Wu Chun's death was something everyone in the household had long anticipated. When the old lady learned of it, she was only saddened for a short while. She instructed Yan Ning to take good care of Yun Xin and not let her fall ill again because of this.
The leaves in the manor have turned green, but the branches have turned white. Fukang'an felt guilty for not being able to see Wuchun one last time, so he instructed Steward Luo to conduct her funeral with the rites due to a lady. The mourning hall was also set up in the front courtyard to show Wuchun's noble status.
Both Dexuan and Yunwan wore white mourning clothes for Wuchun, but they didn't know why. Outside the mourning hall, they tugged at each other's white hats. Yunxin knelt before Wuchun's coffin, unaware of the meaning of death. Wuchun had been bedridden for many years, and Yunxin only felt that Wuchun had fallen asleep from unbearable pain. She pressed her delicate cheek against the coffin and smiled, "Yunxin, if I touch my cheek with yours, your pain will lessen. Mother, please get up and teach Yunxin to play the zither! Yunxin hasn't learned the piece you taught me the other day. Once Yunxin has learned it, she can play it for Father."
The mourning hall, draped with white silk, was empty. Yunxin's weak voice echoed in Yan Ning's ears, breaking her heart as a mother. Guests who came to pay their respects entered one after another, and Yan Ning asked the wet nurses of her three children to take them to another part of the mansion.
After several busy days, the Fucha Mansion finally had some free time after Wuchun's coffin was buried. The old lady found the white mourning clothes and white silk covering the flowers bothersome, so she had them removed from the most conspicuous places, leaving only the white silk on the gate of Chunying Garden and the side courtyard.
Yan Ning was dissatisfied, but dared not speak frankly to the old lady. She could only grumble a few words to Fu Kang'an. He comforted her, saying, "Wu Chun is not a legitimate wife after all. Mother allowed the whole mansion to dress her in white mourning clothes and even hung white silk in the garden. This is also because of Yun Xin's sake."
Yan Ning, aware of the household rules, remained silent and sat beside Fukang'an. More than whether or not the household would hang a white silk scarf for Wu Chun, she was worried about Wu Chun's relationship with the Eleventh Prince. She cautiously asked, "What is your relationship with the Eleventh Prince like?"
Fukang'an glanced at Yan Ning and knew what she wanted to say and ask. He simply told her everything, "Wu Chun is a pawn planted by the Eleventh Prince in Wanxiang Pavilion. The girls and their families in Wanxiang Pavilion are all under house arrest outside the city by the Eleventh Prince. Therefore, Wanxiang Pavilion is merely a tool used by the Eleventh Prince to obtain incriminating evidence against the private affairs of court officials. Do you remember Wu Chun's unusual behavior on the day of Yunxin's third-day celebration?"
Yan Ning shook her head; that had happened years ago, and she had long forgotten it. Fukang'an didn't expect her to remember anything, and after a pause, continued, "At first, I didn't know Wu Chun's identity, nor did I know that Wanxiang Pavilion had such a powerful backer. On the day of Yunxin's third-day celebration, Wu Chun was frightened and injured herself. I was suspicious, so I investigated the women present that day. Later, I traced it back to the Eleventh Prince's wife, and gradually discovered that after Wu Chun became pregnant with Yunxin, she wanted to sever ties with the Eleventh Prince. The Eleventh Prince didn't want to discard her as a pawn, so he took a risky move and involved his wife in the matter."
Yan Ning was puzzled as to why Fukang'an didn't tell the Emperor about these things, but Fukang'an just smiled and said, "I'm afraid there are people who want to report to the Emperor even more than I do, but I got this secret before him. So it's better to pretend that I don't know anything, so as not to get dragged into the vortex."
Protecting himself and focusing solely on safeguarding the nation's safety has always been Fukang'an's style. Yan Ning's hand touched his slightly tired face; matters of the court and his residence had kept him from resting for several days.
Fukang'an grasped Yan Ning's hand, his brows softening. "The way you look at me, is it because the constant running around these past few years has made me look old?"
Yan Ning shook her head, a hint of sadness in her eyes. Five years was too long; she could no longer see what Fukang'an looked like in the past. This long separation was simply the helplessness of being the General's wife. If she were merely a concubine, relying on Fukang'an's favor, she too could have stayed by his side.
The Fucha mansion returned to its former bustling state after Fukang'an's return to the capital. However, this tranquil scene, like flowing water, lingered in Yan Ning's heart as Fukang'an grew older, leaving a mark on her mind as she counted the days until his death in the army in his prime. This place, like a thorn, took root and spread in Yan Ning's heart, eventually turning into a swamp, where even the joy of her family was trapped.
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