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

Chapter 225 Past Events Like Dust

Upon learning of this, Pei Yanzhi stood at the palace gate, momentarily stunned.

He had just visited the Pei residence yesterday and met with Old Madam Pei.

She seemed to be in good spirits and even talked to Pei Yanzhi for a long time.

Before leaving, she even took out half of her previous dowry and gave it to Pei Yanzhi as a wedding gift.

Madam Pei said that she used to value social status too much, so much so that she never really got to know Xiang Ning.

Now she knows that Xiang Ning is the daughter of the Lu family and has her own career.

"She's a good girl. Grandmother is relieved."

I never expected that the person who was laughing and joking yesterday would suddenly be gone today.

Wei Ziqian, who was standing nearby, naturally heard these words and reached out to help Pei Yan as he descended the steps.

"Condolences."

After saying this, Cheng Hua led the horse over, and Pei Yanzhi thanked Wei Ziqian and mounted the horse.

Madam Pei's health had always been poor, and Dong Yan had already made arrangements for her funeral.

So once the person left, everything was taken over, so there wasn't too much panic.

When Pei Yanzhi arrived, the Pei family members were already dressed in mourning clothes, and the coffin was placed in the center of the mourning hall.

"Big brother."

Pei Yuanrong was the first to see Pei Yanzhi, and he called out to his elder brother.

Then came Pei Yongcheng. Apart from Pei Mingxiu, who was away and unable to return, all the members of the Pei family were here.

Even Rongniang and Mo'er shrank back.

"Your mother left you a letter, my lord. Please open it and take a look."

Dong Yan raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes and handed a letter to Pei Yanzhi.

Pei Yanzhi knelt on the prayer mat, reached out to take the letter, opened it, glanced at it, and then threw it into the brazier.

"Master Hou?"

Dong Yan was somewhat surprised and didn't understand what was going on.
“When the family divided its assets, I did not sign the agreement. I am still a descendant of the Pei family.”

"The letter my grandmother left was about dividing the family property, but I don't need it."

After giving a brief explanation, Pei Yanzhi turned his gaze to Rongniang and Mo'er in the corner.

Dong Yan seemed to understand something and followed his gaze.

"Why are you here?"

Having been soft-hearted and let Rongniang off the hook back then, Pei Yanzhi never interfered in these matters again. Now, upon seeing Rongniang, Dong Yan was the first to be surprised.

"Someone, throw her out of here."

Dong Yan raised her hand to signal the servant behind her to come forward, while Rong Niang held Mo'er and pleaded with Pei Feng.

"I just wanted to come and see Mo'er..."

"It's alright, your family can be reunited from now on."

As soon as she finished speaking, Pei Yanzhi told Dong Yan about another request from Old Madam Pei.

"Grandmother is very disappointed in the eldest master. Since the eldest master is so capable, he probably doesn't need the Pei family. From now on, the three of you should leave the Pei residence."

Pei Feng was taken aback, then gritted his teeth and said, "You want to kick me out?"

"Second Aunt."

Pei Yanzhi ignored Pei Feng. He didn't need a father or mother, so he wouldn't be hurt by Pei Feng's coldness.

Dong Yan immediately ordered Pei Feng, Rong Niang, and Mo'er to be driven out.

After the mourning hall was cleared, Pei Yanzhi took the incense sticks from the side and lit them.

He kowtowed before Madam Pei's memorial tablet: "Grandmother, your last wish has been fulfilled by your grandson. Rest in peace."

Pei Yanzhi's return to the Pei residence caused quite a stir among the officials in the imperial court.

The old lady's funeral was also held in a grand manner.

Dong Yan later asked Pei Yanzhi if he wanted to return to the Pei residence, but Pei Yanzhi refused.

The Pei residence was not a place with pleasant memories for either him or Xiang Ning.

They are comfortable and at ease in their own little home.

There is no need to return to the Pei residence.

Dong Yan expressed her understanding; even if Pei Yanzhi didn't return, their second branch of the family would still control the Pei household.

For her, this might not be a bad thing. Logically speaking, as the eldest grandson of the main branch, Pei Yanzhi should observe mourning for the old lady.

But his wedding date with Xiang Ning had already been set, and changing it now made him feel uneasy.

It was Dong Yan who said that the old lady did not want him to observe mourning.

"Yongcheng can stay here; it'll be a good opportunity to temper his temper."

Having experienced so much, Bae Young-sung appears much more mature and composed.

However, the instinctive urge to run away still wouldn't change the moment she saw Pei Yanzhi.

Dong Yan arranged everything for him, and after a year of mourning, she would send him to join the army.

If he can protect his country, then he is still somewhat useful.

If one dies on the battlefield, it's not as bad as living a muddled and aimless life.
-
Two weeks before the wedding, Xiang Ning was tidying up her things in the shop when Manager Lin came in.

Behind her were people Xiang Ning knew.

"Brother Xiao! Monkey, Little Si? You're back?"

She was overjoyed, but Xiao Ming's eyes reddened. He raised his hand to wipe away the tears in his eyes and suddenly knelt down in front of Xiang Ning.

"Your subordinate greets Miss."

Seeing this, Xiang Ning was stunned. When she came to her senses, she went to help the person up.

"Brother Xiao, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming shook his head: "We've been searching for so long, but we never expected that what was so far away would be right under our noses."

These words made Xiang Ning even more confused. If it weren't for Steward Lin helping him up, Xiao Ming would probably have been kneeling forever.

"Young lady, do you still remember the person your brother Xiao has been searching for?"

Steward Lin spoke up to remind her, and Xiang Ning suddenly realized, "But I'm not General Li's wife at my age..."

"Hualan is your mother, and your father is General Li."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning couldn't help but swallow hard: "How could such a coincidence happen in the world..."

Manager Lin sighed, and Xiao Ming told him the whole story.

When General Li came to Ling'an, he met Lu Hualan, who was decisive, straightforward, and beautiful.

He admired that there were women in the world who were so brave and fearless.

She admired him, for he remained true to himself despite being caught in the vortex of power.

The two secretly pledged their lives to each other and exchanged tokens of love. Originally, Lu Hualan was going to take Li Shichang to meet her father.

Unexpectedly, the border war escalated, and Li Shichang, knowing it was a trap, could not abandon his soldiers.

He told her to wait for him to come back, but after she left, he never heard from her again.

At that time, the Lu family had internal conflicts because of a fabricated treasure map.

In this critical moment, Lu Hualan had no choice but to take the half of the treasure map and flee from Ling'an, escaping all the way.

At that time, she was already pregnant.

Those who left with Lu Hualan were her household servants and guards.

Knowing that someone was investigating her, Lu Hualan had no choice but to change her name and pretend to be married to a servant, raising Xiang Ning to adulthood.

Having said that, Xiang Ning naturally knew what happened next.

"We only found out later, because many things were actually destroyed after the general died."

"Miss, we are truly destined to meet."

In the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Xiao Ming said something lighthearted.

Xiang Ning raised her hand and found that tears had fallen without her noticing.

“The master and the young master also know about this, young lady.”

Manager Lin offered a word of comfort to Xiang Ning.

"The general left many things for the young lady. We heard that the young lady was getting married, so we have brought them all back to Ling'an."

"If the general knew that the young lady was getting married, he would probably be very happy."

As they talked, Xiang Ning lowered her eyes and nodded gently.

It turns out she was never the one who was abandoned.

She came into this world always with anticipation and love.

The next chapter concludes with "99999," and I'll be deducting from the reader's head.