Fukang'an helped Wuchun into the carriage first. Above the curtain hung two auspicious lanterns, adorned with bright red tassels. Each of the six sides of the lantern was painted differently, and as the carriage moved, the lanterns moved with it, changing the painted surface. However, the inside was hollow, unable to hold a candle.

Yan Ning wanted to see more clearly what was painted on the lantern, so she stared at the carriage. When Fukang'an approached her, she realized that what she was looking at was actually the man in official robes in front of her.

The sky was still pitch black, and the lanterns in front of the mansion only illuminated the immediate vicinity. The carriage was a few steps away from the bottom of the stone steps when Fukang'an stood there, extending his hand to Yan Ning. He wore an official robe, its color somber; his official hat had short animal hairs, the color of which was indistinguishable in the candlelight, also a somber color; all of this made his handsome and refined face appear even more weathered.

Yan Ning took her hand off the hot water bottle and reached out to Fukang'an. She lowered her head and followed his lead down the stone steps, but Fukang'an pulled her to a position opposite to the carriage.

The carriage was directly facing the gate of the mansion, where it could still catch some of the light from the lanterns. At this moment, Fukang'an was leading Yan Ning to a place where they could only see the asphalt slabs under their feet by the dim, cold moonlight.

After stopping, he said gently to Yan Ning, "Although you have been in the palace for some time, you still cannot act as you please. You must always follow your mother's lead!"

His tone was extremely gentle, but the surroundings were dim and cold. Yan Ning could not see any warmth in his eyes, only a cold light.

Yan Ning lowered her head, staring at the blue brocade court robes hidden beneath the cloak, with their red lining. When she first entered the palace, she was merely a general's wife with a title but no real power, and even her flowerpot-soled shoes had to be removed when serving the Empress Dowager. Yet, in just a few months, she was wearing these brocade robes that symbolized her status.

The past few months back at the Fucha residence have been long and complicated, and upon reflection, everything has changed in the blink of an eye. Now, it's about how Lian Xiying was moved to the West Courtyard, and how she was taken away from the capital along with Xiang'er.

The dark blue collar sash clung tightly to her neck, and despite the winter weather, Yan Ning felt a stifling heat in her heart. She reached out to unbutton the collar, but Fukang'an grabbed her hand.

He was somewhat displeased. "I just gave you instructions, why did you act on your whim again!"

She froze, staring at his still indifferent expression. Fukang'an's face rarely changed; only his eyes revealed his true feelings. Through the thick, lingering frost, she couldn't even see his eyes clearly.

Yan Ning hurriedly pulled her hand away and took a few steps away from Fukang'an. She had been to Furong Garden before; there were guards there, but Xiang'er wasn't there, and even the servants were confined to the courtyard, with meals delivered by a designated servant each day—it was like house arrest. Upon seeing Yan Ning, the servants in the courtyard all knelt down in unison. "Aunt Lian is currently ill and weak; she is not fit to see Madam!"

This scene made Yan Ning suspicious. What had Fukang'an done to them to make them so paranoid? Rongxi was gone, just like Mingxin, vanished without a trace.

Hibiscus Garden was the most exquisite courtyard among the women's residences in this mansion, but now it was the most deserted. The courtyard still contained intricately carved Taihu stones, a long-dried-up lotus pond, and withered branches of flowering trees. The people were gone; though the place wasn't completely empty, it had taken away the warmth and life of the courtyard.

Because of Fukang'an's actions, only the servants in Furong Garden, along with himself, Yan Ning, and Zhao Xing, knew that Xiang'er was gone; even the old lady was kept in the dark.

After calming down for three days, Yan Ning was still filled with lingering fear. With the Lunar New Year's Eve approaching, the concubine of the General's Mansion had run off with someone. If outsiders were to hear about such a scandalous affair in the mansion, the entire capital would probably secretly ridicule Fukang'an.

How could Fukang'an, with his temperament, possibly tolerate this? If the old lady found out, she would have already been punished by family law. Yan Ning felt ashamed to face Fukang'an, so his not coming to see her suited her wishes.

Now that Fukang'an is safe and sound in the manor and doesn't get angry with her, Yan Ning is even more unable to understand the thoughts of the man beside her.

Seeing that Yan Ning was distant from him, Fukang'an frowned slightly and then stopped looking at her, standing there waiting for the old lady to come out. The two stood a few steps apart, like two ice sculptures.

Zhu Xiang and Zhao Xing exchanged a glance, neither able to fathom their master's thoughts, so they could only stand still and remain motionless.

A few carriages passed by sporadically on the street, the cold crack of whips echoing through the air. The inner city was inhabited by officials, and Yan Ning guessed they were likely court ladies on their way to the palace to pay their respects.

As Li Mama helped the old lady out of the mansion gate, she saw Fukang'an and Yan Ning from a distance. She wondered if Yan Ning was throwing another tantrum.

When Fukang'an saw the old lady come out, he hurried over and helped her into the carriage. Then he picked up Yan Ning, who had followed closely behind, and placed her in the carriage as well.

After settling in, Yan Ning lifted the curtain and looked at Fukang'an, who had already mounted his horse. A warm feeling welled up inside her; he treated her differently after all. No matter what she did, he would always be there to support her. She unconsciously smiled, her eyebrows curving upwards. She inadvertently met the old lady's thoughtful gaze, and as she lowered her eyes, she met Wu Chun's jealous eyes. Yan Ning lowered her head, her temples flushing red.

Inside the carriage, Wu Chun kept glancing at the auspicious robes worn by Yan Ning and the old lady, then at her own ordinary brocade cheongsam. Her hands, tucked into her cloak, were clenched tightly, but her face remained as gentle as a spring breeze.

Not daring to overstep the bounds of propriety, yet unwilling to lose face, she spent three whole days agonizing over what clothes to wear and what hair ornaments to adorn herself with. She wanted to ask Fukang'an, but he remained in his study.

Wu Chun ordered her maids to bring some clothes she liked and followed her to the study to ask Fukang'an what he thought. He ignored her worried face, looked at the pile of clothes carried by the maids behind her, and said lightly, "Just don't overstep the bounds of propriety!" Then he lowered his head to look at the military book in his hands.

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