Chef Wu? Wei Changyun?
Yan Ning was suddenly reminded of Qing Yue by these two people. The jade porcelain bowl in her hand fell onto the table, and the red date and barley porridge spilled out.
Lanxiang and Juxiang, who were standing to one side, immediately stepped forward to wipe Yan Ning's face. Fukang'an placed the jade porcelain bowl he was holding on the table, making a crisp clinking sound. He frowned, staring at Yan Ning, "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?"
Yan Ning pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly, “What could possibly be hidden from you? I was just thinking that you only saw De Xuan and Yun Wan this time you came back. Your mother took De Lin to the Peony Hall, fearing that he might say something inappropriate about your return to the capital. You can’t go to Wu Chun’s place either, and Yun Xin has grown up quite a bit now, so I’m afraid you won’t be able to see her either.”
Upon hearing about the child, the doubt in Fukang'an's eyes shattered, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness. "With you and your mother here, they won't suffer!"
After finishing his meal, Fukang'an changed into the clothes of a servant in the Fucha household. Although the servants' clothes were thick, they were not as warm as those of their master. Yan Ning ordered Juxiang to fetch Fukang'an's old official robe, intending to put it on him. However, Fukang'an refused the sable official robe in Yan Ning's hand, saying, "As a servant, wouldn't it arouse suspicion if I wore this!"
After saying this, he left before Yan Ning. Yan Ning inwardly regretted her carelessness and followed Fu Kang'an out of the main house. When Fu Long'an learned that Fu Kang'an had returned, although he did not visit Jian Gong Zhai, he informed the guards outside the courtyard gate that Yan Ning should not be stopped from leaving.
Before they even reached the courtyard gate, they heard Wu Chun's rebuking voice, "I am Master Fu's concubine. Aren't you afraid he will come back and punish you?"
Yan Ning stopped in her tracks in surprise. She looked at Fu Kang'an beside her, at a loss. He nodded slightly, signaling her to continue, while he hid among the other three servants.
Wu Chun's lotus-red cheongsam shone brightly against the backdrop of a snow-covered landscape. Die Cui and her accompanying maids, all dressed in pale purple, further accentuated Wu Chun's beauty. Upon seeing Yan Ning emerge from the courtyard, she immediately went to greet her, her delicate face radiant with a gentle smile.
"Wu Chun is worried about Madam, Young Master De Xuan, and Miss Yun Wan, but he cannot see them. The old lady has ordered the entire household not to disturb Madam's quiet life. Wu Chun believes that he and Madam share the same husband and are inseparable, so how could he disturb Madam's quiet life? But the guards of the princess's residence do not recognize the concubine of the Fucha family. If this news were to reach Jilin, how could the general save face?"
Behind Yan Ning followed Ju Xiang, Zhu Xiang, and four servants. It wasn't that she was trying to project the airs of Lady Fucha, but rather that she didn't want others to recognize Fukang'an. Although Wu Chun was thin, her mind was incredibly perceptive, and the man standing behind Yan Ning was Wu Chun's husband. How could she possibly hide it from her?
When Yan Ning mentioned that she wanted to tell Wu Chun that he had returned, Fu Kang'an stopped her and spoke in a deep voice that Yan Ning could not understand.
"Wuchun and Yunxin, just stay here and eat and drink well. Don't mistreat them. Wuchun doesn't need to know anything about the Fucha family. With Yunxin here, I don't want to expel her from the manor!"
Fukang'an's words were icy, as if Wuchun had committed an unforgivable crime. But Wuchun had always been well-behaved in the manor, and Yan Ning didn't know what mistake she could have made Fukang'an wary of her. Even as for Xi Ying in the past, if she hadn't been so ruthless as to harm Xiang'er's son, Fukang'an wouldn't have been so heartless as to want to divorce her.
Since giving birth to Yunxin, Wuchun's health had been poor. Now, after being exposed to the cold wind for a while, her face was purplish-red with a sickly pallor. Although Yan Ning knew that Wuchun's words were mostly false, seeing her so ill, she felt a pang of pity. She smiled and said, "You've been unwell and yet you still think of me; it makes me feel guilty. I have to go out now, but I'll come see you when I have some free time. I haven't seen Yunxin in a long time; I miss her too!"
Wu Chun's clear eyes pierced through Yan Ning, looking straight back at the accompanying servants. Seeing Yan Ning wrapped in a thick cloak, she already knew Yan Ning was going out, but showed no intention of making way. She smiled in return, "Is Madam going out? We live in the same mansion but haven't seen each other for months. If word gets out, people will laugh at the Fucha family." As she spoke, her eyes swept over the servants behind Yan Ning, her gaze fixing on Fukang'an, who was dressed in a black and gray servant's uniform.
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