The late summer sunlight was slightly cool, and through the crystal curtains, Yan Ning, dressed in vermilion Song brocade, was enveloped in a cool aura. Chef Wu saw this and remembered it all.
His voice was hoarse as he said, "This old servant also needs to save his life! This old servant does not know what connection the madam has with the old nobleman. If I rashly tell the madam everything, the old nobleman is a ruthless and vicious person. If he finds out something that is not good for the madam, he will definitely kill this old servant to silence him! If this old servant does not keep this secret, how can he save his life until the madam lets this old servant go back to his hometown!"
Chef Wu, tears streaming down his face, kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "Madam, please spare my life! My family is extinct; I only beg to survive!"
Yan Ning's heart softened; what Chef Wu said wasn't false. The old noblewoman hadn't been buried in Su Mala Gu's mausoleum; more accurately, she had been buried, but her body had been stolen. If Heshen had investigated anything, he certainly wouldn't have spared the life of a servant like Chef Wu in order to protect her.
She stared intently at Chef Wu and said sternly, "Since you know this matter will cost you your life, from this day forward, you will know nothing! Whether you choose to remain silent or are unable to speak, Chef Wu, you should weigh the options carefully and then return to your hometown with Steward Luo!"
Chef Wu lay sprawled on the stone slab, trembling as he wiped the sweat from his face. He kowtowed three times to Yan Ning and then left.
Late summer and early autumn were indistinguishable. On the way to He Di, Yan Ning felt a cool breeze. Her brocade body covered her with cloud-patterned gauze, making it impossible for her to tell whether it was summer or autumn.
Just as Liu Quan was about to leave the mansion to handle some business, he saw the carriage of the Fucha mansion in the distance and immediately ran back to the inner courtyard to report to Heshen.
Nowadays, there are many rivals vying for power in the court. Although Liu Quan does not understand the affairs of the court, he knows that Heshen should not associate with the Fucha family, let alone with Yan Ning.
Not only would he be unable to explain this to Yongyan, but if rumors were to spread that Heshen coveted the wife of the Third Master Fu of the Fucha family, it would damage Heshen's standing in the Emperor's eyes. Heshen was truly beset on all sides at the height of his success.
In the courtyard of his wife Jiwen, Heshen was teaching his son etiquette in his study. Jiwen stood to one side, guiding the father and son along the inkstone, the fragrance of ink wafting out. Heshen's gentle and alluring face was filled with contentment.
Liu Quan rushed in, breaking the peaceful atmosphere of the study. He said breathlessly, "The carriages from the Fucha Mansion are heading towards Hedi!"
Heshen paused in his writing brush, and without looking up, said in his usual voice, "Just say I'm not here!"
Upon receiving the order, Liu Quan hesitated for a moment before rushing back.
Jiwen glanced at Heshen's somewhat absent-minded expression, then smiled gently at him, "Since you wish to see her, then go ahead! If Lady Fucha hadn't had urgent business, she wouldn't have come to visit in person!"
Heshen looked at Jiwen with a sense of relief, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for!" Before he could get up, the steward of the mansion, Liu Ying, rushed over, panting, and said to him, "Lady Fucha is about to give birth!" Heshen suddenly stood up, knocking over the blue and white porcelain covered bowl and inkstone on the table, leaving the desk in a mess.
Seeing that Heshen was completely flustered and clueless, Jiwen hurriedly asked Liu Ying, "Where is Lady Fucha now?"
Liu Ying, who had once been a eunuch, bowed and replied, "This servant saw the carriage of the Fucha family and wanted to go forward to welcome Madam Fucha into the mansion! But before Madam Fucha could get out of the carriage, she suffered unbearable abdominal pain and could not get out. This servant did not understand such a thing as childbirth, so I rushed to report to you, sir and madam!"
Upon hearing this, Heshen sternly said to Liu Quan, "Bring Lady Fucha closer to the mansion, and quickly fetch the best midwife in the city!" He then pulled up his long robe and strode out.
Jiwen handed her son to the wet nurse and stopped Heshen, who was about to rush off. "Does Master intend for Lady Fucha to give birth at Heshen's residence?"
Heshen turned to look at Jiwen, his brows furrowed, his voice urgent yet cold, "Does Madam have another way?"
A hint of sadness flashed across Jiwen's eyes. She knew that Heshen had mistakenly thought she was jealous of Yan Ning. Even if that was the case, so what? He was her husband, while Yan Ning was Fukang'an's wife. Her jealousy was perfectly justified.
Even so, Jiwen couldn't bear to see Heshen implicated by Yan Ning. Heshen, however, didn't care about being implicated by Yan Ning; all he cared about was Yan Ning herself!
Thinking of this, Jiwen felt bitter. She lowered her head and whispered, "Has the master ever considered how Lady Fucha and her child will be able to establish themselves in the Fucha household if Lady Fucha gives birth there?"
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