Ever since Zhao Xing stopped her on the way that day, Fukang'an had forbidden Yan Ning from seeing Xiang'er again. Today, Fukang'an was not at the manor, and Yan Ning knew that Zhao Xing never made a mistake on anything Fukang'an entrusted to her. Still clinging to a sliver of hope, she threatened Zhao Xing that if he didn't let her enter Furong Garden, she would marry Zhu Xiang off to someone else.

Sure enough, Zhao Xing pondered for a long time, scratched his head, knelt down and said, "If Madam were to marry Zhu Xiang off to someone else, then this servant would accompany her as part of her dowry!"

Zhu Xiang, blushing, ran out and stared at Zhao Xing, who was acting foolishly, from outside the courtyard. She thought to herself, "He's really a blockhead!"

Left with no other choice, Yan Ning could only wait for Fukang'an to return from the military camp at the mansion gate early in the morning. If she didn't greet him at the mansion gate, she would have to go to Chunying Garden to find him immediately. Yan Ning never wanted to set foot in that place again in her life.

Having not seen Fukang'an for several days, Yan Ning was originally holding a grudge. But thinking about seeing him later, the longing in her heart spread freely across her face.

Even in winter, Fukang'an rarely rode in a sedan chair, preferring to travel by horse wherever he went. By the age of nineteen, he was already riding a horse in the Forbidden City under imperial decree, so there was no place in the world that his horse could not reach.

Yan gazed at the black figure galloping away in the distance. Beneath the black cloak was a deep crimson robe, its wrists bound with light gray sashes for warmth. Her face was somewhat stiff; after so many days apart, she had forgotten how to speak to him.

In a daze, Fukang'an's tall figure came into Yan Ning's view. Behind him, the gatekeeper's servants led the horse to the side gate. She felt embarrassed, but she couldn't look away. She stared into Fukang'an's dark, bottomless eyes, like a deep, still pool that seemed to want to drown her.

His dashing and spirited demeanor stirred the hearts of countless women in the capital.

The old lady's words from this morning echoed in Yan Ning's ears again. She suddenly remembered what Zhu Xiang had said: that the words "no concubines allowed" were etched on her face. Yan Ning quickly covered her face with her hand, afraid that Fu Kang'an would see the complaints hidden in her heart.

"Let's go back!"

His words, barely audible, mingled with the white mist from his breath, like the winter sun, a mere illusion. Then he turned past Yan Ning, brushing against her.

Yan Ning could no longer see Fukang'an's deep crimson figure hidden beneath his black cloak; all she could hear was the sound of his riding boots on the stone slabs. Her hand, which was half-covering her face, froze, unsure whether to cover it or let it fall.

He was still angry, angry about those trivial, unclear things.

Yan Ning's tender words turned into a cold, icy question: "New Year's Eve is in five days. How long does the general plan to keep Aunt Lian locked up?" It was not as if she were speaking to her husband.

She rarely addressed him as "General," always calling him by his given name without any courtesy. Fukang'an's gaze sharpened, and he stopped, turning back to look at Yan Ning, who was still standing outside the threshold of the Fucha residence. The high threshold concealed her platform shoes, giving the impression that she was tall and imposing, and coupled with her cold expression, he felt no pity or tenderness towards her.

"Zhao Xing, remove the guards from Furong Garden!" Fukang'an said expressionlessly, his eyes no longer looking at Yan Ning.

His command and the sound of his boots clattering on the stone slabs rose at the same time. His figure quickly bypassed the screen wall where the auspicious clouds and the bright red sun obscured the view of the mansion. Then came the sound of the hanging flower gate being pulled open.

Zhu Xiang's hands tightened, looking worriedly at Yan Ning's cold expression. Fu Kang'an had never treated her mistress like this before. Usually, Yan Ning's every smile, frown, or lowered head would warm Fu Kang'an's heart. But today, there was not a trace of warmth in Fu Kang'an's eyes from beginning to end.

She followed behind Yan Ning, who was hurrying forward, watching as her cloak gradually tightened, enveloping her frail body. Although Zhu Xiang was worried, she dared not utter a word.

Yan Ning arrived at Furong Garden, and Zhao Xing followed her there. He took the general's edict and ordered them to disperse.

Xiang'er, her feet wrapped in thick white cloth, was playing in the snow in the Hibiscus Garden, carefree and innocent like a child. But since no new snow had fallen for a long time, the melting snow was even colder.

Yan Ning pulled her into the room and ordered the servants to immediately fetch hot water for her to soak her feet. A maid brought in the water and placed it beside the bed. Xiang'er put her feet in, but immediately took them out, stubbornly refusing to get her feet in the water. Yan Ning was a little puzzled and put her hand into the water; it was neither warm nor cold.

She looked at Rongxi with some anger, and Rongxi immediately knelt down. "Madam, Furong Garden is heavily guarded and we servants are not allowed to go out at all. Although we have no shortage of clothes and other necessities every day, the people in this courtyard are still suffering because of the concubine's crimes."

Outside the courtyard, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, but inside, all was silent. No wonder the maids vented their anger on Xiang'er. Yan Ning sighed, resting her head on Xiang'er's knees. Tears welled in her eyes. "Though our situations are different, we are in a similar predicament! I have the title of Lady, and you have You Yuanzhi's devoted companionship. If Fukang'an is willing to serve only me, I would rather do everything myself and not ask for servants to attend to me!"

Xiang'er's hand, which was reaching to stroke Yan Ning's hair, paused. Her silly smile froze. Wasn't You Yuanzhi already dead?