Chapter 372 - 371: Jealousy

Chapter 372: Chapter 371: Jealousy

Du Yunluo was full.

Jin Rui and Jin Lan tidied up the table together.

Du Yunluo instructed, "Later, let someone from Hong Jinbao’s family go to the government office to tell my aunt that I won’t be going today."

Jin Rui nodded in agreement.

Both maids were clever and closed the door as they left, leaving the couple to speak without interruption.

Hong Jinbao’s family took the order, smiling with pursed lips, and whispered to Jin Rui, "Even if the madam wanted to visit today, she would probably be sent back."

Jin Rui couldn’t help but laugh, playfully hitting Hong Jinbao’s family and urging her to hurry.

Inside the room, Mu Lianxiao asked Du Yunluo with a smile, "Yunluo, do you go to the government office every day?"

"Every two or three days," Du Yunluo replied with a gentle smile. She didn’t have much to do at home, although she was accustomed to such a peaceful life. The Yang Family always worried she’d get bored, so they often called her over, especially her aunt and sister-in-law, who preferred to stay home and play mahjong, occasionally asking her to join them. Just yesterday, a message came inviting the Assistant Governor’s Wife today."

Mu Lianxiao teased, "If you don’t go, won’t they be missing a player?"

Du Yunluo giggled, "There will always be someone to make up the numbers."

Be it mahjong or even the finest delicacies awaiting her, Du Yunluo wouldn’t go.

Mu Lianxiao had rushed back so hard, and she wasn’t willing to miss the time with her beloved.

Du Yunluo’s eyes curved in amusement, "Maybe the Assistant Governor’s Wife doesn’t even want me there."

"Why?" Mu Lianxiao asked.

Du Yunluo explained, "On the battlefield, you rely on your siblings; at cards, who can win against a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo? My sister-in-law always has to accommodate my aunt and inevitably gives up some cards. If I were to help my aunt too, wouldn’t the Assistant Governor’s Wife end up losing everything?"

Mu Lianxiao burst out laughing, squeezing Du Yunluo’s palm, "How much have you lost this month then?"

Du Yunluo laughed along, "My aunt doesn’t even care about the little silver I lose. If I lose to her yesterday, today she’d have a table full of good food and wine waiting."

They laughed together for a while.

Mu Lianxiao embraced Du Yunluo, with a single thought in his mind—having his cherished wife beside him, he needed nothing else. Just listening to her talk about everyday matters felt so comfortable, so lively, so lovely.

Being so far from the Capital, Mu Lianxiao worried if Du Yunluo was adjusting well.

Previously, the farthest Du Yunluo had been was her grandmother’s. Here in Lindong, it was fine while he was with her, but when he left for Shanyu Pass, leaving her alone, she would unavoidably feel homesick.

Even though his aunt’s family took care of her, Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but worry.

Upon returning, seeing Du Yunluo doing well, it was she instead who feared he might worry, telling him about trivial things to comfort him, which melted Mu Lianxiao’s heart.

Du Yunluo looked up at him and softly asked, "How long can you stay?"

"I’ll leave early the day after tomorrow," Mu Lianxiao replied.

Du Yunluo’s heart trembled—she knew Mu Lianxiao’s time was tight, but seeing him come and go so quickly, she not only wished he could stay longer but also feared he might tire himself out.

Pressing her fingertips to Mu Lianxiao’s brow, Du Yunluo gently rubbed him, "Didn’t sleep last night? Do you want to rest for a while?"

Mu Lianxiao took her hand, bringing it to his lips and softly kissed it, "Stay with me while I nap."

Du Yunluo lowered her gaze, her fingertips lightly trembling. She brushed his lips, agreeing in a way.

They entered the inner chamber one after the other.

The canopy on the lacquered and inlaid bed was lowered, and Du Yunluo leaned against Mu Lianxiao, smiling as she watched him.

Mu Lianxiao held her, but made no other move.

The two or three days squeezed in for this visit were the best Mu Lianxiao could manage, yet he still felt a little guilty for not being able to stay longer.

Thankfully, Du Yunluo was understanding, Mu Lianxiao thought with his eyes closed.

Before long, Du Yunluo heard Mu Lianxiao’s long, deep breaths.

Gently and quietly rising, Du Yunluo’s fingertips caressed his brows and eyes, her heart ached.

The long journey had truly exhausted him, for him to fall asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

Du Yunluo recalled Jiuxi’s description of Shanyu Pass’s rugged terrain, and how treacherous the roads were compared to those near the Capital. Riding a horse during the day was already difficult, let alone traveling at night.

For her, Mu Lianxiao had endured this arduous journey just to be with her for a day or two more.

He truly held her dear to his heart.

Though she knew this in her past life, every time she perceived his affection through his words and actions, Du Yunluo couldn’t help but feel tender, sweet, and clingy, wishing she could become a jade pendant at his waist and accompany him always.

Why couldn’t she simply follow him?

Even though they’d moved to Xuancheng in Lindong, seemingly closer to Shanyu Pass than the Capital, Du Yunluo thought, looking at Mu Lianxiao’s sleeping face, if only they could be even closer, then he wouldn’t have to journey day and night or be so weary.

She leaned in, softly pressing her lips to Mu Lianxiao’s.

Du Yunluo turned envious of Shuying and Ming Liu—even if it seemed irrational and groundless, she was simply overwhelmed with jealousy now.

Mu Lianxiao was deep in sleep, with Du Yunluo resting her head on his arm, wrapping her arms around his waist and closing her eyes for a nap.

The familiar warmth and scent of soap from him gradually relaxed Du Yunluo, drowsiness overtook her, and she too drifted into sleep.

Du Yunluo had a dream.

In her dream, she had become a jade pendant, hanging at Mu Lianxiao’s waist as he headed to Shanyu Pass.

She saw the imposing city walls, the fluttering military banners, and the soldiers drilling.

The chants were orderly, movements synchronized.

Mu Lianxiao wielded a long spear, his armor gleaming bright, so much that she couldn’t open her eyes.

She swayed with his movements, her wide eyes catching only his chest, unable to see further up.

Impatience surged within her; she wanted to see the heroic Mu Lianxiao whom Jiuxi admired as if he were Gao Changgong reincarnated. But she couldn’t reach—how she regretted her past self for not making the pendant strings longer.

If they had been slightly longer, she might have been able to see higher when swaying.

To glimpse the distant desert, to behold his focused expression.

Was it too late to attempt making another pendant string now?

Ah...

She no longer wanted to be a jade pendant or a sachet; she wanted to stand and watch him, to look at him always...

The dream scene shifted and fragmented, and Du Yunluo couldn’t quite grasp what she was dreaming of when she awoke, a bit dazed.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, and though not blinding, it made it hard for Du Yunluo to see clearly for a moment.

Her neck tickled, as if all her blood was rushing to that pulsing vein, drawn away into oblivion.

A soft moan escaped Du Yunluo, as the sensation moved from her neck to her collarbone, a warmth so intense it made her shiver all over.

Realizing Du Yunluo had awoken, Mu Lianxiao captured her rounded earlobe in his mouth, his heated breath entering her ear, whispering lowly like sweet nothings.

It had been over a month since they last parted, and the longing between them was intense.

...