Yan Ning remained silent about her background, and Fukang'an didn't pry too much. He didn't send anyone to investigate either; he only wanted Yan Ning to live a peaceful life with him. As for Yan Ning's claim of amnesia, although he didn't believe it, it was a good excuse to deceive outsiders.
Fukang'an stayed with Yan Ning until she fell asleep. Under the bright moonlight, they unknowingly walked to Furong Garden.
The moonlight poured down like misty waves, adorning the Taihu stones and surrounding flower clusters with a silvery glow. The lotus-shaped pond had dried up, devoid of any water.
The servants who were keeping watch outside the main room were already asleep, so Fukang'an pushed open the door and went in. Rongxi, who was sitting on the ground, heard the sound of the door opening, got up to check, and was just in time to greet Fukang'an as he entered the inner room.
Fukang'an gestured for silence, and Rongxi silently curtsied and withdrew, waking the servant guarding the door. Upon hearing Rongxi say that the general had arrived, the man immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and a gust of cold wind made him cover his nose and sneeze.
Xiang'er was fast asleep, her face serene and peaceful in the dim candlelight. Fukang'an had always believed he loved Xiang'er, which is why he was so furious when he learned she was a member of the White Lotus Sect and had betrayed You Yuanzhi, leading to the death of his elder brother. He built a lotus pond for her, making everyone call her Aunt Lotus, constantly reminding Xiang'er of her true identity.
When Yan Ning appeared, Fukang'an realized he was wrong. His feelings for Xiang'er were merely anger at her for deceiving him and resentment that she had used him to cause his elder brother's death, which was why he had kept her by his side all this time. He would not allow Xiang'er to bear him a child; he could not face the child that had been born at the cost of his elder brother's life.
Fukang'an sat for a while and then left. As he left, the servant on night watch knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. "This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!" Fukang'an ignored him, put his hands behind his back, and left.
Fukang'an returned home from the military camp but never set foot in Changting Garden again. He only sent a white handkerchief to Xiying. Upon seeing the handkerchief, Xiying knew that Fukang'an wanted her to remain true to her original heart, to live the rest of her life with a pure and innocent heart, and never again harbor any thoughts of harming others. Xiying also knew that going to Fukang'an at this time would only make him despise her more. Apart from visiting Xiang'er at Furong Garden that day, she hadn't left the courtyard since the Old Madam's birthday banquet.
The wedding arrangements between Fukang'an and Yan Ning, which were initially handled by Xi Ying, were now being personally overseen by Fukang'an.
Seeing that things had come to this point, the old lady knew that there was no point in saying anything more, so she could only remain silent and focus on taking care of the child in Xiang'er's womb.
Two maids who were trimming flowers and plants in the Peony Hall huddled together and whispered to each other.
Are you telling the truth?
"Yes! That's what everyone's saying now!"
"This is terrifying! No wonder the general has repeatedly defied the old lady's wishes for her sake! And now he wants to marry her!"
"She must have used sorcery to bewitch the general!"
"Forget it, let's not talk about it! If she finds out, we'll be in big trouble!"
When the two stopped talking, Granny Li leaned closer to listen. Seeing that they were no longer going to continue, she said sternly, "What were you saying just now?"
Startled by Granny Li, the two maids dropped their utensils and knelt down, saying, "No, we didn't say anything!"
"Hmm? Is that so?" Granny Li walked around them. "Gossiping about the master behind his back? I'll beat your mouths to a pulp!" she said, raising her hand to slap them.
One of the maids, startled, shouted, "It wasn't us maids who were talking about it, but word has already spread that the general's new wife is a demon!"
Granny Li brought the two women to the old lady and made them repeat what they had just said.
The old lady's brows furrowed. "Tell me everything you know!"
The maid who had just spoken stammered, "When I got home yesterday, my mother asked me if the general was going to get married. I said yes, and that our new wife is a beauty that can topple kingdoms. But my mother said that everyone in the city is saying that the new wife is a bewitching woman whose body can glow!" As she spoke, the maid recalled what E'lan had told her at her home yesterday.
After listening, the old lady began to recall everything that had happened at the Fucha residence after Yan Ning arrived in the capital. Granny Li stepped forward, "Old Madam, should we invite a shaman to come?" The old lady hesitated. She couldn't believe the rumors. If Yan Ning was truly a demon, she should be a demon infatuated with Kang'er. Otherwise, how could she have stayed in the residence for so long without harming anyone?
But the old lady dared not be careless and nodded.
Just as Granny Li came to invite Yan Ning to the Peony Hall, the auspicious wedding dress was delivered. Yan Ning didn't have time to take a look at it before she hurriedly went to the Peony Hall with Zhu Xiang's help.
The fledglings of swallows and orioles chirped merrily, their voices soft and sweet. The old lady's dark green cheongsam complemented the red flowers in her hands. Tulips were just beginning to bloom, their petals a delicate crimson. To Yan Ning, it was a scene of elegant beauty.
Haitang served Yan Ning a cup of tea, glancing at her with concern after overhearing people in the courtyard saying Yan Ning was a demon. Yan Ning, who had some acquaintance with Haitang when she stayed at the Peony Hall, smiled at her. Seeing the worry in Haitang's eyes, Yan Ning felt uneasy about the old lady's unwarranted invitation to the Peony Hall.
"Your wedding day with Kang'er is in three days. Your maternal family must attend, otherwise people will spread rumors that my Fucha family has married a woman of unknown origin. How will my Fucha family save face then?" The old lady said, putting down the vase in her hand.
Yan Ning composed herself and said, "I have amnesia and do not know where my mother's family is."
The old lady ignored Yan Ning and scrutinized her with Granny Li. Yan Ning became uneasy under their gazes and dared not move. Granny Li heard a commotion in the courtyard and went out briefly, returning with three people dressed in shamanic robes.
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