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

Chapter 222 Good Things Take Time (Part 1)

The morning light slanted in through the carved wooden window, weaving a fine golden net on the blue brick floor.

Pei Yanzhi's eyelashes trembled. The first thing that caught his eye was the dark blue hair scattered on the pillow, like fine pine soot ink spreading on rice paper.

He instinctively tightened his arms around her, bringing the soft, warm body in his embrace even closer.

Xiang Ning let out a soft moan in her hazy state, her jade-white hand resting against his chest.

Beneath the thin silk nightgown, the scar beside his chest throbbed against her palm.

Pei Yanzhi

Her voice was still hoarse from just waking up, and her fingertips unconsciously traced the scar.

The man held her even tighter, burying his nose in the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply, the sandalwood scent mixed with the lingering fragrance of agarwood from the previous night filling their breath.

Xiang Ning was held tightly in his arms, and she pushed him away. Only then did the man loosen his grip.

"You didn't leave."

Pei Yanzhi buried his head in the crook of her neck, took a deep breath, and slowly uttered those three words.

He felt as if everything was a dream.

I dared not open my eyes to look, for fear that if I reached out and touched something that was nothing but a bubble.

When did you become so anxious and insecure?

Xiang Ning sighed softly and turned to look at Pei Yanzhi.

She reached out, her fingertips slowly moving down his eyebrows and eyes.

"I just feel so good that you can forgive me."

He took her hand, kissed it gently, his touch filled with tenderness and affection.

"Life is but a fleeting few decades, why should I go against my own heart?"

"Pei Yanzhi, my heart has chosen you."

How could one truly let go of someone they had both loved and hated?

Xiang Ning had thought about it, and she hated herself for being so weak, for not being able to forget him.

Until he said that because she was there, he couldn't bear to die no matter what happened.

Even if he couldn't control it, he would arrange everything for her so that she could live a smooth and peaceful life in the future.

Pei Yanzhi stroked the back of her neck, his fingertips caressing the delicate skin.

“I’m not a Buddhist, but later I always liked to pray. I said if this is a dream, I beg Buddha to let me never wake up.”

His kiss landed on the tip of her ear, "But now I know this is not the Buddha's mercy, but a blessing from A Ning."

He only had a chance because she softened her heart.

"Your words are so sour. Get up, I'm going back to Ling'an today."

The spot where Pei Yanzhi kissed felt hot and burning.

Xiang Ning awkwardly tried to get up, but Pei Yanzhi didn't stop her. She wanted to go back to Ling'an, and he would go with her.

He formally married her, exchanging betrothal gifts and formally bringing her back to his side.

Before long, Xiang Ning was dressed up.

Chenghua and Bitao were tidying up the yard early in the morning.

When Dong Yan heard that Pei Yanzhi had returned, she specially sent over two dignified old women.

Dong Yan is currently in charge of the Pei family mansion, and as Pei Yanzhi's aunt, it's not considered overstepping her bounds for her to do these things.

With these two elderly women by their side, the two of them could tidy up much more efficiently.

As Xiang Ning was about to leave, one of the Zhang mothers came over and bowed to her.

"The old slave has met Madam."

Xiang Ning was taken aback by the address, but Pei Yanzhi seemed pleased. He put his arm around Xiang Ning's waist and nodded, asking, "What is it?"

"The mansion is currently empty, and we need to hire some servants. I wonder what the Madam and the Marquis's preferences are, so this old servant can make the arrangements."

Zhang Mama was the head housekeeper of the Pei household, and she was a very considerate person.

Even his speech was impeccable.

"The lady has maids to serve her, and the rest are servants. They just need to be quiet and efficient."

Before Xiang Ning could say anything, Pei Yanzhi uttered these words.

Mrs. Zhang nodded, but her gaze was fixed on Xiang Ning.

Before we arrived, the Second Madam had instructed us that once we were in the Marquis's residence, the Marquis's wife's words would carry more weight than the Marquis's.

"Let's do it this way. We can talk about the rest later."

Xiang Ning responded with a sound of agreement, and then Zhang Mama left. After dealing with this little incident, Xiang Ning and Pei Yanzhi returned to Ling An.

