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  The sky was still dimly lit, and in the southern suburbs, horses galloped swiftly through the fields.

  Ming Xuan held onto the swaying carriage with a furrowed brow, her heart racing with anxiety.

  If the truth be told, Pei Jingchen was just out for one night, and at that time, men often went out to socialize and many of them got drunk and slept in a brothel without returning home till dawn. The capital city's security was good, and most families wouldn't panic and start searching for him because of this. Otherwise, if it turned out to be a false alarm, wouldn't they become the laughing stock of everyone?

  Although he was normally cautious, if there were social engagements, he would send someone to report back. However, even the most meticulous person can't avoid having moments of carelessness. Perhaps he had forgotten for a moment, and later when he fell drunk on Chang'eng, he was busy serving him and didn't have time to spare someone to go home and deliver the message. Such situations also exist.

  Ming Xuan went to the South Villa without regard, if people knew about it, she would definitely be given a reputation as a jealous woman, but what made her even more uneasy was that this trip would inevitably lead to a face-to-face confrontation with Han Xiuren, and she knew exactly what that meant.

  It's unknown why, but no matter how great the risk was, it couldn't stop her from heading to Nanyuan. It seemed as if something in the dark was guiding her, and for the first time, Liu Shi had such clarity of mind. A voice at the bottom of her heart was anxiously calling out to tell her that Pei Jingchen was indeed in Nanyuan!

  Yan's expression was tense, and she couldn't help but comfort her, "Don't worry, the young master is a man of measure, and Changgeng has some skills, he won't be easily taken advantage of. Moreover, if it's really Ping Zhangzheng who invited him to drink here, there's no wall that doesn't leak wind, someone must have seen them. That Focal Lord may also be present, even if Ping Zhangzheng is bold, he wouldn't dare to make a move against the eldest grandson of the Pei Minister."

  This is indeed the truth. With Han Xiuzhi's ability, dealing with Yan Qingye was like pinching an ant, but to be unfavorable to Pei Jingchen still needs to consider a thousand threads of relationships. That is Pei Xiang's eldest grandson, the child of Yongjia County Master, and the royal relative of the Zhou Dynasty. Even if Han Xiuzhi had great power, he couldn't act as he pleased.

  How could Daoli Mingxuan not understand? But being concerned would be chaotic. In her impression, Han Xiu was ruthless and unscrupulous in his actions, he might not personally lay a hand on Pei Jingchen, but Pei Jingchen encountering him would absolutely not be a good thing. Saying she wasn't worried was a lie.

  The carriage finally came to a stop after a long and anxious journey.

  "Look, we've arrived at your dowry estate. Not far from here is the Han family's secondary estate. This carriage driver is a person from the Pei family. I think it's better for us to get off here and come up with another plan to sneak out through the back door. Otherwise, if the young master's wife catches wind of this, it'll be another troublesome affair."

  Early in the morning, I went out and headed for the villa of my ex-fiancé. This is something that can't be explained no matter how reasonable it sounds.

  Ming Xuan nodded after a moment of contemplation, "Alright."

  She got off the horse carriage. Menzi Luo had already heard the noise and came to greet her, "Miss, how did you come?"

  Lao Shu was an old man from the third house of Yongning Houfu in the past. Before Ming Xuan got married, he was transferred to this villa in Nanyuan as a servant. His days were more leisurely than before, and his monthly allowance was also more generous. The loyal old family member had finally achieved happiness after a lifetime of hard work. He was grateful in his heart, so he was especially enthusiastic towards Ming Xuan.

  Ming Xuan smiled lightly at him, "I heard that Little Su's body is not good, so I came to take a look. Let's go down, I'll sit for a while and then leave, don't disturb the others."

  She thought for a moment, then paused and said, "Right, Uncle Luo, get me a small cart, drive it to the side door. I might need to go take a look at Tian Zhuang later, don't make too much noise. I'll just take a look and come back. Hmm, don't let the people driving the carriage at the front door find out, they are...they are from the Pei family..."

  Lao Shu was over fifty years old and had long been a shrewd person. Ming Xuan said that he was hesitant, but how could he not see that she had sneaked out this time? He didn't have a good impression of the people from the Pei family, and hearing her say this made him think that she must have suffered some grievances in the Pei household. His heart couldn't help but feel some anger, and while responding with agreement, he was thinking about how to find a way to make the Pei family's coachman suffer a bit.

  Ming Xuan had come over twice before her wedding to sort out her dowry, and when she brought Xiao Su's family here for a rest, she even personally pointed out the house. So she took Yan Niangniang straight to that place, and as they entered a small courtyard, they happened to see Xiao Su busy in the yard.

  Xiao Su saw Ming Xuan and stood up in surprise and delight, "Miss!"

  Ming Xuan didn't have the heart to chat with her, and only casually asked about her mother's condition. Hearing that it was better than before, she felt a slight relief in her heart, but then immediately opened her mouth to ask, "Actually, I came here because I have something to take care of, but going alone is not very convenient, so I wanted to ask if you'd be willing to accompany me on this trip?"

  She thought carefully, no matter whether Pei Jingchen was in Han Xiu's villa or not, she would not gain anything by rushing over like this. Her heart was tied to Pei Jingchen, but even in such a moment of anxiety and worry, she could not act rashly without thinking things through.

