Chapter 354 - 353: The Gap (Monthly Ticket 400+)

Chapter 354: Chapter 353: The Gap (Monthly Ticket 400+)

In the Lianfu Garden, Old Mrs. Xia was reclining on the Arhat Bed for a nap.

Mrs. Zhen lifted the curtain and entered with her two daughters.

Hearing the noise, Old Mrs. Xia slowly opened her eyes. When her gaze fell on Mrs. Zhen’s furrowed brows, some of the irritation in her heart dissipated.

Mrs. Zhen had always been mindful of the rules. Today, coming in a hurry and even disturbing her afternoon nap, there must be a reason.

Old Mrs. Xia gestured for the three to sit down and sent Lanzhi to guard the outer room.

"Speak." Old Mrs. Xia said.

Mrs. Zhen lowered her voice, detailing Mu Lianxiao’s reassignment and Du Yunluo’s suspicions.

Old Mrs. Xia’s expression darkened.

The head of the household cannot help but think broadly. Old Mrs. Xia had already suspected that the second room of the Marquis Mansion would give Du Yunluo a hard time, but she hadn’t expected they would be so bold.

"Yunluo, do you remember what I told you before?" Old Mrs. Xia said in a somber tone.

Du Yunluo raised her head and looked directly at her grandmother.

Old Mrs. Xia sneered, "The human heart is never satisfied. Just because they haven’t taken it yet, doesn’t mean they don’t want it."

Du Yunluo pondered for a moment and slowly nodded.

After returning from Wangmei Garden, she had told Old Mrs. Xia about Mu Lianhui’s schemes against her, and this is what her grandmother had said at the time.

"I will write to Huairang later. When you get to Xuancheng, if you encounter any issues, go to your eldest uncle and aunt." Old Mrs. Xia contemplated for a moment and then instructed Nanny Xu to call Du Yunhu, "Tell your sister about Xuancheng."

Du Yunluo had made up her mind, but she was still somewhat uneasy about the completely unknown Xuancheng.

Old Mrs. Xia was sharp, which is why she summoned Du Yunhu to reassure her.

"Is Fifth Sister going to Xuancheng?" Du Yunhu pouted, "I just came back, and now you have to go. If it were two years earlier, we could have visited each other."

That afternoon, Du Yunluo listened to Du Yunhu talk about Xuancheng.

Which temple was effective, which tailor made beautiful clothes, whose dishes were delicious—she spoke vividly.

Old Mrs. Xia also listened with interest and laughed, "One can tell, Huairang’s wife has taken her around a lot."

Du Yunluo turned and asked, "Grandmother, why wasn’t it Second Brother-in-law taking Second Sister out?"

"Your Second Brother-in-law is too busy studying to have the time." Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily.

When the time was about right, Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao returned to the mansion together.

Mu Lianxiao had drunk a bit too much at noon, and although he had sobering soup, he didn’t dare ride in the wind. He shared a carriage with Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo leaned over and asked him, "Princely Heir, was it you who got drunk, or Fourth Brother-in-law?"

Mu Lianxiao glanced at her, his cool eyes shimmering with a faint light, a slight smile on his lips: "Neither of us."

"Then how about the brothers?" Du Yunluo asked again.

Mu Lianxiao amusedly tapped her nose, "The ones who can’t hold their liquor stopped drinking early. Eldest Brother-in-law and Second Brother-in-law are discussing the imperial examinations, while Third Brother-in-law was thinking about his third aunt and left early."

Du Yunluo felt proud, "I knew it, there wasn’t enough wine for you and Fourth Brother-in-law."

Mu Lianxiao wasn’t drunk, but he had indeed drunk a lot. Upon returning to the Shaohui Garden, he lay down for a nap.

This wouldn’t have been much, but he coaxed Du Yunluo to sleep with him.

Du Yunluo couldn’t refuse him. They slept together until dusk.

Leaning against Mu Lianxiao’s chest, Du Yunluo softly said, "I’ve spoken with Grandmother and Mother, and Grandmother said she would write to Uncle."

Mu Lianxiao wrapped an arm around her slim waist, playing with her long hair with the other hand, and murmured in acknowledgment with his eyes half-closed.

