After watching Wu Chun finish his dinner, Fukang'an's footsteps habitually moved towards Jianguozhai. The courtyard was brightly lit, and Zhuxiang paced anxiously in front of the gate.
His heart sank, and his brows furrowed. "Has Madam not returned yet?"
Startled by Fukang'an, Zhuxiang immediately knelt on the ground, somewhat flustered and unsure how to respond. Before leaving, Yan Ning had specifically instructed her to do her best to keep Fukang'an from knowing that she was not at the manor.
Zhao Xing had already sent people to search for Yan Ning's whereabouts, but they hadn't returned yet. Zhu Xiang's hands were nervously twisting together; if Yan Ning hadn't returned by this hour, something might have happened to her.
Fukang'an's hands, bound behind his back, gradually tightened. He had already guessed what was going on from Zhuxiang's stammering manner.
Where is Zhao Xing?
"He...he went to see the madam!" Zhu Xiang replied, her head bowed.
"How dare you!" Fukang'an's voice was as cold as an icy arrow, making Zhuxiang even more terrified.
When asked about Yan Ning's whereabouts, Zhu Xiang shook her head, as Yan Ning did not say where she was going.
Fukang'an moved with lightning speed. He ordered someone to the front courtyard to have the steward prepare a horse, and then personally selected ten guards to accompany him out of the manor. Just outside the gate, he encountered Zhao Xing, who had returned empty-handed. Upon seeing Fukang'an, Zhao Xing quickly relayed the information he had gathered at the city gate. "The city gate guards said that we shouldn't have been allowed to pass at dawn, but Fourth Master ordered it!"
Fukang'an stopped in his tracks, his hands clenching tightly. Fukang'an and Heshen were practically one and the same; Heshen must have been involved in this matter as well.
Two large red lanterns, each as big as a stone vessel, hung in front of the mansion gate, their candlelight casting a mixture of red and yellow light. Fukang'an's imposing figure stood before the gate, his face hidden in the shadows, his expression unreadable.
The guards followed closely behind as they left, and the steward had also prepared all the horses.
Fukang'an pulled on the reins and leaped onto his horse. The distant clanging of hooves echoed through the deserted streets, and he immediately spotted the leader. Dismounting, he disregarded the formalities of court etiquette, snatching Yan Ning from Yongyan's arms and embracing her tightly. Standing on the stone steps, he bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subject takes his leave!" Then, carrying Yan Ning, he hurried into the mansion, ordering Zhao Xing, who was standing nearby, to quickly fetch a doctor.
Yongyan narrowed his eyes as he looked at Fukang'an, who had been so rude to him. If he had such a beautiful wife, he would surely be just as distraught as Fukang'an.
Without lingering, Yongyan raised the reins and returned to his princely residence.
Fukang'an unconsciously tightened his grip on Yan Ning, until she squirmed in pain while still unconscious. His eyes were like arrows, making the servants of Jian Gong Zhai dare not look directly at him.
The prince and the powerful minister had no idea how much more trouble Yan Ning's appearance would cause!
Yongyan and Yanning reminded him of his mother and the current emperor, and his hands clenched tighter and tighter.
"Fukang'an, shall I take you away? I'll take you back to my time, so there won't be Wuchun, Xiying, Elan, Xiang'er, or even those women I don't know about!"
Yan Ning slightly opened her eyes, looked at him and said indistinctly, her flushed cheeks looking shy and charming.
He was stunned, and his anger subsided considerably. He gently placed her on the warm couch, and Yan Ning fell into a deep sleep again.
After taking the clothes from Zhu Xiang's hands, Fukang'an ordered the servants to leave. When his hands touched Yan Ning's burning skin, he felt a pang of pity.
She is his wife; he shouldn't doubt her.
When Yan Ning woke up, it was already dusk the next day.
The room was dimly lit, the scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, and the deep crimson curtains had been changed just a few days ago. Fukang'an favored deep crimson, and most of the clothes in his wardrobe were in that color. Yan Ning had specially commissioned the embroidery of these deep crimson curtains, and their movement resembled Fukang'an lifting his robe—a gesture of free-spirited decisiveness.
It turned out that she was already familiar with everything here, and with the days when Fukang'an stayed by her side.
Zhu Xiang stayed by her side, and as soon as she saw her open her eyes, she hurriedly sent someone to inform Fukang'an.
Yan Ning felt that her head was not as heavy as before she fell into a coma. She moved her slightly dry and sore throat, wanting to ask where Fukang'an was, but then stopped herself. Fukang'an must be in Chunying Garden at this time.
"Madam, you terrified us servants! When the General brought you back, you were burning up with fever! The General has been watching over you for a whole day and night, and he won't even let us 'help' with something as simple as changing your clothes!"
Seeing Zhu Xiang's smiling face, Yan Ning's heart couldn't help but flutter. Looking at her nightgown, which was different from yesterday's, she blushed slightly.
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