Pei Xuanzhi and Song Lan were close friends. Now that Song Lan had married, how could Madam Pei and Master Pei not be anxious? Pei Xuanzhi was getting older. If he didn't get engaged soon, he would probably be past the age for marriage.

The Pei family has only this one son, and the huge family business is waiting for Pei Xuanzhi to have a successor. However, he is a person who refuses to listen to advice, and no one can persuade him.

Song Wanning followed Mrs. Pei to Pei Xuanzhi's yard.

The Pei family was descended from imperial merchants, holding considerable status in the capital, and their wealth was more than they could spend in several lifetimes. However, Pei Xuanzhi's courtyard was extremely simple, unlike Yin Yichen's previously low-key and luxurious home. Instead, the entire courtyard was sparsely furnished, with only a simple sandalwood table and a few chairs.

Madam Pei and Song Wanning stood in front of Pei Xuanzhi's bedroom door. She looked at the maidservant waiting on Pei Xuanzhi outside and asked in a low voice, "Is Xuanzhi asleep?"

Seeing this, the little maid responded hurriedly, "Grandma, the Second Master just went to bed and didn't call anyone. I wonder if he's awake at this hour."

Mrs. Pei saw this and was about to open the window to take a look, but she only heard Pei Xuanzhi's voice from inside, "Mother, just come in."

Upon seeing this, Madam Pei pushed open the door and spoke inside, "Xuanzhi, Sister Ning is here to see you."

Pei Xuanzhi coughed twice in the bedroom, then uttered a low "oh".

Upon seeing this, Madam Pei took Song Wanning into Pei Xuanzhi's bedroom. As soon as Song Wanning entered, she saw the blood-stained gauze that Pei Xuanzhi had changed scattered throughout the bedroom. The sight was truly shocking. Song Wanning knew that if it weren't for Pei Xuanzhi, she wouldn't know what would have happened to her. Seeing Pei Xuanzhi injured like this, she felt even more guilty.

Pei Xuanzhi was still lying in bed. When he saw Song Wanning, he only joked to Madam Pei, "Mother, look at your son, he's in such a mess now. He'd be a laughing stock if he saw Wanning. You brought her in so openly, making your son very embarrassed."

"You seem perky now. Who was it that howled and scared the birds away when we were changing the dressing just now?" Madam Pei didn't give her any face at all. She just said in a deep voice, "Think about it carefully. When you and Wan Ning were little, you ran around the yard naked. Now you are so respectful."

Pei Xuanzhi said helplessly, "Mother, don't you have any dignity left for me now?"

"Stop talking nonsense. It's a rare occasion for Sister Ning to come here, so you two should have a good talk." Mrs. Pei looked at Song Wanning, then glanced at Pei Xuanzhi before leaving.

Seeing Pei Xuanzhi's current state, Song Wanning sighed helplessly, "Would you like some water?"

"If you feed me, then of course I will drink it." Pei Xuanzhi curled his lips while lying on the bed and said slowly, "My mouth is dry after talking for so long, and I can't drink it myself."

Song Wanning stood up and said calmly, "I'm not used to serving others. I'll ask the maid outside to come in."

"Hey, hey... no need. I'm not thirsty anymore." Pei Xuanzhi looked at Song Wanning and said, "Sit down."

Song Wanning didn't hesitate and sat down on the chair in front of Pei Xuanzhi's bed. She looked at his pale face and said slowly, "How can I feel good about you being like this now?"

Pei Xuanzhi's expression flickered slightly, but his tone was cheerful, "Don't talk about me. Your Prime Minister's Mansion is so busy, and the Prime Minister actually let you out to see me?"

"He has always been a reasonable person. Naturally, he would come to see me after such a life-saving favor. Besides, he came here with me." Song Wanning explained softly, "He is in the main hall now."

"Oh." Pei Xuanzhi responded, but looking at Song Wanning's expression, he continued, "How is it going? Has the person who wanted to harm you been caught?"

"They've been caught and sent to the Dali Temple."

"That's good, otherwise all my injuries would have been in vain." Pei Xuanzhi curled his lips.

The two were silent for a while. Seeing him like this, Song Wanning slowly brought up another topic, "When I came here just now, I heard Auntie say that you didn't want to meet other girls? You are not young anymore. If you stay alone, I am afraid Auntie and Uncle will be worried."

"Song Wanning, Song Wanning, why didn't you think about me when you ignored my engagement and married the Prime Minister? Now you're trying to be a peacemaker." Pei Xuanzhi glared at Song Wanning and said, "I'm telling you, you don't need to worry about my marriage."

"I...I was sorry for what happened back then. I hope you can figure out what you want sooner rather than later, and not let other things interfere with your own business." Song Wanning lowered her head slightly and said apologetically, "I'm married now, and you should get married too."

"You came to see me just to get me to chant sutras?" Pei Xuanzhi said, wailing, "Ouch... I'm already injured, and you're making me hurt too. Stop talking, or my wound will flare up."

Seeing her like this, Song Wanning didn't know what to say. She just said solemnly, "Xuanzhi, you and I are not destined to be together. I hope you can meet the true love."

"Ah, my wound hurts again, it hurts again. If you chant again, I'll leave. Do you really think you're so unforgettable?" Pei Xuanzhi sneered, "I'm just a little unwilling. I didn't go to see the girl because none of the girls in the capital are the ones I like. I told myself in my heart that I must find a girl who is prettier than you, has a better family background than you, has a better temper than you, and is knowledgeable and capable of managing a household."

"Yes, yes, I believe you." Song Wanning looked at Pei Xuanzhi helplessly, and finally smiled. "I see that you are in good spirits. You even have time to chat with me."

"What do you know? I just have a few more scars on my back now, which is a symbol of manliness." Pei Xuanzhi smiled at Song Wanning, "Let me tell you, let alone this little injury, even if I have a hole in my stomach, I can plug it and fight another 300 games."

Song Wanning knew that Pei Xuanzhi was a man who loved to show off, so she didn't expose him and just sat in the room for a while.

Mrs. Pei, who was waiting outside, looked increasingly worried. She walked around the yard feeling rather melancholy. "This child is just being stubborn. He's much better now that he's seen Sister Ning. What a shame."

Seeing this, Madam Pei's mother looked at her and said, "Grandma, if that's the case, do we still need to look for the portraits of the ladies in the capital?"

"Forget it, don't look for one anymore. This kid is stubborn. He doesn't want to get married and no one can force him." Madam Pei glanced at the sky outside and said slowly, "I know he's gambling now."