Fukang'an nodded, "Lord Yuan, you're too kind!" He and Yuan Shoutong walked to the main seats together and sat down gracefully. After Fukang'an was seated, he gestured for Yan Ning to sit down as well.
After the old steward served tea to the two of them, Yuan Shoutong ordered the old steward to guard the hall door and not allow anyone to come in and disturb them.
He stared at Fukang'an for a while, then sighed softly like an elder, "I have known your father for many years. Seeing you so young and already highly regarded by the Emperor, I am truly happy for your father. I still remember the spirit of a young warrior when you first entered the army, but how did you become so dejected today!" After he finished speaking, his eyes glanced at Yan Ning with a hint of regret.
Yan Ning felt a pang of guilt, like the steam rising from a covered teacup, swirling around her. She looked at Fukang'an, her lips twitching as if she wanted to confess her sins.
Fukang'an looked directly at her, smiled indifferently, and then looked at Yuan Shoudong, "I hope Uncle Yuan can help my nephew out of his predicament!"
Yuan Shoutong, somewhat angry, stared sharply ahead and threw down the covered bowl in his hand. "You and I have served as officials in the same court and in the capital for many years. Between the Eleventh Prince and the Fifteenth Prince, we both know very well that although the Eleventh Prince is fond of calligraphy and painting, his breadth of mind and talent are superior to the Fifteenth Prince's. I'm afraid General Fucha will be disappointed. I can only ensure that I do not associate with either of them!"
Fukang'an still had a smile on his face, but his eyes suddenly narrowed. "Uncle Yuan probably knows in his heart who the name is written behind that upright and honorable plaque!"
One sentence made Yuan Shoudong's already stern face grow even colder. His eyes narrowed, and the wrinkles on his face became more pronounced. After a long while, he sighed with a hint of helplessness, "His Majesty is wise; we have no choice but to obey!"
From Yuan Shoudong's slightly drooping back, Yan Ning could tell that Fukang'an had achieved his goal for this trip.
Fukang'an rose and knelt before Yuan Shoutong, saying, "Nephew has another request, hoping that Yuan Bo can..." Before he could finish, Yuan Shoutong waved his hand to interrupt him, "Very well, I know what you want to say. The Fifteenth Prince also knows that among all the officials, only you and Agui can persuade me. Agui would never try to persuade me, and only you are willing to get involved in such a dangerous matter for a woman!"
The rambling conversation ended as Fukang'an stood up. He pulled Yan Ning along, intending to walk towards the hall. Yan Ning quickly curtsied to Yuan Shoudong and followed Fukang'an out of the hall.
The moment Fukang'an stepped out of the hall, he released Yan Ning's hand. As the curtain was lifted, a gust of snow swept across Yan Ning's face. Snow began to fall again, and a servant in the courtyard exclaimed, "The snow has come so early this year!" A layer of white snow settled on Yan Ning's deep crimson cloak. She turned to look at Fukang'an, who was standing with the servants, and longed to take his arm and enjoy the snow with him, but she knew that doing so would bring him a death sentence.
Back at Jian Gong Zhai, dusk had fallen, and the snowy twilight possessed a poignant beauty. Yan Ning stood by the window, listening to the patter of snowflakes outside the curtain. Fu Kang'an was on the other side of the screen instructing Fu Chang'an on matters; in a few hours, Fu Kang'an would be leaving. Yan Ning felt as if a huge boulder was lodged in her heart, trying to burst out but instead getting stuck in her throat, the taste of blood spreading through her throat.
After an unknown amount of time, a pair of hands landed on Yan Ning's shoulders, firm and strong, instantly bringing her back to her senses. She turned around and met Fu Kang'an's eyes, which were filled with reluctance. She cried, "If you leave without the Emperor's decree, will you never be able to return to the capital?"
Fukang'an pulled her into his arms, his grip a little too tight, but Yan Ning felt no pain. His voice was also somewhat hoarse, "If you have the heart to do this, I can risk coming back every year!" It was meant as a joke, but his cold expression couldn't dispel the deep sorrow of parting in the room.
Juxiang lit the lamps, and Lanxiang brought back the dinner and placed it outside the screen. Looking at the table full of delicacies, Yan Ning and Fukang'an ate only a few bites hastily. After dinner, Yan Ning packed Fukang'an's belongings, thinking about the sign language exchange between Fukang'an and Yuan Shoutong today, and couldn't help but ask, "What did you and Lord Yuan talk about today? I didn't understand a word."
Fukang'an, who was drinking tea on the warm couch, pondered for a while. He did not want Yan Ning to know about the affairs of the court, but he had been away from the capital for a long time and was afraid that Yan Ning would cause trouble if she did not understand the current situation of the court. So he had no choice but to tell her in detail.
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