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

Chapter 52 You provoked me first.
Pei Yanzhi approached Xiang Ning, looked at her, and asked this question.

Hearing this, Xiang Ning was somewhat hesitant to meet his eyes.

She took a step back, and he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close so she couldn't break free.

"Or were you lying to me before?"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head. Her mind was racing, trying to figure out how to put Pei Yanzhi's suspicions at ease.

But isn't that all in the past? Why did he bring it up again?
"It was the old lady's idea."

After a long while, just as Pei Yanzhi's patience was about to run out, Xiang Ning finally spoke up.

"Old lady?"

Pei Yanzhi sat down, which made Xiang Ning the one looking down at him.

Her expression was completely visible to him.

"Tell me, what does the old lady mean?"

He sat opposite Xiang Ning, his legs crossed, and as he spoke, he slightly raised his eyes to look at her, as if he had already seen through everything from her gaze.

"No kneeling allowed."

Seeing that Xiang Ning was about to kneel down, Pei Yanzhi immediately stopped her.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning stopped herself from kneeling down.

"It was the old lady who said that since the master is not yet married, he cannot take concubines or have illegitimate children, otherwise it will ruin his reputation."

"The old lady instructed me to serve the master with all my heart, and when the new lady enters the household, she will naturally elevate me to the status of a concubine."

At this point, Xiang Ning's eyes reddened for a moment, and she walked closer to Pei Yanzhi.

Then she reached out and grabbed his sleeve, slowly squatting down.

"This servant also wants to have a legitimate status by your side, but this servant wants you to live a good life even more."

Xiang Ning spoke softly, resting her head on his lap.

When she said these words, she didn't dare to look Pei Yanzhi in the eye, because every time she met his eyes, Xiang Ning felt a little guilty.

He was so perceptive that Xiang Ning felt her thoughts were completely exposed whenever she met his gaze.

"You're mine, why do you always listen to others?"

Pei Yanzhi's heart gradually calmed down as Xiang Ning spoke.

He reached out and placed his hand on Xiang Ning's head.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning looked up at him and said, "Master is the master, and I am just a servant. If I don't follow the rules, in the end, Master will have to clean up my mess."

"When have I ever been afraid of trouble?"

Pei Yanzhi lowered his eyes, his intense gaze falling on Xiang Ning.

If he was afraid of trouble, he wouldn't have kept her in the first place.

"But I'm afraid. I just wish I could stay here with you in the Ink Pine Garden forever."

"No one bothers me, and I don't have many worries."

Perhaps it was because Xiang Ning's words were too gentle that Pei Yanzhi felt a sense of longing.

He grabbed her arm, pulled her up from the ground, and made her sit on his lap.

"Sincerely?"

As he spoke, Pei Yanzhi stared at Xiang Ning, making her want to avoid his gaze.

But Xiang Ning knew that if she dodged away, he wouldn't believe her no matter what she said.

Thinking of this, Xiang Ning leaned in and kissed him on the cheek: "A Jing doesn't believe me?"

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering in his ear, "Then I'll show you."

In fact, Xiang Ning was not very willing to call Pei Yanzhi by his courtesy name, because the term was too intimate.

It was as if, once she shouted it out, the distance between her and Pei Yanzhi was infinitely shortened.

But things have come to this point, and if she doesn't do something now, all her efforts over the past few months will be in vain.

She still needs his protection.

"Let's just take this as your honest opinion."

"Whether you have a formal title or not, Xiang Ning, remember, you were the one who provoked me first."

Pei Yanzhi reached out and held her head, deepening her light kiss.

They grind and grind continuously, exhaling hot air, which then intertwines with each other.

Xiang Ning sensed his reaction and knew that she had gotten away with it this time.

But Pei Yanzhi's reaction was what Xiang Ning feared most.

He seemed to truly consider her an indispensable person.

Will he still let me leave then?
"Don't get distracted." Hearing this, Xiang Ning gripped Pei Yanzhi's clothes tightly, closed her eyes, and stopped thinking about it.

The next day, Pei Yanzhi said he was going to the Xuanwei Marquis's residence and wouldn't be back until noon. Xiang Ning nodded in agreement.

They asked him what he wanted to eat that night before seeing him off.

Not long after Pei Yanzhi left, he saw a head peeking out from outside the Mosong Garden.

Pei Miaohan held the white ball in her arms and looked at Xiang Ning, who was hanging clothes to dry nearby.

"Fifth girl?"

Xiang Ning turned around and saw Pei Miaohan, still somewhat puzzled, as no one in this mansion dared to approach Pei Yanzhi.

As a result, even Mosongyuan had very few guests.

"Did big brother go out?"

Pei Miaohan stood outside Mosong Garden while she spoke, without coming in.

After all, she was holding a white ball in her arms, and Pei Yanzhi hated cats.

"Master has gone out on business. Is Fifth Miss looking for him?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Miaohan shook her head repeatedly: "I'm looking for you, sister."

These words surprised Xiang Ning: "Looking for me?"

"Is it convenient for you to come out and talk, sister?"

After Pei Miaohan finished speaking, Xiang Ning took a handkerchief from the side, wiped her hands, and walked over.

"What's wrong, Fifth Sister?"

"The sachet you're wearing is beautiful. I'd like to ask you, could you teach me how to make it?"

Pei Miaohan pointed to the sachet at Xiang Ning's waist.

She saw it yesterday, but at the time she was afraid that Pei Yanzhi would smell the cat and come after her, so she could only leave with Bai Tuan first.

"This is just a very ordinary sachet. If you like it, Fifth Miss, I will make one for you."

"This is the birthday present I'm going to give to Daddy."

Pei Miaohan ran her hand over the white ball's soft fur and said with a smile, "Father's birthday is coming up soon, and I still don't know what to give him. I was thinking of making a sachet for him myself."

"I see."

Xiang Ning nodded in understanding, and Pei Miaohan stepped forward: "Then, sister, can you teach me?"

The little girl had a pair of bright, dark eyes, and she looked really cute.

"Sure, but I don't like white dumplings. How about we go to your courtyard?"

Fortunately, Pei Yanzhi wasn't around, so she had some free time.

"Okay."

Pei Miaohan nodded repeatedly and stepped forward to take Xiang Ning's hand.

The two walked towards Hehua Courtyard. Pei Miaohan was very happy and chattered on and on.

Upon arriving at Hehua Courtyard, Xiangning met Pei Miaohan's mother, Lady Wanyi.

"Mother."

Where have you been again?

The woman had gentle features and knelt down to touch Pei Miaohan's face.

"I went to find my sister to teach me how to make sachets."

Upon hearing this, Lady Wanyi looked up at Xiang Ning, who was standing at the entrance of Hehua Courtyard.

She was suddenly stunned. How could this be...?

"Mother?"

"This servant, Xiangning, greets Madam."

Xiang Ning naturally noticed Wan Yi's momentary daze. She bowed and then saw her walk over.

"Your name is Xiang Ning?"

"Your mother, is she still alive?"

Wanyi sounded somewhat anxious, and when she grabbed Xiangning, she hurriedly asked a couple of questions.

Xiang Ning shook her head: "My mother is no longer here. Does Madam know my mother?"

"do not know!"

Wan Yi replied quickly, but her categorical denial was the most intriguing aspect.

(End of this chapter)