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

Chapter 221 I Don't Want You to Leave
Pei Yanzhi specifically chose a house in Qingyifang, on the western outskirts of the capital.

Nestled against Yuping Mountain, the place is bordered by the winding Yudai River that flows into the city, its murmuring waters isolating the noise of the main streets outside.

The courtyard, with its three entrances and three exits, features green tiles and white walls. Copper bells hang from the upturned eaves, their clear, melodious sound reminiscent of the water towns of Jiangnan.

He deliberately slowed his pace as he carried Xiang Ning across the hanging flower gate.

The girl in his arms had a blush on her ear tips, and the skirt embroidered with twin lotus flowers brushed against the hem of his black robe.

Only after passing the cloud-patterned screen wall did he gently place her on the bluestone slab, his palm still warm from her waist.

"This is the front courtyard flower hall."

Chenghua, holding the account book, followed behind and explained, "The east wing was originally used as a study. Last month, Master ordered all those display cabinets to be demolished, saying they were to be converted into..."

Xiang Ning's fingertips suddenly moved in his palm.

Pei Yanzhi looked down and saw that she was looking up at the bamboo curtain hanging in the corridor.

The worn-out bamboo curtain rustled in the wind, and dappled sunlight fell on the floral ornament between her eyebrows, like scattered gold.

"How about turning it into an embroidery room?" He squeezed her slightly cool hand. "Then we can put your usual embroidery frame here."

Passing through the moon gate, the living lake shimmered with light.

Several red and white koi suddenly scattered, then gathered again in the shadow cast by Xiang Ning.

As she bent over, the pearl hairpin at her temple dangled into the lake, creating ripples that reflected Pei Yanzhi's suddenly gentle expression.

"Keep the three courtyards on the west side."

His fingertips brushed against the floral pattern on her sleeve. "Wait for us."

The second half of the sentence was hidden in the wind, but Xiang Ning felt a burning sensation behind her ears.

Looking up, I was met with a view of a pool of spring water, more enchanting than the misty waves of Jiangnan in March.

After they get married and have children, they will have a courtyard to live in.

The century-old ginkgo tree in the main courtyard spreads its golden and green branches, while the wisteria vines entwined on the swing set are in full bloom.

Pei Yanzhi suddenly let go of her hand, his dark robes swept across the stone steps, and in the blink of an eye he was sitting on the swing.

As Xiang Ning sat down, lifting her skirt, two kingfishers were startled and flew away from among the vines.

The moment the swing swayed, Pei Yanzhi's hand steadily supported her lower back.

The wind whistled past her ear, and she heard him say, "This rope is wrapped in cotton, so it won't hurt your hands."

The setting sun stretched their shadows very long.

"As for purchasing things..."

She opened her mouth, and Pei Yanzhi looked at her.

“My uncle and brother prepared a lot of furniture in my dowry, and Lu’s Trading Company doesn’t need any more, so I don’t need to buy any more.”

“Those are the tokens of your uncle and brother’s affection.”

"And everything here is mine, it's different."

After Pei Yanzhi finished speaking, Xiang Ning nodded. As he got up to leave, she reached out and grabbed his arm.

The man paused, then gently asked her, "What's wrong?"

"After the wedding banquet, I still need to go back to Ling'an. Marriage certificate... have you prepared it?"

This question made Pei Yanzhi's heart beat faster.

“It’s all ready. I’ll ask the elders of the clan tomorrow to find an auspicious day to propose marriage to Ling’an.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiang Ning let go of him, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

"Ah Ning, I'm so happy. Thank you for not abandoning me."

Cool fingertips touched the corner of her lips.

Pei Yanzhi's eyes seemed to blaze like the sun, his intense and burning gaze making her heart burn with desire.

He kept repeating those words over and over again, and it really... made him look pitiful.

Xiang Ning tiptoed and placed a kiss on his lips.

She saw his eyes widen instantly, and then he cupped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss.

When Pei Yanzhi released Xiang Ning, she was already dizzy and disoriented.

He smiled and ruffled her hair before taking her back to her house and then left.

Upon returning to the capital, he still had to go to the palace to report back.

The young emperor was very happy to see Pei Yanzhi return and even invited him to have dinner in the palace.

When Pei Yanzhi finished his meal and was about to leave, he happened to run into Lu Ruoyao and Sang Ruifeng, who had entered the palace together.

Lu Ruoyao walked ahead, while Sang Ruifeng followed behind, coaxing her. "Lord Pei?"

Sang Ruifeng was the first to see Pei Yanzhi, and he called out to Pei Yanzhi.

Pei Yanzhi nodded in acknowledgment, while Lu Ruoyao seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

"Sang Ruifeng, hurry up, His Majesty is still waiting for us."

She called out, and Sang Ruifeng nodded and quickly followed Lu Ruoyao's steps.

Even from a distance, you could still hear Sang Ruifeng coaxing Lu Ruoyao; it was a case of one willing to hit and the other willing to be hit.

The young emperor drafted an edict to bestow upon Pei Yanzhi the title of Marquis of Jian'an, and a continuous stream of rewards were sent to his residence.

Xiang Ning stayed here for two days, and she could hardly count all the rewards she received.

They had no choice but to put Chenghua and Bitao into the storeroom and organize them later when they had time.

The day Wen Caifu and Duan Zhuo got married was very lively.

As a rising star in the court, Duan Zhuo was also related to the Wen family through marriage and had some connections with Pei Yanzhi, so many people came to visit him uninvited.

When Xiang Ning saw Wen Caifu off, she received some silver from Duan Zhuo.

After a day of hustle and bustle, Xiang Ning looked at Pei Yanzhi, who was being supported by Cheng Hua and was somewhat drunk.

He rarely gets drunk, and his alcohol tolerance isn't that bad.

I was just happy today and talked with Duan Zhuo for a long time, which is why I drank too much.

"A Ning."

Pei Yanzhi called out, but his hand touched Cheng Hua's face.

This action startled Chenghua, who quickly called out, "Miss!"

Xiang Ning reluctantly stepped forward and took Pei Yanzhi from Cheng Hua's hands.

"I'll go prepare some hangover soup for Master."

After saying that, Chenghua pulled Bitao to the small kitchen.

Xiang Ning helped Pei Yanzhi back to the courtyard and laid him down on the soft couch.

Pei Yanzhi leaned against the wall, and as Xiang Ning was about to leave, he sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I don't want you to leave."

His drunken words sounded like the whispers of a child.

Xiang Ning tried to push him away but couldn't budge him; instead, she received an even tighter embrace.

"I'll go get some hot water."

"I don't want you to leave."

"Pei Yanzhi?"

"Well, I'm here."

Hearing his words, Xiang Ning reached out and pinched his face, but he just smiled at her.

He seemed to accept being molded and manipulated without resistance.

"I really just went to get hot water."

"You lied to me. If I let go, you'll be gone."

These words reminded Xiang Ning of the lies she had told him to escape.

He really holds a grudge.

"Ok."

She finally gave in, took off her shoes, climbed onto the soft couch, and pulled the blanket over herself.

Seeing that she wasn't leaving, Pei Yanzhi lay down beside her and wrapped her up in his arms.

Xiang Ning leaned against him, listening to his heartbeat.

Actually, when he said that, she felt he wasn't that drunk.

Forget it, men need to be coaxed too, she decided not to argue with him.

"Pei Yanzhi, go to sleep obediently and stop making a fuss."

"I understand, A-Ning."

She said something to him, and he responded by gently kissing her long hair.

Dead mouth, kiss me!