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

Chapter 180 Expelled from the Pei Residence
As Xiang Ning listened to Pei Yanzhi's words, that strange feeling rose in her heart again.

But she didn't know what to say, so she could only echo Pei Yanzhi's words.

The two continued to live peacefully together. If it weren't for the Emperor's decree, Pei Yanzhi probably wouldn't have wanted to leave.

"A-Ning, I'm going away for a few days. Please have Chenghua stay here to take care of you."

Pei Yanzhi reluctantly reached out and patted Xiang Ning's head. After speaking, he let out a long sigh.

Once he leaves, things might change, but Pei Yanzhi cannot disobey the imperial decree.

That's why he kept Chenghua behind; if anything happened, Chenghua could handle it.

Xiang Ning nodded obediently and watched Pei Yanzhi leave.

For some reason, Xiang Ning felt somewhat at ease with Pei Yanzhi's absence.

Three days after Pei Yanzhi left, Xiang Ning was taking a walk in the courtyard as usual when suddenly a commotion broke out outside.

Before she could react, the courtyard gate was pushed open forcefully, and a group of servants from the Pei family escorted Pei Yuanrong in.

Pei Yuanrong's face was full of anger, and his eyes revealed undisguised hostility.

"Xiang Ning, how dare you bewitch my elder brother and even try to ruin his marriage!"

Hearing the rebuke, Xiang Ning was startled, but she still tried to remain calm, curtsied and said, "What do you mean by that, Second Miss? I didn't mean it that way."

Pei Yuanrong ignored her explanation and sneered, "Stop pretending. Today I'm taking you back to the Pei residence so Grandmother can teach you a lesson!"

With that, she waved her hand, and the servants surrounded her.

Seeing this, Chenghua immediately stepped in front of Xiangning, drew his sword, and said loudly, "Second Miss, this is the eldest young master's residence. You can't just take people away like that!"

"It's Grandmother who wants to see her, Chenghua, aren't you going to let me through?"

Pei Yuanrong didn't say much. After saying that, he asked the people around him to pull Xiang Ning away.

Although Madam Pei was unaware of Pei Yanzhi's plans, she had already made up her mind after Dong Yan said that Pei Yanzhi was too busy to go and present the betrothal gifts.

She kept Xiang Ning because she was well-behaved and sensible.

But now that she has bewitched the master, Madam Pei absolutely cannot keep her any longer.

But Pei Yanzhi has always protected Xiang Ning, and even if he wanted to deal with her, Old Madam Pei could not find a suitable opportunity.

Just as I was worrying about this matter, His Majesty issued an edict ordering Pei Yanzhi to go out and do something.

Chenghua was even more shocked to hear that it was Old Madam Pei who wanted to see Xiangning.

The old lady's desire to see Miss Xiangning is likely not for anything good.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered his sword, but still stood in front of Xiang Ning, trying to stop her and buy time.

"Second Miss, even if the Old Madam wants to see Miss Xiang Ning, she should let me announce her arrival. It is really inappropriate to bring her here by force."

Pei Yuanrong glared at Cheng Hua impatiently: "Stop talking nonsense. If you don't move aside, I'll take care of you too."

After saying that, the servants rushed forward, forcibly restrained Xiang Ning, and, ignoring her struggles, took her to the Pei residence.

Upon entering the Pei residence, Xiang Ning was taken directly to Old Madam Pei's Ningfu Residence.

Madam Pei sat upright in the main seat, her face gloomy, her gaze like a knife shooting towards Xiang Ning.

"I kept you in the first place because you were obedient and well-behaved. I never imagined you would be such a vixen, daring to try and bewitch Yan Zhi. Today, I will punish you severely to uphold the honor of the Pei family."

Xiang Ning was pinned to the ground by the servants, unable to move, but she still managed to remain calm: "I never intended to seduce anyone."

She felt a headache coming on, and some memories seemed to be emerging from their cocoons.

