Inside the brocade box enshrined in the main room of the Jian Gong Zhai (Hall of Merit and Glory) lay a thick imperial edict. Over the past five years, Fukang'an's official rank had risen from General of Shengjing to Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou, and then to Governor-General of Sichuan. Although he was far from the capital, the Emperor still appointed him as a Grand Minister of the Imperial Court and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. The Emperor's high regard and favor towards Fukang'an were clearly evident from the imperial edict in this brocade box.
As the Emperor grew older, he witnessed the open and covert struggles between Yongyan and Yongxing. Their covetousness of the throne made the Emperor value Fukang'an, who had worked tirelessly for the country, even more. Unable to grant Fukang'an the status of a member of the imperial clan, the Emperor could only compensate him with official titles and honors. However, this favor frequently brought trouble to Fukang'an, and Yongyan became wary of the Fucha family again.
Whenever Fukang'an received an imperial edict, he would send it back to his residence, outwardly displaying it as a sacred object, leaving no room for criticism. Inwardly, Yan Ning knew he was merely trying to reassure her, wanting her to accompany him through every promotion and transfer. Yan Ning flipped through these edicts, her gaze following the place names on them, as if her footsteps were beside Fukang'an. When her eyes slid to the nearest edict, a smile curved her lips.
This was an imperial edict sent back by the utmost urgency. Fulongan was critically ill, and the Emperor used this as a pretext to order Fukangan to return to the capital to take over the matters that Fulongan was in charge of. Judging by the days, Fukangan should have already dealt with the affairs of the Sichuan Governor-General's Office and would be able to return to the capital soon.
A spring breeze swept across the pond, ruffling its ripples. Yunwan had summoned Yan Ning to watch the waterbirds frolicking in the pond, but Yunwan, unable to calm her mind, picked up pebbles from beside the Taihu stones and tossed them into the water to frighten the birds. The birds flapped their wings, stirring up the water. Yan Ning's hair was tied in two small, round buns with pink ribbons around her neck; her fair face, though still youthful, already possessed the captivating beauty of Yan Ning. She giggled, completely oblivious to the splashes that had soaked her pink brocade robes.
Sitting in the pavilion, Yan Ning could only helplessly watch Yun Wan's mischievous behavior. Yun Wan and De Xuan had been favored by the Emperor and Consort Rong since childhood. Yun Wan was nearly two years younger than the Tenth Princess, and the two often played together. The palace servants all treated Yun Wan like a little princess. Back at the Fucha residence, Yan Ning wanted to punish Yun Wan, but the Old Madam doted on her.
If Yunwan was treated this way, then Yan Ning had absolutely no say in Dexuan's affairs. Yan Ning had only disciplined Dexuan once when he was two years old, and since then, Dexuan had lived and ate at the Peony Hall as soon as he returned home from the palace. Seeing her two children being so loved, Yan Ning felt a mixture of joy and worry.
Delin was already ten years old, practically the pillar of the Fucha family. Although Dexuan was young, she was always competitive and always managed to outdo Delin. Delin's humility always reminded Yan Ning of Xi Ying's forbearance. She wondered why the child she had raised was so similar to Xi Ying, truly proving the saying that blood is thicker than water.
Compared to Yunwan, Yunxin, like Wuchun, rarely left the Chunying Garden. Quiet and gentle in nature, her petite and frail body was much thinner than Wuchun's, and she spent many days a month bedridden. Yunxin consumed a considerable amount of the Fucha family's finest tonics, but her health showed no improvement. The imperial physicians only prescribed mild tonics, saying that her condition was a congenital heat-related illness that could not be cured completely.
The old lady had suggested that Yunxin stay at the Peony Hall, thinking that without Wuchun's sickly influence, Yunxin would be healthier. However, Wuchun refused, kneeling in the Peony Hall and begging the old lady to let Yunxin return to Chunying Garden. The old lady, having experienced much, understood Wuchun's feelings. If her illness prevented her from bearing children for Fukang'an, and if her only daughter became estranged from her, then she felt no reason to continue living in this mansion.
The old lady conceded a step, allowing Yan Ning to choose a nanny who knew medicine to serve Yun Xin, and then sent her back to Chun Ying Yuan.
In early spring, everything is tender green, not yet lush and green, still showing signs of immaturity. When Yunwan met Dexuan after his martial arts class, she immediately dragged him to play hide-and-seek by the Taihu rock, and their maids and servants were all ordered to join them.
Yan Ning gazed at De Xuan and Yun Wan playing in the distance, their figures, one pink and one green, flitting back and forth among the tender green branches. A faint smile graced her mature and charming face. But when she saw Zhu Xiang serving tea, Yan Ning's smile froze, and she tenderly grasped Zhu Xiang's hand.
Zhu Xiang forced a smile as she looked at Yan Ning's face. She shook her head heavily a few times, then suddenly knelt down, tears washing away the forced smile from her lips. Her oval face had become as thin as a cone over the years, and her sharp chin stung Yan Ning's eyes.
Yan Ning knew Zhu Xiang's feelings; she didn't want Zhao Xing to see her like this. Zhao Xing was now a deputy general under Fu Kang'an, with a bright future ahead of him. If Zhao Xing married a mute woman, he would surely be ridiculed.
A rush of footsteps echoed on the asphalt road, and large beads of sweat clung to Delin's face. He pulled up his long robe, ran up the steps, knelt before Yan Ning, and bowed, his joy barely concealed. "Your son greets Mother!" Before Yan Ning could say anything, Delin continued, "Fourth Uncle said that Father has returned to the capital and is currently meeting with the Emperor in the palace!"
Yan Ning was overjoyed and unconsciously stood up. Her platform shoes stepped on Zhu Xiang's skirt, and she quickly took a few steps back. She pulled up the kneeling Zhu Xiang, "Zhao Xing's current status means his marriage is not up to him. I'm afraid the general has already made up his mind. But as long as I am here, I will never allow you to be a concubine!"
Zhu Xiang's hand was held tightly by Yan Ning, and a glimmer of hope ignited in her lifeless heart. If Zhao Xing was willing to accept her as she was, she would be willing to follow him as a concubine or a maid.
Delin's gaze swept over Zhuxiang's tear-streaked face, and a cloudiness beyond his years appeared in his eyes.
The Peony Hall was bustling with activity due to the news of Fukang'an's impending return. Yan Ning, with her three children, waited at the Old Madam's residence for the family reunion. Wu Chun originally intended to come as well, but in the unpredictable spring weather, she coughed up blood repeatedly. Yan Ning felt sorry for her and comforted her, telling her not to come and that Fukang'an would visit her upon his return. Wu Chun, also worried that her illness would spoil everyone's enjoyment, had her wet nurse send Yun Xin instead.
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