Even though she already knew the answer, hearing it from someone else still made Yan Ning pause in her tracks. Turning her head, she heard the crisp sound of the pearls and jade ornaments in her hair clashing together.

She looked at Peng Ruo carefully.

Compared to Wu Chun's petite figure, she exudes a more dignified air. Although she possesses a graceful and ethereal quality and her brows convey a sense of aloofness, she is actually quite clever and quick-witted, and her sharp tongue reveals that she is not a person with a quiet and reserved nature.

Peng Ruo was on her way to the back room of Liaoyin Pavilion to prepare for her performance, and parted ways with Yan Ning a few meters away from the pavilion. Yan Ning stared blankly at the spot where Peng Ruo disappeared, only able to see that white cloak. She heard Zhu Xiang's casual sigh, and her heart sank.

"This young lady Peng's temperament is very similar to that of the madam when she first arrived, but she has an added gentleness and grace in her speech!"

Zhu Xiang, being meticulous, had already sent someone ahead to inform Zhao Xingyan about the upcoming banquet.

Before Yan Ning even reached Liaoyin Pavilion, Fukang'an came out to greet her, his air thick with the sensual atmosphere of the banquet, making him appear slightly drunk. But Yan Ning knew that he had an excellent tolerance for alcohol and rarely got drunk; he was probably just pretending to be drunk to avoid drinking and deceive others.

Thinking of this, Yan Ning felt a warmth in her heart. She handed the hot water bottle to Zhu Xiang and, disregarding the servants beside her, warmed Fu Kang An's cheeks with her own hands still warm.

Fukang'an was also startled, then smiled and took Yan Ning's hands in his palms, his eyes shining with tenderness in the dark and quiet night.

The servants behind them had bowed their heads and retreated, leaving only Yan Ning and Fu Kang standing quietly in the wind. A faint fragrance of plum blossoms wafted from a plum tree beside them, but without the servants holding the lanterns, the color of the blossoms was still indistinct.

Yan Ning felt a little shy under Fu Kang'an's gaze. She lowered her eyes to look at the only thing "revealed" outside her dress: a pair of soft satin flowerpot-shaped shoes. The light lotus-red satin soles were embroidered with peonies using gold and silver threads. Originally, the needlework was so fine that even the stamens of the flowers could be counted, but now only the tiny sparkles of the gold and silver threads could be seen.

"Go inside! You'll catch a cold!"

After saying this, Fukang'an took Yan Ning's hand and walked towards Liaoyin Pavilion. Because of Fukang'an's persistence, Yan Ning no longer walked with uneven steps.

In the shadows, Peng stared intently at the two figures from their first meeting to their departure, a multicolored smile spreading across his usually cold face.

Upon reaching the front of the Liaoyin Pavilion, Fukang'an released Yan Ning's hand, which was covered in a fine layer of sweat despite the winter heat. A gust of cold wind blew, carrying the chill of frozen sweat, and she quickly pulled her hands back under her blouse.

Two rows of candlesticks, taller than a person, stood in front of the hall, illuminated by lampshades to prevent the wind and snow from extinguishing them. The dark night seemed like daytime. The faint yellow candlelight told Yan Ning that it was a night where the moonlight was hidden.

She looked up and saw nine jade steps leading to the hall, symbolizing continuous advancement. The three characters "Liaoyin Pavilion" stood out faintly in gold on the black plaque, and two pillars in front of the pavilion supported the eaves. To avoid using the imperial color yellow, red round gold and sand red were painted on the pillars, which softened the imposing majesty of gilded decoration and added a touch of gentle family joy.

The banquet arrangements were the responsibility of the steward of the front courtyard. Therefore, Yan Ning only knew about Liaoyin Pavilion but had never been there. Since Xi Ying moved to the west courtyard, Fu Kang'an had issued an order that no one was allowed to go to the west courtyard. Now, it was only because Liaoyin Pavilion was far from the residences of Aunt Fang and Xi Ying that the banquet was being held here.

