Chapter 352 - 351: Considerations

Chapter 352: Chapter 351: Considerations

The Imperial Physician has said that there is nothing wrong with Du Yunluo’s health, but when it comes to a woman carrying a child, it is not merely a question of "is there a problem or not."

The Old Madam has lived most of her life and has seen cases where after two or three years of marriage with no news of a child, once they do conceive, they end up with two children in three years.

If this time Du Yunluo is not pregnant before Mu Lianxiao sets off, are they to wait another year?

Truth be told, neither Madam Wu nor Mrs. Zhou can wait.

Sending Du Yunluo to Xuancheng, the couple would still be able to meet every other month.

Madam Wu pondered for a while and said, "That’s the reasoning..."

If Mu Lianxiao were returning to the Northern Border this time, Madam Wu wouldn’t consider their opinion at all.

She had lived in the Northern Border and faced the Dazi cavalry charging into towns; the hardships of life at the border are not simply conveyed, and there’s always the unknown lurking danger.

Lindong is different from the Northern Border.

Though both are borderlands, outside Shanyu Pass lies an endless desert.

Without an oasis, Shanyu Pass is impoverished to the point that bandits wouldn’t risk crossing the desert, let alone the Dazi.

In the past few decades, Shanyu Pass has been so peaceful it doesn’t seem like the border.

The capital of Lindong, Xuancheng, has nothing to do with warfare, and the Magistrate there is Du Yunluo’s maternal uncle, which gives Madam Wu more peace of mind.

Madam Wu didn’t make a decision immediately and said, "Let me think it over, it’s a significant matter."

Mu Lianxiao naturally agreed.

Madam Wu, due to her age, couldn’t stay up until dawn, and past the second watch, she already felt drowsy.

Mrs. Zhou and Mu Lianxiao returned to Jingshui Hall.

Madam Wu closed her eyes to rest for a moment and then called out, "Ah Dan."

Banqiao raised her head at the sound and said, "Old Madam, Mrs. Shan is not here."

Madam Wu awoke to reality, shook her head with a bitter smile.

She used to discuss everything, big or small, with Nanny Shan, but now, Nanny Shan is in Manhe Garden attending to Mu Yuanjing.

"Banqiao," Madam Wu said with her eyes closed, "Yuanjing won’t keep watch and must have gone to bed, Ah Dan should still be awake; ask someone to bring her over."

Banqiao answered and went.

After waiting for two quarters of an hour, Nanny Shan hurried over and sat down on the stool as instructed.

Madam Wu explained the situation about Mu Lianxiao and asked, "What do you think?"

Nanny Shan lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "I think it sounds good, Lindong is much more stable than the Northern Border. Old Madam hesitates, surely there’s another reason?"

"You understand my mind," Madam Wu laughed, "I was thinking, if Lian Xiao’s wife is in Lindong and conceives, it’s her first pregnancy, and without the care of the elder generation, she might be at a loss, but her maternal aunts are in Xuancheng, so that gives some assurance.

I’m considering the affairs of the mansion.

Lian Xiao’s wife has only been managing the household finances for half a year, if she goes to Xuancheng, who would take over the household affairs?

To ask Yuan Mou’s wife to manage for a few more years, this old woman doesn’t have the face to bring it up."

Nanny Shan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Madam Wu delegating household management to the main family was, indeed, proper, yet Madam Wu occasionally confided to Nanny Shan, saying this decisiveness seemed a bit too resolute toward the Lian Family.

Initially, it was because Mrs. Zhou’s health couldn’t withstand, so the Lian Family had taken over. Now, if because Du Yunluo leaves the capital, the Lian Family must labor again, and in a few years to take back control...

Such tossing and turning, not to mention Madam Wu’s discomfort, even the second family would become displeased.

Moreover...

Nanny Shan suddenly had Mu Yuanjing’s words flash in her mind.

Mu Yuanjing, nowadays, seems displeased with everyone and dares to say and think all sorts of nonsense, making Nanny Shan often hear her shocking words.

