The snow rustled softly outside the window, but upon closer listening, one could discern the enchanting sounds of stringed instruments like the pipa, guzheng, and xiao. Yan Ning suddenly remembered that it was New Year's Eve, and the women invited to the music room for the evening banquet must be making their final adjustments.

Winter days are short and gloomy, and at this hour, the Fucha family members are probably already slowly taking their seats in the banquet hall, Liaoyin Pavilion, in the west courtyard.

Zhu Xiang knelt below, her eyes fixed on the tatami mat where Yan Ning had placed her flowerpot-shaped shoes. The tatami mat was carved with a pattern of mandarin ducks playing in the water, their affection so profound that it was the envy of many. Several times, she had thought that Fukang'an and Yan Ning were such a pair of mandarin ducks, destined to be together for a hundred years.

She did not understand the meaning of Fukang'an's words.

Last night, the stars were scattered under a cold moon, and the servants of Jian Gong Zhai who served Yan Ning were all threatened and silenced by Fu Kang'an. Yan Ning's pregnancy must not be told to her; if anyone dared to gossip, they would be risking their lives.

Every word was sharp and cold, and no one dared to look up to see what Fukang'an's expression was like. Zhuxiang also dared not look at Fukang'an's face to guess his thoughts.

"Madam was exhausted yesterday and her health was depleted. The imperial physician instructed me to take good care of her and not to damage her constitution further, otherwise her illness might linger until next spring! Moreover, the general said that you can recuperate at Jianguozhai and do not need to go to Liaoyin Pavilion in the west courtyard today. He will come to see you later!"

Yan Ning originally did not want to attend this family reunion dinner.

Because of the princess's passing, Fulongan was unable to attend the palace banquet, but he would definitely bring his family to pay their respects to the old lady and pray for a good year. Fu Chang'an and the deceased relatives of the collateral branches would also attend the banquet, as the annual gathering of the collateral branches of the Fucha family was on New Year's Eve.

Most of the general's family members would gossip about Yan Ning, whom they had never met. Yan Ning didn't want to get involved in such unpleasant things, but the old lady said that without a leader in the inner quarters, others would surely laugh at her. Fukang'an's words relieved Yan Ning's anxiety and fear.

But Zhu Xiang's words were evasive, and her eyes were lowered. Ling Yan Ning felt a pang of doubt; before she fell unconscious yesterday, she vaguely heard her own scream, "Blood, blood! Someone, quickly fetch a doctor! The child..."

Her hand unconsciously went to her lower abdomen, and she lowered her head slightly to meet Zhu Xiang's gaze. "I think I heard you mention the child?"

Yan Ning's tone was weak, as if afraid of arousing the hopes in her heart, but it was not what she thought.

“Recently, Madam has had a poor appetite and her tastes are different from before. Moreover, her period is late, which is what I have been secretly guessing! Yesterday, the imperial physician said that Madam’s worries have affected her spleen and lungs, which is why her period is being delayed again and again.” Zhu Xiang buried her head even deeper, her hands gripping the handkerchief so tightly that they dug into her flesh.

Fukang'an originally intended to transfer her elsewhere, but since she was closest to Yan Ning, she would inevitably expose her true colors. It was only because Zhao Xing pleaded on her behalf that she was allowed to stay and continue serving Yan Ning. Fukang'an then repeated his threatening words to her.

Zhu Xiang spoke earnestly, and Yan Ning listened with a mixture of doubt and skepticism. Though she was somewhat confused, her doubts dissipated as the long and short notes played outside the window dissipated. Amidst the interplay of long and short notes, a soft melody drifted into Yan Ning's ears.

She wasn't one to indulge in refined pursuits, but in her quiet, lonely days, she found amusement in this activity to ease her inner turmoil, and she listened attentively to it.

Unable to distinguish whether it was a zither or a qin, Yan Ning only heard sounds of snow falling from the sky and flowers blooming in March, and her heart rippled with a few sentiments along with such melodies.

Ignoring Zhu Xiang's obstruction and the heavy snow falling like goose feathers, Yan Ning went out to find the source of the music.

