Chapter 384 - 383: Cowardice

Chapter 384: Chapter 383: Cowardice

Unable to persuade her, Hong Jinbao’s family and Jin Rui, worried that staying home would make her overthink, arranged for a sedan chair and sent Du Yunluo to the government office.

Yang Family held Du Yunluo’s hand as they went inside: "Child, with such heavy rain, why did you come over?

Your hands are freezing cold; I’ll have someone make you some ginger tea."

Du Yunluo sat down and said, "Uncle came to find the Princely Heir in the middle of the night, and in the morning, I heard someone say that the official road in Liang County collapsed. I’m worried about elder sister..."

Yang Family frowned. When she received the news at night, she was equally worried, tossing and turning until dawn.

Glancing at Du Yunluo’s belly, Yang Family comforted her: "These matters of men, I, as a woman, don’t quite understand.

This morning, I had someone deliver breakfast. They reported back that things were orderly inside, so I think it shouldn’t be anything major."

Du Yunluo smiled bitterly and sighed, "Aunt, don’t laugh at me, but I was feeling restless alone, always fearing something would happen to elder sister; that’s why I came to see you..."

As they were talking, Mu Lianxiao came over.

Yang Family patted Du Yunluo’s hand: "The side room is ready. You go rest for a while, and I’ll come see you once I’ve arranged some things."

Du Yunluo knew Yang Family was giving them a place to talk privately, so she nodded and followed Mu Lianxiao to the side room.

Once inside the guest room, they sat by the table.

Mu Lianxiao held Du Yunluo’s hand and gently asked her, "Why did you come over all of a sudden?"

Du Yunluo looked up at him, her gaze heavy: "The official road in Liang County collapsed, didn’t it? Is there any news about elder sister?"

Mu Lianxiao, choosing his words carefully, said, "It did collapse. At first light, a group of officials and soldiers rushed to clear it. We’re still waiting for specific news."

Du Yunluo took a deep breath.

"Yunluo," Mu Lianxiao gently held her in his arms, kissing her on the temple and cheek as he comforted her, "rest for a while. I promise as soon as there’s any news, I’ll come to tell you."

Her heart was pounding like a drum, but at this point, besides waiting for news, there was no other way.

Du Yunluo slowly nodded.

Mu Lianxiao helped Du Yunluo to lie down and sat by the bed with her for a while.

Once Du Yunluo had drifted lightly into sleep, Mu Lianxiao left quietly.

Du Yunluo didn’t know how long she had slept. In a daze, she seemed to hear a flurry of footsteps outside, and she suddenly opened her eyes.

No one else was in the room; Mu Lianxiao wasn’t there, nor was Jin Rui.

Du Yunluo donned an outer garment and left the guest room, immediately spotting Mu Lianxiao standing under the veranda.

His face was dark, his brows furrowed. When he saw Du Yunluo looking over, he quickly averted his gaze.

The sight made Du Yunluo stumble.

Mu Lianxiao rushed over to support her, and Du Yunluo grabbed his arm tightly: "Is there news?"

As soon as she spoke, she heard her own heart beating like a drum.

Mu Lianxiao’s jaw was clenched tight, and he said nothing, just guided Du Yunluo back into the side room.

In the courtyard, footsteps hurried by, with people urgently coming and going.

Du Yunluo lifted her eyes, staring straight at Mu Lianxiao, her lips trembling.

Mu Lianxiao suddenly wrapped Du Yunluo in his arms, his voice hoarse: "Yunluo, Aunt and they... they..."

Du Yunluo’s eyes tightened sharply: "What are you saying? I don’t understand? What are you saying?"

No response.

Du Yunluo’s chest grew heavy, breathless, and she could only take deep breaths to alleviate the suffocating feeling, but it was no use.

Tears welled up, blurring her vision, and she began to sob uncontrollably.

All of this was her fault.

The thought echoed in Du Yunluo’s mind.

Her rebirth had altered too many paths, changing even Du Yunru’s life.

In the previous life, Shao Yuanzhou obtained top honors two years later, and his appointed post was not in Lindong.

Du Yunru followed her husband there, their marriage loving, blessed with two sons.

Her elder sister and brother-in-law lived a life of contentment and joy.

But now, because of her rebirth, everything had changed—such a good elder sister, such a good brother-in-law...

Du Yunluo trembled all over, her heart aching to the extreme, and suddenly her eyes snapped open.

Her chest rose and fell violently, her eyes blurred as she gasped for breath, dimly taking in the tranquil side room.

Was it all just a dream?

Du Yunluo pushed herself up, ignoring the tears that slid down her face.

There was no one else in the room.

Du Yunluo opened her mouth to call for someone, but recalling the scenes from the dream, her voice stuck in her throat.

She didn’t dare call out or leave.

The scenes from the dream filled her mind; she feared stepping out only to find Mu Lianxiao standing under the veranda.

Du Yunluo stayed inside, but the door was nudged open by someone.

Mu Lianxiao entered, carrying a bowl of hot porridge. Seeing Du Yunluo sitting blankly on the bed, her face stained with tears, his heart twisted sharply.

Setting the porridge on the table, Mu Lianxiao sat at the bed, wrapping an arm around Du Yunluo’s shoulders, gently wiping her tears away: "Why are you crying?"

Du Yunluo stared at Mu Lianxiao, his hand warm and strong as it brushed her cheek; instinctively, she raised her hand to cover his, yet her tears flowed even more fiercely.

"A nightmare?" Mu Lianxiao lowered his head, resting it against hers.

"I..." Du Yunluo’s voice trembled, "I dreamed that elder sister was gone, that elder sister was gone..."

As she spoke, all the chaos and fear from her dream rushed over her like an overwhelming tide, instantly engulfing her.

Only now did she realize how truly fearful she was.

Lived again, she had so many changes and goals she wished to achieve, tirelessly striving towards them.

However, the more things changed, the more her heart was filled with uncertainty and doubt, which only surfaced at crucial moments, frightening her.

Du Yunluo had lived another life; she had witnessed the outcomes of countless people, regardless of good or bad.

Yet with the changes of this life, the future became uncertain once again.

The unknown wasn’t terrifying; what scared her was watching a happy ending turn to sorrow.

If Du Yunru, once so blissful, became miserable because of Du Yunluo’s influence, it would be something she could never accept.

Her heart was vast.

Lived again, besides wanting to grow old with Mu Lianxiao, she also wished for the safety and happiness of those she cherished.

Mu Lianxiao pulled Du Yunluo onto his lap, his hand soothingly stroking her back: "Yunluo, it was just a dream, just a nightmare."

"I’m so worried about her, so worried," Du Yunluo clung tightly to Mu Lianxiao’s neck, crying, "If something happens to elder sister, what will I do? I don’t want to be alone, all alone..."