Zhu Xiang's clothes were stained with large patches of blood, which filled Yan Ning with fear. The three of them, Eruoli, knelt beside a tall Taihu rock. The strong sunlight was blocked by the Taihu rock and the trees on it, and the three of them were in the shade.

Yan Ning broke free from Yong Yan's embrace and walked tremblingly toward the servant holding Zhu Xiang. Crimson bloodstains spread around Zhu Xiang's mouth, and her face was lifeless in the cold shadows.

Before her hand even touched the bamboo fragrance, a lot of white light appeared in front of her eyes, and she collapsed into Yongyan's arms.

Figures flickered in Yan Ning's blurry eyes. She wanted to see how Zhu Xiang was doing, but she was too weak to open her eyes wide. Yong Yan's exclamation and the sound of hurried footsteps filled Yan Ning's ears with a cacophony of noise.

Yongyan held the limp Yan Ning in his arms; her face was deathly pale, like a wisp of smoke in the sunlight. He was filled with terror and roared at Eroli, "Go and fetch the imperial physician!"

Oroli felt uneasy, but he couldn't stop his master. He timidly went to the front yard to give orders, and just then he bumped into Heshen, who was rushing over. He immediately felt as if he had found a life-saving charm.

"Lord He, please go and persuade my master! Lady Fucha has fainted in the backyard, and now, the Prince has actually ordered me to fetch the imperial physician!"

Heshen's almond-shaped eyes narrowed, and he pulled up his long robe, taking much larger strides. "Go and fetch Doctor Jin from the city, and order him to go to the Fucha residence immediately!"

Eroli nodded hurriedly and went to the front yard to give Heshen's words to the servants guarding the gate.

Yongyan carried the unconscious Yan Ning hurriedly towards his usual resting room, noticing the crimson stain spreading across her white brocade dress. He hesitated for a moment; Yan Ning was carrying Fukang'an's child.

While he was deep in thought, Heshen had already taken Yan Ning from his hands, and with a casual "This humble subject takes his leave," strode towards the front courtyard.

Yongyan was also shocked by the murderous intent that had just arisen in his heart. He stared blankly as Heshen disappeared at the end of the corridor.

When he came to his senses, he realized that Heshen was thinking of the bigger picture. But Yan Ning had just fainted in her own residence when Heshen arrived. Regardless of his feelings for Yan Ning, Heshen had a firm grasp of what was happening in his own residence.

Yongyan clenched his fists and ordered someone to send Zhuxiang back to the Fucha Mansion along with Yan Ning.

In the carriage, Yan Ning, held in his arms, frowned deeply, and Ling Heshen also narrowed his eyes. In this struggle for the throne, he had never intended to involve her, but unfortunately, she was Fukang'an's person, so he was inevitably drawn into everything.

Yan Ning had no idea where she was; the scenery around her seemed to be constantly shifting like a mirage. She reached out to grab something, but her hand was immediately gripped tightly in someone's. A pair of sorrowful almond-shaped eyes flashed in her weak gaze before she lost consciousness.

Gradually, the chaos subsided, and Yan Ning felt as if she were submerged in water, weak and limp. There was no light around her; she could only hear Zhao Xing's low growls and Zhu Xiang's sobbing, which grew increasingly faint. A sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen, and Zhu Xiang's sobs faded into the distance, filling Yan Ning with fear.

She suddenly opened her eyes, startling the old lady standing beside her. The hair ornament in her hair swayed as she leaned back. In the dim candlelight, the old lady's pale face appeared ashen.

Yan Ning's eyes widened, and she touched her stomach, finding nothing amiss. She breathed a sigh of relief, then glanced around the room, not seeing Zhu Xiang. Grabbing the old lady's hand, she asked anxiously, "Mother, where is Zhu Xiang?"

Seeing Yan Ning awaken, the old lady felt somewhat relieved, but her brows furrowed again. She pulled Yan Ning's hand from hers, her eyes fixed on her. "What exactly happened to you at the Fifteenth Prince's residence? Your master fainted and almost lost his child, your personal maid became mute, and it was Heshen and Lord He who escorted you back to the residence!"

The old lady's voice was unhurried, and Yan Ning could hear every word clearly, but she was not given a chance to ponder.

Yan Ning also didn't know why Heshen had been involved in this matter; she hadn't intended to drag him into this mess. Her hands tightened around the brocade quilt covering her, and the fact that the maid the old lady had mentioned was now mute was something she couldn't let go of. She was still a step too late, and that step would leave Zhu Xiang unable to speak of any of the great sorrows she might experience in her life.

Looking into the old lady's questioning gaze, she couldn't answer what had happened to them. She had revealed the secret: the Fifteenth Prince had killed three servants to protect himself. He had also shown mercy to Zhu Xiang; the other two were probably already dead.

Seeing Yan Ning's tear-streaked face, the old lady's suspicions deepened. She gripped Yan Ning's hand tightly, "Yan Ning, we women should uphold our proper duties! Kang'er dotes on you, but you can't let him lose face in the capital while he's away! Even if you can't be like Liang Hongyu, I, Yehenara Wan Hui, will not allow you to be like Xi Shi boating on the lake with Fan Li!"

After the old lady finished speaking, she left. Yan Ning stared blankly at the old lady's departing figure, unsure how to respond. After Xi Shi harmed the King of Wu, rumors circulated that she and Fan Li had a romantic relationship and crossed the river together. The old lady's meaning was clear: she suspected that Yan Ning was a vixen planted by the Fifteenth Prince beside Fukang'an, solely to ruin his reputation and merits, so that she could later be with Yongyan.

Yan Ning wanted to explain, but didn't know how to begin. If it weren't for Yong Yan's affection for her, De Lin would probably have stayed in the Eighth Prince's mansion for who knows how long, and Zhu Xiang would probably have lost her life. But Yong Yan's affection for her was limited to such trivial matters that didn't interfere with his grand plans. If she were to become even slightly involved with Fu Kang'an, he would not hesitate to use her as a pawn.

The matter between the old lady and the emperor had become an intractable problem in her heart. Yan Ning knew that she was worried that her son would suffer the same humiliation under the imperial power as the deceased General Fu Heng.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!