The servants standing by all lowered their heads and dared not utter a word, and the hall immediately fell silent.
Fukang'an stood up and stared down at Mingxin, who was kneeling in front of the wooden threshold, until she dared not raise her head or even make a sound.
Yan Ning walked over, and when her eyes met the sharpness in Fukang'an's eyes, her heart sank, and she was at a loss.
"Zhuxiang, take Madam to change her clothes!" His cold eyes shone on Zhuxiang, who was standing by the dining table.
Zhu Xiang immediately took quick, small steps forward and helped Yan Ning to change her clothes.
The inner room was draped with curtains and dimly lit by candlelight, and Yan Ning's heart was shrouded in a continuous misty rain. Afraid that Ming Xin would say the wrong thing, she hurriedly went to the study next to the main room wearing only her nightgown and a fox fur moon-yellow brocade cloak.
Mingxin was a servant trained by Heshen. Although she feared Fukang'an's imposing presence, she knew that if she spoke, she would only face torture and death.
The late autumn night already carried a hint of winter. The swaying shadows of the trees, like streaks of black light, sent a chill down Yan Ning's spine.
A white canvas lampshade sat on the candlestick, casting a dim, almost white, candlelight. Autumn chill wafted through the curtains, a coldness seeping in. As soon as Yan Ning entered, she knelt beside Ming Xin, her face trembling slightly in the candlelight.
Yan Ning's actions deepened Fukang'an's suspicions. Yan Ning had left the manor today and had been restless and incoherent ever since. If she hadn't met someone, she must be hiding something from him.
Fukang'an stared intently at Yan Ning, waiting for her to speak.
After a moment of contemplation, Yan Ning hesitated to speak, “My elder brother, Su Jinteng, was demoted from a sixth-rank official in the Imperial Household Department to a seventh-rank official because he disturbed the Emperor’s presence. Although my father used money to secure this sixth-rank position for him, and my brother almost lost his life because of it, everyone has desires. My father hopes that the General can remember the honor of the marriage alliance between the Su family and the Fucha family and help my brother!”
Fukang'an's brows were less furrowed. The He family always married off their daughters in hopes of wealth and status, so that the maternal family could also benefit from the marriage and maintain the stability of their household.
If Yan Ning hadn't mentioned it, Fukang'an would have completely forgotten that she had an older brother serving in the capital. He pulled up his robe, drew Yan Ning to his side, and asked softly, "Did you see your mother and brother today?"
Yan Ning nodded upon hearing this, and lowered her head because of her guilt.
Fukang'an chuckled. Yan Ning had never liked the idea of climbing the social ladder, which was why the two of them had that conversation today.
He waved for the servants to leave, then helped Yan Ning tighten her cloak, his voice extremely gentle. "I am your husband, and it is only natural that I should take care of your maternal family. If your brother is truly a military talent, I will certainly give him an important position. If he is merely someone who buys his way into officialdom and glory, I will still ensure his position remains secure!"
Yan Ning had never met Su Jin Teng and dared not easily judge what kind of person he was, so she could only lean against Fu Kang An and nod.
Rather than being suspected by him of conspiring with Heshen to covet the Fucha family's affairs, she would rather Fukang'an think of her as such a worldly person. On second thought, if she were truly the daughter of the Su family, she would probably have already said those words today, so why would she have forgotten her mother and brother for so long?
The next day, at the crack of dawn, Su Jinteng had just stepped out of the mansion gate when his subordinate came to report that General Fukang'an had ordered him to go to the Fucha residence. He hurriedly turned back and changed into a new satin robe and riding boots. When Heshen rescued him, he had warned him that if he treated Yan Ning as his own sister, his official career would be smooth sailing; he only hoped for the future.
If Fukang'an had suspected that Yan Ning was not a daughter of the Su family, then his Su family would have faced annihilation. His alarming the Emperor was a capital offense, but fortunately he was punished by Heshen. He originally thought that with the wealth of his Su family and Heshen's greed, he would be released without incident, but unfortunately, this was just a pity for a sixth-rank official in the Imperial Household Department.
However, when Heshen rescued him from prison, he neither took the Su family's gold and silver treasures nor did he take away his official position; he was only demoted two ranks.
He had practiced martial arts since childhood, aspiring to become a majestic general. However, being born into a merchant family and the only son of the Su family, his father disapproved of him abandoning the family business to become an official in the capital. With time running out, he resorted to threatening his father with not marrying or having children. Left with no other option, his father used money to buy him the official position in the capital.
As a Han official residing in the outer city, this was the first time he had seen such a majestic mansion as the Fucha Mansion in the inner city. Although he had come by horseback, he dismounted from a distance, handed the reins to his servant, dusted himself off, and walked alone to the Fucha Mansion to pay his respects.
As the saying goes, "A higher official rank can be overwhelming." Fukang'an held both the first-rank official positions of Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard and Minister in charge of the Imperial Ceremonial Guard, making him the head of the military ranks.
The seventh-rank official was a subordinate seventh-rank official, above which were the sixth-rank, the sixth-rank, the fifth-rank, and so on... The difference between Su Jinteng's official rank and Fukang'an's was unimaginable. If it weren't for Yan Ning, Su Jinteng would probably never have had the chance to meet Fukang'an in this lifetime.
After introducing himself to the gatekeeper, the gatekeeper's servants immediately addressed him as "Uncle." Su Jinteng unconsciously straightened his back, a smug look spreading across his face. He, a mere seventh-rank official, had managed to climb the ranks to become a general like Fukang'an—just as Heshen had said, his official career was only a matter of time.
The servant who led the way brought him to the entrance of the main hall in the front courtyard, then bowed and withdrew. The servant guarding the door lifted the curtain and invited Su Jin to enter.
As Su Jinteng stepped through the doorway, she saw a young man sitting in the main seat with one hand behind his back. He wore a long silver-white brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist. His face was like jade, yet it could not conceal the heroic spirit between his brows.
A stunningly beautiful woman sat beside the young man. Her high-piled hair, though adorned with few but extremely valuable jewels, was styled in a pale yellow Shu brocade cheongsam that complemented her appearance.
Su Jinteng glanced at the two of them and sighed inwardly, "They are truly a match made in heaven!"
He knelt to pay his respects, but Fukang'an stopped him. "Brother, please sit down!"
Although Fukang'an said this, Su Jinteng dared not break the rules of etiquette, after all, Yan Ning was not his biological sister. After bowing, he sat down to Fukang'an's left.
Yan Ning looked at Su Jin Teng, who had settled down. She had spent the entire night wondering what her brother would be like. Perhaps he would be a refined gentleman, or perhaps a valiant warrior.
She hadn't expected that Su Jinteng was a burly, pot-bellied man. Judging by his age, he was more than ten years older than Fukang'an.
Thinking of this, Yan Ning couldn't help but glance at the young and accomplished Fukang'an. There was probably only one general of his age in the court.
"I am already aware of your intention to meet with Yan Ning!"
When Fukang'an spoke, Yan Ning felt very worried. He kept staring at Su Jinteng; it was his habit. He was very good at gleaning the truth from the words and actions of others.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
