Chapter 474: Chapter 473: Hostility (Monthly Ticket 1050+)
Zhuang Ke had an exquisite appearance and a bright smile.
Jiang Yunuan suddenly recalled a line of poetry, "Grape wine in a luminous cup," Zhuang Ke was not only the grape wine, nor just the luminous cup, but the grape wine contained within the luminous cup.
A perfect combination, making the wine appear even more brilliantly red, as bright as blood, and crystal clear.
Vivid, captivating to the eye.
Especially those blue eyes, with a charming glint with every glance.
This Zhuang Ke was completely different from any woman Jiang Yunuan had seen before, and even more different from herself.
Jiang Yunuan was lost in thought, snapping out of it at Mu Liankang’s call of "Second Sister-in-law," almost jumping up if it weren’t for Sister Niang sitting on her lap.
Avoiding looking at Mu Liankang, Jiang Yunuan lowered her gaze and replied, "Big Brother."
Mu Liankang didn’t notice anything unusual and praised Sister Niang together with Zhuang Ke.
Jiang Yunuan smiled lightly, listening to Mu Liancheng and Mu Liankang talking, her heart filled with mixed emotions, indescribable.
He really doesn’t remember her...
Indeed, he even forgot his mother and brothers, so how could he remember her...
To Mu Liankang, she was just a cousin.
Jiang Yunuan’s throat felt dry.
Zhuang Ke, unaware of past events and not knowing Du Yunluo’s dream, thus bore no ill intentions toward Jiang Yunuan, and as a fellow mother, she couldn’t help but grow fond of Sister Niang.
"Is the little one about two years old?" Zhuang Ke asked Jiang Yunuan with a smile.
Jiang Yunuan clenched her molars. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ
She could refrain from looking at Mu Liankang, could put the past behind her, and could live a peaceful life with Mu Liancheng, but she couldn’t calmly deal with Zhuang Ke.
This repulsion and dislikeful hostility, Jiang Yunuan found it impossible to overcome.
However, in front of so many elders, Jiang Yunuan couldn’t ignore Zhuang Ke and had to vaguely reply, "Yes, just over two."
"Can she run yet?"
Jiang Yunuan pursed her lips, "Just started running a few steps."
Zhuang Ke turned to look at Sister Ying, who was sitting beside Madam Wu, and said, "At that age, they most want to run, can’t stop themselves, will tumble easily. Look, our Sister Ying still has a little mark on her knee from falling at two and a half."
Jiang Yunuan didn’t respond, but Madam Wu showed concern first, "There’s still a mark? I’ll take a look later; a girl’s got to look pretty, shouldn’t have marks."
Mrs. Xu, holding Brother Hui’s hand, sighed, "Raising two kids alone, it’s truly not easy."
After all, it was outside the pass, unlike the affluent families inside with servants and wet nurses for the children. Zhuang Ke outside the pass had to rely on herself to raise her kids.
Zhuang Ke laughed, "I was pregnant with Brother Hui at that time, or else I wouldn’t have let this little troublemaker fall."
Madam Wu and Mrs. Xu both laughed.
Jiang Yunuan, however, couldn’t laugh. She felt a coldness in her body as if the northern winds outside had swept over her, and her legs turned cold.
She had to sit back down to prevent herself from truly losing composure.
Seeing that the reunion had reached its end, Mrs. Zhou suggested to Madam Wu, "Old Madam, they’ve returned from a long and tiring journey; let them freshen up and rest. Now that they’re home, we can see them often."
Madam Wu found the suggestion reasonable and sent everyone off.
The yard where Mu Liankang’s family stayed had already been tidied up by Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Xu, not far from where Mrs. Xu stayed, just a short walk away.
Mrs. Xu enthusiastically led them over, accompanied by Mrs. Lu.
The second branch returned, and Madam Wu kept the eldest branch back.
"The legitimate eldest grandson of the legitimate eldest branch!" Madam Wu adored Brother Yan, calling Lady Peng over to ask personally.
Lady Peng was courteous and took great care of Brother Yan, satisfying Madam Wu, who rewarded her through Banqiao.
Brother Yan couldn’t stay still, toddling on the Arhat Bed, making Madam Wu laugh.
Madam Wu asked with a smile, "When do you plan to enter the palace?"
Mu Lianxiao replied, "I will submit a report shortly and should enter the palace to report tomorrow."
Madam Wu nodded, "Is your injury severe? I didn’t get to ask earlier with so many people around."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhou also tensed up.
Mu Lianxiao exchanged a look with Du Yunluo.
Regarding his injuries, they didn’t wish to hide, although it was likely orchestrated by Mu Yuanmou, there was no evidence yet.
Considering Madam Wu’s frail health, they left some past issues unspoken but intended to gradually ease the Old Madam into some truths.
Mu Lianxiao thoughtfully said, "For my survival this time, apart from my elder brother, I also relied heavily on Ming Liu and Shuying. Without their disregard for danger in searching for me, I would’ve died in the Great Desert."
Madam Wu’s face turned pale instantly, and Mrs. Zhou gasped.
Starting from the surprise attack on Ancient Meili City, Mu Lianxiao recounted everything in detail.
He was slashed from behind by one of his own, taken by the Dazi into the deep desert, surviving under Ming Liu’s care until meeting Mu Liankang and Shuying...
Madam Wu listened, her heart wrenched with pain, but she was no ordinary secluded woman. She had seen war and had slain Dazi herself. Moreover, with Mu Lianxiao right before her, this experience granted the elderly woman tremendous strength.
Fear aside, the inevitable heartache persisted.
Madam Wu, wiping her tears, said, "Child, since your injury hasn’t fully healed, you should rest more!
Why rush to the capital?
You even intended to kowtow to me and your mother just now? Better rest instead!"
Mrs. Zhou, equally distressed, urged Mu Lianxiao to undress so she could examine his wound.
Mu Lianxiao couldn’t refuse Mrs. Zhou, so Du Yunluo helped him remove his top, revealing the terrifying knife wound on his back.
Mrs. Zhou’s eyes widened, tears instantly filling her eyes, her hand trembling as it touched the wound.
The skin seemed healed, but the outermost wound remained daunting. Mrs. Zhou couldn’t fathom how severe the knife wound must have been to appear so frightful, months later still causing alarm.
"What did the doctor say?" Madam Wu asked.
Mu Lianxiao replied, "On the way through Tong City, we consulted Mr. Xing. He said the bones haven’t fully healed yet, advised more rest."
Madam Wu frowned. While she trusted Imperial Doctor Xing’s medical skills, she worried Mu Lianxiao might downplay it for their peace of mind, so she turned to look at Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo lowered her head, "Imperial Doctor Xing did say that ample rest is necessary, to lie down as much as possible, and try straightening up gradually once the pain subsides."
"And you walked in yourself? Is there no sedan chair to carry you?" Madam Wu raised her voice, "Don’t rely on youth to neglect recovery, what if you end up with chronic issues? Lian Xiao’s wife, make sure you keep him in check, don’t let him do as he pleases."
Du Yunluo agreed.