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

Chapter 76 Adding someone to his yard
Xiang Ning curled her fingers, then unfolded them, and finally closed her eyes, no longer looking.

Having had a relatively smooth first half of her life, Xiang Ning only wanted to live a peaceful and stable second half as well.

Pei Yanzhi did not get up again that night, and slept soundly until the next morning.

Chenghua came in and saw Xiangning lying by the bed, but he didn't say anything.

When she woke up, Chenghua told her to go back and rest properly.

"Greetings, Madam, First Madam, and Second Madam."

Before Xiang Ning could reply, they heard Bi Tao bowing outside.

The door was pushed open, and Old Madam Pei walked in, her steps somewhat unsteady.

Behind him followed the first wife, Qin Bijun, and the second wife, Dong Yan.

The three men reacted differently upon seeing the unconscious Pei Yanzhi.

Only Madam Pei's expression showed emotion: "Why didn't you say so yesterday?"

"I returned quite late yesterday, and Master told us not to disturb you."

Cheng Hua stood aside and respectfully replied. Madam Pei said angrily, "You suffered such a serious injury and still kept it from me."

"What did the doctor say?"

After regaining her composure and calming down, Madam Pei asked another question.

"The doctor said there's nothing serious, and everything has been explained."

Upon hearing this, Madam Pei emerged from behind the screen. She sat on a soft couch and looked up at Qin Bijun, who was wiping away tears.

All talk and no action, I wonder who they're trying to impress.

"Alright, stop crying. Anyone who doesn't know better would think it's a funeral procession."

Madam Pei gave a soft reprimand, and Qin Bijun then wiped away the few tears.

"I'm just worried about Yanzhi."

Qin Bijun replied in a low voice, and Madam Pei turned to look at Fang Mama who was standing to the side.

"Who is taking care of Yan Zhi now?"

Upon hearing Madam Pei's question, Fang Mama respectfully replied, "Replying to Madam, it was Chenghua and Xiangning. Xiangning was on guard last night."

Upon hearing this, Madam Pei looked at Xiang Ning, who was dressed in plain clothes and had no hair ornaments on her black hair.

There were dark circles under his eyes, which clearly showed he hadn't rested well.

Madam Pei nodded in satisfaction; she was indeed a considerate person.

“Mother, the two of them aren’t enough help. How about we send Fuliu from my yard over to help take care of her?”

Before Madam Pei could speak, Qin Bijun spoke first.

Upon hearing this, Madam Pei's expression changed slightly, but she agreed, "Alright, you can make the arrangements."

How could she not know that Qin Bijun wanted to add more people to Pei Yanzhi's courtyard while he was unconscious?

After all, Xiang Ning is the only person by Pei Yanzhi's side right now.

Xiang Ning was someone she valued and wanted to cultivate, so Qin Bijun was naturally anxious.
But Madam Pei thought that it was better for two flowers to bloom together than for one to stand out alone. Having another person to take care of Pei Yanzhi wouldn't be a bad thing.

Seeing that Madam Pei agreed, Qin Bijun replied that she would make the arrangements immediately.

After leaving the tonics with concern, Dong Yan also left Qingyi Residence.

Inside the room, only Madam Pei and Xiang Ning remained.

Even Kang's mother went out.

"Xiang Ning".

Hearing Madam Pei call her name, Xiang Ning stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This servant is here."

“You are a kind and honest child. I agree to let Fuliu come to Mosongyuan. Don’t hold any resentment in your heart.”

She was afraid that Xiang Ning would complain, so she kept her behind to talk to her alone.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning shook her head: "This servant has no complaints. It's a good thing that there's another person to take care of Master."

While speaking, Madam Pei kept watching Xiang Ning's expression. Seeing that she was indeed as she had said, and truly had no complaints, she finally smiled.

"It's good that you think that way. Don't worry, I won't give the status of a concubine to anyone else."

The old lady was adept at managing her subordinates. Using her status as a concubine, she tried to get Xiang Ning to do things for her.

However, Xiang Ning's desire was not for wealth and status, so after saying this, she still gave that obedient reply. Originally, Xiang Ning wanted to ask the old lady to grant her a chance to leave the Pei residence.

But now, she has come up with a better idea.

Unexpectedly, the First Madam really is like a pillow being delivered to someone who is just dozing off.

That willow tree was the key to her departure.

After speaking with Xiang Ning, Madam Pei got up and left. Xiang Ning quickly washed up and went back to take care of Pei Yanzhi.

At noon, Pei Yanzhi woke up, ate a little something, and then fell asleep again.

Xiang Ning did her needlework beside him while watching him.

In the evening, Fu Liu, a second-class maid from Qionghua Courtyard, came to Qingyi Residence.

She was smarter than Qingzhu; she brought gifts for every maid and servant in Qingyi Residence when she arrived.

Upon seeing Xiang Ning, she sweetly greeted her as "sister."

Fu Liu was even prettier than Qing Zhu. When she smiled, she had shallow dimples on her cheeks and looked very well-behaved.

On her first day at Qingyi Residence, she didn't say much, only that she would serve Pei Yanzhi along with Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning had ulterior motives, so she naturally didn't refuse.

She even took the initiative to tell Fu Liu a lot of things, and while Fu Liu listened to Xiang Ning speak, her eyes kept looking at her.

Xiang Ning pretended not to see it. After she finished speaking, she suggested that Fu Liu should keep watch for her during the rest of the night.

Fu Liu nodded repeatedly; she couldn't have asked for such an opportunity.

The First Madam said that if she could stay by the Young Master's side through her own abilities, she would become the Young Master's concubine in the future.

Of all the young masters in the manor, the eldest young master is the most respected.

Fu Liu dreamed of marrying him, so how could she refuse?

"Then I'll leave it to you. I'll go rest over there."

Xiang Ning finished speaking with a smile and then got up and left.

Xiang Ning gave Fu Liu the opportunity to be alone with Pei Yanzhi.

She's good-looking and knows how to get things done, so winning over Pei Yanzhi won't be difficult for her.

Once Pei Yanzhi had designs on Fu Liu, he no longer cared about her.

When the new lady re-enters the mansion, she will have someone pretend to be a family member and redeem her.

Before the marriage contract was finalized, she was merely a maidservant in the Pei family, and she could always get help from either the old lady or the first lady.

Xiang Ning felt much better after thinking about this.

At this moment, Fu Liu, who was still in the room, had just approached Pei Yanzhi when a dagger was pressed against her abdomen.

"roll."

The man opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a gloomy, stormy look, which startled Fu Liu so much that she retreated repeatedly.

Hearing the commotion, Chenghua, who was standing at the door, hurried inside.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Where is Xiang Ning?

Upon hearing Pei Yanzhi's question, Cheng Hua quickly replied, "Miss Xiang Ning stayed up all day and night yesterday and is now resting."

These words greatly eased Pei Yanzhi's troubled mood.

"Get her out of here and don't let her come near here."

These words were spoken to Fu Liu, who was leaning against the screen.

"Get out of here right now, I don't want to see you."

Cheng Hua turned to look at Fu Liu and scolded her. Fu Liu, who had just been frightened, hurriedly went out.

The door closed, and Pei Yanzhi asked, "How did she get in?"

"It was the First Madam who said that we didn't have enough staff to serve at Mosong Garden, so she sent her to serve."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi scoffed. He was still recovering from serious injuries, yet his mother was already rushing to find someone to help him.

Pei Yanzhi: I can't see my wife. I'm so angry!

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(End of this chapter)