Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 219: Chapter 218: Stifled

If this flower melon were directly handed to Mu Lianxiao, Du Yunluo wouldn’t be worried, since Mu Lianxiao clearly understands her little feelings.

But the flower melon should first be presented before the elders...

Last Qixi Festival, Du Yunluo hadn’t thought it through, and by the time she remembered that the flower melon with the dragon boat drums was first shown to Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou, it was already sent out, and there was no way to retrieve it.

This year, should she quietly carve a Bodhisattva, flowers, and plants, or just follow her heart and carve Mu Lianxiao?

If she carves Mu Lianxiao again, who knows what Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou would think.

Du Yunluo furrowed her brows and tapped her fingers on the table helplessly, feeling quite troubled.

The little maid who came to pass the message said respectfully, ”Fifth Miss, there are still a few days before Qixi, why don’t you ponder over it first?”

Du Yunluo originally intended to nod, but then she reconsidered and realized that hesitation and indecision were not like her personality. In the scorching summer, pondering over it would only make her more anxious.

If they were to laugh at her, Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou have already laughed at her for a year, pretending wouldn’t help.

Thinking of this, Du Yunluo said, ”No need to ponder, tell Second Aunt to do the same as last year.”

The little maid replied and took her leave.

On the morning of the sixth, Miao Family sent the flower melon over.

Du Yunluo held the carving knife, making some preliminary marks. Just as she was about to begin, a voice from outside announced the arrival of Du Yunying.

Du Yunying had a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, and as soon as she entered the West Attic, she lay down on the couch, fanning herself constantly: ”It’s really too hot today.”

”Then why did Fourth Sister especially come here?” Du Yunluo glanced at her.

Du Yunying raised her eyes to look at the flower melon where there wasn’t much of a shape yet. She couldn’t guess what it would be and decided not to ask, knowing she’d find out once it was finished.

”Today you all are busy, but I’m the only one with nothing to do. I might as well come here to lounge around,” Du Yunying said and chuckled at herself.

Du Yunying was frying hua gao, while Du Yunluo carved the flower melon. Among the sisters, only she seemed to be doing nothing.

Liao Family had taken Du Yunlan back to their family early in the morning because a girl from Liao Family was coming of age, and as her aunt, Liao Family naturally had to attend the ceremony.

In front of Liao Family and Du Yunlan, Du Yunying sometimes received praised and was regarded well. However, when she accompanied Liao Family to their family on New Year’s, their lukewarm attitude made Du Yunying quite uncomfortable.

Liao Family knew this well and she even felt that her family’s attitude embarrassed her. Du Yunying was the daughter she brought back and her stepdaughter. Since she was willing to take her stepdaughter out, her family acting this way obviously made her unhappy.

Yet no matter how unhappy, family was family, and it hadn’t resulted in a confrontation. Liao Family wasn’t about to fall out with her family over Du Yunying.

Du Yunying understood this clearly, so she simply claimed to be ill to avoid going there. After doing this a couple of times, Liao Family felt it was just as well. They considered Du Yunying sensible and would always bring her something back from the Liao Family.

Perfume, jewelry, newly made clothes—not necessarily valuable but a gesture nonetheless.

Du Yunluo was aware of these situations too.

At this time, Du Yunying would usually be sticking by her concubine’s side, so why today...

Du Yunluo had a flash of insight and asked, ”Did your concubine ask you to carve the flower melon? Or urge you to go to the kitchen and fry hua gao?”

Du Yunying gave her a sideways glance and huffed, ”You know very well, yet insist on asking.”

Du Yunluo couldn’t help but smile; Du Yunying’s skills weren’t lacking, nor did she dislike crafting these, but even if she made them, there was no use.

Her hua gao couldn’t beat Du Yunying’s, and her flower melon couldn’t surpass Xia Anxin’s; though Xia Anxin wasn’t carving this year, there was still Du Yunluo. The sisters would prepare their gifts for their future in-laws, but Du Yunying hadn’t arranged a marriage yet, so she simply didn’t want to bother.

The two chatted sporadically.

Du Yunluo continued working, and in no time, the basic shape emerged.

Now came the more intricate work. Du Yunluo paid close attention, careful with every detail, and seeing her concentration, Du Yunying fell silent, closing her eyes for a nap.

Du Yunluo’s mind was filled with images of Mu Lianxiao on horseback.

Mu Lianxiao was striking atop the tall horse, holding a polo stick.

She seemed to see the flying dust on the racecourse again, the polo soaring high toward the goal. The young man smiled brightly on horseback, with sweat trickling down his forehead, crystal clear and shining.

Du Yunluo inadvertently smiled, wondering what expression Mu Lianxiao would have when he saw the flower melon tomorrow, since he had already returned to the capital.

When Du Yunying opened her eyes, Du Yunluo had just put down the carving knife.

She slipped into her shoes and walked over to the table, widening her eyes at the sight of the flower melon, muttering for a moment, ”You really plan to send this over?”

”Really,” Du Yunluo replied.

Du Yunying pursed her lips, ”What would Lady think when she sees it?”

”Oh...” Du Yunluo chuckled softly. What could Mu Lianhui say? She would subtly criticize her in front of Madam Wu, but so what?

Even if she carved a Guanyin statue today to send over, Mu Lianhui would still find a way to criticize it.

Jin Ling took the flower melon to chill it with ice blocks; Du Yunluo washed her hands, and Jin Rui applied fragrant ointment on her.

Du Yunying stayed for lunch at Anhua Courtyard until the second entrance reported that Liao Family had returned to the estate, whereupon she leisurely made her way back to Anfeng Courtyard.

As soon as Du Yunying entered Anfeng Courtyard, she sensed something was off. Happily, Xiuyu was carrying a basin of water from the house, so she quickly went forward, pulling Xiuyu aside: ”Sister, what’s going on?”

Xiuyu grimaced and pointed towards the room, whispering, ”Liao Family’s old lady is upset over something about Aunt Liao. Our lady tried to console her but ended up being scolded instead, so she’s too angry even to have her lunch properly.”

Hearing this, Du Yunying felt a headache coming on.

If she had known, it might have been better to stay hidden in Anhua Courtyard until dinner. She would possibly hear a few words from Liao Family, but it would be better than confronting her current wrath.

Yet there was no turning back.

Suppressing her uneasiness, Du Yunying had Xiuyu announce her arrival, then pulled back the curtain to go inside.

Liao Family had changed clothes, lying on a cool couch under the north window. Du Yunying sat beside her, gently fanning her with a fan.

The breeze cooled Liao Family, who opened her eyes to glance at Du Yunying, then closed them again.

Neither spoke for a while.

Du Yun Ying took a slight breath of relief. If it stayed this calm, she could endure the fatigue in her arms.

Just then, Liao Family suddenly let out a long sigh, startling Du Yunying.

”Yunying, have I treated you well?” Liao Family asked abruptly.

Du Yunying hurriedly nodded: ”Mother has treated me very well.”

This wasn’t untruthful.

For a concubine’s daughter, Liao Family had treated Du Yunying rather well. She provided education, ensured living conditions without shortage, and when she was really agitated, she would scold, but never hit. Besides, when Liao Family was angry, she even dared to scold Miao Family, so the few reproaches faced by Du Yunying didn’t seem significant anymore.