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

Chapter 189 Will Not Help the Pei Family

Meanwhile, Pei Yuanrong traveled day and night to Ling'an, arriving at her maternal grandfather's house without stopping for a moment.

However, when she explained her purpose, her grandfather looked troubled. Although he wanted to help, he couldn't afford much money because his family business had recently encountered some difficulties.

Pei Yuanrong was filled with disappointment, but had no choice but to take her leave.

She remembered saying that if she didn't have enough money, she would ask Lu Jiang for help, but when she arrived at the gate of Lu's mansion, she hesitated.

Now that I have come in such a disheveled state, and what I ask for is no small matter, I cannot help but feel conflicted.

I wonder if Lu Jiang would agree to this request.

Pei Yuanrong took a deep breath, and while she was still hesitating, she saw the gates of the Lu residence open.

Lu Jiang was somewhat surprised to see Pei Yuanrong standing at the door without going in: "Yuanrong?"

Seeing the Pei family again now, Lu Jiang's feelings were also complicated.

For a moment, I didn't know how to face it.

But he and Pei Yuanrong grew up together as childhood sweethearts, so her visit this time must be about the Pei family.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have come to the Lu residence.

"Brother Lu... I'm sorry to bother you."

At this time, Pei Yuanrong was unaware that Xiang Ning was the sister Lu Jiang had been searching for for so long, and Lu Jiang was also unaware that Pei Yuanrong was the one who caused Xiang Ning to leave.

"What's wrong with you?"

Pei Yuanrong bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion: "Brother Lu, I wouldn't have come to beg you if I hadn't really had no other choice."

Unable to contain her despair any longer, she poured out all the calamities that had befallen the Pei family.

As Lu Jiang listened to each and every incident, his brow furrowed in worry.

After a moment of silence, Lu Jiang said, "Yuan Rong, don't rush, come in and talk."

He stepped aside to make way for Pei Yuanrong and led her to the flower hall. He instructed the servants to brew hot tea, trying to calm Pei Yuanrong down.

Once Pei Yuanrong had calmed down a bit, Lu Jiang asked, "Do you know who is behind this force targeting the Pei family?"

Pei Yuanrong shook his head helplessly: "My mother and I inquired everywhere, and all we knew was that it seemed to be related to the power struggle in the court, but we had no clue who it was."

Just then, Xiang Ning happened to pass by the living room and overheard their conversation, so she stopped in her tracks.

When Pei Yuanrong turned her head, she met Xiang Ning's gaze, and the teacup in her hand fell directly to the ground.

"you……"

Lu Jiang found Pei Yuanrong's reaction strange, but Xiang Ning didn't say a word. She just nodded to Lu Jiang and left.

Unexpectedly, Pei Yuanrong, who had already come to her senses, caught up with Xiang Ning first.

"Miss Xiang Ning."

"You've got the wrong person. I'm not Xiang Ning."

When Pei Yuanrong grabbed her sleeve, Xiang Ning frowned slightly and distanced herself from him.

Hearing Xiang Ning say this, Pei Yuanrong walked around to her in disbelief.

"You are Xiang Ning, why do you say you aren't?"

"My elder brother is currently imprisoned for refusing marriage, so why are you at the Lu residence?"

Pei Yuanrong looked puzzled. Seeing that she was about to reach out and pull Xiang Ning, Lu Jiang quickly stepped forward to stop Pei Yuanrong's actions.

"Little sister, you should go back and rest first."

Hearing Lu Jiang say this, Xiang Ning nodded, turned around and left.

Pei Yuanrong frowned slightly: "Little sister? She is the Chaoguang sister you've been looking for?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiang nodded and said, "Yes, Xiang Ning is the younger sister I've been looking for."

Pei Yuanrong stood there, stunned. Countless images flashed through her mind. The difficulties and misunderstandings she had once caused Xiang Ning surged up like a tide, filling her with regret.

“Brother Lu, I…I’m so sorry to Miss Xiangning. I listened to what others said, which is why she suffered so much.”

Her voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes again. Hearing Pei Yuanrong say this, Lu Jiang's expression turned solemn, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

“If it were because you did something bad to Xiang Ning in the past, I would not forgive you, but now you are asking for the affection between us.”

She did something bad to Xiang Ning, and it was Xiang Ning's decision to forgive her.

But Lu Jiang and Pei Yuanrong grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and he couldn't just ignore them.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Lu Jiang's words were somewhat cruel, but Pei Yuanrong wasn't particularly surprised by the answer.

"I knew it after I met Miss Xiang Ning."

Pei Yuanrong forced back her tears and managed a bitter smile: "I know I brought this upon myself. But the Pei family is now in imminent danger, and I cannot give up."

After saying this, she bowed and turned to leave.

Walking alone on the streets of Ling'an, Pei Yuanrong was filled with confusion.

But her stubbornness made her unwilling to accept her fate.

After watching Pei Yuanrong leave, Lu Jiang felt somewhat worried, but when he thought of the suffering Xiang Ning had endured, he suppressed these thoughts.

If he were to help the Pei family, it would be an offense to Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning looked at Lu Jiang's expression and a hint of concern appeared in her eyes.

“Brother, I know why you are unwilling to help Miss Pei. I am very grateful to you, but I do not want you to be unhappy because of this.”

She walked to Lu Jiang's side, looked at him, and said, "Brother, I want you to be happy."

Although helping Pei Yuanrong is equivalent to helping the Pei family and Pei Yanzhi.

But Xiang Ning isn't the kind of person who dwells on the past.

Lu Jiang, in particular, was still unsettled by this matter.

However, Lu Jiang shook his head after hearing Xiang Ning say that.

“I will not help. Even if Yuan Rong and I have feelings for each other, this is a matter for the Pei family.”

"Since the Pei family is destined for this calamity, then they deserve it."

After saying this, Lu Jiang lowered his eyes and smiled bitterly: "Although I really don't want to admit it, I don't think Pei Yanzhi is someone who can be easily trapped."

Even after learning that Pei Yanzhi was imprisoned, Lu Jiang's first thought was whether Pei Yanzhi was planning something.

However, without evidence, Lu Jiang would not suspect others in this way.

"Since my elder brother has made his decision, I will not say anything more."

Xiang Ning smiled slightly at Lu Jiang.

In the following days, the two of them tacitly refrained from mentioning the Pei family again.

While Xiang Ning was busy with the embroidery workshop, she also learned about Pei Yanzhi's situation from the guests.

The young emperor's attitude was very firm this time, and no one could persuade him otherwise.

Three days later, he will be exiled to a place a thousand miles away, a bitterly cold land, where he may lose his life before he even arrives.

Xiang Ning's hands, which were moving the abacus, did not pause for a moment for him.

I simply wrote these words down silently.

On the day of exile, Dong Yan, along with Pei Yuanrong and Pei Yongcheng, came to see Pei Yanzhi off.

When the Pei family was in chaos, it was Chenghua who came to help with Pei Yanzhi's money.

"The Northwest is bitterly cold, so I made some warm clothes and this package. It was sent by Xiang Ning."

Upon hearing the second half of the sentence, a strange glint suddenly appeared in Pei Yanzhi's otherwise calm eyes.

"Xiang Ning?"

(End of this chapter)