The towering Taihu stones on all sides confined the autumn wind within the Fu residence. A sudden gust of wind swept across the rooftops, sloping down and staining the white Xuan paper on the ground with ink, causing it to sway and flutter in the wind. Yan Ning stood beside Yun Wan, watching the father and daughter glaring at each other. She then ordered Zhao Xing, who was guarding the door, to pull Yun Wan away.
After the servants closed the two doors behind Yan Ning, Fukang'an glared angrily at her. "You knew about her affair with Wuergong'a all along, why didn't you stop it!"
Yan Ning was speechless. Yun Wan and Wu Ergong'a were truly in love. How could she stop these two young people experiencing their first love? But neither the Emperor nor Fukang'an would allow this relationship. Fukang'an approached Yan Ning, his anger like a weapon that could wound without being seen. Yan Ning couldn't help but take a few steps back, and only regained her footing after holding onto the door frame carved with flowers and a full moon.
Fukang'an pushed open the door, and a gust of autumn wind rushed in, making his face appear even colder. Yan Ning caught a glimpse of his icy eyes and was even more intimidated by his sharp words. "If you can't keep an eye on Yunwan, then both her and Wuergong'a's lives will be in danger! Such a morally reprehensible act, Yan Ning, you mustn't be so foolish!"
The Miaoxian Pavilion where Yunwan resided was guarded by more than ten guards from the Fucha Mansion dispatched by Fukang'an, and even Yan Ning was not allowed to enter. Apart from Yunwan's usual personal maid, all the servants in the courtyard were replaced, and Dexuan was also forbidden from associating with Wuergong'a.
Fuzhai was originally a delightful paradise, but because of the incident involving Yunwan and Wuergong'a, it has become a gilded birdcage decorated with pearls and jade, and Yan Ning and Fukang'an have become much colder towards each other.
Zhao Xing had been a father for many years. Seeing the cold war between Yan Ning and Fukang'an, he overstepped his bounds and advised Yan Ning, "The general won't be staying in the capital for long. If you hold a grudge against the general, wouldn't you be left with years of guilt?"
Yan Ning couldn't help but look through the curtain at the once naive Zhao Xing, whose body was now much stronger than before. He hadn't accompanied Fukang'an back to the capital for a long time; Fukang'an's several trips back to the capital had all coincided with Zhu Xiang giving birth, and Qian Yi had always accompanied Fukang'an on his return. Seeing Zhao Xing now, Yan Ning was reminded of Zhu Xiang. Although the two had exchanged letters over the years, they could only know that life had gone well through the faint ink. Zhu Xiang had become Zhao Xing's principal wife this year, which could be considered a long-awaited happy ending.
She smiled at Zhao Xing, who was standing outside, and said, "When will you bring Zhuxiang and the child back to the capital so I can see them too!"
Zhao Xingwen's tone was light and cheerful as he replied with a smile, "This servant will remember it! If the opportunity arises, I will definitely bring her and the child back! She thinks of Madam all the time!"
The sounds of Yunwan arguing with the guards could be heard from Miaoxian Pavilion from time to time. Although Yan Ning felt sorry for her, she was unable to persuade Fukang'an. Having forbidden Yunwan and Yunxin from studying the Four Books for Girls since childhood, she had no choice but to order someone to send the Four Books to Yunwan. She also specially invited Granny Li from the Fucha Mansion to teach Yunwan etiquette and manners. Although it was too late, Yan Ning had no other choice.
After Fukang'an returned to the capital, memorials impeaching him for corruption were submitted to the court daily. Old cases of corruption involving Fukang'an's subordinates, such as Chai Daji and Li Yuanpei, were reopened, implicating both the Heshen and Yongyan factions. Unable to quell public opinion, the Emperor, less than four months after Fukang'an's return, issued an edict appointing him Governor-General of Sichuan. Later, unrest broke out in Yunnan and Guizhou, leading to his reassignment as Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou. Helin, recommended by Heshen, was appointed Governor-General of Sichuan, filling Fukang'an's vacancy.
In early 2000, Wu Shulai secretly informed Yongyan that the Emperor had reopened the edict for the Crown Prince behind the plaque of "Upright and Bright." Previously, in the case of Li Shiyao's embezzlement, Yongxing had only been implicated and fined three years' salary. In a state of panic and confusion, Yongyan had no choice but to secretly visit the residence of Princess Guren Hexiao.
The bright moon hung high, casting a chilling shadow. Yongyan, draped in a black cloak, had only one personal servant holding a lamp for him. The only sound was the hurried footsteps echoing through the streets. The cloak concealed his icy face, and even the large lanterns in front of the princess's residence couldn't illuminate it.
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