Chapter 485: Chapter 484: The Handover
Early the next morning, Nanny Shan sent someone to each room and courtyard to excuse everyone from the morning and evening greetings.
Du Yunluo didn’t need to go to Baijie Hall, but she had to make a visit to Jingshui Hall.
Mu Lianxiao wanted to go with her, but Du Yunluo stopped him.
"Having people carry you in and out all the time, you might not find it awkward, but Mother would feel even worse seeing it." Du Yunluo smiled as she handed Brother Yan to Mu Lianxiao. "When you were in Lindong, you didn’t have time to accompany Brother Yan. Now is a good time, while recovering, to spend more time with him."
Mu Lianxiao pinched Brother Yan’s little face and didn’t insist further.
Previously, he not only had no time to accompany his wife and child, but also couldn’t fully tend to his mother.
To be honest, Mu Lianxiao certainly wanted to spend more time with Mrs. Zhou, but Du Yunluo was right. Having people carry him around would sadden Mrs. Zhou.
He would inevitably have to report to the palace, but during ordinary days, Mrs. Zhou would prefer him to stay indoors and recover, avoiding unnecessary activity.
Du Yunluo led the people to Mrs. Zhou’s room.
Mrs. Zhou had just had breakfast, sitting on an Arhat Bed with several books in front of her, with a ledger piled on top.
Du Yunluo curtsied respectfully, feeling a bit puzzled. Mrs. Zhou would usually help Madam Wu with her meals. Even if Madam Wu excused the greetings, Mrs. Zhou would still go to Baijie Hall. Why did it seem as if she wasn’t going out today?
Nanny Su noticed and whispered to Du Yunluo, "The Old Madam specially instructed that since Madam hasn’t been feeling well these past days, she shouldn’t overwork herself. Meals will be taken in her room, and Fourth Madam will tend to it, so Madam doesn’t need to worry."
Du Yunluo nodded and took a sip of tea.
Only then did Mrs. Zhou look up from the ledger. "You all just returned. Typically, these matters shouldn’t be handed over so hastily.
But now, firstly, Mrs. Kang needs to meet with the clan, and secondly, Brother Yan’s first birthday is coming. Next, when Lianyu returns to the Capital, we will have the mourning, and arrangements at every corner will be busy.
Instead of letting all these matters pile up, it’s better to handle them now.
You know how things are in the mansion. Compared to when you left for Lindong, several people have changed positions. You should meet them later."
Du Yunluo agreed, recalling that the day Mrs. Zhou spat blood, regardless of her current vigor, she was still weakened. With so many affairs in the mansion, if she worried about everything, Du Yunluo feared Mrs. Zhou’s health wouldn’t hold up.
Beyond the few matters Mrs. Zhou mentioned, Du Yunluo contemplated and said, "Last night, the Princely Heir mentioned that the edict for inheriting the title is being drafted."
Mrs. Zhou’s dark eyes brightened, a slight smile crossing them. "This is good news. Regardless of the situation, once the title is inherited, family matters can be better managed."
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion lacked a man who could stand firm in official circles. Over the years, with a single Princely Heir, it indeed felt lacking.
Once Mu Lianxiao inherits the title, although still just him, his identity and title would change, and many rules would follow suit.
However, due to Mu Lianyu’s death in battle, neither the inheritance nor Brother Yan’s birthday could be celebrated with much fanfare.
In terms of household affairs, other matters are easier to address. Yet, for events like the birthday celebration, title inheritance, and mourning, Du Yunluo was handling them for the first time, needing to consult Mrs. Zhou for many aspects she wasn’t familiar with.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked for the entire morning.
When the Western clock struck the hour, Mrs. Zhou realized, saying, "Head back to Shaohui Garden first; these things will come one by one."
Du Yunluo was about to excuse herself when she remembered Mu Lianxiao’s words from last night and told Mrs. Zhou, "The Holy Emperor wants the Princely Heir to bring Eldest Uncle into the palace, to Cining Palace, saying that I should bring Brother Yan as well, and he also wants to meet with my sister-in-law."
