Chapter 373 - 372: Testing the Waters

Chapter 373: Chapter 372: Testing the Waters

When Yunluo woke up again, the atmosphere inside the bed curtains was somewhat dim.

She couldn’t tell the time; it should still be daytime. How could it suddenly have gotten dark?

Had they played around for so long that it was already dark outside?

Yunluo propped herself up, and as she moved, Mu Lianxiao woke up as well.

Through Mu Lianxiao, Yunluo couldn’t reach the curtains. She softly asked, "What time is it?"

Mu Lianxiao lifted his hand to tuck her loose forehead hair behind her ear, revealing her fair face. He stroked her cheek and said, "Just past afternoon."

Yunluo widened her eyes in astonishment.

It’s already afternoon; just how long have they been at it!

They even skipped lunch.

Yunluo’s face flushed as she fell back onto the bed, pulling the quilt high to only reveal her bright eyes.

Given the situation, it seemed she could only let things take their course.

After all, they were a loving couple, and she was the one in charge at home. There was no need to care about others’ thoughts.

Yunluo kept consoling herself.

Mu Lianxiao reached out to rub her belly and asked with a smile, "Do you want to have lunch?"

Yunluo was just about to nod when she caught Mu Lianxiao’s smile, and her mind buzzed.

Having lunch at this time?

A little longer and even dinner would be served.

Yunluo snorted.

The two of them played around for a while longer, and Yunluo urged the thick-skinned Mu Lianxiao to get some water.

After washing and changing clothes, Yunluo glanced at the Western clock and secretly clicked her tongue.

It really was time for dinner.

Because Mu Lianxiao had returned, Hong Jinbao’s family specially went to the street to buy some extra dishes, making a table full of the couple’s favorites.

Yunluo was tired, and having skipped lunch, she couldn’t help but have a great appetite.

Fearing she might overeat, Mu Lianxiao dragged her to the garden to digest.

In a month’s time, the small garden had also changed. While the sky was not yet fully dark, Yunluo pointed out different spots to show Mu Lianxiao.

The two walked and talked.

Yunluo pondered and brought up the Changping Marquis Mansion.

"A while ago, Madam Changping Bo invited my aunt to admire the spring flowers. I didn’t go, and my aunt didn’t tell Madam Bo that I came to Xuancheng," Yunluo said softly.

Mu Lianxiao asked her, "You don’t want to go?"

Yunluo replied softly, "No, I didn’t want to go. I saw that my aunt was obliged to socialize, but I could avoid it if possible."

Being an official is not easy, and being an official’s wife is no different.

Du Huaixi is the governor of Lindong, which is also the fief of the Changping Marquis.

Although to the court, this fief is more of a title, with the Changping Marquis Mansion only receiving a salary and not governing Lindong’s affairs, to Du Huaixi, the relationship with the Changping Marquis Mansion is best kept neither too distant nor too close.

If they become distant, after all, the Changping Marquis is still a Lord, and should any issues arise in secret in Xuancheng, it could make Du Huaixi’s life difficult, ruining his achievements, leaving him speechless; if they get too close, news could reach the Capital, and the Holy Emperor could grow displeased, leaving Du Huaixi in a tough spot.

Mu Lianxiao understood the situation and said, "If that’s the case, just listen to your aunt."

Yunluo pondered before saying, "Last year, Grandmother asked the Cining Palace to help choose candidates for the Lady. At that time, the Empress Dowager mentioned the son of the Changping Marquis."

Mu Lianxiao was taken aback.

When he returned to the Capital, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was already discussing with the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. He only knew that Mu Lianhui had chosen the Pingyang Marquis from several young lords, and he wasn’t aware of the other candidates’ identities.

Hearing Yunluo bring it up now, he realized there was another candidate.

"It must be that Big Sister wasn’t willing to leave the Capital," Mu Lianxiao said with a smile.

