Chapter 369 - 368: Silver Armor (Jojo and the He Shi Bi +)

Chapter 369: Chapter 368: Silver Armor (Jojo and the He Shi Bi +)

After Mu Lianxiao left, Du Yunluo’s life suddenly became extremely simple.

She wrote a letter to the Capital to assure them she was safe, visited the government office every few days to chat with the Yang Family and the Yan Family, and when there was nothing to do, she made shoe insoles and inner garments.

Life in the military camp was tough, and the wear and tear on shoes, socks, and inner garments was significant.

The ones Mu Lianxiao took to the Northern Border last year were not enough for over half a year there.

Now in Lindong, not to mention that Mu Lianxiao could come by every month or two, and even sending them with Jiuxi on horseback would only take a few days, so Du Yunluo decided to prepare more for Mu Lianxiao.

In the blink of an eye, it was Qingming.

Du Yunluo set up an offering table in the small courtyard and burned incense for the ancestors of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Just after Qingming, Hong Jinbao’s family joyfully came to report that Jiuxi had returned.

With so few people in the Xuancheng courtyard, Du Yunluo, managing on her own, was free from many formalities.

After Jiuxi tidied up, he came to report, bringing back a letter from Mu Lianxiao.

Du Yunluo held the letter but didn’t rush to read it, only asking Jiuxi, "How are things at Shanyu Pass? How is the princely heir?"

Jiuxi, being talkative, recounted everything he saw and heard one by one.

It was his first time in Xuancheng, and the scenery so different from the Capital, had opened Jiuxi’s eyes, and returning to Shanyu Pass made him feel even more informed.

Du Yunluo listened to him talk about the majestic city walls and the boundless desert outside the pass, and she seemed to see the vast panorama unfold before her eyes.

"Madam, rest assured, Master has his own room at the base, watched over by Ming Liu and Shuying," Jiuxi said with a laugh, "Master wrote the letter to Madam in the room, and when I left, Master was off drilling.

There were many soldiers just following Master’s drills precisely; when he said east, they went east, and when he said west, they went west. Madam, he looked magnificent standing there.

Oh, and Madam, Master wore his armor, silver, and it glittered in the sunlight, dazzling my eyes, it was quite handsome.

Next time Master returns, Madam should have him wear it for you to see, it’s truly splendid."

Du Yunluo laughed so hard she clutched her belly, while Jin Rui and Jin Lan also couldn’t hold back their smiles and turned away, their shoulders shaking with laughter.

"I’m not lying to Madam, every word is true."

Du Yunluo tossed a walnut at him with a laugh, saying, "When the princely heir returns, he won’t be wearing armor. You told me about it, and now I’m longing to see it, but I can’t, so who else can I throw walnuts at but you?"

Jiuxi scratched his head, furrowing his brow, then offered ingratiatingly, "Then when Master returns, I’ll go meet him and carry his armor back for Madam?"

Du Yunluo laughed almost to tears, "It’s settled then, if I can’t see it, you’re the one I’ll ask. Next time you see your Master, look carefully and let me know when you return."

Jiuxi agreed with a wide grin.

After Jiuxi left, Jin Rui and Jin Lan couldn’t contain themselves and laughed heartily while holding onto the chair backs.

Du Yunluo curled her lips, secretly wondering how Mu Lianxiao would look in armor, especially that silver armor so dazzling, it must be extremely handsome.

She couldn’t wait to see it.

After sending the two maids out, Du Yunluo opened Mu Lianxiao’s letter.

The ink was rich, and the script matched his character.

It described his life at Shanyu Pass.

General Huang and Huang Yun had already arrived at Shanyu Pass, and they had also met Ye Yuzhi, who had arrived early.

General Huang wasn’t interested in the affairs of the Capital’s nobility, but he had heard some things about the situation at Duke Jing Mansion and greatly disliked family infighting.

Ye Yuzhi’s appearance was handsome and proper, and his demeanor was measured yet dignified, endearing him to General Huang and Huang Yun.

Moreover, Ye Yuzhi had practiced martial arts since childhood, originally for fitness, yet he had continued, unlike other noble sons who couldn’t endure hardships, prompting General Huang to agree to let him try his hand in the army.

Ye Yuzhi was diligent and hardworking, without putting on airs, and had good relations with others.

General Huang observed for two days and privately praised Ye Yuzhi, saying that given his character, as long as Duke Jing Mansion’s disgraceful tactics didn’t drag him down, he would definitely rise above in the future.

After reading the letter, Du Yunluo felt somewhat reassured, considering she should inform the Liao Family of this situation in her next letter to the Capital, so they wouldn’t be needlessly anxious.

At night, Du Yunluo’s menstrual flow started.

She had been concerned about it recently, and when she felt the dampness below, Du Yunluo sighed deeply and gently tapped her own belly.

During the day, Hong Jinbao’s family came to see her, noticing Du Yunluo’s listlessness, they cautiously advised, "Madam, don’t worry, it must be from the exhaustion of travel."

Du Yunluo pressed her lips together without speaking.

She couldn’t tell whether she was anxious or disappointed.

Hong Jinbao’s family gently consoled her, "Madam, a woman’s womb is strange.

I used to serve the old lady and heard Nanny Xu say that when the old lady first married into the Du Family, there was no movement for two or three years, and she was worried that the ancestors would pressure her to bear children.

Later, the ancestors comforted her, and her fear eased, and then she conceived.

She ended up having four sons, all healthy."

Du Yunluo knew Hong Jinbao’s family was trying to comfort her and murmured a response.

She felt down for two days before coming around on her own.

After all, they were in Lindong now, not in the Capital where missing a chance would mean waiting a year, so she figured she’d move around more in the next couple of months, and eventually, she’d conceive.

In mid-April, the results of the imperial examination were delivered to Xuancheng.

The government office received the news first.

When Du Yunluo went there, Yang Family was cheerful, with Brother Duan sitting on her lap, stuffing his mouth with mung bean cake.

Seeing Du Yunluo come over, Yang Family asked with a smile, "Yun Ru’s husband is named Shao Yuanzhou, right?"

Du Yunluo nodded.

Yang Family’s smile deepened, her eyes narrowing into a line, "He passed, second class, eighth place, achieving it at such a young age shows real talent and good fortune.

I secretly checked the result list in the morning and thought the name looked familiar, but feared I remembered wrongly, so I sent someone to find you."

Upon hearing that Shao Yuanzhou passed, Du Yunluo was happy too, rejoicing on behalf of Du Yunru.

She wasn’t sure what kind of position Shao Yuanzhou would secure, but at least his years of hard study had paid off.

Du Yunluo inquired about Shen Wenyu.

Yang Family’s eyes showed a flash of disappointment, but she smiled and said, "He didn’t pass. You don’t need to comfort me; Yun Tao’s wife is right, Wenyu has the potential, and even if he didn’t pass this year, he certainly will in the future.

After all, to achieve success in the imperial examination requires some luck, and I have faith in Wenyu. With this experience, he’ll surely perform well in next year’s spring exams."

Hearing Yang Family talk like that, Du Yunluo didn’t try to comfort her further, merely nodding with a smile, "Grandmother always said Second Sister is lucky and brings prosperity to her husband. Madam might as well just wait patiently."

As they were talking, the Yan Family came in from outside, holding an invitation.

Yang Family looked up and asked, "Which family sent it?"

The Yan Family respectfully replied, "Madam Changping Bo invites Mother to admire the spring flowers."

Du Yunluo’s eyes suddenly widened.