The outer city of Beijing was not as clean and elegant as the inner city; it exuded a vulgar, street-smart atmosphere. Before the sun had even dipped below the horizon, people were already emerging drunk from the Eight Great Hutongs, shopkeepers stood at their doorways, their breath steaming in the cold air as they greeted passersby. The scene was bustling, noisy, and chaotic.
Whether it was her heart that was in turmoil, or the chaos of the outer city, these little trinkets that usually brought Yan Ning joy now made her eyes sting with tears.
After turning a few street corners, Yan Ning spotted You Yuanzhi standing under the signboard of the inn in the distance. His face was covered with a thick beard, obscuring his usual handsome features. His loose, rough cloth robe draped over his shoulders, giving him the air of a greedy merchant.
Because the three were dressed plainly and without any fancy clothes, they blended in with a group of women strolling on the street, and You Yuanzhi did not see the three people slowly walking towards him.
A few steps away from You Yuanzhi, the three encountered Zhao Xing returning on horseback. He dismounted, his breath steaming in the air as he hurried on his way. "General, please invite Madam back to the manor!" he said, kneeling slightly in a salute.
Yan Ning felt deeply embarrassed. She had thought she had done everything perfectly, but she never expected that Fukang'an already knew.
Now that the sun is high in the sky, Fukang'an and his entourage have long since left the capital, with Zhao Xing accompanying him. It's impossible that they heard about this from others along the way; Fukang'an must have already known about it but kept it to himself.
Was he also hesitant and unsure how to handle the situation? That's why he let her cause trouble. Then why did he rush to order Zhao Xing back to stop her?
The emperor's thoughts are best left unsaid, but Fukang'an's thoughts are even more profound, both secretive and meticulous.
After glancing at the distant place, Yan Ning helped Xiang'er and coaxed her back to the mansion.
Zhao Xing's galloping horse startled the passersby on the street, but they only glanced in his direction before hurrying on. The inner city was teeming with powerful and influential people; such scenes likely played out every few days.
You Yuanzhi recognized Zhao Xing and quickly hid back in the inn, watching the four leave from the sidelines.
The moon hung low over the branches, and the winter moonlight on the street was extremely dim, as if it were filled with lead and hung heavily on the road. The two huge red lanterns in front of the Fucha Mansion could only illuminate a small area in front of the mansion. Yan Ning paced back and forth in front of the street, where light and shadow alternated.
Xiang'er has been resettled back in Furong Garden. Zhao Xing doubled the number of guards outside Furong Garden, completely surrounding the entire courtyard. Needless to say, this was also Fukang'an's intention.
Through this experience, Yan Ning finally understood how Fukang'an was able to win battles time and again. He was patient and reserved, never revealing his knowledge of the enemy's actions when he couldn't defeat them in one move.
The moon had gradually moved, and its light was growing fainter. Although Yan Ning was wearing ordinary flat embroidered satin shoes, her feet still ached from standing.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves rang out, and Yan Ning felt a surge of joy as she saw a man returning. Zhao Xing, who had been sent to scout the military camp, seemed somewhat embarrassed upon seeing Yan Ning, not daring to look her directly in the eye. He stammered, "The general hasn't returned to the camp yet, and I'm afraid he won't be back tonight! Madam, you should rest early!" He then added, "Regarding what happened during the day, this servant was truly ordered to return and stop Madam at the last minute!"
Although Yan Ning was angry that he colluded with Fukang'an in everything and didn't tell her anything, she was also relieved that Fukang'an had such a subordinate. If even his closest confidants weren't on his side, and life was filled with constant danger, wouldn't Fukang'an have to risk his life every day just to stay alive?
Yan Ning nodded slightly, not blaming Zhao Xing in the slightest. Then she looked up at the sky; it would probably be dawn in an hour or two.
She helped Zhuxiang back to Jian Gong Zhai, changed into her nightgown, but still couldn't sleep. Curled up by the bed, she pondered how to explain things to Fukang'an.
As dawn broke, the curtains outside rustled. Yan Ning got off the bed, put on a thick satin cloak, and ran outside barefoot without even putting on shoes.
Fukang'an, who had just entered, was still carrying his helmet. He was surprised to see Yan Ning, and then frowned at her bare feet.
He handed the helmet to the maid beside him, walked to Yan Ning, bent down and lifted her up in his arms, the dark blue armor rustling as it rubbed against the ground. Perhaps she had just come back from outside and caught a chill, for Yan Ning's hands wrapped around Fukang'an's neck were icy cold, which cooled the anxiety in her heart.
Fukang'an carried Yan Ning back to the inner room, but did not put her down. He held her and sat her on the warm couch where she was taking a nap.
The warm couch for resting was separated from the bed by a screen carved with intricate details of spring flowers, added after Yan Ning moved in. Behind the screen were originally moon-white gauze curtains, their movement resembling a warm spring garden. Now, Yan Ning had replaced them with deep crimson curtains, perfectly matching the somber colors of autumn and winter, bringing a sense of tranquility to the eye.
In the middle of the screen, there was a long, narrow, round doorway, just wide enough for two people to pass side by side. At this moment, the curtains were lowered, and the arched doorway connecting to the hall was also draped with a deep crimson curtain. The garlands of flowers outside the window hung quietly because there was no wind, and the sound of the water clock between the two rooms was blended into the curtains and doorway.
The two seemed to have entered a small, enclosed room where time had been frozen, and simply gazed at each other in silence.
Zhu Xiang came in to deliver the shoes. Seeing the two silent figures, she immediately knelt down to silently apologize and prepared to leave. Fu Kang'an stopped her, "Come here!"
Zhu Xiang obeyed the order, bowed her head, knelt beside Yan Ning's feet, helped her put on her shoes, and then bowed and withdrew.
Yan Ning was still being held by Fukang'an on his lap, and her face flushed involuntarily. This was the first time the servants had seen her in such an intimate state. She turned her face away and leaned against Fukang'an's cold armor.
With faint dark circles under her eyes and rosy cheeks, Yan Ning presented herself to Fukang'an as a woman longing for her husband's return.
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