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

Chapter 92 Have you seen this sachet before?

Seeing that Xiang Ning was about to turn around, Qi Niang quickly stopped her.

However, before they could even turn their heads, they heard a familiar voice.

"Young lady, what a coincidence! I never expected to see you in Ling'an."

When Lu Jiang's voice came, Xiang Ning was also taken aback.

She turned around, and a gentle breeze lifted a corner of the veil, revealing her chin.

"You are... the young master from the banquet that day?"

"My name is Lu Jiang. Do you remember me?"

Lu Jiang, dressed in blue, looked at Xiang Ning with a smile.

He originally planned to stay in the capital to find the girl and ask her some questions, but unfortunately, something happened at Zhenyufang, and his father wanted him to return to Ling'an overnight.

He had just come out of Zhenyufang and saw Xiang Ning's figure. He felt that she was familiar, but he did not expect it to be her.

If it weren't for the sound of her voice as they passed each other, Lu Jiang would have almost missed her again.

"Do you know?"

Qi Niang looked at Lu Jiang, then at Xiang Ning, and still found it somewhat unbelievable.

Xiang Ning actually knew the young master of the Lu family business.

"May I ask you for a cup of tea, young lady? I have some questions I'd like to ask you."

Lu Jiang also felt it was a bit presumptuous, and after considering it for a moment, he said, "These things are very important to me."

“Young Master Lu, I think you’ve come to the wrong person. I don’t know you, and I probably don’t know the answer to what you’re asking.”

Xiang Ning and Lu Jiang had never met before, and Xiang Ning had never heard of Lu Jiang before, so Xiang Ning didn't think she would know what he wanted to know.

Furthermore, Xiang Ning saw Pei Yanzhi's men at the Lu family business, and she wondered if Pei Yanzhi had any spies around Lu Jiang.

With the idea that it's better to avoid trouble, Xiang Ning didn't want to get too involved with Lu Jiang.

"Sister."

Before Lu Jiang could answer, Qi Niang pulled Xiang Ning aside.

"Lu Jiang is the young master of the Lu family business. Don't you want to get rid of Ling An? Maybe he has connections to help you?"

"Is he the young master of the Lu family business?"

Last time at Prince Qing's mansion, Xiang Ning was kneeling on the ground and didn't hear Lu Jiang's introduction at all.

However, she had originally intended to inquire at Lu's Trading Company as well, but coincidentally, they bumped into each other.

"of course."

Seeing that Xiang Ning was still hesitant, Qi Niang patted Xiang Ning's hand and said, "It's just a trip to take a look. We won't lose anything. What if something happens?"

With Qi Niang's words, Xiang Ning looked around and nodded, "Alright."

Lu Jiang waited for the two of them to finish their discussion, and then he saw them turn around.

“Young Master Lu, I may not know the answer to what you are asking, but if you are so certain, I cannot refuse you.”

Hearing Xiang Ning agree, Lu Jiang seemed very happy: "Okay, thank you, young lady."

After saying that, Lu Jiang stepped aside to make way for her: "This way, please, miss."

Xiang Ning nodded slightly and followed Lu Jiang to a teahouse.

The person watching Lu Jiang from the shadows couldn't see Xiang Ning's face, but still managed to send the news back to the capital.

Perhaps this girl is also a key figure?

Lu Jiang led Xiang Ning to a teahouse and found a quiet private room to sit down.

Seventh Sister and Lu Jiang's attendant went to a private room in the side, so as not to interrupt their conversation.

"I don't know how to address you, young lady?"

Lu Jiang reached out and poured Xiang Ning a cup of tea. Xiang Ning removed her veil and replied softly, "My surname is Zhao."

"Miss Zhao."

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Jiang took out a sachet from his pocket and handed it to Xiang Ning: "Miss Zhao, take a look, do you recognize this sachet?"

