Chapter 353 - 352: Confession

Chapter 353: Chapter 352: Confession

On the way back to the mansion, Madam Wu held Du Yunluo’s hand and said, "Regarding what we discussed yesterday, let’s proceed as you and Lian Xiao planned."

Du Yunluo was overjoyed.

Upon returning to Shaohui Garden, without even changing out of her formal attire, Du Yunluo excitedly told Mu Lianxiao, "Grandmother has agreed."

Her almond eyes were bright, resembling stars, as she looked up at him with her chin slightly raised, the intricate pearl crown making her face appear even more delicate.

Mu Lianxiao quickly supported the back of her neck and said with a smile, "Didn’t you always say it was heavy? Be careful with your neck while looking up."

Du Yunluo burst into laughter, sat down in front of the dressing table, and called Jin Rui in to help her comb her hair.

After changing into her everyday clothes, Du Yunluo felt much more relaxed.

When Mu Lianxiao emerged from the washroom, she rested her chin on her hand and said, "I thought it would take several days to persuade her, but I didn’t expect Grandmother to agree so soon."

"You’re getting a good deal and still pretending to be aggrieved." Mu Lianxiao teased her.

The two of them tidied up and headed to Baijie Hall. After greeting the elders in each room, Du Yunluo handed a few gold ingots to Sister Niang.

Having completed the formalities, they ate in the Flower Hall before dispersing.

On the third day of the New Year, Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao returned to the Du Family.

In Lianfu Garden, the sisters were gathered and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Du Yunluo hugged and showered Sister Yi with kisses, while Xia Anxin’s young son, Runguo’er, was cradled in Du Yunru’s arms.

Du Yunhu turned her eyes and asked Du Yunru, "Do you like the little boy?"

Du Yunru, suspecting nothing, nodded her agreement.

Du Yunluo couldn’t help but burst into laughter, "Oh dear, how can you say this in front of Sister Yi? She won’t be happy."

Du Yunhu covered her mouth, laughing continuously.

Only then did Du Yunru realize she was being teased by her two younger sisters, and she huffed, "Our Sister Yi is so well-behaved."

During their laughter and chatter, Du Yunnuo returned, and everyone was present.

Du Yunying couldn’t come back as she was experiencing a difficult pregnancy, worrying for over half a year before finally stabilizing.

With her due date next month, Uncle Chengyi and his wife didn’t want her jolted in a carriage, so they only let Lu Huan visit the elders on her behalf.

They set up a feast in the Flower Hall.

Du Yunlan brought plenty of wine, determined to see Mu Lianxiao and Ying Ji find out who’s the better drinker.

Du Yunnuo couldn’t dissuade Du Yunlan and could only look at Du Yunluo helplessly.

Du Yunluo pursed her lips and said, "Fourth Sister, what do you think?"

"That little bit of wine," Du Yunnuo shook her head, "isn’t enough for our men."

Not even Ying Ji could drink that little, let alone add Mu Lianxiao to the mix.

Du Yunluo burst into hearty laughter, "Then just let them be."

After the women cleared the table, the men still hadn’t finished their drinking.

Du Yunluo accompanied Mrs. Zhen back to Qinghui Garden.

Mrs. Zhen leaned in and asked quietly, "Is the Princely Heir leaving again in February? Take care of yourself, don’t be careless."

Du Yunluo understood that she was being urged to expand the family lineage soon.

She pursed her lips and said, "The Princely Heir is not returning to the Northern Border. The Holy Emperor plans to assign him to Lindong for Shanyu Pass. Mother, my in-laws have already agreed. I’ll accompany the Princely Heir to Lindong and stay in Xuancheng."

Mrs. Zhen’s eyes widened, "What are you saying?"

Du Yunluo took a deep breath and repeated herself.

Mrs. Zhen suddenly grabbed Du Yunluo’s hand, her chest heaving heavily, "The Princely Heir is stationed at Shanyu Pass. Why do you want to join in the chaos?"

Du Yunru also raised her head in a daze, looking at her in confusion.

