The next day, news of Yan Ning kicking Fukang'an out reached the old lady's ears in various forms. Since Fukang'an's departure for war, the old lady hadn't celebrated her birthday for three years, only having her own family celebrate. Now, her son had gone to such lengths to prepare for her birthday, yet Yan Ning was causing trouble everywhere. First, she injured Xiang'er, depriving her of the song and dance performances she'd enjoyed for three years; then, she went to the Shi Kuai Ju restaurant and, in her own name, frightened everyone there, even injuring herself, and then kicked her husband out.
As the old lady touched the auspicious robes presented by the servants, she said to Li Mama beside her, "It's good that she's injured. Let her rest and recuperate for a while. Once the imperial decree comes down and Kang'er goes to Jilin to become a general, that will be her good day. We don't need to say or do anything; there are plenty of people inside and outside the mansion who are eager to take advantage of her."
The old lady couldn't hide her smile as she looked at the auspicious funeral clothes that Fukang'an had specially made for him. Seeing the old lady's happiness, Granny Li also smiled and repeatedly praised the thoughtfulness of the auspicious clothes.
When Yan Ning woke up, only Zhu Xiang was busy taking care of her. She couldn't help but marvel at how quickly a person's expression could change. "Zhu Xiang, why are you willing to become Zhao Xing's concubine?" Yan Ning asked Zhu Xiang, who was applying medicine to her.
Zhu Xiang showed no displeasure. "I am a Han Chinese, and my family is not well-off. It is already a great honor for me to become Steward Zhao's concubine." Zhu Xiang looked up at Yan Ning and continued, "Madam, although the General dotes on you in everything, he is still the General, the head of the Fucha family! When the General is happy with you, the servants in this mansion will try their best to curry favor with you! If the General is angry with you, none of the servants in this mansion will dare to disobey the General!"
In Zhu Xiang's heart, Yan Ning was more like family. From the first moment she saw Yan Ning, her innocence and gentleness made her secretly vow to be loyal to Yan Ning for life. Whenever Yan Ning angered Fu Kang An, Zhu Xiang would worry for her.
Zhu Xiang's words warmed Yan Ning's heart like spring. She held Zhu Xiang, who was applying medicine to her, and said, "Zhu Xiang, I have no relatives here. Will you be my sister? Don't call me Madam anymore. How about calling me sister?" When she heard the word "sister," Yan Ning thought of Bin Li, and tears fell.
Zhu Xiang wiped away Yan Ning's tears and shook her head. She felt that secretly treating Yan Ning as family was already a great disrespect. "How could this servant dare to address Madam as a sister? It would tarnish Madam's reputation!"
Yan Ning's eyes dimmed. She knew that Zhu Xiang would never dare to overstep her bounds. But among the servants of the Fucha Mansion, she and Zhao Xing were probably the only ones who truly cared for her. "Zhu Xiang, don't worry! I will definitely make you Zhao Xing's principal wife!" Thinking of the various oppressions she suffered as a concubine, Yan Ning couldn't bear to see this kind-hearted girl suffer such grievances.
Before Zhu Xiang could persuade her, Yan Ning got up and asked her to accompany her to see Xiang'er. Now, it seemed that only Xiang'er's Hibiscus Garden was quiet.
"I heard you turned Shi Kuai Ju upside down yesterday?" Xiang'er, lying on the bed, teased Yan Ning, but there was no malice in her eyes.
Yan Ning ignored Xiang'er's words and sat down on her own. Seeing that Xiang'er's complexion had improved, she felt a little relieved.
Xiang'er couldn't stand Yan Ning's otherworldly demeanor and said to her with disdain, "Do whatever you want! People only have two choices: life or death! They can't possibly kill you, can they?"
Yan Ning pondered Xiang'er's words and suddenly understood. She teased Xiang'er, "These days, mothers are different. They're no longer pretending to be dead."
Xiang'er understood that Yan Ning was referring to her despondent state after returning from the Fu residence. She gave her a reproachful look and threw the purse beside her at her.
The staff at Shi Kuai Ju were terrified when they saw Yan Ning arrive again, as Fukang'an had vented all his anger here that morning. Chef Wu stayed by Yan Ning's side almost constantly, but when she asked for ingredients, she had nothing.
Left with no other choice, Yan Ning had to agree that each step would be described verbally by Yan Ning, and Chef Wu would carry it out. Chef Wu was, after all, a royal chef; although he had never seen what Yan Ning had drawn, he steamed a prototype of a full moon cake on his first try.
Following Yan Ning's instructions, Chef Wu applied a layer of honey to the cake and sprinkled it with powder made from red plums. He then carved fruit into patterns, arranging them into a scene depicting the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea to celebrate a birthday.
Yan Ning inwardly gave Chef Wu a thumbs up for his skill; if she were to make it, she probably wouldn't even come close to a fraction of his skill. Finally, Yan Ning asked Chef Wu to make an edible candle using ginger candy as the wick and cheese as the base. Yan Ning knew the old lady wouldn't eat what she made; she was simply doing her part.
After everything was finished, the sun was already setting. Yan Ning and Zhu Xiang carefully carried the cake and walked towards the Peony Hall. The servants at the courtyard gate did not dare to stop Yan Ning, but Granny Li stopped her at the entrance of the main house.
Carrying the food box, Yan Ning pleaded with Granny Li, "Granny, I just want to present the birthday gift I made to the old lady. Please let me see her!"
Granny Li said in an icy voice, "Madam, I have told you many times already, the old lady has already retired for the night! The General has already presented your birthday gift to the old lady, and she is very pleased with it. However, I have asked you to tell Madam that you should be frugal and thrifty in the future, and not act like the general's wife, lest you tarnish the general's reputation!"
Yan Ning glanced at the sky, knowing that the old lady couldn't possibly rest so early. She knew there was only one way to persuade her. For Fukang'an's sake, Yan Ning was willing to do it.
"Madam..." Zhu Xiang and Granny Li exclaimed in surprise.
Many officials had traveled from afar to celebrate the old lady's birthday, and Fukang'an knew perfectly well that they were merely using the occasion to demonstrate their loyalty to him. To consolidate his position in the court, Fukang'an arranged for some high-ranking officials to stay in the guest rooms of the Fucha residence.
"I've heard that Heshen has been receiving a lot of imperial favor lately, and his official position is steadily rising!"
"Alas! No matter how much favored Heshen is, he is nothing more than a petty man who has gained power. How can he compare to our General Fucha, who has achieved remarkable military exploits at such a young age!"
"yes!"
"yes!"
Fukang'an sat in the main seat, smiling silently at the officials' conversation, completely absorbed in the aroma of tea. Zhao Xing entered and told Fukang'an about Yan Ning's situation in the Peony Hall.
"My lords, I have some family matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer! Someone, take you to rest!" Fukang'an stood up and ordered the servants outside the door.
Those in officialdom are all adept at reading people's expressions and demeanor, so they all bowed and withdrew.
Yan Ning knelt at the entrance of the main room, carrying a food box, and said loudly, "Madam, this is the first time I've celebrated your birthday. I know you don't like me. But I truly love Fukang'an! I never thought of using Fukang'an to gain status or wealth. The General is a very filial person, and I only want to treat you as an ordinary old man and be filial to you."
Upon hearing Yan Ning's words, Fukang'an, who was standing at the courtyard gate, couldn't shake the smile in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by worry. Yan Ning's words had violated the old lady's cardinal sin.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
