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

Chapter 39 You're nothing but a slave
Xiang Ning didn't know what Qing Zhu was up to, but she didn't see Qing Zhu again later in Mo Song Yuan.

With Bitao's reminder, Xiangning became very careful in everything she did.

They were afraid that one day they would fall into Qingzhu's trap.

Moreover, Pei Yanzhi is away on a case and we don't know when he'll return. If she falls into their hands, she'll definitely suffer a terrible fate.

Therefore, Xiang Ning also kept to herself and did not give Qing Zhu and the others any opportunity to take advantage of her.

That day, after speaking to Bitao, she went to the manor's storeroom to collect some items. In the autumn, with many withered leaves, a corner of the Ink Pine Garden was covered with dense spider webs and unidentified insects.

Xiang Ning didn't recognize the insect, but she was also afraid that it might be poisonous and cause some trouble.

So I decided to go to the warehouse and ask Manager Li if there was any insect repellent powder.

"Xiang Ning".

A familiar voice came from behind her. Xiang Ning froze, not daring to turn around, and could only hurry forward.

Then, a hand reached out and pulled her so she had to turn around to look at him: "Why do you look at me like I'm a ghost?"

Pei Yongcheng smiled at Xiang Ning and tucked the folding fan in his hand into his waistband.

Confined to Lingbo Pavilion by Dong Yan and forced to study every day, Pei Yongcheng hadn't seen a woman in ages.

Today, taking advantage of his mother's absence while she was inspecting the shops, he managed to sneak out, never expecting to see the person he had been longing for day and night.

No wonder Pei Yongcheng was so attached to her. This girl, who had been loved and cherished, could still be captivating even without doing anything. The charm she exuded in her eyes and brows was enough to make anyone's heart itch.

Especially this body, which looks like it's been growing longer and longer, the flesh that should have grown is growing just the right amount.

Adding an inch would make it too long, subtracting an inch would make it too short; applying powder would make it too white, applying rouge would make it too red.

Anyway, Bae Young-sung just likes it no matter what.

If Pei Yongcheng never gets to eat Xiang Ning's flesh in his life, he'll probably be thinking about it until his dying breath.

He grabbed Xiang Ning's arm and said with a smile, "Where are you going? Let me give you a ride."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning frowned and tried to pull her arm back.

"What are you afraid of?"

"Fourth Young Master, please have some self-respect. Have you forgotten the eldest young master's warning?"

Xiang Ning touched the short knife at her waist, staring at Pei Yongcheng. If he really tried to force her, she would stab him directly.

If Pei Yanzhi were willing to protect her...

Forget it, Pei Yanzhi has been so kind to her for two days, does she really think she's someone important?

If that knife were to strike, Pei Yongcheng might not die, but she herself would be the one to perish.

"Don't try to scare me with my elder brother, Xiang Ning. You're not even a concubine. Even if I did something to you, I'd only get a beating in the ancestral hall at most."

"But you are a different story. You are nothing more than a servant."

Pei Yongcheng sneered and reached out to pinch Xiang Ning's chin.

"Since you've already lost your virginity, it's not a loss for you to spend one night with me."

Looking into the girl's stubborn eyes after her face was pinched, he felt a surge of heat throughout his body.

I was absolutely itching to get closer to her. A beauty is a beauty; no matter what expression she makes, she is simply breathtakingly beautiful.

The next instant, a short knife was pressed against Pei Yongcheng's waist and abdomen.

"This servant has no objection, but Fourth Young Master must think carefully. If you touch this servant, will it be a matter of being punished with a beating in the ancestral hall, or will the Eldest Young Master personally punish you?"

"Since the young master brought me into the Mosong Garden and had me serve in the Qingyi Residence, do you think I am insignificant in his heart?"

Xiang Ning tilted her head slightly and met Pei Yongcheng's gaze.

She forced a smile and looked at him.

