Fukang'an released Yan Ning, looked into her eyes, and asked with confusion, "In your era?" Yan Ning avoided his gaze, "I... I just want to go somewhere where it's just the two of us!" Fukang'an thought about Yan Ning's words, his gaze passing over her and looking into the distance. After a while, Fukang'an pulled Yan Ning back into his arms and comforted her, saying, "I've already sent people to guard the Fu residence, and no one will be allowed to disturb you! This Fu residence has mountains and water; if you think that's not enough, I'll send someone to bring in some Taihu stones to decorate it!" Yan Ning bit her lip lightly, leaning against Fukang'an's chest, full of worry. She didn't know how to tell him.
Looking up at Fukang'an's handsome face, Yan Ning hated herself for being so selfish, neglecting her family who were waiting for her return. Inside the purple gauze tent, Fukang'an stayed by Yan Ning's side without leaving for a moment, and Yan Ning's words, spoken in a moment of passion, were drowned out by the darkness.
Early in the morning, Zhao Xing rushed to Liuxiang Garden. Seeing the main door tightly closed, he beckoned to Zhu Xiang. Zhu Xiang, who was waiting outside, hesitated for a moment, then went over and asked, "What is it?" Zhao Xing took something wrapped in a white handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Zhu Xiang. Zhu Xiang glanced at Zhao Xing, took it, and opened the handkerchief; it was a gold butterfly hairpin. Zhu Xiang's delicate oval face immediately flushed red. She hurriedly wrapped the handkerchief again and handed it back to Zhao Xing. Zhao Xing, however, didn't take it. He also blushed and lowered his head, saying blankly, "You wear it! It's beautiful!"
Just as Zhu Xiang was wondering what to do, Fukang'an opened the door, and Zhao Xing hurriedly ran over to serve her. Zhu Xiang watched Zhao Xing's back as he walked away, put the hairpin in her bosom, and together with Mei Xiang, took a wooden basin to fetch water.
Meixiang frowned at the barely concealed smile on Zhuxiang's face and said, "It's just a hairpin! Look how happy you are!" Zhuxiang bit her lip lightly. "This hairpin must have cost him a lot of money! He's gone to such lengths for me, how can I not be happy?" Meixiang glanced at Fukang'an, who was standing at the main door giving orders to Zhao Xing, and then said, "Marrying a servant means a lifetime of serving others! Marry a master, and become a master to be served!" Zhuxiang was immersed in her own joy and didn't understand what Meixiang meant. "I don't ask for great wealth and status, I'll be content to marry someone I love!"
Seeing that Zhao Xing wanted to discuss Li Chang, Fukang'an gestured for silence, then glanced at the still unconscious Yan Ning before heading towards the study in the west wing. As soon as Fukang'an sat down, he asked, "Has anything unusual happened at the manor since Li Chang entered today?" Zhao Xing bowed and replied, "General, Aunt Ying only asked one question, and when I said he was a distant cousin, she didn't ask anything else." Fukang'an slammed his hand on the desk, afraid to think about whose servant it might be. "Has Li Chang found that maid?"
“I’ve seen all the servants in the mansion except for the old lady’s Peony Hall and Concubine Ying’s Long Pavilion Garden! That servant is not Concubine Lian’s person!” Zhao Xing replied.
"It's not Xiang'er! Then who could it be? It couldn't possibly be someone from Mother's side! Is it Xi Ying?" Fukang'an clenched his hands tightly on the desk, thinking to himself.
"Alright! Go back now! Report back if anything happens!" Fukang'an pondered for a moment, then stood up, put one hand behind his back, and left the study.
In the main room of Liuxiang Garden, Yan Ning had already finished washing and dressing. Her long, jet-black hair, reaching her waist, was simply tied in a common bun without any hair ornaments. After having breakfast with Yan Ning, Fukang'an prepared to head to the military camp. Yan Ning grabbed him, saying, "Didn't you say you wouldn't leave my side for even a moment?" She was afraid that if Fukang'an left, she would once again become the fish on her ancestors' chopping block, at the mercy of others. Fukang'an stopped, wanting to take Yan Ning with him, but then he remembered that she had been frightened yesterday and hadn't fully recovered. So he took her hand and said, "Let's go see where the Taihu stone is placed." Upon hearing this, the worry on Yan Ning's face vanished, and a smile filled her eyes.
After yesterday's commotion, Xi Ying went to the Peony Hall early to serve the old lady in the morning. Xia'er and a group of servants escorted De Lin to his morning lessons. In the distance, they saw Li Chang, whom they had met in the slums. They were so frightened that they turned pale and asked the other servants to escort De Lin. Xia'er ran to the Peony Hall to find Xi Ying.
As soon as Xi Ying stepped out of the Peony Hall courtyard, she bumped into Xia'er, who had rushed over. After hearing Xia'er explain the situation, she blurted out, "Is what you said true?" Then, realizing she was still in front of the Old Madam's courtyard, she winked at Xia'er, and the two walked towards the adjacent garden. "Zhao Xing said he's his distant cousin, so that means it's the General's intention! It seems the General has already investigated the manor; we must be on guard! The murder of Liu the Midwife means that E'lan isn't the only one who's conspiring with us! And the enemy lurking in the shadows is the most terrifying!" In the garden, which was beginning to show signs of spring, Xi Ying's presence made it feel chillingly cold.
Xia'er and Qiu'er were both maids who accompanied Xi Ying in her dowry. Xi Ying had Xia'er quickly pack her things and return to her mother's home, then ordered someone to invite E'lan over. Although E'lan did not know Xi Ying's intentions, she was excited to see Fukang'an and came to Changting Garden. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Xi Ying making tea and sat down next to her, holding onto the bell.
"My sister's here?" Xi Ying's gentle and generous demeanor was evident in her smile. E Lan twirled the handkerchief in her hand and softly replied, "Yes!" Then, glancing sideways at Xi Ying, she asked, "Aunt Ying, you invited me here specifically for more than just tea, didn't you? We're not that close!" Xi Ying put down the purple clay teapot, letting the tea leaves swirl and sink to the bottom. "But Midwife Liu is dead!" Xi Ying's casual remark caused E Lan to jump up excitedly. "How did she die?" Xi Ying glanced at E Lan, knowing her current demeanor wasn't feigned. She felt even more uneasy about the enemy lurking in the shadows. If Xiang'er and her servants hadn't stayed in the mansion and never left, she would have been the first suspect in this incident. But now, who was the murderer? Xi Ying thought to herself, "Li Chang, who was Midwife Liu's neighbor, probably knew something. He's been taken back to the mansion by the general; he must have done something meritorious!"
E'lan sat down again and said sullenly, "Now, I can't get any news at all! I hope my sister can offer some advice!" Xi Ying filled the teacup in her hand and handed it to Lingdang, asking her to give it to E'lan. However, she accidentally spilled all the tea on Lingdang's clothes. Xi Ying then ordered Qiu'er to bring her a set of Xia'er's clothes to change into.
After Xi Ying instructed E Lan to remain still, E Lan and Ling Dang, who had changed her clothes, walked out of Changting Garden. Li Chang watched Ling Dang flash past the screen wall carved with the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, and excitedly shouted to Zhao Xing, "That's the girl! She's the one looking for Liu the Midwife!"
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