Chapter 265 - 264: Longing
With fewer people in the mansion, the reunion dinner was set in Old Madam’s room.
Madam Wu led the way out of the Warm Pavilion.
Mrs. Zhou was at the end, and Mu Lianxiao went over to support her, whispering, "Mother, Aunt..."
Mrs. Zhou shook her head, interrupting Mu Lianxiao’s words, "I know she resents me, and she’s only able to resent me. Don’t worry, I won’t take it to heart."
Mu Lianxiao lowered his eyes and said, "But that wasn’t your fault."
Mu Yuanjing’s distant marriage to Shu was orchestrated by Mrs. Zhou, and the Liu Family was also chosen by her. Although it was decided by Mu Shi Yuan and Madam Wu, Mrs. Zhou’s role in it was akin to how she chose Du Yunluo’s Lian Family for Mu Lianxiao.
Being away from family, adapting to life in Shu, her relationship with her husband was fraught with difficulties. Coupled with the Liu Family and Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s political disagreements, Mu Yuanjing’s life with her in-laws deteriorated every year. She blamed all of this on Mrs. Zhou.
After her husband’s death, Mu Yuanjing eventually returned to the Capital, still harboring resentment towards Mrs. Zhou.
If only Mrs. Zhou had married her off in the Capital, if only Mrs. Zhou hadn’t chosen a short-lived ghost for her, she wouldn’t have been widowed.
But ultimately, how could Mrs. Zhou have known that the Liu Family’s son would die young back then?
"Many things don’t have right or wrong," Mrs. Zhou said, refusing to speak of Mu Yuanjing again, instead instructing Mu Lianxiao, "I know you can drink, but have a little less. It’s late at night, and no one’s around to serve you, so I’m concerned."
Mu Lianxiao naturally agreed.
The snow outside was getting heavier, and the feast ended early.
With a visit to the palace first thing in the morning sparing energy was necessary, Madam Wu didn’t keep the vigil, nor did she ask Mu Lianxiao to stay up, letting him return to the front courtyard to rest.
The front courtyard was lit up.
Yun Qi was waiting for Mu Lianxiao in the study. Upon seeing him return, Yun Qi took a slender bamboo segment from his sleeve, "The carrier pigeon delivered it in the afternoon."
Mu Lianxiao took it, retrieved the scroll inside, read it, and then burned it over the fire.
Yun Qi grinned mischievously, "Master, can I go home now? You see, it’s completely dark out."
Mu Lianxiao cast a sidelong glance at Yun Qi.
Yun Qi grinned shamelessly, "It’s New Year’s Eve after all, and my wife is waiting alone at home."
"Nonsense!" Mu Lianxiao laughed and cursed, what do you mean "wife alone," doesn’t he still have his sister Ying’er? Truly, once married, one forgets one’s sister.
Yun Qi rubbed his nose, "In this freezing weather, how can I let her wait around forever? Sigh, master, what if I’m late and she doesn’t open the door for me..."
"Can’t you climb walls? Useless!" Mu Lianxiao, amused by Yun Qi, waved him away repeatedly, "Hurry up and scram back, I’ve had the kitchen reserve a string of wild boar meat for you, don’t forget to pick it up."
"Thank you, master, I’ll go get it now." Yun Qi laughed and dashed out.
Hearing the footsteps grow fainter, Mu Lianxiao smiled and shook his head.
Kicking off his shoes, he casually lay down on the couch, yet couldn’t help but feel envious.
In this freezing weather, a string of wild boar meat, a pot of wine, and a wife, it really does sound nice.
His thumb brushed against his lip corner, recalling the light kiss Du Yunluo placed on his lips...
The alcohol seemed to churn in his stomach, setting his body ablaze.
He missed his wife, very much so.
At the Du Mansion, the banquet just ended.
Outside, the sound of fireworks could be faintly heard.
Du Yunluo stayed with Mrs. Zhen and Du Huaixi for a while, gradually feeling sleepy.
