Fukang'an forbade Wuchun from visiting Jiangongzhai, and the old lady also allowed Wuchun not to go to Mudan Hall to pay her respects every day. If it weren't for the framing this morning, Yan Ning would have remembered that the two of them hadn't seen each other for a month.
Winter brings desolation everywhere, even the Spring Cherry Blossom Garden. Scattered throughout the courtyard are a few small winter plum trees, red and snow plum blossoms, their clusters likely newly transplanted. Compared to the stone benches and weapon racks in the Jian Gong Zhai courtyard, they are far more gentle, resembling a woman's boudoir.
Stepping into the main house, a wave of warmth washes over you, just as the name "Spring Cherry Blossom Garden" suggests. The warmth, like a spring day, comes from the fact that all the windows that allow ventilation are covered with thick cotton fabric.
Fukang'an, full of youthful vigor, disliked the stuffy heat indoors the most, and Yan Ning also longed for the snow outside the window in winter. Therefore, the curtains on the windows of Jian Gong Zhai were just hanging, which could be raised or lowered, but could not retain the cloying heat.
Diecui led Yan Ning into the inner room, where Wuchun was lying on a warm couch reading a book. Her flowing hair fell down, obscuring her delicate face, and she wore only a simple cheongsam with lilies embroidered on it.
At first glance, this place is no different from the inner room of the main hall of Jian Gong Zhai. The same objects, the same placement, even the patterns on the openwork carved screen full of spring flowers separating the resting couch and the bed are identical, they must have been made by the same person.
The only thing missing was the crystal curtain by the warm bed window, which used to shimmer with a bright white light, but now it was covered by thick cotton clothes, and who knows what was behind it.
Yan Ning felt a pang of sadness; it turned out that these were not just things Fukang'an had thought of for her alone.
Wu Chun rose languidly, her complexion rosy and delicate due to her pregnancy, making her all the more endearing. She helped Die Cui down from the bed, her slightly protruding belly carefully supported by her. Reaching Yan Ning, she was about to bow when Zhu Xiang stopped her. "Aunt An is pregnant. Madam says all formalities are waived!"
Yan Ning looked at Zhu Xiang without blaming her. Although Zhu Xiang had spoken those words without permission, Yan Ning knew that she meant well.
Wu Chun was meticulous and cunning. Although he did not reveal his true intentions at every step, he secretly laid traps to entangle her and deliver a fatal blow.
She underestimated Wu Chun, who remained silent and stayed in the mansion.
Wu Chun straightened up, her face beaming, and her cherry-like lips parted. "It is truly an honor for Wu Chun that Madam has come to visit!" She then hurriedly ordered Die Cui to bring tea and fruit, and personally helped Yan Ning towards the warm couch.
After sitting down, Yan Ning smiled back and glanced at Zhu Xiang beside her. Zhu Xiang then went out and ordered the servants who had come with her from Jian Gong Zhai to hand over a large box of top-grade bird's nest to Die Cui.
Wu Chun looked somewhat surprised. "What's the matter, Madam? I just heard Die Cui mention that she went to see the General! I was just about to punish her when you arrived!"
As she spoke, she looked sharply at Diecui, "You lowly maidservant, you can't even follow proper etiquette! People will think I instructed you to gossip to the general, needlessly damaging my relationship with the madam! Slap yourself!"
Die Cui was so frightened that she knelt down and hurriedly begged for forgiveness, "It was because this servant was worried about Auntie that I offended Madam like this! Please punish me, Madam!" After saying that, she slapped her own face, each slap harder than the last. After only a few slaps, five handprints were left on her face, with blood seeping out.
By the time Yan Ning ordered Zhu Xiang to pull Die Cui back, both of Die Cui's faces were already swollen, and bright red blood was flowing from the corners of her mouth. She couldn't help but look at the petite and delicate Wu Chun. What kind of woman was she? So unassuming and secretive.
Yan Ning knew that Fukang'an would definitely see Die Cui's injury. Just now, Die Cui, with her white teeth and red lips, said, "It was this servant who was worried about Auntie, so I offended Madam like this! Please punish me, Madam!"
Wu Chun must have anticipated her arrival, which is why she laid this elaborate trap to ensnare her.
Without making a fuss, Wu Chun was most adept at ruining others' reputations over trivial matters. Leaving the main house of Chun Ying Garden, Yan Ning's face was as cold as ice. She had thought she was well aware of the power struggles within the manor. Little did she know that Xi Ying and E Lan were merely ordinary people; Wu Chun was the one hiding behind a smile, secretly laying her trap.
At the courtyard gate, Yan Ning encountered Xia'er returning from outside. Xia'er's pale purple maid's clothes were stained and shiny, and her hands were red, swollen, and ulcerated from the cold. Upon seeing Yan Ning, Xia'er's thin face showed surprise at first, followed by respect, and she knelt down to greet her, "This servant greets Madam!"
Seeing her like this, Yan Ning was clearly not someone who had served Wu Chun. She felt a pang of pity. However, it was always the case that a servant should not serve two masters; who would dare to employ someone who betrayed their master? Wu Chun probably kept her around because he remembered the kindness she had shown him when she harmed Xi Ying.
The next day, Fukang'an returned and indeed went to Chunying Garden first, then asked Zhao Xing to go to the government's medicine storehouse to get some ointment for treating redness and swelling. For the next few days, he did not set foot in Jianguozhai again.
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