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

Chapter 37. Embroidered by my beloved concubine. What, you want it too?
Hearing Pei Yanzhi's words, Xiang Ning was stunned. When she looked up at Pei Yanzhi, she only saw him sitting there quietly eating noodles.

That face, which usually had a somewhat aloof look, now only showed boundless loneliness.

Xiang Ning had never seen Pei Yanzhi like this before. He was less aloof than usual, and she felt a little more willing to get close to him.

“When I was young, my family was poor, but my mother would always use the money she would have spent on embroidering handkerchiefs to buy me a red string. She said that a girl should dress up to look pretty.”

"Not to please others, but just to make myself feel good every day."

“My father is a carpenter in the village. He makes all sorts of little things for me, like rocking horses and bamboo dragonflies. He makes them all by hand.”

Xiang Ning paused for a moment before telling Pei Yanzhi about these things.

"For this servant, having my parents by my side is enough."

Everyone wants to be rich and powerful, but in this world, someone always has to bear the burden of life at the bottom.

That's why my mother often said, "Contentment brings happiness."

They have given Xiang Ning the best love in the world.

"Did you learn your embroidery skills from your mother?"

While Xiang Ning was speaking, Pei Yanzhi had already finished his bowl of noodles. Hearing his words, Xiang Ning nodded, "Yes."

"Ordinary days are sometimes something that others can't have."

Pei Yanzhi put down his chopsticks, looked at Xiang Ning, and said something.

For example, Pei Yanzhi never received any of the things she mentioned.

A simple red ribbon may seem insignificant, but it was something her mother cherished and loved deeply.

When other parents see their children, they often say things like, "You've gotten thinner and taller."

When his mother saw him, she would always ask about his studies and how he was doing with people in the court.

Qin Bijun never asked Pei Yanzhi whether he was tired of living in the treacherous court, or whether he was afraid of serving the emperor like walking on thin ice.

Fortunately, he's past the age of having high expectations.

"Tomorrow, I have to go out on business. If anyone in the manor makes things difficult for you, don't pay any attention to them. We'll talk about it when I get back."

Pei Yanzhi raised his hand towards Xiang Ning, and she got up and walked over.

"Sir? What's wrong?"

He just stared at her without saying a word, which puzzled Xiang Ning so much that she couldn't help but call out to him.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi nodded and said, "Go back to sleep tonight, you don't need to keep watch."

After saying that, Pei Yanzhi didn't say anything more, as if that strange look in his eyes just now was Xiang Ning's illusion.

She pursed her lips, nodded slightly, and as if remembering something, handed something to Pei Yanzhi.

“Brother Chenghua said that the master doesn’t like the smell of blood, so I made a sachet for him to cover up the smell of blood.”

"I also wrapped some wound medicine in waterproof paper, just in case."

The dark blue sachet emitted a faint floral fragrance, not at all pungent, but rather quite pleasant.

Xiang Ning knew that Pei Yanzhi had a keen sense of smell and didn't like strange fragrances, so she put dried flowers and her own homemade perfume in the sachet. Soaking the dried flowers in the perfume would make the fragrance last longer.

It should last for a month or two without any problems.

As for the wound medicine, it was just leftover from the medicine she used to treat the wounds on her back last time. Such expensive medicine would be a waste to leave unused, so she gave it to Pei Yanzhi.

He'll need it sooner or later.

Pei Yanzhi turned his head and reached out to take the sachet. He hadn't expected her to be so thoughtful, always thinking of him.

but……

"Chenghua is Chenghua. If you need anything in the future, just tell him. Don't be shy."

"What's your name, Brother Chenghua?" Xiang Ning tilted her head, somewhat puzzled, but still replied, "Then this servant will take her leave."

After saying that, she took the empty bowl and left Pei Yanzhi's room.

Pei Yanzhi held the sachet in his hand, looked at it, and smiled slightly.

Xiang Ning thought Pei Yanzhi had left in the early morning, but when she got up to go to the room to serve him, she didn't see him.

Only then did I hear from the servant of Qingyi Residence that the master had left at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

I wonder what happened at the Dali Temple that made someone leave without even getting a full night's sleep.

Xiang Ning walked into the room and looked at the cabinet. The shelf where the sachet ribbons used to be visible seemed to have been opened, and she couldn't even see the ribbons anymore.

With a sigh, Xiang Ning couldn't help but wonder what method she could use to get Pei Yanzhi to return the sachet to her.

With Pei Yanzhi gone, Qingyi Residence became completely quiet. Although he was not there, his authority remained, and with the previous incident as a warning, no one dared to provoke them.

Xiang Ning also had the opportunity to properly finish those embroidered handkerchiefs.

After all, Lady Li didn't have much time, so she had to speed things up.

Pei Yanzhi, who had already left the city, was wearing the dark blue round-necked robe that Xiang Ning had made for him, with a small and exquisite sachet hanging from his waist.

Her hair, which had been tied up, was now down, and she looked very relaxed.

Jade pendants adorned her waist, she wore a golden crown, held a sandalwood fan, and wore cloud-patterned boots; she was truly of unparalleled wealth and nobility.
Chenghua and Mingxiang followed behind him, glancing at each other as they noticed his unusual attire.

The three of them were on their way to Jizhou Gate to block the road for the people who wanted to enter the capital.

Therefore, the attire is more luxurious and extravagant, making the person look like a businessman.

Pei Yanzhi's outfit made him look like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.

“Sir, Lu Weimin has men from Prince Qing by his side. They probably know you.”

Mingxiang spurred his horse forward and said something to Pei Yanzhi.

"It's alright. When have you ever seen a host personally greet a guest? Besides, I am of noble status."

Pei Yanzhi said something, and the horse lurched slightly, causing the pearls and jade at his waist to sway and the sachet to fall to the side.

Seeing this, Mingxiang couldn't help but ask, "Sir, this sachet looks very exquisite. May I ask which embroidery workshop made it?"

It has a faint floral scent, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it smells wonderful.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi turned to look at him, scanned him up and down, and said, "It was embroidered by my beloved concubine. What, you want it too?"

Pei Yanzhi spoke in a calm tone, but his gaze toward Mingxiang carried a hint of coldness.

Mingxiang really wanted to slap himself; why was he always so talkative?

"I was just asking."

He silently turned his horse around and rode back.

Chenghua couldn't help but laugh and whispered, "Lord Ming, now that I have women to serve me, you'd better watch your mouth from now on."

"I understand, but who exactly is this Miss Xiang Ning you mentioned?"

It's amazing that they were able to win over someone like the adults.

After all, it's common knowledge about the Dali Temple.

Their Minister of Justice is like a flower on an unattainable mountain peak; anyone who wants to pluck him should first consider whether their own life is enough to warrant execution.

Furthermore, the official is aloof and cold-hearted. When he sits there, he looks like a meditating old monk. Some people in the Dali Temple even speculated that the official had homosexual tendencies.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he marry or take a concubine? At this age, he should be full of vigor and vitality.

"Miss Xiang Ning is different. If Lord Ming has the opportunity to meet her in the future, he will know why."

Mingxiang: I slapped myself.
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(End of this chapter)