Chapter 419 - 418: Fear
Du Yunluo stammered, repeating the latter part over and over, insisting she did nothing wrong.
Mu Lianxiao’s heart ached intensely, as if the pressure in his hand was also gripping his heart.
He was a soldier; he had fought in battles, stained with blood, and killed people. That was the battlefield; if you didn’t kill the enemy, you would be killed.
Growing up in a military family, Mu Lianxiao had never been afraid of this, not even when he first knocked an enemy off his horse.
There was no time to be afraid, no room for fear, as enemy soldiers charged at him from all sides, instinctively swinging his spear before he was fully conscious.
When cleaning up the battlefield, the desolate scene brought him only sorrow, not fear.
These were common occurrences for him, but for Du Yunluo, it was entirely different.
Du Yunluo was born into a scholarly aristocratic family, pampered since she was a child, crying and laughing easily, spoiled by her family before marriage, and cherished by Mu Lianxiao afterward.
War and killing, for Du Yunluo, were merely things she heard about.
The only close encounter she had was with the maid who inexplicably died in the well.
His Yunluo, when had she ever faced such danger, when had she ever confronted death?
This was not what she was supposed to experience, yet she did...
Moreover, Du Yunluo wasn’t hiding inside, trembling like the others; she personally struck the thug, her first time injuring someone, witnessing their painful convulsions before her eyes.
Burning to death, more terrifying than blood spurting from a knife wound, was the vivid sight of life slipping away.
The impact of a porcelain bottle smashing onto a person isn’t something easily comprehended—only those who act can truly understand that feeling.
Mu Lianxiao pressed Du Yunluo’s forehead to his chest.
They both knew she was not wrong; she should have acted thus. Yet the terror of killing had nothing to do with right or wrong.
With each breath, the soapy scent from Mu Lianxiao gradually replaced the burning flesh odor.
Du Yunluo inhaled deeply, calling softly, "Princely Heir?"
"I’m here," Mu Lianxiao replied.
Du Yunluo pursed her lips, calling again, "Princely Heir?"
"I’m here."
"Princely Heir?"
"I’m here."
...
Repeating over and over, Du Yunluo’s heart gradually calmed, her eyes misted, and tears overflowed, trailing down her cheeks.
Once the tears started, they flowed uncontrollably, like a dam breaking.
Mu Lianxiao gently patted her back, soothingly comforting her, allowing her to sob quietly.
Crying was a good thing.
Du Yunluo cried for a long time, her chest heaving with sobs.
Mu Lianxiao kissed the corner of her eye and told Jin Rui, "Prepare a set of clean underclothes for the lady."
Du Yunluo was already soaked with sweat; Jin Rui nodded repeatedly and withdrew after preparing everything.
Mu Lianxiao carried Du Yunluo to the cleansing room, washed her face, changed her underclothes, and brought her back to the bed.
From the dressing table, he found a fragrant ointment, took a bit, and carefully applied it to Du Yunluo’s face, avoiding the wound on her cheek.
When everything was sorted, Mu Lianxiao tentatively touched the wound: "Does it hurt?"
Du Yunluo gasped.
Mu Lianxiao chuckled softly. His Yunluo was delicate; such a small wound still hurt, especially when faced with such a scene?
With a heart both tender and aching, Mu Lianxiao extinguished the light, tucked in the bed curtain, and held Du Yunluo in his arms, saying, "It’s late, sleep now. I’ll be here with you, sleep..."
Instinctively, Du Yunluo leaned closer to Mu Lianxiao, not caring it was the height of summer, her arms and legs reaching out to him.
Embracing Mu Lianxiao’s waist, listening to his steady heartbeat, Du Yunluo felt at ease and hoarsely said, "I can’t sleep, talk to me, will you? Just talk about the Shanyu Pass."
Mu Lianxiao held her tighter, following her thoughts, speaking of Jia De’s actions after arriving at Shanyu Pass, describing the traps they set for Jia De...
But soon after he started, Du Yunluo’s breathing became steady, and she was asleep.
Mu Lianxiao gently smoothed out Du Yunluo’s long hair, afraid to move carelessly, fearing he might wake her.
No matter what, tonight was for Du Yunluo to rest well; by tomorrow, she must face it.
The thug who rushed in was burnt beyond recognition, indistinguishable by face or form, only Du Yunluo, who faced him directly, knew what he truly looked like.
Mu Lianxiao wanted to ask Du Yunluo, but truly couldn’t harden his heart, so he decided to wait until morning.
These days, Mu Lianxiao hadn’t had rest; now that it was quiet, fatigue washed over him, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.
When Mu Lianxiao awoke again, dawn was just breaking.
Du Yunluo still clung to him, heedless of their sweat-soaked bodies.
Thinking of the many people currently staying in the courtyard, Mu Lianxiao chose not to get up to practice, for fear of disturbing them.
He looked down at Du Yunluo, her brows relaxed, seemingly free from nightmares.
The tiny cut on her face, like a fissure in white jade, unsettled Mu Lianxiao, reminding him of when Du Yunluo offered to apply ointment on his arm wound, involuntarily curling his lips into a smile.
The ointment should have been brought along as well; he planned to apply it on her soon. His gentle Yunluo shouldn’t bear such scars.
Soon, Du Yunluo awoke too, meeting Mu Lianxiao’s deep, bright eyes; she forced a smile and said, "It’s good that you’re here."
Hearing her, Mu Lianxiao’s heart couldn’t help but tremble; he rolled over, pressing Du Yunluo beneath him, lowering his head to capture her lips.
Lips mingling until Du Yunluo was out of breath, Mu Lianxiao finally released her.
Catching her breath, Du Yunluo understood that Mu Lianxiao was telling her in this way, he was here, right within her reach.
Outside came the sound of a baby crying; Sister woke, which meant Brother Yan was crying too.
Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao got up, washed, and went to see the children.
The two little ones were hungry. After nursing, they stopped crying and fell asleep, except Brother Duan, listlessly leaning against the wet nurse.
Seeing Mu Lianxiao, Brother Duan timidly asked, "Uncle, where is Father?"
Du Yuntao was on the night watch, likely still at the government office at this hour.
Mu Lianxiao picked up Brother Duan and said, "Your father’s at the government office, your grandfather is resting in the front courtyard; once he goes to the office, your father will return.
Now, stay with Uncle and Aunt for breakfast, alright?"
Without Du Yuntao, Brother Duan looked disappointed but nodded nonetheless.
Jin Rui was setting the table in the west side room, and seeing Brother Duan, quickly told Jin Lan to add another set of dishes.
After serving porridge to all three, Jin Rui said, "Breakfast has been delivered to the eldest lady and mistress’s place; I’ve informed them that Brother Duan is staying at the lady’s room."
Brother Duan, though young, ate without needing cajoling or persuading.
After the meal, Du Yunluo wiped Brother Duan’s mouth and asked the wet nurse to take him to the Yang Family and Yan Family.
Mu Lianxiao held Du Yunluo’s hand, saying, "Yunluo, I know you’re afraid, but you must think about whether you recognize that thug?"