Chapter 453 - 452: Waiting (Jojo and the He Shi Bi+)

Chapter 453: Chapter 452: Waiting (Jojo and the He Shi Bi+)

Du Yunluo cried her heart out.

Jin Rui entered with red eyes, carrying water to assist Du Yunluo in freshening up.

Du Yunluo pressed her swollen eyes and said to Jiuxi, "Prepare the carriage; I will go to Shanyu Pass to wait for him."

Jiuxi responded and left.

Zhuang Ke patted her back and said, "Don’t worry, leave Brother Yan with me."

Du Yunluo expressed her gratitude, rearranged her hair, changed clothes, and boarded the carriage with Jin Rui.

Though trying to remain optimistic, she couldn’t help but feel depressed inside. Du Yunluo lifted the curtain, the north wind blew in, but she felt no chill; instead, her mood calmed a bit.

After an hour, Du Yunluo leaned on the pillow, half-closed her eyes to rest.

In her mind, memories of the past life entangled like vines at her heart.

She moved out of Shaohui Garden, living year after year in a secluded small courtyard, while Mu Liancheng inherited the title, with the second branch of the Marquis Mansion holding respect, she adopted Mu Lingran and nurtured him, yet was engulfed with rumors.

Mu Lingran’s wife viewed her as a predator; she aged year by year, living in reflection of the first half of her life, until Liu Yulan revealed all the truth to her.

She realized her mistakes were outrageous; in the last half-year, she contemplated more than in the previous fifty years.

When she opened her eyes in Anhua Courtyard, she received a chance to start over, which she intended to seize firmly.

This life has been altered significantly by her; Du Yunluo will never accept repeating past mistakes.

Half-asleep, tears wet the side of Du Yunluo’s eyes.

Mu Lianxiao promised not to worry her, said he wouldn’t get seriously injured, wouldn’t die, and assured he would return.

He promised so much; how could he not fulfill even one?

In past and present life, he must fulfill at least one or two?

Worry her if needed, get hurt if necessary, it doesn’t matter; she can endure, as long as he doesn’t die, as long as he returns, just these two are enough...

Jin Rui watched Du Yunluo silently, holding back the tears.

She had been with Du Yunluo for so many years, knowing the depth of Du Yunluo’s affection for Mu Lianxiao very well.

If Mu Lianxiao were no more, it wouldn’t be just the light statement of widowhood, it would mean the soul of her entire heart and being is gone.

If the Princely Heir truly couldn’t be found, then what about Madam later...

Jin Rui forcefully pinched the back of her hand, refusing to think that way.

The eldest lady was right, if the Grand Lord could be found, then what else was impossible in this world?

Last time, they worried terribly about Ye Family’s great lord, yet he also returned well eventually.

The Princely Heir surely will return, given how well he treats Madam and Brother; how could he bear to leave them?

Can’t panic, if even she panics, there would be no one to support Madam.

The carriage arrived at the station, Jin Rui leapt off to assist Du Yunluo down.

Mu Lianxiao’s room was pitch black, Du Yunluo bit her lip, forced herself to muster spirits, and went to see General Huang.

This was her first meeting with General Huang; her mind was empty, yet Du Yunluo’s thoughts suddenly flashed with Huang Jie’s face.

These two are indeed father and daughter.

Du Yunluo inhaled; at this moment, she could think of such matters, showing she hasn’t lost her sanity, hasn’t been overtaken by fear, isn’t that so?

Exchanged formalities.

General Huang sighed, "Still no news."

Du Yunluo forced a smile, "I know my uncle’s still searching, I believe he’ll come back. I came to tell the Great General, please let me stay in the Princely Heir’s room these few days. I won’t trouble you, I just want to wait for him."

At this point, General Huang couldn’t refuse, he nodded in agreement, instructed Jiuxi to take good care of his Madam.

Du Yunluo returned to Mu Lianxiao’s room, lit an oil lamp, and the dim light illuminated the room.

She walked to the map, her fingers brushed over Ancient Meili City, then traced a line between Ancient Meili and Shanyu Pass.

On the map, it’s only a tiny place, yet in reality, it’s so very far.

Night deepened, Jin Rui assisted Du Yunluo in settling down.

Du Yunluo lay down in her clothes.

Jin Rui asked, "Madam, do you feel cold?"

Du Yunluo shook her head smilingly, "The Princely Heir might come back at any time, I stay like this to greet him easily."

Jin Rui forced a smile, "Madam is right, I’ll rest in my clothes too, when the Princely Heir returns, I’ll open the door for him."

Du Yunluo didn’t sleep soundly, tossing and turning, various dreams rushed into her; upon waking, she felt exhausted, and seemed to have forgotten everything.

At dawn, Jiuxi prepared a meal for Du Yunluo, intending to head towards the pass but was halted by Ye Yuzhi.

"You mean to look from the wall?" Ye Yuzhi said, "I’ll be on duty soon, I’ll look carefully, take care of your Madam."

Ye Yuzhi left before Jiuxi could call him back.

He bowed towards Ye Yuzhi’s departing figure, having heard that lately, even off-duty, Ye Yuzhi would request senior officers to watch from the wall.

An entire day passed, but Du Yunluo didn’t find it hard to endure; time vanished while she was lost in thought.

Having traversed fifty years in the past life, a single day really meant little.

The station’s torches lit once again.

Jiuxi spent the entire day reaching out to soldiers returning from Ancient Meili, trying to discern why Mu Lianxiao vanished, only to find all shook heads, saying the scene was chaotic, everyone was fiercely fighting the enemy, no time to look around, only discovering Mu Lianxiao was gone after the battle.

Returning to the courtyard, saw Du Yunluo through the window reflection sitting on the kang, scratching his head, gently called Jin Rui.

Jin Rui emerged, but just as Jiuxi was about to speak, a rush of footsteps suddenly approached from behind.

Jiuxi quickly turned his head, widening his eyes at the sight, the person was Ye Yuzhi.

Ye Yuzhi, breathless, pointed toward the pass, eyes red, "Returned, all returned, not missing anyone!"

Jiuxi, mouth agape, couldn’t quite recover when Jin Rui exclaimed, tumbling into the room.

Soon, Du Yunluo ran out, tremblingly said, "Returned for real?"

Ye Yuzhi nodded heavily, "All returned!"

Tears instantly spilled, feeling as if all her strength was drained, Du Yunluo could barely stand.

Jin Rui, swift to react, supported her.

Du Yunluo pushed Jin Rui away, disregarding appearance or decorum, dashed towards the gate.

From afar, she spotted a group headed this way, trying to discern their shapes.

She saw Mu Liankang, then Shuying and Ming Liu, where is Mu Lianxiao?

Ran several steps further, Du Yunluo finally noticed Mu Lianxiao—he was slumped over his horse.

"Princely Heir!" Du Yunluo approached.

Mu Lianxiao was heavily injured; Du Yunluo hesitated whether to touch him.

Upon hearing her voice, Mu Lianxiao, half-lucid, slowly opened his eyes, focusing gradually on her figure.

"I’ve returned," Mu Lianxiao rasped.

Du Yunluo nodded with tearful eyes.

Mu Lianxiao smiled faintly but sincerely; he wished to raise his hand to fondly ruffle her hair, but lacked the strength.

All his energy converged into words, "I said I would return, how could I let others have you..."