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

Chapter 17 Pei Yanzhi's younger brother
After finishing her errand and saying her piece, Madam Liao bid farewell to Xiang Ning and left Mosong Garden.

The pile of jewelry and fabric on the stone table looked tempting.

"Peach, this is for you."

She stepped forward and handed a pair of hairpins to Bitao. The little girl was delighted to receive such fine jewelry, and her eyes were full of smiles.

"No wonder magpies were chirping by my window when I woke up this morning."

Bitao smiled and said something ingratiating, but Xiangning shook her head helplessly.

"I still have some loose silver here. Could you distribute it to the other people at Qingyi Residence for me? I'm going out for a bit."

Hearing Xiang Ning's words, Bi Tao nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, sister, I'll pack your things and then go."

Xiang Ning picked up another tray of fabric, turned around, and left.

She went to look for Granny Xu, who was now the only cook in the small kitchen of Mosongyuan.

After all, Pei Yanzhi was picky about food, and since the dishes made by others didn't suit his taste, he naturally kicked them out.

“Mother Xu”.

"Why is Xiang Ning here?"

Hearing Xiang Ning's voice, Xu's mother came out with a smile.

Granny Xu had naturally heard about what happened last night, and she was genuinely happy for Xiang Ning.

"The madam and the old lady gave me some fabric, but I don't need it. Here, take it and give it to you."

“Brother Tang Peng works in the gatehouse, so he has to run errands a lot. If he dresses well, he can make his master look good, and maybe he can even go to serve in the outer courtyard.”

After speaking, Xiang Ning handed the tray in her hand forward.

The fabric is bluish-green, an unremarkable color, suitable for both men and women.

Xiang Ning didn't plan to use her own cutting skills to make clothes; she only kept a small piece of fabric to make a sachet for Pei Yanzhi.

After all, Pei Yanzhi is a very deep and thoughtful person. If you don't care about him, everything you say will be a lie.

It would be a loss to arouse his suspicion.

Occasionally giving him something you made yourself can make him feel that you're not just talking the talk.

"How could I possibly accept something so valuable from you?"

"It's nothing valuable. My mother has helped me so much, so I should repay you. If you don't accept it, I won't dare to trouble you again in the future."

As she spoke, Xiang Ning placed the tray in her hands into Granny Xu's hands.

Hearing her say that, Granny Xu stopped making excuses.

I never imagined that my one act of helping someone would have such a positive outcome.

When Xiang Ning left, Granny Xu gave her some steamed buns she had made that morning to take home and eat.

On her way back to Qingyi Residence, Xiangning encountered Qingzhu.

In just one night, Qingzhu looked much more haggard.

Xiang Ning didn't know how Pei Yanzhi ultimately dealt with Xiao Wu, but given that Xiao Wu dared to touch her, and considering Pei Yanzhi's intolerant nature, Xiao Wu was probably in grave danger.

But what does this have to do with Xiang Ning?

Xiao Wu was the one who did wrong, and Qing Zhu was probably the one who instigated him.

She was the victim, so who can she blame for Qingzhu's resentful attitude at this moment?

Thinking of this, Xiang Ning turned around and left without even glancing at Qing Zhu again.

Seeing her attitude, Qingzhu felt like a stray dog ​​being trampled under Xiang Ning's feet.

Ke Xiangning only glanced at her before leaving.

After Xiang Ning returned to Qingyi Residence, Bi Tao had already tidied everything up quickly.

Pei Yanzhi rarely returned to the Pei residence during the day, so Xiang Ning could relax a bit more during the day.

I just helped him tidy up the house and tend to the flowers and plants in Qingyi Residence.

After noon, Bitao said that a new batch of flowers and plants had arrived at the mansion's flower room, and people from each courtyard were now picking them up.

Bitao originally planned to go by herself, but Xiangning was worried that she was too young and would be bullied by the old women in the other courtyards, so she said she would go with her. The two went to the Pei family's flower room together, and as soon as they entered, they overheard some comments about Xiangning.

It's still the same old line, saying she seduced Pei Yan to rise to power.

Hearing this, Bitao was furious and was about to step forward when she heard them change their tone.

"Oh, the Third Young Master's courtyard, does he even need flowers?"

"The weeds in the yard alone are enough to fill the space."

After a few sarcastic remarks, Xiang Ning heard a slightly gentler voice: "In that case, I won't be picky anymore. Ping An, this pot will do."

His tone was indifferent, showing no sign of embarrassment at being mocked.

Amidst the chatter of the crowd, Xiang Ning heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and met a pair of light brown eyes.

The young man had a somewhat pale complexion and looked rather frail, but he had delicate features and a handsome appearance.

Upon seeing Xiang Ning, he nodded in acknowledgment and left with his servant.

Even after walking away, one could still hear the servant behind him calling out "Third Young Master" with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"The Third Young Master is living a truly miserable life in this mansion."

Bitao shrugged. She was a servant born into the Pei family. Both her parents worked in the Pei family. After her parents passed away, the First Madam transferred Bitao to Mosong Garden to serve them.

"Third Young Master?"

Xiang Ning was somewhat puzzled. She had been in the Pei family for three years and seemed to have never heard of the Third Young Master.

"Sister, don't you know? The Third Young Master comes from a bad background. I heard that his mother was a courtesan who had him by accident. Our master didn't want to acknowledge him at all. It was the old lady who felt that he was a descendant of the Pei family, so she brought him back."

"After returning to the manor, the madam and the eldest young master did not like him, so he rarely left his own courtyard."

Bitao and Xiangning explained that although he was called the Third Young Master, he was not as good as the servants in the mansion.

After this incident, Madam Pei made a scene for over a month, and the eldest son of the family rarely came home.

If it weren't for the eldest son, Pei Yanzhi, being so capable and managing to vent the anger that Madam Pei had held in her heart for over a decade, the eldest branch of the family would have been in complete chaos.

Xiang Ning nodded slightly and didn't ask any further questions.

Unexpectedly, this third young master is Pei Yanzhi's younger brother.

It's no wonder I've never heard of it since I never leave my house.

At this moment, Pei Mingxiu, who had walked away, took out a silver hairpin from his bosom.

There were too many people around, and it wasn't convenient for him to return it to her. He didn't want to ruin the good life she had worked so hard for because of him.

"Sir, are we going out again tonight?"

"Okay, get out."

Pei Mingxiu put the hairpin back into his bosom and left.

Ping An held the pot of chrysanthemums that were almost dying in his arms and sighed helplessly.

Even though he was outside the mansion, and his master was an outstanding person, he really couldn't understand why he had to waste time in the Pei mansion.

Xiangning and Bitao moved several pots of hibiscus and oleander into the flower room and were about to leave when a maid blocked their way.

“Our aunt wants this pot of hibiscus in your hand.”

As she spoke, the maid reached out to snatch it, but Bitao, holding Mu Furong, stepped back and said, "Which courtyard are you from? How dare you steal things from our Mosong Garden?"

"Mosong Garden?"

Upon hearing Bitao say that she was from Mosongyuan, the maid hesitated for a moment.

Mosongyuan is the territory of the eldest young master Pei Yanzhi. When his people come to the flower room, they can take whatever they want.

"I want this hibiscus mutabilis, what's wrong with that?"

An unpleasant female voice came from behind. Xiang Ning watched as a woman swayed her hips as she walked in, her voice affected and unpleasant.

She wondered who was being so arrogant. It turned out to be the concubine that the second master had just taken in. She was currently being favored, so it was no wonder she was so spoiled.

(End of this chapter)