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

Chapter 175 He's Your Own Brother

Pei Yanzhi's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard Lu Jiang's mockery.

He just stood there quietly for a long time before speaking: "Everything I've done is for her sake. With her by my side, at least for now, I'm safe."

Lu Jiang laughed angrily: "Your so-called 'for her own good' comes at the cost of depriving her of the right to know her origins? Pei Yanzhi, stop deceiving yourself."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi frowned slightly, knowing full well that Lu Jiang was telling the truth.

But when he thought about how if Xiang Ning knew everything, there would be no possibility between them anymore, he realized that if Xiang Ning knew everything, there would be no possibility left.

He forcefully suppressed the slight wavering that had just arisen.

“A-Ning is frail and cannot withstand any more turmoil. Once the Lu family is settled, I will give you an explanation.”

"I will tell her everything she needs to know."

As Pei Yanzhi finished speaking, Lu Jiang sneered, "Confess? Why should I believe you? If you really wanted to tell her the truth, you shouldn't have let her take the Forget-Me-Not. You're just greedy for the warmth of her being by your side."

"The most important thing is to let her know the truth and know who she really is."

As Lu Jiang watched Pei Yanzhi speak these words, every single one pierced Pei Yanzhi's heart.

He's right, he has to admit, but he doesn't want to think that way.

Xiang Ning belongs only to him; she is his, and no one can take her away.

Pei Yanzhi said nothing more, turned to leave, but paused at the door and said to Cheng Hua, "Keep an eye on him."

"Sir, Tang Yanjun has a good relationship with Lu Jiang. If he comes looking for us..."

If things escalate, it won't do them any good.

Pei Yanzhi took a deep breath and looked in the direction of Xiang Ning's room, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He knew that the lie would eventually be exposed, but he wanted to delay it as much as possible.

Stolen time must always be returned.

"Then let's wait until he comes looking for us."

After saying this, Pei Yanzhi turned and left.

Xiang Ning lay in bed, not truly asleep, her heart filled with doubt and unease.

Pei Yanzhi's words sounded like a dream to Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning refused to believe it; how could it be a dream?

If it was a dream, why would she dream of Lu Jiang?

She tried hard to recall, but her mind seemed shrouded in a fog; the more she tried to clear it, the more chaotic it became.

"Pei Yanzhi... what are you hiding from me?"

Xiang Ning sat up and murmured softly, feeling a terrible headache.

For the next two days, Pei Yanzhi continued to come every day to accompany Xiang Ning, as if nothing had happened.

Xiang Ning wanted to ask several times, but seeing Pei Yanzhi's feigned composure, she swallowed her words.

She thought to herself, if she directly confronted him, would Pei Yanzhi just try to brush it off with some excuses? She needed to find something out for herself first.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiang, in the woodshed, thought day and night about how to escape. He was worried about Xiang Ning and even more resentful of Pei Yanzhi's concealment.

He secretly vowed to himself that he would definitely take Xiang Ning away from this place of trouble.

Knowing that he was imprisoned, Tang Yanjun would definitely come to his rescue at all costs.

However, there has been no movement for the past few days, and Lu Jiang is extremely anxious, hoping that his friend will soon notice something is wrong.

That day, Pei Yanzhi was tied up with official business and arrived a little late.

Xiang Ning strolled alone in the courtyard, and unknowingly walked to the vicinity of the woodshed.

She didn't come here often, but looking at the guards at the door, she became suspicious.

"Why are you here, young lady?" Cheng Hua's voice came from behind. Xiang Ning turned around and met his gaze.

Xiang Ning frowned slightly and asked softly, "Chenghua, who is being held in this woodshed? Why is it so heavily guarded?"

Cheng Hua's expression hardened, and he inwardly cried out in alarm, but he forced a smile onto his face.

“Young lady, the woodshed is damp and dark, there’s nothing to see there. You should go back inside and rest, lest you catch a chill.”

Xiang Ning didn't believe it. She stared at Cheng Hua and took a step forward.

Cheng Hua looked troubled. He knew Xiang Ning's personality; once she became stubborn, nothing could sway her. However, he dared not disobey Pei Yanzhi's orders and was at a loss for words.

Just then, Lu Jiang's voice came from inside the woodshed: "Xiang Ning, is that you?"

Upon hearing the sound, Xiang Ning's expression changed drastically. Ignoring Cheng Hua's attempts to stop her, she ran straight towards the woodshed: "Young Master Lu, what are you doing here?"

Upon seeing this, Chenghua hurriedly reached out to pull Xiangning away, but Xiangning forcefully shook him off.

Upon seeing this, the guards drew their swords and surrounded Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning, however, seemed oblivious, staring intently at the door of the woodshed, and shouted loudly, "What on earth happened?"

Lu Jiang wanted to say something more, but Cheng Hua had already raised his hand to let the guards go in and shut Lu Jiang up.

Xiang Ning was in great turmoil. Recalling Pei Yanzhi's recent strange behavior, her heart sank lower and lower.

At this moment, she was filled with disappointment and anger towards Pei Yanzhi. She turned to Cheng Hua and questioned, "What exactly is he hiding from me?"

"Please don't make things difficult for me, young lady. I'm not entirely clear about the details."

It wasn't appropriate for Chenghua to say such a thing, so he didn't say anything.

Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhi, having finished his official business, was hurrying back to the courtyard.

Throughout the journey, he had a sense of foreboding, and his steps became increasingly hurried.

When he stepped into the courtyard, he saw Xiang Ning surrounded by guards, standing angrily at the door of the woodshed.

Pei Yanzhi's heart sank: "A Ning."

Pei Yanzhi forced himself to remain calm and walked towards Xiang Ning.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning turned to look at Pei Yanzhi, her eyes filled with tears and hatred: "Pei Yanzhi, why did you imprison Young Master Lu? How many things are you still hiding from me?"

Pei Yanzhi opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

Hearing Pei Yanzhi's voice from inside the woodshed, Lu Jiang struggled even more agitatedly.

Upon hearing the sound, Pei Yanzhi glanced at the woodshed with a cold look in his eyes, then turned to give Cheng Hua a meaningful look. Cheng Hua understood and immediately led the guards away.

He walked up to Xiang Ning and reached out to hold her hand, but Xiang Ning dodged him.

Pei Yanzhi's hand froze in mid-air. He took a deep breath and said softly, "A Ning, let's talk about it slowly when we get back."

Hearing this, Xiang Ning sneered, "Why is Lu Jiang here? What are you trying to fool me about now?"

Pei Yanzhi felt bitter. He knew that no matter what he said at this moment, Xiang Ning would probably find it hard to believe.

"Because he knows about your background, but he doesn't want you to know."

"Miss Xiangning, the person locked up in the woodshed is your own brother!"

Tang Yanjun's voice came from outside. He ran up in a few steps and said this breathlessly.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning froze, then abruptly turned to look at the area behind her.

"What did you say?"

“Lu Jiang is your own brother. Pei Yanzhi knew about this a long time ago, but he didn’t tell you. He even trapped Lu Jiang here.”

Tang Yanjun stepped forward and looked at Pei Yanzhi: "Lord Pei, do you dare to tell Miss Xiang Ning the truth?"

(End of this chapter)