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

Chapter 73 This dumpling was restless, so it gave itself away.
Xiang Ning's heart raced as she thought about it.

The First Madam doesn't like her, but that doesn't necessarily mean she'll let her leave the manor.

She needs to come up with a foolproof way to get out safely.

Seeing that Xiang Ning was somewhat distracted, Bi Tao called out to her.

"It's alright, I'll get up, so that Fang's mother won't see me."

Xiang Ning walked to the side, washed up, and felt much more awake.

Pei Yanzhi led his men to the estate and returned in less than an hour and a half.

The old lady invited them to have dinner at Ningfu Residence, and Xiangning and Bitao ate together while waiting for Pei Yanzhi to return.

At this moment, Qin Bijun sat in the center of Ningfu Residence, a faint smile on her face.

She seemed much calmer than she had been a while ago.

“Mother, during my time on the estate, I have come to understand many things. I was too stubborn before.”

Qin Bijun looked up at Madam Pei and said softly. Upon hearing this, Madam Pei's gaze fell on her.

"It's great that you think that way."

Madam Pei picked up her teacup and said something in a low voice.

I hope she really thinks that way, and that this isn't just an excuse to brush her off.

"Has Mother met Yanzhi's bride?"

Qin Bijun asked with a smile, and Madam Pei nodded: "I've already met him, he's a good one."

"That's fine then. Have you decided when to exchange betrothal gifts?"

Her questions, one after another, actually sounded quite convincing.

"If not, how about I arrange it?"

Qin Bijun asked cautiously, and Madam Pei put down her teacup and looked at her: "You are Yanzhi's mother, these things are meant to be done by you."

"In that case, you shall handle it. We have plenty of money at home, so please do a good job and don't let anyone say that the Pei family is impolite."

Upon hearing this, Qin Bijun nodded repeatedly: "Mother, don't worry, I have now come to my senses."

Her smile was gentle, and her words were even more approachable, leaving no room for criticism.

Pei Yanzhi, sitting in front of Qin Bijun, remained silent, not uttering a single word from beginning to end.

After Qin Bijun finished discussing matters with Madam Pei, she let Qin Bijun and Pei Yanzhi leave.

After the two left Ningfu Residence, Qin Bijun stopped and turned to look at Pei Yanzhi, suddenly saying, "Yanzhi, all these years, it's my fault."

"Is there anything else? If not, I'll be leaving now."

Pei Yanzhi did not reply to Qin Bijun. To him, Qin Bijun and Pei Feng were now just complete strangers.

He will provide for them in their old age and see them off in death, so that they can still have dignity, but that will be all.

Qin Bijun watched Pei Yanzhi walk away before the smile on her face faded.

"Aunt Liao, please take some nourishing soup to Mosongyuan for me later."

Upon hearing Qin Bijun's words, Liao's mother lowered her head and agreed.

It's a good thing that the lady is willing to get close to the eldest son, but unfortunately, what the lady wants is not kinship.

When Pei Yanzhi returned to Mosong Garden, he didn't see Xiang Ning standing at the entrance of Qingyi Residence, and he frowned.

Bitao came over and said, "Master, today is a beautiful autumn day. My sister and Mama Xu are making persimmon cakes."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi moved towards the kitchen.

This custom of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in the capital city usually takes place around January after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

They make persimmon cakes and black sesame-filled dumplings to pray for good fortune, hoping that every day from now on will be filled with good luck.

In the past, Pei Yanzhi was not often at home, and since this golden autumn day was a folk festival, the Pei family did not pay much attention to it.

He had never experienced that kind of life.

Xiang Ning only remembered this matter after seeing that Xu's mother had taken a lot of persimmons.

She hadn't made persimmon cakes in a long time.

"No matter how I wrap these dumplings, they just keep leaking out." I heard a maid say this as I approached the kitchen, followed by Xiang Ning's voice.

"Pinch this opening and pull it inwards, then it won't be exposed. Try again."

Xiang Ning spoke in a very gentle tone, with a smile on her face.

The maidservant blushed at the sight.

"This girl has been in the kitchen for so many days, and she still can't even wrap a dumpling."

Mrs. Xu held a persimmon cake in her hand and said helplessly.

"These dumplings are not easy to wrap, so it's not her fault. By the way, Aunt Xu, I saw you prepared the dough. What are you planning to make?"

“In our area, we like to make a bowl of meat soup noodles on this day, which means that we will not go hungry in the coming year and will have meat to eat every meal.”

The two talked back and forth, and Xiang Ning nodded in understanding: "I see, indeed every place has its own customs."

Pei Yanzhi stood quietly outside the door, listening to their conversation.

On the steamer in the kitchen were steamed buns that Xu's mother had made early that morning, with wisps of steam rising and drifting into the distance.

His position was perfect for seeing Xiang Ning's lowered eyes and gentle smile.

Flour got on her hands, and she unconsciously raised her hand to wipe it off, leaving a mark on her fair face.

The everyday life and human touch that I had never understood before are now being vividly expressed.

She is the human world, and also the tangible fireworks.

"Master?"

Xiang Ning looked up and met Pei Yanzhi's gaze. She didn't see what flashed in his eyes, but she felt a certain heat.

"doing what?"

Pei Yanzhi walked in from outside, startling Xu Mama and the little maid, who quickly got up.

"Sit down."

He waved for the two of them to sit down, and then walked over and sat down next to Xiang Ning.

Ingredients were laid out on the not-so-large counter, and Xiang Ning was holding glutinous rice balls in her hand.

"On this golden autumn day, your servant and Mama Xu will prepare some food."

"This is the first time I've heard of this day. I don't know how to do these things. Can you teach me?"

Pei Yanzhi leaned against Xiang Ning and reached out to take the dumpling from her hand. Before Xiang Ning could stop him, she saw that his hand was also covered in flour.

"Master, this servant will do it."

"so?"

Isn't it said that a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen? What is Pei Yanzhi doing now?
Could it be that he had a fight with the First Madam?
Xiang Ning sighed helplessly, looked up at the glutinous rice ball in his hand, and reached out to cover his hand.

"That's good."

"My hands are for holding a pen and a sword, not for doing these things."

She said softly, and Pei Yanzhi hummed in agreement, saying, "You can do those things too. In this life, you should experience something different."

Otherwise, his life would end up like it has been for the past few decades.

It's a repetitive cycle, year after year, with nothing new to offer.

"We've been exposed..."

Pei Yanzhi turned to look at Xiang Ning, a faint smile playing on his lips. The midday sun shone on him, gilding him with a golden glow.

His hair fluttered slightly, and tiny dust particles danced in the air.

The black sesame filling flowed out and landed on the counter. Xiang Ning looked at him and uttered three words.

"Hmm, this dumpling was restless, so it gave itself away."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning paused, wondering why she felt that Pei Yanzhi's words had a hidden meaning.
Was he referring to Yuanzi, or to her?

"But it's okay, I'm patient. I just wrapped it up and pretended I didn't see it."

(End of this chapter)