Chapter 471: Chapter 470: Recognition
The next day, Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo bade farewell to their elders at the Zhen Family and set off back to the Capital with Mu Liankang’s family.
The closer they got to the Capital, the more complex their emotions became.
The phrase "near-home fear" probably describes this feeling.
Especially when various emotions weighed heavily in their hearts.
Shuying returned to the Capital first to deliver the news. When the carriage entered the city gate, Yun Qi and Shuying came to greet them.
Pulling back the curtain, and seeing Mu Lianxiao returning laying down, Yun Qi’s heart wrenched heavily.
He had heard from Shuying about Mu Lianxiao’s injury. Although he had returned safely, it nonetheless made people anxious.
The carriage passed East Street and turned into Qingshui Alley, and the main gate of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion gradually came into view.
They didn’t stop, proceeding directly from the side door until they halted outside the Hanging Flower Gate.
Jiuxi jumped down from the carriage, not bothering to set the foot stool, and first greeted Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Lu who were waiting by the second gate.
Mrs. Xu had waited for this day for far too long, knowing they had returned, she couldn’t wait any longer and rushed forward eagerly, with Mrs. Lu accompanying her out of concern.
Jin Rui jumped down the carriage, set the foot stool, and helped Du Yunluo down, followed by Mu Lianxiao.
Du Yunluo looked up to see Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Lu, and hurriedly paid her respects.
"Lian Xiao’s wife," Mrs. Xu stepped forward and nervously held Du Yunluo’s hand, her palm damp, "Where is Lian Kang?"
Du Yunluo turned back to look at the carriage behind: "Auntie, in the back carriage, Big Uncle, Big Aunt, Sister Ying, and Brother Hui have all returned."
Mrs. Xu nodded instinctively, her eyes following Du Yunluo’s gaze, tightly focusing on that carriage curtain.
Inside the carriage, Mu Liankang also felt a bit nervous.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to steady himself, then stood up and lifted the curtain.
As the curtain moved, Mrs. Xu recognized immediately. She let go of Du Yunluo’s hand, and upon seeing a man who bore an eighty or ninety percent resemblance to Mu Yuanming in his youth jump down from the carriage, Mrs. Xu’s eyes instantly reddened.
She let out a muffled sob, staggered forward, "Lian Kang? Is this my Lian Kang?"
Her voice was tearful, with hesitation, surprise, and a hint of cautiousness, making the maids and old servants by the second gate choke up, especially the old servant who had been with Mrs. Xu for several years, who wept outright.
Afraid of disturbing the masters, the old servant wanted to turn away and wipe her tears but was reluctant, trying hard to keep her eyes wide open, dimly looking for traces of the old Mu Liankang in this man’s appearance.
Nine years, after all, it had been nine years.
Mu Liankang had grown taller and sturdier, but those eyes were truly the same as years ago, and the resemblance to Mu Yuanming’s features could not be faked.
Seeing Mrs. Xu approach, Mu Liankang stood still.
Mrs. Xu cupped Mu Liankang’s face in her hands, her fingertips brushing over his eyes and brows, tears welling up: "Yes, yes! You’re my Lian Kang, my son! A mother recognizes, a mother doesn’t mistake!"
Mu Liankang was also carefully observing Mrs. Xu, but no matter how hard he tried to recall, he found no memory of the past in his mind.
He didn’t know what Mrs. Xu used to look like, nor how she might have changed over these nine years.
He noticed silver strands at Mrs. Xu’s temples, something she shouldn’t have at her age...
Mu Liankang’s heart ached, looking at the tearful Mrs. Xu before him, he hoarsely called out "Mother".
He didn’t remember, but the connection of blood was buried in his body, making him share in Mrs. Xu’s joy and sorrow.
This must be the instinctive bond between mother and son.
The call of "Mother" made Mrs. Xu unable to hold back any longer, and she embraced Mu Liankang, crying out loud.
