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

Chapter 9 She put on a pitiful act.

If she lost this sachet, Xiang Ning would have nothing left to hold onto. With that thought in mind, she put her clothes back on and went to look for it along the way.

But even after arriving at Pei Yanzhi's door, she still hadn't seen the sachet.

Looking at the tightly closed door, Xiang Ning pursed her lips.

Oh, right, when he was undressing her, the sachet seemed to have fallen to the ground...

Xiang Ning could go and bother Pei Yanzhi now, unless she thinks she's lived too long.

With a sigh, Xiang Nang had no choice but to turn and leave. She would go in and look for him tomorrow while Pei Yanzhi was away.

That sachet wasn't anything valuable; Pei Yanzhi would probably just throw it away in disgust.

Hopefully, she will find her sachet in Qingyi Residence tomorrow.

The next day, before dawn, Xiang Ning had already gotten up.

After preparing the water for washing up, she saw Qingzhu as soon as she reached the door.

Qingzhu knelt under the corridor for a long time yesterday, and now she is walking unsteadily.

Upon seeing Xiang Ning carrying the water, Qing Zhu's expression changed, and she stepped forward to take the basin.

"I'll do it. I don't like having anyone else serving me."

She acted as if she hadn't seen anything yesterday, still maintaining the demeanor of a head maid.

Xiang Ning was naturally happy to hand over her work to Qing Zhu.

Unexpectedly, just as she reached out her hand, she heard Pei Yanzhi's voice coming from inside.

Chenghua walked over and, seeing what the two were doing, said, "Xiangning, hurry up and go in, don't keep me waiting."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning had no choice but to withdraw her hand and carry the basin of water inside.

She could still hear Chenghua's words even after the door closed.

"Master said that from now on, Miss Qingzhu no longer needs to serve at Qingyi Residence; she should go to the outer courtyard."

She didn't hear what Qingzhu said next, but she knew that from now on, she would have to be careful in this Mosong Garden.

Qingzhu has been staying in Mosongyuan for so long. If she is determined to deal with her, she will probably suffer the consequences.

After setting down the basin of water, Xiang Ning stepped forward to help Pei Yanzhi put on his clothes.

The red official robes accentuated Pei Yanzhi's handsome features, making his face appear even more dignified.

When she was serving Pei Yan, she never glanced at him more than once.

Pei Yanzhi lowered his gaze, his eyes landing on the top of her head.

The maids all wore their hair in double buns, but in the Pei household, the maids who were considered pretty would wear a few colorful threads in their hair when they styled it.

She was chosen by her master because of her good looks, and was able to rise to the top in one step.

Xiang Ning's appearance was naturally no less than theirs, but to her, there was nothing out of the ordinary about her.

'This servant was drugged by the Fourth Young Master and wandered in unintentionally…'

Her words involuntarily entered Pei Yanzhi's mind.

That statement sounds sincere.

After Pei Yanzhi finished packing, he left Qingyi Residence.

The palace would prepare breakfast for its officials, so Pei Yanzhi would not stay at the Pei residence for a meal.

After seeing Pei Yanzhi off, Xiang Ning turned around and went into his room.

But after searching around, she still couldn't find her sachet.

Fearing that staying would arouse suspicion, Xiang Ning reluctantly walked out.

A servant came over and handed a booklet to Xiang Ning, saying it was left by Cheng Hua.

"Brother Chenghua said to make sure you take a good look, so you don't offend him."

The booklet was so thick it was almost as big as a book. Xiang Ning turned a page.

The document listed all of Pei Yanzhi's preferences, from clothing and food to housing and transportation, down to the smallest detail. He truly had more faults than the emperor.

"I see."

She sighed inwardly and said to the servant, "If only I had known, I would never have pushed open the door of Lan Hui Pavilion, much less provoke Pei Yanzhi."

Meanwhile, everyone also learned that Qingzhu had been banished to the outer courtyard.

They never expected that Xiang Ning, who had only been there a short time, would replace Qing Zhu in her place.

Qingzhu wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, choking out, "It was my fault for being clumsy and not serving Master well, which made him dislike me."

"That Xiang Ning has a foxy look to her face. Who knows how she managed to seduce the master into keeping her at Qingyi Residence?"

"Xiang Ning has never offended you. Why didn't you say this when she was helping you with your work before?"

Someone said something to Xiang Ning, and the cook who had given Xiang Ning the papaya earlier stepped forward and said something.

Granny Xu spat and glared at the person who had mentioned Xiang Ning.

"Everyone knows you and Xiang Ning are close. What, are you hoping she'll rise to prominence so you can benefit from it too?"

"If you dare to spout nonsense again, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

The man said resentfully, "Old Lady Xu also has a bad temper," and rolled up his sleeves, ready to beat someone up.

Before Granny Xu could even get over, a basin of water was splashed at their feet.

Xiang Ning, holding a basin in her hand, said with a smile, "Oh, when did the entrance to Master Qingyi Residence become so lively?"

"Have you finished your work? You're so free. Should we tell the master that you can go serve in another courtyard?"

She didn't argue with them because she didn't want to cause trouble.

But ever since she arrived at Mosong Garden, Qingzhu has been secretly plotting against her.

Thinking of this, Xiang Ning looked up at Qing Zhu: "Sister Qing Zhu, the master has said that he doesn't like maids to wear perfume. You violated his taboo last night, and he won't let you serve at Qingyi Residence. Are you complaining?"

With just one sentence, she explained why Qingzhu had been driven out of Qingyi Residence.

"Xiang Ning, you have a lot of influence with the master now, so you can say whatever you want to me."

Qingzhu clenched her handkerchief, looked away, and said something.

Xiang Ning was too lazy to argue with her here.

"Whether it's true or false, my sister knows in her heart."

After saying this, she turned to look at Granny Xu and said with a smile, "Master said that yesterday's dishes were very much to his liking. Tonight, Master will come back for dinner again."

Upon hearing Xiang Ning's words, Granny Xu smiled and said, "This old servant will go and prepare it right away."

The two exchanged a smile and ignored the others.

People can say whatever they want; if you cover one up today, there will be another tomorrow.

The more she tries to prove herself, the more upset she will be, so Xiang Ning won't waste her energy on these things.

As Qingzhu watched Xiang Ning's retreating figure, she nearly tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds.

She said that Xiang Ning always pretended to be pitiful.

Now that I can serve you in front of the master, I won't pretend anymore.

All her hard work over the years has been ruined!

Qingzhu took a few deep breaths; she had to find a way to return to Qingyi Residence.

At this moment, in Pei Yongcheng's Lingbo Pavilion, he lay on the bed, his concubine applying medicine to him, causing him to grimace in pain.

"My mother is really ruthless."

Chenghua brought him back yesterday. When his mother heard what his elder brother had told her, she was so angry that she had him beaten with a board.

After twenty strokes of the cane, his buttocks were covered in welts; anyone who didn't know better would think his mother was trying to kill him.

He was furious when he thought about what Xiang Ning had said yesterday.

He will never let that brat get away with it.

We need to think of a way to get back at her.

"Fourth Young Master, a maid named Fang'er is requesting an audience. She says she wants to tell you something about Xiang Ning."

Upon hearing the servant's words, Pei Yongcheng said, "Hmm? Interesting. Let her in."

(End of this chapter)