Zhao Xing and Zhu Xiang knelt down together, bowing their heads and saying, "This servant does not understand what Madam means!"
The winding corridors in her eyes stretched endlessly, with no visible connecting doors. A sense of loneliness and desolation spread through Yan Ning's veins.
The roads in Fucha Prefecture are chaotic and complex; often, a turn leads to a completely different world. Yan Ning walked slowly, unlike when she came in a hurry.
The water in many small ponds was frozen over, the ice varying in thickness, unable to reflect a crystal-clear white light. The snow that had not yet melted on the ice was not as pure white as when it first fell.
Apart from the areas planted with pines, cypresses, and plum trees, the rest of the mansion was solemn and desolate. Pink and white plum blossoms, hidden among the bare branches, contrasted sharply with the sparse greenery, misleading the eye into thinking it was spring. But stepping off the covered walkway or around a pavilion, the desolation of winter was chilling.
The mansion is so large that it can be enjoyed in all four seasons. The pavilions and terraces are exquisite and delicate, and the garden rocks resemble wild mountains and rivers, bringing the feeling of spring and summer to life.
A gust of winter wind swept in, stinging her face like a knife. Yan Ning covered half her face with the collar of her cloak, ignoring the urging of Zhu Xiang and Zhao Xing behind her, and wandered around the mansion.
The servants passing by all bowed their heads, not daring to look at her. After curtsying and bowing, Hou stood aside and waited for her to walk away.
Yan Ning felt as if it were yesterday. This house, where she had lived on and off for a year, had become so unfamiliar. Just like the old lady's murmured words in the carriage, it was both real and unreal; just like Fukang'an's feelings for Wuchun, which were utterly incomprehensible.
On the day Wu Chun was pregnant, he must have already guessed that this day would come, which is why he had spoiled her so much. All that pampering over the past few months was just to make up for today's guilt.
If she were truly pregnant, and not suffering from physical harm as the imperial physician claimed, then it would be understandable for Fukang'an to keep it a secret from the palace. Why would he also keep it a secret from her?
So where exactly is Fukang'an's true affection?
Yan Ning paced around the mansion, the sun already hidden behind thick clouds. Because it was winter, the darkness descended rapidly without sunlight. Maids and servants busied themselves lighting lamps, braving the cold wind; the candles were covered with a layer of yellowed oil paper. The light shone dimly throughout the mansion.
Zhao Xing, who was behind her, was so anxious that the sweat on his forehead soaked through his black and gray fuzzy hat, while Zhu Xiang followed closely behind.
On the veranda, the maids and servants all curtsied. Yan Ning's eyes fell upon Fu Kang'an's tall figure in deep crimson, holding a sable cap in his hand before placing it on Yan Ning.
In the dim candlelight of the pitch-black night, Yan Ning could only see the layers upon layers of wrinkles on his brow. He didn't say a word, but held Yan Ning's hand and walked slowly, leaving Yan Ning no choice but to hesitate and resist.
Back at Jian Gong Zhai, Fukang'an ordered Zhu Xiang to help Yan Ning change out of her cold clothes.
Zhu Xiang helped Yan Ning back to the inner room. She called Ju Xiang and Lan Xiang to fetch Yan Ning's clothes, and then moved a round wooden chair with soft cushions to the stove and helped Yan Ning sit down to warm herself.
Zhu Xiang squatted down and poked at the charcoal in the stove with fire tongs. Yan Ning had been surprised that it only emitted a red glow without flames. Now, she just stared at Zhu Xiang's oval face, which was reflected in the red glow.
Juxiang and Lanxiang stood to one side, holding Yan Ning's clothes. Zhuxiang told them to move closer to the stove to warm the clothes. She got up and washed her hands. When she returned to unbutton Yan Ning's cheongsam, she lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Yan Ning's eyes.
Yan Ning sighed softly. Zhu Xiang was, after all, a maid, and had no choice in what she did. She took Zhu Xiang's hand, and Zhu Xiang paused, then looked up to meet her gaze.
She said gently, "You are so thoughtful. I'm afraid I won't know how to take care of myself without you!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiang replied with a stern expression, "Wherever Madam goes, this servant will follow, and will serve Madam for the rest of my life!"
Yan Ning chuckled. "I must tell Zhao Xing about this!"
Zhu Xiang blushed immediately, lowered her head, and stopped looking directly at Yan Ning.
After changing her clothes, Yan Ning stood behind the deep crimson curtains, watching Fu Kang'an sitting upright on the heated couch, flipping through the household's account books. Because of the distance, Yan Ning couldn't see his face clearly.
She no longer knew how to interact with him; though separated by only a curtain, it felt as if hundreds of years had passed.
Yan Ning smiled bitterly and said sincerely that they were indeed separated by several hundred years.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
