Chapter 509 - 508: Green Mark

Chapter 509: Chapter 508: Green Mark

They spoke of coming early, yet there was no sign of them.

As it was almost time to set the table, Mu Liancheng still hadn’t appeared.

Madam Wu couldn’t help but ask, and Jiang Yunuan could only shake her head.

Just as Mu Yuanmou was about to send someone to search the usual places Mu Liancheng frequented, Mu Liancheng hurriedly arrived.

"Grandmother, your grandson is late," Mu Liancheng respectfully said.

Madam Wu nodded, "We were just waiting for you. Now that everyone is here, let’s start the meal."

The Flower Hall was a small area, and although the men and women were seated separately, they were quite close.

Du Yunluo was seated with Mu Lianxiao behind her, and Mu Lianxiao sat between Mu Liankang and Mu Liancheng.

The windows were open, allowing ventilation from south to north, and Du Yunluo caught a faint scent of rouge.

Du Yunluo subtly sniffed; it was from Mu Liancheng, and not the kind of make-up Jiang Yunuan used.

Jiang Yunuan’s preferences had remained constant, and she wouldn’t change her usual fragrance unless it was necessary. Du Yunluo was quite familiar with her scent.

But the scent on Mu Liancheng was unfamiliar to her.

As the gathering ended, Du Yunluo glanced at Mu Liancheng a couple more times, discerning a peculiar detail under the lamp’s light.

Mu Liancheng’s face seemed to bear a green mark, covered with powder, making it less conspicuous; if Du Yunluo had not looked closely, she wouldn’t have noticed it.

Du Yunluo was greatly puzzled. In the Capital, who would dare punch Mu Liancheng in the face?

Upon returning to Shaohui Garden, Du Yunluo shared her observations with Mu Lianxiao.

Mu Lianxiao pressed his lips and pulled Du Yunluo to sit down, saying, "I noticed too, but the person who hit him didn’t seem to have much strength. If it were my punch, it would’ve been swollen and bruised, and mere powder wouldn’t conceal it."

Du Yunluo had only seen Mu Lianxiao shadowboxing. She hadn’t seen the effect of him genuinely hitting someone, but she imagined it could very well turn black, not just swollen.

Covering it with powder would only highlight the issue, making it more noticeable.

"I wonder what trouble he’s gotten himself into," Du Yunluo mused, pouting.

Mu Lianxiao contemplated for a moment and said, "I’ll send someone to find out tomorrow."

Even Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao could see, Jiang Yunuan surely wouldn’t miss the green mark on Mu Liancheng’s face.

Jiang Yunuan had the maids bring water, wringing a cloth and handing it to Mu Liancheng.

Mu Liancheng wiped off the powder on his face, revealing the mark, causing Jiang Yunuan to furrow her brow.

"Did you have a fight with someone?" Jiang Yunuan asked with concern, "Is this why you came back late?"

Mu Liancheng tossed the cloth back into the basin, casually applying ointment on his face, "This bruise looks worse than it feels. It doesn’t hurt."

Jiang Yunuan stood hesitantly, eventually asking, "Who were you fighting with, and why?"

Her cautious concern made Mu Liancheng’s expression relax as he said, "Don’t worry about it; it’s nothing. I ran into my brother-in-law, and after a little argument, he got impatient and threw a punch, but then he calmed down immediately."

Jiang Yunuan was stunned. Mu Lianhui’s husband, Jin Shang, had gotten physical with Mu Liancheng?

What on earth had happened?

Mu Liancheng wrapped an arm around Jiang Yunuan’s shoulder, comforting her, "It really was nothing. I reasoned with him, and he listened. He was even the one who brought me the powder."

Jiang Yunuan looked up at Mu Liancheng and, seeing his genuine, relaxed demeanor, finally felt at ease.

With the Dragon Boat Festival over, the weather was growing increasingly warm.

Mu Lianxiao sent Yun Qi to inquire about Mu Liancheng’s injury.

Having connections in the Capital, Yun Qi found clues within two days and reported back to Mu Lianxiao. Afterward, he headed home to Willow Tree Alley with a fish in tow.

Jin Ling had been craving something sour lately, particularly enjoying Mrs. Duan’s sweet and sour fish.

Yun Qi prepared the fish by the well before handing it to Mrs. Duan, carefully washing off the fishy smell before going inside to chat with Jin Ling.

Jin Ling greeted him with a smile, "You’re back early today. Did you finish the task the Marquis gave you?"

"Yes, it’s done," Yun Qi replied with a grin, sitting beside Jin Ling and leaning closer, "Guess how the Second Master’s injury happened?"

Jin Ling raised an eyebrow.

Yun Qi leaned in and whispered, "It was the young master of the Pingyang Marquis Mansion, our brother-in-law, who hit him."

Jin Ling was astonished; the brother-in-law hitting the uncle-in-law was indeed rare.

"What was it all about?" Jin Ling inquired.

Yun Qi shook his head, "They were talking privately. After the Second Master left, he had an injury on his face. No one knows what exactly was said."

"If the Second Master hit the brother-in-law, it must be for the Lady’s sake; but the other way around..." Jin Ling was baffled and asked Yun Qi, "If it were you, what would drive you to strike my brother?"

This left Yun Qi dumbfounded, scratching his head for a long time before realizing he was at an impasse and laughing helplessly, "Why would I hit the uncle-in-law? I don’t even have time to flatter him."

Jin Ling scoffed, but she was smiling, "Such a smooth talker."

Yun Qi seized the opportunity to praise his wife, brother-in-law, and mother-in-law lavishly, not disappointing the reputation of being a "smooth talker."

Despite their banter, the reason for Jin Shang striking Mu Liancheng remained unclear to both.

Jin Ling couldn’t figure it out, and Du Yunluo was equally perplexed.

In this world, it’s common to hear of an uncle-in-law hitting the brother-in-law out of anger for mistreating their sister; but turning the tables and having the brother-in-law punch the uncle-in-law, now that’s rare indeed.

In a past life, Jin Shang had met his end after being harmed by his brother-in-law. In this life, could striking his uncle-in-law be some kind of retribution or causality?

The more Du Yunluo thought about it, the more baffling it seemed, so she decided to let it go for the moment.

As May was more than half over, after Zizhu’s seventh day memorial service, Aunt Li knocked at Yun Qi’s door.

"Is Yun Qi’s wife inside?" Aunt Li asked.

Mrs. Duan led her into the courtyard with a smile, "She’s inside. I’m busy with some work, so please, go ahead and find her yourself."

Upon hearing the voice, Jin Ling looked up as the curtain lifted and asked, "What brings you here, Aunt Li?"

Aunt Li sat down on a stool with a somewhat embarrassed smile, asked after Jin Ling’s health and pregnancy, and then, under Jin Ling’s concerned gaze, brought up the main issue.

"Yun Qi’s wife, my eldest daughter came back that day, and I heard she met you at the alley entrance?" Aunt Li asked with tears in her eyes, "Did she say anything to you in the end? I don’t understand why she insisted on dying.

Over the past two years, she’s become so skinny. It breaks my heart.

They say she dreamt of Mr. Si and went to serve him. Some people outside believe that, but I don’t.

She was just a maid for cleaning; she went to the manor just to find a better match. She wasn’t that devoted to Mr. Si.

Yun Qi’s wife, please give me a straight answer. Why did my eldest daughter have to die?"