After the palace maids cleared away the food, Yan Ning served the Emperor and Fukang'an a cup of chestnut tea soup.
After tasting the flavor, the two exchanged a smile. Yan Ning looked at Fukang'an and the Emperor, and realized that their every expression and gesture was remarkably similar.
The Emperor's bright yellow dragon robe contrasted beautifully with Fukang'an's deep blue robe, both exuding an air of nobility.
The Emperor glanced at the white silk ribbon on Fukang'an's arm, and his voice became angry again, "Although the main culprit is dead, we must find out if they have any accomplices. This matter is probably not so simple, as they were able to get close to me so easily!"
Without the previous awkwardness, their conversation was no longer stiff and cold. The similar, transcendent air of heroism between them allowed them to understand each other's words and actions implicitly.
Fukang'an nodded, "Your Majesty, I will immediately investigate this matter thoroughly!"
The Emperor waved his hand, softening his tone, "No rush, I have already handed this matter over to Heshen!" His eyes were full of heartache as he looked at Fukang'an's wounds.
Yan Ning stood to the side, suddenly remembering the day she had encountered the assassin. She quickly knelt before the Emperor, "This servant has something to ask, I wonder if it would be of any use in your investigation of the assassin?"
"Tell me your story!"
Having received the Emperor's permission, Yan Ning glanced at Fukang'an again. Seeing him nod at her, she was about to speak.
"Your Majesty, Lord Heshen requests an audience!" reported Li Yu, the chief eunuch outside the door.
"Enter!"
The Emperor gestured for Yan Ning to rise, saying he would report later. Yan Ning returned to the Emperor's side, sighing that in this patriarchal society, how could the words of a mere woman carry the weight of a minister?
Heshen wore a moon-white robe with only a few clusters of flowers embroidered on the sleeves. He had no ornaments at his waist and looked as simple and unassuming as a scholar from an ordinary noble family.
After he finished kneeling and bowing, he did not rise. The Emperor then asked, "What business do you have with me, my dear minister?"
Heshen's crescent-shaped eyes narrowed into almond-shaped ones. "Your subject is guilty!"
"What crime have you committed?" the Emperor asked, puzzled.
Heshen kowtowed with his hands on his head, saying, "Yesterday, I encountered assassins on the road. Seeing that they spoke with local accents, I did not question them in time."
Yan Ning was surprised that He Shen hadn't mentioned their mission of sending the letter.
The Emperor did not pursue Heshen's crimes, and Fu Kang'an was put in charge of the guards. After Heshen left, Fu Kang'an stopped Yan Ning. He knelt down before Yan Ning, saying, "Your Majesty, please entrust this matter to me!"
The Emperor glanced at Fukang'an's wound. Although he hadn't pursued the matter of Heshen, Heshen was ultimately responsible for failing in his duty to protect the Emperor. "Minister He, you are a civil official, and I also feel that it is very appropriate to entrust this matter to you!"
When Fu Chang'an rushed into the yurt, his forehead covered in sweat, Yan Ning had just finished bandaging Fu Kang'an's wounds. He knelt down as soon as he entered, and Yan Ning quickly got up to help him up.
"Make him kneel!" Fukang'an's voice was filled with anger, and Yan Ning stood there, unsure of what to do. Her eyes darted between the two men.
Fu Chang'an's dark green embroidered robe was somewhat dirty and disheveled. His head was drooping, and his braid was loose. Yan Ning couldn't see his expression clearly.
Fukang'an walked to his side with one hand behind his back, drew a sword from the weapon rack with his left hand, and held it to his neck.
Yan Ning looked at the two brothers in surprise. Fu Chang'an was destined to become the second most corrupt official under Heshen's control. Fu Chang'an had clearly committed a crime, but why was Fu Kang'an so angry?
"This is a capital offense! If the Emperor is angered, it could even implicate the entire Fucha family!" Fukang'an's eyes were filled with rage as he spoke each word with defiance. The embroidered qilin on his sleeve shone brightly and was incredibly lifelike, radiating an awe-inspiring majesty.
Fu Chang'an's thin body trembled slightly, like a child who had done something wrong. "Please, Third Brother, save me! I promise I will never again be greedy for bribes from others!" Fu Chang'an held up three fingers, his hand trembling, and swore to the heavens.
Fukang'an put the sword back and sat back down. One hand rested on the table, and he said expressionlessly, "I can't save you!"
Seeing Fu Kang'an's indifferent expression, Fu Chang'an crawled on his knees and grabbed Yan Ning's dress, "Sister-in-law, save me! Sister-in-law, do you still remember that when Third Brother was not back, Fu Chang'an also tried his best to help you!"
In Yan Ning's eyes, Fu Chang'an had always been a spoiled young master. This was the first time she had realized Fu Chang'an's age; he was not yet twenty. His eyes, gleaming with a childlike thirst for survival, made her unable to imagine that this helpless child would later become the second most corrupt official in the Qianlong Dynasty.
After hesitating for a long time, she nodded. Fu Chang'an was telling the truth; he had helped her more than once. But she didn't know what crime he had committed and couldn't bring herself to ask Fu Kang'an.
As if understanding Yan Ning's thoughts, Fu Chang'an's lips trembled slightly, "Those assassins were let in after I accepted bribes!"
"you······"
Yan Ning slapped away Fu Chang'an's hands, which were gripping her skirt, and stepped back to Fu Kang'an's side. Her eyes were filled with anger and heartache. She had thrown a ball of fire full of thorns at Fu Kang'an, which was now firmly stuck to his hand. If she let go of it, Fu Chang'an would die; if she didn't, she would only set herself on fire.
“Heshen also met those assassins and even spoke with them in Mongolian! But I couldn’t understand them. Heshen told me that it was Prince Latna Sidi who sent them to deliver a message!” Yan Ning told Fukang’an what she hadn’t had a chance to say to the Emperor today, hoping it would help him.
Fukang'an looked at Yan Ning and said expressionlessly, "Don't mention this to anyone again!" Then he said sternly to Fu Chang'an, "From now on, if I find out that you have any dealings with Heshen again, I will kill you with my own hands!"
Fu Chang'an nodded several times, "Fu Chang'an will follow Third Brother's teachings!" After bowing to Fu Kang'an and Yan Ning, he left. Since Fu Kang'an had told him about the future, he knew he would have a future. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, let out a long sigh, and his expression returned to that of a spoiled young master.
Yan Ning stormed into Heshen's yurt, ignoring Liu Quan's words, "My master is not at liberty to see Miss Yan Ning at this time!" and barged straight in.
Then, blushing, she turned around and said in a muffled voice, "Why are you changing clothes in broad daylight?"
Heshen's long robe had already fallen down, revealing his smooth back. His eyes curved like silver threads as he pulled the robe back up. Then he walked behind Yan Ning, smiling as he looked at her rosy cheeks. Beneath her pale purple cheongsam, she appeared even more charming and alluring.
Yan Ning sensed someone behind her and opened her fingers a crack to cover her face. Seeing that Heshen was already dressed and had lowered his hands, her anger flared immediately. "Why did you throw this hot potato at Fukang'an? You clearly saw them before, and you even told me they were delivering a message to some prince!"
Heshen's smile froze, and he said in a deep voice, "Didn't Fukang'an tell you that this matter should not be mentioned again?"
Yan Ning nodded, stunned. "How did you know?"
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