Chapter 382 - 381: Torrential Rain

Chapter 382: Chapter 381: Torrential Rain

In the past two months, Mu Lianxiao has been exceptionally busy, unable to return to Xuancheng.

If the couple had anything to discuss, they relied on Jiuxi to pass messages back and forth.

Through her clothes, Du Yunluo’s pregnancy wasn’t obvious, but Mu Lianxiao, familiar with his wife’s body, understood these changes.

This made him both delighted and satisfied.

Afraid that Du Yunluo would go hungry, they first had dinner together.

Du Yunluo now had a great appetite, finding everything delicious, and Mu Lianxiao watched, continuously serving her food.

He was startled by Du Yunluo’s morning sickness from before, so as long as she could eat well, everything was good.

After the meal, they took a short walk to aid digestion and then returned to their room.

Du Yunluo sat on the bed, her apricot eyes sparkling like gemstones, "How long can you stay this time? I figure that my elder sister and brother-in-law are about to arrive in Xuancheng."

Mu Lianxiao pecked her on the forehead, "Five or six days."

Du Yunluo widened her eyes, extremely delighted.

The previous two times Mu Lianxiao returned, he stayed for only one or two days before leaving.

Du Yunluo knew he was working hard and never complained, but still harbored a small desire to have Mu Lianxiao by her side a bit longer, even just a day or two more.

Now, all of a sudden, they had gained three or four extra days, like a pie falling from the sky, making Du Yunluo exclaim in surprise.

Full of joy.

Du Yunluo’s reaction amused Mu Lianxiao, who couldn’t help but laugh, his eyes filled with Du Yunluo’s figure.

Mu Lianxiao unbuttoned Du Yunluo’s inner garment, gently caressing her rounded belly through the lotus-embroidered crimson bodice, "Is the baby being naughty?"

Du Yunluo giggled, a bit ticklish, instinctively wanting to flee, "Not at the naughty stage yet, but you can feel him rolling around in the morning."

Both were first-time parents, and every change in the baby during pregnancy brought them joy and anticipation.

Du Yunluo was the one constantly experiencing the growth of their child, while Mu Lianxiao missed much of it, making him cherish each moment even more.

He gently rested his head against Du Yunluo’s belly.

His long hair fell down, brushing against her crimson bodice, as Du Yunluo propped herself up, gazing at Mu Lianxiao.

She saw Mu Lianxiao listening intently and carefully, the depth of his eyes suddenly overflowing with smiles, even his lips curving upwards.

"What did you hear?" Du Yunluo asked curiously.

Mu Lianxiao laughed, "I have sharp ears; he’s waving at me."

Du Yunluo burst into laughter; she hadn’t even felt the baby moving, how did Mu Lianxiao hear it?

Besides, could a baby waving make a sound?

But meeting Mu Lianxiao’s joyous gaze, Du Yunluo smiled, "In the future, he’ll kick you too."

With his palm caressing her belly and waist, Mu Lianxiao said softly, "I’m waiting for him to kick me."

Du Yunluo’s body stiffened slightly, her belly sensitive and easily ticklish, making her want to dodge even more at Mu Lianxiao’s teasing.

The two laughed and teased each other for a while before blowing out the lamp and drawing the curtains.

Du Yunluo slept very soundly, her entire body relaxed, sinking into deep sleep.

The next morning, Mu Lianxiao accompanied Du Yunluo to the government office.

Du Yunluo sought out the Yang Family and the Yan Family to chat, while Mu Lianxiao went to Du Huarang’s study.

Both of them were aware Mu Lianxiao and Du Huarang were discussing matters related to the Changping Marquis Mansion, but Du Yunluo and the Yang Family didn’t mention it, focusing instead on Du Yunru’s situation.

"I’ve arranged everything with Yuntao’s wife, just waiting for Yun Ru," the Yang Family laughed, "Both you sisters take after Third Brother’s wife, first-class beauties. I wonder who Sister Yi will resemble. If she takes after Yun Ru, she’ll be another beautiful child."

Du Yunluo smirked, "Auntie, my brother-in-law is quite handsome. My big sister has high standards, if he weren’t good-looking, she wouldn’t fancy him."

The Yang Family laughed heartily at her words, growing more excited for Du Yunru’s family’s arrival.

As they talked inside, a sudden strong wind blew outside, swirling fallen leaves everywhere.

The maids quickly shut the windows.

In the blink of an eye, the sky darkened, and Du Yunluo witnessed what it meant for sand and stones to blot out the sky.

Brother Duan was startled, bursting into tears with his mouth agape.

The Yan Family quickly picked him up, soothing him gently.

The wind lasted about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and while it lessened, the sky didn’t brighten, as large raindrops began to pour down.

The rain was relentless, making the Yang Family uneasy, "In all my years in Xuancheng, only seen autumn rains like this once or twice."

Listening to the rain, Du Yunluo’s heart rate increased.

The Yang Family originally planned to keep Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao for dinner, but fearing the rain might persist, making it difficult to traverse the city, she sent them home before the streets got soaked.

The dusty roads of Xuancheng turned muddy from the rain, hard to navigate.

The Yang Family arranged a soft sedan chair to carry Du Yunluo back.

Even so, by the time they reached Guishu Alley, both were a bit soaked.

Mu Lianxiao quickly fetched a handkerchief to dry Du Yunluo off.

Du Yunluo murmured, "Such heavy rain is rare even in the capital."

Mu Lianxiao’s heart skipped a beat.

He had experienced such heavy rain before.

The great flood in De’an that year had rains no less severe than today’s.

Recalling the scenes in De’an, Mu Lianxiao’s brow furrowed gradually.

Xuancheng wasn’t like De’an; there was no fear of breaches, but the sparse trees along the mountain paths and roads might lead to landslides in the storm.

Shao Yuanzhou and his group were still on the road; it was uncertain if they were affected.

The rain didn’t stop even by the afternoon of the next day.

This time, even Du Yunluo grew concerned.

Several places in the city were flooded, and some houses were collapsed by the heavy rain, making the government office busier than usual. Going out to purchase supplies wasn’t as easy as before.

In the morning, Du Huarang summoned Mu Lianxiao to help him strategize.

The government office was bustling, when a fast horse rushed in from the city gates, heading straight for the government office entrance.

The rider, drenched, rushed to Du Huarang and Mu Lianxiao without waiting for an announcement, his urgency prompting Du Huarang’s silent alarm, "Not good."

Fearing landslides along the official roads, Du Huarang had ordered officials to check them on fast horses, hurriedly asking, "Has something happened?"

The official wiped his face, panting, "Sir, Princely Heir, the road to Liang County is blocked by a landslide; people trapped inside are trying to dig it out."

Du Huarang’s face turned instantly ashen; Du Yunru’s family was coming via Liang County, they should have passed it and been two days from Xuancheng.

Mu Lianxiao’s expression also darkened, "Uncle, let me take some people to have a look."

Du Huarang clenched his fists, "How long is the collapsed section?"

The official shook his head, "Completely blocked; I couldn’t see a thing."

Du Huarang drew in a deep breath, stopping Mu Lianxiao, "I’ll send the soldiers first, don’t rush."