Chapter 478 -477: Oppressive Silence
Mu Yuanmou raised an eyebrow, looking at Mu Liancheng.
Mu Liancheng pondered and said, “I always feel that Ah Shao’s attitude is a bit strange.”
He not only seemed less intimate than before, but there was also a sense of alienation.
Mu Yuanmou didn’t answer, his fingertips tapping lightly on the tabletop.
In the room, it suddenly became quiet; apart from the sound of the Western clock and fingers tapping the table, there was no other movement.
The father and son seemed unaware of the strange atmosphere, but the Lian Family member who was lying on the couch felt extremely stifled.
She would rather listen to Mu Yuanmou and Mu Liancheng’s occasional exchanges than endure this kind of silence.
Once it became quiet, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander.
The Lian Family member took a deep breath and bluntly shifted the topic away from Mu Lianxiao, saying, “What exactly is the background of Mrs. Kang?”
Mu Yuanmou’s fingers paused slightly. He glanced at the Lian Family member and smiled lightly, “What kind of background could she have? A woman from outside the pass who doesn’t even know her father’s name. Madam, you need not concern yourself with her.”
The Lian Family member was somewhat hesitant. That’s what she initially thought too, but the more she listened to Zhuang Ke, the more she felt her upbringing was not simple.
Although she had never seen a barbarian woman from outside the pass, she had witnessed plenty of the manners and behaviors of the noble women in the Capital.
Zhuang Ke’s every move was on par with any noble woman.
If one claimed she had learned all this from following Du Yunluo, the Lian Family member found it hard to believe. Such grace in gestures seemed inherent and couldn’t be mastered in three months or half a year.
Zhuang Ke’s father, whose identity and name were unknown, must have seriously educated his child.
The Lian Family member wanted to express her thoughts, but Mu Yuanmou reassured her, saying, “Madam, even if her father was from an official background, her mother being a barbarian naturally lowers her status. Having such a daughter-in-law in the third branch is not to be feared.”
These words somewhat calmed the Lian Family member, and she nodded in acknowledgment.
Nanny Zhu announced from outside.
Mu Yuanmou invited her to come in.
Nanny Zhu, observing decorum, respectfully said, “They’ve invited a doctor to Jingshui Hall, I heard Madam Zhou is vomiting blood.”
The Lian Family member, who was reclining on the couch, jumped up like a fish pulled out of water and stared wide-eyed at Nanny Zhu: “Old Zhu, did you say Sister-in-law is vomiting blood? Why is she suddenly vomiting blood?”
Nanny Zhu, unaware of Madam Zhou’s exact situation, reluctantly said, “I heard that the Princely Heir returned from Baijie Hall to Shaohui Garden, and then to Jingshui Hall, all while being carried on a litter, probably because his back injury is still severe.”
Mu Yuanmou and Mu Liancheng exchanged a glance.
The Lian Family member frowned, waved her hand to dismiss Nanny Zhu.
Years had passed since Madam Zhou last vomited blood, and the Lian Family member had almost forgotten about it. Hearing about it suddenly, she couldn’t help but wonder if something had gone wrong again.
Who might be putting things that shouldn’t be in Madam Zhou’s medicine?
The main branch had regained control of the household affairs, and the Lian Family member had no hope of reclaiming power, so she wouldn’t resort to old maneuvers to trouble Madam Zhou again. Why then did it suddenly happen…
The Lian Family member swallowed nervously, turning her gaze to Mu Yuanmou.
Mu Yuanmou said seriously, “It seems Ah Shao’s back injury is serious. He didn’t return to the Capital for the new year probably not because of unfinished matters at Shanyu Pass but because his injury is too severe to travel.”
Mu Liancheng agreed with Mu Yuanmou’s assessment, saying, “He shows distance probably due to his back injury. Just like the old days when we would put arms around each other’s shoulders, his body might not withstand it now.”
With this thought, both father and son felt slightly relieved.
On the other hand, even if Mu Liankang and Mu Lianxiao vaguely sensed the truth behind Mu Liankang’s disappearance, without evidence, they could not challenge Madam Wu regarding the second branch.
