Yan Ning paused for a moment, then shook her head like a fan, "I can't do it!"
Xiang'er glanced at Yan Ning, her tone full of contempt, "So you really are all looks and no substance!"
A trace of sorrow from the past flashed across Yan Ning's stunningly beautiful face, and she fell silent. In Yan Ning's memory, every time she danced, her father would go crazy, staying at the research institute day and night for days on end, while her mother would hold her at home, tears streaming down her face.
Qinghua couldn't understand how her daughter could be so similar to her older sister Qingyue, even their dancing postures were exactly the same.
Every time Su Zhengyang saw Yan Ning dance, it was as if he were seeing the clear moon, and his longing for her became even more uncontrollable. Faced with those rare books and texts, he studied them day and night as if he were on stimulants.
Both Qinghua and Su Zhengyang kept Qingyue's existence a secret from Yan Ning. Yan Ning was unaware that she had an aunt, and those little dance costumes were piled up deep in her wardrobe, never to be touched again.
"Hey! Why are you so scared?" Xiang'er looked at Yan Ning's face and felt even more contempt for her.
Yan Ning stood up, took Zhu Xiang's hand, and sat down at the table. She said softly, "There will always be other ways!" Her beautiful face was clouded with worry.
Xiang'er sat up, her withered face devoid of any former Han woman's beauty. She thought to herself that although she and Yan Ning weren't close enough for her to rely on her for everything, given her current position in the household and in Fukang'an's eyes, there was no way to maneuver around her. Xiang'er closed her eyes and resignedly said, "Rongxi, go and get my dance costume. See if it fits."
Yan Ning stopped Rong Xi, "Let me think of another way. There's a reason why I didn't jump!" Seeing Xiang'er's expectant look, Yan Ning spoke in a way that was closest to ancient times.
“My parents always got angry because of my dancing. Every time my dad finished watching me dance, he would say that I looked just like her, and then he wouldn't come home for days. Every time my mom heard my dad say that, she would be very sad, and she would hold me and cry all day while he was away. Later, I felt that my dancing was what made them that way, so I stopped dancing. The last time I danced, my dad had an accident on his way to come see me. The doctor said he died from overwork, but I always felt that it was my fault!”
After listening to Yan Ning's words, Xiang'er, though an orphan herself, could tell that Yan Ning felt deeply guilty about her father's death. "I'm sorry!" Xiang'er suddenly remembered hearing from Xi Ying that Yan Ning had amnesia. How could she now have memories of her parents? "Didn't you have amnesia?"
Xiang'er's words pulled Yan Ning out of her sadness. Yan Ning didn't know why she had told Xiang'er all this. Although Xi Ying was gentle and considerate, and treated her very well, Yan Ning always felt that she was too generous, which made her lose her true nature. While Yan Ning couldn't handle Xiang'er's outspoken and bold personality, she secretly envied Xiang'er's courage to love and hate.
"I'll explain this to you later! Now, let's quickly figure out how to deal with the old lady!" Yan Ning had an inexplicable trust in Xiang'er, knowing that even if she didn't make many arrangements, Xiang'er wouldn't reveal her secrets.
Xiang'er stopped asking questions. She had never been particularly interested in other people's affairs. She and Yan Ning fell into deep thought, while Zhu Xiang and Rong Xi frowned as well.
"Hey! Aunt Lian can pretend to have a leg injury! That way she won't have to dance!" Zhu Xiang said excitedly, looking at her two mistresses.
Yan Ning and Rong Xi also cheered along with Zhu Xiang, excitedly watching Xiang'er. However, Xiang'er's face showed no joy. "Xi Ying will definitely call a doctor! Then, even more trouble will arise!"
After a pause, Xiang'er fixed her eyes on Yan Ning and said, "However..."
Yan Ning frowned slightly and asked, "But what..." Zhu Xiang and Rong Xi also looked at Xiang'er with suspicion.
Under the watchful eyes of the three, Xiang'er stood up, placed her hands flat on the floor, assumed a martial arts stance, and kicked the solid edge of the bed. Because Xiang'er was a martial artist, she controlled her strength perfectly, injuring only her ankle and not her abdomen.
The three onlookers stared at Xiang'er in astonishment at her actions. Yan Ning was the first to react, and went over to help Xiang'er sit down. "What are you doing? Aren't you afraid of hurting the baby in your belly?"
Xiang'er was helped to lie down by Yan Ning, her forehead covered in sweat from the pain. "This is the most like it, isn't it? Now, it's up to you, General's wife!" she whispered to Yan Ning.
After listening to Xiang'er's plan, Yan Ning pondered for a long time.
In the cutthroat world of ancient times, Yan Ning knew that it was impossible for her to navigate life alone. She needed allies to ensure her safety within the Fucha household. Although Xi Ying appeared kind to her, she didn't truly understand her, and besides, she had usurped her position. Xiang'er, despite her hostile attitude, had already confided her secrets, suggesting she trusted her. Rather than being an enemy, it was better to recruit her into her inner circle.
Yan Ning grasped Xiang'er's hands, her expression grave, and said, "Now that you have a child, leaving the Fucha Manor is even more impossible! If you trust me, then let's support each other! As long as I'm here, I will ensure your and your child's safety!"
Xiang'er had originally given up on Fukang'an, but the gift of this child from heaven rekindled her hope. Since Fukang'an doted on Yan Ning so much, she could only rely on him to protect the child in her womb.
Xiang'er nodded to Yan Ning, and so the two of them joined forces, each with their own thoughts.
"General! Please hurry and save Aunt Lian!" Rongxi ran to Jianguozhai, panting as she spoke.
Fukang'an was reviewing the gift list presented by the steward when he saw Rongxi and realized he hadn't seen Xiang'er in a long time. Fukang'an tossed the list to Zhao Xing and stared at Rongxi, asking, "What's wrong with Aunt Lian?"
"Madam injured Aunt Lian!" Rongxi lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Fukang'an.
Fukang'an didn't say anything more. He knew Xiang'er's martial arts skills; not to mention Yan Ning, even Zhao Xing couldn't beat her. Now that a maid from Furong Garden had come to report, it seemed Yan Ning's injuries were quite serious.
Seeing Fukang'an's haste, Zhao Xing dropped the gift list and ran after him. He was more worried about Zhuxiang than Yan Ning. After all, Yan Ning was the madam, while Zhuxiang was a servant, and Aunt Lian would show no mercy.
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