Chapter 449 - 448: Returning

Chapter 449: Chapter 448: Returning

When Mu Lianxiao woke up, Du Yunluo was still lost in her dreams.

Du Yunluo’s sleeping posture wasn’t great; she always clung to Mu Lianxiao with all her limbs, hardly letting go even in summer.

Mu Lianxiao had teased her about it, saying that with Du Yunluo’s sleeping style, he wouldn’t dare let Brother Yan sleep next to her.

However, Mu Lianxiao actually liked her this way.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he could see Du Yunluo nestled in his arms, breathing gently, with slightly parted cherry lips, looking extremely adorable.

Mu Lianxiao chuckled softly, coaxing Du Yunluo to release him, before quietly getting up to go outside and practice boxing.

The sky was gloomy, with heavy clouds pressing low.

Had he been in the Capital, Mu Lianxiao would have expected a storm brewing, but here at Shanyu Pass, except for snowfall, there’s hardly any rain.

Though it was cold these days, it hadn’t reached the point for snow yet.

Mu Lianxiao worked up a sweat during his practice and turned to see Jin Rui and Jin Lan talking outside the main house. Walking over, he asked, "Is Madam not yet awake?"

Last night, Jin Rui had the night watch.

The large kang bed wasn’t like a rumbling step-bed, but Jin Rui still heard some movements.

Knowing Du Yunluo would definitely struggle to get up, and without any instructions, Jin Rui hadn’t gone inside.

Upon Mu Lianxiao’s inquiry, she lowered her gaze and said, "Madam is still asleep."

Mu Lianxiao stepped inside, his face warm and doting, lifting the curtain to enter the eastern room to find Du Yunluo still clutching the quilt asleep.

She was exhausted from last night and would likely sleep till noon...

Mu Lianxiao leaned closer, gently tucking Du Yunluo’s long hair behind her ears, revealing her delicate features, with a few red marks on her neck, and more further down.

He tucked Du Yunluo in snugly before stealthily slipping to the screen for a wash.

Upon returning, Mu Lianxiao glanced at the Western clock, seeing the hour was already late, thus deciding to head out.

The person on the kang bed shifted, causing the quilt to slip down.

Chuckling, Mu Lianxiao fixed the quilt for Du Yunluo and, after a moment’s thought, softly called her.

This trip would see him return only after a successful surprise attack.

He understood Du Yunluo’s concern; leaving without a word would leave her anxious.

"Yunluo..." Mu Lianxiao sat on the kang, leaning down and calling softly.

After several calls, Du Yunluo murmured, her brow furrowed tightly, unease visible as she slowly opened her eyes to his voice.

Their gazes met, and Du Yunluo raised her hand, rubbing her almond eyes.

Mu Lianxiao wrapped her hand, saying, "Yunluo, I must go back now."

Du Yunluo, in a muddled state, stayed dazed for a while. Once clear, she sat up abruptly.

"Ouch..." Du Yunluo couldn’t help but gasp sharply, her whole body aching fiercely.

Mu Lianxiao steadied her.

Du Yunluo pouted, whining softly, "Everything hurts."

Mu Lianxiao chuckled, playfully flicking Du Yunluo’s forehead, whispering by her ear, "Blame me?"

"Blame you!" Du Yunluo muttered, seeing laughter in Mu Lianxiao’s eyes, she teased, "Blame me, alright."

Mu Lianxiao laughed aloud, hugging Du Yunluo and pecking her lips, "I’ll go first, you sleep a bit longer, no need to get up early."

Reflecting on the previous night’s frenzy, Du Yunluo spat, blushing at the corner of her eyes, "Hurry up and go! The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll return."

Lingering like this more, she truly didn’t want to let him go.

Mu Lianxiao, in high spirits, left the house only after a moment holding Brother Yan in the courtyard, listening to his calls of "Papa," "Papa," before contentedly heading out.

Du Yunluo lay on the kang, her pointed chin resting against the pillow, emotions of longing slowly growing within her.

She pulled up the quilt, completely covering her head, lying there with eyes closed in the dark cocoon until she felt breathless, uncovering a corner for air.

Jin Rui quietly entered, seeing her under the quilt, hurriedly asked, "Madam, what’s wrong?"

Du Yunluo, hearing this, froze under the quilt.

Unable to express her small emotions, she simply said, "Cold."

Jin Rui acknowledged, fetching another quilt from the chest, aired the previous day, covering Du Yunluo, while secretly chuckling.

Du Yunluo had often said Mu Lianxiao was like a heater, so now with the "heater" gone, she felt cold.

If not, it was certainly much colder at night, yet Du Yunluo hadn’t called for another quilt last night.

Another brocade quilt pressed down; albeit soft cotton, Du Yunluo felt stifled, thus had to expose her head.

Body weary, but incapable of sleep, Du Yunluo simply got up to freshen up, and after breakfast, stayed indoors amusing Brother Yan.

Brother Yan continued to call out "Papa" nonstop.

Zhuang Ke brought Sister Ying and Brother Hui over, receiving the same three calls of "Papa."

Sister Ying paused, sat on the kang, earnestly telling Brother Yan, "I’m sister, not Papa. Brother’s Papa has gone out, and my Papa has gone out too."

Brother Yan couldn’t understand, merely comprehending Sister Ying’s mention of "Papa," he clapped his hands and kept calling.

Even Brother Hui joined in the fun.

Du Yunluo and Zhuang Ke laughed until they bent over.

"Sister-in-law, let me tell you, last night..." Du Yunluo smiled while recounting to Zhuang Ke the tale of Brother Yan calling Mu Lianxiao "Papa."

Zhuang Ke listened till tears nearly fell from laughter: "No surprise, it’s our own clan. When mine, Sister Ying first learned ’Papa,’ he was thrilled to bits.

Just returning from outside, Sister Ying called him so, he was ecstatic, forgot everything else, and wouldn’t listen to me, showing off with Sister Ying outside.

Then, you can imagine, Sister Ying calls everyone "Papa," and I followed behind, almost laughing to the ground."

Du Yunluo imagined the scene, holding her belly, laughing heartily.

With children in the house, laughter never lacked.

After the initial days of anxiety, Du Yunluo gradually calmed her heart.

Jiuxi traveled to Shanyu Pass every other day, bringing things and messages for Mu Lianxiao, and returning with updates for Du Yunluo.

Eighth day later, Jiuxi returned to inform her, "Madam, Master said tonight he’s heading out. I happened to run today’s errand, so he won’t have Shuying and Ming Liu come over today."

"Leaving tonight?" Du Yunluo paused.

Jiuxi nodded, explaining, "Master calculated the route; they’ll gallop day and night for two days nonstop, reaching Ancient Meili just in time under cover of night, undetected."

Listening to this seemed reasonable to Du Yunluo.

After Jiuxi left, Du Yunluo played with Brother Yan, reflecting upon his father’s similar features, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.