"I’m only going to Xuancheng," Du Yunluo quickly reassured Mrs. Zhen, "Although Lindong is a frontier region, wars can scarcely start there. Uncle has been in Xuancheng for many years, so our family knows the situation in Lindong best.

I’ll tell Grandmother later that I’m in Xuancheng under Uncle and Aunt’s watchful eyes, so Mother, please don’t worry."

"I..." Mrs. Zhen wanted to object but found it hard to refute.

Everyone in the mansion knew about Lindong and Xuancheng, and if Mrs. Zhen claimed Xuancheng was dangerous, both Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia would be displeased.

Yet, letting her daughter travel long distances to Xuancheng made Mrs. Zhen reluctant.

Holding Du Yunluo close, Mrs. Zhen sighed, "I married you off in the Capital, and now you’re heading out again. How my heart aches..."

"What if you get pregnant while following the Princely Heir to Lindong, then what? Are you truly expecting Aunt to care for you?" Du Yunru disagreed, "Or are you planning to travel back to the Capital after all that?"

Du Yunluo lightly bit her lip and raised her eyes to look at Shui Yue.

Understanding the signal, Shui Yue, holding Sister Yi, retreated to the main room, leaving only the mother and daughters inside, with Nanny Zhao attending.

Seeing her seriousness, Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunru exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy.

"Last time I went to Tong City, Imperial Doctor Xing checked my pulse and mentioned that I might have come in contact with something harmful, which could affect having children..."

Before she could finish, Mrs. Zhen’s face turned pale, and she gritted her teeth, "Why didn’t you mention this earlier!"

"Imperial Doctor Xing wasn’t certain, saying the amount was small, and since I didn’t constantly come in contact with it, he couldn’t specify what it was. After returning from Tong City, the Princely Heir left the Capital," Du Yunluo quickly explained, "During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I accompanied Grandmother into the palace, and the Imperial Physicians in Cining Palace said I was perfectly healthy."

Being perceptive, Mrs. Zhen quickly caught on, "Nannan means that you only get exposed when the Princely Heir is around?"

Du Yunluo nodded.

Du Yunru’s eyes deepened, "Do you want to leave the Capital because you already know who’s responsible?"

"I know, but I have no evidence," Du Yunluo sighed, "It’s the second branch of the Marquis Mansion."

A fierce glint flashed in Mrs. Zhen’s eyes.

Du Yunluo lowered her gaze and said, "Without evidence, how could I tell the Old Madam or my mother-in-law? Even though I handle the household affairs now, I don’t want to give the second branch any opportunity. Women face countless risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Rather than being constantly vigilant against various threats, it’s better to go to Lindong."

Mrs. Zhen felt heartbroken; her daughter should be by her side, affectionately bantering. Instead, she had to face such issues alone.

Not every household’s inner chambers are pure and orderly; every family has its own challenges. Yet, Mrs. Zhen still hoped for Du Yunluo to lead a smooth and tranquil life.

Du Yunru tapped her forehead and said with a wry smile, "Compared to the predators in the Marquis Mansion, dealing with that frivolous little white rabbit in my house is much easier. Moreover, since you’re married, you only have to see them a few times a year, but you’ll have to keep fighting."

Du Yunluo forced a smile; she truly didn’t want to entangle with the Lian couple.

As long as Mu Lianxiao succeeded the title, and the main branch had successors, the vicious acts of the second branch could be exposed, leaving them defenseless, let alone attacking the main branch.

Since she couldn’t overthrow the second branch at the moment, Du Yunluo saw no reason to clash with them in the Capital.

Mrs. Zhen clenched her fists, calming herself after a long time, "Nannan, I’ll speak at Lianfu Garden. Old Mrs. Xia will surely support you.

Just go with peace of mind. When you’re pregnant and giving birth, I’ll come to Xuancheng to take care of you."

Hearing this warmed Du Yunluo’s heart immensely. Holding Mrs. Zhen’s waist, she restrained her tears and jokingly said, "If Mother comes to see me, what about Father?"

Mrs. Zhen couldn’t help but laugh through her tears.