Mrs. Lu was also in tears, and Du Yunluo held her, gently soothing her back.
Zhuang Ke came down from the carriage, holding Brother Hui in her arms, and leading Sister Ying by the hand, quietly waiting.
Mrs. Lu wiped her tears first, glanced at Brother Yan in Lady Peng’s arms, just about to speak when her gaze brushed over Zhuang Ke’s face, leaving her slightly stunned.
"Lian Xiao’s wife," Mrs. Lu called to Du Yunluo, "Is that Lian Kang’s wife? Her eyes..."
Du Yunluo softly explained to Mrs. Lu: "Auntie, that’s the eldest sister-in-law, her father is a Han who lived outside the pass, and her mother is a barbarian, but she is very easy to get along with and speaks Han Chinese."
Mrs. Lu couldn’t help but take another look at Zhuang Ke.
Mu Liankang had been outside the pass for years, marrying a wife with barbarian blood was to be expected.
As she spoke Han Chinese, communicating with Mrs. Xu wouldn’t be a problem.
Mrs. Xu only cared about her son’s return and wouldn’t be picky about the daughter-in-law.
As she thought this over, Mrs. Lu observed, finding Zhuang Ke like an elegant flower, standing there and naturally eliciting a sense of joy.
Looking at the pair of children once more, the daughter was lovable, and the son looked very much like a young Mu Liankang.
Mrs. Lu genuinely felt envious of Mrs. Xu.
Having cried a good cry, Mrs. Xu released Mu Liankang and wiped her face carelessly with a handkerchief: "Mother is so happy that I forgot we are still in the cold wind. Quickly, follow me to Baijie Hall, the Old Madam and others are waiting."
Mu Liankang agreed, turning to look at Zhuang Ke.
Zhuang Ke understood and stepped forward to greet Mrs. Xu.
Mrs. Xu widened her eyes, she had only focused on her son and hadn’t considered what type of person the daughter-in-law might be.
Suddenly seeing an elegant and gracious woman before her, Mrs. Xu was a bit dazed, especially noting Zhuang Ke’s blue eyes.
Mrs. Xu didn’t speak, but when she saw the two children, her heart warmed.
These were her grandchildren, how could Mrs. Xu not be delighted?
This being the case, she couldn’t help but warm up to Zhuang Ke, smiling as she called her a "good child".
The group headed to Baijie Hall.
After a few steps, Mrs. Lu noticed something amiss with Mu Lianxiao: "Lian Xiao’s wife, Lian Xiao’s back..."
Du Yunluo held Brother Yan closely and whispered: "He suffered severe injuries, and hasn’t fully recovered yet; he still needs to rest for some time."
With just a brief sentence, Mrs. Lu felt a chill run through her; injuries that left one’s back unstraightened were undoubtedly severe.
Her thoughts shifted, understanding why they hadn’t rushed back to the Capital for the New Year.
It wasn’t about handling aftermath at Shanyu Pass, but Mu Lianxiao’s health couldn’t endure it.
Outside Baijie Hall, Banqiao was eagerly awaiting. When she saw them appear, she turned around and ran inside, announcing loudly: "Old Madam, the Princely Heir and they all have returned."
Madam Wu, resting with her eyes closed on the Arhat Bed, opened her eyes.
Mrs. Zhou’s heart beat faster, she discreetly glanced at the second branch’s people in the Warm Pavilion.
Mu Yuanmou put down his teacup, and Mu Liancheng rose to greet them. Jiang Yunuan held Sister Niang, her head lowered, showing no expression.
Lian Family, facing Madam Wu directly, wore a smile on her face, but under the table, her hands were twisting a handkerchief tightly.
A crisp voice of greetings came from outside.
Madam Wu hurriedly adjusted her posture, sitting up as Mrs. Zhou placed a pillow behind her. Turning her gaze, she saw the curtain flutter and then swiftly open.