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

Chapter 3 Keep by his side to serve

As Fang'er spoke, she was still pinching Xiang Ning's face.

Looking at Xiang Ning's beautiful, fair face, which seemed so delicate that it looked like she could squeeze water out of it, she wished she could scratch her face with her fingernails.

She refused to believe that Xiang Ning could still seduce men without her face.

However, it doesn't matter anymore. She had an affair and lost her innocence. The Pei family would never tolerate her.

Fang'er smiled and shook off Xiang Ning's face.

As the head matriarch of the Pei household, and serving the First Madam, Liao Mama was also in charge of household affairs.

Her orders were the orders of the First Madam.

So several rough-looking old women dragged Xiang Ning out of the courtyard.

With her mouth gagged, Xiang Ning couldn't explain a word, so it seemed she was in for a beating today.

She didn't expect Pei Yanzhi to come and save her; she wanted to think first about how she would explain herself if she survived.

The Pei family had many ways of disciplining their servants, and Granny Liao directly gave Xiang Ning a caning.

When the thick stick came down, she felt her vision go black and she was about to faint.

Just as the second blow was about to land, Xiang Ning heard a voice.

“Mother Liao”.

Upon hearing this voice, Xiang Ning slowly exhaled.

"Chenghua? Does the young master have any instructions?"

Liao's mother treated Chenghua with great respect.

Cheng Hua was Pei Yanzhi's constant attendant, so his words naturally carried weight.

"The young master is currently in Qionghua Courtyard. He has specially sent me to invite Mama Liao back."

"And this one, Miss Xiang Ning."

Chenghua glanced down at Xiang Ning and then gestured to the maid behind him to help her up.

This attitude left Liao's mother somewhat puzzled.

Xiang Ning had been serving in the First Madam's courtyard, but she hadn't been seen to have any relationship with the Eldest Young Master.

Could it be that the adulterer is Cheng Hua?

Thinking this to herself, Madam Liao dared not say it aloud, and could only return to the First Madam's Qionghua Courtyard.

The Pei family has served as officials for three generations, with their ancestors even working alongside government officials.

Their family was a distinguished family, and their wealth and honor went without saying.

Now that the new emperor is young, the empress dowager is ruling from behind the curtain, and Pei Yanzhi, who works at the Dali Temple, is deeply favored by the empress dowager.

As a result, the Pei family also prospered.

The eldest wife of the Pei family was Pei Yanzhi's biological mother, and her Qionghua Courtyard was naturally the best-located courtyard in the entire Pei family estate.

"Sir, the person has been brought."

Upon arriving at the main house of Qionghua Courtyard, Chenghua stood at the door and said something. The maids serving on both sides lifted the curtain, and he led Xiangning inside.

The beautiful woman seated at the head of the table wore a gold hairpin and a Shu brocade dress, exuding elegance and nobility.

Pei Yanzhi sat to her left, holding a cup of tea.

They seem to have been here for quite some time.

Xiang Ning watched this scene and then looked away.

"Aunt Liao, what are you doing so early in the morning?"

Qin glanced at Liao Mama, then looked at Xiang Ning, who was somewhat weak from the beating, and her face showed displeasure.

She hated the smell of blood the most; it was sticky and felt like it was clinging to her skin.

"There's a disrespectful maid in the courtyard, and this old servant is disciplining her."

Liao's mother respectfully said something to Qin.

Upon hearing this, Madam Qin frowned. She wanted to ask, but then she saw Pei Yanzhi sitting to the side.

Qin Shi was unwilling to discuss matters concerning the inner quarters with Pei Yanzhi.

"Yanzhi, is the girl you mentioned her?"

Qin's gaze fell on Xiang Ning, her condescending posture and disdainful look telling Xiang Ning everything.

In the face of the powerful and wealthy, she was nothing more than an ant, so lowly that she was about to be buried in the dust.

"Yes, I want to stay by your side to serve you, but I beg you, Mother, to give up your wish."

