Looking at the man in front of her, who could only be described as beautiful, Yan Ning could never believe that he was the same person as the chubby, ugly man in movies and TV dramas.

His eyes were like autumn water, his nose was straight and delicate, his lips were red and moist, and his teeth were like jade. He was always smiling, and when he laughed, his eyes were like crescent moons. Even someone as beautiful as Yan Ning felt jealous of him.

"I was unaware that you were from the Fucha household. It was a misunderstanding just now. Today, I have been urgently summoned by the Emperor and cannot stay any longer. I will come to apologize another day." Heshen bowed slightly.

Seeing that he was dressed in court attire and was currently in the street, Yan Ning knew that many things were not suitable to be mentioned, so she gave a slight bow and said, "Goodbye, Your Excellency."

"Liu Quan, go and find out the background of this girl!" Heshen sat in his official sedan chair, his eyes like crescent moons.

“Miss, the horse’s hoof has been pierced by a sharp object, and it is probably no longer able to drive the carriage. Please wait for me a moment, and I will go and fetch a sedan chair,” Zhao Xing said, looking at the horse that had run away.

"Is it still far?" Yan Ning stopped Zhao Xing, who was about to leave.

"It's not far."

"Let's walk there then. I'm tired of riding in the carriage anyway." Yan Ning felt it was more comfortable to talk to military officers like Fukang'an, unlike talking to Heshen, who was more difficult to talk to.

Yan Ning learned from Zhao Xing that the inner city of Beijing was the residence of the Manchus, and the higher the official's status, the closer they were to the imperial city. The outer city, or southern city, was inhabited by Han officials and ordinary people. Because the Eight Banners did not engage in production, the inner city was not as prosperous as the southern city.

"Miss, this is it." After passing through a series of alleys, Zhao Xing stopped in front of a mansion. Yan Ning looked in the direction Zhao Xing pointed and saw the words "Blessed Residence" hanging on the gate.

"This is my general's villa. He said it's quiet and suitable for a young lady to live in. However, no woman has ever lived here before, so many things are not available. I will take you to rest first, and then I will go and purchase what you need. Please feel free to tell me what you need."

As Zhao Xing spoke, Yan Ning observed the structure of the courtyard. Because she liked ancient architecture, Yan Ning also had some knowledge of courtyard houses.

This is a typical courtyard house. After entering the main gate, there is a second gate, the hanging flower gate, before the main courtyard. In addition to trees and flowers, there are wooden stakes, stone blocks, weapon racks, etc. in the main courtyard.

Zhao Xing led Yan Ning through the covered corridor of the east wing into the backyard, where a door connected to another courtyard.

This courtyard doesn't resemble a traditional siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). The first thing you see is a garden, some of the flowers already withered. The chrysanthemums, usually associated with reclusive gentlemen, are now considered the queen of flowers. Behind the garden is a rockery, leading down to a covered walkway that ends at a pavilion. In the lotus pond beside it, the blooming season is over, leaving only large patches of withered leaves, a somber sight that evokes a sense of melancholy.

Yan Ning's residence was at the end of a tree-lined path, a small courtyard with the words "Liuxiang Garden" written on it. Inside were three main rooms and two rooms each in the east and west wings. There were two plum trees in the courtyard, but perhaps it was not yet the season, so only the branches were in full bloom.

There were three main rooms: a hall in the middle, a bedroom on the left, and a study on the right. Yan Ning glanced at the bedroom and thought to herself, "It really is a man's room. Apart from some essential utensils, there are no other miscellaneous items." Although Zhao Xing said that someone regularly cleaned the place, it felt a bit desolate because no one had lived there for a long time.

"Miss, please rest first. This servant will go to the manor to deliver a message to the madam." Zhao Xing said, preparing to close the door and leave.

"Wait a minute." Yan Ning called out to Zhao Xing, "Tell me about the Fucha family so I can understand and avoid making mistakes."

Seeing that the young lady wanted to know about the Fucha family, Zhao Xing acted as if no one knew more about it than him and began to tell Yan Ning in detail.

General Fucha has long since passed away. His wife's maternal family is the Yehenara clan, and she currently resides in the Kangjian residence. Fukang'an is the general's third son. His elder brother, Fuling'an, was a prince consort, but he too has passed away. His second brother, Fulong'an, was also a prince consort, but he fell ill during the campaign against Jinchuan and is currently recuperating at the princess's residence. His fourth brother, Fuchang'an, is a newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Manchu Plain Red Banner and Minister of the Military Equipment Bureau. Both of the princesses in the Fucha household are consorts of princes.

Fukang'an's wife, Irgen Gioro Xiying, was dignified and virtuous, and considerate of her servants; Aunt Lian, Xiang'er, was skilled in singing and dancing, and charming, but she was cold to others.

"How many wives and concubines does he have?" Yan Ning interrupted Zhao Xing before he could finish speaking.

"Hehe..." Zhao Xing could tell that Yan Ning was jealous, so he said with a wicked smile, "Then there are a few concubines who have served the general since he was a child."

"Alright, go ahead!"

Yan Ning lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep. With such a prominent family background, it was only natural for him to have many wives and concubines. She would soon be gone from here, so why should she care so much?

In the "He Di" room, Liu Quan reported to Heshen, "My lord, that girl came to the capital with Zhao Xing and is now living in the Fu residence. Zhao Xing went to fight in Jinchuan three years ago with Fukang'an, so we still need to go to Jinchuan to verify the girl's background."

"Alright, send someone to Jinchuan to find out exactly where this girl came from. Also, send someone to keep an eye on the Fu residence. I need to know when she left and where she went."

With Fukang'an's military prowess, it would be easy for him to rise to the top of the military officials in the future. He had repeatedly tried to befriend him, but had been rejected each time. Fukang'an lacked nothing in terms of status, money, and beauty. Now that this woman was able to live in the Fu residence, she must be Fukang'an's weakness. Heshen picked up the blue-and-white porcelain covered bowl on the table; a wisp of tea fragrance wafted out, blurring his crescent-shaped smiling eyes.

"Madam, Zhao Xing has returned." Xi Ying, who was teaching her son to read, immediately got up and went to the hall upon hearing the maid's report.

"This servant greets Madam!" Zhao Xing knelt on one knee.

"Get up. Weren't you with the general at the front? Why did you suddenly come back? Did something happen to the general?" Xi Ying asked anxiously.

"Madam, rest assured, the General is well. He ordered me to return to the capital ahead of schedule to escort Miss Yan Ning back to the capital," Zhao Xing replied, standing up.

"Miss Yan Ning?" Xi Ying realized the reason.

"This is a letter from the general." Zhao Xing presented the letter to the maidservant beside Xi Ying.

"Where is she now?" Xi Ying asked Zhao Xing after reading the letter.

"The general's villa," Zhao Xing answered honestly.

"The Fu Residence?" Xi Ying's heart skipped a beat. Even she herself wasn't allowed to spend the night in this secluded courtyard; despite Aunt Lian's constant pleading, the General had never allowed her to linger there. Now, this woman had moved in without warning. What was her background? Could she still maintain her position?

Xi Ying's tears flowed back into her heart, but she had no choice but to uphold the dignity and virtue expected of a general's wife. "Zhao Xing, prepare the sedan chair to go to the Fu residence."

"Yes, this servant will go immediately." Zhao Xing left the hall.

"Xia'er, tell Aunt Lian this news." Xi Ying's eyes were gentle and refined, without a trace of emotion.