Chapter 477: Chapter 476: Peace
Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Lu led Mu Liankang, Zhuang Ke, and the two children to the refurbished Lanyu Courtyard.
The courtyard had two entrances, with side yards on both sides, making it quite spacious.
Some of the furniture inside were items Mu Liankang had previously used, polished and renewed to look as good as new, while the rest were newly made. Ever since hearing the news last summer, Mrs. Xu had been preparing these items.
Mrs. Zhou saw Mrs. Xu was full of enthusiasm and radiance, and simply handed all the matters over to her.
Mrs. Xu enjoyed managing it all herself, handling every detail.
"If anything is lacking, or needs addition, just say the word," Mrs. Xu said, holding Brother Hui, and turned to her son and daughter-in-law, "I didn’t add any decorations because I don’t know what you like, but later I will take you to choose from the warehouse.
For those serving in the courtyard, I have roughly selected some people, but ultimately it should be up to you.
If you’re not comfortable with them, feel free to replace them."
Mu Liankang and Zhuang Ke led a simple life outside the pass, without many servants following them. Suddenly having so many people was something they weren’t accustomed to.
However, knowing it was all out of Mrs. Xu’s goodwill, they didn’t refuse and accepted with smiles.
In Lanyu Courtyard, there were two elderly maids who had served Mu Liankang before.
Seeing him return home safely all grown up, they covered their faces and wept.
Mrs. Xu, trying to maintain composure, hurriedly said, "Stop it, no more tears."
The two maids nodded while wiping tears from their faces.
Upon entering the main house, Zhuang Ke looked around, noticing the meticulous attention evident in every detail. She lowered her gaze in gratitude towards Mrs. Xu.
Mrs. Xu, pleased with Zhuang Ke’s understanding and manners, let them bathe and change while she played with the two children.
Mrs. Lu departed first, and after Mu Liankang and Zhuang Ke were ready, suggested visiting Mrs. Xu’s living quarters.
Mrs. Xu led them over.
The quarters were not far from Lanyu Courtyard, reached by passing through a hallway.
Compared to the liveliness of Lanyu Courtyard, it was much quieter here.
Only a tall wutong tree stood in the courtyard, bare in winter, giving an extraordinarily desolate feeling.
Inside, even though the underground fire dragon burned hot, it felt cold and unwelcoming.
Mrs. Xu’s room had no bright colors, mostly dark blue and grey, giving a sense of aged heaviness.
The display rack was sparsely furnished, clean yet empty, which added to the chill.
Seeing this weighed heavily on Mu Liankang’s heart.
He had heard a bit from Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo about Mrs. Xu’s life over the years, but hearing and seeing were two different feelings.
Mother suffered greatly.
In the Marquis Mansion, she could have materially had a better life, but her spirit was desolate, indifferent to worldly possessions.
This realization as her son filled him with sorrow.
Thankfully, he had returned and could pull Mrs. Xu from a life of mere existence.
Had he not been absent for those nine years, Mrs. Xu wouldn’t have endured such hardship.
Reflecting on this, Mu Liankang harbored greater resentment towards Mu Yuanmou.
"Mother, I have something to tell you," Mu Liankang said solemnly.
Mrs. Xu started, and seeing Mu Liankang’s seriousness, dismissed the servants while Zhuang Ke wisely took the children outside to play.
Only mother and son remained inside.
Mu Liankang told Mrs. Xu everything Mu Tang had relayed.
Mrs. Xu, having heard from Mrs. Lu, had already attributed her son’s disappearance to the second branch. Now learning that Mu Yuanming’s death was also connected, she felt faint and struggled to remain conscious.
"So cruel and venomous!" she spat through gritted teeth, "Yuan Jing said before her death that Mu Yuanmou was vile. I thought he only harmed you, but it turns out he has a heart of stone!
Lian Kang, as you have returned, I have tried to let go of everything.
But in reality, it doesn’t work. If we don’t rid ourselves of the menacing Mu Yuanmou, peace will never be ours.
Not just for me, but the main branch feels the same, wishing they could slice Mu Yuanmou to pieces.
We will not covet what’s not ours; what’s meant for who, will remain with who.
Your eldest aunt and Lian Xiao’s wife are kind-hearted people. With the main branch leading, we can live in peace. If it falls to the second branch, even peace would be scarce."
Mu Liankang sat beside Mrs. Xu, gently stroking her back, naturally bridging the nine-year gap between mother and son.
"Peace" was the cherished wish of the tried Mrs. Xu.
Neither Mrs. Xu nor Mu Liankang naively believed distancing themselves would bring peace.
As the saying goes, "The tree desires calm, yet the wind ceases not."
Only by joining forces with the main branch to stabilize Dingyuan Marquis Mansion could the third branch find peace.
Mu Liankang reassured Mrs. Xu, "Mother, rest assured, Ah Shao and I know what to do."
Having both come close to death, they cherished their loved ones even more.
Mrs. Xu gradually calmed her breath, regaining composure.
The second branch’s sordid affairs she needed to set aside for now; the children were more important.
Zhuang Ke brought in Sister Ying and Brother Hui, and the family sat down to talk.
Discussing how Mu Liankang was rescued and brought back to the Oasis, and his life outside the pass over these years, Mrs. Xu felt deeply moved, alternating between prayers and tears.
Hearing that Mu Liankang had been a bandit pained Mrs. Xu further.
A dignified grandson of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, reduced to banditry.
Mrs. Xu tightly held Mu Liankang’s hand, "Fortunately, you’ve returned."
Compared to the tears and excitement in the main and third branches, Fengyu Courtyard was notably oppressive.
Lian Family wanted to speak, wanted to ask, but in sight of Mu Liancheng and Mu Yuanmou, she chose silence, fearing to say something displeasing, inviting father and son’s disdain.
Jiang Yunuan and Sister Niang were absent, and Mu Yuanmou and Mu Liancheng wouldn’t allow her to hear matters regarding Mu Liankang’s past disappearance.
Lian Family lay diagonally on the couch, eyes closed in meditation.
Mu Liancheng awaited Mu Yuanmou’s change into fresh clothes before pouring his father a cup of hot tea.
Mu Yuanmou took the tea cup leisurely and sipped.
"What do you think of Lian Xiao’s back injury?" Mu Yuanmou inquired of Mu Liancheng.
Mu Liancheng pressed his lips, replying, "It seems he suffered quite a severe injury."
Mu Yuanmou lowered his gaze, eyes intense behind the rising steam: "It appears, during the ambush, he was not entirely unscathed."
"Are you saying the people you arranged had already made a move, yet Ah Shao escaped?" Mu Liancheng frowned, "Could it be that brother and Ah Shao have realized..."