Moreover, for Mu Lianxiao to inherit the title, any disturbance would not benefit the main branch.
There’s no need for them to rush; they just need to be prepared step by step so that when the opportunity arises, they can seize it.
Compared to the cautious approach of Mu Yuanmou and Mu Liancheng, the Lian Family member could only be anxiously worried.
She started missing Mu Lianhui.
When she was with her back then, the Lian Family member often got so annoyed by Mu Lianhui’s words that she felt chest pain and couldn’t breathe, wishing she could marry her off quickly to not see her anymore.
Now that she was really married, except for the occasional visit during festivals, she was hard to see, and the Lian Family member found herself missing her.
The father and son kept everything to themselves; only Mu Lianhui would talk to her. Even if it was unpleasant, at least it wasn’t a silent stare.
The Lian Family member sighed wistfully.
Thinking of Mu Lianhui, she couldn’t help but think of Mu Lianyu who stayed behind at the Northern Border.
It’s been two and a half years since he left, and she wondered when Madam Wu would finally agree to let Mu Lianyu return.
It was all Mu Yuanjing’s shameless fault, causing trouble and dragging Mu Lianyu into it.
The more the Lian Family member thought, the angrier she got, rubbing her chest heavily until she felt a bit better.
As night fell, everyone from each house and courtyard went to Baijie Hall.
No matter how turbulent things were under the surface, the family feast appeared lively and joyful on the outside.
Mu Lianxiao was carried in, and Mu Liancheng glanced at Mu Yuanmou before stepping forward, saying, “Ah Shao, is your back injury that bad?”
“If I can lie down, I will, otherwise it hurts a lot and I can’t straighten my back,” Mu Lianxiao replied.
“Recovery can’t be rushed,” Mu Liancheng advised.
Mu Lianxiao did not join the table. Du Yunluo originally wanted to attend to Mu Lianxiao’s meal but was stopped by Madam Zhou, who asked Nanny Su to take over.
After the meal ended, Madam Zhou escorted Old Madam Wu back to her room. Afterward, she saw Mrs. Xu under the veranda.
Mrs. Xu approached and took Madam Zhou’s hand, the two sisters-in-law walking out together.
“Sister-in-law, it’s all thanks to Lianxiao that Lian Kang could come back. I will always remember this favor,” Mrs. Xu sighed.
Reading between the lines, Madam Zhou replied, “We are one family, though no double talk between us. As for Lianxiao and Lian Kang, they are brothers. As for us, sister-in-laws must get along well. I see Lianxiao’s wife and Mrs. Kang are able to get along well.”
Mrs. Xu smiled politely.
In Shaohui Garden, Mu Lianxiao lay on a bed in the inner room.
Brother Yan had been taken back by Lady Peng to sleep, and Du Yunluo came out of the bathroom, took off her shoes, and sat beside him.
“I still worry about mother’s health,” Du Yunluo said, playing with Mu Lianxiao’s fingers. “Such a large amount of blood, vomited just like that…”
Mu Lianxiao felt uneasy too, especially after Nanny Su mentioned Madam Zhou had vomited blood before.
Du Yunluo thought aloud, “When convenient, can we invite Imperial Doctor Xing? Let him check on mother’s pulse.”
Mu Lianxiao was noncommittal.
Imperial Doctor Xing was supported by the Zhen Family. If Du Yunluo asked, Old Master Zhen and Old Mrs. Hou would not refuse. The distance between the Capital and Tong City wasn’t very far; the only issue was Imperial Doctor Xing’s health.
He was already over fifty, and traveling back and forth would be quite taxing.
Yet, among the doctors in the Capital, Mu Lianxiao couldn’t immediately trust anyone who would be willing to wade into such murky waters, to be honest with them, and keep the dark secrets of the Marquis Mansion.
At present, there was no such suitable person.
Mu Lianxiao sighed, “Once I recover, I will go to Tong City to fetch Mr. Xing.”