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

Chapter 203 I Will Never Be Satisfied
The group obeyed the order and quickly dispersed, struggling to find a possible way to cross the river in the wind and rain.

Xiang Ning was wearing Pei Yanzhi's clothes, which were soaked by the rain, and her hair was disheveled and stuck to her cheeks.

After settling Xiang Ning in, Pei Yanzhi headed upstream along the river.

It is said that spring rain is as precious as oil, but this rain is really too untimely.

The wind howled, making his clothes flutter, and rainwater slid down his cheeks, dripping onto the muddy ground.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and everyone returned to their original positions to regroup. Unfortunately, no one had found a safe way to cross the river.

Looking at the increasingly turbulent river, Pei Yanzhi's expression grew more and more solemn; it seemed this rain was going to go on and on.

If we don't cross the river now, we won't be able to leave when the rain comes down in the middle of the night.

Thinking of this, Pei Yanzhi sent someone to deliver the order.

"Tie the horses up tightly, pair them up, support each other, and carefully cross the river."

The soldiers below nodded in agreement and began to forcibly cross the river.

The river water was icy cold, and as soon as they stepped into it, they felt tremendous resistance.

The current was swift and relentlessly pounded against their bodies. Some nearly lost their balance and were swept away by the river, but fortunately, their companions pulled them back in time.

Pei Yanzhi bent down, gesturing for Xiang Ning to come up, and then carried her over on his back.

Xiang Ning wanted to refuse, but the water was very deep; when an adult man went in, the water was up to his thighs.

If something happens to her because of this, Pei Yanzhi and the others will have to spend time rescuing her.

So Xiang Ning didn't refuse anymore and climbed onto Pei Yanzhi's back.

Pei Yanzhi held Xiang Ning tightly, one hand gripping the reins while the other protected her.

His strong arms gave Xiang Ning a great sense of security.

Just as they were struggling to reach the middle of the river, an even stronger current struck, startling the horses and causing them to rear up on their hind legs.

Pei Yanzhi held the horse firmly to keep everyone steady.

After a harrowing struggle, the group finally managed to cross the river.

Everyone collapsed on the shore, panting heavily, overwhelmed with the joy of surviving a disaster.

Pei Yanzhi took off his cloak and draped it over Xiang Ning: "Put this on quickly, don't catch a cold."

"I do not……"

Before Xiang Ning could finish refusing, Pei Yanzhi had already gone to make arrangements for others.

Seeing him busy despite being soaked to the bone, Xiang Ning pursed her lips and clenched the clothes in her hands.

After a short rest, the group resumed their journey back to the capital.

The rain gradually stopped, and a faint light appeared on the horizon.

Pei Yanzhi's scouts also said that there were no pursuers behind them, so the group decided to rest here for a while, dry their clothes, and then leave.

"I'll stay by your side, don't worry."

He found a secluded spot for Xiang Ning and even built a screen with branches and clothes to cover her up.

Xiang Ning watched this scene with mixed feelings.

"Would you like to warm yourself by the fire too?"

She sat to one side, dressed in her underwear, her wet clothes resting on the fire beside her.

Pei Yanzhi stood outside and shook his head: "No need."

Even though the two of them had done the most intimate things in the past, Pei Yanzhi would not be abrupt with her now that she was unwilling.

Soon after the clothes dried, Xiang Ning put them back on.

Pei Yanzhi then sat down by the fire; his clothes were already half-dry.

The two remained silent until Pei Yanzhi broke the silence first.

But just as they got started, something else happened, forcing him to step in.

Once everything was settled, it was time to set off.

For the next five days, Xiang Ning was so tired from running around that she didn't want to say a word.

Fortunately, they had arrived at Duan Zhuo's territory, so they could rest for a bit. Wen Caifu was very happy to see Xiang Ning, but seeing how tired she looked, she arranged for her to rest first.

When do you plan to go to the capital?

Duan Zhuo stood on the cliff, looking down at the trees below.

This was the most peaceful conversation the two had had in a long time.

"By tomorrow, Lu Yongkang has already realized our intentions, and a desperate battle is not out of the question."

"The sooner you act, the better."

Pei Yanzhi replied calmly, Duan Zhuo hummed in response, and then said, "I mentioned it in the letter..."

“You are the only descendant of the Duan family. If something happens to you, I will have no way to explain it to General Duan.”

Interrupted, Duan Zhuo scoffed, "The Duan family has no spines. To die for the country is a worthy death."

Even when his father was falsely accused, he was a man of unwavering integrity. As his son, Duan Zhuo was certainly not someone who feared death.

Pei Yanzhi listened to his words for a long while, then said nothing more, only leaving the departure time for tomorrow.

After the two parted, Duan Zhuo went to find the second brother and told him that he would go with Pei Yanzhi to quell the rebellion the next day.

"Boss, am I not going?"

The second brother looked at Duan Zhuo with anticipation, his eyes gleaming with a desire to join the battle.

Duan Zhuo raised his hand and patted the second brother's shoulder, his expression complicated: "You stay here. After we quell Lu Yongkang, we'll need you to stabilize the rear."

"besides……"

"Protect Miss Wen for the boss. Even if I die, Miss Wen must not be harmed in the slightest."

The second brother smiled and continued Duan Zhuo's words: "Boss, don't worry, I will definitely guard this place well!"

At night, the moonlight, as clear as water, spilled over the campsite.

Xiang Ning had recovered some of her spirits. She walked out of the room and saw Pei Yanzhi standing alone in the courtyard, looking up at the night sky.

Hearing footsteps, Pei Yanzhi turned around and saw that it was her, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

"why are not you sleeping?"

Upon hearing this question, Xiang Ning paused for a moment before replying, "I can't sleep."

She never imagined she would experience something like this; the past few days felt like a fleeting glimpse.

Along their journey, they encountered assassination attempts and were pursued and intercepted by Lu Yongkang.

The closer you get to the capital, the more you see displaced people.

She didn't know why Lu Yongkang would launch a coup. Perhaps in the hearts of these powerful people, only by sitting on that throne could they refrain from harboring evil thoughts.

But then again, sometimes desire is an insatiable chasm.

No matter how much they get, they will never be satisfied.

Are you asking when we can return to peaceful days?

Pei Yanzhi guessed what Xiang Ning was thinking and asked her a question. Xiang Ning was slightly taken aback, but did not refute him.

"I was just thinking about what it means to be content with what you have."

Xiang Ning sat down on a chair to the side and looked at Pei Yanzhi.

When she was little, she felt that she was content as long as she could see her parents every day.

Later, when she arrived at the Pei residence, she felt that as long as she could escape Qin Rui's pursuit and survive, she would be content.

Later, she wanted to break free from Pei Yanzhi's control and find her family. Now, she wants to get rid of Pei Yanzhi.

Her sense of satisfaction seemed to be waning.

"Ah Ning, in this world, there is never the word 'satisfaction'."

"Only desire is endless."

Pei Yanzhi lowered his eyes to meet Xiang Ning's gaze: "Just like my feelings for you, I will never be satisfied."

Extra update for New Year's Eve~ Wishing you all a Happy New Year in advance!
(End of this chapter)