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

Chapter 351: Chapter 350: Softhearted

Du Yunluo studied Mu Lianxiao, and from his expression, she knew he was starting to waver.

Seizing the opportunity while the iron was hot, Du Yunluo withdrew from Mu Lianxiao’s embrace and picked up the lampstand on the table, heading outside.

Mu Lianxiao followed her with a smile.

Passing through the main room, Du Yunluo lifted the curtain and entered the west annex room; further inside, it became Mu Lianxiao’s study in the west attic.

The beaded curtain jingled melodiously, as the beauty’s lotus-like steps moved gracefully in the lamplight.

Du Yunluo placed the lampstand on a pear-wood large desk, then turned around to take a book from the bookshelf behind her, opening it to a page and spreading it on the table.

Mu Lianxiao walked to the desk and looked down at the book.

With just one glance, his eyes darkened.

It was a map of Lindong.

Du Yunluo had opened a book detailing the geography and customs of Lindong.

”Here is Xuancheng, and here is Shanyu Pass,” Du Yunluo pointed on the map with her adorable, delicate fingertip, looking up at Mu Lianxiao with a bit of hope and pride, ”Princely Heir, see, it’s really not far at all, about the same distance from the Capital to Tong City. I can get there by carriage.”

Mu Lianxiao was taken aback, a thought suddenly striking his mind.

Du Yunluo’s almond eyes shone brightly, rippling with watery light: ”Princely Heir, if I miss you, I’ll come to see you.”

Mu Lianxiao’s heart skipped heavily.

Du Yunluo’s words burst forth like fireworks, beautiful enough to enchant and dazzle someone.

Mu Lianxiao had guessed that Du Yunluo wanted to visit him, but hearing her say it like this made him feel completely at ease.

She would miss him enough to want to cross mountains and ridges just to see him.

Mu Lianxiao’s heart softened immensely. He reached out, tracing her fingertip painted with red lacquer, slowly moving upward, gently taking her hand: ”When did you come to look at the map?”

Du Yunluo smiled warmly, chuckling lightly: ”After you mentioned Lindong. I wasn’t acting on impulse; I’ve been pondering it these past few days.”

His deep eyes were filled with laughter, and even the corners of his lips couldn’t help but turn up. Mu Lianxiao leaned over the large desk, softly saying: ”The distance from Xuancheng to Shanyu Pass is indeed similar to that from the Capital to Tong City, but the official roads in Lindong can’t compare to those in the Capital. They’re quite bumpy, and it’s not easy to travel by carriage.”

Discussing the condition of the roads from Xuancheng to Shanyu Pass showed that Mu Lianxiao was inwardly willing to agree.

Du Yunluo suppressed her excitement, murmuring: ”No matter how bumpy, I can still come to see you.”

Mu Lianxiao gently kissed her forehead.

He recalled the Northern Border.

In Old General Shao’s family, there were also several women who resided in a small town near the border.

Mu Lianxiao had encountered them a few times. When it was time to change garrisons or take leave, they would come to the defense outposts to visit their husbands.

The hurried appearance of Old Shao’s nephews rushing home was vivid in his memory.

There was once an Assistant General whose personal soldiers made a fuss, wanting to get a glimpse of the Third Madame’s true appearance, prompting Old Shao’s third uncle to come back with laughter and reproach.

The soldiers, returning with jesting and laughter, said Old Shao’s third uncle was stingy, while Mu Lianxiao thought to himself that if it were him, he wouldn’t let those ruffians see his beloved wife either.

Heaven knew what shameless words they might say, sullying Du Yunluo’s ears.

Thinking of this, Mu Lianxiao pressed his lips together and thought perhaps having Du Yunluo accompany him to Lindong wasn’t a bad choice.

He could take the time to swiftly ride over to see her, but asking Du Yunluo to go to Shanyu Pass would be too arduous, so it was out of the question.

”In a couple of days, I’ll bring it up with Grandmother and Mother,” Mu Lianxiao said.

Du Yunluo’s eyes widened, her heart brimming with joy, she nodded repeatedly, her smile radiant and resplendent.