Even if Pei Yanzhi had no feelings for her, he only felt that the pleasure they shared brought him a moment of happiness.

That's why she kept her by his side; Xiang Ning wanted Pei Yongcheng to think that Pei Yanzhi liked her.

She was someone Pei Yanzhi protected under his wing, a plaything, something that could please Pei Yanzhi.

Whatever it is, as long as Bae Young-sung believes it and is afraid, that's enough.

"Don't try to scare me."

Perhaps it was Xiang Ning's confident expression that made Pei Yongcheng hesitate for a moment.

The image of Pei Yanzhi's face flashed through his mind, and he unconsciously swallowed. Xiang Ning held the short knife in her hand and plunged it a fraction of an inch into Pei Yongcheng.

The knife wasn't even drawn; it was just used to scare him.

"Fourth Young Master, have you thought it through? Do you still want me to accompany you?"

"you!"

Xiang Ning raised her eyebrows slightly, a smile on her face. For some reason, Pei Yongcheng suddenly felt that Xiang Ning looked like Pei Yanzhi at this moment.

"You just wait, if you're so capable, you'll make my older brother like you for the rest of his life."

Otherwise, sooner or later she would fall into his hands.

"Then I will take your kind words, Fourth Young Master. I will do my best to make the Eldest Young Master always like me."

Anyway, once she has saved enough money and made all the necessary arrangements, she will leave the Pei residence.

As for the Pei family's affairs, they have nothing to do with her.

Hearing Xiang Ning's confident words, Pei Yongcheng reluctantly let go of her.

He glared at Xiang Ning fiercely, then turned and left.

Watching Pei Yongcheng walk away, Xiang Ning seemed to lose all her strength, and her tense nerves relaxed instantly.

She took a breath and put the dagger away.

This Pei Yongcheng...

"I wanted to be a hero and save the damsel in distress, but I'm too late."

Pei Mingxiu's voice came from behind Xiang Ning. She turned her head and bowed to Pei Mingxiu, saying, "This servant greets the Third Young Master."

"The way you threatened your fourth brother just now had a bit of the eldest brother's air about you."

He walked towards Xiang Ning and said with a light laugh, "I wonder if you know what you look like, brother?"

"What does the Third Young Master want to say?"

Here we go again, that familiar feeling.

Xiang Ning felt that every time she saw Pei Mingxiu, she felt that it was deliberate.

She just didn't have anything that Pei Mingxiu could use to his advantage.

What about Pei Mingxiu's initiative to show goodwill?
"There's no need to be so wary of me; I just happened to be passing by."

Seeing the wariness in Xiang Ning's eyes, Pei Mingxiu smiled.

"I won't keep you any longer, please."

After speaking, Pei Mingxiu stepped aside to make way, and Xiang Ning bowed to Pei Mingxiu again before leaving.

Pei Mingxiu, who remained where he was, watched her retreating figure thoughtfully.

She is a smart girl, but also very wary.

He hadn't intended to get close to her; after all, she was Pei Yanzhi's woman.

But for some reason, Pei Mingxiu felt an uncontrollable excitement whenever he thought that she was Pei Yanzhi's woman.

Otherwise, he might not have had this idea.

Pei Mingxiu watched Xiang Ning's figure disappear before leaving.

Xiang Ning arrived at the storeroom, told Steward Li about the matter at Mosongyuan, received the insect repellent, and then went back.

She didn't dare to linger any longer on the way, for fear of encountering any more monsters or demons.

The Pei residence is actually less safe than the outside world.

Xiang Ning felt a headache coming on.

Back at Mosong Garden, after distributing the insect repellent powder to the servants, the group began their work, and soon used up all the powder.

However, Xiang Ning couldn't help but feel that something was off about the scent of the insect repellent powder.

It smells so good it makes you drowsy.

She shook her head and caught a glimpse of a blue figure flashing past outside Qingyi Residence out of the corner of her eye.

That's... green bamboo?
(End of this chapter)