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

Chapter 210 I can give up everything for you

After speaking with Empress Dowager Feng and the young emperor, Pei Yanzhi went to discuss the matter of entering the city with others.

This busy period lasted for two days.

When Pei Yanzhi finally had time to go find Xiang Ning, he was told that Xiang Ning had already left yesterday.

"When did you leave?"

Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's question, the soldier scratched his head.

The past two days have been too chaotic, and he was only ordered to protect the girl's safety.

Yesterday, the brothers in the camp were happy, saying that the battle was over and they could go home, so they invited him to go for drinks.

Seeing that the area around the tent was very safe, he said something to the girl inside.

The girl didn't say anything, only that he should go.

"You drank with others yesterday?"

Pei Yanzhi looked at the soldier's increasingly pale face and asked in a cold voice.

The soldier knelt down with a thud: "Sir, I... I..."

"Drinking alcohol is not allowed in the military. Anyone who drinks alcohol without permission will be dealt with according to military regulations."

Pei Yanzhi gripped his sword tightly, Cheng Hua waved his hand, and someone stepped forward to pull the soldier away.

"I only remember that when I returned yesterday, it was already past 9 a.m., and I didn't hear any movement from the tents then."

"I asked the brothers around me, and they said that the girl left a letter for the adults, which is in the tent."

The soldier lowered his head and replied with these words.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi hurried towards the tent, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He reached out and picked up the neatly folded letter on the table, and the familiar handwriting on the letter caught his eye.

In an instant, his hand began to tremble slightly.

Slowly unfolding the letter, Xiang Ning's delicate handwriting appeared.

He taught her to write, and although it was a woman's handwriting, it had many sharp strokes at the end.

It was as if he had become an inseparable part of her, ingrained in her very being.

"Mountains are high and rivers are long, let us part ways here."

With just a few words, they severed all ties with each other.

He knew she was lying to him.

The phrase "we'll discuss this in detail after things are settled" was used to deceive him.

Pei Yanzhi already knew this, so he previously thought that if Xiang Ning stayed here, he would have a chance.

Pei Yanzhi crumpled the letter into a ball, intending to throw it away, but then withdrew his hand and finally tucked it into his pocket.

At this moment, Xiang Ning had already returned to Ling An at full speed.

Lu Jiang and Lu Weimin were very happy to see her and rushed out to greet her.

The three met again, their hearts filled with emotion.

"Ah Ning, are you alright?"

Lu Weimin looked at Xiang Ning and asked, but Xiang Ning shook her head: "Uncle, no, Pei Yanzhi protected me very well."

When Pei Yanzhi was mentioned, Xiang Ning suddenly felt a pang of guilt for some reason.

She had told him before that she would have a proper talk with him after everything was over.

"That's what he should do. Who caused you to fall into this predicament?"

Lu Jiang snorted coldly. If it weren't for Pei Yanzhi, Lu Yongkang wouldn't have wanted to capture Xiang Ning to threaten Pei Yanzhi.

Hearing Lu Jiang say this, Xiang Ning didn't say anything more.

Several times, he risked his life to protect her.

To say that one will not waver is the real lie.

But the thought of being with Pei Yanzhi made her unable to accept the rules of a wealthy and powerful family.

Looking at her, Old Madam Pei felt even more uncomfortable.

In short, Xiang Ning didn't really like going to the capital; she preferred staying in Ling'an.

At least her uncle and older brother never restricted her from doing anything. Here, she felt more free.

She can do business, do what she likes, and be a free person.

They no longer had to be confined to their large, secluded mansions, spending their days dealing with those matriarchal women.

My elder brother once said that a woman doesn't need to be confined to one place, and besides, he felt that she wouldn't be someone who only stayed in the inner quarters of the house.

"What are you thinking about?"

Lu Jiang noticed Xiang Ning's silence, turned to look at her and asked a question.

Hearing this, Xiang Ning smiled and said, "I just feel that it's so good to be home."

I never realized before how warm and comforting the word "home" could be.

"Come on, your big brother will prepare a welcome feast for you to wash away your bad luck."

Lu Jiang said this with a smile, and Xiang Ning nodded in agreement.

In the days that followed, Pei Yanzhi devoted himself to the post-war reconstruction and handover work.

Empress Dowager Feng and the young emperor returned to the palace, and Empress Dowager Feng handed over all the affairs of state to the young emperor.

He then took Lu Ruoyao to the imperial palace, saying it was to recuperate.

Sang Ruifeng also went over. He had helped Lu Ruoyao a lot during this mutiny, and as a result, he had earned Lu Ruoyao's special treatment.

Finally, Pei Yanzhi finished handling all matters and traveled day and night towards Ling'an.

In Ling'an, Xiang Ning lived a peaceful and comfortable life.

But whenever the night is deep and quiet, Pei Yanzhi's image will involuntarily appear in her mind.

Those life-or-death moments they shared, those gentle gazes and caring words, are like brand marks, deeply etched into her heart.

Some things are harder to erase from your mind the more you try to forget them.

That day, Xiang Ning was inspecting her shop in the market as usual.

The embroidery shop was doing well, and with her own efforts, she opened two more branches, and is now a well-known businesswoman in Ling'an.

The market was bustling with activity, with people coming and going and vendors calling out their wares.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves reached my ears.

She subconsciously looked up and saw Pei Yanzhi riding a fine horse, slowly walking towards her.

The moment Pei Yanzhi saw Xiang Ning, he dismounted and strode towards her.

Xiang Ning watched Pei Yanzhi approach, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She tried to turn and leave, but Pei Yanzhi reached out and grabbed her.

"You lied to me again."

A single accusation, filled with deep grievance.

Pei Yanzhi stood in front of Xiang Ning, his eyes filled with deep affection.

Xiang Ning turned her head away, not daring to look him in the eye: "I made it very clear in the letter."

"Let's part ways amicably, with neither of us owing the other anything, and then what?"

"You said that we could talk properly after this was over."

Pei Yanzhi interrupted Xiang Ning and said urgently.

Xiang Ning lowered her eyes, feeling a sharp pain in her heart. However, when she thought about the various difficulties she might face in the future, she hesitated.

“Pei Yanzhi, there are too many obstacles between us. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position, nor do I want to put myself in pain.”

Pei Yanzhi reached out and grasped Xiang Ning's hand, frowning slightly.

"If the obstacles you see refer to everything in the Pei family, then I can give up everything in the capital and stay in Ling'an to live a free and unrestrained life with you."

"I don't care about those obstacles. As long as I can be with you, I'm willing to face anything."

Xiang Ning was stunned when she heard Pei Yanzhi's words: give up everything in the capital?
Looking into Pei Yanzhi's sincere eyes, she admitted that her defenses were beginning to crumble.

Before she could even speak, Lu Jiang and Lu Weimin arrived.

Their expressions changed slightly when they saw Pei Yanzhi.

Lu Jiang stepped forward, blocking Xiang Ning's path: "Why are you here?"

(End of this chapter)