Fulongan glanced at the golden pagoda on the paper and secretly groaned.
This golden pagoda would cost at least three thousand taels of gold, inevitably sparking another controversy in the court. But regardless of the controversy, the Emperor's will was set, and even if it led to bloodshed in the court, the Emperor would not change his mind, and he had no choice but to comply. Privately, however, he thought it would be better to supervise the construction of the Songhua River Mountain Temple, and with this thought, he began to blame Fukang'an for meddling.
Yongyan and Yongxuan were not in favor of building the Songhua River Mountain God Temple. Now that Fukang'an was in the capital, they were afraid that such a matter of directly confronting the gods would fall on Fukang'an.
Fulongan took the blueprints and knelt to leave. Yongyan, Yongxuan, and Heshen also wanted to kneel and leave, but the emperor's words made the three of them freeze on the spot.
"Wu Shulai, convey the imperial decree to the Fucha Prefecture: Fucha Fukang'an is hereby appointed General of Jilin. He shall depart immediately!"
Before Fukang'an could even rise from his kneeling position to receive the imperial decree and express his gratitude, he felt four beams of cold light shooting from behind him.
As soon as the Emperor issued the decree, Fukang'an hurriedly left the capital. Although the Emperor's words were law, the content of the next decree was ultimately up to him.
Although Zhao Xing was also puzzled as to why Fukang'an left in such a hurry, he only returned to the mansion to say goodbye to the old lady, and set off for Jilin without even stepping into Chunying Garden.
When news of Fukang'an's departure from the capital reached Xinghuachun Pavilion, Yan Ning couldn't help but shed tears, her hand unconsciously touching her protruding belly. In just over a month, the child would be able to see its father. After this separation, she feared that when Fukang'an returned, the child would already be calling him "Father."
Just as Consort Rong had told her, Fukang'an's presence by the Emperor's side was not out of affection for their father-son bond, but rather an attempt to win Fukang'an over. The Emperor feared that as Fukang'an's military achievements grew, he would lose balance with the other princes and develop wicked intentions.
This was also the Empress Dowager's greatest worry before her death. However, the reason for her worry was that, until her death, she did not fully believe that Fukang'an was the Emperor's son.
Fukang'an has left the capital, and Consort Rong wanted to keep Yan Ning by her side for a few more days. However, Yan Ning's due date was approaching, and she was also thinking about the Fucha family, so she had no choice but to accompany her to ask the Emperor for leave.
The Emperor was quite perceptive; he bestowed upon Yan Ning many rare items from the palace and then sent her back to the Fucha residence.
When Consort Rong saw Yan Ning off from the Yuanmingyuan, she was filled with reluctance. Holding Yan Ning's hand, her eyes welled up with tears. "I've never had such a sweetheart in the palace to confide in. After several months of companionship, now that you're leaving, I feel a void in my heart. Although we are both in the capital, I don't know when we will meet again!"
Yan Ning was also moved by Consort Rong's words, and she wiped away her tears with her handkerchief. "When the child in Yan Ning's womb is born, it will definitely wear clothes embroidered by Your Highness's own hands. At that time, Yan Ning will go with the child to pay her respects to Your Highness!"
Upon hearing the word "child," Consort Rong hurriedly nodded, her hair ornaments swaying as she did so. "I'm eagerly awaiting that day!"
Since Fukang'an's departure, the Fucha Mansion has once again fallen into desolation and loneliness. As Yan Ning's health deteriorated, the Old Madam returned to manage the mansion's affairs. However, with Delin still at the Eighth Prince's residence, the Old Madam lost her appetite and couldn't eat or drink.
Yan Ning also missed De Lin. When she returned from the Yuanmingyuan Garden that day, no one told her that De Lin was still at the Eighth Prince's residence. Otherwise, she would have asked the Emperor to allow De Lin to return to the Fucha residence before she returned.
She also knew that the reason Fukang'an didn't plead with the Emperor to let Delin return to the Fucha residence was because it was much safer for Delin to live in the Eighth Prince's residence than for him to live in the Fucha residence. The Eighth Prince, in order to protect himself, would also ensure Delin's safety.
But a woman is a woman after all, and neither Yan Ning nor the old lady could allow De Lin to continue staying in the Eighth Prince's residence.
As she boarded the sedan chair bound for the Fifteenth Prince's residence, Yan Ning's heart pounded. From what she had witnessed at the Yuanmingyuan, she suspected that the Eighth Prince must have allied himself with the Fifteenth Prince. Therefore, seeking help from Yong Yan would be more effective than asking Yong Xuan.
She had originally intended to plead with Heshen, but even though Heshen was adept at deception and understood people's hearts, he was ultimately just a royal servant, like the Fucha family. She didn't want to owe Heshen any more favors, partly because of the slight leniency he showed her when Yongyan framed Fukang'an. If Yongyan knew Heshen's feelings for her, he would likely make things even more difficult for Heshen in the future.
The steward of the Fifteenth Prince's residence was brought from the palace. He was quick-witted and, seeing that Yan Ning was heavily pregnant, regardless of why she had come to see his master, he first welcomed her into the residence and served her respectfully.
Although Yan Ning couldn't drink tea, the maids in the front hall still served her the finest Biluochun tea. The usual fragrant aroma of the tea now seemed like a poisonous gas consuming her composure.
Before the maidservant who served tea had even left, Yongyan hurried over from the backyard. There was a hint of joy in his eyes. Regardless of why Yan Ning had come to him, she had finally come to him. He had originally thought that after what he had done to Fu Kang'an, Yan Ning already hated him to the core.
Now that Yan Ning had come to him instead of Heshen, he knew that Yan Ning was also clever. While pleased, he couldn't help but smile wryly; after all, she was Fukang'an's woman, so meticulous in everything she did.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
