Chapter 458 - 457: Back Injury

Chapter 458: Chapter 457: Back Injury

The heated brick bed in the room was warm.

Mu Lianxiao leaned against the couch, his back pressing against the brick bed, and sighed comfortably.

Although moving around was no longer a problem, he still couldn’t straighten his back completely.

The military doctor couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong either, which made Mu Lianxiao a bit anxious. He had tried several times to forcefully straighten his back, but the pain left him breathless, as if his chest was about to split.

Du Yunluo felt sorry for him and wouldn’t allow him to push himself. She softly advised him to wait until they reached Tong City, where Imperial Doctor Xing could have a proper look and perhaps identify the issue.

Mu Lianxiao agreed with her, and for this journey, they had arranged the carriage so that he could recline or lay prone with his legs bent. Only then did they set off from Shanyu Pass.

If he had to sit the entire journey back to the Capital, Mu Lianxiao could endure it out of sheer will, but it might be detrimental to his health.

Having his legs bent wasn’t as comfortable as lying flat, especially with his back against the warm brick bed, the heat rising beneath him, allowing his muscles and bones to relax.

Perhaps due to his severe injuries and blood loss, even though he had consumed many tonics, Mu Lianxiao’s vigor wasn’t as robust as before.

Now, in the thick of winter, whenever it turned cold, his shoulder bones ached.

Du Yunluo could see his condition, even if Mu Lianxiao said nothing.

She pulled the quilt over him and brought Brother Yan onto the bed to sit.

Brother Yan sat with his legs apart, his round eyes darting between Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao. Soon, he lunged forward, falling into Mu Lianxiao’s arms, laughing and waving his little hands.

Du Yunluo was worried he would hurt Mu Lianxiao and tried to lift Brother Yan.

Mu Lianxiao held onto his son with a grin, "How much does he weigh? Much lighter than you."

Du Yunluo was startled and couldn’t help but want to scold him.

How could that be compared? Since his injury, when had she ever pressed onto him?

With her lips pouting, Du Yunluo looked truly adorable. Mu Lianxiao’s smile widened, one arm holding Brother Yan, while the other gently rubbed Du Yunluo’s palm with his thumb.

"I’ve already had someone pack up," Du Yunluo clasped his fingers with hers, "There’s not much from us or Sister-in-law, we can set off tomorrow."

Returning to the Capital was already delayed, so none of them wanted to linger any longer; the sooner they left, the better.

Mu Lianxiao nodded.

He roughly calculated the travel time: first to Xuancheng, then to Tong City, and finally into the Capital.

By now, it was already snowing in Lindong. If they didn’t hurry, they might be snowed in half way, and arriving in the Capital by January next year would be quite fortunate.

The next morning, with everything packed, they set off in three carriages towards Xuancheng.

In Osmanthus Alley, Xuancheng, Du Huarang and his family had already moved back to the government office’s backyard, leaving only the guards under Du Yunluo’s command to watch over the yard.

At the back entrance of the government office, Yang Family and Yan Family eagerly awaited.

Seeing Du Yunluo alight from the carriage, Yang Family beamed, "My dear, finally you’re back. Aunt heard about the great victory at the border; the Capital must be thrilled."

Du Yunluo smiled.

Mu Lianxiao greeted Yang Family and Yan Family with respect.

Yang Family’s sharp eyes noticed something amiss at once.

She had always remembered Mu Lianxiao as tall and upright, like a pine tree, but now, though not obvious, he wasn’t standing straight.

Yang Family gave Du Yunluo a concerned glance but did not ask directly.

Yan Family took Brother Yan, playing with a rattle to amuse him.

Brother Yan giggled delightedly. As Yan Family was about to talk to Du Yunluo, she heard a child’s voice and quickly turned her gaze.

From another carriage emerged a lovely woman with a boy and a girl, speaking to the boy while the girl was lifted by a man.

The man bore some resemblance to Mu Lianxiao.

Du Yunluo quickly explained, "This is my uncle and aunt, Sister Ying, and Brother Hui."

Yan Family was taken aback, eyes widening, "Uncle?"

Yang Family cleared her throat, "It’s cold outside; let’s talk inside."

Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang went inside the government office to find Du Huarang, while the women and children returned to the backyard.

The backyard had been rebuilt following the old design, with no trace of the previous fire. Even the west wing affected by smoke was newly painted.

Once they were seated inside, Yang Family carefully observed Zhuang Ke.

She hadn’t looked closely before, only noticing the woman was beautiful and stood like a flower—gentle yet vibrant for her age.

Upon closer inspection, Yang Family realized Zhuang Ke’s eyes were blue.

Yang Family was startled, then looked at Sister Ying, whose eyes were also green.

It turned out she wasn’t a Han woman?

Didn’t Du Yunluo just call her "Sister-in-law?"

Yang Family’s mind clicked several times before she understood at once, "Could it be, that young gentleman just now is the long-lost young master of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion..."

"Yes," Du Yunluo smiled, "That’s the long-lost master of the Marquis Mansion. We found him outside the pass by chance this time.

Uncle lived in the Oasis for several years and is familiar with the desert. This time, it was thanks to him leading the way that the army could capture Ancient Meili.

Though he doesn’t remember the past, Uncle is heading back to the Capital with us, bringing his wife and children."

Yang Family clasped her hands in prayer, "This is indeed a great fortune, destiny has its own course."

Yan Family chatted happily with Zhuang Ke, who was articulate. With both having a son and daughter, they quickly bonded. Yan Family urged someone to bring the children inside.

Brother Duan came running, with the wet nurse chasing after him, fearing he’d fall.

The girl was carried by the wet nurse, and Yan Family noted, they had already named her in the Capital, "Qin."

The children played together, and Yang Family quietly asked Du Yunluo, "Does the Princely Heir have an injury?"

Du Yunluo pressed her lips together. Since Yang Family had noticed, she didn’t want to hide it, "During this surprise attack, the Princely Heir was severely injured, nearly not making it back. He has mostly recovered now, but his back still can’t straighten."

Du Yunluo spoke briefly, yet Yang Family knew it must have been a significant ordeal.

As it was over, Yang Family didn’t want to delve too deeply, "Injury of bones and muscles takes a hundred days to heal; how long has the Princely Heir been recovering? Even if you’re eager to return to the Capital, consider his health—let him lie down if possible."

Du Yunluo replied, "We modified the carriage to allow him to lie down. We plan to stop in Tong City first to have Imperial Doctor Xing at my maternal grandfather’s place examine him carefully."

Seeing Du Yunluo had it all figured out, Yang Family didn’t offer further advice but sent someone to the storeroom to bring medicinal herbs for recovery, asking them to take along.

"This time, when you return, you probably won’t come back to Lindong. Considering the situation at the Marquis Mansion, you must be vigilant." Yang Family advised.

Yang Family also mentioned Du Yunru’s situation.

Du Yunru, heavily pregnant, wouldn’t be coming to Xuancheng for the New Year this year.

Her due date was likely in the spring, and Yang Family planned to visit Linggu then to see her.

With Yang Family taking care of Du Yunru, Du Yunluo felt more at ease. She took pen and paper to write a letter to Du Yunru, asking Yang Family to send it later.