Heshen swayed, his moon-white robe blocking the summer sunlight filtering through the window. He put his right hand to his forehead and took a few steps back, saying weakly, "Thank you, Madam! Please move her to another courtyard and make sure that Yan Ning and the child are both safe! If you can only save one, then save Yan Ning!"

Jiwen stared at Heshen's pained face, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. Her husband—this was her husband! When had he ever worried about another man's wife and children? These were words that should have been uttered by Fukang'an, yet they came from her husband's mouth. Love extended to everything connected to the beloved; her husband had even extended his affection to the child unborn in Yan Ning's womb, a child born to another man.

She turned her head and looked at the rosewood chair where Heshen had just sat, holding his son. A sense of emptiness filled the air; the joy of family reunion was gone. Since she married Heshen, the two had treated each other with the utmost respect. She knew that Heshen's heart wasn't set on the pleasures of the courtyard. Everyone appreciates beauty, and although Heshen frequented the Wanxiang Pavilion, he always managed to distinguish between the ups and downs of officialdom and the complexities of personal relationships.

If Heshen didn't love any one person, this respectful relationship would be the best for Jiwen. She had the honor of being the legitimate wife and the mother of the eldest legitimate son. No matter how many concubines there were in the mansion, they would all have to kneel before her to enter the mansion.

But Yan Ning was different; she was Fukang'an's wife. Although there was no grand wedding banquet to announce it to the world, everyone in the capital knew that Yan Ning was the wife of the Third Master Fu. The Fucha family was not only related to the imperial family, but Fukang'an also held military power. If Heshen were to have a conflict with Fukang'an, given Heshen's current status, he would only suffer a crushing defeat.

Now, Yan Ning is no longer the person Heshen initially intended to use to control Fukang'an. In the very game he had set up, Heshen had already lost his footing.

When Jiwen met Heshen's eager eyes, all her unspoken words were already in her mind. She didn't say anything else, only bowed to Heshen, and then hurriedly followed Liu Ying to the gate of the mansion.

Ji Wen's crimson skirt billowed gracefully along the long corridor, her steps unsteady, yet her heart remained calm and clear. She and He Shen had been husband and wife since childhood, and she had been by his side for nearly ten years. No one in the world knew more about He Shen's suffering and lofty ambitions than she did. She couldn't let Yan Ning ruin the position and power He Shen had painstakingly earned.

Upon exiting the mansion, Ji Wen saw that the Fucha mansion carriage appeared unharmed, but inside, Zhu Xiang was already in a state of panic and helplessness. Yan Ning bit her lip, trying to alleviate the tearing pain in her abdomen. Her mind was in turmoil; if she drove back to the Fucha mansion now, she feared it would endanger her child's life, and dared not take that risk. She gripped Zhu Xiang's hand tightly, leaning against Zhu Xiang's chest, entrusting her and her child's lives to He Shen.

This was a gamble. If Heshen considered his current status and power, then she would lose. But turning the carriage back to the Fucha residence meant her child's life would be in danger. Pain and worry swept over Yan Ning's already chaotic thoughts.

Jiwen dismissed the coachman who was standing to one side and helped Liu Ying into the carriage. Yan Ning's brocade robe was soaked with sweat, her face was pale and almost transparent, and she looked as if she had been pulled out of the water.

Only a small patch of crimson blood stained Yan Ning's brocade, and Ji Wen breathed a sigh of relief. She took Yan Ning's hand from Zhu Xiang, stared at Yan Ning's half-closed eyes, and said solemnly, "If Madam Fucha doesn't want the child in her womb to be associated with my master in the future, even if it costs you your life, you must ensure that this child is born into the Fucha family! For the sake of the child, and for the sake of my master, Madam Fucha, please hold on!"

The stench of blood on the carriage grew stronger. Ji Wen's hand was bruised from Yan Ning's grip. Despite the pain, she ordered Liu Ying and the coachman from the Fucha Mansion to drive back to the Fucha Mansion.

The rumble of wheels echoed on the not-so-busy streets of the inner city, particularly piercing Yan Ning's ears. She abruptly opened her eyes, looking at Ji Wen with resentment.

This gentle and virtuous woman in her heart has now abandoned her and her son's lives to protect Heshen's position and power.

Yan Ning knew that if the child were born into a family in He Di, it would become the talk of the town, but the child's life was far more important to her than her reputation.

Yan Ning couldn't see what was beneath her. From Zhu Xiang's terrified expression—mouth agape but no sound coming out—she guessed that her brocade robe must be soaked with blood.

Upon arriving at the Fucha residence, Yan Ning had already fainted and was unconscious. Ji Wen instructed Steward Luo to have servants carry Yan Ning back to Jian Gong Zhai in a sedan chair. She left without even entering the Fucha residence. Once inside, Yan Ning and her child's life and death were no longer related to He Di.

The mansion was thrown into chaos by Yan Ning's blood-covered body. Fortunately, the Fucha family had arranged for a midwife to be put on hold a month earlier, and the maids were busy in an orderly manner under her instructions.

Doctor Jin arrived on Heshen's orders. After listening to the maid's account of Yan Ning's unconscious state from outside the curtain, he instructed the servants of Jian Gong Zhai to prepare ginseng soup to replenish Yan Ning's blood and energy.

Upon hearing the news, the old lady immediately rushed to Jiangongzhai. Fulongan, who had come to pay his respects to the old lady, also followed in her footsteps to Jiangongzhai. After hearing about this from Heshen, Fu Chang'an, entrusted by Heshen, also hurriedly returned to his residence. Ruiying and Pengruo followed Fu Chang'an and rushed from their respective courtyards to Jiangongzhai.

In no time, five masters gathered at Jianguozhai, along with their personal servants, and surrounded the Jianguozhai.

Upon receiving the news, Wu Chun rushed to Jiangongzhai. Stepping into the courtyard, he saw Fulongan and Fu Chang'an. Fulongan's expression was as usual. Fu Chang'an, on the other hand, paced back and forth. Wu Chun felt a surge of sarcasm. Anyone unaware of the situation would think that the woman lying dying inside was Fu Chang'an's woman.

After bowing to the two, Wu Chun allowed the maids to lift the beaded curtain and enter the hall.

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