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

"What, are you going to let them laugh at you?" asked Du Yunlang with a smile. Seeing Du Yunluo’s nervous expression, he stopped teasing her and said, "Just now, