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

Chapter 176 Cage
As soon as Tang Yanjun finished speaking, Xiang Ning's gaze followed.

Pei Yanzhi's expression changed instantly. He stared intently at Tang Yanjun, his eyes full of warning.

Tang Yanjun snorted coldly, his face full of indignation: "As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, how could you do such a thing? Aren't you afraid that someone will impeach you?"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning felt her head buzz, and countless chaotic thoughts surged through her mind.

She glanced at Pei Yanzhi, then at Tang Yanjun, and then walked straight ahead: "Open the door, I want to see him!"

The guards looked troubled and glanced at Pei Yanzhi, while Xiang Ning also turned to look at him.

Before Xiang Ning could say anything more, he stepped forward and knocked her unconscious.

"Now that things have come to this, are you still going to hide it?"

Seeing this, Tang Yanjun was filled with disbelief. He thought that things had come to this point and Pei Yanzhi would tell Xiang Ning the truth.

He underestimated Pei Yanzhi's feelings for Xiang Ning.

Pei Yanzhi's face was gloomy. He held the unconscious Xiang Ning tightly and said in a cold voice, "Don't think I wouldn't dare to kill you."

In the past, Pei Yanzhi would have eliminated all these obstacles without hesitation.

But Lu Jiang's identity made him dare not act rashly.

If Lu Jiang dies at his hands, Xiang Ning will fight him to the death.

He couldn't afford to gamble with such consequences.

"But you didn't do that. You know that if Miss Xiangning knew all this, she would never forgive you."

“Lord Pei, you hold a high position and wield great power. To love someone is not about possession, but about respect.”

Tang Yanjun looked at Pei Yanzhi and said this with a complicated expression.

He could tell that Pei Yanzhi had feelings for Xiang Ning, but these feelings were not what Xiang Ning wanted.

This is love built on inequality on one side.

If Pei Yan's love were open and aboveboard, Miss Xiang Ning might well accept it.

But the methods he's using now are only pushing her further and further away.

Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly as he listened to Tang Yanjun's words. He knew perfectly well that Tang Yanjun was right.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

"Knowing that I hold a high position and great power, I advised Lu Jiang not to fight to the death."

After Pei Yanzhi coldly uttered these words, he picked up Xiang Ning and left.

Yesterday, he wavered and wanted to tell Xiang Ning everything.

But seeing Xiang Ning's attitude today, he understood that concealing the truth was the only way to keep her by his side.

Back in the room, Pei Yanzhi gently placed Xiang Ning on the bed. Looking at her tightly closed eyes, his heart was filled with bitterness.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers gently stroking Xiang Ning's cheek.

"I just don't want to lose you, even if you resent me or hate me, this is the only selfish thing I can do right now."

To become a despicable person despised by the world.

The snow outside the window was falling heavily, and the dripping snow water hit the window frame, as if asking questions and knocking on his heart.

Tang Yanjun was allowed to enter by Cheng Hua and permitted to see Lu Jiang.

That was because Pei Yanzhi wanted him to persuade Lu Jiang.

Tang Yanjun walked in, looked at the bound Lu Jiang, and sighed helplessly.

"Brother Lu, calm down. Acting impulsively now will not help. We need to plan this carefully."

"Why don't we agree to what he said first, get out of here, and then figure out a way?"

After saying this, Tang Yanjun continued, "Now that we know about Miss Xiang Ning's background, we can definitely take her away."

Lu Jiang's eyes widened, his face full of resentment, but Tang Yanjun was right.
He couldn't get away; he was trapped here and couldn't save Xiang Ning.

After a long silence, Lu Jiang finally nodded slowly: "Okay."

Tang Yanjun breathed a sigh of relief when he agreed. She then whispered a few words to Lu Jiang about how to deal with the situation before signaling to Cheng Hua. Cheng Hua, upon receiving the order, untied Lu Jiang and led the two to see Pei Yanzhi.

Pei Yanzhi sat inside, his expression cold and stern. When he saw them enter, his gaze swept over Lu Jiang: "Have you figured it out?"

Lu Jiang snorted coldly: "I promise you, I will resolve the internal affairs of the Lu family first, and then come to pick up Xiang Ning and take her back."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly; he could see the resentment in Lu Jiang's heart.

However, with Lu Jiang's words, he could make arrangements for what followed.

He waved his hand, signaling Chenghua to lead them out.

Pei Yanzhi closed his eyes, his thoughts rising and falling. His cage was not strong enough to hold the person he wanted to trap.

When Xiang Ning woke up again, her mind was still foggy.

Pei Yan didn't hit her hard, but she still felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck.

It had a slightly bitter yet subtly sweet taste in my mouth, like I had drunk something.

She couldn't remember what happened before she fell into a deep sleep, so Xiang Ning held her head and shook it.

Why did she go back to the house?

"Miss, you're awake? You frightened me so much! You suddenly fainted outside."

The maidservant brought in water and, seeing Xiang Ning, said this with concern.

Xiang Ning frowned slightly, looking at the maid with a puzzled expression: "I fainted outside? I have no recollection of it at all..."

The maid stepped forward and handed the water to Xiang Ning, saying softly, "Miss, you must be tired. It's been freezing cold these past few days, so please take good care of yourself."

Xiang Ning took the water, sipped it, and pondered to herself that something seemed strange about the situation, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Upon learning that Xiang Ning had woken up, Pei Yanzhi pushed open the door and entered a moment later, a concerned smile on his face: "A Ning, you're awake. Are you still feeling unwell?"

Xiang Ning looked up at him, her eyes filled with a strange light: "My head still hurts a little."

Pei Yanzhi sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand: "The wind has been strong these past few days, and you've caught a chill. You're feeling a bit weak, so I've asked Physician Chen to prescribe a new medicine for you."

His tone was full of concern, but Xiang Ning was filled with doubt. She tried to pull her hand away, but Pei Yanzhi held it tightly.

"If you're not feeling well, would you like to rest a bit longer?"

Hearing this, Xiang Ning nodded. Even if she asked Pei Yanzhi, he wouldn't tell her the truth.

But how could she faint? She was clearly not sick at all.

Pei Yanzhi watched as Xiang Ning lay down again before getting up and leaving the room.

When Chenghua saw Pei Yanzhi come out, he said in a low voice, "Everything has been taken care of, but Master, Physician Chen said that the higher the dose of Forget-Me-Not Grass, the longer the unconscious period will be."

Every medicine has its side effects, and no matter what, this forget-me-not is not a perfect thing.

"Let me deal with Lu Jiang first."

He can't let Xiang Ning know about these things now.

"There's one more thing, the old man has resigned from his official post."

Chenghua took a deep breath. Pei Feng submitted a memorial, which His Majesty approved. Now, the Second Master is in charge of the Pei family.

However, the second master was more sensible than the first master, so he wouldn't cause any trouble.

But in doing so, the main branch of the family was completely broken up.

"Oh, I see."

Pei Yanzhi responded calmly, as if he didn't care about anything.

Chenghua lowered his head and didn't continue speaking.

He seemed to understand why the master wanted to keep Miss Xiangning.

When a person is dying, they can only hold onto the one thing they can grasp tightly.

Once you let go, you will drown.

(End of this chapter)