Chapter 470: Chapter 469: Discussion
When she woke up again, it was already dark outside.
There was no light inside the room either, and Du Yunluo, who had cried herself to sleep, rubbed her blurry eyes.
Her wrist was held, and squinting, Du Yunluo could see Mu Lianxiao’s face close by, slightly enlarged as he gently kissed her eyes.
"Yunluo..." Mu Lianxiao’s voice was deep yet extremely gentle.
Du Yunluo was slightly startled, still a bit dazed.
While she was asleep, Mu Lianxiao held Du Yunluo and thought a lot.
The dream that Du Yunluo described was like a grand play, being performed repeatedly on the stage with drums and gongs.
But Mu Lianxiao was not merely a spectator; he appeared on stage too, until he died at the Northern Border in the 25th year of Yong’an.
The scenes that followed were all Du Yunluo’s alone.
He seemed to witness every single day of those fifty years.
She went through all sorts of ordeals, self-blame, but the green lamp and old Buddha ultimately couldn’t bring peace to the heart.
His Yunluo had lived the worst half of her life.
Hovering above, watching all this, he wished he could smash the Chastity Arch with a hammer, break the shackles over Du Yunluo’s heart.
He wanted to tell Du Yunluo countless times that he was still with her, even if his body was dead, his heart remained.
But his voice couldn’t be heard.
He was just a character who had exited the stage, only able to stand behind the scenes, watching Du Yunluo struggle painfully on stage.
Just hearing her narrate, Mu Lianxiao felt as if he was truly there, witnessing it all firsthand.
Mu Tang and Du Yunluo had both told him everything the second branch had done.
Mu Tang spoke of the facts, his sorrow and helplessness overshadowing hatred.
Though Du Yunluo spoke of hatred, what Mu Lianxiao felt was more of the painful latter half of her life; the hatred was far less significant than the regrets.
As the night gradually descended, Mu Lianxiao’s heart sank further.
His Yunluo was merely a bit spoiled, unable to distinguish right from wrong, but there was no major error; even if there was wrongdoing, fifty years was enough.
Moreover, if being unable to discern right from wrong was a sin, then he was at fault too!
Mu Lianxiao himself, Madam Wu, Mrs. Zhou, Mrs. Xu, Mrs. Lu...
Throughout the years, they too were absurdly wrong, blinded by the ambition of the second branch.
Mistakes need to be corrected, it’s still not too late, and this time, he won’t die.
Mu Lianxiao must live, because only if he lives, Mrs. Zhou won’t be harmed to death in Jingshui Hall, and Du Yunluo won’t spend half a life in loneliness.
For his mother, wife, and children, even in the face of his second uncle’s family’s ambition and schemes, Mu Lianxiao won’t back down; he has no way out.
Though he remains aghast at the ruthless actions of the second branch, Mu Lianxiao won’t let this disarray his steps.
He is a man, and must create a haven for his widowed mother and wife and children.
"Yunluo," Mu Lianxiao kissed the corner of Du Yunluo’s eye, saying, "I know what I should do."
Du Yunluo pursed her lips, her long lashes trembling; she reached out to embrace Mu Lianxiao’s waist, responding softly.
The two embraced quietly for a long time; only when Du Yunluo’s stomach grumbled did she push Mu Lianxiao away, slip on her shoes, light the oil lamp, and called for Jin Rui to come inside.
Jin Rui helped her wash, and Jin Lan prepared the table from the dining hall.
Mu Lianxiao asked, "Have big brother and sister-in-law had dinner?"
Jin Lan replied respectfully, "The master and mistress have already eaten; they just sent word saying they’ll come over after the Princely Heir and Madam have finished eating."
Mu Lianxiao nodded.
The dishes at Tongcheng Post House were already of Capital flavor, which Du Yunluo was quite accustomed to and fond of.
Perhaps the stone weighing on her heart had finally been lifted, Du Yunluo ate with great appetite, having half a bowl more than usual.
Mu Lianxiao watched her with a smile; compared to Yunluo’s pain on stage, this lively and charming Yunluo savoring the fish was ever so captivating, making him reluctant to look away.
After the table was cleared, Mu Liankang arrived with Zhuang Ke.
Zhuang Ke still wore a cheerful smile, but Du Yunluo could see that her smile was somewhat forced.
Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang spoke together, while Du Yunluo and Zhuang Ke went inside.
"I never thought it would be like this in the Marquis Mansion," Zhuang Ke sighed.
Zhuang Ke’s parents had died early, and she didn’t even know her father’s background or name; Mu Liankang finding his relatives brought her immense joy and eagerness to meet them.
Traveling from the Green Oasis outside the Pass with two children, following Mu Liankang to the Capital, they were near, yet received such news.
This saddened Zhuang Ke greatly, for Mu Liankang’s sake.
How could his uncle treat him like that; treat his father like that!
Human ethics, blood kinship, seemed worthless before titles, discarded so easily.
Even someone as optimistic as Zhuang Ke couldn’t help but sigh.
Du Yunluo had long understood the actions of the second branch; today she was one of the calmer ones among them.
"Sister-in-law," Du Yunluo said with a bitter smile, "In the Marquis Mansion, there are indeed those who sincerely hope for your return; they are worthy of your and big brother’s genuine regard."
Apart from the second branch, everyone hopes for Mu Liankang’s family to return to the Capital, especially Madam Wu and Mrs. Xu, who have waited so long their necks have grown.
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Ke pursed her lips, and after a while, she smiled with curved eyes: "Indeed, at least there are those waiting for us."
The sisters-in-law exchanged a few words and then heard someone calling them from outside, so they got up and went out together.
Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang’s expressions were somber.
Du Yunluo and Zhuang Ke exchanged a glance and sat down beside their husbands, without speaking.
Mu Lianxiao broke the silence, saying, "Big brother and I are discussing what to say when we return to the Capital."
Du Yunluo understood.
Although they already knew what the second branch had done all these years, now was not the time to tear off the facade.
Mu Lianxiao hadn’t yet inherited the title; even behind closed doors against the second branch, one can’t guarantee there won’t be gossip, and if this reaches the Holy Emperor’s ears, it’s not favorable for Mu Lianxiao or Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
They still need to engage in a tug-of-war with the second branch, ensuring they don’t notice anything amiss.
As for Madam Wu, Mu Liankang’s matters can be disclosed, but the truth behind the deaths of the Old Marquis, Mu Yuance, and Mu Yuanming should be postponed.
It’s not out of fear that Madam Wu might be lenient towards the second branch, but rather because no one dares to bluntly tell her the truth.
Madam Wu isn’t young anymore, and as juniors, they fear she might be overwhelmed with rage.
In contrast, Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Xu, if they’re aware of the ins and outs, would know how to deal with the second branch.
Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo shared the same opinion; Mu Liankang, unfamiliar with everyone’s character in the mansion, didn’t rashly interject, thus he agreed with Mu Lianxiao’s idea.
For Mu Liankang, returning to the Capital is about finding his roots and ensuring his grandmother and mother no longer shed tears for him.
His return is for these reasons, not to bring about the downfall of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Even with significant grudges, Mu Liankang wouldn’t rashly insist on a showdown with Mu Yuanmou.
They all need some time.