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

Chapter 196 I'll Marry You

The two headed towards Tingzhou, encountering Prince Qing's men several times along the way.

Perhaps because this place is far from the capital, these people were not investigated as strictly as before.

By a twist of fate, the two of them managed to fool him.

The closer Xiang Ning got to Tingzhou, the stronger the strange feeling in her heart became.

Cheng Hua said that Pei Yanzhi was exiled by the emperor for falsely accusing him of disobeying the imperial decree.

But in reality, he gathered troops on the way with a secret order and detoured to Tingzhou.

Princess Liu, wife of Lu Yongkang, had some connection with Tingzhou.

Liu's cousin was from a well-known aristocratic family in Tingzhou, so it was understandable that Lu Yongkang chose to do something in Tingzhou.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent Lu Jiamin to Tingzhou.

Pei Yanzhi had no idea what Lu Yongkang had done in Tingzhou.

After Ren Hui sent the message that day, Pei Yanzhi immediately sent people to intercept it.

Therefore, the news of what happened in Tingzhou had not yet spread, which gave Pei Yanzhi time to prepare.

The two endured wind and rain, sleeping under the open sky, until they finally entered the territory of Tingzhou.

Xiang Ning's heart pounded faster and faster, and that inexplicable unease followed her like a shadow.

Tingzhou was somewhat different from the places they were familiar with.

He has two cities, an inner city and an outer city, and Pei Yanzhi is currently in the suburbs of the outer city.

When Ren Hui died, he took many things from his study, and these things could more or less prove the crimes of Prince Qing.

When it gets to the capital, it will all be used to execute Prince Qing.

"Master."

That day, Pei Yanzhi was discussing matters with someone when he suddenly heard Cheng Hua's voice.

He turned around, but his gaze passed over Cheng Hua and landed on Xiang Ning, who was standing outside.

Seeing this, Chenghua stepped forward and explained, then said, "It's really not safe for you to stay in Ling'an, so I took it upon myself to bring you here."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi simply hummed in agreement: "Go down first."

He waved his hand, signaling everyone around him to step back.

The group nodded and left.

Pei Yanzhi looked at Xiang Ning outside and stepped out.

Seeing that he wasn't even wearing a cloak, only a thin garment, Chenghua quickly grabbed the cloak beside him and chased after him.

"A Ning."

Xiang Ning, who was standing at the door, froze when she heard the familiar voice.

She turned to the side, her gaze meeting Pei Yanzhi's.

"Master Pei."

Xiang Ning bowed in greeting, her eyes filled with distance and politeness.

It was as if Pei Yanzhi was nothing more than a complete stranger to her.

But his eyes were filled with surging love, a turbulent and ardent expectation.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect to drag you into this."

Pei Yanzhi stopped in front of Xiang Ning and said something.

He knew she hadn't forgotten anything.

Because if she didn't remember, she wouldn't have come here with Chenghua at all.

Although he only kept Chenghua around with a try-it-out mentality at the beginning.

“I am deeply grateful for your shelter, sir, and I am not a burden to you.”

Every word Xiang Ning said to Pei Yanzhi was like a knife, piercing his heart deeply.

Moreover, judging from Xiang Ning's appearance, she must have already seen the letter of divorce.

Pei Yanzhi looked at Xiang Ning, his heart filled with mixed feelings. He wanted to say something, but Xiang Ning's indifferent attitude silenced him.

He opened his mouth, but in the end he just whispered, "Let's go inside, it's windy here."

Xiang Ning nodded slightly and followed Pei Yanzhi into the house.

Upon seeing this, Chenghua withdrew and closed the door behind him.

The candlelight flickered inside, casting shadows on the two figures, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.

She remained silent, he remained silent, and the room was eerily quiet. "Tingzhou is not entirely peaceful right now either. Once we find out the evidence of Prince Qing's crimes, I will take you back to the capital."

After a long while, Pei Yanzhi finally uttered these words.

He has always held a high position, and years of power have fostered his arrogant attitude.

This is the first time I've ever said something like this to someone.

However, his softened attitude did not change Xiang Ning's mind in the slightest.

"You should get some rest."

After seeing Xiang Ning nod slightly, Pei Yanzhi got up and left.

After stepping out of the room, he looked at the scenery outside and took a deep breath.

Tingzhou is located in the south and is not as cold as Ling'an and Shangjing.

But his heart felt as if it were in the North, frozen solid.

Meanwhile, in the mountain stronghold in Shangjing, Duan Zhuo launched a night attack on Lu Yongkang's army, successfully hindering his progress and saving the stronghold.

He took this opportunity to purchase enough supplies for the mountain stronghold and cut off the last road leading up the mountain.

The mountain stronghold is now easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even if Lu Yongkang finds a place, he will definitely not be able to take it down.

However, Duan Zhuo was also injured, and Wen Caifu heard from the second brother that he was seriously injured.

Since she was living with them, she felt she should at least express her concern, so Wen Caifu took some things to visit Duan Zhuo.

"Boss, did I hurt you?"

However, as soon as Wen Caifu arrived at Duan Zhuo's door, she heard a gentle female voice.

She instinctively gripped the food box in her hand and was about to turn and leave.

"Miss Wen? Where are you going?"

"The chief is entertaining guests, so I cannot go in."

Unexpectedly, Wen Caifu ran into Duan Zhuo's second son as soon as she turned around.

Upon hearing Wen Caifu's words, the second brother scratched his head: "No one can get into the village right now, what will the eldest brother do..."

Before he could finish speaking, a girl in a pink dress came out crying.

Upon seeing the person at the door, she looked even more aggrieved, gave Wen Caifu a resentful look, and then ran away.

Wen Caifu looked puzzled.

"Never mind her, she's the daughter of a village matriarch who's obsessed with climbing the social ladder..."

The second brother seemed to have thought of something at the end.

Miss Wen just said that the eldest brother is entertaining guests. Could it be... that she's jealous?!

Thinking of this, the second brother's eyes lit up.

If Miss Wen is jealous, it means she cares about the boss.

The second brother's guess was not without basis. As Wen Caifu watched the girl in the pink dress leave, a strange emotion did indeed rise in her heart.

But she quickly suppressed this inexplicable emotion and followed the second brother into Duan Zhuo's room.

When Duan Zhuo saw her come in, a fleeting emotion crossed his eyes.

However, the pain from his wound made him look pale, and he didn't look like usual.

Wen Caifu put the food box aside and said somewhat awkwardly, "I heard that the chief was injured, so I came to see you."

Hearing Wen Caifu's words, Duan Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly: "Why are you being so well-behaved today?"

In the past, I never gave him a friendly look when I saw him.

She looks much more well-behaved today, like a proper young lady.

"Is the boss mocking me?"

"I didn't say that."

Wen Caifu looked away and left Duan Zhuo with these words.

She thought he was too badly injured to get up.

"Since the leader is alright, I'll be taking my leave now."

After saying that, Wen Caifu was about to leave, but Duan Zhuo reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.

"To be honest, I ruined one of your marriages, so how about I compensate you with another?"

(End of this chapter)