  As a small cottager here, he can always find an excuse to talk to the gatekeeper of the Han family's other mansion, and at worst, he can see if anyone entered the mansion last night, and if so, whether they are still inside.

  Xiao Su finished listening, threw away the needlework in her hand and said, "Miss's orders, dare not disobey. It just so happens that this errand is suitable for my younger brother to do. When he was young and mischievous, he often played around here. I don't know how, but he became close friends with the young son of the steward of the Han family's other estate. I'll call him over and let him go with us."

  Xiao Su's brother was named Shou An, and it is said that this name was given by the late Gu Changping. Shou An had asthma, and winter was the most difficult time for him to bear. However, after moving into a villa in the southern suburbs to recuperate, he took good medicine every day, and his body suddenly recovered. Now that summer has arrived, his asthma has not relapsed for several months.

  Xiao Su was grateful to Ming Xuan for this, and she had been thinking of ways to repay her kindness. She wished she could return to Ming Xuan's side soon to take care of her, but her mother's health was deteriorating day by day. As a daughter, filial piety was paramount, so she couldn't leave at this time. Therefore, she could only do her best to help with the household chores and manage the estate well, which was also a way to show her sincerity.

  Shou'an and the young son of the Han family's steward were familiar with each other, but when it came to inquiring about the matter, he was as confused as a headless fly. Ming Xuan couldn't get any information out of him. At this time, Uncle Luo had already driven the small cart from the villa to the side door. She asked Shou'an, "Can you drive a carriage?"

  Shou An hastily nodded, "I will!"

  Ming Xuan nodded slightly and turned to face Yan Niangniang, saying, "I'll go with Xiao Su Shou'an. You stay here and if possible, please help take a look at Xiao Su's house. If she needs anything, please help her out or just keep her company."

  She finished her words and lifted her skirt to jump onto the cart. Xiaosu and Shouan sat together at the front of the cart, urging it forward.

  The Han Mansion's villa was indeed not far away, and if they were to walk on foot, it would take no more than half a stick of incense. However, this was the southern suburbs, and dawn was the best time for farm work. Many people in the fields had already gotten up to start their day. Ming Xuan, dressed as a noble lady, was quite eye-catching. Taking a small cart on the small road would be the most suitable way to go.

  Shou An stopped the carriage at a secluded spot near the corner of another villa, from which he could clearly see the gate of the Han Mansion. Ming Xuan lifted the curtain and saw several horse-drawn carriages parked randomly at the entrance, and his eyes were fixed on the copper door lock with an anxious gaze.

  She anxiously looked at Shou An as he knocked on the door, and before long a young man of about the same age came out. The two chatted happily for a while, then the door closed again, and Shou An hastily returned to the carriage.

  Shou An said to Ming Huan, "Xiao Lu said that last night, Lord Han invited many officials to his villa and had his father treat them to a table of fine game dishes. These guests all got drunk, and Lord Han hasn't left yet. He wants to help his father with work, so he can't play with me today."

  He paused, "I asked Xiao Lu who came last night, and he couldn't say clearly, but when he was serving dishes, he indeed heard someone call a handsome young man 'Lord Pei'."

  Xiao Lu was actually the youngest son of the steward of the Han Manor's secondary estate.

  Xiao Su asked, "Did you ask anything else? Is Lord Pei still in the other courtyard? Did anything strange happen last night?"

  She gently patted Shou An's head, somewhat reproachfully saying, "Didn't I instruct you earlier to ask more detailed questions? Miss came to find us two to handle matters and trusted us, it was clear that we could have done better, why didn't you ask more clearly?"

  Shu An rubbed his temples, "Sister, stop! Who said I didn't ask clearly?"

  He turned his face to Ming Huan and said, "Miss, although Xiao Lu didn't distinguish those guests clearly, something happened last night. It seemed that Lord Han called some beauties to sing and assist in the revelry, but one of them did something wrong, and in the middle of the night, she was thrown out of the house by a certain gentleman. Xiao Lu's father was about to drive her out of the village when someone else saved the woman."

  The eleven-year-old boy's face was still thin, and when he mentioned this, his face was flushed with a few points of red.

  Shou An paused for a moment, "Xiao Lu has always been with his father and witnessed everything with his own eyes. However, his father later repeatedly warned him not to reveal these things. But Xiao Lu and I have never had any secrets between us, so he just told me everything without waiting for me to ask."

  Ming Xuan's heart moved, and he said thoughtfully, "Shou An, help me take a look again. How many carriages are parked at the entrance of the village? If there are graphic marks on the back of the carriage, remember what shape they are. After you've seen clearly, come back and tell me, okay?"

  She had basically confirmed that Pei Jingxuan was inside, but since Shou An said there were many guests here last night, Han Xiu wouldn't dare to make a move on Pei Jingxuan. It seemed that everything should be fine. However, knowing oneself and the enemy would lead to victory in every battle. She needed to know what kind of people were inside to decide her next step.

  It wasn't long before Shou An returned, "Miss, there are a total of seven carriages stopped ahead. One belongs to Mr. Han, I've seen it before. One doesn't have a crest, just an ordinary two-wheeled carriage. Two more belong to the Marquis of Ping's residence, the Pei family, which I recognize. And three carriages have eagles painted on their rear, these are unfamiliar."

  Ming Xuan's expression changed slightly, Old Eagle... That is the Yang family... (pauses)

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