Mrs. Zhou pressed her lips together.
The Holy Emperor always held the Marquis Mansion, who had achieved great deeds and sacrifices, in high regard, as a gesture of reassurance to the military nobles.
Over the years, Mu Lianxiao had been highly favored by the Holy Emperor. This time in Lindong, having quelled internal strife and resisted external enemies, he returned severely injured, and future rewards were inevitable.
As for Mu Liankang, the Changsun of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, who went missing nine years ago and suddenly returned, leading troops to seize Ancient Meili through the Great Desert, his story was quite legendary, making it sensible for the Holy Emperor to wish to see him.
Additionally, Mu Lianyu had died in battle.
The youngest of the Lian generation, Mu Lianyu, was killed at the border. To reassure hearts, the palace would likely issue some gestures.
Just as back then, when the Old Marquis and Mu Yuance, Mu Yuanming died, the Cining Palace made Mu Lianhui a Lady and allowed her to accompany the Imperial Consort to Putuo Mountain, this time, the palace’s rewards would likely fall on Mu Liankang.
"Since it’s the Empress Dowager’s wish, we should certainly comply," Mrs. Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Quickly have someone make an outfit suitable for the palace for Mrs. Kang. It should match her status, ensure she does not lose decorum in Cining Palace, and should not infringe upon Lianyu’s mourning period."
Du Yunluo nodded in agreement.
Perhaps due to Mu Lianxiao’s unhealed injuries, the palace was not in a hurry to summon them.
Instead, Madam Wu first informed the clan, letting Zhuang Ke recognize relatives.
Du Yunluo disliked interacting with the clan, but such matters couldn’t be avoided.
She waited at the second gate and greeted the clan elder couple as they alighted from the carriage.
The two elders, though not young, were in good spirits, speaking cheerfully with Du Yunluo.
Gui Family stepped forward to support the old lady, glancing Du Yunluo up and down, smiling, "The Old Madam certainly knows how to train people. Our niece looks much more composed and experienced than when she just got married."
With a single sentence, Gui Family praised both Du Yunluo and Madam Wu, ensuring that word would reach Baijie Hall even if the Old Madam wasn’t present.
Du Yunluo maintained her calm demeanor. She resented Gui Family, regardless of how many years had passed or whether in this life Gui Family would align with the second branch, she harbored hatred for Gui Family.
Yet despite the hate, she still couldn’t refrain from addressing her as "Third Aunt Hu" officially.
In the Flower Hall, the clan elder couple paid respects to Madam Wu. Due to Mu Lianyu’s situation, there was little cheer on their faces.
One by one, the clan’s notable figures arrived.
Madam Wu cleared her throat, "Everyone should be aware of Lianyu’s situation.
Normally, recognizing kin shouldn’t occur now, but soon, when Lianyu returns to the Capital, and we conduct the mourning, the clan will also visit. It would be awkward if we don’t know one another.
I’ve considered it, and it’s better for Mrs. Kang to recognize kin now.
Apart from Mrs. Kang, Lian Kang should also recognize relatives since he has been away for so long that he probably doesn’t remember."
After Madam Wu finished, she instructed Mrs. Xu to bring in Mu Liankang and his wife, along with Sister Ying and Brother Hui.
Brother Hui, being young, gazed curiously at the room full of people.
Sister Ying, seeing everyone staring at their family, felt a bit nervous, gripping Zhuang Ke’s hand tightly.
The crowd’s eyes lingered on the couple.
For Mu Liankang, only the word "resemblance" could describe it.
He looked remarkably like the late Mu Yuanming, and his eyes were exactly as everyone remembered young Mu Liankang’s to be.
Just by appearance, it was obvious that he was the long-lost Mu Liankang, not an impostor.
Then they turned to Zhuang Ke, everyone pausing in surprise.
Zhuang Ke stood there gracefully, unafraid of the scrutinizing gazes, her green eyes as clear as a lake.
"This is..." Gui Family glanced at the clan elder’s wife and murmured, "Dazi?"