Fearing being recognized, Yan Ning withdrew from the tea-serving service and followed them to the temporary kitchen. There was a brief pause between the first and second rounds of tea serving, and different people served each round.

This morning, Yan Ning used a combination of threats and inducements against Zhao Xing, and even brought up Zhu Xiang, before Zhao Xing finally arranged a leisurely tea-serving job for her in the temporary kitchen. Yan Ning noticed that the servants who had returned with her were all chatting in an empty room, while preparations were underway for the next round of tea serving.

Yan Ning walked to the last servant in the group, who was about twenty years old, and whispered to him, "Brother, I am new to the Fucha Mansion and have never seen such a world! I wonder if you could broaden my horizons?" Seeing that the servant glanced at the steward, Yan Ning stuffed the loose silver that Zhu Xiang had prepared for her into his hand.

The man handed the tray to Yan Ning, cleared his throat, and said, "I've been in the Fucha Manor for so many years, I've seen all kinds of situations. I've even served tea to the Emperor! This is your chance to broaden your horizons!"

Yan Ning nodded to the man and said repeatedly, "Thank you, brother! Thank you, brother!"

Following behind the servants, Yan Ning had just arrived at the theater in the west courtyard when Fu Long'an, Fu Kang'an, and Fu Chang'an walked in side by side. In a fluster, Yan Ning quickly walked towards He Shen. He Shen glanced up at Fu Kang'an, then reached out and took the half-spoiled covered bowl from Yan Ning's hand.

The old lady and the women of the Fucha family sat behind a light gauze curtain, not allowed to meet the men at the outer table. Fulongan, Fukangan, and Fuchangan walked outside the curtain, and the three knelt down together, clasping their hands in a fist, "Your children wish Mother boundless happiness and longevity!" The old lady inside the curtain slightly extended her hand and said lovingly, "Rise, all of you!"

Yan Ning didn't know whether Fu Long'an was born to the old lady. But Fu Chang'an was born to Concubine Li. How could he call the old lady "Mother" in front of his own mother? Yan Ning glanced at Concubine Li, who was sitting below the old lady. Under the veil, Yan Ning couldn't see Concubine Li's appearance.

The officials scattered in the garden waited for the three brothers to rise, then put down their covered bowls and bowed respectfully towards the direction where the old lady sat, saying, "Wishing Madam Fucha boundless happiness and longevity!" The Manchu officials' families also rose, took out handkerchiefs from their waists, and, with Xi Ying at the head, bowed, saying, "Wishing Madam Fucha boundless happiness and longevity!"

Yan Ning was stunned by the scene. It was just a general's mother's birthday celebration, yet the officials were taking it so seriously. It seemed that the Fucha family hadn't only become so favored after Fukang'an came to power, Yan Ning thought to herself. Hearing Heshen cough softly beside her, Yan Ning realized that she was the only one standing upright in the entire garden, and quickly bent down, holding the tray in her hands as well.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Madam Fucha said "good" three times in a row. Although she tried her best to remain dignified and reserved, the smile seemed to be etched on her face and could not be removed.

The servants who accompanied Yan Ning had already left. Seeing Yan Ning standing there in a daze, the steward hurriedly gave her several meaningful glances, beckoning her to leave, but Yan Ning simply ignored him. Zhao Xing stopped the steward who was trying to pull Yan Ning away and told him to let Yan Ning stay and serve.

The steward glanced at Yan Ning a few times. He didn't know her background, but when Zhao Xing had put her in the temporary kitchen that morning, he knew Zhao Xing was Fukang'an's confidant and dared not offend him. So he assigned Yan Ning the task of serving tea. The old lady's birthday banquet was such a big event; if Yan Ning made a mistake while serving, his life would be in danger. However, the steward also dared not offend Zhao Xing. After much deliberation, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Zhao Xing before retreating, silently praying that Yan Ning wouldn't cause any trouble.

Yan Ning gave Zhao Xing a thumbs up, and seeing his "good luck" expression, she couldn't help but laugh, her mustache twitching. Fu Long'an, Fu Kang'an, and Fu Chang'an sat down next to the old lady, chatting and laughing with her.

The birthday gifts from officials in the capital and other regions had already been stored in the treasury; today, the Fucha family was simply hosting a banquet to reciprocate. When Fukang'an saw that most of the guests had arrived, he signaled Zhao Xing to begin the banquet. Zhao Xing, upon receiving the order, hurried to the temporary kitchen and instructed the steward to serve the meal.

Under the steward's direction, servants methodically brought out dishes that combined the characteristics of both northern and southern cuisines. Yan Ning weaved through the servants, walked to Heshen's side, and asked, "Have you seen Ji Xiaolan and Liu Yong?"

Heshen glanced around, avoiding the attention of the other officials, and asked, "What do you want with them?"

"I······"

"ah······"

Yan Ning originally wanted to say, "I want to see if they really are a hunchback and a dashing gentleman." She had just uttered the word "I" when E Lan's flower-patterned shoes stomped hard on her foot. The thick, hard soles of the shoes made Yan Ning disregard everything else and, enduring the pain, squat down to rub her foot.

Heshen's attention was entirely focused on the officials at the same banquet as him, and he didn't see E'lan approaching. Although he felt sorry for Yan Ning, who was squatting on the ground, he couldn't show it in the Fucha residence, so he could only pretend that nothing had happened and continue drinking his wine.

"You dog servant! Are you blind? You're getting in my way!" E'lan cursed at Yan Ning, who was squatting on the ground rubbing her feet.

Yan Ning glared at E Lan. If E Lan hadn't deliberately stretched her foot out towards her, she wouldn't have been able to step on her foot at all. Some people in the crowd had already noticed the unusual situation. Not wanting her identity to be discovered, Yan Ning lowered her head and whispered, "This servant deserves to die! Please calm down, Your Highness!"

E'lan, determined to provoke her, persisted, using her flower-patterned shoes to lift Yan Ning's chin and look down at her. Yan Ning, unable to bear the humiliation, slapped E'lan's foot away, ignoring the pain in her foot as she stood up and glared at E'lan.

The steward noticed the commotion and rushed over. When he saw that it was Yan Ning, he disregarded Zhao Xing's feelings and scolded Yan Ning, sending her back to the kitchen. Then, he smiled and begged E Lan to calm down.

E'lan tried to stop Yan Ning, but Heshen grabbed her wrist. "Why should Princess E'lan make such a fuss over a servant? It's beneath your dignity!"

Yan Ning turned around and stopped when she heard Heshen's voice. E Lan shook off Heshen, her smile widening at her cheekbones, "Everyone says Lord Heshen is the best at flattering the wind, but it turns out he's actually so kind and benevolent!"

He Shen could easily hear the sarcasm in E Lan's voice, yet he still greeted her with a smile, "Princess E Lan has been quite idle in the mansion lately, which I, He Shen, greatly envy!"

When Xi Ying noticed the commotion, she helped Xia'er over. When she saw that Yan Ning had lost half of his mustache, her hands holding Xia'er stiffened.