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

Chapter 168 You Don't Believe Me?

When Lu Jiang saw Tang Yanjun say this, how could he not recognize his own sister?

Even though they had never met, he knew her.

The feeling of kinship made him realize at a glance that it was a fake Chaoguang.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yanjun gently patted Lu Jiang on the back and said slowly, "There must be someone behind this deliberately trying to lure you into a trap."

"But who could it be, and why would they do it?"

Tang Yanjun was also a bit confused. That person even thought of going to Xinkang County to forge evidence.

This person must be incredibly meticulous and cautious.

Lu Jiang suddenly raised his head and said, "Chaoguang must be in this person's hands."

"And this person seems to know me very well."

He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, his mind racing with thoughts of suspicious people.

He felt something was off about how he knew so much.

Suddenly, Pei Yanzhi's figure became clearer, but Lu Jiang did not utter those words.

However, once the seed of doubt is planted, it is difficult to eradicate.

Tang Yanjun said, "Since that person went to great lengths to obstruct us, it means that the truth must have touched on the interests of some people. Perhaps Chaoguang is hiding an incredible secret."

Lu Jiang took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger in his heart, and slowly nodded.

“You’re right, I can’t lose my composure. But right now the trail has gone cold, and the evidence from Xinkang County is fake. Where should we start our investigation again?”

Tang Yanjun frowned, lost in thought, and spoke after a moment.

"Since the clues from Xinkang County are fabricated, let's do the opposite and investigate who has the ability and motive to fabricate these things."

“He is meticulous, but we are not fools who can be easily fooled.”

Lu Jiang nodded in agreement.

After finishing their discussion, the two immediately took action and began a secret investigation.

However, Lu Jiang secretly investigated Pei Yanzhi without Tang Yanjun's knowledge.

He trusted his intuition, considering it a final struggle as one awakens from a fleeting dream.

Inside the Pei residence, Xiang Ning has been studying the unique aspects of Lu Jiang's words for the past few days.

What he said wasn't wrong; after all, the embroidery shop needed to make money.

She had other ideas, but she couldn't just not earn a penny; she needed money too.

With her mind wandering to all sorts of random thoughts, her hands moved swiftly through the needle and thread, gradually revealing a beautiful floral and bird pattern on the embroidery cloth.

After Pei Yanzhi returned from the palace, he stood behind her and watched quietly.

She was unaware that he was already standing behind her, and she didn't see the complex emotions flashing in his eyes.

Your embroidery skills are getting better and better.

His voice was soft and gentle, filled with affection.

Xiang Ning turned around, smiling gently: "His Majesty seems to be summoning me quite frequently these past few days."

She put down her needlework, stood up and walked to Pei Yanzhi's side, taking his arm. "What brings you here today? Aren't you busy with court affairs?"

Pei Yanzhi shook his head slightly and pulled her into his arms: "No one else is like me, having to meet the emperor even when I have free time."

He lowered his head and gently kissed Xiang Ning's forehead.

Lu Jiang was preoccupied with the fake Chaoguang and had no time to pay attention to Xiang Ning.

What Pei Yanzhi didn't know was that Xiang Ning had been feeling these past few days that Pei Yanzhi was hiding something from her.

The way he looked at her always carried emotions she couldn't understand, as if he wanted to completely lock her in the cage he had built for her.

Doubts in my heart grew wildly like weeds.

Xiang Ning longed for a real answer. "Pei Lang holds a high position and wields great power; His Majesty naturally values ​​you."

Xiang Ning smiled and put the embroidery away. Pei Yanzhi reached out and lifted her chin, saying, "Did you eat candied fruit today? Your mouth is so sweet."

After saying that, a kiss landed on his lips. Xiang Ning pushed him away in dissatisfaction, saying, "I'm going to the embroidery workshop."

"Don't go these next few days, Manager Xu is keeping an eye on things."

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's words, Pei Yanzhi's eyes darkened, and after finishing his sentence, he directly picked her up and carried her horizontally.

Before Xiang Ning could finish speaking, the curtains fluttered, and Pei Yanzhi had already thrown her onto the bed.

Then he led by example, making her completely forget what she was supposed to do that day.

This continued for several days in a row, and Xiang Ning realized that he seemed to not want her to go out.

Xiang Ning was trapped in the Pei residence, and her unease grew day by day.

What exactly is he doing, and what is he hiding from himself?

That day, while Pei Yanzhi was in the palace to meet the emperor, Xiang Ning got up and went to his study.

However, Pei Yanzhi's study contained nothing but official documents. Xiang Ning sighed and had no choice but to leave.

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the door. Her eyes widened slightly. Seeing that there was nowhere to hide, she had no choice but to pretend to be calm.

The door opened, and Pei Yanzhi stood in the doorway with a gloomy expression, his eyes fixed on Xiang Ning.

But the next moment, he suddenly smiled.

"What is A Ning doing here?"

Pei Yanzhi's voice was icy cold, like the chilling cold of a dead winter.

Xiang Ning forced a smile and said, "I... wanted to come to the study to find a book to read."

Pei Yanzhi slowly walked into the study, his gaze sweeping over Xiang Ning as if trying to see through her. Suddenly, he smiled faintly, reaching out to grab Xiang Ning's wrist: "What do you want to see?"

Xiang Ning's heart tightened, and she smiled as well: "I can't understand the books here, so let Cheng Hua buy me some storybooks instead."

Pei Yanzhi did not answer, but simply pulled Xiang Ning to his side.

He pressed his body against hers, his burning words reaching her ears.

"Or should I ask A-Ning what you're looking for in the study?"

In that instant, Xiang Ning suddenly felt that she had nowhere to hide in front of him.

"I just wanted to find a book..."

Xiang Ning's voice trembled slightly. Pei Yanzhi's approach made her feel extremely oppressed, and his chilling aura seemed to want to devour her.

Pei Yanzhi had no intention of stopping there. His hand slowly moved up Xiang Ning's arm and gently stroked her cheek. The action seemed gentle, but it sent a chill down Xiang Ning's spine.

"A-Ning, don't lie to me."

Pei Yanzhi's voice was low and deep, carrying a hint of danger.

"You know, I hate being lied to the most."

Xiang Ning gritted her teeth, determined not to show weakness at this moment.

She forced herself to remain calm, but a hint of grievance flickered in her eyes: "You don't believe me?"

Pei Yanzhi stared into Xiang Ning's eyes, seemingly trying to discern the truth in her words.

After a long while, he released his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Fine, since you want to read storybooks, I'll have Chenghua find some. But you should come to this study less often in the future; it's full of boring official documents. Don't let it pollute your eyes."

After saying that, Pei Yanzhi took Xiang Ning's hand and led her out of the study and back to the bedroom.

He reached out and poured a cup of tea, his expression returning to its usual gentleness: "After I finish dealing with court affairs, I will accompany you back to Yangzhou to take another look."

Xiang Ning nodded slightly, her lowered eyes concealing the complex emotions within them, and she softly replied, "Okay."

After Pei Yanzhi left, Xiang Ning's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

What could be making Pei Yanzhi so nervous?
(End of this chapter)