Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 266: Chapter 265: Moved Up (100+ Monthly Tickets)

The horse’s hooves galloped quickly, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Though the pedestrians by the roadside were not struck by the horse, they still wore grim expressions after getting a mouthful of dust.

After all, it was the month of the New Year, and a few casual complaints quickly passed.

Xiuyu ordered the sedan chair bearers to lift the chair, and Mrs. Liao sat with her eyes closed in the chair, returning to the Du Mansion.

During the Shangyuan Festival, festival lanterns twinkled everywhere outside.

Du Yunluo was in Qinghui Garden. Nanny Zhao brought Jin Ling to pay respects to her.

Jin Ling was wearing a brand-new light-colored robe today, her hair styled like a married woman’s, adorned with two slender silver hairpins. Compared to when she was a girl, there was a touch more maturity and charm between her brows.

Du Yunluo looked at her with wide eyes and saw that Jin Ling was smiling brightly and full of spirit. Du Yunluo was genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.

Nanny Zhao smiled and said, ”Miss, can’t you recognize Jin Ling’er anymore? It’s only been a little over a month, and she seems like a different person. Clearly, the days after marriage are like falling into a vat of honey.”

Jin Ling turned bright red.

Mrs. Zhen clapped her hands and laughed heartily.

After Jin Ling paid her respects, Mrs. Zhen had Shui Yue add a reward, then asked Du Yunluo and Jin Ling to go to the study to talk.

Du Yunluo pulled Jin Ling along, sat down, and said, ”Seeing you doing well in all aspects puts my mind at ease.”

Jin Ling opened her mouth, but being somewhat shy, she couldn’t bring herself to say, ”Yun Qi treats this maid well,” and only managed, ”This maid is doing well at Willow Tree Alley.”

Du Yunluo smiled and said, ”It’s already the fifteenth today. I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Jin Ling lowered her eyes and explained, ”Originally, I wasn’t supposed to come only today. Just after the New Year, I knew the mansion would be busy, so I didn’t come to add to the burden, thinking I’d visit on the eleventh or twelfth. But just a couple of days ago...”

Jin Ling paused for a moment and continued, ”A couple of days ago, Yun Qi suddenly got busy.”

When Yun Qi is busy, it means Mu Lianxiao is busy.

Recalling her past life, Du Yunluo had her suspicions, but she asked, ”Busy with what?”

”He didn’t tell me in detail. He only said that Young Master has been frequenting the palace these past few days,” Jin Ling replied.

Du Yunluo took a deep breath slowly. She knew she had guessed correctly.

There would be warfare at the border soon, and the Holy Emperor would mobilize troops.

This time, both Mu Liancheng and Mu Lianxiao were going to the battlefield.

Du Yunluo’s fingertips lightly tapped on the armrest. From past experience, Mu Liancheng departed in February, while Madam Wu entered the palace to see the Empress Dowager, asking her to leave heirs for the main Mu family branch. Then, the palace decreed that Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo should wed in March.

In this life, her wedding date with Mu Lianxiao was already set. Du Yunluo couldn’t guess if Madam Wu would take that step again, or whether their wedding date would be advanced.

After all, the two families had already prepared for the grand ceremony for some time now, so even if it was advanced, they wouldn’t be caught off guard as they were before.

Du Yunluo whispered to Jin Ling, ”I know about this matter now.”

Jin Ling nodded, then leaned in to tell Du Yunluo something else: ”This maid’s position isn’t suitable for moving around in the inner courtyard of the Marquis Mansion, so I often chat with the womenfolk in Willow Tree Alley.”

Willow Tree Alley isn’t long, nor is it short; the neighbors are mostly servants of the Marquis Mansion. They are curious about the new, beautiful wife Yun Qi brought home. Jin Ling, with her sweet mouth and charming appearance, quickly became acquainted with them.

”One day in the twelfth month, I happened to hear from two women that they spoke of the eldest young master.

They said that was probably the day the eldest young master disappeared. When he was around, he treated the servants very well, and both women’s sons had benefitted from him.

