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

Chapter 98 Where is Miss Zhao?
Pei Yanzhi's voice was calm and indifferent, as if it came from a deep, cold pool, devoid of any warmth, yet possessing an undeniable majesty.

Cheng Hua dared not delay and immediately walked in the direction Pei Yanzhi pointed out.

His eyes were focused and alert, constantly watching the surrounding movements, afraid of missing any detail.

Xiang Ning felt footsteps approaching, like the urgent beat of a drum, each sound striking her heart.

She held her breath nervously, trying to make her heartbeat less noticeable.

But the corner where she was hiding was a dead end; there was nowhere to escape.

She gripped the hem of her dress, the soft fabric crumpling into a ball in her hands, much like her chaotic emotions at that moment.

Xiang Ning quickly devised a plan, various ideas flashing through her mind.

Whether to knock Cheng Hua unconscious and escape in the chaos, or to compromise and accept defeat, life or death depends entirely on Pei Yanzhi's mood.

At this critical moment, a horse seemed to lose control and galloped wildly toward the crowd.

The horse's eyes were bloodshot, as if it were possessed, and it moved extremely fast.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way, everyone!"

The man on horseback screamed in terror, his voice filled with fear and despair.

He pulled hard on the reins, trying to control the horse, but it wouldn't obey him at all.

The crowd immediately descended into chaos, with people scattering in all directions, screams and shouts rising and falling.

Xiang Ning took the opportunity to blend into the crowd, keeping her head down and trying not to attract attention.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from somewhere, grabbed her arm, and led her away from the crowd.

The trampling of horses and people kicked up a cloud of dust, like smoke, blurring everyone's vision.

Pei Yanzhi raised his hand to cover his mouth and nose, frowning slightly, feeling somewhat displeased.

Once Mingxiang had subdued the frightened horse and the dust had settled, he smiled faintly, as if he had just thought of something.

"Chenghua, go and find out where the Lu family's caravan is."

He knew that Xiang Ning was with the Lu family's caravan, but finding the caravan didn't necessarily mean he would find Xiang Ning.

But the town gates were closed, and she was trapped like a turtle in a jar; she couldn't escape.

Then he'll push her a bit, and she'll obediently come back.

Xiang Ning was dragged along at breakneck speed. She could only feel the wind whistling in her ears and her steps were almost out of her control.

She didn't know how long she ran, until she was panting heavily and her legs were weak, when the person pulling her finally stopped.

She looked up in a panic and saw that she was in an unfamiliar courtyard.

The courtyard looked ordinary, but at that moment it gave her a strange sense of security.

"monkey?"

Xiang Ning's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Miss Zhao, are you alright?"

The monkey asked breathlessly, releasing his grip on Xiang Ning's arm.

Seeing Xiang Ning's puzzled expression, he quickly explained, "My elder brother sent me and Xiao Si to rescue you."

He only said that one sentence, and didn't say anything else.

The person who just pulled the frightened horse was Xiao Si, while Monkey was responsible for taking advantage of the chaos to bring Xiang Ning out.

"come on in."

At this moment, the courtyard gate slowly opened in front of the two of them, and Xiao Ming stood inside, beckoning them to come in.

Xiang Ning, without suspecting anything, hurriedly went inside.

Upon seeing Xiang Ning, Xiao Ming unfolded the paper in his hand and said, "Miss Zhao, I apologize for my intrusion, but this portrait is of you, isn't it?"

She bent down and looked closely, her face instantly turning pale.

"How...how could you have this?"

The person in the portrait was clearly her, and below the portrait was written 'Escaped slave of the Pei family'.

"This was given to me by the magistrate's advisor. Actually, I already knew your identity before I went to see you today," Xiao Ming said with a hint of helplessness.

"But Brother Lin doesn't know that you haven't done anything heinous, so I was thinking of helping you cover it up."

Xiao Ming sighed and continued, "Do you know that once a runaway slave is found, he will be beaten to death with sticks?"

After all, it was a human life, and he couldn't just stand by and watch Xiang Ning die.

That's why the monkey and Xiao Si were sent to rescue the people.

"Brother Xiao, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace."

Xiang Ning lowered her head, and just as she was about to kneel down, Xiao Ming reached out and helped her up.

"The town is now locked up tight, and no one can get out. Even if I want to rescue you, I need to know your relationship with the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, right?"

If she were merely a convicted slave, how could Pei Yanzhi have personally come to pursue her? Xiang Ning's identity must be extraordinary.

“I was his concubine. His mother originally promised to give me a contract of indenture so I could leave.”

"Brother Xiao, I can't drag you down any further."

Xiang Ning's eyes reddened; Pei Yanzhi's arrival shattered all her hopes.

Now that she can't get out, it's only a matter of time before he finds her. Even if he can't find her, he will find a way to force her to show herself.

"Don't worry, there are other routes."

Xiao Ming offered a word of comfort, his eyes filled with determination.

Xiang Ning shook her head: "Brother Xiao, Pei Yanzhi is not someone to be trifled with. If I fall into his hands, I won't survive, but I can't continue to drag you down with me."

Hearing this, Xiao Ming smiled and said, "If you're going to help someone, you should help them to the end. You paid money, but I didn't get you the proper place of residence. It's only right that I send you away."

"Brother Xiao..."

She had always known that Xiao Ming was a loyal and righteous person, but she never expected that he would still lend a helping hand to her at such a critical moment.

"Nobody knows this courtyard. Let's go rest and calm our nerves."

Xiao Ming spoke gently, reassuring Xiang Ning.

Pei Yanzhi won't find this place so quickly; Xiao Ming still needs to go out and gather more information.

As long as Pei Yanzhi finds Steward Lin and traces him back to him, it will be quick.

Inside the inn, Pei Yanzhi sat quietly by the window, his eyes cold and his gaze slowly falling on Steward Lin sitting opposite him.

"Manager Lin."

"My lord, what business do you have with me?"

As soon as Manager Lin finished speaking, Chenghua quickly unfolded a portrait.

"do you know it?"

Cheng Hua's tone was stiff, and his eyes were full of vigilance.

The face he had known for a few days suddenly appeared before Steward Lin. Hearing the question, he was slightly taken aback, then shook his head: "Sir, I have never seen him before."

Manager Lin's eyes showed no weakness as he calmly replied.

Standing to the side, Mingxiang used his thumb to push the sword hilt out a little, making a crisp sound.

A cold smile appeared on his face, his eyes filled with threat.

"Harboring a serious criminal is a capital offense, Steward Lin. Think carefully before you answer."

Mingxiang's voice was cold and stern, as if he would stab Steward Lin with a sword if he lied.

"My lord, even if you say that the person in the portrait is a serious criminal of the court, if you haven't seen him, you haven't seen him. What am I supposed to say to you?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yanzhi chuckled and slowly spoke.

Where is Miss Zhao now?

"I'll only give you one chance."

(End of this chapter)