Ning walked to Pei Yanzhi's side and glanced at him sideways.

He put down the book in his hand and then lit the candle on the table.

The room, which was originally somewhat gloomy, was instantly dispelled of its chill by this dim, yellowish light.

Pei Yanzhi reached out and pulled Xiang Ning into his arms, pulling her cloak tighter around her.

"worry about me?"

Upon hearing those three words, Xiang Ning's heart tightened, and then she heard him say, "I'm very happy."

Xiang Ning sat on his lap, feeling his head resting on her shoulder.

At this point, he seemed to be somewhat dependent on her.

"The matter between the First Madam and the Master..."

"It's pathetic to have parents like that."

Before Xiang Ning could finish speaking, Pei Yanzhi said this.

After all, no one else was like him, with a mother who had such a strong desire to control and a father who was indifferent to everything.

"Does Pei Lang find himself pathetic?"

Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before asking the question, though she could have chosen not to come today.

But when the night was deep and quiet, her heart suddenly softened.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi remained silent for a long time, but his arms tightened unconsciously, holding Xiang Ning even more tightly.

It was as if only in this way could one draw some warmth and dispel the chill in one's heart.

After a long silence, he said in a muffled voice, "You can't have your cake and eat it too. In this world, there are very few things that can be done in two ways."

Even though he had long since given up hope, Pei Yanzhi still felt a pang of pain in his heart after seeing what happened today.

His voice trailed off, filled with deep weariness and powerlessness, and sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Xiang Ning raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek. Even though she didn't say anything, it spoke volumes.

"A-Ning, now, you're all I have left."

He lowered his eyes, reached out and placed his hand on Xiang Ning's hand, his eyes filled with affection.

Pei Yanzhi liked her; he had never felt this way with anyone else.

Even though he knew that Xiang Ning didn't like him, let alone love him.

Everything she said was to deceive him, so that she could then escape in a seemingly logical way.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning felt a sudden tremor in her heart, as if someone had touched upon her most secret secret.

Her fingers twitched involuntarily, but her expression remained unchanged.

"Then, shall we go back and rest?"

Xiang Ning turned her head and met Pei Yanzhi's eyes.

The cold wind howled outside the window, making the windowpanes rustle. Inside, the candlelight dimmed, casting a yellowish glow on the faces of the two people.

He didn't speak, but closed his eyes.

He kept pressuring her to say things that were answers he himself was unsure of.

It seemed that just hearing her say "I like you" or leaving such a word made his heart feel at peace. Pei Yanzhi nodded, picked up Xiang Ning, and went back into the house.

That night, he held her in his arms, but couldn't sleep a wink.

The next morning, an urgent report came from the palace that His Majesty summoned him, so Pei Yanzhi had no choice but to get up and go to the palace.

"If she wants to go out, you can go with her."

Before leaving, Pei Yanzhi uttered these words to Bitao.

As luck would have it, Manager Xu delivered new blueprints today. After learning that she could go out, Xiang Ning thought about going to the embroidery workshop herself.

It's a bit chilly today, but perhaps because it's close to the New Year, the whole street is incredibly lively.

When Xiang Ning entered the embroidery workshop, she was somewhat surprised to see the shop that had been opened up.

She didn't expect it to be this big.

"The boss is here?"

The first person to spot Xiang Ning was Manager Xu, who greeted her with a smile.

Xiang Ning nodded slightly and replied with a gentle smile, "Manager Xu, you've gone to a lot of trouble."

As she spoke, she looked around with admiration in her eyes. Although it wasn't decorated yet, the counter and shelves had already been delivered.

Manager Xu humbly replied, "It's all thanks to your discerning eye, sir. The design is exquisite; I was merely following it. Besides, with your guidance behind the scenes, it would be difficult for this embroidery workshop not to prosper."

His words were full of respect for Xiang Ning, which made Xiang Ning feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Miss Xiang Ning?"

Just as the two were about to say something more, they heard a familiar voice.

Lu Jiang walked in with some surprise, and was somewhat astonished to see her in Beijing.

"you are not……"

"It's a long story. Why is Young Master Lu also in the capital? Are you still looking for your family?"

Xiang Ning smiled and said something, while Lu Jiang nodded honestly.

"Yes, we finally got some leads, but then we lost them."

He felt somewhat disappointed.

Xiang Ning looked sympathetic and gently comforted him, "Young Master Lu, don't worry. Now that we have a clue, things will surely take a turn for the better."

Lu Jiang couldn't find his family, and neither could Xiang Ning. It has to be said that they were in the same boat.

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a warm current, warming Lu Jiang's heart.

Lu Jiang bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude: "Thank you for your comfort, young lady. I just wonder if you are doing well in the capital? Young lady..."

He hesitated, a hint of worry in his eyes. He knew that the rules of the noble family were strict, and he was afraid that Xiang Ning would be wronged.

Xiang Ning smiled faintly, as if she could see through his thoughts.

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Lu. I am doing well at the Pei residence. Young Master Pei... treats me extremely well."

As Xiang Ning said those words, the image of Pei Yanzhi's lonely yet dependent appearance from the previous night involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

Lu Jiang nodded slightly, but still couldn't help but remind her, "If you have any difficulties, please don't hesitate to ask. Although my abilities are limited, I will do my best to help you. After all, we are destined to meet."

Xiang Ning really looks like Chao Guang.

Chaoguang and she should be the same age. If he can find Chaoguang, Xiangning and she will definitely be good friends.

Thinking of this, Lu Jiang couldn't help but smile.

"Miss Xiangning, could you please do me a favor and help me figure out what girls your age like?"

"I thought that if my sister came home and saw what I had prepared for her, she would be very happy."

After saying that, Lu Jiang seemed to have already imagined Chao Guang's expression.

Will she cry? Or will she say, "My brother is so good"?

Unfortunately, he didn't know what she looked like, and couldn't even imagine it clearly.

His words were sincere and his eyes were genuine, which deeply moved Xiang Ning.

Being Mr. Lu's sister must be very happy.

(End of this chapter)