Just as Fukang'an's kiss touched Yan Ning's snow-white neck, Li Mama's icy voice came from outside the door, "The old lady requests the general to go to the main room!"
Fukang'an's vision gradually cleared. He sat up and glanced displeasedly at the doorway. Yan Ning followed Fukang'an, looking at him nervously, her eyes darting around as if she had done something wrong. Fukang'an put his arm around her and said gently, "Your mother is a very proper person; this was my oversight! I'll come see you again tomorrow!" After saying this, he smoothed Yan Ning's jet-black hair and got up to leave.
"Greetings, General!" Granny Li stood at the doorway, and upon seeing Fukang'an emerge, she quickly bowed her head in greeting, not daring to look him directly in the eye. She had originally intended to find any maid to do this arduous task, but due to her master's personal orders, she had no choice but to come. Fukang'an's face still showed lingering anger, and he said in a deep voice, "It's late; Mother must have already retired for the night. I'll come to pay my respects again tomorrow!"
Fukang'an had just stepped to the entrance of the Peony Hall when he remembered that his mother had dragged him out of the west wing earlier that day, and that the servants would inevitably ridicule Yan Ning. So he turned back. Granny Li, who had just breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Fukang'an walk away, saw his tall figure reappear before her. Her heart skipped a beat, and she asked with a forced smile, "General, is there anything else you require?"
Fukang'an glanced at the servants waiting outside, then, with his hands clasped behind his back, said sternly, "A master is a master. Anyone who dares to bully the weak and loses their place as a servant will not be spared by the Fucha Manor!" In the darkness, Fukang'an's eyes gleamed coldly. The servants who had been gossiping and mocking Yan Ning behind Fukang'an's back now all knelt on the ground, timidly replying, "We obey the General's orders!"
Having learned from yesterday's experience, Yan Ning finished washing and dressing while it was still dark, and waited outside the main room to serve the old lady. Everything was as it had been yesterday; the old lady spoke with a smile. Yan Ning looked at the old lady's deliberate smile and felt that something was amiss, but she immediately shook her head, reassuring herself not to worry unnecessarily. After tidying herself up, Li Mama helped the old lady walk towards the outer hall, and Yan Ning hurriedly followed behind, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.
"Did you ever serve the general in the military camp?" A resolute glint flashed in the old lady's eyes. Yan Ning was stunned. After a while, she realized the meaning behind the old lady's question, and shook her head with a blush.
"Madam, Princess E'lan has arrived!" Before the maid who came in to report could even get up, E'lan had already walked in and said in a sweet voice, "E'lan greets Madam!" "Get up!" The old lady's smile was kind and amiable.
"How have you been, sister-in-law?" E'lan's smile, framed by her high cheekbones, made her nose appear even more prominent, and her eyes held a cold kindness. Standing before the old lady, Yan Ning gave E'lan a slight curtsy in return, saying, "Yan Ning is doing well! I wonder how Princess E'lan is?"
"Of course my sister-in-law is perfectly fine. These days, the dignitaries of the capital are having quite a lively chatter session!" E Lan looked at Yan Ning with a cold gaze, her voice filled with dissatisfaction!
The old lady's eyes widened in surprise, and she hurriedly asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Everyone says that this new sister-in-law is Lord He's favorite concubine, whom Brother Kang snatched from the He family! Moreover, she has already consummated her marriage with Lord He!"
"Nonsense!" Yan Ning retorted angrily before E Lan could finish speaking!
"Insolence!" The old lady slammed her hand on the table, her eyes flashing sharply as she looked at Yan Ning.
Yan Ning straightened her back and looked at the old lady, "Please investigate, old lady, what they said is not true! Yan Ning fainted as soon as she left the Fucha Mansion that day. It was Lord He who took pity on Yan Ning and brought her back to He Mansion!"
"So you're blaming me! I'm the one who beat you until you fainted, I'm the one who sent you to He Di!" The old lady's barrage of questions left Yan Ning speechless, but she still tried her best to defend herself: "Yan Ning didn't mean that, and the truth isn't what Gege Elan said! I live in a separate courtyard from Lord He, and I usually see Madam He! How could it be like what they're saying? Besides, I was sent back to the capital from the front lines by the General..." Seeing the sharpness in the old lady's eyes, Yan Ning immediately changed her words, "You know that I was sent back to the capital from the front lines by the General!"
The old lady's expression softened slightly; she knew what Yan Ning had said. Seeing the change in the old lady's expression, E Lan immediately said, "The Fucha family is no small household. Brother Kang is marrying a wife, not a concubine. Brother Kang is now listed in the register of meritorious officials; the historian's pen will not be merciful! Does the old lady want Brother Kang to be ridiculed by future generations?"
E'lan's words struck a nerve with the old lady. "Someone! Go find an experienced nanny!"
Tears welled up in Yan Ning's eyes, swirling anxiously. "Madam, you can't insult me like this!"
Xi Ying, supporting Xia'er's hand, hurried towards the Peony Hall.
"Madam, if you rush over now, won't you just be there when Lady Ning is suffering? If the general comes down in anger, we won't be able to escape the consequences!" Xia'er asked, puzzled.
“Although Elan is clever, she is ultimately reckless! Besides, she is inexperienced in such matters. If this matter is to be verified, it will be monitored by Granny Li. Granny Li is Mother’s confidante. At that time, the truth will be the truth, and we will have no room to back down! This is the best opportunity to stop Yan Ning from entering the mansion. If we fail this time, Delin and I will really lose our positions!” As she spoke, Xi Ying gripped Xia’er’s hand tightly. The sound of her flowerpot-soled shoes hitting the pebbles was rapid and forceful on the quiet path.
"Xi Ying greets Mother!" Xi Ying looked at Yan Ning kneeling on the ground, and then looked at E Lan and Granny Li with confusion.
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