Even though she knew it was impossible, Yan Ning still thought that the person in the car was herself and Fu Kang'an, and that they would live together in the fields as a couple who would stay together forever.
But how could Fukang'an abandon the century-old legacy of the Fucha family as a general, only to be with her and her love for children in the fields?
Laughing at her own foolishness, Yan Ning hurried towards the city. Though riding a horse past the flowing clouds and withered trees was swift, when she walked, it felt as if sand shards were tied to her feet; she could only hear the rustling of her footsteps, and could not see the flowing clouds moving behind her.
When they went out, the sun was high in the sky; when they returned to the mansion, the moon was bright and the stars were few.
Yan Ning had already made preparations in her mind. She calculated the time and figured that You Yuanzhi and the others should have already gone far away by now.
Fukang'an waited for Yan Ning in the main room of Jianguozhai. He changed the tea cup after cup, and after several cups had gone cold, Yan Ning finally rushed over, panting, her cotton clothes soaked through in the cold winter night.
The maids lifted the curtain to welcome Yan Ning inside. She first found a chair and sat down. She had rushed from outside the city to the carriage, only to be jostled along the way. Zhu Xiang had specifically informed her at the gate that Fukang'an was waiting for her at Jiangongzhai, and after such a long and arduous journey, she felt utterly exhausted. She slumped against the chair, oblivious to Fukang'an's cold, piercing gaze.
A maid brought over a cup of scalding hot tea. Yan Ning's throat was dry, itchy, and sore, so she didn't even notice that the tea was still steaming. She picked it up and brought it to her lips, but it was snatched away by a large hand.
Yan Ning looked up and met Fu Kang'an's angry gaze. He placed his lukewarm teacup in her hands. Sitting beside her, watching her gulp down the tea, he asked, "Where have you been?"
Yan Ning's hand froze at Fukang'an's icy voice. Tea spilled onto her moon-white jacket, staining it with a cool, tea-colored hue.
Before she could speak, Zhao Xing came in and whispered something in Fukang'an's ear, then stood in front of Fukang'an and looked at Yan Ning with concern.
Yan Ning's heart sank. She had already prepared herself for being abandoned in the cold, desolate west courtyard. But if she were to never see Fukang'an again, she feared the long, gloomy days that would follow. She looked up, her eyes still tinged with dark circles. Just as she opened her lips, the covered bowl of boiling tea in Fukang'an's hand shattered at her feet.
With a loud bang, the sound sent chills down one's spine in the silent night.
Yan Ning lowered her eyes, watching the tea-colored stains spread across her apricot-white satin shoes embroidered with begonia flowers. At first, they felt warm, but then a chill crept into her heart.
"Zhao Xing, mobilize the men in the manor and divide them into three groups outside the city gates. We must catch up with them!"
Zhao Xing accepted the order and left, taking with him the maidservants who were serving in the hall.
Fukang'an stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his back to Yan Ning, so she couldn't see his expression. She could only tell from his icy tone that he was heartbroken and exhausted.
Only a dim candlelight burned in the room, producing the faint sound of a snapping wick. The flickering candlelight added a touch of desolation and coldness. Fukang'an's crimson robe stood erect, but too rigidly, like a piece of crystal-clear ice glass on a roof ridge, fragile and easily broken by any external force.
Yan Ning felt a pang of guilt. Where had she placed her husband's dignity? She had actually believed the words Fukang'an had uttered in his delusions after Dejia's death. She truly thought he could watch his wife be taken away by another man. If it weren't for Dejia, it might have been alright, but now, though Dejia had died young, she had at least lived a life, entering Fukang'an's imprisoned heart. How could he possibly abandon his dignity and offer his wife and child to him?
"You have to take care of Wuchun and won't have time for Xiang'er. Let her go and be free. Maybe she'll recover from her madness someday!"
After saying that, Yan Ning fell silent, knowing that her words would only further provoke him.
She stood up, intending to go around to face Fukang'an and try to persuade him. If he really wanted to send people after You Yuanzhi and Xiang'er, he would definitely not give up until he brought them back; otherwise, how could he save face? Fukang'an's brows were furrowed, his face somber in the dim candlelight. Yan Ning couldn't see his eyes clearly. She took his arm, trying to close the distance between them, but Zhao Xing's voice came from the doorway.
"General, the troops are ready! We can set off!"
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