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

Chapter 68: Is it that you don't lack it, or that you don't want it?

As Xiang Ning stepped out of the house, she felt that Pei Yanzhi's gaze had been somewhat frightening for a moment.

It was as if he had already seen through her thoughts and understood all her intentions.

Just now, Xiang Ning was already thinking about how to respond to Pei Yanzhi's question.

But he didn't ask any further questions.

"Bitao, go and serve the food."

Xiang Ning almost collapsed as she walked down the steps.

Fortunately, Bitao helped her up.

"Sister, what's wrong?"

Bitao asked with concern, and Xiangning shook her head: "It's alright, go quickly."

Xiang Ning smiled at Bi Tao, indicating that she was alright, and only then did Bi Tao leave, turning back every few steps.

After Bitao went to deliver the meal, Xiangning instructed the servant to prepare water for her bath.

She stood under the eaves, watching the evening breeze stir the lanterns hanging high, their flickering light and shadows mingling in her eyes.

Xiang Ning let out a long breath.

After serving Pei Yanzhi dinner and waiting for him to bathe and change, Xiang Ning was about to leave.

He suddenly called out to her.

"Master?"

Xiang Ning, holding a teapot, walked towards Pei Yanzhi.

The man held something in his hand, took the teapot from her hand and placed it on the small table, then placed the brocade box in her palm.

"open to take a look."

Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's words, Xiang Ning was taken aback. The brocade box was quite small, but there was a layer of carved craftsmanship on the surface.

The box itself looks very valuable.

Xiang Ning didn't ask any questions. She reached out and opened the brocade box, inside which was a pair of pearl earrings of the same size and of excellent quality.

“I asked my colleagues, and they said that even though it’s called taking a concubine, the proper ceremonies still need to be followed.”

"Once the wedding date is set for the Tongwen family, I'll get things ready for you. Is there anything you want?"

Pei Yanzhi looked up at Xiang Ning, his tone calm, unlike his usual smiling expression.

Xiang Ning looked down and met his gaze, unsure of what to say.

"This servant lacks nothing."

"Is it that you don't need it, or that you don't want it, or perhaps you still don't want to be a part of my room?"

Xiang Ning had just finished speaking when she heard Pei Yanzhi's words. She closed the brocade box and knelt down immediately.

"That's not what I meant."

She thought that because she was so polite and knew how to behave, Pei Yanzhi would find her less troublesome.

"Xiang Ning, sometimes words may be lies, but the eyes never lie."

Pei Yanzhi bent down and reached out to pinch Xiang Ning's chin: "What do you think?"

The girl was forced to look up at Pei Yanzhi's calm, still eyes.

He didn't say anything, yet his words weighed heavily on Xiang Ning's heart.

"I know I don't want anything, but whatever I want, Master will give me."

"Master dotes on his servant."

With each word Xiang Ning spoke, she felt the hand gripping her chin tighten its hold.

She frowned slightly in pain: "So?"

"So I will tell you directly what I want, Master. I just don't want you to think that I am only after your power and money."

"I've finally managed to stay by your side, Master. I want to be with you for a long, long time."

Xiang Ning was in pain, and her words were somewhat hesitant and stuttering.

Tears welled up in her slightly reddened eyes, clinging to her trembling eyelashes like morning dew.

"Forever and ever?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi chuckled as if he had heard a joke.

What if you're lying to me?

He released Xiang Ning, curled his fingers, and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Why don't you swear an oath that if you're lying to me, you'll stay by my side for the rest of your life?"

Pei Yanzhi reached out and lifted Xiang Ning up from the ground, making her lie on his lap. Hearing this, Xiang Ning's heart pounded even faster.

"If this servant dares to deceive the master, may I suffer a terrible death for the rest of my life."

The oath she swore was even more ruthless than the one Pei Yanzhi made her swear.

Hearing this, Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly: "You know my methods, so behave yourself, hmm?"

Xiang Ning nodded, still not understanding why Pei Yanzhi was angry.

Pei Yanzhi kept his gaze fixed on Xiang Ning for an unknown amount of time before releasing her.

"Keep watch under the bed."

After saying that, Pei Yanzhi got up and walked to the bedside. Xiang Ning was kneeling on the soft couch and still hadn't reacted.

What exactly did Pei Yanzhi mean by those words?

Does he already know what I'm thinking?

Xiang Ning felt annoyed. Should she try to appease him, or wait until the wedding date was set and then go directly to the old lady for help?

But now she was, after all, a member of Mosongyuan, and even more so, Pei Yanzhi's bedmate.

What if the old lady wants to discuss this with Pei Yanzhi...?

Xiang Ning sighed inwardly, feeling that her mind was a complete mess.

This was the first time Pei Yanzhi had punished her, making her kneel on the soft couch all night.

When Xiang Ning woke up the next day, her knees were swollen from kneeling.

Pei Yanzhi came out from inside and saw this scene, but didn't say much.

Xiang Ning hurriedly got up to follow him, but unexpectedly, she lost her footing and almost fell.

Pei Yanzhi was about to turn around to help her when he saw that she had already grabbed the pillar with her hand.

She looked up and saw Pei Yanzhi's actions.

"Master?"

Pei Yanzhi ignored her and walked outside, leaving without even having breakfast.

Xiang Ning watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh, "What a temper!"

She had no idea why he was angry.

Now that Pei Yanzhi was gone, Xiang Ning felt more at ease. Coincidentally, she still had some medicine left over from last time, so she applied it and went to rest.

At this moment, Pei Yanzhi, sitting in the carriage, held the sachet made by Xiang Ning in his hand, his gaze somewhat gloomy.

For some reason, even though her words were so sincere, Pei Yanzhi just felt that Xiang Ning was lying to him.

She swore that she would rather die a horrible death than stay by his side.

The thought of this made Pei Yanzhi feel suffocated.

It was like a soaked towel, weighing him down heavily.

Greed is indeed a harmful thing.

Pei Yanzhi took a deep breath and threw the sachet into the secret compartment of the carriage. Cheng Hua outside heard a clanging sound.

When Pei Yanzhi got off the carriage, Cheng Hua saw that his face was as dark as a storm cloud.

He dared not utter a sound, for fear that Pei Yanzhi would take notice of him.

As soon as Pei Yanzhi walked in, he saw Cao Sizheng standing there waiting for him.

"grown ups."

Hearing footsteps, Cao Sizheng turned around and looked at Pei Yanzhi.

"what happened?"

Pei Yanzhi stepped forward, and Cao Sizheng said, "It's a secret decree from the Empress Dowager."

Cao Sizheng took out something and gestured for Pei Yanzhi to go in.

Pei Yanzhi reached out and took it, then went into the room. After unfolding the secret decree, his expression instantly turned cold.

"The Empress Dowager sent someone yesterday, saying that this case should no longer be investigated."

"But please disguise yourself and go to Ling'an."

Cao Sizheng lowered his voice: "There is a batch of disaster relief funds that they haven't had time to destroy yet."

My purpose in going to Ling'an is, in secret, to catch them off guard.

Pei Yanzhi isn't home, which is perfect...

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(End of this chapter)