As dusk approached, snowflakes fell like goose feathers scattered across the sky. By late at night, the snow raged and the wind howled, like a woman's lament, accompanied by continuous pattering sounds. Yan Ning was startled awake by this frightening noise. Seeing Fu Kang'an sleeping peacefully beside her, her anxious heart calmed down. She snuggled closer to Fu Kang'an, who, though his eyes were closed, held her close with one arm. "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"
The candlelight in the inner room was dim. He spoke softly, his words somewhat ethereal yet carrying a reassuring firmness. Yan Ning nodded in his arms and then fell into a deep sleep.
The heavy snow that had accumulated overnight had broken the bare branches of trees, and the faint cracking sounds echoed in the quiet morning. Yan Ning took the warm handkerchief from Ju Xiang's hand, glanced at the crystal curtain at the other end of the latticed screen, and while wiping her hands, instructed, "The snow is heavy today, so there's no need to bring De Xuan and Yun Wan to the main room. Tell the servants not to move around too much in the east wing, lest the cold wind get in and freeze De Xuan and Yun Wan. Tell Nurse Zhao to be extra careful and take good care of Yun Wan, and not to feed her too quickly."
Fukang'an, sitting at the table drinking his morning tea, looked at Yan Ning with a contented expression. After Juxiang took the wooden basin out, he laughed and said, "Now I am not even as good as Dexuan and Yunwan in your heart. Other families favor their sons, but you are better off treating your daughters better than your sons!"
Yan Ning realized that Fukang'an was laughing at her nagging, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. She lowered her head and said, "Do you know how Yunwan survived these past two months!"
Fukang'an's smile froze. He put down the covered bowl in his hand, got up and sat on the bed, embracing Yan Ning. "Your mother was confused by this. She was just worried about what might happen in my household. Yan Ning, although you haven't officially married into the Fucha family in your wedding robes, you are already Lady Fucha in the capital! For my sake, your mother has to think more carefully. It's been hard on you and the child."
Yan Ning hugged Fukang'an tightly, resting her head on his chest. After being trapped in Jiangongzhai this time, she became even more dependent on Fukang'an. As he said, in the entire Qing Dynasty, only he was willing to risk his life for her and their child. Wasn't Heshen also abandoning her to protect his own reputation in that critical moment?
Although she rarely left her home, she was aware of the numerous rumors circulating in the capital about her and Heshen, and the old lady must have told Fukang'an the serious ones as well. A surge of warmth welled up in Yan Ning's heart. Since Fukang'an's return, he had never once doubted Dexuan and Yunwan's identities; this trust was enough for her to give her all in her life. She said emotionally, "Fukang'an, I, Yan Ning, am yours in life and in death!"
Yan Ning, nestled in his arms, was soft and supple, her arms around his waist tightly wrapped around his waist. Fukang'an smiled and looked down at her drooping garland, "You're a mother now, but you're even more adorable than before when you act spoiled!"
Yan Ning's tears fell freely onto Fukang'an's deep crimson robe. She remained silent, her composure overwhelmed by guilt. Fukang'an trusted her so much, yet she had concealed from him a secret concerning her very survival in the Qing Dynasty. She hesitated, unsure how to tell Fukang'an.
Her initial trust in Heshen stemmed from his greed, which allowed her to conduct business with him without fear. However, given Heshen's keen observation skills, what she revealed to him was far more than what allowed him to climb the ladder to power. Heshen, on the contrary, was repeatedly implicated by her. Given this level of affection, if Yan Ning still didn't understand Heshen's feelings for her, she would truly be foolish. But now, she absolutely could not associate with Heshen again, not only for her own reputation but also for the sake of De Xuan and Yun Wan's innocence.
Yan Ning could only glean from the conversation between Fu Kang'an and Fu Chang'an that the situation in the capital was becoming increasingly dire, with officials speculating about which of the four princes would be the crown prince. However, these speculations were kept from the Emperor. If he knew that he was in good health and that his ministers had already begun searching for a new ruler, a bloody storm would immediately erupt in the court.
Although the capital city appears peaceful on the surface, undercurrents are likely already surging beneath the surface. Unable to help Fukang'an out of his predicament, Yan Ning knows that all she can do is secure Fukang'an's backyard so that he has no worries about the future.
Sitting in front of the dressing table, Yan Ning gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, looking at herself who hadn't dressed up in a long time. It had only been two months, but it felt like a lifetime had passed. Fu Kang'an took the hairpin from Ju Xiang's hand and placed it on Yan Ning in front of the bronze mirror. The clear bronze mirror reflected the peaceful scene of the two of them playing music together.
Her delicately drawn eyebrows depicted distant mountains, and their deep crimson robes blended seamlessly. Fukang'an pulled the round chair that Juxiang had brought for her closer to Yan Ning. Yan Ning saw his tender face in the bronze mirror, and her heart wavered even more.
Fukang'an's hand gently brushed across Yan Ning's eyebrows and nose, his sword-like brows relaxing. "My wife's beauty is unparalleled in the world! I heard from the old nannies in the palace that the Holy Ancestor's Yue maiden was so beautiful she could topple kingdoms, and that she radiated a glow. I, Fukang'an, am so fortunate to have such a beauty by my side!"
Upon hearing the words "Miss Yue," Yan Ning's hands tightened, crumpling the deep crimson brocade on her knees. She looked at Fukang'an, "Perhaps I resemble that Miss Yue..."
Yan Ning hadn't finished speaking when she cautiously glanced at Fukang'an's expression. Fukang'an smiled nonchalantly, "How could such a coincidence happen in this world? Not many people have seen Miss Yue's face, and it's not even certain if she truly exists. I've only heard it from the gossip of those old women!"
Lanxiang brought the food into the inner room. Fukang'an stood up and reached out to help Yan Ning up. He had taken Yan Ning's words as casual remarks and hadn't paid them any mind. Taking the soup Lanxiang served, Fukang'an ate a few bites, then glanced at the preoccupied Yan Ning. "Has Chef Wu gone back to his hometown?"
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