As the carriage from the Fucha residence gradually departed from the Hedi residence, the spiritual energy of the Fuzi stele dissipated, and Yunwan's pale face regained its pale color. Fukang'an and Yan Ning both relaxed. Upon arriving at the Fucha residence, Chief Academy Cai was already waiting at the Jian Gong Zhai. After examining Yunwan's pulse, he bowed to Fukang'an and said, "Princess Yunwan merely fainted due to weakness. This humble servant will prescribe a remedy to replenish her energy; there's nothing serious!"
Fukang'an had the head physician, Cai, seen off and gave the prescription to Steward Luo, who then sent someone to fetch the medicine and prepare it. When he returned to the inner room, Yan Ning, having just experienced a false alarm, was slumped on the bed, her face even paler than Yun Wan's. He held Yan Ning in his arms and softly comforted her, "Our child will not leave so easily!"
Yan Ning looked at Fukang'an with teary eyes, "Did you ask why Yunwan fainted at Heshen's residence?" Fukang'an's expression stiffened, and he glanced away from Yan Ning. "When she fainted, her body emitted a strange light!"
As Fukang'an emerged from the palace, he encountered Yongyan escorting the Tenth Princess back to the palace. The moment their horses passed each other, Yongyan spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Yunwan's body emitted an unusual light and she fainted at the Hedi Palace. Now, General Fucha is probably going to have to go to great lengths to protect more than just Lady Fucha!" He looked up and saw the smile that flashed across Yongyan's face. He tightened his grip, and the horse, in pain, galloped forward.
If Fukang'an hadn't been holding Yan Ning with such force, she would have collapsed onto the bed by now. The strange light emanating from her body was enough for her to bear alone; why should the naive Yunwan also have to endure this bizarre phenomenon? Yunwan's complexion had returned to normal, and she was sleeping peacefully. Yan Ning looked at Fukang'an, but his expressionless face revealed nothing of his thoughts.
The light and shadow dappled through the crystal curtains, and even the breath of life in the room was sparse. Juxiang's voice broke the silence of the inner chamber, "Reporting to the General and Madam, Consort Rong's carriage has arrived at the gate!"
Fukang'an calmed his expression and went with Yan Ning to the gate of the mansion to receive Consort Rong's carriage. Halfway there, they were met by Consort Rong, whose face was full of worry. She anxiously asked Fukang'an and Yan Ning, who were bowing to her, "She was lively and energetic when she entered the palace this morning. How come only half a day later, the Tenth Princess returned alone and said that Yunwan had fainted and was unconscious? General Fucha has also sent someone to invite Cai Yuanzhong back to the Fucha mansion. The servants from the Fucha mansion who came to fetch him said that the doctor told you to prepare for Yunwan's funeral. His Majesty and I are very worried!"
Yan Ning rose and helped Consort Rong up, forcing a smile as she said, "It was just a doctor in the city who made some nonsense. Yunwan is fine now!" Upon hearing this, Consort Rong's anxiety eased somewhat, but she immediately retorted sharply, "Those who speak such nonsense should have their tongues pulled out to prevent them from harming people! What kind of status does Yunwan have? How can he be allowed to make such a fuss about her pulse!" The eunuch beside Consort Rong understood his mistress's meaning and immediately relayed the decree.
Yan Ning didn't know the contents of the imperial decree, but it seemed that Doctor Jin would be crippled. After seeing Yun Wan, Consort Rong was completely relieved. Yan Ning could see that Consort Rong genuinely loved Yun Wan, but beneath that love lay her own selfish motives. Over the years, if it weren't for Yun Wan and De Xuan by her side, the aging and faded Consort Rong would have long since fallen out of favor with the Emperor. Thinking of this, Yan Ning's attitude towards Consort Rong remained as cold as before.
As dusk fell, an emergency at the military camp summoned Fukang'an. Consort Rong wanted to wait for Yunwan to wake up but had to rush back before the palace gates closed. On the way to the mansion, Yan Ning saw Yan Ning's preoccupied expression and knew that the relationship the two had maintained over the years was only because of Yunwan and Dexuan!
Just before boarding the sedan chair, Consort Rong whispered in Yan Ning's ear, "Let Yun Wan stay sick, lest she become a pawn like the Tenth Princess!"
Consort Rong, supported by Fei Yun, boarded the sedan chair, her expression as if the words she had just spoken were not her own. Yan Ning pondered Consort Rong's words, truly unsure of her meaning, and decided to wait for Fu Kang An to return before informing him. Yun Wan's continued deep sleep dispelled Yan Ning's desire to inquire with He Di about what had transpired during the day.
Inside Wanxiang Pavilion, the air remained thick with the decadent fragrance of intoxication. Fukang'an bypassed the women who wanted to cling to him and went upstairs, looking for the nameplates hanging on the various boudoirs, where he saw Heshen's name.
The door was suddenly pushed open, and Fukang'an, his long robe billowing, sat opposite Heshen, who was drinking. Heshen, his face calm, waved his hand, dismissing all the women playing the zither and dancing lightly inside. The last woman to leave closed the door, creating a slight breeze that caused the gauze curtains to flutter in the dim candlelight. Fukang'an's deep crimson robe and Heshen's moon-white robe paled in the candlelight, their original colors lost. The two sat facing each other across a square table.
Heshen poured Fukang'an a cup of wine, his crescent-shaped eyes meeting Fukang'an's dark, sharp gaze. Fukang'an finished his wine, casually placed the cup on the table, and asked Heshen, "Was it Yan Ning who told you about the Wanxiang Pavilion?" Heshen smiled, his eyes still like crescent moons, "You already know, so why ask me! Now, the head of the Wanxiang Pavilion is someone like me!" With that, he flipped his hand and pushed the jade pendant in his hand towards Fukang'an.
Fukang'an stared expressionlessly at the jade pendant on the table, and asked in an icy voice, "Why is Yan Ning's jade pendant with you?"
Heshen was somewhat angry. Fukang'an only cared about the safety of the Qing Dynasty, rarely staying at home and neglecting Yan Ning and her two children in the capital. He replied coldly, "This was bestowed upon Yunwan by Consort Rong, exactly the same as the one Yan Ning wears! Fukang'an, can you perhaps devote a little of your attention to your wife and children instead of to military campaigns?" Fukang'an dismissed Heshen's words, "Lord He, please state the purpose of inviting me here today!"
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