During dinner, Yan Ning kept staring at Fukang'an, wondering how to speak to him. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Zhao Xing brought in a large stack of guest lists. Fukang'an put down his chopsticks and went to the study in the west wing.
Yan Ning ate a few bites of food hastily and then had the servants clear away the food before going to her study.
Fukang'an was looking at the guest list with his back to Yan Ning. Hearing footsteps, he knew it was Yan Ning, but he did not turn around and continued looking.
Yan Ning wrapped her arms around Fukang'an's neck and rubbed her cheek against his.
Fukang'an put down the list, took Yan Ning's hand, and said affectionately, "What's wrong? I'll come keep you company as soon as I'm done!" Yan Ning looked at him and asked, "Do you like any children other than Delin?"
A wicked smile crept across Fukang'an's lips. With a sudden movement, he pulled Yan Ning from behind into his arms. Yan Ning was already used to Fukang'an's strength and nestled her head against his chest. Fukang'an whispered in her ear, "I love our child! In the future, all my titles will be inherited by him! And I will fight tooth and nail for him, securing him a future second only to the emperor!"
Seeing that Fukang'an was in a good mood, Yan Ning asked, "Why hasn't Aunt Lian had a child after being in the manor for so long?"
Fukang'an's face turned cold, and he stopped speaking.
Yan Ning knew that Fukang'an's aversion to Aunt Lian couldn't be resolved in a day or two. She got up from Fukang'an's arms, picked up the guest list on the table, and started looking at it.
"Liu Yong..."
"Ji Yun..."
Yan Ning's eyes widened in disbelief as she read aloud.
Fukang'an was initially displeased by Yan Ning's words, but seeing her surprised expression, he also became curious, "Do you know them?"
Yan Ning, holding Fukang'an's hand, bombarded him with a barrage of questions: "Was Liu Yong a hunchback? Was Ji Xiaolan a romantic and talented scholar? Did Heshen not get along with any of them?"
Fukang'an was amused by Yan Ning's words. "Although Lord Liu and Scholar Ji served in the same court as Heshen, they were not at odds. Lord Liu's back is slightly hunched, but it's not that serious. Scholar Ji is now over fifty years old and only returned to the capital this year. I have never seen him in his dashing and debonair days, but I have heard of his reputation in his youth! Where did you hear such nonsense?"
Yan Ning's mind drifted to the relationship between the three characters in a TV drama, and she began to anticipate what it would be like if all three appeared at the Fucha residence together. Thinking about it, she couldn't help but laugh. Fukang'an, used to Yan Ning's strange remarks, didn't mind and his mood improved along with hers. Seeing Fukang'an's smile, Yan Ning also breathed a sigh of relief and decided to postpone discussing Xiang'er's matter for a couple of days.
The next day, Fukang'an got up early and returned to the Fucha residence. Yan Ning, who was worried about Xiang'er, also came with him. Fukang'an was surprised that Yan Ning took the initiative to come to the Fucha residence, but he didn't think much of it, taking it as a good omen.
Outside the Fucha residence, large red lanterns were already hung high, and decorations were everywhere, making it look more like a wedding than a birthday celebration. Fukang'an told Yan Ning that this was Xi Ying's idea; once the arrangements were completed, the next time Yan Ning was welcomed, it would be a double celebration.
While Fukang'an was busy, Yan Ning took Zhu Xiang and secretly ran off to Furong Garden.
Rongxi was holding a bowl of lily and lotus seed porridge, looking worried. Xiang'er was lying in bed, still not eating much. When she saw Yan Ning enter, Rongxi curtsied and said, "Greetings, Madam!" Yan Ning knew what was going on from Rongxi's expression. She picked up the jade bowl and sat down next to Xiang'er.
When Xiang'er saw Yan Ning enter, she was startled at first, but then her eyes regained their composure.
Yan Ning gently scooped a spoonful of porridge from the jade bowl and brought it to Xiang'er's lips. Xiang'er turned her face away and said, "Hypocrite!" Yan Ning slammed the jade bowl down and retorted, "How can you be so ungrateful!"
"I don't need you to be nice to me! Just do what I asked you to do!" Xiang'er said to Yan Ning. For her, every extra day she stayed in the Fucha mansion meant an extra day of danger for her child.
Yan Ning lowered her head, blaming herself for speaking too confidently yesterday. Fukang'an's personality couldn't be changed with just a few words. "This will take time! It's not something that can be done overnight!"
Seemingly sensing the lack of confidence in Yan Ning's voice, Xiang'er became even more anxious, "You just need to help me escape! You don't need to worry about anything else!"
"What's wrong?"
Upon hearing Xi Ying's voice, both Yan Ning and Xiang'er were startled and exchanged a glance. Looking at Xi Ying's dignified and virtuous smile, they remained silent.
Xi Ying was checking the accounts when she heard Qiu'er say that Yan Ning had come to Furong Garden. If Yan Ning had allied with Xiang'er, then even if she wanted to control Yan Ning, she wouldn't have the power to do so. Putting down the accounts, Xi Ying hurriedly came to Furong Garden, hoping to take the opportunity to sow discord between the two.
Xi Ying gave Yan Ning a slight bow, then helped Qiu'er to sit down on a chair not far from the two of them, looking at them with a gentle smile.
Xiang'er was the first to react and said, "I would like to ask Madam to take me to see the General, but Madam is afraid that I will be impulsive and anger the General!"
Although she didn't know why Xiang'er didn't tell Xi Ying, after reading so many palace intrigue novels, she knew that the jealousy between women was immeasurable. Xi Ying, though gentle and charming, might very well do something to Xiang'er's unborn child for De Lin's title.
So Yan Ning echoed Xiang'er, "Yes! You were so impulsive last time, the general was angry for a long time!"
Watching the two of them working together, Xi Ying grew even more worried, but her expression remained unchanged. "Yes! Madam, please help Xiang'er. She's been living in this Hibiscus Garden for a month now. Even the strongest will has been worn down. Besides, since entering the manor, Xiang'er has been the sole favorite and has never suffered such injustice!" Although Xi Ying intended to persuade Yan Ning, she was also telling Xiang'er that all of this was Yan Ning's fault.
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