Chapter 420 - 419: Missing (450 Monthly Tickets+)
Yunluo’s face turned pale.
She didn’t respond immediately, instead tightly closing her eyes.
Mu Lianxiao knew that Yunluo trusted and relied on him, so she closed her eyes to reminisce, not to escape.
His fingertip gently pressed against her palm for comfort.
After a long while, Yunluo slowly opened her eyes, shook her head hesitantly, and said, "A hideous face, I think I have never seen him."
Mu Lianxiao stroked her back and said, "I understand. Yunluo, the army is stationed outside the city; I need to leave the city later. You stay home with Aunt and Sister-in-law to look after the children, I’ll return earlier."
"You’re not leaving today, right?" Yunluo looked up at him, "You’re not returning to Shanyu Pass, correct?"
Mu Lianxiao nodded, "No return, the Changping Marquis Mansion has a lot to tidy up."
Yunluo slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Brother Yan and the siblings also woke up, Mu Lianxiao hugged his son, then handed him to Yunluo, and turned around to leave.
Yunluo reached the West Wing.
Yan Family lay on the bed, Brother Duan sat inside, she held her son’s little hand and talked to Yang Family.
Seeing Yunluo bringing the children, Yan Family smiled and said, "Bring Brother Yan and the siblings to the bed as well; the three can get together and be joyful."
The wet nurses responded accordingly.
Yang Family pulled Yunluo to sit down, concerned, "Did you rest well last night? I see today’s complexion is good."
Yunluo smiled softly, "I slept pretty well. How about Aunt and Sister-in-law? The house is just this bit; it’s a little crowded."
"Squeezing together is good," Yang Family gently gazed at Yunluo, "Being together with the family is reassuring."
After chatting for a while, someone came from Hong Jinbao’s family to report that Du Huarang was ready to go to the government office, and asked her to invite Yang Family.
Yang Family nodded and said to Yunluo and Yan Family, "The backyard burnt down, I’ll go let people clean it up; the affairs in the backyard, the master doesn’t understand. Don’t worry, we have retained manpower around the house."
After Yang Family left, only the aunt and sister-in-law were left with the wet nurse and maids to take care of the children.
Fortunately, this day was much calmer than yesterday.
Du Yuntao didn’t return to the mansion, he slept at the government office, and only came back with Yang Family at sunset.
When Brother Duan saw his father, his eyes immediately brightened, reaching out his hands.
Du Yuntao picked him up.
Brother Duan’s head rubbed against Du Yuntao’s neck, saying, "You’re late."
Yunluo laughed and conveyed to Du Yuntao what Mu Lianxiao said to Brother Duan in the morning.
Du Yuntao chuckled and comforted his son properly.
At night, when Mu Lianxiao returned, Yunluo asked about the Changping Marquis Mansion.
The Changping Marquis Mansion was burned down completely, no evidence could be found; Yunluo couldn’t tell whether this was good or bad.
If there were tangible proof that the private army at the Changping Marquis Mansion was prepared for Prince Rui’s rebellion, the Prince Rui Mansion would immediately face catastrophe.
But as the Empress Dowager was still present, maybe she could save a few lives at the Prince Rui Mansion, or maybe, they’d still see the Holy Emperor personally destroy Prince Rui, Li Luan didn’t commit patricide to show "loyalty," whether he’d survive was uncertain.
Now the truth was burned away by the fire, Prince Rui couldn’t raise an army relying solely on Changping Marquis, but without Changping Marquis, it’s undoubtedly losing his left arm and right hand, possibly dragging his feet, which might be good for Nanyan, but it might make Prince Rui recruit more aggressively.
"I’ve rushed reports on Changping Marquis and Jia De’s matters back to the palace, once everything is settled here, I’ll arrange manpower to escort Jia De to the capital," Mu Lianxiao sighed and said, "However, Jia De can’t be our military guide, the surprise attack has to be delayed.
Yunluo, rebuilding the government office will take at least a few months, I’ve been pondering, instead of letting Uncle’s family look for a temporary courtyard outside, why not continue living at home.
You previously mentioned wanting to visit Shanyu Pass, the courtyard in town has long been prepared, due to your concern about Brother Huaiyan it was delayed.
Why don’t you and Brother Yan come with me to Shanyu Pass, vacate the main house for Uncle and Aunt, they will have enough space."
Yunluo stared at Mu Lianxiao.
Considering her maternal relatives to this extent, Yunluo felt warm inside.
Mu Lianxiao wanted to take her along, fearing she wouldn’t shake off the shadows of the previous day, worried about leaving her alone in Xuancheng.
Thinking of this, Yunluo naturally didn’t want to refuse Mu Lianxiao’s kindness, saying, "I’ll go with Brother Yan and stay for a few months, it won’t disturb you, right? I really want to visit."
Mu Lianxiao laughed and hugged Yunluo’s waist, saying, "No need to worry, I’ll arrange everything."
The following morning, Yunluo shared this with Yang Family.
Yang Family looked worried, saying, "How can Aunt shamelessly let you vacate space..."
Yunluo comforted her, saying, "Actually, I just don’t want to be alone, during the day it’s fine, but at night when I close my eyes, I’m always a bit scared."
With the conversation reaching this point, Yang Family couldn’t stop her, so she simply swallowed the worrying words and only urged her to take good care of herself and Brother Yan, and not to cause trouble for Mu Lianxiao.
Outside Xuancheng, the army was already led by the Assistant General back to Shanyu Pass.
Mu Lianxiao was busy handling the remaining affairs, and Yunluo had the people under her pack the luggage.
Two days later, Yunluo carried Brother Yan and boarded the carriage, following Mu Lianxiao to Shanyu Pass.
The carriage was not like riding solo, unable to travel day and night, Mu Lianxiao estimated they would take about ten days to arrive.
The farther they traveled from Xuancheng, the more difficult the road became, Yunluo occasionally lifted the curtain to glance at the scenery outside, observing less and less greenery day by day.
Jin Rui looked around and said to Yunluo, "Previously thought Jiuxi exaggerated to trick the maids, but seeing it today, it’s truly an eye-opener."
Yunluo nodded repeatedly.
She had read the geographical records of Lindong, and heard Mu Lianxiao and Jiuxi talk about this route’s scenery, but only witnessing it personally did she grasp the true meaning of "traveling ten thousand miles after reading ten thousand books."
Halfway through the journey, horse hoofbeats echoed from afar upfront, moving rapidly.
Mu Lianxiao looked at Jiuxi, Jiuxi understood, pressing his legs against the horse’s belly, lashed the whip forward to scout.
When the approaching figure came into view, Jiuxi paused slightly, shouting loudly, "Ming Liu?"
"Why are you on the road? Where’s the master?" Ming Liu was extremely astonished, and upon nearing, pulled the rein.
Jiuxi pointed behind, "The master and mistress are back there."
Ming Liu nodded and the two returned to the carriage together.
Seeing Ming Liu sweating profusely, Mu Lianxiao frowned and asked, "Did something happen at Shanyu Pass?"
Ming Liu reported, "Everything’s normal with Shanyu Pass’s defenses, but, Young Master Ye has disappeared."
Ye Yuzhi disappeared?
Mu Lianxiao’s eyes tightened suddenly, Yunluo also lifted the curtain, looking at Ming Liu in astonishment.
"Mr. Huang retreated from outside the pass, Young Master Ye wasn’t in the army, they assumed he went to Xuancheng with you.
When the Xuancheng soldiers returned to Shanyu Pass, there was no sign of Young Master Ye, sending people everywhere asking, no one saw him go to Xuancheng.
But he wasn’t back from outside the pass either..."
Ming Liu’s words made Mu Lianxiao’s face gradually darken.
If Ye Yuzhi didn’t return to the pass but remained in the Great Desert, has he survived these many days?
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