Yan Ning ordered Zhao Xing to go out early and return late, making sure to buy all the dishes on Chef Wu's list.
The old lady specifically instructed that the decorations should be festive to ward off the evil spirits lingering in the Fucha mansion. Therefore, much thought had to be put into the arrangement of the entire residence. Yan Ning was pondering how to save money while still satisfying the old lady when a maidservant came to report from outside the curtain, "Fourth Master has returned to the mansion requesting an audience!"
Yan Ning was surprised for a moment, then remembered the matter of entrusting it to He Shen.
Entrusted by Heshen, Fu Chang'an arrived at Jiangongzhai on the day Fukang'an accompanied the emperor to the Temple of Heaven to pray for blessings. Seeing Yan Ning's haggard face, he felt a pang of pity. He hadn't seen Yan Ning since their parting at the Mulan Hunting Grounds. He still remembered her then, her expression elegant and captivating, her brows brimming with hopeful longing.
Today, Yan Ning's appearance is sickly, her eyebrows are furrowed, and her eyes are dim. Her hair is tied back in a casual bun, and her pale yellow cheongsam hangs loosely on her thin body. Although she has the air of a mistress of the house, she has lost her original pure and ethereal charm.
He bowed respectfully and said, "Fu Chang'an greets sister-in-law!"
Yan Ning nodded slightly, knowing why he had come. Although Fukang'an had repeatedly forbidden him from associating with Heshen, how could the number one and number two corrupt officials in the world sever their ties?
She ordered Zhuxiang to fetch Delin, who was practicing martial arts in the training room, to return to Jianguozhai for a meal, leaving Mingxin alone in the hall to serve him.
Fu Chang'an pulled up his agate-red cotton robe and sat down below Yan Ning. He picked up the covered bowl and said to himself, seemingly unintentionally, "Fifty miles east of White Pagoda Temple, there is a vegetable garden with excellent vegetables. I wonder if it can help you in your urgent need, sister-in-law?"
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