Lu Jiang was very happy to hear that Xiang Ning had returned, but his smile vanished the moment he saw Pei Yan.

Lu Jiang: No, not at all.

"Why did you follow me again?"

Hearing his brother-in-law's impolite words, Pei Yanzhi seemed to do it on purpose, deliberately wrapping his arms around Xiang Ning's waist.

"Young Master Lu, I've come to propose marriage."

"A betrothal gift?!"

Lu Jiang's voice suddenly rose, "What kind of betrothal?"

Before Pei Yanzhi could finish speaking, the celadon cup in Lu Jiang's hand had already shattered into pieces, with the broken pieces splashing onto the edge of his black boots.

Lu Jiang's knuckles turned white from clenching his fists, and his Shu brocade sleeve slipped down: "I don't agree, A Ning, you've forgotten him... In short, I won't agree."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiang Ning suddenly dug her fingertips into her palm.

"Brother."

She was about to speak when Pei Yanzhi gently pressed her hand down.

The calluses on the man's palms pressed against the back of her hand, marks left from years of wielding a sword.

"What will it take for Young Master Lu to believe me?"

Pei Yan stepped forward and said to Lu Jiang, "My feelings for A Ning have always been the same. If I ever betray her in the future, I will pay with my life."

"You think I don't dare?"

Lu Jiang suddenly drew the Longquan sword hanging on the wall.

The sword light shone like water, reflecting Pei Yanzhi's calm expression.

Xiang Ning noticed that Lu Jiang's hand holding the sword was trembling, and the sword's tip was pointing directly at Pei Yanzhi's heart.

"Big brother!"

Xiang Ning exclaimed in surprise, broke free from Pei Yanzhi's hand, rushed to Lu Jiang in a few steps, and tightly gripped the sharp sword with both hands.

Crimson blood instantly spilled from her palm, flowing slowly down the blade and dripping onto the bluestone slab, a shocking sight.

"A Ning!"

Pei Yanzhi and Lu Jiang shouted at the same time. Pei Yanzhi reacted quickly and pulled Xiang Ning back, holding her tightly in his arms and checking the injury on her hand.

Lu Jiang seemed to have all his strength drained away, and the Longquan sword fell to the ground with a clang.

His lips trembled as he tried to say something, but his throat was choked by immense regret and heartache.

Pei Yanzhi's eyes reddened, and his voice was full of anger and heartache.

He took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket and carefully bandaged Xiang Ning's wound.

His movements were as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure, but his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his inner panic.

Xiang Ning bit her lower lip, enduring the sharp pain in her hand, and looked up at Lu Jiang.

"Brother, I know you mean well. I can feel his sincerity. Life is short, and I don't want to have any regrets."

Her voice was choked with sobs, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the bottom of her heart.

Looking at his sister's eyes and then at Pei Yanzhi's protective manner, Lu Jiang felt a mix of emotions.

He had once witnessed his sister being heartbroken because of Pei Yanzhi.

He saw it all and felt the pain in his heart, so no matter what, he could not easily forgive the man who had hurt his sister.

Lu Jiang's voice was hoarse as he made a final attempt to make a comeback.

“He made you suffer so much, how can I just watch you go back to him? What if he…”

He couldn't go on. The thought of his sister possibly being hurt again made his heart feel like it was being pierced by a thousand needles.

Pei Yanzhi hugged Xiang Ning tightly, raised his head, and looked firmly at Lu Jiang.

“I swear to God, if I ever betray A Ning again, may I, Pei Yanzhi, die a horrible death and be pierced by ten thousand arrows.”

His voice was deep and powerful, each word like a heavy hammer striking Lu Jiang's heart.

Xiang Ning knew that her older brother was so resistant because he cared about her too much.

As Lu Jiang looked at his sister and Pei Yanzhi, his defenses began to crumble little by little.

He took a deep breath, slowly squatted down, picked up the Longquan sword from the ground, and looked at Pei Yanzhi with a complicated expression.

"Alright, since A-Ning has made up her mind, I will no longer stop her. But remember what you said today. If you dare to make A-Ning shed another tear, I will not forgive you."

After saying that, he stood up, sheathed his sword, turned around and strode away, his back view carrying a hint of loneliness and helplessness.