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

Mrs. Zhen sat down, adjusted her hem, and glanced at Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo felt a bit guilty, but when she thought about how Mrs. Zhen had seen through her thoughts, hiding it would only make Mrs. Zhen suspicious. So she leaned closer, hugged Mrs. Zhen, and said, "Mother, my stomach still hurts."

Her voice was soft and sweet, somewhat like the cat that Nanny Zhao raised, causing Mrs. Zhen to laugh: "Just bear it, you’ve worked too hard this month, which is why this happened. Once we return, you should take better care of yourself, and it won’t happen again. When we get to the inn, I’ll have Nanny Zhao make you some soup."

Mrs. Zhen didn’t mention Mu Lianxiao anymore. Sensing the right moment, Du Yunluo stopped asking and rested against Mrs. Zhen.

As she held Du Yunluo tighter, Mrs. Zhen’s eyes were gentle, knowing her little darling was clinging to her more and more, even more than when she was younger.

Thinking about how Nannan was nearing the age of marriage, Mrs. Zhen felt a deep loneliness at the thought of not having anyone to dote on her anymore, which she found quite unsettling.

Du Yunluo lay in the inn for a day and a night. Although her period hadn’t ended, her stomach finally felt more comfortable.

The carriage set off again, hastening towards the Capital.

The timing of the return to the Capital was about what Mrs. Zhen had anticipated.

In Lianfu Garden, Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia were having dinner. Hearing from outside that Du Huaili and the others had returned, Old Mrs. Xia quickly said, "Go invite them in, and ask the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes; it’s likely they haven’t eaten yet."

Lanzhi agreed, about to leave, but Old Mrs. Xia called her back.

"Check their expressions and attire carefully," Old Mrs. Xia instructed.

Lanzhi, a perceptive person, understood immediately when she heard this.

Old Mrs. Xia put down her chopsticks, absentmindedly glancing outside from time to time.

Under the veranda, Yaya was jumping around in the cage, making Old Mrs. Xia restless, and she said, "Such a fuss."

Du Gongfu placed a piece of tender lamb in Old Mrs. Xia’s bowl: "Huaili and the others have been gone for almost a month. You didn’t seem uneasy before, and now that they’re back, you can’t wait a moment longer? And you’re competing with a bird! Just eat."

Old Mrs. Xia felt a rush of frustration, thinking that it was clearly Du Gongfu who was competing with her over a bird!

Despite her annoyance, knowing Du Gongfu’s temperament well, Old Mrs. Xia just snorted twice and said nothing more.

After waiting for a quarter of an hour, Du Huaili and the others arrived at Lianfu Garden.

"Old Master, Old Mistress, Third Master, Third Mistress, and Fifth Miss have returned."

Lanzhi announced, her voice light and joyful, with a hint of laughter, which eased Old Mrs. Xia’s worry, indicating they hadn’t brought back bad news.

Du Yunluo followed her parents into the room and greeted, then sat beside Old Mrs. Xia as instructed.

Old Mrs. Xia asked Mrs. Zhen, "How’s your father-in-law?"

Mrs. Zhen replied, "It was quite dangerous before, but fortunately, Father woke up, though he suffered from paralysis, and the doctors weren’t optimistic. Later, we found a retired Imperial Physician, and his life was saved. When I left, he could murmur a few words. The Imperial Physician said that what comes next depends on fate."

Old Mrs. Xia clasped her hands together, murmuring a Buddhist prayer.

Old Master Du also breathed a sigh of relief; in his younger days, he was acquainted with his father-in-law. Later, after injuring his foot, they drifted apart, but he remembered Old Master Zhen as righteous and enthusiastic. Hearing that he, too, had grown to enjoy listening to music and bird watching in his old age, Old Master Du, seeing him as a kindred spirit, hoped that he could live a long life.

The maids brought the dishes.