The first snowflakes fell, not yet covering the intricately woven bluestone slabs of the mansion. Yan Ning, with her flowerpot-shaped shoes, stepped on them, her footsteps firmly settling the drifting snowflakes.

She walked slowly along the embracing-summer path, past the pavilion on the frozen pond. At the eastern corner, under the eaves of an abandoned corridor, she saw a woman playing music. Several pine trees nearby were already laden with snowflakes, their shimmering white petals contrasting beautifully with the verdant green. The woman wore a silver-white dress, a single black ribbon draped down to her chest below her collarbone, flowing gracefully. Her bright eyes lowered, making it difficult to discern her face, but she was undoubtedly a woman of exquisite beauty.

Her slender, delicate fingers moved nimbly. Her hands moved with perfect speed and rhythm, not like playing a musical instrument, but more like a dance of her fingertips.

As the song ended, she looked up at Yan Ning, her slender eyes curving into a smile. Her gaze held a hint of melancholy, like misty rain, and the shyness of a young woman confined to her chambers.

Suddenly, her gaze passed over Yan Ning, she stood up and walked around to the piano stand, bowed her head and knelt down, and Yan Ning's shoulders were weighed down by something heavy.

It was Fukang'an's sable cape, untouched by the snow, still glossy black. His gaze swept over Yan Ning's astonished face and landed on the woman kneeling on the ground. "Get up!"

Yan Ning's doubts piled up like snowflakes. At this moment, Fukang'an should be in Liaoyin Pavilion, having dethroned the eldest son of the Fucha family. Why is he here?

The woman stood up and looked up at Fukang'an and Yan Ning. "I've long heard of the deep affection between the General and his wife, but seeing it with my own eyes today feels like witnessing a divine couple!"

She was quick-witted, unlike her previous ethereal and otherworldly demeanor, making one mistakenly believe that she was untouched by the dazzling lights of the mortal world.

Yan Ning immediately remembered her. That day, when she received the list of musicians, she couldn't bring herself to utter her name. Fu Kang'an teased her mercilessly, recalling the tender glances exchanged behind the crystal curtain, but today things were different. Yan Ning couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

The character 叒 (ruò) is composed of two 又 (yòu) and three 又 (ruò), signifying many who assist each other, thus representing harmony. The ancients elucidated the meaning of choosing friends by combining the characters 三 (sān) and 又 (yòu), signifying shared values ​​and mutual support.

Fukang'an's soft sigh still lingered in Yan Ning's ears, "To dare to use the word 'first,' I wonder what kind of woman you are?" The look in her eyes as she looked at Peng Ruo was no longer filled with the previous intoxication of music, but rather with a hint of contemplation.

Peng Xue's daughter, a salt transport official in Fujian, was unwell and unable to enter the palace for the imperial concubine selection. Despite the arduous journey, she traveled for months to the capital, all for the sake of performing for the Fucha family on New Year's Eve. Yan Ning had initially assumed she was of average appearance and, having no hope of being selected, had feigned illness to avoid the selection process. She also refused to marry into an ordinary official's household. Therefore, she wrote to the Fucha family, citing her exceptional talent, to present her skills to the matriarch on New Year's Eve.

Now, seeing her, her spirit is as pure as a snow-capped lotus, her beauty puts to shame all the other girls from humble families, and her talent surpasses everyone else's. If she were to enter the palace for the imperial concubine selection, she would surely be the top choice. So why has she come to the Fucha residence with such a humble attitude?

“Miss Pengruo only arrived at the Fucha residence yesterday and should have had a good rest, but unfortunately she will have to go to Liaoyin Pavilion again later. If any of the maids or nannies do not serve her properly, please let me know.”

Yan Ningxin suspected the purpose of her visit, but still politely excused herself and left.

The path back was covered by snow, and the oil-paper umbrellas held by the servants swayed precariously in the wind. Yan Ning wanted to order them removed, but Fu Kang'an stopped her. His worried expression only deepened Yan Ning's confusion.

Fukang'an took a few steps ahead. Without lifting his feet, he used them as a broom to clear away the still-thick snow beneath his feet.

"She is Peng Xue's illegitimate daughter!"

A faint voice came from ahead, like snowflakes dodging the oil-paper umbrella and drifting onto Yan Ning's sable-covered robe.