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

Chapter 279: Chapter 278: Recognizing Family (Bonus for 130 Monthly Tickets)

Du Yunluo paused in her steps.

Mu Lianxiao noticed Du Yunluo’s nervousness. He gently squeezed her palm, signaling her not to be afraid, and then let go, stepping inside first.

Du Yunluo secretly took a deep breath, feeling the warmth in her palm. She looked at Mu Lianxiao’s back and slowly curved her lips into a smile.

The hand under her sleeve clenched, and she followed Mu Lianxiao’s steps into the Flower Hall.

”Finally, you’re here,” Lian Family turned her gaze over, smiling as she looked Du Yunluo up and down, then said to Madam Wu, ”See, I told you, didn’t I? She looks very pretty and delightful.”

Madam Wu smiled and nodded, exchanging a glance with Mrs. Zhou.

It was widely known that Du Yunluo was pretty, but as an elder, their expectations for the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law did not include beauty.

They valued more her character, whether she was steady, dignified, and capable of managing household affairs.

These qualities can’t be judged at a glance but can only be understood gradually over time.

Two leather cushions were placed in the center of the Flower Hall.

Mu Lianxiao and Du Yunluo knelt down, one on each side. A maid brought tea, and the two of them bowed, with Du Yunluo offering the tea.

Du Yunluo had no ill feelings towards Madam Wu; on the contrary, she held much respect for the elderly lady now.

After all, in this family, only Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou would treat Mu Lianxiao wholeheartedly.

Madam Wu added a red envelope, being extremely generous as a legitimate eldest daughter-in-law, much thicker than the one previously given to Jiang Yunuan.

Having respected Madam Wu, Du Yunluo then respected Mrs. Zhou.

Mrs. Zhou, not yet forty this year, looked much older due to overwork and illness during the previous two years, with silver strands in her hair.

But looking only at Mrs. Zhou’s features, Du Yunluo knew that Mrs. Zhou had been a dignified beauty in her youth.

She had heard from Mu Lianxiao that Mrs. Zhou played the zither well and often played it in his childhood. After Mu Yuance’s death in battle, she never touched the strings again.

Mrs. Zhou was not only skilled in the arts but also adept at managing the household, and her family’s aristocratic background meant their daughters’ knowledge and vision surpassed many noblemen’s sons.

If Mrs. Zhou were to talk about current events, she could offer some insight.

With such an exemplary person in front, it’s no wonder that in her past life Madam Wu never favored Du Yunluo.

Mrs. Zhou’s smile was gentle. Her requirements for a daughter-in-law were simple, very simple indeed; managing the household could wait. For now, as long as Du Yunluo treated Mu Lianxiao wholeheartedly, that was most important.

After bowing to Mrs. Zhou, next were the elders of the second branch.

For Mu Yuanmou and Lian Family, Du Yunluo didn’t need to kneel, which was comforting, as she couldn’t bow to those who had wronged them deeply.

However, it was appropriate to salute.

Mu Yuanmou praised Du Yunluo with a smile, and Lian Family held Du Yunluo’s hand, saying, ”Although this is the Marquis Mansion, we’re more accustomed to martial arts than scholarly matters. If there’s anywhere in Shaohui Garden that doesn’t suit you, just bring it up.”

Du Yunluo lowered her eyes. She might be delicate but wasn’t foolish enough to be picky here.

She quietly withdrew her hand and said plainly, ”Thank you for your concern, Second Auntie Xie, but I’m not uncomfortable with anything.”

Lian Family wanted to say more, but Du Yunluo turned to Mrs. Xu: ”This must be Third Auntie?”

Mrs. Xu raised her eyelids and looked at her, nodding slowly.

Du Yunluo remembered that Mrs. Xu had lived a long time before, leading a secluded life, rarely interacting with others, spending long days in her small courtyard, and eventually passing away in tears.

Just like Du Yunluo in the past.

In the end, not even knowing one’s ending or what they were hoping for, merely living day by day, just living.

Du Yunluo saluted her, and Mrs. Xu took the tea and slowly sipped it, then pulled out a transparent jade bracelet from her sleeve.

”This was given to me by the Old Madam when I married,” Mrs. Xu’s voice was slight and calm, ”Originally, it should have been left for my daughter-in-law, but I won’t live to see my son’s wedding, so I’ll give it to you.”

Du Yunluo’s heart tightened, and she instinctively looked at Mu Lianxiao. Mu Lianxiao nodded slightly, and she accepted it.

Holding the jade bracelet, Du Yunluo glanced at Jiang Yunuan sitting by Miao Family.

Maybe it was the thick winter clothing, or Jiang Yunuan’s pregnancy was too early to show. Her eyes fell on the jade bracelet, mixed with conflict, pain, and sadness, flashing by.

So briefly that Du Yunluo almost thought she imagined it.

Next was Fourth Wife, Mrs. Lu.

Mrs. Lu was a concubine’s wife; Mu Yuan’an died in battle saving the Old Marquis, and she lost their posthumous child. Madam Wu pitied her and treated her kindly.

Du Yunluo didn’t interact much with Mrs. Lu before, only remembering Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Lu often talked together and were quite close.

Lastly was Mu Yuanjing.

Mu Yuanjing held a tight expression, barely touching the teacup with her lips and not looking at Du Yunluo, saying, ”Third Sister-in-law, you’re the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law; our eldest sister-in-law has everything. She’s not lacking in any treasures for her daughters-in-law, so why do you have to create a fuss? The legitimate eldest daughter-in-law is different from other daughters-in-law, isn’t that right?”

The words were directed at Mrs. Xu, but implicitly criticized Mrs. Zhou.

Mrs. Zhou remained impassive, and Mrs. Xu said nothing, both acting as if they hadn’t heard. Mu Yuanjing curled her lips, pressing the teacup onto the table.

Mu Lianxiao felt regretful; he should have briefed Du Yunluo earlier. Mu Yuanjing resented Mrs. Zhou, which affected their entire branch, and Du Yunluo, being Mrs. Zhou’s daughter-in-law, naturally wouldn’t hear anything pleasant from Mu Yuanjing.

He should have informed her so she wouldn’t take Mu Yuanjing’s attitude to heart.

Unable to remind her at the moment, he glanced at Du Yunluo, seeing her calm demeanor and seemingly indifferent expression, and he felt slightly comforted.

Madam Wu cleared her throat, her gaze sliding over Mu Yuanjing.

Mu Yuanjing remained still, her maid quickly handed over a red envelope.

After meeting the elders, it was time to meet those of the same generation.

Mu Lianhui, Jiang Yunuan, and Mu Lianyu.

Compared to Mu Lianhui’s approachability, Jiang Yunuan seemed slightly distant.

Du Yunluo knew it was because of the jade bracelet Mrs. Xu gave her.

Having acknowledged everyone in the Marquis Mansion, next were the Mu Family’s in-laws from the clan.

Sitting next to Madam Wu were an elderly couple, with the old man looking stern and the old lady kind; Du Yunluo recognized them as the clan elder and his wife.

Behind them stood a daughter-in-law, who had not stopped smiling since Du Yunluo entered, the clan elder’s daughter-in-law Gui Family.

From the bottom of her heart, Du Yunluo disliked Gui Family.

Previously, the ceremony for adopting a clan child was presided over by the clan elder couple, and she held her foster son’s hand, leading him back to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

For ten years, she thought she’d done well enough, but amidst gossip, she saw Gui Family’s face.

Every word cut sharply, as if undergoing a slow torture.

Even knowing Lian Family was orchestrating things behind the scenes, Du Yun still deeply resented Gui Family.

The words of the past cut too deeply.