Chapter 518 - 517: Bottom Line

Chapter 518: Chapter 517: Bottom Line

Du Yunluo pressed her lips together, looking at Mu Lianhui.

Having lived two lives and scoured through all her memories, Du Yunluo had never seen Mu Lianhui like this.

In her recollection, the Mu Lianhui of her previous life, from the elegance like a lotus out of water to the noble grace after becoming the Princess Consort, treated people with warmth and propriety, always meeting others with a smile.

When Prince Rui was defeated, Du Yunluo did not witness Mu Lianhui, but she assumed that by then the outcome was already decided, and Lianhui’s attitude in front of the Imperial Consort was calm.

Just like in Putuo Mountain, where Lianhui accompanied the Imperial Consort in prayer and tea ceremonies for those three years.

Only in such a way could she evoke the Imperial Consort’s sympathy.

In this life, Du Yunluo first met Mu Lianhui in that year’s Wangmei Garden.

When Du Yunluo and Du Yunnuo got off the carriage, what they saw was Mu Lianhui with crescent eyes and dimples on her cheeks.

The words she spoke were layered with traps, one after another, yet in attitude, no one could find fault with Mu Lianhui.

This entire lifetime, Mu Lianhui has always been calm.

No matter if things went her way or not, she never rushed.

When Mu Lianhui miscalculated regarding Princess Nanyan, she didn’t panic or lose her composure.

She was like an outsider, watching everything coldly, and even when she made the Lian Family mad, Mu Lianhui remained unmoved.

Mu Lianhui was always standing on the steps, looking down at the events below.

Nothing could truly shake her.

Everything was within the limits she could accept.

Until now.

Jin Shang died, the child she wanted was gone, her path was suddenly cut off, and all the emotions suppressed in her previous life burst forth.

Having a child was Mu Lianhui’s bottom line.

The only line she wanted to guard after being reborn.

Her long eyelashes trembled, and Du Yunluo empathized, thinking about it; what she desired in this life was to grow old with Mu Lianxiao, to raise a child of their own. She would strive for other things, but if she couldn’t obtain them, once the pain and tears were done, she would accept it.

Only that one bottom line...

If Mu Lianxiao died in battle, and Brother Yan was gone too...

Thinking to this point, Du Yunluo felt as if she had plunged into an ice cellar.

She thought if that moment ever came, the emotions she would erupt with would probably surpass Mu Lianhui’s.

Not to mention slapping Mu Liancheng or sweeping the things off the table, she would rush in and tear Fengyu Courtyard apart, dragging them with her to die together.

Having lived an entire life with nothing to rely on or lean toward, if her desires in this life were just illusions, what meaning did the rest of life have?

Might as well end it herself, die and be done with it.

Madam Wu lowered her lips and sighed deeply, just about to say something, when it was announced that Mu Yuanmou had arrived.

Nanny Shan lifted the curtain to invite Mu Yuanmou inside.

Mu Yuanmou greeted Madam Wu, then turned to Mu Lianhui, asking, "Is your husband gone?"

"Gone." Mu Lianhui showed no expression.

"What does it mean for you to return now, when Pingyang Marquis Mansion is mourning?" Mu Yuanmou shook his head disapprovingly. "Don’t be willful, I’ll have Liancheng send you back."

"Have him send me?" Mu Lianhui chuckled coldly, casting a mocking glance at Mu Liancheng, then said to Mu Yuanmou, "If you send him to take me back, Pingyang Marquis Mansion wouldn’t tear him apart?"

Mu Yuanmou was momentarily stunned: "What logic is that?"

Mu Lianhui turned her head away and didn’t explain further to Mu Yuanmou.

Mu Liancheng, seeing this, considered for a moment and recounted everything in detail.

"What am I supposed to say to you!" Mu Yuanmou rebuked Mu Liancheng disapprovingly, "No wonder Hui’er is angry with you; just what have you been doing? Does a brother rush in to involve himself in his sister and brother-in-law’s affairs like this?

You didn’t think things through before acting.

You claim it was with good intentions, but didn’t it all turn into bad deeds?

Hui’er married in the capital, not somewhere far away. Even if you saw her husband had an affair, you could send a message to Hui’er and let them handle it themselves, or have Hui’er come home and discuss with your mother, then this wouldn’t have ended up this way."

Mu Liancheng, head bowed, replied, "It was my lack of consideration that harmed my sister. Hui’er, I apologize to you. If you want to vent your anger, I’m here for you to hit until you’re satisfied."

Mu Lianhui blinked, pointed at Mu Liancheng, about to speak, when Mu Yuanmou interrupted her.

"Hui’er, your brother was rash in his actions, and you have every right to be angry, but considering he didn’t intend to wrong you, let go of your anger and let it be." Mu Yuanmou pursed his lips, "Have your brother accompany you back, let him apologize at Pingyang Marquis Mansion and give them an explanation."

Mu Lianhui suddenly stood up, her face flushed like liver, and if there was something to throw, she would have tossed it already.

"Father never held office, but his ability to smooth things over isn’t lesser than anyone’s!" Mu Lianhui spat, "An apology? More like paying with a life!

If Mu Liancheng goes over there, what can Pingyang Marquis Mansion do to him? Anger is anger, hatred is hatred, but they can only cry and curse that mistress and then still have to let Mu Liancheng return safely.

If anything happens to Mu Liancheng in these days, everyone will point fingers at Pingyang Marquis Mansion, and it might provoke the Imperial Censors to file a report.

The situation is already a mess, hoping the Imperial Censors will be lenient, how can you truly expect them to trouble Mu Liancheng?

They’ve lost a son, swallowed their pride, and you’re sending Mu Liancheng over there — is that an apology or an insult?

When Mu Liancheng goes and returns unscathed, I’m the one left at Pingyang Marquis Mansion, it’s my life ruined by Mu Liancheng’s ’good intentions’.

Your casual recklessness, apology, and you think this matter is over? For you and Mu Liancheng, maybe, but what about me?

You think just venting will suffice? Even if I hit him until he can’t bear a son, I wouldn’t be satisfied!

How do you see me? After all these years, what do I mean to you?

Can you compensate me for my entire life?"

Mu Yuanmou’s face reddened with embarrassment, his earlier actions indeed trying to smooth things over, and given Mu Lianhui’s original personality, she would have left without a word, without being coaxed back, so Mu Yuanmou hadn’t expected Mu Lianhui to unleash a lengthy diatribe.

He thought of pouring himself tea to soothe his throat, but glancing at the table, it was empty, the floor a mess.

Mu Yuanmou could only clear his throat a few times, the Lian family matron wanting to speak up for her husband, but when she met Mu Lianhui’s eyes, she felt guilty and turned her gaze to look at Madam Wu.

Madam Wu opened her eyes, sat up straight.

Du Yunluo, witnessing this, hurriedly adjusted the pillow for Madam Wu.

"Lianhui, come to Grandma." Madam Wu called out.

Mu Lianhui bit her lip and stepped up to the side of the Arhat Bed.

Madam Wu clasped her hand, leading her to sit, saying, "Grandma knows you’re not unreasonable, you see everything clearly. You vent, not just to release anger, but also to pave a way for yourself."