At first, she didn’t feel much of it, but hearing it more often, thoughts inevitably form.

The human heart cannot withstand testing, nor can it withstand turmoil.

Letting the Lian Family get involved with the household finances again might estrange the second family from the main family in the future.

Nanny Shan pressed her lips and said, "To me, it seems the main mistress’s health is much better than in previous years, everything in the household finances runs smoothly, and she has capable servant women with her; even taking it all over wouldn’t strain her too much.

If you’re worried about the festivals and rites being overwhelming for the main mistress...

You haven’t forgotten, have you? There’s also the fourth mistress.

The fourth mistress is also good at managing the household, you praised her in the past.

Let the fourth mistress assist the main mistress, and they should manage even during busy times."

Madam Wu’s eyes lit up; she had always been fond of Mrs. Lu, the concubine’s daughter.

Mrs. Lu was clever and reliable; Madam Wu pitied her for being widowed young and losing her posthumous child and had cared for her over the years.

Mrs. Lu gradually emerged from the darkness, spending her days chanting scriptures and following a vegetarian diet, living simply.

According to Madam Wu, such days were rather monotonous for the young Mrs. Lu, and if she could revitalize even a little by helping Mrs. Zhou, it’d be beneficial.

"This indeed is a solution." Madam Wu nodded.

Nanny Shan hesitated for a moment and then said, "The issue of the main family’s heirs is crucial, it’s been years since the Old Marquis passed, and the Princely Heir should inherit the title."

"True, Lian Xiao has also grown up."

After discussing with Madam Wu, Nanny Shan returned to Manhe Garden.

In Jingshui Hall, the main hall was brightly lit.

Mrs. Zhou drank a cup of hot tea, dispelling her weariness, and said to Du Yunluo calmly, "I don’t oppose you going to Xuancheng.

You are Lian Xiao’s wife, as long as you get along well, and take good care of Lian Xiao’s daily life, I, as your mother-in-law, will not interfere.

Back then, I also wanted to go to the Northern Border, but the battles there were frequent, and the Old Madam wouldn’t agree.

Moreover, I had to care for Lian Xiao, so it was left at that."

Du Yunluo knew Mrs. Zhou’s temperament; her demands were really few, it was in her previous life that she was immature and displeased Mrs. Zhou.

"Mother," Du Yunluo looked up, her eyes determined, "Rest assured, if I can go, I’ll do my utmost to take care of the Princely Heir."

Mrs. Zhou gave the two some advice and then urged them to rest for a while.

Du Yunluo didn’t insist on staying up; she needed to follow Madam Wu and Mu Lianxiao to the palace to pay respects early the next morning, ensuring no mishaps.

After taking a short nap in Shaohui Garden, Jin Rui woke her up to dress and groom. The heavy Heir’s Wife attire weighed on her neck, causing pain, yet she had to endure.

After the grand ceremony of paying respects to the Empress Dowager, Imperial Consort, and Empress, the outside ladies exchanged courtesies and made greetings.

Madam Wu spent some time in Cining Palace.

Du Yunluo then stood under the veranda talking with Princess Nanyan.

Princess Nanyan’s belly was bulging, and her once slender figure turned plump. She asked Du Yunluo softly, "I heard that the Lady is matchmaking with the youngest grandson of the Pingyang Marquis? If I remember correctly..."

Clearing her throat, Nanyan did not continue.

Du Yunluo understood her meaning and nodded, "It’s her own choice, perhaps choosing the taller one among the short ones."

Princess Nanyan gave a bitter smile.

Du Yunluo turned her head slightly and asked, "How come I haven’t seen the Young Master’s wife from Duke Jing Mansion today?"

Princess Nanyan pouted, pointing to her belly, "She gave birth just this morning, it’s a boy."

Du Yunluo raised an eyebrow.

The new lady securing a male heir in one go certainly stirs things up at Duke Jing Mansion.