Now, in the blink of an eye, half a year has passed. The household doesn’t acknowledge the young master’s passing. They don’t even dare to burn offerings for him.

They also mentioned that the whole street wanted to burn offerings but feared violating household taboos.

The maid pretended not to know about the young master’s matters and asked those two women, who explained the young master’s disappearance, also mentioning Mu Tang.”

Du Yunluo’s brow twitched suddenly.

”Mu Tang’s father died on the battlefield. His mother was not in good health and remained bedridden, relying on medicine. Nonetheless, she didn’t last a few more years. Shortly after, ill news came back about Old Marquis and several lords.

Mu Tang went to receive the spirits with the young master but encountered trouble on the road. The subsequent events were as you told, Miss, Mu Tang returned to the capital to pay respects to the Old Madam and Third Madam. Originally, he intended to end his life, but was persuaded by the abbot of Qinglian Temple, and then followed him to become a monk.”

Du Yunluo gently bit her lip.

With both parents deceased, and without relatives, such a person is difficult to open up unless they choose to.

Mu Lianxiao mentioned that Mu Tang practiced as an ascetic monk, implying his mind and body became extraordinarily tough over six years.

Without something touching his heart, Mu Tang wouldn’t utter a word.

Nevertheless, in a short period, Du Yunluo didn’t intend to unravel all past matters at once. The older the matter, the harder it is to bring to light, and Du Yunluo certainly didn’t naively think she could achieve it in one step.

Du Yunluo gave Jin Ling a few more instructions before letting her leave.

In the afternoon, the troupe invited by Du Huaiping arrived.

Du Yunlan requested Mrs. Xia to take Jiang Si Niang out to see the lanterns.

Mrs. Xia, seeing Jiang Si Niang’s shy yet eager appearance, still nodded her consent.

Du Yunlan was delighted and sat obediently in the Flower Hall, accompanying Mrs. Xia and Du Gongfu in watching a play.

Du Yunluo was also called over by Mrs. Xia. The rhythmic beating of the drum reminded her of war drums, each strike pounding on her heart, leaving her distracted.

After the Shangyuan, the government office resumed operations, and the news of impending warfare at the border couldn’t be hidden from the officials of the Six Ministries. Du Huaili soon heard about it.

And on this day, Madam Wu entered Cining Palace just like in her past life.

Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo’s wedding date was moved up to the sixteenth of February.

The imperial decree was delivered to the Du Mansion, along with many rewards, as these were dowries from the palace for Du Yunluo.

Mrs. Xia dressed according to rank and despite the winter chill, her attire was somewhat stifling.

Jiang Si Niang and Lanzhi supported Mrs. Xia on each side.

Mrs. Xia sighed with a shake of her head, ”Old, truly old.”

Du Yunluo, holding the imperial decree, turned to look at Mrs. Xia, her eyes suddenly reddening. She knew that Mrs. Xia’s words weren’t simply due to aging, but reluctance.

Du Gongfu took the imperial decree from Du Yunluo and hobbled into the ancestral hall with his cane, where he placed it alongside the marriage decree.

Everyone returned to Lianfu Garden.

Mrs. Xia changed her clothes, sat cross-legged on the Arhat Bed, and without saying a word, she held Du Yunluo’s hand in her palm.

Mrs. Miao several times thought to speak, but seeing Mrs. Xia like this, she swallowed her words back.

Finally, it was Mrs. Zhen who spoke: ”Old Madam, since the wedding date has been moved up, we must prepare more thoroughly.”

Mrs. Xia pursed her lips and said, ”I just didn’t expect it to be this soon.”

Mrs. Zhen sighed quietly, as everyone knew Mu Lianxiao would eventually head to the battlefield. Yet no one had expected it would be so soon after the wedding.

Mrs. Zhen worried for Du Yunluo. She looked at her daughter, but all of a sudden, felt that Du Yunluo was very calm.

From the moment the eunuch arrived with the decree until now, Du Yunluo remained calm.