Yan Ning stared intently at Fukang'an, and he looked back at her with tenderness, his thick, dark eyebrows like the sharp edges of a knife, the warmth in his eyes appearing even more striking.
She wavered, and her initial obsession with not leaving the capital gradually faded. She wrapped her arms around Fukang'an's neck, leaned against his chest, and heard his steady, powerful heartbeat in her ear. The fear and worry of the past few months seemed to dissipate in the wind.
Yan Ning's beautiful hair cascaded down Fukang'an's neck, strands slipping down and tickling his heart. He turned over, his fingers slowly tracing Yan Ning's face, then casually playing with her hair. The longing between them, separated by distance, transformed into deep affection, overflowing between their eyes as they gazed at each other.
His firm lips brushed against Yan Ning's slightly closed eyes. When they touched her moist, peach-blossom-like lips, he stopped, then lay down face up and pulled Yan Ning into his arms. He looked at her lips, which were slightly upturned, and said in a somewhat hoarse voice, "Once you've recovered, you'll give me a son and a daughter in the future!"
Inside the deep crimson gauze curtains, Fukang'an smiled as he looked at Yan Ning's face, which was as red as a rosy cloud, and held her hand tightly.
The next day, Fu Chang'an briefed Fu Kang'an on some of the most important events that had occurred in the court in recent months. Yan Ning and the child were on the bed, separated from Fu Kang'an by a screen carved with intricate details of spring flowers. Through the deep crimson curtains, the figures of Fu Kang'an and Fu Chang'an, seated on the warm bed, stood like two stone statues.
Fu Chang'an spoke calmly and unhurriedly, as if court affairs were merely a stage for others, and he was just an observer. Yan Ning listened to Fu Chang'an's disdain for the officials who fawned over the Eleventh Prince Yongxing; she knew Fu Chang'an loved money more than power. Fu Chang'an's obsession with money had once worried Fu Kang'an. However, with the cunning and ruthless Heshen protecting Fu Chang'an, Fu Kang'an felt much more at ease.
Among the sons of officials in the capital, who can remain aloof and navigate the turbulent waters of officialdom for decades? Some are driven by power, others by profit; otherwise, those who spend their days impeaching corrupt officials are merely seeking a clean reputation.
Having grown up in a secluded mansion and intermittently raised in the palace for over a decade, Fukang'an had long since seen through the intricacies of officialdom and power. He couldn't stop Fu Chang'an from embezzling money; he could only lend him a hand when he fell from grace.
Yan Ning had once thought that Fu Chang'an harbored resentment and jealousy towards Fu Kang'an, which was why he constantly tried to compete with Fu Kang'an. Now, seeing how meticulous Fu Chang'an was with Fu Kang'an in everything, she realized that Fu Chang'an's feelings for Fu Kang'an stemmed from a childhood attachment. Even without much thought, it was clear that within the palace, Fu Chang'an, as a pawn kept by the Empress Dowager's side, though living a life of luxury, likely endured a profound bitterness that stood like a towering palace wall within his heart.
Fukang'an wasn't much older than Fu Chang'an, but he was willing to offer him warmth in the cold snow and protect him in every little way. Fu Chang'an had long relied on Fukang'an since their time in the palace. As for Heshen, Fu Chang'an shared similar interests, and Heshen was also willing to take good care of him. The two were already as inseparable as hands and feet, bound by blood.
Thinking about it this way, Fu Chang'an's cynical demeanor actually revealed a bit of his true nature in Yan Ning's mind.
Fukang'an fiddled with the jade pendant at his waist, listening to Fu Chang'an recount court affairs, sometimes remaining silent, sometimes offering a few words of advice. When he heard that Heshen and Yongyan had developed a rift, he paused for a moment, then advised Fu Chang'an, "Lord Ji Yun and Lord Liu Yong's positions are very clear. Tell Heshen to visit Lord Yuan Shoutong's residence more often!"
Liu Yong came from a family of scholars, and his father, Liu Tongxun, was a high-ranking official close to the emperor. He was born with a proud spirit and didn't care about the dependence of others. If Fukang'an wanted to protect Fu Chang'an, he could only protect Heshen and suggested that he associate with Yuan Shoutong.
The Yuan family's influence in Shandong was unparalleled, and Yuan Shoutong held the position of Minister of Justice in the capital. Such an important figure would not have been abandoned by Yongyan if Heshen and Fu Chang'an had been able to associate with him, nor would Fu Chang'an have been implicated.
Fukang'an's words surprised Yan Ning greatly. Heshen and Fukang'an were originally indifferent to each other's life and death, but now they have become sworn brothers because of Fukang'an, and neither of them can put the other to death.
Yan Ning couldn't help but sigh inwardly, truly, women are like clothes, and brothers are like limbs. Initially, Fu Kang'an was so eager to draw his sword against He Shen because of him, but now he was secretly helping Fu Chang'an.
Fu Chang'an, who was sitting next to Fu Kang'an across a table, was no less shocked than Yan Ning. He asked in a trembling voice, "Third Brother, do you know that you are trying to help Heshen out of his predicament?"
Fukang'an put down the covered bowl in his hand and said sternly, "If you are willing to listen to me, why should I have anything to do with someone like him!"
Beneath his silver-white robe, Fukang'an's face held a mixture of anger and helplessness, as cold as jade. Fu Chang'an dared not say anything more, and quickly left, citing official duties.
The beaded curtain outside the screen rustled, the drapery was lifted, and the deep crimson drapery slid off Fukang'an's silver-white robe, spreading gracefully to the ground.
Yan Ning lifted her gaze from the child, her eyes filled with a playful resentment as she looked at Fu Kang'an. "I thought you came back for me and the child, but it turns out it was for Fu Chang'an!"
Fukang'an sat down in a corner of the bed, ignoring Yan Ning's jealous words, only looking at her and the two children with tenderness. Yan Ning blushed under his gaze, and he then looked away, turning to lie down beside the children. He took Yan Ning's hands, which were resting on the children, his voice tinged with reluctance, "Tomorrow morning I will go with you to the Yuan residence. This will put Second Brother's mind at ease; he won't make things difficult for you and the children anymore..."
Upon hearing this, Yan Ning's eyes welled up with tears. She knew Fukang'an hadn't finished speaking. His defying the imperial decree to return to the capital not only prevented him from leaving the city openly, but the postponement of military affairs in Jilin also caused him anxiety, preventing him from staying at home. She turned away, no longer looking at Fukang'an, and said in a sullen, childish tone, "Didn't you send Heshen and Fu Chang'an? Why did you have to use me as an excuse to make this trip again!"
Yan Ning, hidden under the brocade quilt, had her back to Fukang'an, preventing him from seeing the tears streaming down her face. Fukang'an was also saddened by her choked voice. He stroked her jet-black hair, unsure of what to say; comforting a woman was not his forte.
After a long while, Yan Ning's back trembled slightly, and Fu Kang'an felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. He turned Yan Ning's body around and said in a detached tone, "I'm leaving the capital tomorrow night. Do you expect me to take your tearful face to Jilin?"
Yan Ning felt a pang of sorrow and wiped away her tears with her sleeve. She looked at Fukang'an and then at the two sleeping babies in their swaddling clothes, and smiled gently. Although her face was not fully relaxed, it resembled a lily budding, pure and elegant.
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