In the morning mist, dew clung to the green grass, signaling the arrival of spring once again. Fukang'an had been staying in the capital for nearly a year, and Zhao Xing had also found himself spending a long time by Zhuxiang's side.
Although Fukang'an still disagreed with the marriage, Yan Ning didn't want Zhu Xiang to waste her years, so she took it upon herself to grant their wish. Zhao Xing's savings over the years were enough to buy a small courtyard in the outer city, and enough for Zhu Xiang to live a life of comfort.
The courtyard wasn't large, a small traditional courtyard house. There were three main rooms and three rooms each in the east and west wings, with some lush green trees planted in the courtyard. Zhao Xing had personally decorated the bridal chamber; it wasn't luxurious, but red curtains hung everywhere, giving it the feel of a wedding. Yan Ning was the officiant at their wedding. During a break in the ceremony, while Fukang'an was accompanying the Emperor on a trip, Yan Ning found a reason to keep Zhao Xing there. Fukang'an knew what Zhao Xing had been busy with lately and turned a blind eye to Yan Ning's covert assistance.
Among the guests were only Yan Ning, Yun Wan, De Xuan, and servants who were on good terms with Zhao Xing and Zhu Xiang. Very few others came, no more than ten, out of fear of Fu Kang An. The courtyard was somewhat deserted, but fortunately, those who came were all filled with heartfelt blessings. Ju Xiang, Lan Xiang, and Zhu Xiang had grown up together and bought gifts with money they had secretly saved for several years. The gifts weren't expensive, but Zhu Xiang was still moved to tears upon receiving them.
Yan Ning sat upright in the main hall. After the two men bowed to heaven and earth and then to her, she looked at Zhao Xing, who was wearing a red robe, and said in a deep voice, "Zhu Xiang has given you her whole life. You know that she has suffered unspeakable hardships throughout her life. If you betray her and make her suffer, I will never forgive you!"
The red veil concealed Zhu Xiang's tear-streaked face. Her gratitude towards Yan Ning was beyond words, and she could only kowtow three times. Zhao Xing held Zhu Xiang's hand tightly. His face was no longer the naive, foolish man it once was; years of serving Fukang'an had taught him composure. His eyes were fixed on Yan Ning. "Madam, please rest assured! In this life, if Zhao Xing ever breaks Zhu Xiang's heart, even in death I will rise up and slap myself twice!"
Seeing his calm expression, Yan Ning thought he had matured a lot, but his words still made everyone in the room laugh. Zhu Xiang was also amused by Zhao Xing's words and burst into laughter through her tears.
Lacking elaborate formalities, the couple's wedding was very simple. Yan Ning wanted to give the two of them some space, so she took Yun Wan and De Xuan, who were making a ruckus while looking at the bridal chamber, back to the mansion.
As Yan Ning entered the main room of Jian Gong Zhai, she saw a maid carrying Fukang'an's armor out of the inner chamber. The maids lifted the curtain for her, and Fukang'an, dressed in a dark crimson robe, sat on a warm couch drinking tea. Feeling a little uneasy, she walked over and sat beside him, making small talk. "Weren't you supposed to be back tomorrow? Why are you back today? Were you tired on the way?"
Fukang'an glanced sideways at Yan Ning, who was bombarding him with questions, and found it somewhat amusing. He looked at her and asked coldly, "Didn't you ask Zhao Xing to help you find a carpenter to make a dressing table? Have you found one?"
This morning, in a moment of panic, Yan Ning made up a random excuse to keep Zhao Xing with her. After a busy day, she had long forgotten what she had said that morning. She replied, "Found it!" She took the tea offered by Juxiang and gulped it down, choking and coughing as she drank it too fast.
Fukang'an snatched the covered bowl from her hands, his expression gentle as he quipped, "Since you had the guts to do it, why don't you have the guts to take responsibility?" Yan Ning was somewhat surprised that Fukang'an knew, but then she thought that Zhao Xing was his close attendant, and his joy was so obvious; how could he have kept it from Fukang'an? She asked infatuatedly, "Have you approved this marriage?"
Fukang'an casually placed the covered bowl on the table and replied in a low voice, "If I don't acknowledge it, how can you do whatever you want! I'm leaving the capital for Guangdong early tomorrow morning. You can't do without Zhuxiang now. Let her go with Zhao Xing as a concubine!"
A year together felt so short compared to five years of separation that Yan Ning couldn't even recall how she and Fukang'an had spent that year together. The Emperor's decree arrived quickly, and after hastily packing their belongings, Fukang'an and his entourage left the capital at dawn the next day.
One month, three months, half a year, a year passed, and all Yan Ning received were imperial edicts ordering Fukang'an to be transferred to various places. She felt a little envious of Zhu Xiang. Although Fukang'an had not yet granted Zhao Xing a formal title, she would not ask for anything more than the title of concubine.
When Delin reached the age to enter the Xian'an Palace School, Yan Ning thought that as her child grew up and had his own little worries, she had someone prepare Zhiqinxuan behind Jiangongzhai for him to live in.
Yunwan and Dexuan continued to shuttle between the palace and the mansion. Because of the friendship between the Tenth Princess and Yunwan, Consort Rong and Consort Dun also became close, but their smiling faces were only for the Emperor's benefit. Although Yan Ning did not want her child to become a pawn in the concubines' struggle for favor, even if the children of the Fucha family were not involved in the palace intrigues, they would still have to experience the ups and downs of officialdom and the struggles within the mansion.
In this way, Yan Ning wanted De Xuan and Yun Wan to learn more ways to protect themselves, so that they could be as clear-headed as Fu Kang An, and not be manipulated by others in the future.
Heshen's daughter, Yueman, was also a companion to the Tenth Princess, but her status was different from that of Yunwan. When the Tenth Princess was six years old, the Emperor had already betrothed her to Heshen's son, Fengshen Yinde, and Yueman became the Tenth Princess's aunt.
The palace was filled with sycophants, and Consort Rong, fearing that Yunwan would be neglected by the palace servants, used the Emperor's words to give the pearl bestowed upon her to Yunwan instead. Pearls were divided into nine grades, and this pearl was originally a large pearl, an inch in diameter, which was a tribute from the south. Only two pearls were presented as tribute; one was given to Consort Rong, and the other to Consort Dun.
Yunwan's eighth birthday coincided with the arrival of news of Fukang'an's victory in suppressing the cult rebellion in Gansu. The Emperor praised Yunwan as a lucky star and held a banquet in the palace to celebrate her birthday. The Emperor originally intended to bestow upon Yunwan the title of Princess, but fearing it would raise suspicion about Fukang'an's identity, he instead bestowed upon her a hundred bolts of silk and satin, and ten boxes of gold, silver, and jade. Consort Rong, Consort Dun, Consort Xun, Heshen, the Eleventh Prince, the Fifteenth Prince, as well as Fu Chang'an and the Emperor's close advisors were all invited to the banquet. For a time, the Imperial Garden was bustling with activity.
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