Faced with a man as insightful and indifferent to power as Fukang'an, Heshen almost considered him a confidant. However, one a scholar, the other a warrior, and both representing good and evil, made it impossible for them to get along. Yet, there were certain things he could confide in Fukang'an without hesitation. Although they were bitter enemies in court, they shared the same thought outside of court: to ensure the safety of Yan Ning and their two children.

Heshen told Fukang'an that he had secretly made a rubbing of the Emperor's "Fu" character stele, and that he suspected the strange events surrounding Yan Ning and Yun Wan were related to the jade pendant and the "Fu" character stele in Lingyun Cave. Fukang'an frowned, pondering for a long time, "You mean, Yan Ning isn't from our Great Qing? And her coming to the Great Qing is related to the jade pendant, the 'Fu' character stele, and the auspicious purple glow?"

Heshen nodded. "Didn't you also suspect the origins of the Su couple? You even sent Zhao Xing to personally escort them back to Jiangnan! You should know in your heart whether the Su couple are related to Yan Ning by blood!"

The two men sitting opposite each other shared the same protective instincts towards Yan Ning. For over a decade, they had witnessed her every move. If she were truly a monstrous, otherworldly being who had taken lives, how could she have remained content in this secluded courtyard for so long? For the first time, Fukang'an felt fear in the vast world; he feared his iron hooves would never reach the place Yan Ning cherished. And according to Heshen, for today's strange phenomenon to reappear, the jade pendant, the "Fu" character stele, and the auspicious purple glow were all indispensable.

Fukang'an put away the jade pendant on the table and got up to leave. When he reached the door, he put one hand behind his back and said to Heshen, "I have put away Yan Ning and Yun Wan's jade pendants. As for the 'Fu' character stele in your mansion, if it causes any trouble, I will smash it to dust!"

The two carved doors opened and closed again, and a cold wind blew onto Heshen's smooth, jade-like face. His eyes were like crescent moons, but he thought to himself, "If that day comes, I won't need you, Fukang'an, to lift a finger!"

In the Qin Xin Garden, Ji Wen waited for He Shen. The room was unlit, and He Shen was startled by Ji Wen's watery eyes. He ordered Liu Quan to bring in a lamp. The candlelight illuminated the wrinkles on Ji Wen's face, making them appear slightly undulating. She bowed to He Shen, her voice sorrowful, and said, "Yunwan is almost ten years old now. Don't you forgive me for disobeying your orders that day and taking it upon myself to send Lady Fucha back to the mansion to give birth?"

Heshen didn't respond to her, waving for Liu Quan to escort Jiwen back to her courtyard to rest. Jiwen, however, stubbornly refused to leave. "When I married you, all you thought about was climbing the social ladder, second only to the emperor. Among all the beautiful women, none stirred your heart, so I accepted that I held no place in your heart. Why, then, did you meet Yan Ning, and fill your heart entirely with her, willing to guard her, now a married woman, regardless of your own safety! Have you seen all the concubines you've taken into your household over the years? Their eyes, expressions, and figures always bear a resemblance to Yan Ning. After more than ten years of marriage, I never knew my husband was so infatuated! What is it about her that has bewitched you? What has made you lose your backbone!"

Jiwen wept bitterly, her eyes filled with sorrow. Ten years of neglect from Heshen had robbed her of her former virtuous and graceful demeanor; countless lonely nights had devoured her refined manners. Hearing this, Heshen's face also showed confusion. Where? He didn't know either. For no reason, but with each encounter, Yan Ning's image and voice were firmly etched into his mind and heart.

Heshen ordered Liu Quanqiang to forcefully help Jiwen back to his courtyard. He leaned back in his chair, head tilted back, eyes closed, his whole body seemingly devoid of strength. "What is love in this world, that it makes people willing to die for each other!" he thought. "Who can explain the reason for the passions between men and women in this world?" Even Fukang'an, who was devoted to the country, repeatedly made concessions and schemes for Yan Ning without any apparent reason. Heshen had never been a man of pure desires; where did his lofty integrity come from? It was simply that his heart belonged only to Yan Ning.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, truly a day when auspicious purple clouds were approaching the capital. Fukang'an did not ride a horse, but walked alone on the inner city road. Occasionally, patrolling soldiers would scold him, but upon recognizing him, they would kneel down in fear to pay their respects before leaving to continue their patrol. The intermittent lamps of the mansions cast his shadow in a mottled pattern on the asphalt road.

Over the years, he had indeed neglected his duties at home. He had no time to ponder what Yan Ning was thinking. He had never wanted to admit that Yan Ning was not a citizen of the Qing Dynasty, but now that Heshen had confirmed everything, the fear in his heart was like blood seeping into jade, seeping into the jade and becoming one with it. He was afraid that Yan Ning would leave him, abandoning Yunwan and Dexuan. He had never truly understood the nature of love between men and women; he had only wanted to keep Yan Ning by his side from the moment he saw her.

When Fukang'an returned to Jian Gong Zhai, the sky was already faintly bright. Yan Ning was drowsy beside Yun Wan. Even in the dim candlelight, her stunning beauty could not be concealed. He gently picked her up, intending to lay her on the warm couch, but Yan Ning woke up with a start, crying out "Yun Wan!" His expression softened considerably at Yan Ning's cry; she was so worried about the two children, how could she abandon them?

Yan Ning felt much more at ease when she saw that it was Fukang'an carrying her. She glanced at Yunwan, who was still sleeping peacefully, and wrapped her arms around Fukang'an's neck, letting him carry her to the warm couch. Fukang'an, however, did not put her down, but placed her on his lap, tightening his grip on her.

Yan Ning didn't understand Fukang'an's meaning, but seeing the bloodshot in his eyes, she felt a pang of heartache. "Is something urgent at the military camp? Why are you only returning at this hour?"

Fukang'an buried his head in Yan Ning's neck and mumbled, "It's just that there was a dispute over military pay. I've already sent Qian Yi to handle it!" He noticed that Yan Ning's neck was bare; the jade pendant she used to wear was gone. He immediately looked up and asked sternly, "Where's your jade pendant?" Yan Ning was startled by Fukang'an's sudden change in attitude. She replied blankly, "The cord was a bit loose. I had someone take it to a jade shop to replace the cord. I can pick it up at dawn!"

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