Standing before the entrance of Liaoyin Pavilion, Zhuxiang helped Yanning remove her veil, revealing a bright red cheongsam underneath, exuding a scholarly charm.

Fukang'an didn't even glance at her, his gaze lingering there until the maid lifted the thick curtain. Only then did he take Yan Ning's hand and lead her into the banquet hall.

The hall was cleared for the performances, with long tables set up on three sides, covered with crimson brocade. Facing south, the old lady sat upright, flanked by Consort Li and a woman whose name Yan Ning did not know. Seeing that she was about the same age as the old lady, Yan Ning wondered which widow of her father from the Fucha family she must be.

The hall, which had been bustling with noise, fell silent the moment Fukang'an brought Yan Ning in; even the sound of a needle falling to the ground could be heard.

Fukang'an led Yan Ning to a seat to the side of the old lady, seemingly noticing her trembling expression, and quietly informed her, "Today is just a family banquet, there are no other branches or relatives!"

When Yan Ning looked at him, he still had a solemn expression.

Fukang'an was seated to the lower left of the main seat, with Fulong'an below him. Below Fulong'an sat Fuchang'an, but Yan Ning had no idea who sat below Fukang'an.

The other women were all facing Yan Ning, including Wu Chun, who had previously lived in the west courtyard as Xi Ying.

There was an empty seat before her, and Yan Ning thought to herself that it must have been her seat.

Now, however, she was led by Fukang'an to sit among the men, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on her face as she looked at the old lady.

The old lady was delighted to see her arrive, and disregarding Fukang'an's disorderly conduct, she gently scolded him with a smile, "Your pampering of her is making you brothers laugh!"

As they spoke, the two women beside him smiled, breaking the deep silence in the hall.

Everyone was slightly tipsy, and the aroma of wine filled the hall. Yan Ning realized she was late, but the annual tradition of the Fucha family staying up together to celebrate the New Year made everyone feel that the banquet had just begun.

As soon as Yan Ning sat down, Zhao Xing personally brought over a wine pot and wine cups. She was already seated with Fukang'an, so there was no need for such a formality. Since he brought them, it must be a token of Fukang'an's goodwill. Yan Ning picked up the wine that Zhao Xing had poured and brought it to her nose to smell it.

It tasted bland, but after taking a deep breath, the aroma of wine wafted from all directions. She looked up at Fukang'an, but he merely swirled the wine in his glass. Yi Yan Ning drank with him.

Yan Ning poured the wine from the cup into her mouth, and the lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth was the aroma of peony juice. But what flowed into her throat was warm water.

Seeing the uncertainty in her eyes, Fukang'an's smile deepened, but he offered no explanation.

Then the women wanted to toast Yan Ning. Yan Ning guessed that everyone else had probably already toasted each other, leaving her out of the way. After drinking a round of toasts, Yan Ning felt a strong warmth in her stomach, but there was no trace of wine in her throat. She became even more certain that she had only drunk a pot of warm water.

Yan Ning lowered her eyes, feeling somewhat ashamed. Fu Kang'an probably thought she had a bad temper when drunk, which was why he was being so cautious with her. Thinking about it, she felt a surge of anger. Taking advantage of Fu Kang'an's inattention, she tried to pick up the wine cup he had placed on the table and quietly gulp it down, earning him an angry glare in return.

Wu Chun offered a final toast to Yan Ning, whose cheongsam was stretched taut by her protruding belly. She smiled faintly, her delicate face endearing. "A single bloom, vibrant and fragrant, makes even the most passionate love affairs seem futile. Your beauty, madam, puts my humble form to shame. I wish you and the general a long and happy life together, a marriage of love and unwavering devotion!"

Her smile was sincere, but Yan Ning's hesitation drew criticism from others.

Hair tied up?

Yan Ning glanced at Xi Ying, who was sitting upright, still with a dignified and virtuous smile, as if the coldness of the West Courtyard over the past few months was nothing more than a dream.