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

Chapter 10 She's always lying
After receiving Pei Yongcheng's instructions, Fang'er was brought in.

Pei Yongcheng lay on the bed, twisted his body, and propped his head up with his hand as he looked at Fang'er who had come in.

He frowned and clicked his tongue: "Too ugly."

In this Lingbo Pavilion, from his beautiful concubines and eighteen maids to the servants, not one of them was ugly.

This Fang'er really lowers the standard of his courtyard.

"You'd better say something that interests me, or I'll drag you out and beat you up too."

Pei Yongcheng said lazily that Fang'er had just come in and had been scolded by him, and now she was going to be beaten. She was so scared that she was trembling.

She knelt on the ground and bowed to Pei Yongcheng, saying, "Fourth Young Master, this servant and Xiang Ning entered the manor together."

“This servant knows that she came from a brothel before entering the manor.”

Upon hearing the words "brothel," Pei Yongcheng raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued: "Oh? A brothel, huh? Well, my Xiang Ning is as beautiful as a celestial being."

With such looks, Pei Yongcheng would find it a pity that she was allowed to work as a maid in the Pei household.

Pei Yongcheng's words flashed with malice in Fang'er's eyes.

But for the sake of her own plans, she had no choice but to agree, saying, "Yes, I also found it strange at the time. How did the courtesans from the brothel end up in the Pei residence and become the First Madam's maid?"

Fang'er secretly glanced at Pei Yongcheng and saw that he had a look of doubt on his face, so she stopped talking.

The seeds of doubt have been sown; what to do and what to think is now up to Bae Young-sung.

Even though Xiang Ning wasn't a courtesan at the brothel, Pei Yongcheng was still kept in suspense by her.

In order to win her over, he would definitely find a way to make Xiang Ning a courtesan in a brothel.

Only in this way will the doctor prevent Xiang Ning from continuing to serve in the Ink Pine Garden.

"Fusheng, give her the silver."

Pei Yongcheng pondered this matter and waved for Fang'er to leave.

His eyes lit up, as if he had already foreseen the scene where Xiang Ning would fall into his hands, unable to live or die.

"You brat, you dare to set a trap for your fourth grandfather. If you fall into my hands, I'll make you pay."

In his excitement, Pei Yongcheng tried to get up, but forgot that he was still injured. He pulled at his wounds, which made him wince in pain.

"Sir, please slow down."

The concubine beside him reached out to help him up, and Pei Yongcheng felt much better looking at his beautiful wife, who was as delicate as a flower.

After nightfall, Pei Yanzhi returned from Dali Temple. Xiang Ning was waiting at Qingyi Residence. After greeting him as "Master," she looked up and saw the weariness in Pei Yanzhi's eyes.

He didn't reply to Xiang Ning, but Cheng Hua, who was behind Pei Yanzhi, whispered something instead.

"Your Excellency was reprimanded by the Empress Dowager today and is in a bad mood. You should go back after you finish fetching the water."

With Chenghua's reminder, Xiangning naturally knew how to serve him.

As for why Pei Yanzhi was reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, what does that have to do with her?

She understood the saying that the more you know, the faster you die.

Seeing that Xiang Ning was so understanding, Cheng Hua smiled and went inside.

A short while later, Chenghua came out, and Xiangning was called inside by Pei Yanzhi.

Pei Yanzhi sat on the soft couch by the window, one hand hanging down beside him, and the wound on the back of his hand could be vaguely seen.

"Master, this servant will help you change your clothes."

Remembering Cheng Hua's words, Xiang Ning could only serve him with utmost care and caution.

She was afraid that Pei Yanzhi would take his anger out on her.

Pei Yanzhi did not reply. Xiang Ning walked over and reached out to untie his waist belt.

He was quite cooperative, unlike last time.

After taking off Pei Yanzhi's official robes, Xiang Ning turned around and went to get him some casual clothes.

"There are wound medicines in the cabinet."

Xiang Ning heard him sit up, and then utter a sentence in a low voice.

Hearing this, she nodded in agreement: "This servant will go get the medicine." Pei Yanzhi's room wasn't very big, and the cabinet he mentioned was not far away. When Xiang Ning went to get the medicine, she saw a somewhat familiar ribbon.

Isn't this the strap of her sachet?

Sure enough, it was in Pei Yanzhi's room, but why didn't he throw it away? Instead, he put it in the cabinet. What does that mean?
Xiang Ning pursed her lips and reached out to pull out the drawer.

Unexpectedly, the cabinet on this floor was locked.

"Not found yet?"

Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhi's urging voice came from the other end. Helpless, Xiang Ning had no choice but to take the medicine and go over first.

Now that she knows the location, she can come and get it when Pei Yanzhi isn't around.

Xiang Ning walked back, and Pei Yanzhi had already sat down, his hand on the small table beside him, where the scar was becoming more and more obvious.

It's a burn.

"Apply me the medicine."

Pei Yanzhi closed his eyes and gave an order. Xiang Ning stepped forward, wiped him clean with a clean handkerchief, and then sprinkled the medicine powder on his face.

The burns looked quite severe, with blisters forming, making his hands appear somewhat gruesome.

It seems that the injury was caused by the Empress Dowager hitting the victim with scalding hot tea.

If it weren't for the Empress Dowager, would Pei Yanzhi still be standing there letting others beat and scold him?

“I heard that you were quite imposing outside Qingyi Residence today.”

He suddenly opened his eyes and met Xiang Ning's gaze. She paused, almost tying the gauze tightly.

"I'm afraid they'll say something inappropriate and ruin your reputation."

Xiang Ning lowered her eyes and spoke softly, but Pei Yanzhi noticed that every time he spoke to her, she never looked up at him.

It was as if he were some kind of ferocious beast that could devour her with its claws and teeth bared.

He withdrew his hand, a hint of displeasure creeping into his heart, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the small table.

"look up."

With those two cold words, Xiang Ning raised her head and looked at Pei Yanzhi.

The girl was undoubtedly beautiful, with delicate eyebrows and bright, clear eyes.

No wonder Bae Young-sung, who's always on the go, has been thinking about this for so long.

"My reputation? What reputation do you think I have?"

Hearing Xiang Ning's readily available lies, Pei Yanzhi's brow twitched slightly.

Now, Daqing is beset by internal and external troubles. The emperor is young, the empress dowager is in charge, and the court is in turmoil, with people and ghosts swaying about.

As a confidant promoted by the Empress Dowager, Pei Yanzhi's job was naturally to eliminate dissidents for her.

The position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is neither particularly high nor low, so the imperial relatives and nobles naturally do not fear him.

Unfortunately, he was reckless; once he bit, he would never let go.

Without even thinking, everyone knows how the court officials are badmouthing him behind his back.

Calling someone "Minister of Justice" is just a polite gesture; the moment they turn around, they're nothing but a vile scoundrel.

Pei Yanzhi had no idea what kind of good reputation he could possibly have.

“Master is as handsome as an orchid and as precious as a jade tablet, with a distinguished reputation and high standing. He is naturally a fine young man, and I cannot bear to hear them gossiping about him behind his back.”

Every time Xiang Ning heard Pei Yanzhi's question, she had to ponder the meaning behind his words many times in her mind.

Chew it thoroughly, swallow it completely, and then carefully consider your reply.

This time, as soon as she finished speaking, Pei Yanzhi grabbed her chin.

His movement caused Xiang Ning to bend over and almost fall on him.

"Oh? So it seems that Xiang Ning's affection for me means she thinks I am the best man in the world?"

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(End of this chapter)