"What wrong has she done that I have to punish her personally?"
Fukang'an's deep voice reached Yan Ning and Ming Xin's ears along with the creaking sound of the door being pushed open.
The pale sunlight streamed in, and Yan Ning's eyes felt a little uncomfortable. She quickly stood up, but tripped over the hem of her cherry-red skirt. Just as she was about to touch the ground, Fukang'an lifted her up in the air.
As autumn deepened, Fukang'an's deep crimson robe suited the season perfectly. A smile graced his face, the corners of his mouth curving slightly, meeting the commanding presence that seemed to transcend all things between his brows—a captivating and elegant air.
Yan Ning was so stunned that she forgot why she had stood up so hastily just now.
Seeing this, Mingxin lowered his head and stepped back, closing the door behind him.
Seeing that Yan Ning had her arms wrapped around his neck and showed no sign of letting go, Fukang'an's smile deepened. Yan Ning blushed and struggled to get up.
Fukang'an held her even tighter, carrying her towards the warm couch where they could rest. After putting her down, Fukang'an sat down beside her, but his hand never let go of hers.
A crystal curtain made of bamboo hung on the square window, its color a lustrous white, its craftsmanship exquisite. Bathed in the summer sunlight, it shimmered with a silvery light, captivatingly beautiful. It was commissioned by Fukang'an for Yan Ning, who loved to sit idly on her couch during her naps, sometimes spending the entire day there if she had nothing else to do. Springtime was fine, but Fukang'an feared the summer sun might damage Yan Ning's smooth, delicate skin.
Yan Ning spent her summer in the palace and missed the magnificent sight of the crystal curtains in summer. She understood Fukang'an's feelings, so even though it was late autumn, she still did not want the servants to take down the crystal curtains on the windows.
"Lower the crystal curtain, and gaze at the autumn moon through its delicate beauty," Fukang'an murmured to himself, looking at the dim window.
Yan Ning followed Fukang'an's gaze and looked outside, a chill seeping through the sparse bamboo gaps. She recalled the night Fukang'an stayed at Furong Garden, and her hand unconsciously tightened.
Fukang'an smiled and playfully stroked Yan Ning's face, "You always love to overthink things!"
"Why did you take so many concubines?"
Recalling that she had met You Yuanzhi earlier that day, Yan Ning lowered her head and asked with a touch of sadness.
Her jet-black hair flowed like layers of floating clouds, and the fragrance lingered around her temples. Even with her head bowed, the sorrow in her eyes remained undisguised. Looking at Yan Ning like this, Fukang'an asked himself the same question: why did he have so many concubines?
But there was no answer.
The emperor, the Son of Heaven, had three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines, his harem overflowing with beauties. His father also had numerous concubines. Every civil and military official by his side was accompanied by virtuous wives and beautiful concubines.
He seemed somewhat taken aback, his brows furrowing. Even with many wives and concubines, couldn't one's heart only hold one person at a time?
Xi Ying was the wife chosen for him by his father. They were childhood sweethearts, and he had liked her when he was young and his heart was first awakened to love.
Xiang'er was pure and innocent, unlike Xi Ying who was timid, dignified and virtuous. He liked her too, so he took her into his household.
Although he had concubines by his side during this time, he did not fall in love with anyone.
Until he met Yan Ning, who was stunningly beautiful, aloof, and unpredictable in her attitude, with a mysterious past. Having been deeply favored by the emperor since childhood, he was already accustomed to bringing women he fell in love with into his household.
She was different; she didn't want to be a concubine, nor a wife. She only wanted to elope with him, to live a life of seclusion amidst mountains and fields. He, who had always been moved only by women, found his heart repeatedly thrown into turmoil by her.
Fearing that she might be put in a life-or-death situation, he dared not show his affection openly anymore, so he took Meixiang as his concubine.
He was wary of her association with Heshen, so he brought Wuchun into the mansion, hoping to teach her that a woman should not only possess stunning beauty but also be gentle and loyal. However, when she hurt herself in her quest for favor, he felt a sense of weariness; this was not his Yan Ning.
He finally realized that he was deeply in love with her and had fallen in love with her.
Xi Ying's plot to harm Xiang'er was something he had witnessed countless times since childhood, a common occurrence among the women of the household. His ruthlessness towards Xi Ying was just as she had asked: if it were Yan Ning, if Yan Ning had committed these transgressions, how would the General have acted? Would he have been so utterly indifferent to their past marital bond?
He immediately knew the answer in his heart: if it were Yan Ning, he would only think that this was because she loved him deeply. He didn't say these startling words aloud.
Fukang'an stared blankly out the window, unaware that Yan Ning had moved much closer to him. She leaned against him, silent, and he had already embraced her.
"If You Yuanzhi hadn't died, what would you have done?" Yan Ning looked up and met Fukang'an's questioning gaze.
Perhaps out of grief for the deceased, Fukang'an began chatting idly with Yan Ning. "If You Yuanzhi hadn't died, I would have let her take Xiang'er and run away! The Mingqi Sect has been wiped out, and all the hatred has turned to ashes!"
His feelings for Xiang'er had long since faded from affection to pity. He knew of Xiang'er's feelings for him, but had no way to repay them. Now, with Xiang'er in this state, Fukang'an hoped that You Yuanzhi was still alive, for he would surely know better than himself how to cherish Xiang'er in this condition.
Fukang'an's heart was completely filled with Yan Ning, and he couldn't let go of anyone else. He felt deeply guilty every time he faced Xiang'er. His beloved elder brother died because of her, and he hated her, wanting to imprison her in the lonely cage of the Fucha Mansion for the rest of her life. So he treated her with alternating hot and coldness, causing the feelings in her heart to reignite time and time again.
But later, he had no time to care about her anymore.
Until she became pregnant, he had doubts about the child in her womb. He wanted to let her go and elope with You Yuanzhi, but she insisted on staying, and he then believed in his heart that it was his own child.
The Mingqi Sect has been destroyed, and You Yuanzhi is dead. He is her last support, yet he cannot spare a moment of peace for her.
During the meal, Mingxin accompanied the maid to set the table. Seeing her, Fukang'an recalled the conversation between the two earlier that day and casually asked, "How did you displease Madam today?"
Mingxin's face paled in surprise, and the jade bowl of longan and lotus seed soup in her hand fell to the ground, spilling the soup onto Yan Ning's cheongsam. She immediately knelt down, stammering as she apologized, "This servant... I didn't mean to, this servant didn't mean to!"
Yan Ning gestured for Ming Xin to get down quickly, and Ming Xin stood up and stumbled out.
"stop!"
Fukang'an put down his chopsticks, his eyes narrowing.
Mingxin immediately stood at a distance, looking at Yan Ning with a bewildered expression. If Fukang'an knew that she had once been Heshen's servant, he would certainly implicate her family even if he didn't punish her.
Unlike other mansions, the Fucha family had served as loyal generals to the court for generations, their hands stained with the blood of foreign invaders and enemies. Countless people sought revenge. The general's mansion held spies and assassins in the highest regard, possessing the authority to execute them at will.
It was common knowledge in the capital that Fukang'an and Heshen were at odds. Fukang'an despised Heshen, a sycophantic person.
Yan Ningxin's heart also jumped up. If Fukang'an knew that Mingxin was Heshen's old servant, his trust in her would definitely crumble.
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