”I also have to tell your family,” Mu Lianxiao said as he gently kneaded her hand, ”Taking you to such a distant place, your family elders might be unhappy.”

Du Yunluo hummed: ”Didn’t my eldest uncle also take my aunt to such a faraway place in Lindong? And there’s my sister-in-law too. I wonder if my aunt’s and sister-in-law’s families aren’t upset...”

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but laugh, moving behind the desk to sit on the large chair carved with ’Five Blessings Arrive,’ looking up at Du Yunluo: ”And now you’re making stories about them?”

Du Yunluo giggled happily.

She wouldn’t spread gossip about Du Gongfu and Mrs. Xia at all. She would charm them by being coy, and going with her husband for his appointment was not unusual.

As long as the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion agreed, the Du Family wouldn’t oppose it.

Du Yunluo knew that the most crucial opinions were those of Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou.

On New Year’s Eve, a reunion banquet was set in the Flower Hall.

Firecrackers occasionally sounded outside, filled with the flavor of the New Year.

Once the gathering dispersed, Madam Wu did not keep her children and grandchildren up to keep watch, letting them depart on their own.

Mrs. Zhou escorted Madam Wu back to her room, and after a brief conversation, Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo came over.

Mrs. Zhou said with a smile: ”Weren’t you supposed to visit the Jingshui Hall first?”

Mu Lianxiao moved a chair, sitting together with Du Yunluo: ”We came to keep Grandmother company.”

Madam Wu sat cross-legged on the Arhat Bed, a brocade quilt over her legs. Hearing this, she straightened the corner of her quilt and leaned against a pillow, laughing: ”You’re asking for something, aren’t you? I know you well. Go ahead.”

Mu Lianxiao was caught off guard by Madam Wu’s astuteness, while Mrs. Zhou also covered her mouth to laugh.

To bring joy to Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou, Mu Lianxiao was willing to take some teasing if need be.

He spoke with a smile: ”Grandmother, the Holy Emperor plans to increase the garrison at Shanyu Pass and will issue the decree after the New Year, transferring me from the Northern Border to Lindong.”

”Who will be the Great General?” Now hearing it was official business, Madam Wu became serious.

Mu Lianxiao nodded: ”General of Cavalry, Lord Huang, will take command with me as Deputy General, and his eldest son, Huang Yun, will lead the vanguard.”

Du Yunluo blinked.

General of Cavalry Lord Huang, wasn’t he Huang Jie’s father?

Last time at the hunting ground, when Huang Jie had a horse fright, Du Yunluo had even seen Huang Yun.

”Is the Holy Emperor doing this for defense, or does he intend...” Madam Wu paused, pondering, ”It’s better to be prepared.”

Whether to guard against the Dazi or to surprise them, the layouts need to be made in advance.

”That’s exactly what the Holy Emperor means,” Mu Lianxiao replied.

Madam Wu nodded, instructing: ”Since the Holy Emperor has decided, it’s only right to obey the imperial order.”

Mu Lianxiao smiled at Du Yunluo, exchanging a glance, and then proposed to Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou: ”Grandmother, Mother, I want to take Yunluo to Xuancheng.”

As soon as he spoke, both Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou were taken aback.

Mu Lianxiao solemnly explained: ”Yunluo’s eldest uncle is the Lindong Prefect, and her aunt and elder siblings are in Xuancheng. With elders around, Yunluo will have no worries in life.

I only return to the Capital for two or three months each year, and Xuancheng is relatively close to Shanyu Pass. For the sake of offspring, it is better for Yunluo to be in Lindong than in the Capital.”

Madam Wu did not immediately object.

Affairs concerning offspring are of utmost importance to her, especially regarding the legitimate eldest grandson of the legitimate eldest branch.

When the Old Marquis passed away, Mu Lianxiao was still young, so only the Princely Heir was established.

Now that Mu Lianxiao was married, once he had a child or two, Madam Wu could also request the Empress Dowager to allow Mu Lianxiao to inherit the title.

The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion needed a true master to be considered complete.

Madam Wu’s gaze rested on Du Yunluo’s belly.