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

Chapter 170 Despicable, yet pitiful

"There are servants in the manor to take care of things, so it's alright. I just want to be alone with you two and have a peaceful New Year."

Pei Yanzhi's voice was deep and gentle, his eyes full of anticipation.

Xiang Ning looked at him, but alarm bells were ringing in her heart. Pei Yanzhi wouldn't have made such an arrangement without a reason; there must be some purpose behind it.

But she dared not show the slightest flaw on her face, and could only nod gently in agreement: "It is entirely up to Pei Lang to decide."

Upon receiving the reply, Pei Yanzhi smiled faintly, gave her a few more words of advice to rest well, and then got up and left.

After he left, Xiang Ning felt dizzy from the medicine. She supported her weak body and paced around the room, trying to clear her head.

There's something wrong with that bowl of medicine...

Pei Yanzhi brought it himself, does he know that?
Or perhaps, he was the one who put the stuff in the medicine.

Xiang Ning closed her eyes and then opened them again. She always felt that once she went to the outskirts of the city, she might never be able to come back.

For the next two days, Pei Yanzhi would send Xiang Ning medicine every day and have Cheng Hua watch her use it up.

If she didn't eat it, Bitao would be punished, so for Bitao's sake, Xiangning had no choice but to finish it in front of Chenghua.

However, each time she would let half of the medicine drip down her lip and onto her collar.

She finished the remaining half so that Chenghua could see that she was indeed eating.

Xiang Ning wasn't sure what kind of medicine Pei Yanzhi had given her, so she could only use this method and had to be careful.

Meanwhile, the Pei residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the atmosphere of the New Year grew stronger.

Pei Yanzhi has been returning late these past two days, as if he's arranging something.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Madam Pei invited Pei Yanzhi to a reunion dinner.

Apart from Qin Bijun, everyone from the Pei family was present.

When Pei Yanzhi's marriage was mentioned at the reunion banquet, Old Madam Pei was very happy, saying that the marriage had finally been arranged with the daughter of the Grand Tutor, named Wang Rou.

Compared to Wen Caifu, although she is somewhat aloof, such a woman must be gentle and generous, a qualified matriarch.

Pei Yanzhi had no objection, only saying that it was fine for his grandmother to decide.

He looked indifferent, as if he really didn't want to waste time on these things.

Those who know him know he got married; those who don't might think it's someone else.

Madam Pei knew his temperament and didn't say much.

Pei Yanzhi left halfway through the reunion dinner.

Watching him leave, Old Madam Pei couldn't help but sigh.

Qin Bijun and Pei Feng have truly broken Pei Yanzhi's heart, so now, even staying at the Pei residence feels like an eternity.

Xiang Ning was in her room when she overheard the servants gossiping about Pei Yanzhi's marriage, and a pang of sadness welled up in her heart.

He was gentle and tender, but he would never belong to her alone. The noble young master had three wives and four concubines, and she was just one of his concubines.

On New Year's Eve, the Pei residence was bustling with activity, red silk lanterns hung high, and Pei Yanzhi went to the palace for a banquet and has not yet returned.

Xiang Ning was alone in the room, pretending to rest, but actually waiting for Cheng Hua to come and bring her medicine.

Cheng Hua entered the room, looking slightly guilty.

"Young lady, you still need to take this medicine today."

Xiang Ning silently accepted the medicine without saying a word, and sprinkled half of it on her collar as before, then pretended to gulp down the other half.

Upon seeing this, Chenghua parted his lips slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he sighed softly and said nothing more.

When Pei Yanzhi returned, it was already midnight. Xiang Ning had already gone to sleep, but she opened her eyes after hearing the sound of the door opening.

"why are not you sleeping?"

The moment the bedside lamp was lit, Pei Yanzhi met Xiang Ning's gaze.

"I was a little worried because I saw that Pei Lang hadn't returned yet, so I waited for him."

Xiang Ning was still half asleep. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at Pei Yanzhi, who was walking towards her. A warm feeling flashed in Pei Yanzhi's eyes. He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently stroked Xiang Ning's hair.

Seemingly noticing her weariness, he said softly, "Go to sleep. Tomorrow we'll go to the outskirts of the city and have a proper New Year."

Xiang Ning nodded gently, lay back down, and closed her eyes.

Only after Pei Yanzhi blew out the candle and lay down to sleep did she quietly open her eyes again, staring at the dark ceiling of the bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Outside the window, fireworks soared into the sky from time to time, dazzling and spectacular, while firecrackers crackled and popped incessantly.

Ke Xiangning was filled with unease about the unknown tomorrow.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she finally drifted off to sleep.

As dawn broke, Xiang Ning was awakened, and Pei Yanzhi was already dressed and standing by the bedside.

"A-Ning, get up. The carriage is ready. Let's set off now."

Xiang Ning responded, got up to wash and dress, and then followed Pei Yanzhi out.

Outside the Pei residence, a beautifully decorated carriage waited quietly, with Chenghua standing to the side, waiting for the two of them.

With Pei Yanzhi's help, Xiang Ning boarded the carriage. The carriage was lined with thick, soft cushions, and the heater was burning brightly, making it so warm it made her dizzy.

The carriage started moving slowly, and Pei Yanzhi sat beside her, occasionally exchanging a few words with Xiang Ning.

However, she seemed to be half asleep, and fell asleep shortly after getting into the carriage.

When I opened my eyes, we were already in the outskirts of the city.

The house Pei Yanzhi chose was very large; you could see the scenery inside just by standing outside the door.

"I bought the courtyard house a while ago, but I never lived in it. When they sent someone to clean it up a while ago, I found out that there was hot spring water inside."

After saying that, Pei Yanzhi pulled Xiang Ning into the house, where the maids were already waiting and led them into the inner courtyard.

Inside, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, and the table was laden with delicate snacks and tea.

Pei Yanzhi led Xiang Ning to sit down and said softly, "Have something to eat first."

Xiang Ning nodded obediently, reached out and picked up a pastry, eating it seemingly casually, but her eyes swept around.

She noticed that although there were many servants and maids in the courtyard, their eyes all revealed a sense of alertness, clearly indicating that they had been instructed beforehand.

However, Xiang Ning didn't say much. After finishing the snacks, the food that Pei Yanzhi had prepared was ready.

The two ate together and then went to rest.

In the afternoon, Pei Yanzhi said he would take Xiang Ning to soak in the hot springs. Xiang Ning could not refuse, so she had no choice but to follow him to the hot spring pool in the backyard.

The steam rising from the pool made the girl's face blush. Pei Yanzhi stepped into the pool first and turned to look at Xiang Ning.

"It was formed naturally on the mountain, and the water temperature is just right."

Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment, then slowly took off her outer garment and stepped into the pool.

The warm water enveloped her, followed by Pei Yanzhi's embrace.

"Do you like it here?"

Hearing this, Xiang Ning nodded slightly: "The scenery here is quite nice."

That being said, she was outside just now and didn't actually have time to look at anything.

After all, it's hard to feel at ease when you have something on your mind.

Pei Yanzhi put his arm around her waist and said, "Then let's stay here for a few more days."

His words were perfectly ordinary, but Xiang Ning felt something was off.

When Pei Yanzhi saw her frown, a mocking smile appeared on his lips when she couldn't see him.

He admitted that he was despicable, but he also felt that he was truly pathetic.

The feeling of wanting something but not getting it is more painful than being pierced by a thousand arrows.

(End of this chapter)