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

Chapter 81 She couldn't bear his anger
Pei Yanzhi lay there, turning slightly to look at Xiang Ning.

She sat on the low stool by the bed, looking at Pei Yanzhi, somewhat puzzled as to why he enjoyed listening to her stories so much.

However, Xiang Ning did not refuse, perhaps because the son of a powerful family really wanted to know about the lives of ordinary people.

Xiang Ning omitted some details and told Pei Yanzhi about some everyday trivia.

The man took her hand, closed his eyes, and soon fell asleep.

As he closed his eyes, Xiang Ning heard Pei Yanzhi say something.

"In this world, ordinariness is the most precious thing."

For him, the things Xiang Ning had experienced were things that Pei Yanzhi had never experienced before.

In Xiang Ning's view, these trivial matters are what she does day after day, year after year, and can even be described as somewhat tedious.

But Pei Yanzhi was very willing to listen.

He wanted to know more about Xiang Ning, and even more so, he wanted to know what kind of life she had lived in the past.

These events also made Pei Yanzhi realize one thing.

Xiang Ning's parents really loved her, so how did she end up as a servant?
The next day, when Pei Yanzhi woke up, Xiang Ning had already gotten up.

She could still be heard talking to someone outside.

Madam Kang and Madam Liao stood aside. Madam Kang said, "The First Madam has already had someone calculate the date for the betrothal to the Wen family. The Old Madam sent me to check on the young master's injuries."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning obediently replied, "Master's injury has almost healed. I wonder when the date has been set? I will report back to Master later."

"The auspicious day will be in three days. The gift list has been prepared. Please come then, sir."

Madam Kang smiled and said something, and Xiang Ning nodded: "This servant will go and talk to the master later."

Qin Bijun handled this matter quickly. When the draft gift list was delivered to the old lady, the old lady even praised the first wife.

She's completely different from before.

After seeing off Mama Kang and Mama Liao, Xiang Ning turned and went into the house.

Seeing that Pei Yanzhi had already stood up, she quickly reached out to help him up: "Master."

"Is Aunt Kang here?"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning nodded: "Mama Kang and Mama Liao were ordered to come and check on the master's injuries. They said that the First Madam has chosen a date to go to the Wen family to propose marriage."

She spoke in a calm tone, replying as she helped Pei Yanzhi get dressed.

Seeing Xiang Ning's attitude, Pei Yanzhi suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

"Are you happy that I went to the Wen family to propose marriage?"

Pei Yanzhi grabbed Xiang Ning's wrist and pulled her into his arms, whereupon Xiang Ning wrapped her arms around his neck.

“If I cry, the old lady and the first lady will have a talk with me another day, saying that I have overstepped my bounds.”

“I am unhappy that you have taken a new wife. I wish that you would only have me by your side.”

Xiang Ning was getting tired of repeating certain things over and over, but Pei Yanzhi was still not tired of listening.

Xiang Ning felt that Pei Yanzhi was like an anxious child who desperately needed answers from her.

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's reply, Pei Yanzhi pulled her closer.

He had a premonition, a premonition that he was about to lose Xiang Ning.

"You better not be lying to me."

"I won't lie to you, sir."

Xiang Ning nuzzled her head against Pei Yanzhi's chest. Sure enough, one lie requires countless lies to cover it up.

Three days later, Pei Yanzhi will go to the Wen family to propose marriage, and Fu Liu has been serving him from the outside, doing chores like serving tea and water.

She had to find a way to get Fu Liu and Pei Yanzhi alone as soon as possible.

Xiang Ning just didn't expect this opportunity to come so quickly.

She was sick, and Pei Yanzhi's injuries had not yet healed, so he needed someone to take care of him closely.

Upon hearing the news that Xiang Ning was ill, Pei Yanzhi sent Cheng Hua to fetch a doctor.

After taking Xiang Ning's pulse, the doctor's expression turned somewhat grave. "Chenghua, I suddenly remembered that there's some soup simmering in the small kitchen for Master. Could you please take it to him first?"

Just as the doctor was about to get up, Xiang Ning grabbed the doctor's wrist and said something to Cheng Hua.

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Cheng Hua didn't suspect anything and got up and left without hesitation.

After Chenghua left, Xiangning looked at the doctor and asked, "Doctor Li, how is my illness?"

"Young lady, perhaps I should go and report to Lord Pei first."

This Doctor Li was a doctor who frequently came to the Pei residence to treat Pei Yanzhi, and he had a fairly good relationship with Xiang Ning.

"It's alright, just tell me and I'll go tell my master."

When Dr. Li frowned, Xiang Ning realized that her illness was definitely not as simple as a cold.

She had a vague idea in her mind, which is why she stopped Doctor Li.

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's words, Doctor Li looked troubled: "Young lady, please don't make things difficult for this old man."

He sighed, "You know why, otherwise you wouldn't have stopped me."

"Yes, about the contraceptive?"

Xiang Ning spoke up, and Doctor Li nodded, "Although that contraceptive is very effective, it is still harmful to the body, especially since the young lady uses it so often."

"If you continue taking this, I'm afraid you'll have difficulty conceiving in the future."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning lowered her eyes and said, "Please, Doctor Li, do not tell the master about this."

Upon hearing this, Doctor Li said, "Young lady, aren't you putting me in a difficult position?"

"Dr. Li, you know my temper. If he finds out, I'll be dead."

Xiang Ning's voice choked with emotion as she spoke. When Pei Yanzhi first learned that she was using contraceptives, he said that she was not allowed to take them anymore.

If you do have children, then give birth to them.

It was Xiang Ning herself who was unwilling; if she had a child, it would be even more difficult for her to leave the Pei family.

If Pei Yanzhi found out that she was secretly taking contraceptives, she would really be doomed.

She couldn't bear Pei Yanzhi's wrath.

"Never mind, I'll just tell Lord Pei that the young lady has caught a cold."

"I'll prescribe two more doses of medicine for you, young lady. But you must remember my words: never abuse your body again."

Upon hearing Doctor Li's words, Xiang Ning repeatedly agreed, saying that she would not do it again.

After Doctor Li returned to Pei Yan, he heard that Xiang Ning had caught a cold, so he asked Cheng Hua to fetch a lot of tonics for her from the storeroom.

When Xiang Ning fell ill, Fu Liu had the opportunity to serve Pei Yanzhi closely.

Although it was still the same work of serving tea, water, and meals, at least she was able to spend time alone with Pei Yanzhi.

Upon learning of this, Qin Bijun smiled and said, "This Xiang Ning does have some skill."

Regardless of whether she is truly ill or faking it, in any case, Fu Liu can now serve Pei Yanzhi personally.

As for Xiang Ning's request to leave the manor, Qin Bijun would of course let her leave, and then die outside the manor.

Outside the Wen residence, Lu Jiang listened to the message relayed by Lüzhi, who was beside Wen Caifu, and nodded.

"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Wen."

After saying that, Lu Jiang turned and left.

"Young Master, something has happened."

Just then, the people around him were also looking for him. Upon hearing this, Lu Jiang was stunned.

"Zhenyufang?"

"Yes, Master wants you to return to Ling'an immediately."

(End of this chapter)