Yan Ning smiled and looked at Fukang'an. She saw his hand slide over her hair bun, and her hand touched her hair bun, where a hairpin had appeared. The hairpin was only half inserted when it was stopped by something in the middle.
Yan Ning couldn't tell what kind of hairpin it was, only that it was a jade hairpin that felt cool to the touch, with patterns carved on it.
Fukang'an took her hand and said gently, "This is a gift from your mother."
Yan Ning stopped what she was doing and didn't think anything of it.
Back in the palace, Consort Rong stared at the hairpin for a long time, a fleeting look of worry crossing her face. Yan Ning then vaguely sensed that this hairpin must have a significant history.
In the flower garden, some of the seasonal vegetables and fruits that Consort Rong and Yan Ning had planted in the spring were ripe. Consort Rong invited the Emperor to taste them. Although she did not invite Fukang'an, it was common knowledge in the palace that Fukang'an and the Emperor were now inseparable.
Consort Rong chopped the fruits and vegetables into small cubes, melted rock sugar with crushed ice and mixed it with fresh milk, then poured it into a white jade porcelain plate containing the chopped fruits and vegetables.
Yan Ning sat in a pavilion, watching Consort Rong lead her personal maid to work busily, and felt that she was just like her mistress.
Before long, rose 'dew', mint cake, diced melon and fruit, Enshi jade 'dew' tea, crisp green plum soup, and many other small jade porcelain dishes containing various snacks that Yan Ning couldn't name.
Although there are many colors of flowers, under Consort Rong's arrangement, they look like flower clusters in a garden that have been pruned by a gardener, beautiful but not dazzling.
The Emperor's entourage weaved through the verdant trees, with Fukang'an, dressed in a sky-blue robe, walking side by side with the Emperor, who wore a golden apricot-yellow robe embroidered with dragon patterns. The two chatted and laughed as they walked.
Yan Ning watched the two chatting and laughing. If it weren't for Fukang'an by his side, would the Emperor have recovered from the grief of the Empress Dowager's passing so quickly?
Seeing the two shake hands and make peace, she secretly thought that the fatherly affection the Crown Prince received was nothing more than this!
Although the Emperor had not entrusted Fukang'an with military power, he increasingly refrained from discussing court affairs with him, often seeking his opinions when reviewing memorials. However, the more the Emperor acted this way, the more Fukang'an wanted to leave the capital as soon as possible; he did not want to interfere in politics. The Emperor's temper was unpredictable, and Fukang'an did not want to damage his relationship with him over matters of the court.
As the imperial carriage approached the pavilion, Consort Rong and Yan Ning were about to pay their respects when the Emperor stopped them. "You've been busy for so long, and I, a mere idle person, am expected to receive your courtesy! No need!"
Consort Rong straightened up after her half-bow, and Yan Ning followed suit. Fukang'an knelt down, bowed to Consort Rong, and then stood beside the Emperor again, joining him on the way to the pavilion.
The Emperor sat in the main seat, Consort Rong sat next to him, Fukang'an sat on the other side of the Emperor, and Yan Ning sat next to Fukang'an.
The Emperor tasted the diced fruit that Consort Rong had given him; the icy sweetness lingered on his lips. His eyes and brows lit up with delight. "Consort Rong's thoughts are always so unique!"
Consort Rong smiled and lowered her head to pick up a piece of mint-flavored chilled cake for the Emperor to cleanse his palate.
Fukang'an snatched the jade porcelain bowl from Yan Ning's hand. His eyes were almost overflowing with laughter, but his expression was serious. "You're greedy for coolness, but you can't hurt my son!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Ning blushed, but reached out to snatch the jade porcelain bowl from Fukang'an's hand. Although the summer days in Yuanmingyuan were cool, they were still scorching hot, and the blazing sun made people thirsty.
Consort Rong was amused by the angry yet playful antics of Fukang'an and Yan Ning beside her. She looked at the Emperor, who was also smiling at Fukang'an and Yan Ning.
Yongyan and Yongxuan wanted to see the Emperor about the construction of the Songhua River Temple, but were blocked by Wu Shulai, who was waiting at a distance on the path leading to the pavilion.
He bowed and said, "Your Excellencies, please return! Judging from the Emperor's current mood, he is unlikely to be able to discuss state affairs with you two!"
Laughter from the pavilion pierced the blazing sun and reached Yongyan's ears. Looking beyond the dense foliage at the four people sitting in the pavilion, enjoying a joyful family time, he unconsciously clenched his fists. "Brother Ba, don't you think this is just like the simple joy of family life in an ordinary household? Something we could only dream of!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Shulai immediately panicked, "Fifteenth Prince, you mustn't talk nonsense!"
"Hmph! Would Father really spoil him so much that he'll become so lawless!"
Yongyan brushed aside his jade-blue sleeves and walked away. After taking many steps, he remembered that Yongxuan behind him had a foot ailment. He turned around and saw Yongxuan limping towards him. How could he not know that if Yongxuan hadn't suffered from a foot ailment, he wouldn't have followed his lead?
In the pavilion, Yan Ning, being heavy, had to stand up to reach the jade bowl of melons and fruits that Fu Kang An held high above his head.
The jade porcelain bowl shone with a crystal-clear luster under the sunlight, which also made the jade hairpin on Yan Ning's hair bun glow with a translucent light.
As the Emperor and Consort Rong exchanged glances, the Emperor noticed the peony hairpin inlaid with silver pieces on Yan Ning's hair. He slammed down his silver chopsticks and looked sharply at Yan Ning, asking, "Where did you get that jade hairpin in your hair?"
The emperor's voice was not loud, but his imperial aura made every word he spoke carry an imposing authority.
Startled from her playful interaction with Fukang'an, Yan Ning stood behind him, who had already stood up, and timidly replied, "Yes, it was my mother who gave it to me!"
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