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

Chapter 85 The Contract of Indenture is in Pei Yanzhi's Hands

A short while later, Xiang Ning came out of the house. When Liao's mother saw that she was carrying a package, she became even more suspicious.

"Xiang Ning, what exactly is going on?"

When asked by Madam Liao, Xiang Ning replied softly, "The First Madam hopes that Fu Liu will be the sole favorite."

However, after observing for the past few days, the First Madam also realized that as long as she was there, Xiang Ning would always be in Pei Yanzhi's heart.

After all, Xiang Ning held the title of first place, so she was the special one.

This is not what the First Madam wanted to see.

Coincidentally, Xiang Ning also didn't want to stay in the Pei residence, which was a good opportunity for the First Madam.

Xiang Ning guessed that the First Madam probably wanted to take her out of the mansion and then have Pei Sanlang get rid of her, making it look like she had escaped on her own.

In this way, everything can be attributed to her.

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's words, Liao's mother quickly said, "But if the master finds out that the madam is seeing you off..."

Xiang Ning smiled without saying a word; Pei Yanzhi wouldn't be back until tomorrow.

By then, she'll probably be seen as a dead person by everyone.

Xiang Ning still has to thank the First Madam.

"I don't have a choice right now."

However, Xiang Ning's words to Liao's mother were quite ambiguous.

Mrs. Liao was filled with worry, fearing that Xiang Ning would be harmed by the First Madam.

However, Xiang Ning's words made sense. She had no choice, especially since the First Madam had chosen a day when the eldest young master was not in the mansion.

The two arrived at Qionghua Courtyard with their own thoughts. The First Madam only allowed Xiang Ning to enter, while even Liao Mama was kept outside.

Xiang Ning went in and bowed to the First Madam, saying, "This servant greets the First Madam."

"Xiang Ning, didn't you want to leave the manor?"

Qin Bijun looked at Xiang Ning and said in a low voice, and Xiang Ning nodded: "Does Madam intend to send me away now? Then could you please return my indenture?"

After saying that, Xiang Ning took out a bag of silver and put it on the table.

"According to the rules, money and goods are exchanged."

Qin Bijun looked at the bag of silver and chuckled, "No need for the silver. This was originally a transaction between you and me. Xiang Ning, I hope that after you leave the Pei residence, you will never come back."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning smiled faintly and said, "Please rest assured, Madam, after leaving the Pei residence, I will never return in this lifetime."

She finally managed to leave, and paid such a high price for it, so why would she come back?

Unless, Pei Yanzhi...

Xiang Ning dared not think any further. She and the First Madam chose to do this when Pei Yanzhi was not around because they were afraid of him.

Even if Xiang Ning tried to ignore it, Pei Yanzhi's gaze was so intense that it was impossible to ignore.

"Leave through the side door later. I've sent someone to pick you up. The boat will be tonight."

"As for your indenture, I will give it to you once you are on the ship."

Qin Bijun picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip. Actually, it would have been best to give the indenture to Xiang Ning.

However, Qin Bijun forgot that after Pei Yanzhi took Xiang Ning away, he also took the indenture with her.

In other words, Xiang Ning's indenture is now in Pei Yanzhi's hands.

Where did Qin Bijun go to get Xiang Ning's indenture?

However, once Xiang Ning boards the ship, she won't survive anyway, so whether she has a contract of servitude or not makes little difference.

While Qin Bijun was speaking, Xiang Ning was also observing her expression.

Xiang Ning's intuition told her that Qin Bijun was definitely hiding something from her.

"Why don't you give me the indenture now, Madam? Since I've already promised to leave, I won't go back on my word." Xiang Ning's attitude was somewhat unyielding. Qin Bijun slammed her teacup down on the table: "Xiang Ning, do you think I'd shortchange you on an indenture?"

"Fine, if you don't want to leave today, then our deal ends here."

With that, Qin Bijun got up to leave.

"Madam, you have misunderstood me. I just want to see the indenture as soon as possible."

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's words, Qin Bijun gave a cold snort and pulled out a piece of paper from a box beside her.

"Look carefully, this is your indenture. I will have someone give it to you after you board the ship."

"As long as you go far away and never return to the Pei residence."

Xiang Ning looked at the swaying piece of paper and nodded: "This servant will follow the Madam's arrangements."

That indenture was clearly not hers.

But now, it is indeed a rare opportunity; otherwise, once Pei Yanzhi returns, she will be even less able to leave.

Thinking of this, Xiang Ning immediately knelt down before Qin Bijun: "This servant thanks Madam for letting this servant leave the mansion."

Seeing Xiang Ning's obedient attitude, Qin Bijun smiled and said, "Go ahead, someone will take you away."

Xiang Ning got up and walked outside. When she saw Liao's mother waiting at the door, she paused and went up to take her hand.

“Mama Liao, Madam said she wants to see me off from the mansion.”

When Liao's mother heard Xiang Ning's words, she was taken aback: "Why would Madam allow you to leave the manor?"

"I...I don't know either, Aunt Liao. Thank you so much for your help these past few days. I have no way to repay you, so please accept this money."

Xiang Ning placed another bag of silver that she had prepared beforehand into Liao Mama's hands.

What Liao's mother wanted wasn't the money itself; she just felt that she might have the life to take it, but she wouldn't have the money to spend.

What she wanted was that if the First Madam did anything outrageous in the future, Xiang Ning would at least be able to speak up for her in front of the Young Master.

Now things are really messed up. Forget about getting Xiang Ning to speak for her, she's about to be sent away by the First Madam.

Is the First Madam perhaps suffering from hysteria?
Doesn't Xiang Ning know how important she is to the young master?
"I'll go and talk to the Madam right away."

After Liao's mother finished speaking, she turned to go inside, but Xiang Ning quickly stopped her: "Madam probably won't agree, Liao's mother, don't let me make you suffer Madam's scolding again."

“But if you leave, when the young master comes back, he will definitely argue with the madam.”

"Besides, where can you go if you leave the Pei residence?"

Her words made perfect sense, and Xiang Ning smiled and said, "The world is so big, there's always a place I can go."

Besides, her relationship with Pei Yanzhi was just an accident. If Pei Yongcheng hadn't drugged her, perhaps she and Pei Yanzhi wouldn't have had any entanglement.

It's like a dream; when you wake up, everything in the dream disappears.

Seeing Xiang Ning's reaction, Liao's mother didn't know what else to say.

"However, you should be careful; the First Madam's intentions may not be so simple."

Liao's mother's reminder was not without reason; who knows what the First Madam is planning to do now.

"I will."

After speaking with Liao's mother, Xiang Ning left with the others.

There weren't many guards at the small gate, and the First Madam's men quickly led Xiang Ning out of the mansion.

Ping An had just returned from outside when he happened to see Xiang Ning being led out of the mansion by someone.

Feeling something was amiss, he hurriedly headed towards Biran Courtyard.

"Master, I just saw the First Madam's people taking Miss Xiangning out. Do you think something's wrong?"

(End of this chapter)