Chapter 503 - 502: Children and Grandchildren

Chapter 503: Chapter 502: Children and Grandchildren

Without any proof, the Lian Family couldn’t go to Madam Wu with this issue.

People in the alley said they had seen the golden bracelet, but where is it now?

When Mu Yuanmou returned, the Lian Family tentatively mentioned it.

"Don’t bring this up again," Mu Yuanmou said indifferently.

The Lian Family was puzzled, "Why?"

Mu Yuanmou walked to the side of the couch, looking down at the Lian Family who was propped up, and said, "Madam, I know since Lian Yu’s death, you’ve suffered a huge blow, but you cannot lose your composure now. If you fall apart, they’ll laugh.

The golden bracelet’s whereabouts are unknown, Zizhu has died, bringing up old accounts now would make Mother think you’re being harsh.

You say the bracelet was taken by Zizhu, but others might think Lian Yu gave it to her, dead and without proof.

The scandal with Lian Yu almost faded a bit, do you want to dredge it up again?

You want to make it clear that Lian Xiao’s wife knew about Lian Yu and Yuan Jing, but if you bring this to Mother, she’ll continue managing affairs without pain or itch, and you?

Lian Yu is already gone, let him rest peacefully."

The Lian Family’s shoulders trembled continuously.

The reasoning was never beyond her understanding.

This matter was hurting the enemy a thousand times while sacrificing eight hundred of their own, but doing nothing at all, not even hurting a thousand made her heart uneasy.

"My lord, have we waited over a decade just for this moment?" The Lian Family’s voice trembled, carrying a tone of crying, "We’ve plotted for a title, isn’t it to make the second branch shine?" Now, Lian Yu is gone, I..."

Mu Yuanmou’s eyes were gloomy, like a storm coming, he said sternly: "It’s not the time to say such discouraging words now!"

The Lian Family’s lips murmured as if to say something more, but Mu Yuanmou had already swung his sleeve and turned around, leaving her alone with tears streaming down.

The death of Zizhu passed silently after the Marquis Mansion added some funeral silver.

This matter was not reported to Madam Wu.

The life or death of a maid married out of the mansion wasn’t enough to disturb the Old Madam.

Moreover, speaking of serving Mu Lianyu below, bringing it up in front of Madam Wu might unavoidably trigger her old pain.

Du Yunluo only briefly mentioned it to Mrs. Zhou.

Mrs. Zhou recited a Buddhist chant.

The mansion became much quieter, Du Yunluo managing the household affairs daily, and in her free time, she would accompany Brother Yan, and the days passed lightly.

Mid-April arrived.

Du Yunluo was personally sewing a cloth tiger for Brother Yan to play with when Lian Qiao entered from outside, smiling.

"Madam, I heard at the front the Marquis has returned to the mansion," Lian Qiao said.

Du Yunluo paused her handwork and looked up, "Back? Just arrived?"

Lian Qiao nodded.

Du Yunluo instructed Jin Rui to put away the embroidery basket, and said to Lian Qiao, "You’re quite perceptive."

Lian Qiao pressed her lips and shook her head, her eyes shifting as she said, "I accompanied Banqiao to the front to find someone, and happened to hear the news."

Du Yunluo was surprised.

Among the four big maids in the room, apart from Jin Rui and Jin Lan, she was very satisfied with both Lian Qiao and Yu Zhu.

These two were focused on their tasks, spoke little, and knew what needed to be done.

Lian Qiao had a slightly more lively personality than Yu Zhu, originally from Baijie Hall and had good rapport in various places.

In the past, Lian Qiao rarely discussed others’ affairs, so her mentioning it definitely had a reason.

Du Yunluo signaled Lian Qiao to continue.

Lian Qiao stepped forward a couple of steps, lowered her voice, and said, "Last year, Banqiao and Little Zhuo, the steward in the front courtyard, got engaged, and the Old Madam nodded, saying she would wait for when the Marquis and Madam returned to the capital to pick a good day to marry Banqiao off.

Unexpectedly, they got caught up with the matter of Mr. Si, delaying their marriage.

At this point, Banqiao can’t approach the Old Madam about this, and today she went to deliver something to Little Zhuo.

Nanny Shan did tell Banqiao, to wait a while longer, either until summer or autumn, and then she will bring it up to the Old Madam."

Du Yunluo understood and nodded towards Lian Qiao.

Banqiao was Madam Wu’s right-hand person, among several big maids, Banqiao was most favored by the Old Madam, so while the others were sent off according to age, Banqiao stayed two more years.

But it’s now time she couldn’t stay any longer.

The few ones presently in Madam Wu’s room were brought in for work in the past couple of years, not as favored as Banqiao, and once Banqiao leaves, it would take some skill to decide who rises up next.

Lian Qiao bringing this up with Du Yunluo carried this meaning.

In the future, whoever serves closely by Madam Wu’s side should best come from one’s own faction.

It doesn’t have to be biased towards the first branch, just can’t be someone from the second branch or someone who plays both sides and stirs trouble.

At most, Banqiao will stay for half a year more, and it is time to groom someone from the room.

From the front courtyard, Du Yunluo was sent a message, informing that Mu Lianxiao and Imperial Doctor Xing had gone to Baijie Hall first.

Upon hearing this, Du Yunluo went to Baijie Hall cradling Brother Yan.

Just as she stepped into the room and sat down, Mu Lianxiao and Imperial Doctor Xing arrived as well.

They exchanged greetings.

Madam Wu sat on the Arhat Bed, looking at the elderly Imperial Doctor Xing with his bad leg, and sighed, "It’s been over ten years, hasn’t it? Everything has really changed."

Imperial Doctor Xing chuckled, "Indeed, everything has changed."

When he came to diagnose Mu Shi Yuan years ago, Mu Shi Yuan was still healthy, Madam Wu was the Marchioness, and shortly after his departure, Mu Shi Yuan and two sons died in succession, now he must address the presence here as ’Old Madam’.

Everything from retiring to his hometown to the present, Imperial Doctor Xing has come to terms with it, and has become quite accustomed to his current life, so unlike Madam Wu, he isn’t so nostalgic.

Madam Wu had heard from Mu Lianxiao about Imperial Doctor Xing’s leg injury; it was, after all, a private matter for another family, and a scandal at that, so Madam Wu refrained from exposing old wounds, inviting Imperial Doctor Xing for tea while chatting about some daily matters.

Imperial Doctor Xing examined Madam Wu.

Madam Wu placed her wrist on the welcome pillow and smiled, "I have some sense of my own physical health, though older with many ailments, it’s not all over yet, I could live on for a few more years."

Imperial Doctor Xing snorted, "Knowing that, you better take care, being selective with what you eat and wear.

Saying children and grandchildren have their own blessings, well, they cause the most worries!

Live a few more years, still able to offer guidance, because once you pass with eyes closed and legs stiff, they’ll bicker overhead while you fret underground."

Du Yunluo’s eyelid twitched, as Imperial Doctor Xing’s words were not without implication.

Madam Wu burst into laughter, after which, she shook her head woefully, "Indeed, with age comes a change in temper, back then Mr. Xing wouldn’t have said these things."

Imperial Doctor Xing glanced at Du Yunluo, and said, "In the past, I served in the palace with caution, now I am retained by another family, wishing to stay out of muddy waters but inevitably stepping in."

Madam Wu’s eyes sparkled with a hint of sharpness.

Imperial Doctor Xing prescribed a health-preserving formula, advising Madam Wu to take it for half a month, then as per Mu Lianxiao’s plan, to examine Mrs. Zhou next.