Xiang Ning took the sachet, looked it over, and felt that it was very familiar. It was somewhat like the embroidery technique she had learned before, but it was not.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know her. You should ask the embroiderer who made this sachet; perhaps she can tell you more.” She placed the sachet on the table. The light in Lu Jiang’s eyes dimmed for a moment, and he lowered his head in disappointment. “To tell you the truth, the owner of this sachet is my aunt.”

"She disappeared, and I've been searching for her for so many years."

Lu Jiang smiled wryly, "The first time I saw you at Prince Qing's mansion, I thought you looked a lot like my aunt, what a pity..."

Hearing Lu Jiang's words, Xiang Ning felt a sudden surge of nervousness. Holding her teacup, she cautiously asked, "Then, what is Young Master Lu's aunt's name?"

“Lu Hualan, she also has a daughter named Chaoguang.”

As soon as he said that, Xiang Ning's wildly beating heart gradually calmed down.

It's not my mother.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help you."

Xiang Ning apologized softly, and Lu Jiang shook his head: "How can I blame you? I'm already very happy that you sat down and helped me identify this token."

"After searching for so many years, I've always wondered if they might already be gone."

"Or perhaps I'm mistaken; my aunt's child is a younger brother, not a younger sister."

But whatever it was, there was no news for so many years, and no matter how they inquired, there was no information.

"Sorry for taking up your time."

Lu Jiang turned to look at Xiang Ning, and in a flash, he seemed to see the bright eyes in that incomplete portrait again.

It's not that he mistook her for someone else; it's just that Xiang Ning's eyes really do look alike.

"Actually, I also have something I'd like to ask Young Master Lu."

Xiang Ning took a deep breath: "I heard that your grandmother's surname was Zhao, right? My mother's surname is also Zhao. I would like to ask if there is a person named Zhao Lan in the Zhao clan."

"As far as I know, no, but I can check when I get back. If there is, then I am very fortunate to have met Miss Zhao."

Lu Jiang answered quickly, saying that he did not remember anyone named Zhao Lan among his direct descendants.

But the Zhao family is also a prominent clan; who knows, there might be some in collateral branches?
"Then thank you very much, Young Master Lu."

Xiang Ning bowed her head and thanked Lu Jiang. For so many years, she had been inquiring about it. If she still couldn't find out this time, Xiang Ning really didn't know what to do.

After the two finished their conversation and came out of the private room, Qi Niang hurriedly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Did you tell Young Master Lu about what happened to Ling An?"

"Seventh Sister".

Xiang Ning pulled Qi Niang back, but she couldn't help Lu Jiang. Instead, she troubled Lu Jiang to help her investigate her mother's affairs.

She hasn't even repaid this favor yet.

"Miss Zhao is leaving Ling'an?"

However, Qi Niang spoke quite loudly, and Lu Jiang had already heard her.

"It's alright. If Miss Zhao wishes to leave Ling'an, she can travel with my caravan tomorrow."

"I happen to be going out for a bit, but I wonder where Miss Zhao would like to go?"

Lu Jiang asked a very easy-going question, and Xiang Ning's face lit up with joy: "In that case, it would be too much trouble for Young Master Lu."

"I can pay you with silver as my travel expenses."

Seeing Xiang Ning's politeness, Lu Jiang didn't say anything. If he stopped Xiang Ning from paying, she would probably feel bad about it.

"Anywhere is fine, just drop me off wherever is convenient for you."

Lu Jiang nodded: "Let's meet at Lu's Trading Company tomorrow at 3 AM."

He left after giving the time and place, and Xiang Ning breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lu Jiang has a very good reputation in Ling'an. Now you can rest assured that you can leave Ling'an."

"We just have to wait another day."

Xiang Ning took a deep breath. If she hadn't been without a pass, she would have gone out on her own long ago.

Unfortunately, she can no longer use her identity and travel permit; she's afraid Pei Yanzhi will find out.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright."

Seventh Sister smiled and comforted Xiang Ning, who nodded and said, "I believe Seventh Sister."

I hope everything goes well on this trip.

(End of this chapter)