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

Chapter 185 I really don't know you

Xiang Ning took the invitation to meet Lu Weimin and Lu Jiang.

Lu Jiang glanced at the invitation and said solemnly, "I'll go with A Ning."

Lu Weimin pondered for a moment and said, "Then you should bring more men and act according to the situation. If anything goes wrong, withdraw immediately."

Xiang Ning took a deep breath and nodded in agreement.

Three days later, Xiang Ning dressed up carefully and, together with Lu Jiang, several strong guards, and Manager Liu, went to Zuixianlou.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of Zuixianlou, they saw Shang Yan standing at the door, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe.

Upon seeing Xiang Ning arrive, a smile immediately appeared on his face, and he quickly stepped forward to greet her. "Second Miss."

Xiang Ning smiled back: "Young Master Shang's invitation is so kind, how could I not come?"

Shang Yan led Xiang Ning into a private room at Zuixianlou. There were already quite a few people inside, all of whom were prominent merchants in Ling'an City and had business dealings with other merchants.

When people saw Xiang Ning, they all looked at her with curiosity. After all, it was rare to see a young woman making a name for herself in the business world.

After greeting everyone in a graceful manner, Xiang Ning sat down in the seat arranged by Shang Yan.

After the party began, everyone mingled and chatted about recent events.

The most talked-about and frequently mentioned topic is what happened in Beijing recently.

This is the most ruthless and decisive thing the young emperor has done since he took power.

"Lord Pei is indeed swift and decisive. In less than three days, he has arrested a number of corrupt officials. The court and the country are in great turmoil."

An elderly man with a white beard said something, and another person nodded in agreement: "Who says otherwise? I wonder if my shipment in Beijing will be affected."

When Lu Jiang heard everyone mention Pei Yanzhi, a strange look flashed in his eyes.

He looked up at Xiang Ning and, seeing that there was nothing wrong with her face, breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as everyone was discussing the matter of going to the capital, Shang Yan suddenly stood up, clapped his hands, and signaled everyone to be quiet.

"Gentlemen, we have gathered you all together today to discuss something."

Everyone turned their gaze to him, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Shang Yan paused slightly, his gaze sweeping intentionally or unintentionally over Xiang Ning, before continuing, "As you all know, competition in the business world is fierce these days. Although Ling'an City is located in a remote area, we cannot sit idly by. I have an idea: let's join forces to expand our business and trade routes. What do you all think?"

Lu Jiang came in disguise today, but Shang Yan had seen Lu Jiang before and naturally recognized him.

To put it bluntly, today's events were a business deal between the merchants themselves and other merchants, and Lu Jiang's unauthorized arrival was inappropriate to begin with.

But the business that Shang Yan mentioned was of no concern to the Lu family business at all.

So Shang Yan didn't care about Lu Jiang, assuming he came because he was worried about Xiang Ning.

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

Xiang Ning was somewhat tempted, as this was the only embroidery shop she owned with the Lu family.

Her uncle and elder brother didn't care how well she managed the shop; at worst, they would just add money to cover any losses.

But now that Xiang Ning has taken over the shop, she naturally wants to make a big splash.

After thinking it over, she turned to look at Lu Jiang and then said to Shang Yan, "Young Master Shang, I am willing to cooperate."

Hearing Xiang Ning's words, Shang Yan smiled and said, "Second Miss, don't worry, I will definitely not let you suffer any losses."

Seeing that Xiang Ning had agreed, the others hesitated for only a moment before agreeing as well.

After everyone had discussed the matter, Shang Yan had the merchants sent out, leaving only Xiang Ning and Lu Jiang behind.

"Young master's family."

Shang Yan stepped forward and said to Lu Jiang with a smile, "There were too many people around just now, so it wasn't convenient to expose the young master's identity."

"Young Master Shang is too kind. Since my sister has already agreed to cooperate in business, you are also a distinguished guest of the Lu family."

Lu Jiang reached out his hand, a forced smile on his face as he spoke. Now he seemed to understand what Shang Yan wanted to do: winning over Xiang Ning and cooperating with the Lu family was no longer a problem.

If Lu Jiang hadn't wanted to avoid hurting Xiang Ning's feelings, he probably would have exposed Shang Yan long ago.

Just as the two were talking, a commotion came from outside the door. Lu Jiang turned around to look and his eyes widened immediately.

"You're surprised to see me?"

Pei Yanzhi walked in slowly, his eyes filled with frost and coldness.

His arrival seemed to freeze the air in the private room instantly.

Lu Jiang's face turned deathly pale instantly. He never expected that Pei Yanzhi would find his way here.

Xiang Ning's heart was also in turmoil, but she tried her best to keep her expression steady, though her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

When Shang Yan saw Pei Yanzhi, a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes: "And who is this?"

Pei Yanzhi ignored Shang Yan's words and stared straight at Xiang Ning, as if everything around him did not exist.

After a long while, he smiled slightly and said, "A-Ning, you've been away for quite a while, it's time to go home with me."

Xiang Ning bit her lip, raised her head, and calmly met Pei Yanzhi's gaze: "Young master, I don't know you."

The moment those words were spoken, Pei Yanzhi's hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, trembled slightly.

"What did you say?"

"I don't know you, please have some self-respect."

As soon as Xiang Ning finished speaking, she saw Pei Yanzhi walking towards her, pressing closer and closer until he was stopped by Lu Jiang.

Xiang Ning took two steps back as a result, and Shang Yan protected her behind him.

"Self-respect? You're talking to me about self-respect?"

Pei Yanzhi's dark, deep eyes were fixed on Xiang Ning.

The confusion and unfamiliarity in her eyes seemed genuine; she truly didn't remember him.

At this moment, Pei Yanzhi suddenly felt ridiculous. The forget-me-not he had personally fed her was the only person she had forgotten.

“Lord Pei, my sister said she doesn’t remember you, please leave.”

"Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to report it to the authorities."

Lu Jiang stood in front of Pei Yanzhi, showing no fear of him whatsoever.

Upon hearing Lu Jiang's words, Shang Yan looked up at Pei Yanzhi and met his eyes with murderous intent.

He wanted to kill him; it was a raw, undisguised emotion.

"I am an official, why do you need to report to any other official?"

"Speaking of which, I haven't settled the score for you taking my people away without permission. How are we going to settle this score?"

Pei Yanzhi sat down opposite the three of them without any hesitation, his gaze falling on Xiang Ning.

“If I remember correctly, your family’s matriarch has already dissolved the contract, and A-Ning is now on the Lu family’s genealogy. She is no longer someone you, Pei Yanzhi, can manipulate at will.”

Lu Jiang's attitude was even more forceful. He looked at Pei Yanzhi and suddenly smiled.

"Lord Pei is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, in charge of all criminal punishments in the country. He should know that forcing a woman of good birth to become a concubine against her will is a capital offense."

At this moment, Lu Jiang was extremely grateful that he had placed Xiang Ning's identity plaque in the ancestral hall long ago.

Xiang Ning is now Lu Chaoguang's daughter, not a concubine that Pei Yanzhi can bully at will.

"Ah Ning, I'll ask you one more time, are you coming back with me or not?"

"Sir, I do not know you. Please do not make such a rude request."

(End of this chapter)