Fukang'an looked up from the ledger, his expression much calmer than this morning. He stared at Yan Ning, who stood behind the curtain, unwilling to approach him, one hand still holding the ledger, the other reaching out to her.

The curtain beside the heated couch was lifted, and the crystal curtains cast a yellowish glow. Fukang'an's deep crimson robe was also tinged with yellow, making him appear gentler.

Yan Ning hesitated, but dared not reach out her hand. The man in front of her was far too cunning and unfathomable.

The two stood a few steps apart, gazing at each other, neither able to discern the other's thoughts.

Zhao Xing brought in the food box and waited outside the inner room. "General, dinner has been brought back!"

Fukang'an put down the account book in his hand and still looked at Yan Ning, "Send the young master's meals to his room, and put my and my wife's meals in the inner room!"

The sound of the wet nurse and Zhao Xing talking softly came from the hall. After a while, Zhao Xing came in carrying a food box, followed by four servants carrying tables and chairs. Zhao Xing gave a wink to Zhu Xiang, who was standing next to Yan Ning, and told her to set out the meal.

A small stove was placed at the bottom of the food box to keep the food warm. Zhu Xiang, Ju Xiang, Lan Xiang and other servants set up the table, took the dishes from the food box and arranged them, warmed the wine and then went out.

Only Yan Ning and Fu Kang An remained in the inner room.

Fukang'an got up and walked towards Yan Ning, took her hand, pulled her to the table and chairs, and helped her sit down. After sitting down, Fukang'an still held Yan Ning's hand in one hand, showing no sign of letting go, but holding it even tighter than before.

Yan Ning stared at Fukang'an's flank. Though not yet twenty-five, he already possessed the weariness of an old man. He must have been completely unaware of the old lady's murmured words this morning. His own origins were as thin as a sheet of paper, yet like an endless cloud, he could neither see the light nor the moon.

She felt a pang of sympathy for Fukang'an. Lowering her head again, she saw that the jade porcelain plate in front of her already contained some dishes, emerald green, bright red, and white, scattered on the translucent jade porcelain plate.

As the panic in her heart gradually subsided, Yan Ning also felt an unbearable hunger in her stomach. She comforted herself, thinking that she must be overthinking things about the child.

She looked at Fukang'an and sighed, "How can I eat with you holding my hand!"

Fukang'an paused as he picked up food for Yan Ning. He looked at Yan Ning, his eyes as dark as the night sky where the moon was hidden, but a hint of embarrassment flashed across them.

His expression warmed, revealing a hint of tenderness.

Yan Ning's hand slipped from Fu Kang'an's hand, it was wet, she didn't know if it was his hot sweat or her own cold sweat.

She picked up her bamboo chopsticks and finished the dishes that Fukang'an had placed on the jade porcelain plate for her. The chopsticks landed on a plate of stir-fried water lilies, their glossy color stimulating her appetite. After eating three or four, Yan Ning was still not satisfied and reached for the dish again with her chopsticks.

Just as she picked it up, her bamboo chopsticks were caught by Fukang'an's bamboo chopsticks.

The plate of water lilies was a bit far from Yan Ning, so she had to stand up slightly to pick up two with her chopsticks. The chopsticks were already unsteady in her hand, and with Fu Kang'an's startling gesture, they slipped from her grasp and fell into the golden thread silver fish soup. A little soup splashed out, and Yan Ning's eyes turned to the soup in the jade porcelain bowl.

The soup contained silverfish from Dongting Lake. Fukang'an, concerned for the unborn child in Wuchun's womb, had ordered his men to travel to Dongting Lake during the freezing winter to purchase them from officials who stockpiled them at home. Though it was called a purchase, what official would dare accept silver from the Fucha family? The Fucha servants merely spent some travel expenses to retrieve the silverfish, and the silver ended up in their own pockets. What was originally a chore had turned into a lucrative one.

At the time, the servants in the manor were vying to go to Dongting Lake, which surprised Yan Ning greatly. But after a moment's thought, she understood why.

When the silverfish arrived in the capital, they were covered with thick icicles, so much so that they could be mistaken for long icicle pillars if one did not look closely. As the icicles melted in the water, the silverfish, with their soft, boneless, and gutless bodies, floated in the clear water like silver shuttles weaving brocade.

Because of its scarcity, Yan Ning distributed all of it to the old lady and Wu Chun; silverfish were never served in her meals.

Yan Ning looked at Fukang'an with suspicion, but he didn't look at her and said indifferently, "Delin likes sunflowers the most!" Then he changed his tone and said, "Someone! Take this plate of sunflowers to the young master!"

When Zhu Xiang came in, she was so frightened by Fu Kang'an's cold tone that her movements became stiff. She hurriedly picked up the dried hibiscus and went out.

Yan Ning looked somewhat embarrassed; she had completely forgotten that the dish was De Lin's favorite. But why was Fu Kang'an so nervous about such a simple dish?

Sipping the golden thread silver fish soup that Fukang'an served her, she had lost all sense of taste. This exquisite delicacy, falling into Yan Ning's mouth, failed to deliver the renowned and intoxicating flavor.

After the meal, Fukang'an went to his study. Yan Ning lay on the warm couch, reading ancient books and recognizing ancient characters, her mind unable to find peace.

She glanced at Zhu Xiang, who was standing to her side, and said in a light tone, "Go and call the wet nurse over. I want to ask Delin how he's been eating lately!"

Without giving it any further thought, Zhu Xiang curtsied and left, lifting the curtain behind her.

After the wet nurse arrived, Yan Ning placed the book on the short-legged table and stared at her. "Has Delin been eating too many sweets lately? He's still young; you mustn't hurt his teeth!"

The wet nurse bowed her head and replied, "Reporting to Madam, I follow your instructions every day: a bowl of fresh milk and two pieces of pastry. I dare not give the young master an extra bowl or piece. Today, the young master is eating honey-scented jujube cake!"

Yan Ning rubbed her hands together half-heartedly, glanced at Zhu Xiang out of the corner of her eye, and then looked at the wet nurse and said, "Is De Lin dressed warmly these days? It's the New Year season, he mustn't catch a cold!"

"Reporting to Madam, I prepare warm clothes for the young master every day and attend to him so that he will not catch a cold."

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