Mrs. Zhen held her, humming a tune to lull her, while Du Yundi, peeling peanuts, smiled with pursed lips, getting a hard glare from Mrs. Zhen.
Half-asleep until dawn.
Seated at the dressing table, Du Yunluo had Mrs. Zhen direct Jin Rui to dress her up. Once everything was satisfactory, she took Du Yunluo’s hand and went with her husband and son to Lianfu Garden to pay respects.
Stepping outside, the chilly wind bringing snowflakes hit, Du Yunluo took a breath of cold air, looking at the snow-white roof, silently thinking, the 20th year of Yong’an had finally arrived.
This year was exceptionally busy.
On the third day of the first month, Du Yunru and Du Yunying returned to their mother’s home.
Old Mrs. Xia held Sister Yi, reluctant to let go, gifting Yingluo Circle and longevity locks, along with a handful of gold and silver ingots, all for Sister Yi.
It was the first pregnancy for Xia Anxin, who pulled Du Yunru aside to ask in detail about pregnancy matters. Even though the nannies had told her quite a bit, Xia Anxin preferred hearing from someone close in age like Du Yunru.
Their voices were neither light nor heavy, and Jiang Si Niang, sitting nearby, could hear some of it.
Du Yunluo nudged towards her and whispered, "Third Sister-in-law, if you want to listen, just go and listen."
Jiang Si Niang’s face turned red instantly, "How could you say such a thing."
Liao Family also made a trip back to their family, then sent a post to Duke Jing Mansion.
Probably due to the festive season, visiting relatives was common, so Liao Family easily saw Aunt Liao.
Aunt Liao looked healthier than expected, which greatly reassured Liao Family.
According to Aunt Liao, these three months she wasn’t unhappy, quite the opposite, she was very happy. The only concern was An Ran not visiting the family.
However, it was just as well that An Ran didn’t come back. Aunt Liao had learned that at Uncle Enrong’s Mansion they valued this pregnancy highly, treating An Ran like a Bodhisattva. There was no need for An Ran to come back with a big belly to endure any frustrations.
As for the new lady of the house, she’s been quite troubled these days.
The new lady managed household affairs but didn’t trust those stewardesses who’ve been with Aunt Liao for over a decade. The Old Marquis’s wife recommended many old servants in the mansion to her, but the new lady was equally distrustful. Being new herself, it would take some time for her to have trusted aides, to be able to rearrange the entire mansion’s staff.
With the "three fires" of a new official taking office, she had to make some waves, replacing a few people, causing mixed reactions. Those older ones who had gained some benefits following Aunt Liao naturally weren’t happy and made trouble in secret. Figuring if the position couldn’t be secured, might as well vent some frustrations.
During this time, the mansion’s account transfer in the twelfth lunar month came.
The house wasn’t sorted out yet, and she had to take over the numerous estate and shop accounts of the Duke Mansion. Even with three heads and six arms, it was too much to handle.
According to Aunt Liao, the new lady had some household management skills. If she didn’t rush to change personnel, given a stable one or two years, almost no mistakes would be likely. But unfortunately, capable people don’t like being constrained, and she was eager for a "change of power."
Thus, the household fell into considerable chaos.
The Old Marquis’s wife blamed the new lady, who outwardly complied while privately dismissing the "outsiders instructing insiders" stance of the Old Marquis’s wife. This drama had Aunt Liao laughing out loud.
Aunt Liao was pleased, and so Liao Family felt at ease too. After all, that’s life, finding joy amid hardship, having some fun is better than nothing.
Leaving Duke Jing Mansion, Liao Family took a sedan chair back to Du Mansion.
The streets were lively, with many shops already hanging lanterns outside, and craftsmen were skillfully making lanterns on the roadside.
The sound of hooves approached from afar, scaring pedestrians aside.
Liao Family’s sedan chair moved to the edge too, watching a fast horse gallop towards the palace gate, she frowned: during the festive season, what could have happened?