The vermilion gates and glazed tile roofs of the mansion exude a noble and majestic air, showcasing the aristocratic bearing of Qing Dynasty officials.
"Miss, please!" Yan Ning followed the servants of the He family into the front courtyard. Because of the screen wall, she could not see the internal structure and layout.
"Please wait here, young lady. My master will be here shortly." The man led Yan Ning and the others into the study in the front courtyard and then left.
Yan Ning looked around. Although there were many items in the room, they were all commonplace things. She thought to herself, "He Shen is truly a man of deep cunning."
"Zhuxiang, Zhaoxing, you wait here, I'm going out for a bit." Yan Ning thought that Heshen had many secrets and probably wouldn't easily take her into the inner quarters, so she decided to go and find out for herself.
Yan Ning pushed open the hanging flower gate and entered the main courtyard of He Di, only to find that there were only two courtyards. Following the direction she had taken on the day she traveled through time, Yan Ning found that the scenery here was completely different from that side.
"Could this be the former residence of Prince Gong's Mansion?" Yan Ning muttered to herself.
"What is the young lady looking for?" Heshen saw Yan Ning looking around as if searching for something from afar, and his wariness of her grew even stronger.
Yan Ning was not used to the shoes she was wearing, and now, feeling guilty for her crime, she was startled by He Shen and lost her footing, falling to the ground.
"Watch out!" Heshen rushed forward and caught Yan Ning, who was about to fall to the ground.
Yan Ning looked at Heshen, who was holding her. Heshen had crescent-shaped smiling eyes, and his eyes were as rippling as autumn water. His lips were as red as a woman's and complemented his pearly white teeth. Although he was a man, he was more charming than a woman. Now that he was holding her so tightly, two red circles appeared on her temples.
He Shen thought that although he had seen countless beauties, this was the first time he had ever seen such a stunning beauty, and his smile deepened.
"Miss!" Zhao Xing waited for a long time but Yan Ning did not return. Thinking of He Shen's treacherous and cunning nature, he and Zhu Xiang went out to look for her.
Yan Ning broke free from He Shen's embrace and awkwardly let Zhu Xiang support her.
"I was unaware of your presence, young lady. I have failed to greet you properly." Heshen bowed slightly, as if nothing had happened.
Yan Ning blushed and said, "It wasn't anything important, sir. You've made a big deal out of it. Zhao Xing!"
Zhao Xing accepted the order and presented the large food box in his hand. "This was a gift from you the other day, and now I'm returning it to you empty. I hope you won't blame me," Yan Ning said, mimicking Heshen's tone.
"I wonder what the young lady was looking for? Is there anything I can do to help?" Heshen waved his hand, and Liu Quan, who was beside him, took the large food box from Zhao Xing's hands.
"I've heard that there's a beautiful courtyard called Tianxiang Courtyard in your residence, and I'd like to see it. May I ask, sir?" Knowing that Heshen was extremely cunning, Yan Ning didn't want to reason with him and directly stated her purpose.
"I would like to keep you here a little longer, but unfortunately, I do not have such a courtyard in my residence. Where did you hear about it?" Heshen scrutinized Yan Ning. What was her purpose? And what was Tianxiang Courtyard?
"No?" How could that be? She clearly arrived here in the Tianxiang Courtyard. If not, how could she get back? "Are you sure?" Yan Ning asked anxiously.
"You jest, young lady. Surely I am familiar with my own residence?" Heshen said with a smile.
Yan Ning was filled with confusion. Heshen had no reason to lie to her, so what was going on? Yes, it was because his son married a princess that Heshen had undertaken such a grand renovation of the Hedi Palace. The missing section must be the princess's residence. Thinking of this, Yan Ning blurted out, "When will your son, Fengshen Yinde, marry the princess?"
Heshen's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. "My child is not even a year old yet, and is only named Zhen. Moreover, I am of lowly status, how dare I presume to be related to a princess? Please don't play with me, young lady."
Realizing she had misspoke, Yan Ning quickly said, "My lord is busy, and I shouldn't bother you for too long."
Sitting in the carriage, Yan Ning was still shaken. She didn't know what the consequences would be if Heshen discovered her identity.
"Liu Quan, bring the person who returned from Xiaojinchuan here." Heshen had just sat down when he instructed Liu Quan. Yan Ning's words just now made him even more eager to know Yan Ning's identity.
"This humble servant greets Your Excellency!" The man knelt on the ground.
"Stand up and answer!"
"Miss Yan Ning was brought back to the military camp by General Fucha. According to the soldiers who accompanied her, Miss Yan Ning was wearing strange clothes and her whole body was glowing. Later, Miss Yan Ning was abducted to the official residence by the chieftain Senggesang of Xiaojinchuan. In order to save her, General Fucha did not hesitate to use the Jianrui Cloud Ladder Battalion and was seriously injured and unconscious for several days. General Agui called her a witch and wanted to execute her, but he was also saved by General Fucha." The person reported truthfully.
"What did she do? General Agui wants to execute her." Heshen twirled the ring on his hand.
"General Agui said she colluded with the White Lotus Sect."
"White Lotus Sect? Demoness?" Recalling what Yan Ning had just said to him, Heshen's lips curled into an unfathomable smile.
Yan Ning looked out the window. Although it was late autumn, the river was still rippling with emerald waves. In the distance, the mountains were a beautiful, dark green, a picturesque scene. She couldn't help but ask, "Where is this?"
“Miss, this is the Crescent Moon River.” Zhu Xiang followed Yan Ning’s gaze.
Hearing the conversation between the two, Zhao Xing, who was driving the carriage, said with dissatisfaction, "Lord He's residence is nestled in the embrace of Panlong Water, in an excellent location. If it weren't for the Emperor's favor, how could he have gotten such a feng shui treasure? There are many ministers in the court who are higher in rank than him. Yet it was his turn. My general originally really liked this land."
Yan Ning smiled as she looked at Zhao Xing, who was so eager to protect his master. If it weren't related to Fukang'an, he wouldn't have said such a thing.
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