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

Chapter 31 What do you think I still need to learn?
After an unknown amount of time, when Xiang Ning felt like she couldn't breathe, Pei Yanzhi finally released her.

His hand gripped Xiang Ning's waist, and Xiang Ning felt a tingling sensation all over her body.

Pei Yanzhi's breathing became a little erratic. He lowered his eyes and made Xiang Ning stand up straight.

Her waist was so thin that it seemed he could break it with just a little force.

Thinking of how she couldn't hold on during their two sexual encounters, Pei Yanzhi looked up at him and said, "Eat more. Mo Song Yuan won't miss a bite to eat."

Xiang Ning was somewhat puzzled by his words, but only after meeting Pei Yanzhi's gaze did she understand why he said that.

His gaze was fixed intently on his waist.

"It's time for me to go to the Dali Temple."

Xiang Ning took a step back to make way for Pei Yanzhi. As he stood up, Pei Yanzhi saw Xiang Ning unconsciously purse her lips.

Her red lips were all smiles, like a beautiful flower in full bloom, beckoning people to pick her.

He looked away and didn't continue watching.

When Chenghua and Bitao, who were guarding the door, saw Pei Yanzhi come out, their lips turned quite red. They tacitly understood each other and didn't say anything more.

After Pei Yanzhi left Qingyi Residence, he said to Chenghua, "Have the kitchen prepare more nourishing dishes."

"What would you like to eat, sir?"

Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's question, Cheng Hua assumed that Pei Yanzhi was dissatisfied with the recent meals and asked him the question.

"What do you think I need to supplement?"

Pei Yanzhi paused, glancing sideways at Cheng Hua.

Chenghua silently lowered his head. He had spoken out of turn. He seemed to understand who this nourishing food was meant for.

If my husband keeps taking supplements, he'll develop internal heat and deficiency.

At this moment, in Qingyi Residence, Xiang Ning came out of the house and saw the smile in Bi Tao's eyes.

"Why is it taking you longer to get up in the morning each day, sir?"

With food in her hands, Bitao could barely conceal the sarcasm in her words.

"You little brat, you're asking for it."

As she spoke, Xiang Ning reached out to hit Bi Tao, but Bi Tao quickly dodged, saying, "Good sister, I'm just happy for you."

"You've won the master's favor; this good fortune is yet to come."

Bitao smiled and spoke to Xiangning. Hearing this, Xiangning shook her head and sighed, not continuing.

No amount of pampering can compare to Pei Yanzhi's promise last night to increase her allowance.

She would rather have money.

After Xiang Ning finished tidying up, she continued to make clothes for Pei Yanzhi, including the sachet, and finished them in half a day.

The rest of the time, she began to embroider the handkerchief given to her by Lady Li. She didn't know which distinguished guest had requested it, but the material given was of the finest quality.

Xiang Ning cared more about these handkerchiefs than Pei Yanzhi's clothes, since they were all her own money.

In the afternoon, after lunch, Xiang Ning, now the head maid of Mo Song Yuan, naturally went to the manor's storeroom to collect Mo Song Yuan's supplies for the month.

When we arrived, there were already quite a few people standing in the warehouse.

They were all maids and servants from various rooms and courtyards who came to collect their belongings.

Ever since Xiang Ning was harassed by Aunt Yu from the second branch of the family in the flower room, and Pei Yanzhi swiftly intervened to get revenge for her, everyone has been very polite to Xiang Ning ever since.

"Sister Xiangning is here, please come in."

The steward in the manor was used to flattering the powerful and belittling the weak. He paved the way for Xiang Ning and gave her the things from Mosong Garden.

This trip couldn't have gone more smoothly.

Xiang Ning nodded in acknowledgment, took the items, and prepared to leave.

"Didn't your Biran Academy already receive this month's supplies?"

The steward's harsh voice was completely different from before, and Ping An's dissatisfied voice came: "When did we receive it?"

“No matter what, the Third Young Master is the master of the manor. Is this how you treat him?” “Pah! What kind of master is he? Go away, don’t delay others from receiving their things.”

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning stopped and looked at it, recalling the scene yesterday when Pei Mingxiu returned the hairpin to her.

"Bitao, you should go back now."

She placed the items in another servant's hands and took a deep breath.

Xiang Ning knew that in the Pei family mansion, the best course of action was to protect herself and not to stand out.

Pei Mingxiu returned the hairpin to her, and now that she's helping him this time, she can consider it a repayment.

"elder sister?"

Bitao looked at Xiangning with some confusion as she walked back.

In the steward's courtyard, Xiang Ning walked straight to the steward, placed the silver in his hand, and said softly, "Steward Li, please give them the things in Bi Ran Courtyard."

"After all, he is still the young master's younger brother."

Xiang Ning's voice was very low, only she and the steward could hear it. When the steward heard this, he turned to look at Ping An.

"Alright, I'll do you a favor, young lady. Please put in a good word for me with the young master."

"Of course, thank you very much, Steward Li."

After saying that, Xiang Ning left.

Ping An watched as Steward Li, who had just been glaring at him, gave them the things that originally belonged to Bi Ran Courtyard.

They didn't skimp on anything.

His gaze fell on Xiang Ning, while he looked down at something.

Pei Mingxiu, who was writing by the window after returning from the steward's courtyard, looked up at the thing in Ping An's hand and asked with a smile, "Did you get into a fight?"

Otherwise, why would they give such a generous amount of things in their yard?

Normally, those managers would embezzle a significant portion, leaving them with very little.

"It was Xiang Ning, the young master's maid, who got it back for us. I don't know what she said to the steward."

Ping An walked into the house, put the things on the table, and explained.

Upon hearing this, Pei Mingxiu paused in his grip on the pen: "Pretend you don't know anything about this, and don't tell anyone."

"But that Miss Xiangning helped us, shouldn't you thank her, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Mingxiu shook his head: "She was already in a difficult situation in the manor. She was the first woman my cold-hearted elder brother took in. I don't know how many eyes were watching her in secret."

Only by doing nothing can Xiang Ning continue to live her peaceful life.

Her offer of help today is likely related to the matter of returning the hairpin yesterday.

As if he had thought of something, Pei Mingxiu said, "Later, after Ruyi Embroidery Workshop delivers that batch of embroidered handkerchiefs, give her another batch and tell her to have the embroiderer who made these handkerchiefs do it, and give her an extra 10% commission."

That Lady Li is an honest person. Seeing that Xiang Ning's embroidered handkerchiefs brought her business, she certainly wouldn't mistreat her.

The extra silver was to be considered his thank-you gift.

Ping An nodded in agreement as she tidied up her things.

I've never seen a master like this before, having to be so roundabout when giving a thank-you gift.

Pei Mingxiu lowered his head and began rewriting his article.

In fact, he didn't like the Pei family at all. In fact, when Pei Feng disowned him, he even considered leaving.

The outside world is vast and boundless, far better than being confined to this Pei mansion.

Unfortunately, his mother had only one wish in her life.

She wanted him to rise above others, to succeed in the imperial examinations, and to show everyone that she was not a lowly person, and that her child could also become a top scholar.

Pei Yanzhi: What do you think I need to improve?
Chenghua: How about I prescribe some medicine to reduce your internal heat? I think you have a bit of internal heat.

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(End of this chapter)