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

Chapter 171 I Want to Marry You
Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's words, Xiang Ning's heart suddenly raced.

Now that it's the New Year, Xiang Ning feels that Pei Yanzhi won't have an easy time, whether it's during the New Year or outside of it.

But he said he wanted to stay in the suburbs with me.

"But doesn't Pei Lang need to return to the Pei residence?"

No matter what, he is the next head of the Pei family. Doesn't the Pei family need him to do anything?

Hearing Xiang Ning say this, Pei Yanzhi didn't reply to her. Instead, the hand that had been on her waist and abdomen kept moving down.

"It's nice here."

After a long while, Xiang Ning heard Pei Yanzhi say this.

It's a quiet place, undisturbed by anyone, and you can also avoid the Lujiang River.

Thinking of Lu Jiang, Pei Yanzhi's eyes darkened; he seemed to have discovered something different.

Even more so, Pei Yanzhi had a feeling that Lu Jiang would soon find out Xiang Ning's identity.

If that's the case, staying in the suburbs is the best option.

"A-Ning, why don't you stay here?"

He rested his head on Xiang Ning's shoulder and said this.

Xiang Ning pursed her lips, then nodded.

"it is good."

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Yanzhi's kiss followed, urgent and passionate.

It was as if he wanted to tell Xiang Ning something through this kiss.

The sound of water kept rising, creating waves on the surface. Unable to find a foothold, she could only cling to him.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiang Ning drifted off to sleep and felt Pei Yanzhi pick her up and carry her out of the hot spring.

She slept straight through until evening, and when she opened her eyes, she smelled the aroma of roasted oranges.

The door was open, so it wasn't cold. Light snow was falling outside, and Pei Yanzhi sat by the door.

Beside him was a stove for warming himself, on which were placed persimmons, oranges, and a pot of tea.

Xiang Ning got up, put on an overcoat, and walked towards Pei Yanzhi.

The snowy night was serene, like a painting. The stars adorned the dark night, making it appear slightly brighter.

Hearing footsteps, Pei Yanzhi turned his head and saw Xiang Ning. A tender look instantly appeared in his eyes.

"woke up?"

"I'm having trouble sleeping."

Xiang Ning approached and sat down beside him. Pei Yanzhi reached out and picked up a roasted orange, handing it to her.

I took the still-warm orange, peeled it, and the orange aroma became even stronger.

"This snowfall is quite fitting for the season."

Pei Yanzhi looked up at the night sky, where snowflakes were falling in a flurry, turning the world into a pure white expanse.

Xiang Ning also looked up and softly replied, "Is this the kind of fireside chat mentioned in the book before?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi nodded slightly: "Have you made progress in your studies recently?"

"I can't let down the tuition fees I paid."

Xiang Ning held a roasted orange in her hand and muttered something under her breath. After all, she had put in a lot of effort to get Pei Yanzhi to teach her to read and write.

This donation can't be given for nothing.

Hearing Xiang Ning say that, Pei Yanzhi chuckled: "You're too early to praise me."

The two chatted together, the atmosphere relaxed, without the awkwardness or strangeness of the past.

He turned to look at Xiang Ning. The girl's profile was a little round and chubby, and her lips were opening and closing as she swallowed.

Her long, curled eyelashes swayed like butterfly wings as she blinked.

Even without doing anything, Pei Yanzhi felt very comfortable being with her.

It's a warmth called home, something that no other emotion in the world can replace.

He couldn't quite explain why it had to be her, but he also understood that some things simply don't have a reason.

Pei Yanzhi gazed at Xiang Ning quietly for a long time, as if he had made a decision.

"A-Ning, once this matter is settled, I will find an opportunity to openly and legitimately welcome you into the Pei residence, shall we?"

As soon as he spoke, Xiang Ning paused, nearly dropping the orange segment. She looked up, her eyes filled with surprise. "I...I am of lowly status, the Pei family cannot tolerate me."

After saying that, Xiang Ning lowered her eyes, hiding the surprise in them. Why did he suddenly want to marry her?

Pei Yanzhi reached out and took her hand. Before Xiang Ning could react, he pulled her up and made her sit on his lap.

"Now that I've made up my mind about you, the entire Pei family will naturally accept you as well."

Furthermore, he doesn't rely on the Pei family; it's the Pei family that needs him, not the other way around.

"But didn't the old lady choose a bride for you?"

"All I want now is you, A Ning. I want to marry you, and I want to be with you year after year."

Pei Yanzhi sensed the resistance in Xiang Ning's words. Upon hearing this, he reached out and pinched Xiang Ning's chin, forcing her to turn her head to look at him.

When their eyes met, Pei Yanzhi already understood.

He was moved, but she kept his heart out.

She didn't want to marry him.

A strange glint flashed in Pei Yanzhi's eyes, and he even had the thought that if she didn't agree, he would force her to marry him.

This was the first time in his life he had such a crazy idea, and it was so out of control that even he couldn't control himself.

"What are you really worried about? Or is it that you're unwilling?"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning hurriedly avoided his gaze and stammered, "I don't want you to have a conflict with the Pei family because of me."

Pei Yanzhi released her chin and pulled her tightly into his arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

"I don't think I've ever told you that I love you."

"I love you, and I don't want to marry anyone else."

His words were whispered close to Xiang Ning's ear, intimately close, and lingered in her heart.

"you……"

She didn't know what to say. The word "love" seems light, but once it's spoken, it weighs a ton.

"Stay with me, okay?"

Pei Yanzhi glanced at her sideways. There was struggle in her eyes, but when he looked at her, she regained her clarity.

"To stay together forever, year after year"—what beautiful words, but unfortunately, Xiang Ning didn't want them.

When he said he would marry her, her heart wavered.

Pei Yanzhi doesn't need the Pei family mansion, but societal norms weigh on him, so how could he possibly marry her?

The old lady is so particular about rules and regulations. If she knew that Pei Yanzhi had the intention to marry her, she would try every means to kill her.

Between him and her lay an insurmountable chasm, the judgment of the world, and the etiquette of aristocratic families.

Xiang Ning admitted that she might be looking forward to a respectable identity, but one should have self-awareness and not have unrealistic fantasies.

Furthermore, one should not covet things that do not belong to oneself.

Xiang Ning remained silent, and Pei Yanzhi slowly released his grip on her face.

He already knew her answer.

"Master..."

Just as Pei Yanzhi was about to say something, Cheng Hua's voice suddenly came from outside.

"what happened?"

"Something has happened at the Pei residence."

Cheng Hua's eyes showed a hint of helplessness, and Pei Yanzhi frowned.

"Pei Lang, go back and check on things first. It'll be alright."

Taking the opportunity, Xiang Ning pushed Pei Yanzhi away, stood up, and said this to him.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi looked at her, then stood up: "Wait for me here, I'll be back soon."

If it weren't for a major incident at the Pei residence, no one would have ever come here.

After leaving those words, Pei Yanzhi walked towards Chenghua.

"what's up?"

"It's the Seventh Young Master. Aunt Rong said that the First Madam gave the Seventh Young Master something to eat, and now he's unconscious and in mortal danger."

(End of this chapter)