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

Chapter 70 She was afraid Pei Yanzhi wouldn't agree.
Lu Jiang and Tang Yanjun parted ways at the entrance of the teahouse. He glanced at the cursing waiter, shook his head, and left.

Xiang Ning and Yao Yao had already gone to another teahouse.

This teahouse wasn't as big as the previous one, but the waiters were still very respectful to everyone.

The two sat down in the private room and ordered a pot of tea and two plates of pastries.

What brings you here today?

Yao Yao smiled and poured Xiang Ning a cup of tea, then asked a question.

Xiang Ning replied, "Master has been busy with official duties these past few days and will not be returning to the manor."

Before Pei Yanzhi left, he said that no one should be told about his departure from the manor, so Xiang Ning used his busy official duties as an excuse to brush him off.

"Indeed, Lord Pei is extremely busy, even busier than the emperor."

Yao Yao made a sarcastic remark, but she lowered her voice to say the second half of it.

"It's perfect that you're out now, so I don't need to go to the Pei residence to look for you."

Hearing Yao Yao's words, Xiang Ning was somewhat puzzled.

"what happened?"

"Didn't you ask me last time if there were any families with the surname Zhao in Ling'an?"

Yao Yao's words made Xiang Ning's pupils widen slightly: "What did you remember?"

"Hmm, but he's not a merchant, though I feel he should have some connection to the person you're looking for."

Which household is it?

Xiang Ning clenched her hands and unconsciously leaned closer to Yao Yao to ask a question.

"It's the road..."

“Miss, we should go back now. The young marquis sent a letter today, and he should be arriving soon.”

Yao Yao had only uttered one word when she heard the maid's urging voice.

"Okay, I'll go back after I finish talking to Xiang Ning."

We can't just not let her talk.

"Ling'an's Lu Family Trading Company, I remember that the wife of Old Master Lu was surnamed Zhao, but the Zhao family was not in business, but in government."

As soon as Yao Yao finished speaking, the maid's voice came from outside urging her to get up. Helpless, she had no choice but to get up.

"That's all I remember, and I don't know if it will be of any help to you."

Xiang Ning stood up with her and took her hand: "It was very useful, thank you, Yao Yao."

If it weren't for Yaoyao, she probably wouldn't even know about this.

"Don't be so polite, we're sisters. I'll head back now. We'll meet again sometime in the future."

After saying that, Yao Yao walked out, and the two parted ways in the teahouse.

Xiang Ning thought about Yao Yao's words and then remembered her mother's words, and took a deep breath.

My mother said they do business in Ling'an. Is this Zhao family really the one she's looking for?

After returning from outside, Xiang Ning had a simple meal and then went to rest.

With Pei Yanzhi not in the mansion, the Mosong Garden was left empty.

Xiang Ning was happy to have some free time and didn't go out again.

That day, Xiang Ning was embroidering when Bi Tao rushed over and said that something had happened at Ning Fu Ju.

"Old lady?"

She asked with some doubt, and Bitao shook her head: "It's Miss Wen."

"Miss Wen?"

Xiang Ning was taken aback. How could Miss Wen have gotten into trouble at Ningfu Residence?

"Today, Miss Wen brought her younger brother to the mansion to see the old lady. Not long after, news came from the back garden that the young master of the Wen family had pushed the seventh young master into the lake."

The servants were thrown into chaos and rushed to rescue the person.

The Seventh Young Master is still unconscious.

"That Rongniang is indeed no pushover."

After hearing Bitao's words, Xiangning only said one sentence: "Is this matter also related to Aunt Rong?"

Bitao asked, puzzled, and Xiangning nodded: "Young Master Wen doesn't know Seventh Young Master. What deep-seated hatred could he possibly have that would drive him to his death?"

"Unless someone instigates them, kids are easily swayed by a few words."

With Xiang Ning's explanation, Bi Tao nodded in understanding: "But what Aunt Rong is doing is not good for her either."

"Who says there isn't? Once the eldest young master gets married, the old lady will definitely put the entire Pei family in his hands. What will Aunt Rong and the seventh young master get then?"

"Therefore, Aunt Rong cannot let the eldest young master get married first. At the very least, she must first gain a foothold in the Pei family and understand the situation before she can come up with a plan."

After Xiang Ning finished speaking, Bi Tao was immediately startled: "But Seventh Young Master is so young, he doesn't understand anything."

"Furthermore, the eldest young master is already so grown up, how could the seventh young master possibly compete with him?"

Bitao sighed, "Sure enough, once you enter a grand mansion, everyone, no matter who they are, wants a piece of the pie."

"If we can't win by force, we should at least get more benefits."

"That Miss Wen has suffered an undeserved misfortune."

After Xiang Ning finished speaking, she lowered her head and continued with her embroidery.

The old lady was no pushover; she could see right through Aunt Rong's thoughts.

If it weren't for the fact that the master was coming back, she wouldn't have allowed Concubine Rong to enter the mansion.

Xiang Ning is now only thinking about how to find a reasonable excuse to get her indenture back.

Pei Yanzhi's marriage was delayed, and she had no explanation.

At this moment, in the center of Ningfu Residence, Wen Caifu was holding her younger brother, listening to Rongniang kneeling on the ground, speaking with tears streaming down her face.

"Alright, stop crying. He's not dead yet. Your crying is hurting my ears."

Old Madam Pei said impatiently, and Rongniang stopped crying upon hearing this, only daring to sob softly.

"Madam, Ze'er would never do such a thing. Please investigate thoroughly."

Wen Caifu patted Wen Yongze on the back, constantly comforting her frightened younger brother.

“I know you are honored guests, but this happened because of my poor supervision.”

Madam Pei sighed, "Mama Kang, please see Caifu and Zege out first."

Upon hearing this, Rongniang revealed a hint of resentment on her face, which was covered by a handkerchief.

She knew the old lady didn't like her, but Mo'er was Pei Feng's child and the old lady's grandson, yet she was treated worse than an outsider.

After Wen Caifu left, the old lady looked at Rongniang with a cold gaze: "Even a tiger wouldn't eat its cubs. For your own sake, you're actually willing to let your child go to their death."

"Madam, what do you mean?"

"I'm turning a blind eye to what you've done because of the boss."

After saying that, Madam Pei looked at the expression on Concubine Rong's face and said, "Since you don't want this child, then the child will be raised by me from now on."

"Mother, no!"

At the critical moment, Pei Feng's voice could be heard from outside.

Aunt Rong, as if she had found her pillar of support, looked at Pei Feng, who walked in, with teary eyes: "Master..."

“Mother, Mo’er has grown up with Rong Niang since she was little. Aren’t you trying to kill her?”

Pei Feng felt a pang of heartache seeing Aunt Rong crying with tears streaming down her face.

"If she could raise this child well, would I still care about you?"

"Eldest son, are you getting old and senile? Yanzhi is your eldest son!"

After speaking, Madam Pei coughed, because she felt indebted to Pei Feng because of Qin Bijun.

But as it turns out, even without Qin Bijun, the eldest brother was still a clueless person.

Pei Yanzhi is now the most suitable person to be a family head, whether in terms of status, position, or temperament.

Pei Feng neglected to cherish Pei Yanzhi, but instead doted on a mistress.

"Mo'er is my child and my mother."

(End of this chapter)