Chapter 243 - 242: Eldest Brother
Mu Lianxiao briefly recounted the events surrounding Mu Liankang’s disappearance.
Du Yunluo listened quietly, leaned forward, and pressed her right hand over the hand Mu Lianxiao had placed by the carriage curtain: "So that’s why you went to see Master Kongming? Was it the same when I met you in the bamboo forest last year?"
As soon as she said this, Jin Rui, who was sitting in the corner trying not to draw attention to herself, sharply raised her head and looked at Du Yunluo in astonishment.
Last year? Qinglian Temple? Bamboo forest?
Wasn’t that the time when our lady was forced by Zhen Wenqian to jump out the window?
She ran away, and unexpectedly ran into the Princely Heir?
And she, waiting outside the room for her lady to return, hadn’t suspected a thing.
Jin Rui swallowed repeatedly, grateful that Mrs. Zhen wasn’t aware, or else how would she explain herself!
At that time, the lady’s hair was disheveled!
If anyone had seen her, then...
Jin Rui quietly recited a Buddhist prayer, relieved that no one knew.
Meanwhile, Mu Lianxiao was looking down at Du Yunluo’s hand.
The small hand placed over his was fair, with slender fingers, and the nails, now without any polish, were rounded and pale pink.
They were extremely beautiful, yet somewhat cold.
Mu Lianxiao frowned, turned his hand over to hold it, and gently rubbed it: "Why so cold?"
The calloused fingers brushed against her palm, causing a tingling sensation, and Du Yunluo’s heart skipped a beat. She said, "I’m asking you a question."
Mu Lianxiao gazed deeply at her and smiled.
His smiling eyes seemed to glisten with water, clear and gentle, reflecting her charming face.
After a long while, Mu Lianxiao slowly said, "Yes, when my brother disappeared, my memory was very blurry. Mu Tang was guarding outside the tent, and I wanted to learn more, but he said the matters of the mundane world no longer concerned him."
Du Yunluo pursed her lips in thought.
She knew Mu Liankang’s disappearance was the work of the second branch, but Mu Lianxiao wasn’t aware. Without any clues, he would never suspect his own family.
Without evidence, Du Yunluo couldn’t directly reveal the truth, and even if she did, it wouldn’t help.
It would be like someone suddenly telling her that her grandparents and uncle and aunt were scheming against her, intent on her demise—she wouldn’t believe it either.
This isn’t merely about preferences or trust; such accusations cannot be made without solid proof.
In her past life, Du Yunluo hadn’t even known of a person like Mu Tang. By the time she learned the truth, it was too late; all those involved in the old events had died. She had no way to piece the details together.
Now, in this life, instead of making Mu Lianxiao wary and suspicious of the second branch through small hints, it would be more effective to clear up the already existing troubles.
The Old Marquis and Mu Yuance’s deaths on the battlefield made investigation difficult, but there were still openings in Mu Liankang’s disappearance.
Be it Mu Tang or the other guards who were present at the time, as long as something could be uncovered, it would be the strongest evidence.
Seeing Du Yunluo frown in thought, Mu Lianxiao softly asked her, "What’s on your mind?"
Du Yunluo returned to her senses, took a deep breath, and said, "It’s been five years. The fact that you’re still inquiring Master Kongming is because you don’t believe the eldest young master would simply disappear, right?"
Mu Lianxiao’s body stiffened, stunned.
"The eldest young master was thirteen or fourteen at that time, right? The incense for seven days needed to be burned till dawn; why would the eldest young master leave in the middle of the night?"
Mu Lianxiao’s chest heaved heavily. He turned to the clear sky, his expression somber, before focusing back on Du Yunluo, showing a bitter smile: "Perhaps."
Though of similar age, Mu Liankang had always shown the demeanor of an elder brother.
On the journey to the frontier to receive the spirits, Mu Liankang guided him a lot. Whenever he cried over the deaths of their grandfather, father, and uncles, Mu Liankang would encourage him, reminding him that as the eldest grandson of the eldest house, he must be strong, diligent, and uphold the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s honor; his brothers would support and protect him.
When discussing Mu Yuanming’s death, Mu Liankang said, with their father gone, their mother would rely on him in the future.
Such a positive and courageous Mu Liankang vanished on that fateful day.
Sometimes, Mu Lianxiao wondered, maybe Mu Liankang couldn’t bear it anymore, the tightly drawn string snapped, and he abandoned them; but each time he saw their third aunt, Mrs. Xu, he felt that it wasn’t something Mu Liankang would do.
"I don’t know either. There were so many people in the camp, and yet he suddenly disappeared." Mu Lianxiao said hoarsely.
Du Yunluo wanted to say more, but feared she might overstep, so she restrained herself.
She had a thought—once Jin Ling married Yun Qi, she could ask her to gather some information about Mu Tang. Perhaps something could prompt him to talk about that year.
Mentioning these old matters made the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Seeing Du Yunluo’s furrowed brow, Mu Lianxiao looked back toward the tea stall, ensuring no one was paying attention, and swiftly reached out to rub her brow: "Don’t frown."
Du Yunluo widened her eyes, staring straight at Mu Lianxiao. The finger on her brow felt like a flame, burning hot and making her vision blur.
In the past, she was often quite headstrong, frequently clashing with Mu Lianxiao.
Every time she furrowed her brow, Mu Lianxiao would extend his hand to touch her brow, smiling as he comforted her, telling her not to frown, that she looked best when she smiled...
Concerned about the people outside, Mu Lianxiao quickly withdrew his hand, causing a sudden redness in the corners of Du Yunluo’s eyes. Feeling flustered, he asked, "What’s wrong?"
Du Yunluo’s lips trembled, her throat seeming blocked, unable to speak.
"Is your stomach hurting again?" Mu Lianxiao asked instinctively, then caught himself awkwardly clearing his throat.
Just as Du Yunluo struggled to find an explanation, this gave her a way out, and regardless of its appropriateness, she turned her head and mumbled a couple of affirmative responses.
At the tea stall, Du Huaixi seemed to glance casually toward the direction of the carriage.
Perceptive as always, Mu Lianxiao knew that if the conversation continued, Du Huaixi and Mrs. Zhen might not be pleased; thus, he gently said to Du Yunluo, "Yunluo, I must leave now. Take care of yourself. When we return to the Capital, if you need anything, let Yun Qi deliver the message to me."
Du Yunluo nodded, releasing Mu Lianxiao’s hand.
Seeing her reluctant expression, her eyes full of longing, his heart stirred, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, he whispered, "Yunluo, in just two months, you’ll come of age."
Before Du Yunluo could respond, Mu Lianxiao had smiled and leapt off the carriage.
The falling carriage curtain swayed in front of her, but her ears echoed with Mu Lianxiao’s words.
In just two months, she would come of age, and then her marriage could be arranged.
Not only was she eagerly anticipating it, but he was also growing impatient.
Du Yunluo buried her face against the pillow, curving her lips into a smile.
Quickly, Jin Rui heard Nanny Zhao’s voice outside and hurriedly tugged on Du Yunluo’s sleeve.
Du Yunluo lifted her head from the pillow, snuggling further into the carriage, leaning against Jin Rui. Just as she adjusted her posture, Mrs. Zhen entered, supported by Nanny Zhao.