"I thought I should travel light. Since it’s just me living there, I won’t need that many people."

Du Yunluo only wanted to bring trustworthy people. If it wasn’t enough, she could add more in Xuancheng. As for the second and third-class maids from Shaohui Garden, she dared not bring a single one.

One must be prepared for all circumstances.

"Do as you see fit." Mu Lianxiao chuckled.

They snuggled in bed, discussing the plan to go to Lindong in detail until hunger drove them to set the table for a meal.

During the festive season, there’s no spare moment.

Today, Mrs. Zhou’s family’s disciples came to pay respects, and tomorrow there’d be a banquet at a familiar noble mansion.

Accompanying Madam Wu to several banquets, Du Yunluo heard quite a bit of gossip.

A new little prince at Duke Jing Mansion was quite handsome, well liked by the Old Duke and his wife.

During the three-day ceremony, someone commented, "This little prince will surely surpass his two brothers in the future." This flattery backfired, earning several eye rolls from the Old Duke’s wife.

No matter how good the little prince is, he can’t be compared to the legitimate sons from the first wife.

The message from the Old Duke’s wife was crystal clear.

Du Yunluo didn’t know what the eldest legitimate son born by Aunt Liao thought, but the new wife’s mood must have been terrible, while Aunt Liao, was likely secretly rejoicing.

On the ninth day of the first month, Mu Liancheng rarely visited Shaohui Garden.

Du Yunluo wasn’t out and stayed with Mu Lianxiao playing chess. Upon hearing Mu Liancheng had arrived, she was puzzled.

Mu Lianxiao invited Mu Liancheng to sit in the main room.

Du Yunluo stood in the east side room, watching the happenings through the lattice shelf.

Mu Liancheng said, "I want to set off early. Will you go with me right after Shangyuan, or stay a few more days?"

Mu Lianxiao replied, "The Holy Emperor is reassigning me to Lindong, to guard Shanyu Pass. Once the documents arrive after the New Year, I’ll probably set off."

Mu Liancheng was momentarily stunned, putting down his teacup and furrowing his brow, "Reassigned to Lindong? How come you didn’t mention it?"

"The matter was just decided. Since I’m waiting for the paperwork, I didn’t rush to tell you," Mu Lianxiao laughed, "I’ve just gotten used to the weather in Northern Border, and now suddenly to Lindong, I’m a bit reluctant."

Mu Liancheng slowly said, "At least we haven’t experienced a Northern Border winter."

The brothers talked about Lindong for a while before Mu Liancheng got up to leave. Mu Lianxiao saw him out of Shaohui Garden and then returned to continue his chess game with Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo’s mind wasn’t on the chessboard, she held a piece in her hand, and asked, "Princely Heir, why didn’t you mention to Second Uncle that I’m also going to Lindong?"

Mu Lianxiao calmly placed a piece, coughed awkwardly, "I didn’t want to disappoint him."

Du Yunluo was momentarily confused, then burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

Mu Liancheng left Jiang Yunuan and Sister Niang behind to go to Northern Border, whereas Mu Lianxiao could take Du Yunluo to Xuancheng.

The contrast was stark.

No wonder Mu Lianxiao was embarrassed to admit it to Mu Liancheng.

Du Yunluo laughed a while longer, resting her chin on her hand and playing chess aimlessly.

Compared to the impact the second room had on her before, this little return wasn’t even enough to pay interest.

She wanted to live well with Mu Lianxiao, better with each passing day, to let the second room taste the pain they once caused her with both principle and interest.

Meanwhile, Mu Liancheng didn’t return to Shangxin Courtyard but went to Fengyu Courtyard instead.

Mu Yuanmou had changed into different clothes and had just come out of the inner room when Mu Liancheng lifted the curtain and came in.

"What did Lian Xiao say?" The Lian Family invited her son to sit down.

Mu Liancheng said, "The Holy Emperor wants him reassigned to Lindong’s Shanyu Pass, and the paperwork will arrive after the New Year."

"What?" The Lian Family’s eyes widened, looking blankly at Mu Yuanmou, whose expression was gloomy.

Reclining on the daybed, Mu Lianhui lifted her head from a collection of supernatural and strange tales, looking completely puzzled.