Fu Chang'an, who was following closely behind, also saw through You Yuanzhi's intentions and slowed down. A wicked smile flashed in Fu Chang'an's eyes. He wanted to know what choice his righteous third brother would make between the assassin and Yan Ning.
Zhao Xing and the guards surrounded You Yuanzhi. Fu Chang'an circled around to Yan Ning's side. As one of the guards was kicked away by You Yuanzhi, he pretended to step back, grabbed Yan Ning's waist, and pushed her toward You Yuanzhi.
Seeing Yan Ning rush into the encirclement, You Yuanzhi was overjoyed. He grabbed Yan Ning by the neck and threatened Zhao Xing and the others, "Back off, or I'll break her neck!"
Zhao Xing stopped and ordered the other guards to stop and retreat as well. "You Yuanzhi, if you dare to hurt my lady, the general will tear you to pieces!"
You Yuanzhi gave Zhao Xing a contemptuous smile, looked around, and searched for a way out.
"You Yuanzhi!" Yan Ning exclaimed in astonishment, glancing at the face of the person gripping her neck. She knew that Fukang'an had increased the number of guards in the Fucha residence to keep an eye on him. Seeing You Yuanzhi dressed as a servant of the Fucha household, Yan Ning guessed he had slipped in during the chaos, and the only person worth risking his life for was probably Xiang'er. Thinking of this, Yan Ning couldn't bring herself to blame You Yuanzhi for intending to use her as a hostage.
"Don't speak! Otherwise, I can't guarantee you'll be safe and sound when you reach Fukang'an!" You Yuanzhi was afraid that Yan Ning would say something naive and foolish that would soften his heart, so he increased the pressure on his hand to prevent Yan Ning from speaking.
Yan Ning was forced back by You Yuanzhi, her long fingernails leaving four white marks on the smooth wall, her face turning red with pain.
Seeing that Fukang'an hadn't returned to his seat for a long time, E'lan feared something had gone wrong and that she wouldn't be able to bring down Xiying. She followed Fukang'an out of the west courtyard. Seeing Fukang'an and his entourage chasing after a servant, E'lan knew something was amiss and quickly followed Fukang'an.
Some of the more timid maids on the road screamed in fright at the sight. They had served in the Fucha household since childhood and had never witnessed anything like it. The Fucha household had been a family of generals since the time of Emperor Taizu, and to prevent enemies from seeking revenge, they had always been heavily guarded. In addition, there were many rules, and the servants in the mansion performed their duties in an orderly manner.
Today, You Yuanzhi stumbled and ran, and although Fu Chang'an was in hot pursuit, he dared not openly arrest him. The servants they encountered along the way screamed and hurriedly returned to their own courtyards, not daring to cause any more trouble. They knew that if they were involved, they would either lose their lives or be punished.
E'lan followed the guards to the gate of Jian Gong Zhai, where she saw Fu Chang'an pushing Yan Ning towards You Yuanzhi. She smiled knowingly and walked up to Fu Chang'an, "How could Fourth Master Fucha bear to push such a beauty into the tiger's den?"
Fu Chang'an was initially taken aback upon hearing E Lan's voice, but his expression quickly returned to one of anxiety. "Princess E Lan is really joking!" he exclaimed, then took a half-step to follow You Yuanzhi, ignoring E Lan completely.
You Yuanzhi dragged Yan Ning backward. The Mingqi Cult members were waiting in an alley not far from the main gate. He dared not go out through the main gate and implicate his brothers. Relying on his previous memories of the Fucha Mansion, You Yuanzhi walked towards a side gate behind the kitchen courtyard that led to the inner city market.
Fukang'an led the guards to block You Yuanzhi's retreat. With one hand behind his back, he said in a calm tone, "Let her go!"
You Yuanzhi recognized Fukang'an's voice but didn't turn around. A smile played on his lips. "So slow! Looks like you don't care about her as much as I thought!"
"Such reckless actions! You are not as meticulous as I thought!" Fukang'an waved his hand, and the guards threw Tiemu, who was bound hand and foot and gagged, on the ground.
Upon hearing the sound, You Yuanzhi turned around with Yan Ning, but slowly loosened his grip on her hand. Tie Mu was You Yuanzhi's childhood friend, who had risked his life for him several times and helped him secure his position as sect leader.
Seeing that You Yuanzhi intended to release Yan Ning, Temu shook his head frantically, his body thrashing about on the ground. His hemp robe, worn and tattered on the ground, looked even more out of place with the noble air of the Fucha family.
You Yuanzhi hesitated. Fukang'an knew he had come looking for Xiang'er. If he used Yan Ning as a threat to escape, then Tie Mu and Xiang'er would also be implicated. In order to prevent Fukang'an from knowing about Xiang'er's unborn child, You Yuanzhi turned his attention to Yan Ning to divert Fukang'an's attention.
You Yuanzhi released Yan Ning and struck her on the back. Yan Ning immediately felt a tightness in her chest and slumped forward. Fukang'an rushed forward and caught Yan Ning before she fell. The guards also reacted quickly and swarmed forward to tie up You Yuanzhi.
Fukang'an ordered Fu Chang'an to take You Yuanzhi and Tiemu back to the yamen prison, and then ordered Zhao Xing to quickly fetch a doctor.
"How did you end up in Fukang'an's hands?" You Yuanzhi asked Tiemu in the opposite cell.
Tie Mu stretched his limbs and told You Yuanzhi about Fukang'an leading men to surround and raid the alley. You Yuanzhi grabbed the cell and asked, "Has anyone escaped?" Tie Mu recalled that before he was captured, the vice leader had escaped and hidden in the bustling city, and guessed, "The vice leader should be able to escape back to the temple!"
"Foolish!" You Yuanzhi angrily slammed his fists against the wooden frame of the cell, his knuckles instantly turning to blood and gore. "This is a scheme. If he returns to Qingyun Temple, we'll have nowhere to live in the capital!"
You Yuanzhi's eyes turned bloodshot. He hated himself for being too reckless, for forgetting that his enemy was Fukang'an, a military genius. Now, not only could he not save Xiang'er, but he had also harmed the brothers in the sect who had followed him for so many years.
Although the slap Yan Ning received was excruciatingly painful, You Yuanzhi's force was just right; there was only a red and swollen palm mark on her back, with no internal damage. "I'm fine, you go and get busy!" Yan Ning said, getting out of bed and turning around to show Fukang'an.
Although Fukang'an wanted to stay by Yan Ning's side, the guests were still in the west courtyard, so he could only instruct Zhu Xiang to take good care of Yan Ning before rushing off to the west courtyard himself.
After Fukang'an had gone far away, Yan Ning hurriedly took Zhu Xiang and headed towards Furong Garden. She felt she should tell Xiang'er about You Yuanzhi's arrest.
After "Magu's Birthday Celebration" concluded, the old lady ordered Xi Ying to take the wives of some officials from afar to the garden to admire the flowers, to highlight that the Fucha Mansion had once been the residence of the imperial family. Xi Ying smiled all the way, but her heart was filled with unease. She had heard from Xia'er that Yan Ning had returned to Jian Gong Zhai, and she was even more afraid of running into her on the way.
E'lan lingered around Jian Gong Zhai. Lingdang told E'lan that Xi Ying and her group had headed towards the garden. E'lan knew that Yan Ning was injured and feared that she would stay at Jian Gong Zhai to recover and never leave again, which would truly ruin her plan because of that assassin.
Unable to contain herself, E'lan disregarded Fukang'an's future punishment and rushed straight to the gate of Jiangongzhai, only to be greeted by Yan Ning who was just coming out.
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