Chapter 305 - 304: Repayment
"Cousin." Du Yunluo made a bow with impeccable manners, yet there was a hint of aloofness.
Old Mrs. Hou observed this and smiled to diffuse the situation, "Quickly go see your grandfather, he has been looking forward to your visit for days."
Du Yunluo smiled and agreed, then turned her gaze to Mu Lianxiao.
The two of them entered the inner chamber one after the other.
As they passed by, Du Yunluo did not even spare a glance at Zhen Wenqian.
Mrs. Chen pressed her lips tightly, noticing Zhen Wenqian’s troubled expression, and she subtly shook her head at him.
Mrs. Wang noticed this too, understanding that Mrs. Chen was simply feeling a bit sad and regretful. Anyone would feel the same missing out on a good match.
But Mrs. Chen was a sensible person; after all, she was the one who turned down the marriage proposal herself. A miss is as good as a mile.
Other than a twinge of regret upon seeing Du Yunluo, she had moved on from it.
As the matron-in-charge, Mrs. Chen was not about to upset Old Master Zhen and Old Mrs. Hou over this matter. She graciously welcomed the cousin and cousin-in-law and saw them off with a smile, leaving no room for criticism, which was a peaceful outcome.
Mrs. Chen was more worried that Zhen Wenqian might unthinkingly stir up trouble again.
The incident at Qinglian Temple had never been explained by Zhen Wenqian, sticking in Mrs. Chen’s throat like a fish bone, fearing that one day it might flare up again.
If Mu Lianxiao were to notice something amiss and it affected their marital relationship...
Mrs. Chen would be too embarrassed to face Old Mrs. Hou then.
The window in the inner chamber was open, so there was barely any smell of medicine.
Old Master Zhen had specially changed his bedding and donned a russet brocade robe with cloud patterns, his silver hair neatly combed, half-reclining, half-sitting on a thick satin pillow, his hands folded across his chest, with a sapphire thumb ring on his thumb.
Du Yunluo felt a pang in her heart; to meet his granddaughter’s husband and avoid being looked down upon, Old Master Zhen had spared no effort.
Even though they were just small gestures, it was all Old Master Zhen could do for her now.
Du Yunluo quickly moved to the bedside, taking Old Master Zhen’s hand, "Grandfather, Yunluo is here to see you."
Old Master Zhen smiled, but due to a previous ailment, his smile appeared strange, even disconcerting. His complexion was not waxen, but he was terribly thin, with high cheekbones like the protruding joints of his hands.
Even though the joints protruded, his gaunt hands couldn’t support the thumb ring that once fit perfectly.
Du Yunluo sniffed, holding back tears, "Last time you mentioned you hadn’t met the Princely Heir, so I brought him with me this time."
Old Master Zhen’s lips moved, his voice was soft, his words not entirely clear, but still understandable to those listening, "Our Yunluo keeps her word."
Mu Lianxiao stepped forward, kneeling by the bedside, addressing "Grandfather" and kowtowing three times to Old Master Zhen.
In this way, Old Master Zhen didn’t have to strain his neck and could see Mu Lianxiao clearly. He made an effort to open his eyes wide.
His appearance was upright, spirited, with eyes shining with clear righteousness.
A man of ambition and responsibility.
Old Master Zhen was extremely pleased. His granddaughter should indeed marry such a young man.
His family’s heir originally seemed promising, but after the incident at Qinglian Temple, Old Master Zhen was disappointed in him.
Thankfully, Old Mrs. Hou’s intention hadn’t come to fruition back then, otherwise, these two might have missed each other.
Despite having countless thoughts, he couldn’t voice them all.
For the past half year, Old Master Zhen often felt helpless, becoming a burden. But seeing Imperial Doctor Xing coming and going in a wheelchair, he compared the two old men and felt his life was fortunate at least. After all, his children were filial, and the family assets were substantial.
After a long pause, Old Master Zhen uttered a few brief words: "Good, a fine match."
Du Yunluo curved her lips into a smile.
Old Master Zhen could only sit for an hour at a time.
Before long, he was getting tired, and Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo withdrew.
Mrs. Wang led them to a temporary residence in a small courtyard.
"It’s still the courtyard you stayed in the last two times; it has been kept vacant, waiting for you to come back. The main rooms are still reserved for your parents, Yunluo, you and your husband can stay in the east wing," Mrs. Wang said with a smile.
Du Yunluo took Mrs. Wang’s hand, smiling, "Aunt is so considerate, I really love that thousand-work bed in the east wing."
"You have a way with words, don’t you? Aunt likes it too," Mrs. Wang said, laughing behind her hand.
Mu Lianxiao walked unhurriedly at the side, his gentle gaze falling on Du Yunluo.
Her smile bloomed like a flower, her eyes shimmering with emotion, brimming with happiness.
Just looking at her, one could feel her joy, and it brought a smile to Mu Lianxiao’s face as well.
Du Yunluo was extremely close to the Zhen family, as intimate as if she were back at the Du Family, except for Zhen Wenqian...
Recalling when Du Yunluo spoke to Zhen Wenyuan last time, it wasn’t like this.
Seeing Du Yunluo’s demeanor towards Zhen Wenqian, it reminded Mu Lianxiao of the way Du Yunluo interacted with the second branch and other relatives during the recognition ceremony.
Adhering to propriety, yet distant.
Mu Lianxiao lowered his eyes; his Yunluo occasionally had a childlike nature but was not an unreasonable person. If she didn’t like someone, she surely had her reasons.
Given that they were only staying for two days, they hadn’t brought much luggage, and Jin Rui and Jin Ling quickly unpacked.
Mrs. Wang sighed, "It’s too rushed, I really wanted to keep you here for ten days to half a month."
Du Yunluo laughed, "The Princely Heir is busy and about to leave the capital soon. To be able to stay at my ancestral home for two days has already made me incredibly happy."
News from the frontier had also reached Tong City.
Mrs. Wang nodded in understanding, "You have always been thoughtful. It wasn’t easy to find time; yet you hurried here to see us. If your Cousin Qi is half as considerate as you when she gets married, I’d be content."
Du Yunluo naturally spoke a few good words in favor of Zhen Wenqi.
After seeing Mrs. Wang off, Du Yunluo turned to look at Mu Lianxiao.
Mu Lianxiao stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the small courtyard.
Though small, it was complete with everything necessary, including a tree so large that it couldn’t be encircled by one’s arms, providing ample shade—a good spot to cool off in the summer.
At this time, the spring light was delightful, and many flowers were arranged under the veranda, obviously well cared for, and Mu Lianxiao guessed they had been moved here just this morning.
The Zhen family’s affection for this granddaughter was evident, explaining Du Yunluo’s attachment to her ancestral home.
Mu Lianxiao recalled what Du Yunluo had once said.
"As long as they treat you well, I’ll treat them well."
Similarly, as long as they treated her well, Du Yunluo would return their kindness wholeheartedly.
His Yunluo was straightforward and honest, prompting him to reciprocate with smiles and sincerity because he knew her response would be the same.
Mu Lianxiao beckoned to Du Yunluo, and when she came to him, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her.
Du Yunluo paused briefly, then relaxed, wrapping her arms around him in return.
Standing on tiptoe, her breath brushed past his ear, and Du Yunluo chuckled softly, "Actually, Aunt wasn’t quite right; in the future, it’s not Cousin Qi’s heart to watch, but Cousin-in-law’s heart."
The amusement in Du Yunluo’s dark, deep eyes intensified, and Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but smile.
She was complimenting him, and he understood.
And he found it quite pleasing.