Chapter 367 - 366: As You Wish

Chapter 367: Chapter 366: As You Wish

The coachman set the footrest.

Yunluo took the veil hat, held it in her hand, and quietly glanced at Mu Lianxiao.

When entering the city, she had looked at the scenery on the street through the azure gauze window.

Xuancheng is the capital of Lindong. Although not as prosperous as the towns in the Capital Region, it is not a desolate old city.

On both sides of the main street, inns, tea houses, gold shops, draft banks, clothing stores, and rouge shops—various businesses—seemed all-encompassing and bustling.

Yunluo noticed that not only the young ladies with married women’s hairstyles were without veil hats, but even the girls in their early twenties rarely wore them.

She felt an itch in her heart.

Mu Lianxiao saw through her thoughts and smiled, "As you wish."

Yunluo’s eyes sparkled, and she waved the veil hat in her hand, "Really?"

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but chuckle. Seeing Jin Rui jump off the carriage, he lightly pinched her nose, "When have I ever lied to you?"

Yunluo pressed her lips together, smiling gently.

The carriage was just outside the back gate of the government office, only a few steps away from the entrance, so it didn’t really matter whether Yunluo wore the hat or not.

But she knew in her heart that when Mu Lianxiao said "as you wish," it meant that from now on, in Xuancheng, she could choose not to wear the veil hat if she didn’t want to.

Mu Lianxiao lifted the carriage curtain to get down, turned around, and extended his hand to Yunluo, helping her down.

Yunluo was about to look around when they heard footsteps approaching from inside the government office, and two women hurried over.

The woman walking ahead was older, over forty, with her hair neatly combed and a few golden hairpins adorned, wearing a black silk jacket and a reddish-brown horse face skirt, looking very energetic.

The one following was just over twenty, looking proper and elegant, her silver-red vest reflecting a beauty like a flower.

Though they hadn’t seen each other in years, Yunluo could still recognize them as her aunt Yang and her sister-in-law Yan.

Yunluo stepped forward, about to curtsy, when Yang held her up.

"My child, you’ve finally arrived. Let auntie have a good look at you, these eyes, this lip line, just like when you were little." Yang affectionately took Yunluo’s hand.

Yan smiled, holding onto Yang, "Mother, our fifth aunt and brother-in-law have come a long way. Let’s quickly go inside and sit down to talk."

Yang nodded repeatedly, "Look at me, all this excitement made me forget everything."

Yang led Yunluo and her husband towards the backyard.

As they walked, Yunluo observed around.

The backyard was tidy, planted with pine and cypress, but no other flowers were in sight.

Among their breaths was a faint scent of apricot flowers, though Yunluo couldn’t see any around.

They entered the Flower Hall together.

Mu Lianxiao and Yunluo formally greeted Yang and Yan.

Though Yang was an elder, she was not as distinguished as Mu Lianxiao and didn’t dare accept the full courtesy.

Once seated, Du Yuntao came in quickly.

Yang smiled and asked him, "Is your father still in the front?"

Du Yuntao replied, "Today, they’re hearing the Yuan Family Manor case. I just took a look; it seems it will last until noon."

Yang nodded and turned to Yunluo, "Since getting the letter from the old lady, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Yesterday, your uncle said that perhaps you were delayed by snow on the road, hence the late arrival.

Now that you’re in the city, I’m relieved.

Yunluo, from now on you’ll live here with your auntie, just like home."

Yunluo laughed.

She was not familiar with the elder household. When they left the capital, she was very young. Not only did she not remember much as a child, but since it had been decades in total without seeing Yang, she wasn’t used to them.

But Yunluo still liked Yang.

Yang had a good nature and was very personable; even Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia spoke highly of her.

If not for this, Old Mrs. Xia would not have entrusted her darling to the elder household with just one letter.

Staying in Xuancheng, with such kind relatives to care for her, Yunluo felt very secure.

Mu Lianxiao knew the women had things to discuss and began talking with Du Yuntao about the case, and then they went to the front together.

Yang watched them go, held Yunluo’s hand, and said, "He looks like a good husband."

Yunluo’s eyes curved with a smile, praising Mu Lianxiao as if she were being complimented herself, filling her heart with joy.

She coyly said, "I wouldn’t have come with him if he weren’t."

Yang hadn’t expected such frank words, momentarily stunned.

Beside them, Yan burst out laughing, bringing Yang back to her senses, and she smiled, sighing, "You child!"

Yang asked about the journey and the health of the elders in the capital, then returned to the topic, "The old lady mentioned in her letter to take good care of you, making sure everything is in order. I was wondering if there was a deeper meaning..."

Yunluo’s smile lingered on her lips as she called Jin Rui to bring the letters from the capital.

The last time, when Old Mrs. Xia sent a letter to the elder household, it was through the courier service, in case anything happened on the road, she didn’t specify too much.

This time, as Yunluo brought it personally, Old Mrs. Xia had no qualms.

Yang took the two family letters, set aside Du Yunhu’s, and began reading Old Mrs. Xia’s.

Her brows gradually furrowed, and after reading, she handed the letter to Yan.

"The Marquis Mansion is like a deep sea," Yang sighed, "Luckily, there was an opportunity, with some guidance from the Imperial Physician, and a chance to follow the Princely Heir to Lindong, otherwise, it would have cost a lifetime."

Yunluo took a deep breath, "It’s also my fortune. The Princely Heir was reassigned to Lindong, and my uncle is serving in Xuancheng, which assured my in-laws enough to let me come."

Yang, though living far away in Xuancheng, received family letters every year and knew Yunluo’s position in the Du Family.

For their own old master and old lady to encounter such an issue with their beloved child, it surely troubled the elders greatly.

Yang embraced Yunluo and said, "My child, your auntie can’t promise much, but you won’t have to worry about your life here.

The backyard of the government office isn’t big, but it’s enough for our family.

I’ve arranged your second sister’s old room for you."

Yunluo shook her head, "Auntie, I’m married now, and can’t stay at my maiden home forever. If word reaches the capital, it might damage my in-laws’ reputation.

I was thinking of finding a simple yard near the government office."

Yang was worried.

Mu Lianxiao was stationed at Shanyu Pass and wouldn’t be in Xuancheng much, leaving Yunluo to live alone was unsafe.

But Yunluo made some valid points, so Yang had to let someone find a good house nearby.

At noon, Du Huarang returned, and Yang had a table set in the Flower Hall to welcome Mu Lianxiao and Yunluo.

The wet nurse brought Du Yuntao and Yan’s son, little Brother Duan, who was very endearing.

Seeing Brother Duan naturally led to talking about Runguo’er, and the Yang Family’s Sister Yi, plus Du Yunying’s newly born son before they left the capital.

Yan sat beside Yunluo, quietly holding her hand, "Here in Xuancheng, take care and you’ll surely conceive soon."

Yunluo blinked.

Yan was comforting her, worried she’d be upset, which warmed Yunluo’s heart, and she nodded with a smile, "I will."