Pei Yanzhi said he would marry her, and Pei Yanzhi was the one who kept her. Why then did she bear the stigma of seduction?

Madam Pei sneered: "You are just a woman of low status. You should be grateful that Yan Zhi kept you here. But if you have any improper thoughts, then you are in the wrong."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning raised her head, looked directly into Madam Pei's eyes, and said loudly, "When have I ever had any inappropriate thoughts?"

"The one who wants to marry me is the eldest young master, and the one who wants to keep me is also the eldest young master. When have I ever said a word that I want to marry him?"

Madam Pei laughed angrily: "Still dare to talk back! Guards, slap him in the face!"

Immediately, two maids stepped forward and slapped Xiang Ning across the face, one on each cheek. Xiang Ning was pinned to the ground, the cold floor pressed against her face, her head throbbed with pain, and the burning slaps hurt even more.

Chenghua was extremely anxious, but dared not make any rash moves, hoping that the messenger he sent would find his master as soon as possible.

Xiang Ning's mouth was bleeding from the beating, but she gritted her teeth and stubbornly refused to beg for mercy.

She did nothing wrong, so why should she admit it?

"Mother!"

Upon hearing the news and rushing over, Dong Yan was utterly stunned by what she saw.

She glared at Pei Yuanrong, knowing that this was another mistake he had made.

Pei Yuanrong lowered his head when he saw the look in his mother's eyes.

“Mother, no matter what, she has served Yanzhi for so long…”

"Are you going to plead for her too?"

Madam Pei snorted coldly and looked at Dong Yan.

Hearing this, Dong Yan said softly, "If Mother can't stand her, why not send her away?"

"Perhaps after a long time, Yanzhi will forget about it and stop thinking about it."

Dong Yan was afraid that the old lady would lose her temper and execute Xiang Ning.

After listening to Dong Yan's words, Madam Pei remained silent for a moment, her gaze sweeping over Xiang Ning as if weighing the pros and cons.

If Xiang Ning dies, Pei Yanzhi will not let it go, and may even have a major falling out with her.

But if Xiang Ning leaves on her own, then she can't be blamed.

Thinking of this, Madam Pei narrowed her eyes and looked at Xiang Ning lying on the ground.

"Let me ask you this: if we release you now, is it voluntary?"

Upon hearing these words, it felt as if a string in Xiang Ning's mind had snapped completely.

Her head was throbbing as if it were about to explode. She bent her fingers and looked up at Old Madam Pei.

"I will restore your status as a law-abiding citizen. From now on, you will have no further connection with the Pei family. If you wish to leave voluntarily, sign the document."

Old Madam Pei asked impatiently again, and Xiang Ning nodded, spitting out a mouthful of blood in response.

In her few memories, leaving the Pei family mansion seemed to be something she could never forget.

She wanted to leave; she didn't want to have anything to do with Pei Yanzhi anymore.

Seeing her nod, Madam Pei nodded in satisfaction and gestured for someone to fetch the documents.

Then she looked around and said, "The Pei family will not force anyone. Since you came to me yourself, I will naturally agree."

"It was just wishful thinking on my part that my grandson encountered a heartless person."

Even at the very end, Madam Pei couldn't resist making a disparaging remark about Xiang Ning.

She was forced to sign the documents and then taken away.

As they left, they could still hear Madam Pei threatening Chenghua.

"You know how to tell the young master about today's events. I asked Yuan Rong to bring her here for questioning, and she begged to leave, understand?"

Xiang Ning lowered her eyes, no longer caring about anything else. All she knew was that it was wonderful to be able to leave the Pei family.

Ling An and Lu Jiang were shocked when they received Tang Yanjun's letter.

Xiang Ning was actually kicked out of the Pei residence by Old Madam Pei, so he immediately picked up his clothes and walked outside.

Since he was kicked out, it's only natural for him to bring his people back.

From this day forward, Xiang Ning and Pei Yanzhi will have no further connection.

(End of this chapter)