Chapter 409 - 408: Complete

Chapter 409: Chapter 408: Complete

When Mu Lianxiao came out of the purification room, his son was pouting and blowing bubbles.

His round eyes stared at Du Yunluo, and his chubby cheeks were so tender they seemed to ooze water.

Mu Lianxiao sat down happily beside his son, observing his bubble-blowing antics.

"What is the boy’s name?" Du Yunluo looked up at Mu Lianxiao, a smile brimming in her eyes.

"Mu Lingyan." Mu Lianxiao held Du Yunluo’s hand, writing the name stroke by stroke for her to see.

His fingertip glided across her palm, tickling slightly, making Du Yunluo instinctively shrink her neck. When she saw the boy’s name clearly, her heart warmed involuntarily.

Madam Wu’s wish was also hers.

Du Yunluo bent down and kissed her son’s forehead, "Brother Yan, you have a name now."

Mu Lianxiao smiled and spoke of the happy events in the Capital.

Du Yundi’s high ranking was within Du Yunluo’s expectations, but Shen Wenyu making the final list delighted her even more. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Summoning Hong Jinbao’s family inside, Du Yunluo instructed, "Quickly go to the government office to announce the good news. Both Fourth Brother and Second Brother-in-law made the second tier."

Hong Jinbao’s family beamed with joy, congratulating them repeatedly before leaving.

After covering the joyous matter, Du Yunluo brought up Jia De, whose background was her utmost concern.

"Since Jia De’s return to his hometown, he severed ties with friends and family in the Capital. His current interactions with Mr. Liu are likely because both are in Jiangnan," Mu Lianxiao explained in detail to Du Yunluo, "I’ve already sent Shuying to investigate in Jiangnan. This matter is significant, with not only me and General Huang, but even the Holy Emperor handling it cautiously."

Du Yunluo nodded.

The surprise attack at Ancient Meili, if successful, would be decisive; if failed...

The Holy Emperor, ambitious and resolute, aims to eliminate the Dazi threat for decades. The mission at Shanyu Pass is of utmost importance as per the imperial order.

Mu Lianxiao stayed in Xuancheng for two days before heading back to Shanyu Pass.

Late April, Du Yunluo received a family letter from the Capital.

She had already heard of the subjects mentioned from Mu Lianxiao, but seeing Mrs. Zhou’s neat handwriting brought a rush of concern.

Also included with the letter was a golden lock from Mrs. Xu for Brother Yan.

The small golden lock felt heavy in Du Yunluo’s hand.

She had changed the fate of some in this life, but regarding Mrs. Xu, Du Yunluo was powerless.

Mrs. Xu treated Du Yunluo exceedingly well. Even if most of this "goodness" stemmed from Mrs. Xu’s unresolved feelings for Jiang Yunuan, Du Yunluo remained grateful.

Du Yunluo had visited Mrs. Xu’s courtyard.

Mrs. Xu’s room was sparsely decorated, plain and simple. Rather than the residence of a lady of the house, it resembled that of a nun meditating at home.

She led a vegetarian lifestyle, dressed plainly, wearing gold hairpins only during festivals for a touch of festivity.

The vibrant aspects of Mrs. Xu’s life were the gold and silver threads she used for embroidering the Buddha, the bright yellow brocade, and the two sets of vivid clothes left when Mu Yuanming and Mu Liankang were still home.

Besides these, there was nothing else.

Mrs. Xu spent her days embroidering. Over time, her eyes, though not as damaged as Jin Ling’s mother’s, were significantly weaker than those of her sisters-in-law.

Thinking of this, Du Yunluo let out a long sigh.

The enigmatic fate of the missing Mu Liankang, whether he was alive or dead?

Even if he was dead, finding some proof would offer Mrs. Xu complete liberation.

"Madam," Jin Rui entered, curtsied, "The Liu family sent some snacks."

Du Yunluo glanced at the food box in Jin Rui’s hands.

Jin Rui opened it, revealing Jade Belt Cake, Oil-Fried Dumplings, and Hundred Fruit Honey Cake, small and exquisite, looking and smelling delightful.

Ever since Mu Lianxiao accepted the Liu family’s Hu Bing that day, every ten days or so, the Liu family would send Du Yunluo some snacks.

The desserts from Jiangnan, crafted by female chefs, were sweeter and quite different from those in the Capital.

Hong Jinbao’s family asked around in the neighborhood; since moving in, whenever the Liu family made anything delicious, they loved sharing it with neighbors.

But Du Yunluo had suffered from chicken soup before; while Jiang Yunuan’s bowl was nourishing, her bowl was poisoned.

Before fully trusting the Liu family, Du Yunluo wasn’t sure if what was given to her was as harmless as what was offered to other neighbors.

Even though Doctor Feng had tested them twice, it was better to avoid unnecessary troubles, so Du Yunluo only ever passed on trying these treats.

The sweet, delicate pastries from Jiangnan were truly enticing to sweets-loving Du Yunluo.

With just a glance, Du Yunluo ordered Jin Rui to store them away.

Since the masters wouldn’t eat them, the maids and grannies below wouldn’t be too particular.

Even Jin Rui and Jin Lan had tried two pieces each, knowing that flavor suited Du Yunluo, yet they never mentioned the taste before her.

After Jin Rui took the food box out, she returned to massage Du Yunluo’s shoulders, saying, "If Madam truly likes them, we can hire a Jiangnan chef when we’re back in the Capital."

Du Yunluo was amused.

A Jiangnan chef...

When Du Huarang is appointed to Jiangnan in a few years, she might indulge and taste authentic Jiangnan cuisine.

Mid-May, Shuying hastily returned to Xuancheng.

He had rushed the entire journey, utterly exhausted, and fell asleep immediately in Jiuxi’s room.

Du Yunluo informed Jiuxi to let him know when Shuying awoke to come over.

Shuying slept till dusk before paying respects to Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo asked, "What did you find out in Jiangnan?"

Shuying respectfully replied, "That Mr. Liu is indeed from Jiangnan, specifically Shaoling. The Liu family is quite wealthy in Shaoling.

A few years ago, after the old master of the Liu family passed, the sons fought fiercely over the inheritance.

Because of this, Mr. Liu left home, an event known throughout Shaoling City.

I asked many who know Mr. Liu, and their descriptions match the family living on the street corner.

Jia De’s hometown is a small village outside Shaoling City. Jiangnan is prosperous; villagers often moved to Shaoling or other towns, leaving only a few families behind.

About Jia De, he returned in the 16th year of Yong’an. His parents were gone then, and he hadn’t married, so his uncle and aunt took care of him for two years.

Once he recovered, he left his uncle and aunt a substantial amount of silver and ventured outside again.

His uncle and aunt said Jia De was a wanderer without a home. Once he left, they didn’t expect him to return. If he were to die outside, they wouldn’t even know if he’d have a burial wrap.

If not for his injury, Jia De wouldn’t have returned to recuperate."

Du Yunluo listened intently, finding it difficult to judge immediately.

The background of Mr. Liu’s family, and Jia De’s story, were complete, not fabricated.

Moreover, their preferences and appearances seemed genuine, leaving no clue to suspect anything amiss.

If Jia De were truly as rumored, he would be a good guide.

It seemed like providence had delivered an opportunity to them.

Maybe fate was just that coincidental, with Heaven’s favor offering them a chance.

Yet Du Yunluo still felt an inexplicable unease.