Fukang'an sat with some relatives and colleagues, leaving Yan Ning by his side to serve him, as he was really worried about leaving Yan Ning at other banquets. E'lan, known for his tomboyish nature, also sat with his father, about one person's distance from Fukang'an's banquet.
E'lan watched Yan Ning pour wine for Fukang'an, telling herself to remain calm and wait for the right moment to reveal Yan Ning's identity, ensuring Xi Ying's utter defeat and preventing any chance of recovery, thus avenging her betrayal. As for Yan Ning, her identity was unknown, and the Old Madam would never tolerate her. E'lan smiled as brightly as Xi Ying, pouring herself a cup of Jade Spring Wine bestowed by the Emperor.
Heshen watched Yan Ning's figure from afar, drinking one cup of wine after another. Ji Xiaolan had also heard about Yan Ning, and originally did not understand why Zhao Xing had been replaced by this handsome young man by Fukang'an's personal servant. But now, seeing Heshen's eyes fixed on Yan Ning standing next to Fukang'an, the once-renowned romantic and talented young man immediately understood seven or eight parts of the situation.
Ji Xiaolan took the jade pot from in front of Heshen, filled his own wine cup, and said calmly, "The officialdom is like a battlefield; one must never lose one's composure or be disrespectful to others!" Heshen turned back to Ji Xiaolan with a smile as bright as a crescent moon and said, "It was my oversight!"
Having spent decades in officialdom, Ji Xiaolan had long since seen through the fickleness of monarchs and the treacherous nature of officialdom after the deaths of his son and concubine. Now, he offered more guidance to Heshen, a young man he found congenial, not wanting him to experience the ups and downs of official life that he himself had in his youth.
The Five Blessings are: longevity, fortune, health and peace, virtue, and a peaceful death. Longevity is the foremost of the Five Blessings, which is why court officials paid great attention to the birthday celebrations of their parents.
The old lady's birthday banquet largely followed Han Chinese traditions in its format, but with the incorporation of Manchu customs, it achieved a great fusion of Manchu and Han cultures. Originally, relatives were supposed to offer birthday wishes to the old lady in person, but this was waived due to the large number of officials present, and the banquet was held first to accommodate some officials who had come from afar.
This birthday banquet for the old lady was more about demonstrating the prestige of the Fucha family to the officials. With the passing of General Fuheng and his eldest son Fuling'an, and the young and incompetent Fukang'an and Fuchang'an, the Fucha family was only able to maintain its prestige by Fulong'an's position as a son-in-law.
Now that Fukang'an has returned to the capital after achieving military merits, the emperor has bestowed countless rewards upon him. Officials also know that the Fucha family has regained the emperor's favor and holds real power, and most officials are eager to curry favor with Fukang'an.
After the banquet was cleared away, the shaman beat drums and sang prayers for longevity around the west courtyard. Finally, he presented the birthday wine to the old lady in front of her curtains, which was personally served to her by Fukang'an.
The steward stood in front of the curtain and shouted, "Start the play!" Magu descended from the stage beam, said auspicious words, and then began to sing.
Fukang'an walked towards his seat surrounded by a group of people. Yan Ning stood there, her face showing a complicated expression as she thought about how long her fate would be intertwined with this man's.
With the drums and gongs playing "Magu Pays Respects to Her Parents on Her Birthday," the officials' straight backs relaxed slightly, and soft murmurs of conversation broke out among them.
When the servant who had been knocked unconscious by You Yuanzhi woke up, he found that his clothes were gone. He held his head and recalled the scene before he fainted. Then he shouted loudly to the patrolling guards, "There's an assassin!" The guard leader sent his men to search for the assassin and ran to the west courtyard to report to Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing ordered the guards to guard all the side gates and to conduct a secret search without disturbing the old lady and other guests in the west courtyard. He then went to report to Fukang'an.
"It must be You Yuanzhi who sneaked in during the chaos! You escort Yan Ning back to Jian Gong Zhai and stay there without leaving her side, in case he does anything to harm her!" Fukang'an whispered to Zhao Xing, then left the west courtyard to dispatch guards.
The guards of the Fucha Mansion were divided into two types: one type was transferred from the military camp to guard the gates and patrol the mansion, wearing specially made guard uniforms; the other type was guards personally trained by the Fucha Mansion to be responsible for the security of each courtyard, wearing ordinary servant clothes and having guard badges on their waists.
Fukang'an replaced all the servants serving in the west courtyard with guards. He examined the wound on the back of the neck of the servant who had been knocked unconscious and, based on the method and force used, became even more certain that the person was You Yuanzhi. He then sent people to guard Furong Garden.
As soon as You Yuanzhi reached the side gate, he saw guards hurrying towards him and quickly hid behind the carved pillars of the covered walkway. He knew that his plan had been exposed and that his only way out of the Fucha Mansion was to return to the west courtyard and blend in with the officials' servants.
When Fu Long'an and Fu Chang'an saw that the servants had suddenly been replaced by bodyguards, they knew that assassins had come to cause trouble. Fu Long'an stood guard outside the old lady's curtain, while Fu Chang'an guarded the officials' seats.
In his panic, You Yuanzhi didn't notice the guard's badge on the west courtyard wall and hurriedly entered. Fu Chang'an tilted his head back and finished the wine in his cup, glancing sideways at You Yuanzhi who had barged in, watching his every move.
As You Yuanzhi carried the tray out with the guards serving tea, Fu Chang'an followed him to the temporary kitchen. You Yuanzhi sensed something was amiss as soon as he left the banquet. Looking closer, he noticed the waist tags on the servants in front of and behind him. He slowly clenched his fist, holding the tray, wary of the guards' sudden attack. Once Fu Chang'an was certain the guests wouldn't be disturbed, he immediately signaled for the guards to act.
You Yuanzhi swept away half of the guards surrounding him with the tray in his hand. Although the guards were personally trained by the Fucha family, they had never actually fought. Dealing with all sorts of people was no problem for them, but dealing with a master like You Yuanzhi was much more difficult.
Fu Chang'an leaped forward, attacking You Yuanzhi with both hands and feet. The guards also seized the opportunity to get up from the ground and join Fu Chang'an in attacking You Yuanzhi. You Yuanzhi gradually ran out of strength and retreated towards the east courtyard.
Yan Ning returned to Jian Gong Zhai and changed into a moon-yellow cheongsam, combing her hair into two small buns. Thinking she had nothing to do, she prepared to go to Furong Garden to see Xiang'er. Just as she was about to leave the main room, Zhao Xing stopped her. "Grandma, please don't go out!" Yan Ning frowned and scrutinized Zhao Xing, asking, "Ever since I returned to Jian Gong Zhai, you've been stopping me from leaving. Tell me, what are you hiding from me!"
Zhao Xing chuckled and said, "The general feels sorry for his wife, saying you've been busy all day and he wants you to rest!" Yan Ning frowned, indicating that she didn't believe him. Zhao Xing didn't dare to stop Yan Ning, so he could only follow her out while patiently persuading her.
Fu Chang'an dared not make a scene in his pursuit of You Yuanzhi, fearing it would disturb the guests and the old lady in the west courtyard. You Yuanzhi sensed Fu Chang'an's concerns and ran towards the more crowded area of the east courtyard.
As soon as Zhao Xing stepped out of Jian Gong Zhai, he saw You Yuanzhi running towards him and quickly shielded Yan Ning behind him. When You Yuanzhi saw Yan Ning, he knew he was saved. Yan Ning was Fukang'an's weakness; as long as he used Yan Ning as leverage, Fukang'an would definitely release him.
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