Granny Li watched Yan Ning without moving. Foolish as she was, she was unaware that her words had offended the old lady. The old lady, who came from the Yehenara clan, was most disgusted by those who disregarded social norms.
Zhu Xiang looked at Yan Ning with concern. The former Aunt Lian had also tried to move the old lady with her filial piety, but had still been defeated by the old lady's beating. "General!" Seeing Fukang'an approach, Zhu Xiang's voice held a hint of secret joy.
Upon hearing the sound, Yan Ning turned around and saw that Fukang'an had come to her side, pulled her up, and said to Granny Li, "Go and tell Mother that I have come with her daughter-in-law to deliver birthday gifts!"
"Yes!" Granny Li glanced at Yan Ning, lowered her head, and answered hesitantly.
A moment later, Granny Li returned and opened the door. The maidservant guarding the door quickly lifted the cloud-patterned silk curtain, and Fukang'an helped Yan Ning inside.
"Your son greets his mother!"
"Yan Ning greets the Old Madam!"
The old lady slightly raised her eyes and glanced at Fukang'an and Yan Ning kneeling there. "Get up!"
Fukang'an tightened his grip on Yan Ning's waist, signaling her to speak. Yan Ning personally placed the longevity cake in her hand on the low table next to the old lady, "I made this myself. I thought that after tomorrow's birthday banquet, the old lady would be exhausted, so I presented this birthday gift today so abruptly."
Before the old lady could speak, Fukang'an stepped forward and said, "This is also my idea. Although the birthday gifts I prepared in previous years were all rare treasures, they were not as thoughtful as Yan Ning's method."
Although the old lady knew what had happened between the two yesterday, she had no choice but to let it go because her son was so protective of Yan Ning. "What is this?"
Hearing that the old lady was interested in what she had made, Yan Ning said with a smile, "This is longevity cake. If the birthday person makes a wish while looking at this candle, the wish will come true."
"Longevity cake?" The old lady glanced at Li Mama, staring at the longevity cake. She had never seen such a dessert before, and it sounded quite novel. "Alright! I appreciate your kind intentions. You may leave!"
Yan Ning's words were on the tip of her tongue when the old lady's words made her swallow them back. She glanced at Fukang'an, then turned to leave. Fukang'an also turned to leave, but the old lady said, "Kang'er, stay! Mother has something to say to you!"
Fukang'an watched Yan Ning leave before turning to listen to the old lady's teachings.
After Fukang'an left, the old lady ordered Li Mama to cut a piece of longevity cake. She savored the aroma of chestnut flour mixed with glutinous rice, along with the lingering fragrance of peonies. The old lady sighed, "This child is quite thoughtful! However, if she had put more thought into the affairs of my Fucha family, she wouldn't have acted this way today!"
Yan Ning waited for Fukang'an for a while, knowing that he must have been dining with the old lady, so she ate a little something and had it taken away. Zhu Xiang looked at the almost untouched food and knew that Yan Ning was thinking about what happened at the Peony Hall today. Unfortunately, she was not good with words and could not say anything to comfort her, so she could only stay with Yan Ning in silence.
When Zhao Xing came to deliver the message, Yan Ning was applying the medicine herself. After hearing Fukang'an's words relayed by Zhao Xing, Yan Ning dropped the jade bottle in her hand. Zhu Xiang quickly bent down to pick it up, not daring to let Yan Ning do it herself anymore.
The old lady, citing Yan Ning's injury, forbade her from attending her birthday banquet. Fu Kang'an had no other reason to speak up for Yan Ning, so he could only go along with his mother and tell Yan Ning that she either had to stay in Jiangongzhai and not leave the courtyard, or return to the Fu residence.
Yan Ning buried her face in the brocade quilt, her tears soaking it. She knew that everything she had done in this ancient world was so naive. The old lady didn't need her to do anything for her; the old lady only needed her to be obedient and serve Fukang'an well. And all Fukang'an needed was a wife like Xi Ying who would obey his every command.
Every woman is a victim of power, so what about herself? Unable to see her future, Yan Ning fell into a deep sleep, heartbroken.
The next day, the sound of firecrackers from the Fucha Mansion reverberated throughout the inner city. Officials arrived in droves to offer their birthday wishes, and Fukang'an and Fuchang'an personally greeted them at the mansion gate. Fuchang'an still maintained his languid expression. Of course, Consort Li would attend such an event, and he would inevitably be compared to Fukang'an and looked down upon by the officials who came.
Heshen, dressed in an official robe embroidered with pheasant patterns and a small gemstone adorning the top of his court hat with a piece of openwork coral, greeted General Fucha with his hands clasped respectfully in front of him.
Fukang'an nodded slightly, "Greetings, Lord He!"
Heshen walked over to Fu Chang'an, glanced at him, and gestured for him to remain calm and not lose his composure in front of the officials. Fu Chang'an smiled in return; even his own brother had never been so considerate of him.
The west courtyard of the Fucha Mansion was usually deserted, but it became bustling with activity during festivals and celebrations. The stage in the west courtyard was built against Taihu stones, and the two-meter-high stage was made even more beautiful by the Taihu stones. It was most suitable for performing fairy dramas such as "The Palace of Eternal Life". The actors could be raised and lowered by ropes, giving people a sense of heavenly palace.
Led by their servants, the officials proceeded from the front courtyard or guest rooms to the west courtyard. The officials from out of town, seeing the servants of the Fucha household dressed in identical servant attire, speaking and acting with utmost respect and courtesy, all walking with their heads bowed in orderly ranks, were even more astonished by the grandeur and nobility of the Fucha household.
"As expected of the Fucha family from the capital, even the servants exude an air of nobility!"
"yes!"
"This is something we couldn't achieve even after several lifetimes of officialdom!"
The old lady wore a dark green embroidered longevity flower robe, her crown adorned with sparkling pearls, yet adorned with pearls befitting her rank. She sat regally above the guests, her smile dignified and authoritative. This day of officials paying homage had finally arrived.
Xi Ying and De Lin sat upright beside the old lady, smiles hidden in their eyes. Yan Ning had injured herself and Xiang'er, and E Lan had also been dragged into the mess. Now, the officials were still seeing her, the general's wife. No matter what happened in the future, she would do her best to protect her and De Lin's positions.
"Lord He, please have some tea!" Heshen's crescent-shaped eyes were full of smiles as he looked at the little servant next to him with snow-white skin, red lips, and white teeth, whose two mustaches were quite an eyesore.
Heshen picked up the covered bowl that Yan Ning had offered and said to her in a low voice, "You're really bold! You and General Fucha are not married yet. If the old lady finds you here, you'll definitely get a beating!"
Yan Ning hurriedly re-attached her beard. "Besides you, no one else here would recognize me!" She had heard the names Ji Xiaolan and Liu Yong since she was a child, and now that she had such a good opportunity to witness the elegance of ancient celebrities, how could she miss it?
E'lan, who was sitting with her father among the officials, recognized Yan Ning at a glance. A deep smile curved her lips as she gripped the cup in her hand.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
