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

Chapter 18 The Master is the Servant's Support
As Yuzhen walked, she swayed her body, her slender waist so delicate it could be encircled by a single hand.

With each step, her waist swayed gently as if guided by invisible threads, like ripples on a lake.

When she entered the flower room, Xiang Ning could see her face clearly. She was charming but not seductive, and her eyes and brows were full of allure.

No wonder that even when the second master and second mistress were fighting and had a falling out, he still insisted on taking her into the family.

Her looks are truly irresistible.

“I want this hibiscus mutabilis. It’s in full bloom, and Second Master will be pleased to see it.”

Yuzhen raised her hand to touch the hair at her temple, revealing a pure gold hairpin, exuding wealth.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take it."

Seeing that the maid beside her did not move, Yuzhen glared at her, and the maid stepped forward in a daze, trying to snatch the pot of hibiscus from Bitao's hands.

"If Aunt Yu wants a pot of hibiscus, this servant will naturally not compete with you for it."

"Unfortunately, my master is fond of hibiscus flowers, and my concubine is new here; perhaps she doesn't understand my master's temperament..."

Hearing Xiang Ning's words, Yu Zhen scoffed: "I don't care about you. I've never failed to get what I set my sights on."

After she finished speaking, Xiang Ning didn't say anything more, but said to Bi Tao, "Give the flowers to Aunt Yu."

Bitao was somewhat puzzled, seemingly not understanding why Xiangning would give this pot of hibiscus to Yuzhen.

Everyone in the Pei family knows the young master's temperament. Even if they fight it out, Bitao doesn't believe that Yuzhen will come out unscathed.

Xiang Ning shook her head slightly, indicating to Bi Tao to give away the pot of hibiscus.

Bitao came with Xiangning, and she does everything according to Xiangning's wishes.

Thinking of this, Bitao reluctantly handed over the hibiscus in her hand.

Yu Zhen's maid took the hibiscus from her. Yu Zhen walked up to Xiang Ning and pinched her face.

Her long, thin nails scratched Xiang Ning's face as she pinched her cheeks and swayed them from side to side.

"Heh, she's not that good-looking either."

With a contemptuous and disdainful tone, Yuzhen released Xiangning after saying this and left the flower room with her entourage.

Xiang Ning watched Yu Zhen's retreating figure and raised her hand to touch her cheek.

"Sister, you've scratched your face."

Bitao looked up and saw the bloodstain on Xiangning's face, frowned and said something.

After saying that, she reached out to touch it, but Xiang Ning shook her head: "I'm fine, let's go back first."

Yu Zhen is so arrogant that Xiang Ning couldn't help but wonder if she and this second wife had some kind of grudge in their past lives.

First it was Pei Yongcheng, and now it's Yuzhen.

Bitao held a pot of oleander in her arms and sighed, "I spent a long time choosing that pot of hibiscus."

“Master and Madam don’t like troublemaking maids. That Aunt Yu is very aggressive. If you don’t give it to her, she can take it and then turn the tables on us. We’ll get a beating.”

Xiang Ning smiled and reached out to pat Bi Tao's head. After all, the First Madam was as serene as a chrysanthemum, maintaining the airs of a noble lady from a high-class family, and never getting involved in such mundane matters.

Bitao was too young to understand the reasoning behind this.

Even though Yuzhen was a concubine, she was favored by the Second Master and so well-loved that the two maids could not possibly resist her.

However, Xiang Ning had no intention of swallowing this insult.

Yuzhen's fingernails seemed to be digging into her face, pinching her painfully, just like the finger torture she had endured three years ago.

When night fell, Pei Yanzhi returned and entered Mosong Garden, where he immediately saw Xiang Ning standing at the entrance.

The young woman was as slender as a willow, her skirt fluttering in the wind. Upon seeing Pei Yanzhi, she smiled and bowed, saying, "Master."

"Ah."

Pei Yanzhi responded with a soft "hmm," and then walked towards Qingyi Residence.

After last night's frenzy, Pei Yanzhi has now returned to his usual self.

His face was stern, his lips were pursed and he remained silent, exuding an air of solemnity and authority.

"The small kitchen has prepared the dishes that Master likes. This servant will have Mama Xu serve them now." Xiang Ning followed behind Pei Yanzhi and paused at the door of Qingyi Residence before saying this.

A lantern for lighting hung under the eaves. Xiang Ning was a step behind and happened to be standing at the bottom of the steps.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi turned to look at her. She tilted her head back, revealing the bloodstain on her cheek near her chin to Pei Yanzhi at just the right moment.

The man frowned slightly, but before he could speak, Xiang Ning lowered her head.

"Slave, go now."

Just as Xiang Ning was about to turn around, she heard Pei Yanzhi utter two words: "Come back."

"Does the master have any other instructions?"

She lowered her head and asked obediently. Pei Yanzhi reached out and pinched her chin with his cool fingers, making her raise her head.

A faint blush settled on her fair face, as if she were a little shy from his sudden action.

This was unlike the boldness she displayed when she pushed him down last night.

"Who did it?"

If it weren't for that unsightly bloodstain that ruined the beauty of his face and interrupted Pei Yanzhi's words, his next words would probably have taken a different turn.

Pei Yanzhi's gaze was cold and tangible, and Xiang Ning could tell how bad his mood was.

Everyone in the manor says that the eldest young master, Pei Yanzhi, has a cold and aloof personality.

In addition, he spent many years in the Dali Temple, so he always had a murderous aura about him.

People were terrified of him and would avoid him at all costs.

What they didn't know was that if Pei Yanzhi were willing to bring you under his wing and protect you...

He would not allow anyone to act recklessly on his territory.

Regardless of whether Xiang Ning is now considered a useful tool in Pei Yanzhi's eyes, or a pet cat or dog kept in captivity.

In short, Xiang Ning is now someone who works by Pei Yanzhi's side.

Not only did Yu Zhen steal Pei Yanzhi's things, but she also left bloodstains on Xiang Ning's face, which violated Pei Yanzhi's taboo.

Xiang Ning felt that Pei Yanzhi wouldn't argue with the second wife for her sake, but if he wanted to punish someone, he had plenty of ways to do so.

But she couldn't say those words.

After a moment's thought, Xiang Ning gently shook her head: "It's alright, I'll go apply the medicine."

Seeing that she refused to tell the truth, Pei Yanzhi's displeasure suddenly turned into irritation.

Is she keeping quiet because she thinks he won't protect her or seek justice for her?
Should he then praise her, saying that she is indeed a sensible maid?

"Bitao, you tell us."

Pei Yanzhi's fingers rubbed against Xiang Ning's bloodstain, the calluses on his fingers causing Xiang Ning some pain.

A few tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, making her look extremely pitiful.

"Yes, sir. It is Concubine Yu from the second branch of the family."

Bitao stepped forward and recounted everything that had happened in the flower room that day.

Only after she finished speaking did Pei Yanzhi release his grip on Xiang Ning's chin.

“Master, I didn’t say anything because I was afraid of upsetting you. You’ve been busy at the Dali Temple all day, so there’s no need to bring up the troubles in the house and cause you unnecessary worry.”

"This servant knows that you are my support, and that is enough."

Just as Pei Yanzhi was about to withdraw his hand, Xiang Ning reached out and grasped his hand, her eyes filled with shyness and timidity, before lowering her head.

Look how considerate she is, how much she cares about his feelings. Even when she is wronged, the first thing she thinks of is Pei Yanzhi's feelings.

Now, her previous statement that she loved him must no longer be a lie.

I've already recommended it, everyone! Please don't hoard books, I'll update it regularly!
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(End of this chapter)