"Is your new sister-in-law feeling any better?" E'lan asked, standing upright without bowing to Yan Ning.
Yan Ning noticed that E Lan was also present when she was taken hostage by You Yuanzhi. Although it was impossible for You Yuanzhi to be with her, Yan Ning's resentment towards E Lan had not been resolved. She ignored E Lan, took Zhu Xiang's hand, and left the courtyard.
When E'lan recalled how Fukang'an carried Yan Ning past her when she was injured, not even glancing at her, a surge of hatred rose in her heart, but she turned it into a smile. "New sister-in-law, have you ever thought that the Fucha family is not something that E'lan can do as she pleases?"
Yan Ning stopped in her tracks and turned her head slightly. "What do you mean by that?"
Seeing that her words had worked, E'lan, displaying the bold and unrestrained spirit of a Manchu woman, caught up with Yan Ning, saying, "I am not a member of the Fucha family after all. There are so many maids and servants in the Fucha family, how could I possibly deceive them if I were to do something wrong!"
Yan Ning knew that E Lan was referring to the physical examination she had undergone. The scene from that day flashed through her mind, and she closed her eyes, her fingertips turning pale. Zhu Xiang was unaware of what had happened to Yan Ning at the Fucha residence, assuming that Yan Ning's reaction stemmed from her dislike of E Lan. She gripped Yan Ning's hand tightly and gestured with her eyes that Yan Ning should ignore E Lan.
The rosy clouds cast a faint shadow on the wall, and E Lan's charming face stung Yan Ning's eyes. Xi Ying's gentle and dignified smile appeared before her eyes, but it seemed like an illusion.
“New sister-in-law, you can come with me to the garden. You’ll see what Aunt Ying is really like at a glance!” E’lan knew that her words had stirred up Yan Ning’s pain, but she was not going to let Yan Ning off the hook.
Knowing that she would have to pass through the garden to get to Furong Garden, Yan Ning, relying on the strength of the bamboo fragrance, weakly followed E Lan forward. Before they even reached the garden, a woman's exclamation reached their ears.
"So many flowers are blooming even in spring; the Fucha family truly lives up to its reputation as a family from the capital!"
"What kind of flower is this? It's absolutely gorgeous, and it really looks just like the General's wife!"
"How can ordinary officials like us compare to the garden of the Fucha Mansion!"
"Today has truly broadened my horizons; I've seen so many colors I've never seen before!"
Listening to the flattery of these women, Xi Ying knew they weren't genuinely appreciating the flowers, but merely using the opportunity to curry favor with the Fucha family. Despite their half-hearted conversation, Xi Ying maintained a radiant smile, embodying the dignified and virtuous demeanor expected of a general's wife.
"Who is that stunning beauty?" A surprised exclamation came from among the women, causing Xi Ying's expression to change drastically.
E Lan and Xi Ying walked towards the garden one after the other. E Lan's outburst of "Aunt Ying" immediately changed the subject of the group of women.
"Aunt Ying?"
"It's said that General Fucha took a wife on the battlefield, and it seems it's true!"
"I heard that General Fucha brought back a stunning beauty this time, it must be this one. Alas, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"
"Indeed! If it weren't for the fact that he took a wife on the battlefield, how could His Majesty have left General Fucha idle for so long! The generals who returned with him have all been highly valued by His Majesty!"
"That's not all! I've also heard that he had an improper relationship with Heshen, a favorite of the Emperor! General Fucha has truly lost both his wife and his army!"
The women's hushed conversation reached Yan Ning's ears. Although what they said wasn't entirely true, it was mostly true. Yan Ning had never known that Fukang'an had endured so much for her. Hearing this from the women filled her with guilt towards Fukang'an.
E Lan plucked a golden-edged daphne and placed it on Yan Ning's small bun, saying in a flattering tone, "The peony is the most beautiful flower in the world, and the golden-edged daphne is the best!" With just a few words, she pushed Yan Ning into the eye of the storm.
Yan Ning didn't understand, but following everyone's gaze, she noticed that her newly changed moon-white cheongsam was embroidered with delicate pink peonies. Beneath the peonies, Yan Ning's face was cold and noble, and the rare gold-edged daphne hair ornaments further enhanced her stunning beauty.
Seeing that even the once-prospective new wife of the Fucha family was eagerly currying favor with Yan Ning, the women were even more convinced that Yan Ning was the stunning beauty that Fukang'an had brought back from the front lines.
As the wind shifted, a woman stepped forward and curtsied to Yan Ning. "This humble servant greets Madam!" Yan Ning, unsure how to respond, glanced at Xi Ying's stiff face and could only say curtly, "Please rise!"
Heshen's wife, Jiwen, still looked at Yan Ning with a gentle and virtuous smile. She knew that if she bowed and greeted Yan Ning at this moment, it would only harm her. She had experienced Xi Ying's intelligence and decisiveness firsthand.
Yan Ning met Ji Wen's eyes and felt much more at ease. When she lived in the He Shen residence, Ji Wen arranged everything, and He Shen didn't interfere much. She and He Shen also rarely met. Thinking about how upset she had just heard those words, Yan Ning imagined that Ji Wen, as He Shen's wife, must also be suffering from the gossip. A hint of guilt crossed Yan Ning's eyes as she looked at Ji Wen.
Xi Ying straightened her back, softening her stiff expression. She walked up to Yan Ning, stood upright, and smiled radiantly. Yan Ning, accustomed to Xi Ying bowing and greeting her, didn't understand Xi Ying's meaning, but also stood up straight and returned a faint smile.
"Smack!"
Yan Ning covered her right cheek, which bore five finger marks, and looked at Xi Ying with a mixture of confusion and anger in her eyes.
"Xia'er, teach her manners properly!" Xi Ying said sternly to Xia'er, her smile fading.
Xia'er curtsied and replied, "Yes, Madam!" Then she helped Xi Ying walk to the woman who had just bowed to Yan Ning, ignoring Yan Ning. How could she not know that Xi Ying's slap was just for those women to see? What was her status? What was Yan Ning's status? If she taught Yan Ning manners, how could Fukang'an forgive her?
Xi Ying stared at the woman until a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, mingling with the powder that rolled down her cheeks. Xi Ying's voice was as cold as ice, "Throw this ill-mannered person out of the Fucha residence!"
The remaining people were all still shaken, and even E'lan was shocked by Xi Ying's tactic of making an example of someone.
Only Xi Ying herself knew the bitterness of this move; Fukang'an was determined to be heartless towards her. However, the Xinjiang officials would be setting off to return to Xinjiang the next day. As long as she could alleviate her father's suffering on the frontier with the help of the Fucha family, it wouldn't matter whether she became a general's wife or not. Xi Ying was willing to sacrifice the gentle and virtuous facade she had maintained for so many years.
The group of women returned to the west courtyard with trepidation, and Yan Ning's stunning beauty faded from their memories. This trip to the Fucha Mansion garden had shown them Xi Ying's authority and decisiveness, and made them believe that no one could shake Xi Ying's position in the Fucha Mansion.
Yan Ning and Xi Ying stood facing each other in the garden, neither daring to break the silence. Their eyes met, each harboring its own thoughts.
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