Chapter 247 - 246: Smiling Faces (Jojo and He Shi Bi+)
The carriage gently rolled over the cobblestone path.
Du Yunluo sat inside the carriage, staring unblinkingly through the sheer curtain at Mu Lianxiao outside.
Just now, they were at the palace gate and couldn’t linger long to avoid attracting attention, so they simply left.
The carriage did not head straight back to the Du Mansion, but wound around and stopped at a quiet alleyway. Du Yunluo lifted the curtain and smiled warmly at Mu Lianxiao.
Her smile was warm like sunshine, with laughter spilling from her eyes like flowing water, brushing over Mu Lianxiao’s heart, causing him to involuntarily curve his lips as well.
He really liked Du Yunluo’s smiling face, with her apricot eyes sparkling like stars, and two shallow dimples on her cheeks. She seemed to glow, illuminating those around her, making it hard for them to suppress their smiles.
Mu Lianxiao thought that not only he, but Madam Wu would surely smile too upon seeing her.
A few days ago, Mu Liancheng and Jiang Yunuan got married.
There was clearly a celebration at the Marquis Mansion, but Mu Lianxiao felt that except for the second house who were genuinely happy, everyone else’s smiles seemed a bit forced.
His third aunt, Mrs. Xu, did not appear from start to finish.
During the bowing ceremony, she was invited, but Mrs. Xu said she was a widow and didn’t want to join the festivities. When invited again for the recognition ceremony, she said Jiang Yunuan had grown up in the Marquis Mansion and knew everyone and every path.
Madam Wu’s face was also lacking in smiles.
The joyous event of marrying a granddaughter-in-law couldn’t even bring Madam Wu to happiness.
Mu Lianxiao knew it wasn’t that Madam Wu didn’t like Jiang Yunuan; she was just reminded of Mu Liankang.
No one in the mansion mentioned Mu Liankang anymore; it wasn’t forgotten but speaking of him brought sadness, a thorn in everyone’s hearts.
A thorn in his heart.
Mu Lianxiao looked deeply at Du Yunluo.
He had heard from the nannies by Madam Wu’s side that the old madam had a good impression of Du Yunluo, laughing endlessly at the Qixi flower melons she sent twice.
Once Du Yunluo entered the mansion, accompanied by her smile, Madam Wu would certainly be happy, and his mother, Mrs. Zhou, would be happy too.
Of course, he would also be happy.
"Yunluo," Mu Lianxiao bent down from the horse, leaning towards the window, and whispered, "Come marry me soon, would you?"
Du Yunluo’s heart skipped a beat and then began to thump faster and faster.
The close proximity allowed them to hear each other’s breathing, Mu Lianxiao’s breath brushing over her nose tip, a little hot, a little itchy. Du Yunluo gently bit her lip, her mind drawn to his clear, radiant eyes, leaving her mind blank.
For a while, not hearing Du Yunluo’s answer, Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but ask again, "Would you?"
Du Yunluo only felt like her chest was about to explode, her fair fingers gripping the window frame, knuckles turning white, and she softly said, "I thought you knew..."
The soft and tender voice made Mu Lianxiao’s smile widen instantly, his tensed spirit relaxed, and he rested his forehead against Du Yunluo’s.
Du Yunluo didn’t avoid it, thinking that if they weren’t separated by the carriage, Mu Lianxiao would have hugged her by now.
Hmm...
Maybe not.
He wouldn’t dare to hug her.
Blinking her eyes, Du Yunluo’s eyelashes brushed against Mu Lianxiao’s eyelids, and she noticed his eyes suddenly tensed.
Du Yunluo couldn’t help but smile with her eyes curved.
Practitioners of martial arts have a resolute mind, very resolute.
Forehead touching, so close yet so far.
Mu Lianxiao felt his entire forehead was hot, like on fire, unsure whether to separate or not.
Within his sight, there was her smooth, delicate skin, her cute little nose.
In the end, Mu Lianxiao eased up, slightly distancing himself from Du Yunluo, just slightly: "Hmm, I knew."
His voice, clear as the spring breeze, slid past her ear, causing Du Yunluo to hold her breath. The carriage window felt smooth and slippery, covered with sweat from her palm.
Du Yunluo gave him a sidelong glance, dropped the curtain, and hmphed, "Then why did you ask?"
As if coquettish, as if complaining, Mu Lianxiao laughed, content and satisfied.
His laughter drifted into the carriage, clearly heard by Du Yunluo. She turned to Jin Rui and asked, "Is there any food in the carriage?"
Jin Rui, sitting in the corner, looked up in surprise.
The lady was talking so well with the princely heir, why was she suddenly looking for something to eat?
Confused, Jin Rui shook her head, "There are no snacks prepared today. Are you hungry, Miss?"
Du Yunluo pouted and said, "Not hungry, he’s just always teasing me, I need snacks to block his mouth!"
Jin Rui was speechless, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
After all, time was precious. Du Yunluo exchanged a few more words with Mu Lianxiao before allowing the carriage to return to the Du Mansion.
Until she stepped off at the second gate, Du Yunluo was in a wonderful mood.
Initially intending to return to Anhua Courtyard, she recalled the events at the palace today and turned toward Lianfu Garden instead.
Old Mrs. Xia was talking with Nanny Xu when she arrived and hurriedly waved Du Yunluo over to sit beside her, "How was the high monk’s sermon? Tell your grandmother about it."
Du Yunluo laughed, "I’ve come to discuss something with Grandmother."
Old Mrs. Xia nodded.
Du Yunluo said, "The Duchess was also in the palace today. Last time when we returned from Guoning Temple, she asked about my fourth sister, and I fended it off, but today she brought it up again, wanting to marry my fourth sister to that medicine jar. The Empress Dowager directly interrupted, meaning she wouldn’t agree.
I thought I should inform you, Grandmother. You should also discuss it with Auntie, just in case the Duchess doesn’t find someone suitable and turns her attention back to my fourth sister. What should we do then?"
Old Mrs. Xia pressed her lips tight. If the Empress Dowager refused, the Duchess’s insistence was unlikely, but precautions were always a good idea.
Especially since Yunuo was not young anymore, and each month was crucial. Getting involved in Duke Zhen’s affairs would impact her regardless of the outcome.
"Grandmother knows, you’ve handled it rightly," Old Mrs. Xia patted Du Yunluo’s hand, about to say more when Lanzhi called from outside for the "Fourth Miss."
Du Yunluo looked up towards the bead curtain, wondering how long Du Yunuo had been standing behind it.
Du Yunuo entered with a food box, her expression calm, "Grandmother, my brother just returned from outside and said the restaurant on East Street has two new dishes we’ve never tried. He bought them, so I’ve brought them for you to taste."
Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily, "That sly Yun Lan, thinking about new dishes while he’s about to get married. Since he bought them, I’ll try them."
Du Yunuo opened the food box, and Nanny Xu handed out the bowls and chopsticks for Old Mrs. Xia to taste.
Old Mrs. Xia chewed slowly, nodding, "This lamb is not bad, tender and not gamey. That eggplant is good too; Yunluo, try them."
Du Yunluo took a small taste of each, repeatedly saying how delicious they were.
Old Mrs. Xia said, "Nanny Xu, put them away and reheat them tonight for the old master to try."
Nanny Xu agreed.
After Du Yunuo left, Du Yunluo stayed for another quarter of an hour before getting up to head to Qinghui Garden.
Just as she stepped out of Lianfu Garden, crossing the garden corridor, she saw Du Yunuo leaning against a pillar from afar.
As Du Yunluo approached, Du Yunuo turned her head and said, "I heard everything you told Grandmother."