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

Chapter 83 Lady Wanyi's Gift

Upon hearing Madam Wanyi's words, Xiangning was immediately stunned: "How did you know?"

"I knew it. After you left that day, I thought about it over and over again, and I still felt that instead of running away, it was better to tell you the truth."

She released Xiang Ning's hand, sighed, and sat down to the side.

“I’m from Xinkang County, and your mother and I are old friends.”

“Back then, without her help, I might have died on the very first day I was arrested and imprisoned.”

Madam Wanyi poured tea for the two of them and gestured for Xiangning to sit down.

"It's alright, there are only the two of us here, please sit down."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning sat down: "You mean, my mother and you have known each other for a long time?"

No wonder Lady Wanyi behaved that way when she came that day.

"Yes, I invited you here today not for any other reason than to repay the life-saving grace you showed me back then."

"I heard that the First Madam has sought out her cousin to kill someone."

Madam Wanyi's words made the heavy weight on Xiangning's heart even heavier.

Perhaps the First Madam already had this idea in her mind back in Qionghua Courtyard.

Once she leaves the Pei residence, she will surely have no way to survive.

Because the First Madam also knew that only the dead could prevent any disturbance.

"That person, that's me, right?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wanyi nodded: "I don't know about the conflict between you and the First Madam, but I can save you."

"Xiang Ning, I owe your mother a life, and this is what I should repay."

Even at the risk of being discovered by the First Madam, Lady Wanyi would do this.

A life for a life, a debt for a debt, especially a debt of gratitude, is the hardest to repay in a person's life.

Unfortunately, Zhao Lan is no longer here, and the only person she can help is her daughter.

“I made a deal with the First Madam; she doesn’t want me to live.”

"However, thank you for your kindness, Madam Wanyi. I have already made all the arrangements."

Xiang Ning stood up and politely declined her offer.

Leaving the Pei residence meant that she would have no further connection with anyone in the Pei household.

She didn't need Madam Wanyi to do anything for her.

"Xiang Ning, what deal did you make with the First Madam?"

"Qin Bijun is a smiling tiger now, don't fall for her tricks."

Madam Wanyi stood up as well and said with concern.

In the past, Qin Bijun was at least able to discern one's thoughts, but now she hides her feelings extremely well.

"I know, thank you for reminding me."

Xiang Ning smiled; she only wanted to use the First Madam's help to obtain the indenture.

Without this, she would be a runaway slave, and if caught, she could be beaten to death with sticks.

What she wanted was a legitimate identity.

Seeing Xiang Ning like this, Madam Wanyi didn't say anything more, but simply gave her some silver.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation. If you don't accept it, I will never feel at ease."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning reached out and took the gift, thanked Madam Wanyi, and then got up and left.

Unexpectedly, the good fortune that Lady Wanyi had gained from her mother's extensive network of connections and good deeds came to her.

Xiang Ning returned to Mo Song Yuan and opened the package, only to find something inside.

"Lu's Trading Company?"

This was a merchant's token, with a piece of paper underneath. She opened it and took a look.

It was written in Madam Wanyi's handwriting. It said that she had sent someone back to Xinkang County to look for her mother, but unfortunately, the mother was no longer there.

But she found it in a hidden compartment in the house. Something that her mother treasured and kept so carefully must have been very important to her.

Therefore, Lady Wanyi took it upon herself to retrieve the item and put it away.

Now that Xiang Ning has seen it, this thing has been returned to its rightful owner.

"Sister, Master will be back soon."

When Bitao saw that Xiangning was inside the house after returning, she estimated the time and knocked on the door.

Upon hearing Bitao's words, Xiangning put the items into the box, locked it, and then went outside.

Where is Fu Liu?

Hasn't it been Fu Liu taking care of Pei Yanzhi all this time?

“Sister, if you keep lying like this, Fuliu will completely take your place.”

Bitao took Xiangning's arm and said that she just couldn't stand Fuliu's arrogant attitude.

Hearing this, Xiang Ning smiled and asked, "How is she being arrogant?"

When Xiang Ning asked, Bi Tao seemed to have found an outlet for her emotions and told her all about what Fu Liu had done in the past few days.

Although Pei Yanzhi's attitude towards Fu Liu remained indifferent and showed no particular emotion, Bi Tao feared that one day Pei Yanzhi might soften his heart towards Fu Liu.

If Xiang Ning doesn't show up soon, Fu Liu will have to serve Pei Yanzhi in bed.

Listening to Bitao's words, Xiangning rubbed her head: "She can do whatever she wants. If she can really get the master to take her as a concubine, that's her skill."

"After all, she was sent by the First Madam, so we shouldn't be too harsh on her, lest she complain to the First Madam."

Xiang Ning's words made sense, and Bi Tao naturally understood them as well.

She just couldn't swallow this insult, feeling that Fu Liu was already acting all high and mighty even before the master had taken her as his concubine.

She really thinks she's the mistress of this Mosong Garden.

"Bitao, there's no need to argue with her. She won't affect you. Let her do what she wants, but don't let her bully you."

Xiang Ning was afraid that when she left the Pei family, Fu Liu would bully Bi Tao.

As long as Bitao doesn't hang around in front of Fuliu, and Fuliu has no conflict of interest with her, he certainly won't do anything to Bitao.

"I'm not afraid of her because my older sister protects me."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning pursed her lips and remained silent, though she still felt somewhat worried.

In the evening, Fu Liu waited at the door for Pei Yanzhi to return as usual, but instead found Pei Yanzhi somewhat drunk.

Chenghua was not as respectful to Fuliu as he was to Xiang Ning, because the ambition in Fuliu's eyes was almost overflowing.

"Master, let me help you inside."

Fu Liu smiled, but Pei Yanzhi stopped her as soon as she reached out her hand.

"Is Xiangning's illness any better?"

These words were spoken to Cheng Hua. Upon hearing this, Cheng Hua immediately replied, "Doctor Li visited today and said that I am not fully recovered yet, so he prescribed two more doses of medicine."

"Go and see."

Pei Yanzhi's eyes cleared instantly upon hearing these words, and he walked directly towards Xiang Ning's room without glancing at Fu Liu once.

Fu Liu watched Pei Yanzhi's retreating figure and stomped her foot in frustration.

"Sir, since you don't like Fuliu, why are you keeping her here?"

Cheng Hua asked, somewhat puzzled. Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi remained silent for a moment without replying.

The reason for keeping the willow branches is, of course, because of Xiang Ning.

Pei Yanzhi didn't want to say that the biggest purpose of keeping Fu Liu around was actually to test Xiang Ning.

Especially during this period, he could clearly sense Xiang Ning's thoughts.

Hopefully, his worries are unfounded, and I also hope that Xiang Ning won't do anything to upset him.

He really didn't want to see that kind of scene.

(End of this chapter)