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

Chapter 199 The Person I Cannot Obtain
Pei Yanzhi smiled slightly after receiving Duan Zhuo's reply.

Duan Zhuo was still able to distinguish right from wrong when faced with major issues, and at least he did not use the situation as an excuse to make a fuss.

He also said that Lu Jiamin was in his hands, and he could take her with him when he returned to the capital.

In this way, Pei Yanzhi gained another handle against him.

Thinking of this, he felt much more at ease.

After discussing some matters with those around him, Pei Yanzhi turned and walked out of the tent.

Two days later, they planned to launch a night raid on Tingzhou, secretly take it, and then head to the capital.

They caught Lu Yongkang completely off guard, turning the tables on him.

After stepping out of the tent, Pei Yanzhi looked at the somewhat dazzling sunlight outside and couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly.

Then, when she opened her eyes again, she saw a figure wearing a pale yellow dress.

Xiang Ning was dressed simply, with only a plain hairpin adorning her long, black hair.

She stood under the withered branches of the ancient tree, reaching out to touch the tender buds that had just sprouted on the branches.

The wind blew, lifting her skirt, and in that instant, Pei Yanzhi saw in her what he had always wanted.

The freedom she prayed for.

That was something he couldn't keep no matter how hard he tried.

She got what she wanted, so even the wind favored her.

The gentle breeze dared not speak loudly, lest it startle the celestial beings.

"Master..."

Cheng Hua's voice came from behind Pei Yanzhi and also reached Xiang Ning's ears in front.

She came to her senses and saw Pei Yanzhi standing at the entrance of the tent, so she bowed and greeted him.

"Are you used to living here?"

Pei Yanzhi raised his hand, indicating that Chenghua would speak later, and then stepped forward to Xiang Ning.

He stopped three steps away from her.

"Thank you for your concern, sir."

Xiang Ning's attitude towards Pei Yanzhi was exactly the same as her attitude towards others.

It was as if Pei Yanzhi was nothing more than an ordinary person in her eyes.

Pei Yanzhi felt that she had let go of the things they had gone through together.

They treated him casually and indifferently, as if he were no different from anyone else.

This feeling caused a sense of panic in Pei Yanzhi's heart.

You can tell him whether you love or hate him, that Xiang Ning still has him in her heart.

But if she doesn't care about him, how can he keep her?

After Xiang Ning finished speaking, she stopped listening to Pei Yanzhi's reply.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at Pei Yanzhi with some curiosity.

"grown ups……"

"We can go back in two more days."

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's address, Pei Yanzhi forced a smile and uttered these words.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible emotion, but she simply nodded and replied, "Okay."

Having been the closest of friends, they understand each other's reactions best.

His eyes held expectation, but her heart remained unmoved.

Pei Yanzhi looked at her, his heart filled with mixed feelings. He wanted to ask her something more, but he swallowed the words back.

Now, no matter what you ask, Xiang Ning only replies, "You're overthinking it, sir."

Xiang Ning caught a glimpse of the self-deprecating smile on Pei Yanzhi's lips out of the corner of her eye, and quietly looked away.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from afar.

The two men turned to look at the same time, and saw a soldier galloping towards them. When he got close, he dismounted, knelt on one knee, and hurriedly reported, "My lord, news has come from the inner city of Tingzhou that Prince Qing seems to have noticed something and has strengthened his defenses."

Pei Yanzhi's face darkened, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes: "He is quite alert."

Originally, the plan was to launch a night raid on Tingzhou to catch the enemy off guard, but now the plan may have to change.

"Go and summon Lord Zhou."

Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's order, the soldiers hurriedly went to summon the messenger.

"A-Ning, I need to take care of some things first."

Hearing Pei Yanzhi's words, Xiang Ning nodded, and then saw the man turn and leave.

Looking at Pei Yanzhi's back, Xiang Ning felt that he seemed to have lost a lot of weight.

When they got close, she could even see the stubble that had just sprouted on his chin, which he hadn't had time to shave off.

Compared to his time in the capital, Pei Yanzhi's current state can only be described as disheveled.

The responsibility he now bears is for the future of the Qing Kingdom.

If they fail, the entire Qing Kingdom will be plunged into crisis.

Sometimes when Xiang Ning woke up, she could still see the lights on in Pei Yanzhi's tent.

For him, perhaps at this moment, he dares not relax for a moment, and only by keeping busy can he find peace of mind.

Although she always acted as if she didn't care about Pei Yanzhi, how could those shared experiences be easily erased?

However, her yearning for freedom made her afraid to have any further expectations for this relationship.

They were never meant to walk side by side, even though her heart had indeed fluttered with joy for him.

Pei Yanzhi and his companions discussed important matters, and the lights in the tents remained burning all night.

People outside were all ready to go, pacing back and forth, which naturally made it hard for Xiang Ning to sleep.

Xiang Ning put on her clothes, got up, and walked out of the tent.

The moonlight, as clear as water, bathed the temporary encampment. All around was quiet, save for the occasional whispers of the soldiers.

She subconsciously looked toward Pei Yanzhi's tent, which was surrounded by guards.

It seems they didn't want anyone to overhear their conversation.

Just then, the tent door suddenly opened, and Pei Yanzhi walked out. He looked haggard, but a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes the moment he saw Xiang Ning.

"A-Ning, why are you out here?"

His voice was tired, yet it held a hint of surprise.

Xiang Ning lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze. "I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk."

Pei Yanzhi looked at her, wanting to say something, but in the end he changed his words.

"The situation in Tingzhou is complicated, and the original plan is probably no longer feasible."

"I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to stay in Tingzhou for another two days."

Xiang Ning nodded slightly to indicate that she was alright. She came to Tingzhou to avoid the threat that Prince Qing posed to the Lu family, and she wasn't in a hurry to go back.

On the contrary, Pei Yanzhi seemed afraid that she might misunderstand something, so he always emphasized these things.

At this moment, Lord Zhou came out of his tent, saw the two of them, and bowed slightly in greeting.

"Lord Pei, we have come up with several countermeasures, but we still need to consider them further."

Pei Yanzhi responded and then looked at Xiang Ning, "Go back and rest first. This place isn't very safe. Come find me if you need anything."

Xiang Ning opened her lips but didn't say a word. She turned and left, her figure appearing particularly thin in the moonlight.

"In the rush of the past few days, I didn't have time to ask you, sir, if this young lady is perhaps yours..."

Seeing that Pei Yanzhi's expression was somewhat solemn, Lord Zhou brought up a lighter topic.

Pei Yanzhi did not answer, but only said, "She is the one I have been longing for but could not have."

Compared to the word "love that cannot be obtained," the word "beg" seemed to have surprised even Lord Zhou.

Pei Yanzhi was born into a prestigious family and was a prodigy from a young age.

The Pei family relies on him, and noble ladies admire him. In this world, there is actually someone that Pei Yanzhi cannot obtain.
(End of this chapter)