The Mingqi followers at Qingyun Temple, realizing that government troops were lying in ambush, retreated under the cover of darkness. The Mingqi followers who had come from Sichuan, after hearing the account of what had happened from their fellow followers who remained in the capital, felt an even deeper hatred for the Qing soldiers and were filled with a burning desire to restore the Ming dynasty.
The Mingqi Sect was in disarray and leaderless, with dozens of members losing their leader, but their determination to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming made them fearlessly face death. In order to eliminate future troubles, Fukang'an used the news that You Yuanzhi was still alive to lure them to the outskirts of the city. Thousands of arrows rained down, and the Mingqi Sect members, caught off guard and filled with boundless reverence for the former emperor, fell to the ground.
The disappearance of the Mingqi Sect made the White Lotus Sect even more wary of Fukang'an.
The Emperor greatly praised Fukang'an and bestowed upon him countless rewards. However, Fukang'an could not hide his melancholy over this victory. The Mingqi followers hiding in Qingyun Temple had only entered the lion's den because You Yuanzhi was trying to save Xiang'er. To avoid harming his fellow followers, You Yuanzhi had repeatedly risked his life, always alone.
With both the leader and deputy leader dead, the Mingqi Cult was thrown into chaos and lost their way, which is why they fell so easily into Fukang'an's trap. However, Fukang'an dared not let them go. He had witnessed their unwavering determination to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming, and their disregard for life and death made him feel that they were more worrisome than a thousand troops.
Whether it was taking advantage of someone's misfortune or a brilliant scheme, Fukang'an felt a pang of guilt towards the Mingqi followers who died in the hail of arrows. Although he knew that as a general of the Qing Dynasty, he shouldn't have done it, he felt a pang of reluctance when You Yuanzhi died and fell into the river.
You Yuanzhi's wisdom and skills made Fukang'an feel a sense of camaraderie. Gazing at the vast sky above the Forbidden City, Fukang'an fantasized that if the world were at peace and the Manchus and Hans were united as one family, they could become good brothers and raise a glass together.
After leaving the palace, Fukang'an rode straight to Wanxiang Pavilion, intending to numb his guilt towards the Mingqi believers with sensual pleasures and decadent music.
Wanxiang Pavilion enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, with incense burners under the eaves in winter and palm-leaf fans illuminating the ground in summer. Fukang'an drinks cup after cup of wine, with Wuchun, the newly crowned top courtesan of Wanxiang Pavilion, skilled in playing the pipa, qin, and xiao, beside him.
After spending three days by Fukang'an's side, Wuchun slid softly into his arms, her voice as sweet and melodious as a fledgling nightingale's, "But Wuchun's appearance is not good, which makes the General..."
Fukang'an gently placed Wuchun back in her seat, finished his drink, and expressionlessly left behind a stack of silver notes before getting up and leaving.
Wu Chun's fair and delicate face was like a lotus leaf glistening with dew in summer; she didn't possess the stunning beauty of a mature woman, but she was nonetheless captivatingly beautiful. She rose and ran to the door, embracing Fukang'an. "The girls of Wanxiang Pavilion only receive one guest from the moment they leave the pavilion. Now, a general's plaque hangs outside Wu Chun's room; every day Wu Chun spends at Wanxiang Pavilion belongs to the general. If the general didn't like Wu Chun, why did he let her receive him in the first place?"
Fukang'an pushed Wuchun away and took out another silver note from his body. "If you want to stay in Wanxiang Pavilion, I will guarantee you wealth and honor. If you want to leave this brothel, I can also help you get out of this hellhole!" Fukang'an didn't know why he chose her in the first place, but he felt that her eyebrows and eyes looked exactly like someone else.
Madam Fucha remained bedridden, and Xi Ying's status in the household was no different than before. She was pleased to hear Mei Xiang's flattering words every day, and she provided Mei Xiang with the same style of clothing and food as Yan Ning.
Although Elan couldn't see how Meixiang could be described as "plum blossoms are three parts less white than snow, but snow is a bit less fragrant than plum blossoms," she heard that Fukang'an hadn't touched her at all, and in her heart, she only regarded her as a joke.
Yan Ning spent her days studying the books Zhang had given her with Xiang'er, and her days were quite pleasant. Fukang'an was busy with military affairs, and the Xiangshan project was enormous, which Yan Ning understood. Although she deeply felt the helplessness of the general's wife, she also hoped that she could return to her own time as soon as possible. She didn't know what fate she would have among the many women in the Fucha family.
Yan Ning, who was learning embroidery, was startled by Zhu Xiang's greeting, "Greetings, General," and pricked her hand. Fu Kang'an came in and saw Yan Ning sucking her fingers. He took her hand and saw that it was covered with needle marks. His heart softened, and his usually expressionless face was stirred with a touch of heartache. "Why are you doing all this?" he said, handing the embroidery in Yan Ning's hand to Ming Xin beside him.
After receiving the embroidery, Mingxin curtsied and withdrew.
Yan Ning lowered her head and said sadly, "I wanted to embroider something close to your body for you, so you could carry it with you at all times, just like I'm always by your side." Yan Ning was afraid that Fukang'an would be too heartbroken after she left.
Seeing the tears glistening in Yan Ning's eyes, Fu Kang'an assumed that Yan Ning was saddened by his neglect of her during this time. He embraced Yan Ning and said, "Then I'll just have to keep you by my side every day, because no one or nothing can replace you!"
While Yan Ning was moved, she noticed a strong scent of perfume on Fukang'an. Yan Ning knew that if Fukang'an returned to the manor, he would definitely come to Jiangongzhai first. So where did this perfume scent come from?
Zhao Xing returned from Jiangnan, bringing a large bag of jewelry and cosmetics for Zhu Xiang. Yan Ning and Ming Xin teased Zhu Xiang, making her stay in her room all day, too embarrassed to go out.
Just like before, Mingxin had a couch set up by the window so that Yan Ning could sit or lie down. Watching the branches swaying outside and the servants busily working, Yan Ning began embroidering the lily handkerchief again. Zhao Xing's wandering figure in the courtyard caught Yan Ning's attention, and she ordered him to be brought in. She asked him why he was idly loitering in the courtyard.
Zhao Xing stammered, looking embarrassed, and said, "This servant dares not say!"
Yan Ning thought he was talking about marrying Zhu Xiang and wanted to tease him, but she pretended to be calm and said, "Speak!"
Zhao Xing closed his eyes, as if going to his execution, and said, "The general is at Wanxiang Pavilion!"
"What kind of place is Wanxiang Pavilion?" Yan Ning had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
"A brothel!" Zhao Xing's voice lowered as he secretly glanced at Yan Ning.
Zhao Xing followed Yan Ning, who was dressed as a man, bowing repeatedly, "Madam, you mustn't betray your servant! If the general finds out, he'll skin me alive!"
"Then why did you tell me?" Yan Ning walked faster and faster, finally understanding where Fukang'an's heavy perfume scent came from.
"This servant has served the general since childhood; I cannot allow the general to become addicted to women!"
Looking at Zhao Xing's loyal expression, Yan Ning wanted to tell him, "By coming with me, aren't you obviously betraying me?" But Yan Ning didn't dare go to that kind of place alone, so she nodded to Zhao Xing, indicating that she wouldn't betray him.
Reassured, Zhao Xing led Yan Ning into Wanxiang Pavilion, a gentle haven where the powerful and wealthy of the capital were willing to spend lavishly.
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