Chapter 390 - 389: Attention to Detail

Chapter 390: Chapter 389: Attention to Detail

Du Yunluo woke up from her afternoon nap, enjoying some snacks while chatting with Jin Rui.

Every day at the end of November was full of urgency and anticipation. But once the twelfth lunar month began, Du Yunluo felt a sense of calm wash over her.

There were just a few days left.

With a cheerful smile, Jin Rui said, "Just now, the lady sent someone to deliver some fresh eggs and produce from the farm.

The lady has been so busy lately that she hasn’t had time to play mahjong.

The servants are joking that once the New Year comes, with both the madam and the young wife pregnant, the lady won’t find enough players for a table."

Du Yunluo wiped her hands, about to speak, when she heard footsteps outside.

Her eyes lit up at once.

Now that moving was inconvenient, she couldn’t rush out at any noise, so Du Yunluo slowly stood up.

The curtain lifted, revealing Mu Lianxiao’s figure, and Du Yunluo’s smile grew deeper.

Jin Rui urged the kitchen to prepare hot ginger soup, while Du Yunluo carefully looked Mu Lianxiao over.

The two stood across the room from each other.

Du Yunluo didn’t step forward. Seeing Mu Lianxiao travel-worn, even if she wanted to help, he wouldn’t allow her to dirty her hands.

Mu Lianxiao’s gaze fell on Du Yunluo’s belly.

During his absence, the belly had grown larger, making her once delicate and petite figure appear somewhat cumbersome.

Mu Lianxiao smiled at Du Yunluo: "Don’t just stand there, it’s quite heavy."

Du Yunluo chuckled and touched her belly; it was indeed heavy.

Mu Lianxiao freshened up, looking much more spirited.

He sat by the couch, pulling Du Yunluo into his embrace, inhaling deeply at her neck.

The familiar scent of rouge made him feel at ease.

Reluctant to push him away, Du Yunluo embraced Mu Lianxiao’s waist, calling him softly: "Princely Heir?"

Mu Lianxiao responded, and after a long while, he let go, gently settling Du Yunluo on his lap.

This way, Du Yunluo’s weight became even more apparent.

She was much heavier than before.

Mu Lianxiao didn’t find it burdensome; he could still hold her. He softly pecked her earlobe and said, "Yunluo, I’ve missed you."

Du Yunluo smiled. How could she not miss him as well?

"I thought you would be back a couple of days ago," Du Yunluo said softly.

"I was supposed to return then," Mu Lianxiao began, but the moment his hand rested on Du Yunluo’s belly, he felt a strong movement. All his thoughts shifted. His eyes were filled with joy, "Yunluo!"

Du Yunluo knew it was the little one inside the belly, unwilling to stay dormant, who had just kicked his father.

The force wasn’t strong, and Du Yunluo didn’t feel pain, but for Mu Lianxiao, it was his first time feeling the child this clearly, and his voice trembled slightly.

"You came back, and he got excited," Du Yunluo smiled warmly.

Mu Lianxiao raised an eyebrow, feeling both pride and joy: "A smart one."

Talking about the child, they forgot their previous conversation.

Du Yunluo went on about her body’s changes lately, saying this child was quite strong. There were times he kicked so fiercely that she couldn’t straighten up. She also mentioned how greedy this little one was; now she needed an extra snack in the afternoon and before bed, yet still felt hungry.

Mu Lianxiao listened intently. Du Yunluo’s soft, sweet voice fell on his heart like a honeyed balm.

After talking about her belly, she mentioned the Yan Family and a letter from Du Yunru in Linggu.

Du Yunru and her husband had decided to come to Xuancheng for the New Year. Linggu wasn’t far from Xuancheng, even in the middle of winter, the carriage would only take four or five days.

They planned to leave after sealing the government office and should enter the city before New Year’s Eve, staying in Xuancheng for about ten days before returning to Linggu.

"Aunt is delighted, saying it’s been so long since they had a lively New Year," Du Yunluo said with a tap to her forehead, summoning Jin Rui to send word to the government office so the family wouldn’t worry.

Leaning against Mu Lianxiao, Du Yunluo looked up at him.

Her lips slightly parted, and Mu Lianxiao’s eyes deepened as he bent down to kiss her.

In the exchange of breath, Du Yunluo’s essence enveloped him completely. As she was about to gently push him away, sudden crackling noises echoed outside.

They were firecrackers.

The unexpected sound startled Du Yunluo.

Mu Lianxiao held her, soothingly patting her back, while instructing the attendants outside to take a look.

Shortly after, Jin Rui came in to report.

"It’s the family at the entrance of the alley; they moved in today and set off firecrackers," Jin Rui said.

Mu Lianxiao raised his eyebrows.

Du Yunluo explained to him, "It’s the first house in our alley; they were moving furniture on my birthday.

I don’t know much about them, but the tables, chairs, and large desks were all moved in one piece. Even the canopy bed was worth a look—finely crafted, suggesting wealth.

It’s been over half a month; I thought they had moved in already, but it turns out today was the day.

Quite particular, indeed."

Such households often prioritized feng shui, moving furniture first, then moving in themselves weeks later.

Everything, from the hour to the day, precisely calculated.

Unlike Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao, who hurriedly arrived at Lindong, quickly settled on a courtyard, and moved in without much delay.

The firecrackers continued for a while before stopping, and in another half hour, the family sent an elderly woman over.

Hong Jinbao’s family went to see her.

The woman appeared dignified and gracious, with a southern accent.

She brought a set of exquisitely embroidered screen decorations.

"Madam, the woman said the family is from Jiangnan. Since they’re moving in December, they won’t be hosting neighbors. They’ll send invitations during the New Year period for proper etiquette," Hong Jinbao’s family member reported.

Du Yunluo nodded, instructing them to keep the gift in the storeroom.

On the morning of the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, an incense altar with candles was set up in the courtyard for a simple ancestral rite, fulfilling tradition.

In the kitchen, laba porridge simmered all night. Du Yunluo sent some to the government office.

As they sat down to have porridge, Mu Lianxiao knowing Du Yunluo liked longan and peanuts, picked them out and placed them in her bowl.

Du Yunluo giggled, "You’ve given them all to me. How does your porridge still count as laba porridge?"

Mu Lianxiao laughed.

"Princely Heir," Du Yunluo rested her chin on her hand as she looked at him, "This is my first year spending the twelfth lunar month outside the Capital."

Mu Lianxiao put down his spoon, sighed, "It’s my second time."

Du Yunluo’s thoughts trembled slightly.

The first time was the 13th year of Yong’an, when Mu Lianxiao returned the deceased from the Northern Border to the Capital.

She mentioned it casually, not intending to touch upon Mu Lianxiao’s tender past, but seeing his reaction, she bit her lip, feeling nervous.

Yet Mu Lianxiao smiled, "It’s okay. I was just thinking, today in the Capital, the family hall must be opened for ancestral worship. Second brother should also have returned to the Capital."

Du Yunluo slowly nodded.

Mu Liancheng would return to the Capital, but Mu Lianyu was likely still in the Northern Border for the New Year.

The thorough second household wouldn’t cause a scene under Madam Wu’s watchful eyes, considering the unclear situation in Lindong.

This New Year at Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, regardless of any undercurrents, would remain peaceful on the surface.