Chapter 499 - 498: Reminiscence (Plus 180 Monthly Votes)

Chapter 499: Chapter 498: Reminiscence (Plus 180 Monthly Votes)

In the following days, Lian Family kept forcing herself to go to the mourning hall, crying her heart out and fainting numerous times, no persuasion would move her.

The mourning in the mansion caused the delay of entering the palace to express gratitude.

Another son of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion died in battle, and the eldest son who had been missing for years returned to the Capital, marrying the Commandery Princess left outside by Prince Shun, news that spread throughout the Capital.

For a while, rumors were rampant in private.

Mu Lianhui returned to the mansion to offer incense.

Nanny Zhu asked her to help comfort Lian Family.

Mu Lianhui glanced at the dispirited Lian Family and said, "Mother, do you think my persuasion will be effective?"

Nanny Zhu was rendered speechless by such a light remark; if Mu Lianhui could really persuade Lian Family, she wouldn’t always get stifled and annoyed by her.

Thinking of this, Nanny Zhu could only sigh.

All the way back from the Northern Border, spring was already in full bloom in the Capital. The mourning hall couldn’t be set up for too long, so it was carried out of the mansion and buried after seven days.

The hall was withdrawn, but the atmosphere remained oppressive.

Madam Wu rested for a few days before inquiring about the Qingming arrangements.

Du Yunluo, sitting by the Arhat Bed, softly said to Old Madam, "According to the usual practices, invite the masters into the mansion for chanting and blessing. It has been set for seven days."

Madam Wu nodded and said, "If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask your mother. Now that Lian Xiao has inherited the title, this Marquis Mansion is essentially in your hands. I’m old, and there are many things I can’t manage anymore."

Du Yunluo looked at Madam Wu.

The Old Madam’s hair was gray, and the wrinkles on her face had deepened significantly.

In recent years, many things had happened in the mansion. Mu Yuanjing’s disgrace and the gold swallowing incident had been a shock to the Old Madam. The truth about Mu Liankang’s disappearance was even more of a blow, not to mention Mu Lianyu’s death in battle...

Old Madam was physically and mentally exhausted; it would likely take quite some time for her to recuperate.

Du Yunluo pursed her lips and nodded, "Don’t worry."

It did not rain in the Capital during Qingming.

The Marquis Mansion set up a ritual and invited masters to chant scriptures.

Lian Family leaned on the couch, seemingly hearing the knocking sound of the wooden fish coming from the training ground up front.

With her eyes closed, all she could see was Mu Lianyu’s visage and smile.

Zhu Shan lifted the curtain, placed a food box on the table, and took out a bowl of medicinal soup, saying, "Madam, it’s time to take your medicine."

Lian Family drank it in one gulp; she had been taking medicine for so long, she couldn’t even taste the bitterness anymore.

She rinsed her mouth simply and asked, "Where is Master? Is there anything happening in the mansion today?"

Zhu Shan lowered her eyes and said, "Master and the Second Master seem to be in the study up front. Today is the last day of the chanting in the mansion; the masters will leave this evening."

Lian Family nodded and sent Zhu Shan out.

Outside the window came Nanny Zhu’s low talking. Lian Family lay with her eyes closed, listening for a while but couldn’t hear clearly what Nanny Zhu was saying.

The sound of the wooden fish seemed to drift in again.

Lian Family shuddered, eyes wide open.

She recalled that Mid-Autumn Festival more than two years ago.

That was the time when strange things inexplicably happened in the backyard, causing panic.

The masters’ chanting barely suppressed people’s hearts; once they left, the commotion resumed.

With such repeated disturbances, Lian Family was sure someone was up to mischief and urged Nanny Zhu to find out.

Nanny Zhu, already exhausted, finally caught some clues and stormed into Manhe Garden with her people.

If it weren’t for that night when Mu Lianyu’s and Mu Yuanjing’s disgrace was witnessed by so many, he wouldn’t have been sent to the Northern Border by Madam Wu, never to return again.

Recalling the situation at the time, Lian Family was filled with rage.

She hated Mu Yuanjing, even more, hated those who stirred up trouble.

Mu Lianyu said that, to avoid leaking any information, he was cautious and would never scare anyone.

Indeed, that frightening thing hadn’t been found; who on earth set the trap step by step and ensnared Mu Lianyu?

Lian Family bolted upright, her pent-up anger rising incessantly.

She had to understand everything, she absolutely couldn’t let Mu Lianyu die in vain, or let what happened remain unexplained.

"Old Zhu!" Lian Family shouted loudly.

Nanny Zhu outside jumped in fear and quickly circled inside. Seeing Lian Family’s chest heave with gasping breaths, she said, "Madam, don’t worry. Whatever it is, tell me slowly."

Lian Family evaded Nanny Zhu’s outstretched hand meant to soothe her and lifted her chin, "Sit down. I have something to ask you."

Nanny Zhu’s hand paused in the air, awkward for a moment, then brought over a small stool to sit down.

"That Mid-Autumn Festival incident that year, give me a rundown from the Qixi Festival up to the occurrence," Lian Family demanded in a low voice.

Nanny Zhu paused, initially wanting to ask which year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, but then she figured it out herself, sweating profusely.

That year’s events were something she preferred not to recall. She’d led people and caught Mu Lianyu right in the act. How could Nanny Zhu even have the face to recount it to Lian Family?

Not knowing why Lian Family suddenly wanted to ask about it, Nanny Zhu could only bite the bullet, stammering as she recalled.

In Shaohui Garden, Du Yunluo packed Mu Lianxiao’s belongings simply.

The next morning, Mu Lianxiao was to leave for Tong City to fetch Imperial Doctor Xing to the Capital. The incident with Mrs. Zhou spitting blood had frightened the couple, so they decided that once Mu Lianxiao was well, they would head to Tong City.

It was just that Mu Lianxiao’s injuries took a while to recover from, delaying until after Qingming.

Du Yunluo thought that with Imperial Doctor Xing here, aside from attending to Mrs. Zhou, he could also check Mu Lianxiao’s back injury.

Mu Lianxiao could now stand upright and practice martial arts without significant issues, but due to the severity of the injuries, being cautious is better to prevent any lingering problems, avoiding future troubles.

Mu Lianxiao took Shuying and Ming Liu along.

The next day, as Du Yunluo had just seen Mu Lianxiao off, Jin Ling came to visit her.

Jin Rui rushed to greet her, smiling broadly at Jin Ling’s slightly swollen belly, to which Jin Ling blushed and playfully punched her.

Jin Ling had just started showing, and originally, she’d planned to pay respects to Du Yunluo earlier. However, the pregnancy was unstable, and Yun Qi wouldn’t let her out, sending messages to Du Yunluo. Upon hearing, Du Yunluo wouldn’t let Jin Ling enter the mansion, insisting she rest well.

Now that the pregnancy was stable, Jin Ling hurriedly came over.

Du Yunluo asked her to sit and inquired, "Is your health alright?"

Jin Ling smiled softly, "Madam, rest assured, if I weren’t well, I wouldn’t be able to leave the house."

Du Yunluo couldn’t help but smile.

After some small talk, Jin Ling pouted, "Before Madam left the Capital, you asked me to collect some information in the city, but over these two years, I haven’t done much for you."

Du Yunluo shook her head with a smile, "Your safety is what makes me happy."

"Speaking of which, I saw Zizhu when I stepped out today. She seems to have lost more weight." Jin Ling paused, then cautiously added, "She appeared dazed, and it frightened me just looking at her."