Fukang'an left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, one hand clasped behind his back, looking up at the divine eagle soaring above the Forbidden City, his expression pained. He walked out of the palace gates, his robe embroidered with nine pythons and five claws, adorned with a qilin, and the pure red coral hat ornament on his official hat, making him appear even more majestic and dignified with his noble bearing. Along the way, all the guards he encountered knelt and bowed to Fukang'an. Despite his young age, he held a first-rank official position; the emperor's favor towards him was truly enviable.
Lady Fucha lay on the warm couch, her hand supporting her head. The jade bracelet on her wrist and the peony hairpin in her hair complemented each other, making her appear even more elegant and noble. She moved her eyes and said to Granny Li in a sorrowful tone, "I've grown another year older. I don't know how much longer I can live like this."
While kneeling and massaging the old lady's legs, Granny Li said with a smile, "The old lady will surely live to be a hundred! Now the general is so young and has already risen to the rank of first-grade official. He will soon be second only to the emperor."
Madam Fucha opened her eyes. "If it weren't for my competitive nature, I could be by his side right now. Now I'm suffering, and Kang'er is suffering too. I grieve deeply, and I will never forget this over the years! In the misty courtyard, I am truly torn between sorrow and longing."
Seeing the old lady of the Fucha family looking sad, Li Mama comforted her, saying, "Although the old lady of the Fucha family is not as noble as the empress in the palace, the palace is nothing compared to the tranquility and freedom of the Fucha family. The general is also very capable and has made great achievements in battle."
"The old general was devoted to me when he was alive, and I will definitely help him protect the glory of the Fucha family!" the old lady said with a determined look in her eyes.
Granny Li got up from the ground, poured a cup of ginseng tea and handed it to Old Madam Fucha, then stood aside and asked, "But do you really intend to make the newly arrived Miss Yan Ning the general's principal wife?"
The old lady gazed at the red plum blossom petals in the jade cup and said softly, "Although Xiying is virtuous and kind, she is also meticulous and keeps her joys and sorrows hidden in her heart. Kang'er only pities her, without any love. Xiang'er is proud and aloof, but her heart is straightforward, and she was originally a lovely girl whom Kang'er favored. However, since Kang'er's elder brother passed away, Kang'er has become indifferent to her. There must be a reason for this, and we need to observe carefully. Although Yan Ning appears weak on the surface, she is strong at heart and possesses a stunningly beautiful face, but she is too kind-hearted. However, her background is unclear. Although I promised her the position of principal wife, I fear she is unwilling to bear such a heavy responsibility. It is best to keep her in the Fu family mansion! Now, she is Kang'er's darling, and after marriage, she will surely be his exclusive favorite! I should also find an opportunity to bring E'lan into the mansion."
"Yes, Princess Elan has always been devoted to our General. She used to be young and had a tomboyish air about her, but now she has grown into a graceful young lady. Although she is not as beautiful as Miss Yan Ning, she is still a real beauty!" Granny Li replied with a smile.
Inside the warm pavilion, the glazed red curtains fell, and the master and servant smiled at each other, then fell silent.
After returning to Liuxiang Garden, Fukang'an did not see Yan Ning. He took off his official hat and asked Zhuxiang, "Where is Yan Ning?"
Zhu Xiang hurriedly took the official hat, bowed, and replied, "Madam went to Lord He's residence, saying she had something to attend to, and then sent us back first."
A hint of displeasure flashed in Fukang'an's eyes. "Bring me some casual clothes!" After changing into a crimson robe and a moon-white gauze dress, Fukang'an ordered Zhao Xing to prepare a carriage and hurried to Hedi.
"Reporting to General Fucha, our master is truly not here," the servant at the door said, bowing as he stopped Fukang'an.
"Get out of the way!" Fukang'an's eyes flashed with anger as he pushed aside their crossed hands and walked straight toward Hedizhong.
Upon hearing the servant's report, Jiwen hurried towards the front courtyard, where she happened to meet Fukang'an at the crescent-shaped inner gate. Jiwen took a step back, gently placed her hands on her left hip, supported herself with her right foot, and curtsied, saying, "This concubine, Feng, greets General Fucha!"
Fukang'an stood with one hand behind his back, his handsome face cold and indifferent. "Get up! Where is Yan Ning?"
Ji Wen smiled slightly and replied, "The General's wife should be at the General's residence. Why then does the General intrude into my home to ask questions?"
Looking at Ji Wen, Fukang'an thought to himself that this woman's intelligence was no less than that of Heshen. "Madam He, you flatter me. Yan Ning was once saved by Lord He. She is a very sentimental person, and today the servants personally escorted her to Heshen's residence!"
Ji Wen was taken aback, but immediately smiled slightly and said, "I have not received the General's wife. Why don't we wait for my husband to return from the yamen and ask him to find out the truth!"
Zhao Xing rushed over and whispered to Fukang'an, "Reporting to the General, the Lady has gone to the Chongwen Gate Tax Office with Lord He!" Upon hearing this, Fukang'an said to Jiwen in front of him, "Excuse me!" and strode away.
As Fukang'an walked away, Jiwen curtsied and said, "This humble servant respectfully sees off General Fucha!"
Yan Ning followed Heshen's sedan chair and asked him, "Why did you burn those account books just now? Aren't you afraid the Emperor will blame you if he finds out?"
Heshen lifted the window curtain and said with a smile, "Since we know those account books are impossible to investigate, we might as well cut the Gordian knot and turn the old debts to ashes so we can start afresh. What the Emperor values is how much silver Chongwen Gate can contribute to the national treasury, not how many account books it has!"
After listening to him finish speaking, Yan Ning couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up, but then, realizing it was inappropriate, she quickly covered her thumb with her other hand. Seeing this, He Shen's smile deepened. Noticing the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, he ordered the sedan chair bearers to slow down.
From afar, Yan Ning saw Fukang'an coming out of the palace and ran up to him, "Why are you here?"
Upon seeing Yan Ning dressed as a servant, Fukang'an's displeasure turned to slight anger. Heshen stepped down from the sedan chair, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed, saying, "This humble official greets General Fucha!"
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