The Emperor's departure was delayed by several days due to the Eighth Prince's injury.

When the Eighth Prince awoke, he saw the Emperor by his side, no longer displaying the anger he had shown towards him that day. He was overjoyed, but the pain of his foot ailment returning soon followed, causing him to collapse onto the bed.

How could the emperor allow himself to hand over the Qing dynasty to a lame prince? How would he face his ancestors a hundred years later?

The Eighth Prince was aware of this as well. However, he dared not show his grief in front of the Emperor, lest the Emperor become even more suspicious of him.

As the imperial entourage set off to return to the capital, the Emperor secretly decreed that the Eighth Prince should remain in the area to recuperate. He feared that if others found out, it would cause criticism among the court officials.

The imperial procession was majestic and imposing, winding and majestic for dozens of miles. Yet, the emperor's brows, like the winding procession, were tightly furrowed.

Fukang'an's indifference and neglect made Yan Ning's heart as tangled as a ball of embroidery thread, and she didn't know how to untangle it.

With his eyes closed, the Emperor asked the dazed Yan Ning, "Yan Ning, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Because the Emperor's eyes were closed, Yan Ning couldn't understand the meaning behind his words. She could only answer truthfully, "You are a wise ruler, yet a strict father!"

Yan Ning no longer felt the panic and fear she had shown before. At this moment, the Emperor was just a confused old man in her eyes, a father who didn't know how to get along with his children.

Silence fell over the imperial carriage once again.

The emperor fathered more than twenty children in his lifetime, but he also experienced the pain of losing his sons multiple times. The grief of losing his sons made him love his surviving sons even more.

Father Emperor, Father Emperor, the Emperor is in front, Father is behind. Born into an imperial family, enjoying the wealth and glory that others envy, one must also bear mental anguish unknown to outsiders.

Was it truly because he was too harsh that none of his sons suited his taste? The Emperor lifted the curtain, glanced at Fukang'an before the imperial carriage, and shook his head with his head bowed.

This Fukang'an, who was banished from the palace at a young age and then brought back to the palace, is so similar to me, but what can I do?

Yan Ning had been observing the Emperor's words and actions. The heart of an emperor is the most unfathomable, and how could a mere woman like her possibly fathom it?

When the emperor stopped to rest, Yan Ning dismounted and went to find Fukang'an. Upon seeing Yan Ning approach, he leaped onto his horse without a word and went to inspect the accompanying guards for any oversights.

Standing amidst a sea of ​​bright yellow jackets, Yan Ning could only watch Fukang'an depart into the distance.

Heshen came around from behind the imperial carriage. When Yan Ning saw him, she hurriedly ran back to the emperor. Heshen's eyes changed from crescent moons to almonds, and then from almonds to crescent moons with a smile.

He pulled up his official robes and retraced his steps.

Ten days later, the grand procession entered the capital, with officials already informing them of the Emperor's arrival. Soldiers and officials in the city swept the streets and kept the common people on either side of the cobblestone road.

Amidst the deafening shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", a slight smile appeared on the Emperor's face. He lifted the curtain and looked at the people prostrate on the ground, his heart no longer heavy with resentment.

Yan Ning could only sigh inwardly, for power truly can control people's emotions.

Upon returning to the Forbidden City, the Emperor immediately went to the Cining Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Perhaps because the weather has turned cooler, the Empress Dowager's health has improved, and she is even able to get out of bed and walk around for a while each day.

The Emperor was overjoyed and rewarded Consort Dun, who was in charge of the harem, and the entire Imperial Medical Academy.

Yan Ning returned to Cining Palace to serve the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager stroked her hair, her kind smile like that of an ordinary old woman.

Her opening words revealed her cunning and treacherous nature within the palace: "Yan Ning, I have heard that His Majesty was attacked by assassins while hunting at the Mulan Hunting Grounds. Only you and Kang'er were present at the time!"

Yan Ning slumped onto the couch. The Empress Dowager suspected that Fukang'an had orchestrated the assassination attempt. "Yes, General Fukang'an was later injured while saving the Emperor."

Dressed in a mint green palace gown, she appeared youthful and humble in the ancient and fragrant Empress Dowager's bedroom.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, the phoenix-shaped hairpin with pearls swaying around her neck. "But I heard that Kang'er only saved the Emperor after the assassin's identity was exposed."

"The assassin was from the Chen family, whose property was raided twenty years ago," Yan Ning said hurriedly, her beautiful face showing some tension.

"I have no other intentions, why are you so nervous!" The Empress Dowager's hand touched Yan Ning's hair again, and she said in a loving tone, "In a few days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. I can't keep you in the palace any longer. Pack your things and leave the palace!"

Yan Ning immediately straightened her back, unable to hide her joy, and kowtowed to the Empress Dowager, "This servant thanks the Empress Dowager for her permission!"

Since returning to the capital, Yan Ning had never seen Fukang'an again. Since those in the inner palace were forbidden from entering the imperial court, Yan Ning went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation several times but never encountered him. Thus, they severed all contact, as if they were completely unrelated people.

The next day, Yan Ning changed into the clothes she had worn when she arrived and ran out of the Xihua Palace gate. Granny Zhuang told Yan Ning that the Imperial Household Department had already sent a message to the Fucha residence informing her of her departure from the palace.

She left the palace gates but did not see Fukang'an; only Zhao Xing, Zhuxiang, and Mingxin were waiting for her.

When the two maids saw Yan Ning, tears streamed down their faces, and no amount of persuasion from Yan Ning could dissuade them. She had no choice but to use her authority as the General's wife to command them.

Only after the two maids left did Yan Ning see Zhao Xing behind them. Zhao Xing stepped forward, bowed, and chuckled, "Now that Madam has absorbed the spiritual energy of the palace, she is even more stunningly beautiful!"

Yan Ning could only laugh and say, "You're such a chatterbox!" Then, with the help of Zhu Xiang and Ming Xin, she got into the carriage.

"Where is the general?"

When Yan Ning asked about Fukang'an, the two maids exchanged a glance and then lowered their heads. "This servant doesn't know!"

Yan Ning assumed that Fukang'an was still angry with her and didn't ask any further questions. Once outside the palace, without the constraints of palace rules, she had many opportunities to ease the cold war between herself and Fukang'an.

Back at Jian Gong Zhai, Yan Ning felt that compared to the palace, this place, which had once made her feel depressed and resentful of its strict rules, was now a place of peace for her, and she could breathe much more easily.

Mingxin instructed the servants at Jianguozhai to boil water for Yanning's bath. Yanning also felt that she should wash away the grime before going to the Peony Hall to pay her respects to the old lady.

Zhu Xiang and Ming Xin looked at Yan Ning, who was in a happy mood, but their faces showed a mixture of joy and worry.

Yan Ning, who never cared about dressing up, wore a light layer of makeup today. Her skin, tanned somewhat dull from the sun on the hunting grounds, exuded a more mature and womanly charm compared to her previous youthful appearance.

Yan Ning chose a cherry-red cheongsam and styled her hair in a high bun for the first time. She asked Zhu Xiang and Ming Xin beside her with concern, "Isn't it too glamorous?"

As if by prior arrangement, Zhu Xiang and Ming Xin nodded in unison, "Madam looks so beautiful!"

Yan Ning could only continue looking at the bronze mirror, thinking that asking them would be asking too much.

Zhao Xing coughed outside the door, and Zhu Xiang ran out. Zhao Xing whispered in Zhu Xiang's ear, "Whatever you do, don't let Madam go to the garden!"