Old Mrs. Xia asked Du Yunluo to wash her hands and said, "Eat first, then tell Grandma how your grandfather recovered."

During their travels, meals had been far less refined, yet in Lianfu Garden, they had specially prepared dishes that Du Yunluo loved. She savored this meal immensely.

After dinner, Du Yunluo recounted the events in detail.

"Thanks to the Princely Heir’s decisiveness, otherwise Imperial Doctor Xing’s life would have been at risk, and my father-in-law wouldn’t have had the assistance of a renowned physician." Old Mrs. Xia sighed.

Old Master Du peeled some peanuts and said, "Imperial Doctor Xing? An old acquaintance... I didn’t expect he’d end up like this."

Old Mrs. Xia nodded, secretly thinking that marrying a virtuous wife was indeed essential. Life is truly unbearable when saddled with one who isn’t. Now their daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law weren’t perfect, but they were knowledgeable and courteous, sparing her much worry.

As they chatted, greetings were heard from outside the courtyard.

Miao Family and Xia Anxin pulled back the curtain and entered.

After inquiring about the situation, Mrs. Miao put on a smile and said to Mrs. Zhen, "It’s wonderful that Old Master Zhen is recovering."

Mrs. Zhen expressed her thanks.

Mrs. Miao then stated her purpose: "Yun Ru’s due date is approaching. Earlier, unsure of when you’d return, I made preparations in advance. Tomorrow, Yun Lang’s wife will bring the birthing bag, see if there’s anything else you’d like to add."

A month prior to childbirth, the sister-in-law from the maiden family would bring a birthing bag as a gift.

In the Du Mansion, since Mrs. Yan was in Lindong, Xia Anxin naturally had to handle it.

Mrs. Zhen agreed, followed to see the birthing bag, and praised Mrs. Miao for her meticulousness, bringing constant smiles from Miao.

After Mrs. Zhen left, Mrs. Miao said to Xia Anxin, "Your third aunt really knows how to handle people, so sweet-tongued, unlike the one in Anfeng Courtyard, all effort only to earn not a kind word."

Xia Anxin took Mrs. Miao’s hand and said, "Everyone knows Mother’s skills; Grandma might not say much, but in her heart, she’s quite content."

Flattery never fails, leaving Mrs. Miao quite pleased, who then carefully instructed about delivering the birthing bag before heading back to rest.

Du Yunluo returned to Anhua Courtyard.

Jin Ling had already prepared hot water and, while attending to Du Yunluo’s washing, shared recent matters within the mansion. She mentioned Jin Lan, praising the maid’s quick learning and bravery under pressure from other maids and matrons in the courtyard.

Du Yunluo, with a grin, inquired, "You talk about others, but how about yourself?"

Jin Ling paused her hands, smiling, "What else would happen to me? Everything is the same."

Du Yunluo’s smile widened, "How goes the preparation for the dowry?"

Jin Ling’s eyes lowered, "I’m embroidering it now."

"In Tong City, I came across the Princely Heir and Yun Qi," Du Yunluo blinked teasingly. "Yun Qi’s skills are remarkable; he scaled a tall wall in a single leap."

Through the copper mirror, Du Yunluo saw Jin Ling blushing. She patted Jin Ling’s hand on her shoulder and said, "I initially planned to let you oversee things, but now there’s something else I want to entrust you with."

Du Yunluo carefully explained Mu Tang’s situation, "Help me investigate who his remaining family members are before he joined the monastery, his friendships, and his character."

Jin Ling had harbored this intention, which was why she agreed to marry early. She nodded at once, "Rest assured, Miss, I will be thorough in my investigations."

Du Yunluo softly smiled, "Not thorough, but cautious. Don’t let anyone else know what you’re investigating, especially the second branch. Don’t alert them, and above all, protect yourself."

Jin Ling recalled what Jin Rui had said to her.

It seemed the young lady indeed had some disputes with Lady, which was why she needed to be wary of the second branch.