Chapter 387 - 386: Sweet Talk

Chapter 387: Chapter 386: Sweet Talk

Empress Dowager’s temperament, Du Yunluo knew somewhat about it.

Initially, the Old Master had sought a title for An Ran to elevate her, practically using the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager saw through it, how could she not be angry?

If the Duke Jing Mansion could have maintained appearances, it would have been fine, but they didn’t let it go, causing the Empress Dowager to lose face, so she simply added to Princess An Ran’s dowries before her wedding, which was also to show her stance.

Originally, the matter would have concluded after Princess An Ran’s marriage, but who knew that the Old Duke’s wife almost caused An Ran to have a miscarriage.

Uncle Enrong’s aunt was one of the late Emperor’s Four Concubines, quite favored, and had close ties with the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort. She gave her life for the late Emperor, and with this bond, Lady Enrong could still speak a few words in Cining Palace.

Lady Enrong shed a few tears, as this matter concerned offspring, An Ran and the Enrong Bo Mansion bore no fault; it was all the doing of Old Madam Duke Jing.

Quite a few people at the Duke Mansion witnessed the event in person, and news inevitably spread, which made Cining Palace increasingly annoyed with the Duke Jing Mansion.

This time, Ye Yuzhi "disappeared," and the Holy Emperor surely understood the reasons. If not for the palace turning a blind eye, General Huang would find it difficult to act.

The Empress Dowager prides herself on fairness and impartiality; she maintains cordial relations with her sister, Imperial Consort, and treats the late Emperor’s other children with generosity and integrity. Prince Cheng, Li Yuan, and his son’s status in Cining Palace and at court is no less than that of Prince Rui and his son.

Even as such, the Old Master and his wife’s oppression of Ye Yuzhi and An Ran diverged from Cining Palace’s stance, and it would be surprising if the Empress Dowager wasn’t annoyed with them.

Speaking of Cining Palace, Du Yunru brought up another matter: the Empress Dowager wanted Li Yu to marry her own granddaughter from her maternal side.

Du Yunluo pursed her lips, remembering that this was the case in her past life, too.

This was indeed the smart approach.

Li Yu’s status was such that there weren’t many noblewomen in the Capital suitable for him, so it wasn’t excessive for the Empress Dowager to choose someone from her own family.

This showed her affection and emphasis, and at the same time, she kept a gentle hold on Prince Cheng Mansion, as long as Prince Cheng and his son were loyal to the Emperor, both sides would be satisfied.

The chosen girl had a lively personality and outstanding looks, which Li Yu really liked.

In her memory, by next summer, Li Yu would be married.

After discussing various matters in the Capital, the two sisters parted ways.

Du Yunru and her husband stayed in Xuancheng for a few days before going to Linggu as planned.

Before leaving, Du Yunru carefully instructed Du Yunluo: "Your health is most important, you must take care, the last few months are hard, but you’ll get through it."

"My husband and I won’t return to the Capital for the New Year this year. Once the government office closes for the holiday, I’ll come to Xuancheng to see you."

"Remember, behave well."

Du Yunluo giggled, "Big sister is really like a mother now, being this nagging."

Du Yunru spat teasingly, "In a few months, you’ll become just as nagging. Little heartless one."

After sending off Du Yunru and her husband, Du Yunluo’s life suddenly became peaceful again.

The only thing she looked forward to was reaching the twelfth lunar month, so that Mu Lianxiao could return.

The late autumn at Shanyu Pass was bleak, standing on the city walls, a boundless desert stretched out in front.

In mid-October, there suddenly came a snowfall.

Mu Lianxiao returned after changing posts, and when Shuying spoke to him, a cloud of white mist came from her mouth.

"Sir, it feels even colder here than at the Northern Border," Shuying said as she extended her hands to take Mu Lianxiao’s armor.

When she tried to take the spear, Mu Lianxiao held on to it, saying, "Let me do it."

Placing a stool, Mu Lianxiao sat in the courtyard, carefully wiping the spear with a cloth.

This spear had been Mu Yuan’s companion; years of use hadn’t aged it, only made it sharper.

The tip, having tasted blood, gleamed silver bright.

Mu Lianxiao cleaned it meticulously, and after finishing, he stood and casually twirled it.

He thought of Du Yunluo.

On the way to Lindong, when they were stuck in a post station due to heavy snow, Mu Lianxiao had performed spear movements for her, and he always remembered Du Yunluo’s joyful expression.

Whenever he closed his eyes, her image emerged in his mind.

There she stood gracefully under the veranda, her apricot eyes full of him—fondness, love, infatuation—all those emotions plainly displayed, making his heart skip with her.

Mu Lianxiao took in a deep breath; the cold air couldn’t dampen his burning thoughts.

He missed her dearly.

Mu Lianxiao untied the pouch at his waist.

The royal blue satin, embroidered with a golden python, all of Du Yunluo’s handiwork, he admired it over and over before carefully pulling out a smooth pearl.

This pearl was Du Yunluo’s; ever since Mu Lianxiao found it at Fa Yin Temple, he had kept it with him.

His fingertips gently caressed the warm pearl, unknowingly lifting the corners of his lips into a smile.

Since the day he picked it up, he couldn’t bear to let it go, wanting to keep her by his side, to cherish and adore her.

He wondered how his pearl was doing these days...

In Xuancheng, Du Yunluo sneezed and rubbed her nose.

Someone from Hong Jinbao’s family asked, "Are you catching a cold, my lady? The weather’s turned chilly suddenly, do take care."

Du Yunluo shook her head with a smile, "No, I’m not catching a cold."

Beside her, Jin Rui’ burst out laughing, "Then it must be the Princely Heir thinking of my lady."

This notion greatly pleased Du Yunluo; she smiled contentedly and praised, "Jin Rui’er’s words are so sweet, I love hearing them."

The room filled with laughter.

Amidst the talk and laughter, someone outside announced that someone from the government office had arrived.

Jin Rui invited the person in, and upon seeing it was Mrs. Pan from the Yang Family, Du Yunluo greeted her.

Mrs. Pan paid her respects with joy and said, "I’ve come to bring good news to my lady; our eldest madam is expecting."

Du Yunluo’s eyes lit up with joy, "Is my sister-in-law pregnant?"

Mrs. Pan nodded vigorously, "They say children come in groups; this child must have come alongside my lady’s pregnancy."

Du Yunluo laughed heartily, "Is today coated with honey? Every word is sweeter than the last."

Du Yunluo then inquired about Yan Family’s situation, and Mrs. Pan answered each question.

After preparing a sedan chair, Du Yunluo went to the Yan Family to see them.

Lying on the couch, Yan’s eyes were red but smiling, as if she had cried tears of joy.

Since giving birth to Brother Duan, Yan’s belly had shown no movement, and although she had a son, she was still anxious.

This anxiety she couldn’t share with the Yang Family, nor express to Du Yuntao, so she kept it bottled inside.

Du Yunluo vaguely sensed it, noticing how Yan looked at her belly with intense eagerness.

Perhaps worried her emotions would affect Du Yunluo, Yan hadn’t uttered a word about it.

Now having her wish granted, Yan was truly overjoyed, letting out her pent-up emotions, and looked radiant.

Yang Family was equally delighted, contemplating writing to the Capital, "It’s the perfect time to send it along with the New Year’s gifts."

Upon hearing Yang’s mention it, Du Yunluo suddenly realized that it was indeed time to prepare the New Year’s gifts.