Chapter 366 - 365: East Pearl

Chapter 366: Chapter 365: East Pearl

Yunluo entered the room.

The room in the post house wasn’t as complete as home, but compared to dining in the wind and sleeping out in the open, it was much more luxurious.

On the dressing table was a black lacquered box, inlayed with gold and ivory, containing all of Yunluo’s usual jewelry.

She gently opened it and took out a white jade hairpin from the bottom layer, admiring it between her fingers.

Mu Lianxiao came in from outside.

Upon hearing his footsteps, Yunluo hurriedly put the white jade hairpin back.

Mu Lianxiao’s sharp eyes clearly saw it, but seeing Yunluo being so careful, he pretended not to notice and went to wash up.

Yunluo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The day after tomorrow would be February 16th, their wedding day.

Yunluo had always remembered, fearing she wouldn’t have the chance to prepare during travel, so she prepared the gift before leaving the Capital.

This hairpin was meant for Mu Lianxiao on the actual day, it couldn’t be discovered prematurely.

After cleaning up, Mu Lianxiao changed into his usual clothes and instructed Jin Rui to set the meal.

The food at the post station had a different flavor from the Capital, and initially, Yunluo was unaccustomed. Yet after two or three days, she slowly came to appreciate the taste.

"Are we setting out today?" Yunluo asked, glancing up.

Mu Lianxiao chuckled and said, "Don’t be fooled by the smaller snow now, look at the sky, it’ll likely snow heavily again this afternoon.

We’re better off in the post house; the official road is likely covered in snow.

Let’s wait another two days."

Yunluo nodded; since there was no rush to depart, she leisurely enjoyed her breakfast.

With idle time during the day, the couple played chess and chatted. If Mu Lianxiao was reading, Yunluo would do needlework.

The days spent together were free and joyous; Yunluo often felt that it was even more carefree than in the Marquis Mansion.

Others might steal a half-day of leisure, but they stole several days.

When February 16th finally arrived, the snow had stopped, revealing some sunshine.

Thawing snow was the coldest time, and Yunluo hid indoors, refusing to go out.

Mu Lianxiao entered from outside, still carrying a chill, reached out wanting to hold her, causing Yunluo to shake her head and run away.

Yunluo fled into the inner room, peering out through the curtains, her almond eyes like a timid rabbit.

Mu Lianxiao found her amusing, and quickly stepped inside.

Yunluo turned around to hide again.

The room was only so large, and Yunluo wasn’t as agile as Mu Lianxiao; he quickly cornered her.

Yunluo blinked, pitifully saying, "I’m afraid of the cold."

Laughter filling his eyes, Mu Lianxiao nodded leisurely, "Hold for a while and you won’t be cold."

Yunluo eyed him, noticing his cuffs and hem were damp, clearly touched by snow water, how could he not be cold.

Her gaze shifted to the dressing table, saying, "Let me get something."

Mu Lianxiao followed her eyes, guessing she was about to fetch what she had hurriedly hidden days earlier, and smiled, letting her through.

Yunluo took out the white jade hairpin from the bottom, presenting it to Mu Lianxiao like a treasure.

On that day, he had only seen its outline; now Mu Lianxiao finally got to see the hairpin clearly.

Warm, sheep-fat white jade, translucent, similar to the Jade Pendant at his waist.

The hairpin was finely polished, without carvings or decorations, simple and clean.

"For me?" Mu Lianxiao took it.

Yunluo nodded, smiling sweetly.

Mu Lianxiao sat in front of the dressing table, gesturing for Yunluo to come over.

Understanding, Yunluo stepped behind him, gently removing the hairpin from his hair, and replaced it with the white jade hairpin.

Through the mirror, Mu Lianxiao observed her, seeing how careful she was, his heart warmed.

He grasped Yunluo’s hand, gently pulling her onto his lap.

Yunluo shot him a glance, just about to complain of cold, and felt something cool sliding from her hand to her wrist.

She looked down, it was a string of East Pearl.

Yunluo’s eyes suddenly tightened, her breath nearly stopping.

In the past, he also gifted her a string of East Pearl.

Mu Lianxiao personally put it on for her, holding her hand, muttering, "Not as beautiful as your hands."

To relive it again, the same pearls returned to her hand made Yunluo’s heart tremble.

Mu Lianxiao held her fingers, snow-white wrist, delicate and smooth— even the warm East Pearl couldn’t hide her charm.

Lowering his head, his thin lips gently caressed her wrist, repeating the same words as before.

Yunluo’s eyes grew moist, nestled against Mu Lianxiao, sniffing lightly, barely holding back her tears.

Mu Lianxiao chuckled softly, "Weren’t you saying it’s cold?"

Yunluo murmured, "Hold for a while and you won’t be cold."

Mu Lianxiao laughed out loud, hugging her tenderly, only letting Yunluo go after comforting her for a while, rising to change into clean clothes.

Gently stroking the East Pearl, Yunluo felt her emotions settling, her lips curved upwards.

Neither mentioned what day it was, yet both had prepared gifts.

Thinking of this, Yunluo’s heart was filled with sweetness and comfort.

Snow thawed for a day, still not completely melted, but travel seemed possible.

The next morning, the group departed from the post house, continuing towards Lindong.

After resting at the post house for several days, traveling by carriage wasn’t as unbearable for Yunluo.

Early March, yet the view still depicted the cold of winter.

By this time of year, often the Capital has a hint of spring, but traveling this far, Yunluo hadn’t seen a single new shoot.

Mu Lianxiao explained to Yunluo, "Winter in the north is long; Lindong won’t warm up until around Qingming."

Yunluo understood.

She had read about these customs in Lindong’s cultural records.

Yet what the books described differed so much from seeing it first-hand.

Though devoid of spring colors, at least there was no more snow; melting snow made the official road slippery, but the skilled coachmen ensured smooth travel.

Mid-March, the carriage entered Lindong Territory.

Staying overnight in a small town, Yunluo found the streets on both sides entirely different from the Capital, feeling intrigued.

Mu Lianxiao noticed, whispering to her, "Once we reach Xuancheng, I’ll accompany you for a few days, taking you around the streets."

Yunluo’s eyes lit up, curving into crescents, the dimples on her cheeks were adorably endearing, tugging at one’s heartstrings.

After five more days, they finally arrived in Xuancheng.

Looking at the city gate, Yunluo breathed a long sigh of relief; finally there, another day in the carriage and her back and legs couldn’t take it.

Mu Lianxiao had been to Xuancheng and had a rough impression of the city’s layout.

The carriage proceeded directly to the government office’s back gate.

The gate was closed; Jiuxi jumped down, taking a letter and knocked.

The young servant at the gate examined the carriage that, despite the travel, didn’t appear as clean as when it started, but its style and specifications hadn’t changed. He quickly checked the letter.

Upon seeing the signature at the end, he hurriedly raised his voice, "Quickly go fetch the master and mistress, Miss and Mister have arrived."