Chapter 386 - 385: Arrival

Chapter 386: Chapter 385: Arrival

Outside, the rain continued, but inside, the atmosphere gradually lightened up.

The Yang Family, with a gentle smile, expressed concern: "I know you sisters share a deep bond, but you must also take care of yourself.

You’re expecting, don’t act like a child, crying with your mouth wide open, you startled the Princely Heir.

Fortunately, Doctor Feng said you’re fine. Remember, for our sake, take care of yourself. If Yun Ru knew you cried like this for her, she would be upset."

Du Yunluo rubbed her swollen eyes and smiled.

The Yang Family offered a few more words of advice to Du Yunluo and then left.

Mu Lianxiao returned to sit by the bed, gently pinching the tip of Du Yunluo’s nose: "Are you relieved now?"

Du Yunluo glanced up and playfully retorted: "I’m still a bit worried until I see Big Sister."

After chatting for a while, Du Yunluo felt sleepy and lay down again.

The rain persisted until the next morning.

Once the rain stopped, clearing the official roads became much easier.

Du Yunluo eagerly awaited the arrival of Du Yunru and her family, but even by the time Mu Lianxiao had to return to Shanyu Pass, the roads hadn’t been fully cleared.

After another five days, the city returned to its usual hustle and bustle, and finally, Du Yunru and Shao Yuanzhou arrived in Xuancheng.

When a message came to the government office, Du Yunluo had just woken up from her afternoon nap. Upon hearing it, she didn’t want to delay any longer and urged Jin Rui to help her dress and do her hair. She then took a small sedan chair to the government office.

Entering the backyard, as she rounded the corner to the Yang Family’s room, Du Yunluo heard voices inside.

Du Yunru’s voice was gentle and soft, just as in her memories.

Du Yunluo instantly became excited and quickly stepped inside: "Big Sister."

"Take it slow!" Du Yunru exclaimed, startled, and rushed over to support her, "Why are you still so loud and hasty?"

Du Yunluo clung to Du Yunru, unwilling to let go.

With her face flushed, Du Yunru didn’t dare to push her away, allowing her to play around for a while before the sisters finally sat down.

Du Yunluo noticed Sister Yi in the arms of the Yang Family.

After more than half a year apart, Sister Yi had grown quite a bit. Her big eyes were bright and shiny, and she laughed with her mouth open, revealing two sharp little teeth.

Amused, Du Yunluo reached out, hugged her, and gave her a big kiss.

"I heard you caught some illness on the way?" Du Yunluo asked.

Du Yunru nodded: "Though she seems lively now, she cried and fussed all day long a while back. But it was thanks to her crying and fussing that we weren’t blocked by rain halfway."

The Yan Family brought Brother Duan, who had just woken up, over.

Brother Duan stared intently at Sister Yi.

The Yan Family gently said to him, "Brother Duan, this is your little sister."

Brother Duan giggled, toddled over to Sister Yi, opened his little hand, revealing a piece of candy: "Something tasty."

Du Yunluo burst into laughter.

As the adults talked, the children giggled and played, not caring what anyone was saying. They just drooled and made merry on their own.

Du Yunru covered her mouth in laughter, her gaze falling on Du Yunluo’s belly: "Four more months?"

Du Yunluo nodded.

Du Yunru and Shao Yuanzhou planned to stay in Xuancheng for five or six days before heading to their next post.

Shao Yuanzhou was knowledgeable in academics, but this was his first time serving as an appointed official. Being an outsider, he was unfamiliar with Linggu and Lindong, so he seized this opportunity to consult Du Huarang for advice.

Du Yunru had much more free time, so she took Sister Yi to Guishu Alley first thing the next morning.

Though the courtyard was small, it was neat and well-kept, which put Du Yunru at ease. She commented, "Our biggest worry was how you’d adjust to living in Lindong."

"Why so delicate?" Du Yunluo pouted.

"When were you not delicate? You’ve always been pampered since childhood." Du Yunru tapped her sister’s forehead, "You’re just relying on our spoiling, with Grandfather and Grandmother at home, and here with the Princely Heir and Big Aunt."

When it came to Mu Lianxiao spoiling her, Du Yunluo loved hearing it and quickly nodded.

Du Yunru, at a loss for her sister’s thick skin, simply changed the subject to other matters.

"Does the Marquis Mansion know you’re expecting? Since they’ve plotted against you, even if their influence doesn’t reach Lindong, you still need to be cautious." Du Yunru advised earnestly, "Your Lady sister-in-law, when I left the Capital, her wedding date was already set; she’s to marry into the Pingyang Marquis Mansion in the spring of next year."

Du Yunluo frowned slightly.

Mu Lianhui was getting married, to someone they both knew would meet their end early. Du Yunluo didn’t understand, but as Du Yunru said, regardless, she needed to be cautious.

As for the Lian Family and Mu Yuanmou, Du Yunluo didn’t believe they would remain indifferent to Lindong.

Truly, if Mu Lianxiao were to make a name for himself here, if she were to give birth to a son, Mu Yuanmou’s years of plotting would all go to waste.

But how could they possibly interfere in Lindong?

At the Northern Border, there was Mu Liancheng and Mu Lianyu who could act against Mu Lianxiao. At Shanyu Pass, who could they rely on?

"Pay attention, but don’t burden yourself too much; it’s better for you to stay cheerful during pregnancy." Du Yunru pointed to her belly.

Du Yunluo smiled gently.

Du Yunru shared some happy news with Du Yunluo.

Old Master Zhen’s health had improved significantly, by spring he could stand, though having lain for so long, he lacked strength in his legs and couldn’t walk yet.

Zhen Family’s consensus was that Old Master Zhen should take things easy, given his age, even though he was brought back from paralysis, even if he couldn’t walk, being able to sit and chat with his children and grandchildren was already great.

Yet Old Master Zhen refused to concede, wanting to stroll around and sing, insisting on practicing walking.

"Just before I set off, I received a letter from Tong City, saying our grandfather can already walk from his inner room to the outer room." Du Yunru said with a smile.

Du Yunluo’s eyes were full of joy.

Du Yunru then spoke of the Duke Jing Mansion.

When the Liao Family went to visit Aunt Liao at the Duke Mansion, they were scolded by the Old Duke’s wife.

Ye Yuzhi was nowhere to be found, and the Duke Mansion searched in vain until they received a letter from home, Ye Yuzhi said he was under General Huang’s command.

The Old Master was furious, yet since he was already in Lindong, he couldn’t be brought back.

Ye Yuzhi was serving the court guarding the border. For whatever reason, to bring him back to the Capital would surely be reported to the Holy Emperor by the officials, making it hard to explain.

Furious and exasperated, yet unable to do anything about it, the Duke Mansion placed the blame on the Liao Family and Mu Lianxiao.

The Liao Family couldn’t be bothered with the Old Duke’s wife. It was merely verbal grievance, not painful nor itchy, as long as Ye Yuzhi could make a name for himself, wouldn’t there be a chance to repay the Old Duke’s wife in the future?

"Really making trouble out of nothing," Du Yunru shook her head, "Third Sister mentioned that even the Cining Palace was annoyed with the Duke Jing Mansion."

Du Yunluo blinked and smiled.

How could the Empress Dowager not be irritated with the Duke Jing Mansion? She was utterly fed up.