Yan Ning moved a few steps to the side, blocking Wu Chun's gaze from falling on Fukang'an, her voice carrying a hint of authority. "You don't look too well. Perhaps we should return to Chunying Garden first!"
The distinction between嫡庶 (legitimate and illegitimate children) and 尊卑 (higher or lower social status) was clear, and Yan Ning's expression was cold and her voice threatening. Under normal circumstances, Wu Chun would not have endured such humiliation. Today, Wu Chun knew from Yan Ning's unusual expression that Fukang'an had returned to the capital without her permission. But why was he keeping it from her? Did he suspect her?
Wu Chun took a few steps back to make way, her face still bearing the same smile she had when she first spoke. "It's all Wu Chun's fault. I was so busy exchanging pleasantries with Madam that I forgot she was in a hurry to leave."
Yan Ning smiled and nodded, walking past Wu Chun.
Fukang'an followed among a group of servants, whose faces were mostly obscured by black and gray velvet hats. As he passed Wuchun, he glanced at her, his face clearly appearing in her eyes. The cold light in his eyes was so intense that Wuchun felt as if she had been doused with a mixture of ice and snow, and collapsed to the ground. That gaze was like a cold arrow, piercing through the secret hidden in Wuchun's heart.
After turning a few corners, Yan Ning looked back, her eyes filled with only a solemn and serene gaze. She slowed her pace to catch up with Fukang'an, saying worriedly, "Aunt An must have discovered something; she's such a perceptive person!"
Fukang'an kept his head down and replied in a low voice, "If I weren't so insightful, how could I have become his pawn!"
His pawn?
Yan Ning stopped in her tracks, wondering who the "he" Fukang'an was referring to was, and Fukang'an clearly had no intention of telling her.
The Manchu mansions in the inner city had long since swept away the snow piled up in front of their gates, their remains interspersed with the unswept streets. The carriage moved along the streets, the low rumble of its wheels crushing the snow echoing through the air. Yan Ning lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Fukang'an, who was following beside the carriage. His low-cut black shoes were already stained with snow and mud, and his face glowed a translucent red from the cold wind.
When Yan Ning first met Fukang'an, she had seen him in a more disheveled state in the military camp than he was now, but today, Fukang'an, disguised as a servant, brought tears to Yan Ning's eyes.
In just three years, this once spirited young man had become composed and experienced. Although Yan Ning didn't understand his intentions behind many of his choices and actions, she willingly obeyed him. Yan Ning didn't know why he insisted she accompany him to the Yuan residence today. With Fukang'an's skills, he could move freely even in enemy camps, so this small official's residence would be no problem for him. But since Fukang'an wanted her to come, he must have his reasons.
Although the Yuan family was located in the outer city, their family background and status placed them near the inner city gate.
Juxiang helped Yan Ning down from the carriage, and servants from the Fucha family immediately stepped forward to introduce themselves. The Yuan residence had no guards, only four servants at the gate. When the servants saw that the newcomers were traveling in a carriage from the Fucha family and heard that Yan Ning was the wife of Master Fu, they immediately sent someone into the gate to inform Yuan Shoutong.
Yan Ning and her group were stopped outside the mansion gate. Out of boredom, she carefully examined the building materials of the Yuan mansion. Although it also had a heavy vermilion gate and towering stone steps, it was less noble and grand than the Fucha Mansion and the He Mansion in the inner city.
The Fucha Mansion was a residence built in the imperial city, using materials of the standard for royal palaces, and even its design was done by imperial craftsmen. In contrast, the Hedi Mansion was built by Heshen, who overstepped his status and official position by relying on the emperor's favor. As a result, the proper and unrefined Yuan Mansion seemed somewhat shabby, but it exuded the refined and noble character of its owners.
Yan Ning clutched Fukang'an's letter tightly to her sleeve, knowing she was destined to be turned away this time. Yesterday, she had been surprised that Fukang'an was helping Heshen, but today, when she received Fukang'an's hastily written letter, that surprise had faded considerably. Without Fukang'an's letter, even as Fukang'an's wife, she would be refused entry; presumably, Heshen and Fu Chang'an wouldn't easily receive a kind word from Yuan Shoudong. However, unlike Agui, who was Manchu, Yuan Shoudong was ultimately Han Chinese and dared not openly offend Heshen and Fu Chang'an.
Thinking of this, Yan Ning chuckled inwardly. Fu Kang'an had merely given Fu Chang'an a treasure map; where the treasure lay was for He Shen to find. Her eyes were full of amusement as she looked at Fu Kang'an. Fu Kang'an, following behind her, didn't understand why she was laughing, only frowning slightly to warn her against her mischief. Yan Ning pouted playfully at Fu Kang'an, who suppressed his laughter, his face cold as he lowered his head.
The gates of the mansion creaked open, just wide enough for one person to pass through, and an elderly steward with a white beard emerged. Upon seeing Yan Ning, he bowed deeply and said, "Please forgive me, Madam Fucha! My master has been unwell lately and is unable to see you!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Ning handed the letter from her sleeve to Ju Xiang, who then presented it to the steward of the Yuan residence. Yan Ning smiled at the old steward and said, "Let Lord Yuan read the letter before deciding whether or not to see me!"
After taking the letter, the old steward squinted for a moment, then bowed and said, "Please wait a moment, Madam Fucha, while I deliver this letter to my master!" The mansion gate closed again as the old steward entered the mansion.
A moment later, the mansion gate creaked open, now much wider than before when it could only accommodate one person. Yan Ning ordered the rest of the servants to stay outside the gate, and only took Zhu Xiang and Fu Kang'an with her to follow the old steward to the front hall. The old steward ordered tea to be served, and then stood by the door, waiting for Yuan Shoutong.
Yan Ning sat to the side, her heart pounding with anxiety as she rubbed the covered bowl together, making a clinking sound. She had heard Fu Kang'an say that Yuan Shoudong was nearly sixty years old, and she imagined him to be an old man, like a steward.
The curtain was lifted, and Yuan Shoudong, dressed in a casual gray robe, strode in, his steps firm and robust like that of a middle-aged man. Yan Ning was slightly surprised. She immediately stood up, intending to bow to Yuan Shoudong, but he beat her to it. With a solemn expression, he bowed respectfully to Fukang'an, who was standing beside Yan Ning, and said, "This humble official greets General Fucha!"
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