Du Yunluo’s mind buzzed, stumbling a few steps, she leaned on the bamboo beside her, barely steadying herself.

She widened her eyes, staring unblinkingly at the figure’s back.

The physique of a martial artist is always different from ordinary aristocratic children.

Just standing there, just a silhouette, Du Yunluo could recognize that it was her Princely Heir.

A silhouette that had appeared countless times in her dreams.

The dream from not long ago surged back, dragging her into an icy abyss.

Du Yunluo choked with sobs.

Sparse bamboo leaves fell, sunlight spilled, dappling the ground.

Mu Lianxiao heard the sound, turned around, their eyes met, and upon seeing her tear-filled eyes, he staggered for a moment.

This girl, crying again.

She appeared even more disheveled than last time when she had fallen to the ground, her hair was down and uncombed, her hem and shoe tips stained with many bamboo leaves, and her footsteps just now were chaotic and stumbling. Mu Lianxiao thought, had she not grabbed the bamboo, she might have fallen again.

Du Yunluo clenched her teeth, seeing Mu Lianxiao walking towards her step by step, finally unable to hold back her tears, they trickled down her face.

What is this?

An apparition appearing on a memorial day?

Once upon a time, she believed he would return like this.

But it was the autumn of the 25th year of Yong’an, an autumn as sunny as now, that shattered all her expectations and longing.

She did not wait for the person walking towards her, she only waited for the dark coffin, the plaque heavy as a thousand pounds.

The closer the distance, the harder it was to breathe.

The heaviness in her chest was suffocating, she couldn’t even hear the sound of autumn wind rustling through the bamboo forest.

Yet despite this, Du Yunluo continued to stare unblinkingly at Mu Lianxiao, not wanting to miss any moment.

"Why are you here? There’s not even anyone with you."

The gentle voice triggered Du Yunluo to snap back to reality.

Yes, she had been captivated by dreams these few days, now was not the past, those fifty years of green lamp and old Buddha were already over, her present life had changed.

It was completely different now.

The tightly clenched heart settled back in its place.

Facing the close Mu Lianxiao, Du Yunluo instinctively extended her hand.

She wanted to hold him, she wanted to tell Mu Lianxiao she really missed him so much.

The remaining rationality stopped her, her fingertips touched Mu Lianxiao’s sleeve, she caught it with a subtle tremble and gradually tightened her grip.

Mu Lianxiao’s eyes showed a trace of surprise, he lowered his head to look at her hand, the slender fingers were trembling fiercely, she was exerting force, even the joints seemed to be turning pale.

Looking again at the pair of eyes red and swollen from crying, made Mu Lianxiao’s heart soften involuntarily.

Crying so pitifully, who could bear to ignore her or push her away?

Mu Lianxiao extended his other hand, gently holding Du Yunluo’s hand.

He thought, she’s crying so terribly, but she still needs some support, if she falls and sprains her ankle again, it won’t be good.

He had already hurt her once, this time, he won’t let that happen.

The shoulders trembled, hot tears fell on the hands clasped together.

Yet Du Yunluo felt, those tears couldn’t compare to the warmth of Mu Lianxiao’s hand.

Mu Lianxiao had a strong constitution, even in winter, he didn’t need a hot water bag to warm his hands and feet, which Du Yunluo greatly admired.

Until his coffin reached the Capital, she laughed self-deprecatingly, no longer needing to admire, couldn’t admire anymore, that person had already turned cold and cold.

Now, she was able to feel this warmth once more, the gloom in her heart gradually dispersed, the anxiety and fear alike, were cast to the back of her mind bit by bit.

Since waking in Anhua Courtyard, up until this moment, she finally felt clearly and solidly that Mu Lianxiao was truly still here.

Du Yunluo lifted her gaze: "Are you not letting go this time?"

The voice after crying was hoarse, the tone and pronunciation indistinct, yet it still sounded pleasant to the ear.

Mu Lianxiao subtly turned his head, not allowing Du Yunluo to see the sudden embarrassment passing by: "I’ll let go once you stand firm."

Though her eyes were still teary, hearing this answer, Du Yunluo couldn’t help but smile with her brows and eyes.

If she kept stumbling while walking, would this person intend to hold on all the way and not let go?

Du Yunluo smiled brightly, Mu Lianxiao’s ears grew hot.

No one spoke, the two quietly stood for a moment.

Another gust of autumn wind arose, Mu Lianxiao saw Du Yunluo dressed thinly, said: "Did you run out from the side room? Let me take you back."

Du Yunluo heard this, looked down at her dress, her cheeks flushed.

She and Jin Rui had acted in a hurry, not to mention tying a cloak, she hadn’t even combed her hair.

Luckily, her hair was smooth, otherwise, she would have really looked like a madwoman...

Although in her past life they had been husband and wife, not to mention such disheveled appearance, more embarrassing figures had been seen by this person, but all that was in the past...

Even with Du Yunluo’s thick skin, she found it difficult to endure.

Mu Lianxiao saw her eyes dodge and didn’t expose her, he simply repeated: "Let me take you back."

Du Yunluo was about to nod, suddenly shivered.

She wondered how the side room was doing. She had avoided it, Zhen Wenqian couldn’t find her, hopefully, he had calmed down?

But if Mu Lianxiao took her back, Zhen Wenqian’s drunken madness could scarcely be hidden from him.

Du Yunluo wasn’t worried that Mu Lianxiao would overthink, her Princely Heir wasn’t the kind of petty person who doubts everything, she was more worried that Mrs. Zhen would feel uncomfortable.

One being a future son-in-law, the other a direct nephew, Mrs. Zhen’s reputation would certainly suffer, from now on, talking with Mu Lianxiao would feel awkward.

Du Yunluo didn’t want things to become like that, pondering for a moment, she said: "Given the way I look, it’s best no one knows I’ve seen you."

Hearing this, Mu Lianxiao also understood, they were indeed engaged, but if they appeared together while Du Yunluo was disheveled before marriage, even if nothing had happened, it would harm their reputation.

"Where are the people serving you?" Mu Lianxiao was somewhat worried, as Du Yunluo should usually have someone with her, how had she managed to run out like this, and after so long, still no one came looking for her.

"I came to Qinglian Temple to offer prayers with my mother, she and my aunts are fetching spring water, they should be back soon." Du Yunluo didn’t want to go into detail about Zhen Family matters, she mentioned it briefly, then asked Mu Lianxiao, "Why are you at Qinglian Temple? The Guest Monk said there’s a distinguished guest today, turns out it was referring to the Princely Heir."

"It’s my elder sister."

Suddenly hearing Mu Lianxiao mention Mu Lianhui, Du Yunluo was greatly amazed.

Mu Lianhui had just returned to the Capital, yet now wasn’t in the Capital, why had she come to Tong City?

Mu Lianxiao continued, "The Imperial Consort lived at Putuo Mountain for several years, and upon returning to the palace, found the water couldn’t compare to the mountain’s spring water. My elder sister heard about the good Qinglian Spring Water, so she came to fetch some."

Mu Lianhui spared no effort in pleasing the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort, whether it was the stern Empress Dowager or the kindly Imperial Consort, they were quite fond of Mu Lianhui, to the extent that they wanted her to become their own grandson’s wife.

No matter how much Du Yunluo disliked Mu Lianhui inwardly, outwardly she politely remarked, "Lady is considerate."