Chapter 310 - 309: Chicken Soup
The next day, Yunluo woke up late.
With the exhausting journey, day and night marching, once she returned to Shaohui Garden, she felt suddenly at ease. After a tumultuous night, she couldn’t even remember when she fell asleep.
When she opened her eyes, it was already bright outside.
Yunluo pulled back the curtains and changed to Jin Rui: "What time is it? Is the Princely Heir practicing?"
Jin Rui lowered her eyes and said, "It’s just past 7 a.m., the Princely Heir has gone out and instructed the maids not to disturb Madam’s rest."
Yunluo couldn’t help but feel guilty; she knew she was late, but she didn’t expect it to be so late.
She got up, dressed, combed her hair, and headed to the eastern antechamber, where Lian Qiao was setting the table.
"Madam," Lian Qiao greeted with a smile, "I just went to the kitchen and saw they made a sweet lily and black rice porridge. Knowing you like it, I brought it here."
Yunluo chuckled, "You’re always so clever."
Yunluo sat at the table, looking at the dishes that tempted her appetite, and took the chicken soup from Lian Qiao’s hands.
The kitchen had a set way of making chicken soup, with a taste and color that wasn’t greasy at all. Instead, the floating greens and red dates made it refreshing.
The soup was still warm.
Yunluo sipped it slowly before enjoying the sweet porridge.
After clearing the table, Jin Rui accompanied Yunluo to Jingshui Hall.
"Maybe it was the chicken soup," Yunluo mumbled softly.
Jin Rui was startled but quickly understood Yunluo’s meaning. Seeing no one around in the garden, she quietly asked Yunluo, "If you suspect the chicken soup, why..."
"If I don’t drink it, wouldn’t that tell them I already know?" Yunluo snorted softly, "Imperial Doctor Xing said that taking a small amount won’t harm me. The Princely Heir will leave in two days, and then she won’t make me take it anymore."
Hearing this, Jin Rui felt a pang in her heart. Her Madam, who was so cherished in her family, now had to be so cautious in the Marquis Mansion.
It was fortunate that the Princely Heir was devoted to Madam and that both Old Madam and Madam like her, otherwise...
"Are you worried about the Princely Heir?" Jin Rui asked.
Yunluo paused for a moment, then smiled faintly, "I am."
Despite being worried, she wasn’t so afraid that she couldn’t eat or sleep.
In her previous life, the Second House made their move five years later. Even with slight changes in this life, they wouldn’t be in such a rush.
Mu Yuanmou was a cunning old fox; before Mu Liancheng and Mu Lianyu firmly established themselves in the army, he wouldn’t act recklessly.
If things followed the past, Mu Lianxiao would return to the capital with Mu Liancheng in the winter and head back to the battlefield in February of the following year.
Actually, it would only be half a year, a mere drop compared to the fifty years she had endured before.
If she could find some evidence of the Second House’s wrongdoings within these six months and somehow inform Mu Lianxiao, even if indirectly, that would already be quite good.
If getting evidence against the Second House was that easy, Madam Wu would have noticed something long ago.
Having lived a second life, Yunluo understood the actions of the Second House and found her detestation of them entirely normal.
But for Madam Wu and Mu Lianxiao, those were their close family. Without solid proof, how could they accept it?
Relying solely on chicken soup?
For such an ugly internal strife in the Marquis Mansion, would Madam Wu really call upon an Imperial Physician to openly verify it? And which Imperial Physician would dare to get involved?
Imperial Doctor Xing’s words alone were not enough to settle the matter.
Even if Madam Wu became wary of the Second House, the Lian Family had many scapegoats. The Second House would sacrifice the pawn for the greater good, and Yunluo would have merely alerted the enemy.
This deal was truly not worthwhile.
For now, what needed to be done was to continue with the plans set in Tong City: gain control over the household management, cause some trouble for the Second House, forcing the Lian Family to intervene.
No matter how meticulous a person is, they’re bound to make mistakes if they act too often.
Arriving at Jingshui Hall, Yunluo and Mrs. Zhou listened together to the reports from the housekeepers.
These were all efficient people, and even though Yunluo had been away for a few days, everything was orderly.
After handling matters, Yunluo supported Mrs. Zhou as they sat in the eastern antechamber.
Mrs. Zhou patted her hand, "This morning, Lian Xiao mentioned to me, help him pack his luggage these days."
Yunluo’s eyelashes fluttered. If Mu Lianxiao had visited Jingshui Hall that morning, then Mrs. Zhou knew she had slept in late.
The reason for sleeping in...
Mrs. Zhou must have known as well.
Yunluo felt slightly embarrassed, but fortunately, her skin was thick enough not to be too ashamed to speak. She nodded, "Mother, I will."
"Hmm..." Mrs. Zhou responded softly.
Yunluo stood to leave but was stopped by Mrs. Zhou as she reached the curtain.
"Lian Xiao’s wife," Mrs. Zhou looked at her with deep eyes, "everyone in this household has gone through this, grit your teeth, and you’ll get through."
The hand caressing the beaded curtain trembled. Yunluo suddenly recalled the past.
Mrs. Zhou had told her something similar, but with a completely different tone and attitude.
"Everyone else in this family can endure it, but you can’t?"
That’s what Mrs. Zhou had said to her before.
Yunluo pressed her lips together, pulling a gentle smile and nodded at Mrs. Zhou, "Mother, I won’t make it difficult for the Princely Heir."
Mrs. Zhou slightly raised her eyebrows. Seeing Yunluo’s determined expression, her worries finally eased.
Such resilience, that was truly wonderful.
Returning to Shaohui Garden to pack, Yunluo had been busy for just a short while when Jiang Yunuan arrived.
Jiang Yunuan was already showing, her belly protruding, making her arms and legs seem even slimmer.
Despite being slender, Yunluo recalled, Jiang Yunuan’s pregnancy was very smooth, and she delivered a beautiful daughter.
When Madam Wu heard the news, she was slightly disappointed, but upon seeing the exquisite child, her joy knew no bounds.
In hindsight, Mu Yuanmou targeting Mu Lianxiao five years later probably had something to do with Mu Liancheng’s offspring.
Before Jiang Yunuan gave birth to a healthy boy, Mu Yuanmou would still be watching.
Yunluo invited Jiang Yunuan to sit down. Without Jiang Yunuan having to say anything, just by her expression, Yunluo knew her intent.
"I heard the Princely Heir is departing in two days?" Jiang Yunuan’s smile carried a hint of melancholy.
Yunluo nodded, "Yes."
"I don’t know how our husband is doing there..." Jiang Yunuan sighed, "I’ve prepared some things and would like to ask the Princely Heir to take them to our husband. You know, the border is far and in war, no one goes there. If you miss this chance, it will be difficult to send anything in the future."
Yunluo chuckled lightly.
This statement had a hidden meaning: once Mu Lianxiao left, Yunluo wouldn’t be able to find someone to send things to him.
"It’s just a small effort." Yunluo agreed.
Jiang Yunuan looked up, seeing Yunluo’s calm demeanor, and said, "Third sister-in-law, you truly are braver than I am. I remember when our husband was leaving, I could not stay calm at all."
"I just returned from Jingshui Hall, where Mother told me that once endured, it will pass." Yunluo said.
Jiang Yunuan’s smile froze at her lips, and after some time, she vaguely responded, "Yes, as I endured, only a few months passed, and now my belly is protruding."
The topic shifted, and Jiang Yunuan sat a while longer before taking her leave.
By dusk, the maid by her side delivered the items, opening them in front of Yunluo: "Madam, it’s just these two new sets of clothing to send."
Lian Qiao accepted them.