Chapter 514 - 513: Stirring Up Trouble

Chapter 514: Chapter 513: Stirring Up Trouble

Originally, it was expected that Mu Lianhui would go straight to Baijie Hall upon entering the second gate, so Madam Wu persuaded the Lian Family to stay calm and rest on the couch.

Who knew that after waiting for a while, word came from outside, saying that Mu Lianhui got off the carriage at the Chuihua Gate and went directly to Shangxin Courtyard with a stern face.

The Lian Family widened their eyes and sat up: "Why is she going to Shangxin Courtyard?"

How could the messenger know these details, stumbling over their words.

A thin layer of sweat formed on the Lian Family’s forehead, turning to Madam Wu and saying, "Madam, I’d better go take a look."

This time, Madam Wu did not insist on stopping her, instructing, "Lian Xiao’s wife, you are young and can walk quickly, go to Shangxin Courtyard first, your second aunt is dizzy and can’t walk fast."

Du Yunluo really didn’t want to get involved with Mu Lianhui’s affairs, but since Madam Wu ordered it, she couldn’t refuse.

After all, it’s her responsibility to manage this family’s backyard now.

When Mu Lianhui returned to her mother’s home upon her husband’s death, whether crying or fussing, Du Yunluo couldn’t just stay out of it.

Du Yunluo left Baijie Hall and walked quickly to Shangxin Courtyard.

The maids didn’t even have time to announce her arrival when Mu Lianhui stormed in with great momentum.

"Lady." Du Yunluo called her.

Mu Lianhui seemed not to see Du Yunluo, only asking the maid guarding the door, "Where’s my second brother?"

The little maid had never seen Mu Lianhui with such a stern face before, shivered: "Second Master, Second Master..."

Mu Lianhui had no patience to listen to her stammering, pushed her aside, and went straight into the house.

Coincidentally, Jiang Yunuan heard the commotion and lifted the curtain to come out, almost bumping into each other.

Jiang Yunuan steadied herself slightly: "Lady, why are you here?"

Mu Lianhui kept a tense face, saying, "Where is my second brother?"

"Second Master is not in the house." Jiang Yunuan replied.

Mu Lianhui didn’t care what Jiang Yunuan said, she bypassed her and went inside the house.

Jiang Yunuan didn’t understand why Mu Lianhui suddenly returned home with such a severe expression, tentatively looking toward Du Yunluo.

"The master died last night in the courtyard of the mistress’s house on Rouge Alley, both of them are dead." Du Yunluo leaned over and whispered to Jiang Yunuan.

Jiang Yunuan’s eyes tightened suddenly, covering her mouth with both hands, looking at Du Yunluo in disbelief, but she didn’t question the truth of it, instead turning and following her into the house.

Du Yunluo glanced around; the smart maids and women in Shangxin Courtyard had already left, leaving only a few little maids standing there clueless.

She spotted Ruozhu inside.

Ruozhu was the Flower Supervisor in the garden, she joined the mansion not long ago, but as a native of the household, and having the Li Family living in Willow Tree Alley where the mansion’s staff gathered, she recognized a few maids working there.

The second-level Bai Guo in Shangxin Courtyard is from Willow Tree Alley.

Ruozhu wanted to inquire about Zizhu’s matters; if the mansion didn’t spread the news, Bai Guo, as a little maid, wouldn’t know.

But Ruozhu knew only a few people there and wanted to make herself known among the notable maids and women through Bai Guo.

Today she came to Shangxin Courtyard to deliver some fresh flowers and chatted with Bai Guo, who knew she’d encounter Mu Lianhui returning home.

Bai Guo was brought back to reality by Du Yunluo’s gaze, pulling Ruozhu through the arched door to hide in the back rooms.

"What are we doing?" Ruozhu asked her.

"Didn’t you see Madam is not happy?" Bai Guo closed the door and wanted to lock the windows as well, "The Lady’s expression just now, a storm was coming."

Ruozhu, with a sheepish smile, moved closer and said, "I’m new to the mansion, don’t know much. Isn’t the Lady married into the Pingyang Marquis Mansion? Why did she come back to her mother’s house at this time? And she’s looking for Second Master with that face, not like a sister finding her brother, more like seeking revenge. Bai Guo, is our Lady always this tempered?"

Bai Guo felt a chill run down her spine, almost rushing to cover Ruozhu’s mouth: "You! If Aunt Li hadn’t told me to watch over you more, I wouldn’t bother talking to you!

The Lady’s temperament is her own business, her conflict with Second Master, that’s between siblings.

No, it’s the masters’ business!

We, as servants, shouldn’t gossip like those women at the alley’s entrance!

I’m telling you, about the matters of the mansion, just close your eyes and ears, don’t think about figuring it out, whatever it is, it’s best not to know.

You’re here to pass the days, right? A year later, you’ll leave the mansion, better to muddle through peacefully."

Ruozhu bit her lip, knowing Bai Guo’s advice was well-intentioned, but her purpose for coming to the mansion was never just to muddle through a year.

"I understand," Ruozhu’s eyes darted, saying, "You are clever, unlike me, a real fool. The Lady is here looking for Second Master, they might argue when he returns, I’d better leave before he comes back."

"Exactly! You’re not from Shangxin Courtyard, staying here might cause suspicion." Bai Guo opened the door, checking left and right, "Everyone’s hiding in their rooms, you should hurry and leave. Out through the arched door, keep your head down, and walk quickly. Past the veranda by the West Wing, walk faster so no one sees you, and it’ll be fine once you’re outside the courtyard gate."

Ruozhu thanked her, quietly slipping out the door, through the arched door, seeing no one noticed her, dodging by the outer room, crouching between the room and veranda, clinging close to the West Wall of the main house.

Separated by a wall, movements inside weren’t necessarily clear to hear, but this was the best place Ruozhu could think of to eavesdrop.

The south and north windows were out of the question, this spot, unless someone came nearby, she wouldn’t be seen.

Her ear to the wall, inside was not the expected storm.

Mu Lianhui stood in the western secondary room, Mu Liancheng indeed wasn’t inside, leaving her fuming anger with no place to vent.

Jiang Yunuan and Du Yunluo entered one after the other.

Sister Niang sitting on the Arhat Bed, eyes wide and watery, tilted her head and sweetly called "Agu."

Facing Sister Niang, Mu Lianhui finally softened her fierce demeanor a little.

That somewhat relieved Jiang Yunuan, who stepped forward to ask, "Lady, what urgent matter requires finding Second Master?"

Mentioning Mu Liancheng, Mu Lianhui snorted coldly: "Anuan, when will he be back?"

"He’s expected back by dinner time." Jiang Yunuan answered.

Mu Lianhui squinted at the Western clock, seeing it wasn’t even noon yet, dinnertime was a long way off.

"Need water." Sister Niang shouted with her mouth open.

The big maid, with great reluctance, nose refereeing eye standing there, quickly went to pour water, but Mu Lianhui stopped her.

Personally pouring water from a teapot, tested the temperature, then sat beside Sister Niang, carefully feeding her.

Sister Niang giggled with her eyes bent.

Du Yunluo observed closely, Mu Lianhui’s gaze softened, but soon, a harsh spark flitted by, turning into pain and unwillingness.