Fukang'an ran all the way to the moat outside the city, his body drenched in sweat as if he had just been drenched in rain. He leaned weakly against a large tree, closed his eyes in pain, and his mind was a chaotic battlefield. The Imperial Guards followed him to the riverbank, not daring to act recklessly, and could only hide behind the bushes to prevent him from jumping into the river or hurting himself.
The river shimmered under the moonlight, the crescent moon like a painted eyebrow, and the leaves and branches under the clouds and rain could not conceal the heart of Fukang'an, watered by tears. Fukang'an clutched the chill hidden in his sleeve and walked step by step toward the Fucha Mansion. Each step felt like his legs were filled with lead, difficult and painful.
Wan Hui stood before the mansion gate, anxiously looking left and right, tears blurring her makeup. Fukang'an was the culmination of her years of raising him, more precious than her own life. If anything happened to him, she would rather follow him in death. For twelve years, Wan Hui had lived in constant fear than anyone else, watching Fukang'an grow from a one-year-old child into a handsome and dashing young man. She grew increasingly afraid that something like today would happen, but she was powerless; many things, once begun, do not easily end. Moreover, she was about to offend the very Emperor.
Fukang'an and the Imperial Guards behind him appeared before Wan Hui, soaked to the bone. Ignoring the oil-paper umbrella held up by her maid, Wan Hui rushed into the rain and embraced the unconscious Fukang'an. "Kang'er, wake up! Don't frighten your mother! Kang'er..."
After receiving the imperial decree, the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy rushed to the Fucha residence one by one in the rainy night. Under the rain curtain, the large lanterns of the Fucha residence emitted a dim red light, and the imperial physicians secretly sighed at the excessive favor the Fucha family enjoyed. Whenever the lady or young master of the mansion fell ill, the imperial decree would summon the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy.
As summer turned to autumn, withered lotus petals littered the lotus pond. Wan Hui took a moon-white cloak and helped Fukang'an put it on. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Fukang'an's blank expression choked her words.
"Mother, I want to join the army and fight alongside my elder brother!"
Fukang'an's casual remark froze Wan Hui, who was about to leave silently. She grabbed Fukang'an, her expression agitated, trying to keep her tone calm, "Kang'er, it's not that your mother doesn't want you to go, but you're too young! Your elder brother is currently far away in Burma; it's not something you can just go on a whim. Perhaps before you even arrive, your brother's war will be over. Why don't you first gain experience in some official position in the capital?"
"Your son will obey Mother's arrangements!"
Fukang'an kept his back to Wanhui, his voice steady and calm, so Wanhui couldn't see his emotions. His makeup was understated, his charm hidden in his eyes and brows.
The following day, the imperial edict was issued.
Ren Fukang'an was granted the title of Yunqiwei (a military rank) while in retirement, and was appointed as a third-class imperial bodyguard, serving at the Qianqing Gate.
Fukang'an had shown exceptional military talent since childhood in the palace, and the emperor had long intended to give him an important position. However, he never expected such an unexpected event to occur, so the emperor moved the deadline forward by a year and a half to comfort Fukang'an.
The Emperor was very satisfied with Fukang'an's military talent and, disregarding the criticisms of others, promoted the young Fukang'an repeatedly.
At the age of fourteen, he was promoted to second-class imperial bodyguard and ordered to serve in front of the emperor.
At the age of fifteen, he was promoted to first-class bodyguard.
At the age of sixteen, he served as the Deputy Commander of the Bordered Blue Banner Mongol Army and later as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
At the age of seventeen, he was reassigned as the Deputy Commander of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner and became the youngest official to study and work in the Grand Council at the beginning of the dynasty.
In the eyes of many officials, Fukang'an rose through the ranks only because of his father, Fuheng, but the Emperor saw his talent. If Fukang'an hadn't truly been talented, even though he was the Emperor's rightful prince, the Emperor, given his temperament, would have simply spoiled him and wouldn't have given him any important positions.
So, when Fukang'an was seventeen, the Emperor ordered him to be given the seal of office and appointed him as the commander-in-chief to lead the expedition against Jinchuan. When Fukang'an was nineteen, the Emperor again appointed him as the commander-in-chief, along with Agui, Hailancha, and others, to suppress the Jinchuan rebellion.
From the palace to the Fucha residence, walking on the asphalt road, Fukang'an was filled with thoughts. Since learning his mother's secret, he had never seen the person he both respected and feared. At every palace banquet, Wan Hui would excuse herself, citing illness. Fukang'an began to feel some pity for Wan Hui, so he worked hard to achieve military merit, hoping to grant her a status among women second only to the Empress Dowager.
On Wan Hui's birthday, Fukang'an disregarded his principles and gave those officials a legitimate way to bribe him.
Passing by the Fucha residence in the imperial city, Fukang'an quickened his pace, not daring to even glance at it. Taking the reins from the eunuch, Fukang'an rode swiftly back to the Fucha residence without stopping.
The old lady of the Fucha family remained in a daze, muttering incessantly. After instructing the imperial physician, Fukang'an went to the prison cell in the government office where You Yuanzhi was being held, and then headed towards Furong Garden.
Xiang'er's foot injury had healed, and she sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, staring blankly at the empty lotus pond.
"When the lotus flowers are in full bloom, I will have them transplanted for you to enjoy!" Fukang'an's voice rang in Xiang'er's ears. Xiang'er snapped out of her reverie, stood up to curtsy, but Fukang'an pulled her back down to sit.
Xiang'er had already heard that the old lady had been injured by people from the Mingqi Sect, and she looked at Fukang'an with unease.
Fukang'an, like Xiang'er, gazed at the dried-up lotus pond, his expression thoughtful.
The more silent Fukang'an became, the more guilty and uneasy Xiang'er felt. Unable to bear it any longer, she knelt down. "General, I'll accept whatever punishment you give me, I only beg you to let me give birth to this child!"
Fukang'an turned to Xiang'er and handed her the key. "Go to the prison and tell You Yuanzhi that the White Lotus Sect ordered the attack on the old lady! As for what to say and do, I don't think I need to tell you!"
Fukang'an stood up, his hands clasped behind his back, and stopped at the entrance of Furong Garden. "This is the last time I'll forgive your lingering ties with You Yuanzhi! You'd better watch yourself!"
Xiang'er lay sprawled on the stone bench, her once radiant face now etched with deeper wrinkles. You Yuanzhi had been captured to take her away, while the Mingqi Cult members had harmed the old lady to save You Yuanzhi. Xiang'er pounded the stone bench, pondering how these two interconnected events truly concerned her. She simply wanted to live an ordinary life, like a typical woman, devoted to her husband and children.
When You Yuanzhi was first imprisoned, he was restless and unable to eat or sleep, worried that Fukang'an would not let Xiang'er go. But after calming down, he understood Fukang'an's character; Fukang'an was most magnanimous towards women. Without the chaotic affairs of the Mingqi Sect, You Yuanzhi began to live a more relaxed and comfortable life in his cell.
Suddenly, the yamen runners who had been drinking noisily in the prison cell dropped their wine jugs and fell into a deep sleep, and the sound of a woman's footsteps approached from afar.
You Yuanzhi and Tie Mu exchanged a glance, then moved closer to the cell, peering through the gaps between the wooden pillars towards the exit.
"Yan Ning?" You Yuanzhi exclaimed in disbelief when he saw who it was.
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