Chapter 459 - 458: Out of Control

Chapter 459: Chapter 458: Out of Control

As soon as the carriage left the Lindong Territory, it was already the twelfth month.

The Capital was blanketed in its first snow, covering the entire Dingyuan Marquis Mansion in white.

In Baijie Hall, Mrs. Zhou and Madam Wu were discussing the Laba Festival matters.

"Third sister-in-law wants to go to Potuo Mountain to offer incense and make congee, and she asked the fourth sister-in-law to go with her," Mrs. Zhou said with a smile.

As the day of Mu Liankang and Mu Lianxiao’s family’s return to the Capital drew closer, Madam Wu smiled more often and said, "Then let them go. Yuan Ming’s wife is happy about it."

"It’s something to be happy about." As soon as Mrs. Zhou spoke, Banqiao came in from outside, holding a letter. Mrs. Zhou quickly asked, "Who sent it?"

Banqiao replied, "Yun Qi gave it to Nanny Su, who just handed it to me."

"Then it’s from Lian Xiao," Mrs. Zhou raised her eyebrows and scolded playfully, "This child, just about to arrive, and he’s already sending a letter ahead."

Madam Wu laughed heartily, took the letter, and opened it to read.

Mrs. Zhou noticed Madam Wu’s smile faltered slightly, and her heart sank. When the Old Madam put the letter down, she asked, "What does Lian Xiao say in the letter?"

Madam Wu handed the letter to Mrs. Zhou and said, "They won’t make it to the Capital for the New Year."

Mrs. Zhou read the letter and sighed, "Old Madam, I don’t know whether to feel sad or happy."

She had been eagerly awaiting her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson to arrive on time, and their delay left her quite disappointed.

Yet, the surprise raid on Ancient Meili was successful, something Mu Yuance had wanted but hadn’t achieved, and now Mu Lianxiao had accomplished it, bringing her to tears uncontrollably.

Tears of excitement.

Mrs. Zhou turned to wipe her eyes, and Madam Wu watched, feeling a mix of emotions herself.

But, after all, Madam Wu was who she was, and having lived this long, she could face the deaths of her husband and several sons with calmness.

She patted Mrs. Zhou’s hand, comforting her, "Since they won’t make it, during the Laba ancestor worship, we’ll speak well to the Old Marquis, to Yuance, and to Yuan Ming, Yuan An. The children in the household have done us proud by ousting the Dazi from their stronghold."

Mrs. Zhou nodded through her tears.

"Now that Lian Xiao’s letter has arrived, the palace probably already knows," Madam Wu frowned, "The rewards haven’t arrived, probably waiting for Lian Xiao to return and receive them personally. That’s good; I’ll take the opportunity during the first month to mention it to the Empress Dowager."

Not only for the rewards, but also to ensure the inheritance of the title.

Inheriting the title was currently the most important matter for the family, and Mrs. Zhou understood, nodding in agreement.

Mrs. Xu, upon hearing that Mu Liankang couldn’t arrive on time, understandably felt a bit anxious.

Counting on six months, she had waited a full nine years; looking back now, Mrs. Xu couldn’t quite say how she had managed to hold on through all these years.

Each day was long, yet each year seemed short.

Mrs. Xu quietly discussed with Mrs. Lu, "It’s all well and good, then suddenly delayed. Could something have happened?"

Mrs. Lu didn’t want to assume the worst and said, "Didn’t the letter mention that there were matters at Shanyu Pass delaying their return? With so many people, and bringing three little ones along, traveling slowly is quite normal."

That explanation sounded reasonable enough.

In Fengyu Courtyard, Mu Yuanmou and Mrs. Lian had lunch together.

Since Mu Lianhui got married, Mrs. Lian no longer had fits of chest pain from anger, but the empty East Cross Courtyard still tugged at her heart.

It was like dealing with a troublesome debtor: infuriating when present, yet worrisome when absent.

Mrs. Lian had to shift her focus onto waiting for Mu Liancheng’s return.

With the new year approaching, it was bound to be just these few days.

Nanny Dong drew the curtain and came in, prompting Mrs. Lian to ask, "Old Dong, is Lian Cheng back?"

"Sir, ma’am," Nanny Dong said with a bow, "A letter came from the Princely Heir, saying they were delayed at the start, and will arrive in the capital after the New Year."

Mu Yuanmou put down the teacup in his hand, pursing his lips, "Is it written by Lian Xiao?"

Nanny Dong hunched her shoulders, "I heard from the people at Baijie Hall that the Old Madam and the First Madam read the letter; it should be the Princely Heir’s handwriting."

Mu Yuanmou’s eyes darkened, and he waved for Nanny Dong to leave.

In the room, Zhu Shan and Nanny Zhu, being perceptive, also retreated, leaving only Mu Yuanmou and Mrs. Lian inside.

Mrs. Lian only knew that Mu Yuanmou had arrangements at Shanyu Pass, but as for what exactly, when to act, and how to proceed, Mu Yuanmou hadn’t explained in detail.

Upon hearing those words from Nanny Dong, she couldn’t tell if the matter had succeeded or not.

She wanted to ask a question, but seeing Mu Yuanmou’s tense expression, she swallowed her words.

Anyway, if Mu Yuanmou wanted to say something, he would; if not, pressing for details wouldn’t do her any good, making her seem impatient.

It’s better to hold back.

Mrs. Lian focused her attention elsewhere, trying to put aside Mu Lianxiao’s affairs and concentrate on Mu Liancheng, temporarily relieving her anxiety.

Mu Yuanmou absently ran his fingers along the rim of his teacup.

He hadn’t received any news from his operative.

Since that one letter, there had been no further messages.

Mu Yuanmou wasn’t desperate; frequent correspondence was more likely to be intercepted, and as long as the plan was executed, and the operative attacked Mu Lianxiao, the plan would succeed.

Whether the operative lived or died thereafter, where they ended up, Mu Yuanmou had no concern.

In fact, it would be better if they died since the dead can’t leak secrets.

The operative hadn’t sent a letter, possibly meaning they perished in the Great Desert, easing Mu Yuanmou’s worries.

And now, Baijie Hall has received Mu Lianxiao’s letter.

The surprise attack succeeded? He survived? He could even write a letter?

Mu Yuanmou clenched his teacup tightly, nearly crushing it due to his insufficient strength.

That useless fellow!

Allegedly earning a squad leader position, supposedly with everything under control, yet couldn’t even manage an ambush, allowing Mu Lianxiao to come back alive!

Did he expose anything?

If Mu Lianxiao found evidence, they would undoubtedly unravel everything, revealing that Mu Liankang’s disappearance was no accident.

Mu Yuanmou slammed the teacup onto the table heavily, startling Mrs. Lian.

Mrs. Lian, with a pale face, looked at him hesitantly and asked, "What’s the matter, sir?"

Mu Yuanmou looked up and down at Mrs. Lian.

Without news from the operative, it was like losing an arm, temporarily severing his access to information about Lindong and Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang.

Having a grasp on information was of utmost importance in strategizing, and right now...

Mu Yuanmou felt discomforted; the sensation of the unknown was very unsettling.

Yet he didn’t want to relay any of this to Mrs. Lian. Given her transparency, if she realized he had lost control over the intelligence, she might start overthinking and accidentally let it slip in front of Madam Wu.

Mu Yuanmou slowly exhaled a breath.

She seemed fine before, but upon encountering issues, he suddenly felt dissatisfied with Mrs. Lian.

If only Mrs. Lian could be more astute, more composed...