Pei Yanzhi took a sip of tea and spoke these words. Before Qin Shi could speak, she noticed that Liao Mama's face had turned somewhat pale.

"what happened?"

Noticing Liao's mother's expression, Qin looked at her and asked.

Madam Liao immediately knelt down: "Madam, this old servant didn't know, didn't know that Xiang Ning was the person the eldest young master wanted. That Fang'er said she was having an affair, so this old servant..."

"adultery?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Qin turned her gaze back to Pei Yanzhi.

"Feast?"

Qin asked in confusion, but Pei Yanzhi remained indifferent and did not say another word.

Seeing his attitude, Qin understood everything.

Pei Yanzhi rarely stepped into Qionghua Courtyard except to pay his respects, but today he came here for the first time. Was it just to ask for a maid?
"You should go back first. She's injured. Clean her up before letting her go over."

Qin gripped the armrest of the chair tightly and told Pei Yanzhi to leave.

Pei Yanzhi placed the teacup aside, nodded in acknowledgment, and then got up and walked out.

His gaze was indifferent, the madness of last night long gone.

From beginning to end, Pei Yanzhi didn't glance at Xiang Ning even once.

After Pei Yanzhi left with Chenghua, Qin Shi looked at Xiang Ning kneeling on the ground.

Needless to say, her looks are stunning, and her figure is just right.

No wonder, she managed to win the favor of her son, who had never been interested in women.

“I remember, you’ve been in the manor for three years now.”

Qin slowly exhaled and looked at Xiang Ning to ask this question.

Xiang Ning nodded: "This servant has served Madam for three years."

"That's fine, it saves me the trouble of stuffing people into the young master's room again. You're a capable person, as long as you behave yourself, I won't treat you unfairly."

"Just remember, never use a seductive manner to seduce the young master into debauchery and losing his sense of propriety. If I find out, I'll beat him to death and throw him out to feed the dogs."

Qin's words were full of warnings, so Xiang Ning naturally dared not say anything more and could only agree repeatedly.

"This servant will serve the young master with all her heart."

Seeing how timid and cowardly she was, like a frightened bird, Madam Qin didn't press her any further, but simply waved her hand.

"Mama Liao, take her downstairs to bathe and change, so as not to offend the young master's eyes."

She has a gentle nature and is easy to manipulate; she won't be an eyesore when Pei Yanzhi's future wife enters the family.

If one is fortunate enough to give birth to a son or daughter, that would be considered the pinnacle of wealth and honor.

Xiang Ning knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Madam Qin again before getting up and leaving with Mama Liao.

Having served Madam Qin for three years, she naturally knew that Madam Qin couldn't tolerate anyone.

Sending someone outstanding and ambitious to Pei Yanzhi's side would only disrupt the peace of the household.

Therefore, she had to be the obedient, easily manipulated, and submissive person who would be bullied by others.

Only in this way could she live peacefully in the Pei family mansion, slowly saving up her money, waiting for the day she could leave the mansion.

She doesn't have lofty ambitions, nor does she dream of turning her life around overnight.

However, Fang'er also needs to be taught a lesson.

Thinking of this, Xiang Ning walked up to Liao's mother, took her hand, and took off the silver bracelet from her wrist.

"Mother was deceived by that Fang'er today and almost got scolded by the madam."

"This Fang'er is always stirring up trouble in the backyard. Who knows, one day she might do something even more outrageous."

The silver bracelet fell from Xiang Ning's wrist to Liao's mother's hand.

She lowered her eyes and spoke softly, and Liao's mother naturally understood what she meant.

Seeing that Xiang Ning didn't become arrogant because she was favored by the young master, Liao's mother was naturally willing to do her a favor.

"Miss Xiangning's good fortune is yet to come. As for those gossipy servants, I, your mother, will never let them stay."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning nodded and then flattered Liao's mother a few more times.

However, she did not expect that Pei Yanzhi had actually come to Qionghua Courtyard long ago and knew about the beating she had received.

He did it on purpose; that blow was his punishment for her.

He punished her by making her restless and climb into his bed.

(End of this chapter)