Yunluo nodded, "I also think it’s better to stay in the Capital. After all, you’re under the watchful eyes of elders, and any news, whether good or bad, would arrive quickly.

Lindong is too far away, and any problems wouldn’t reach the Capital easily.

Like my uncle and aunt, even during the holidays, writing letters home is not as convenient as being in the mansion itself.

Regarding the Changping Marquis Mansion, the Princely Heir, I heard he used to be close with Prince Rui? Nowadays, with them being so far apart, we don’t know if that youthful friendship still exists."

Mu Lianxiao paused in his steps, unconsciously using some force in his hand.

Yunluo felt the pain as he held her hand tightly and let out a low cry.

Mu Lianxiao came back to his senses, quickly easing his grip and gently massaging Yunluo’s hand. "Does it hurt?"

Yunluo shook her head and tentatively asked him, "Princely Heir, did I say something wrong?"

"No," Mu Lianxiao slowly exhaled, pulling Yunluo into his arms and whispered into her ear, "Yunluo, have you heard something? Did Uncle mention it?"

Yunluo’s long eyelashes fluttered. "What do you mean?"

Mu Lianxiao cleared his throat, ensuring no one else was around before lowering his voice, "Three years ago, I was sent to Lindong on a mission."

"Because of the Changping Marquis?" Yunluo’s heart beat faster.

"There were rumors of him secretly raising private troops," Mu Lianxiao comforted Yunluo, tenderly stroking her back, "At that time, I investigated secretly and found nothing. Uncle was also unaware. Reporting back to the Capital, the Holy Emperor had no choice but to let it go temporarily.

This time, apart from guarding Shanyu Pass, the Holy Emperor wants me to keep an eye on the Changping Marquis.

He’s an old fox, not easy to catch."

No matter the purpose of these private soldiers, secretly raising an army is a capital offence.

Yunluo knew that these soldiers were meant to help Prince Rui rebel.

The Changping Marquis Mansion has been rooted in Lindong for years. It was no surprise that Mu Lianxiao found no traces then, but there’s no wall without a crack; there will be traces eventually.

Yunluo pondered and asked, "Does the Princely Heir still want to investigate him?"

"Uncle keeps an eye on him," Mu Lianxiao said.

Yunluo raised an eyebrow, a thought flashing through her mind.

In a past life, Du Huarang wasn’t implicated in the Changping Marquis Mansion’s rebellion. Was it because he was transferred to Jiangnan then, or had Du Huarang already reported everything to the Holy Emperor?

Yunluo couldn’t guess.

However, with the Holy Emperor already suspicious of the Changping Marquis, could he also be doubting Prince Rui and his son?

Yunluo thought about this and asked it aloud.

Mu Lianxiao frowned deeply, after a long while, he replied in a low voice, "Prince Rui and the Changping Marquis were childhood friends, but over these decades, they have grown distant. It may not be..."

"Is that also what the Holy Emperor thinks?" Yunluo pressed on.

"The Holy Emperor and Prince Rui are full brothers."

"There is no affection in the Royal Family," Yunluo quietly clenched her hand hidden in her sleeve, "Even full siblings can turn against each other, especially over the throne. It all depends on how the Holy Emperor and Prince Rui view it."

This topic was finally ended.

Yunluo didn’t wish to delve too deeply into it; family ties are such an odd thing. Just like she could hint to Mrs. Zhou about the second branch plotting against her but couldn’t claim the second branch would harm Mu Lianxiao’s life. As for whether Mrs. Zhou would ponder further, that wasn’t up to Yunluo.

In the future, Yunluo could also discuss heirs with Mu Lianxiao, but to say the second branch harmed the Old Marquis, plotted against Mu Yuance and his brothers, and intended to harm Mu Lianxiao — without evidence, it would be exceedingly difficult to voice.

Yunluo followed Mu Lianxiao to Lindong; it was impossible for the second branch, back in the Capital, to remain idle.

The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Once you catch onto something, many things could be uncovered.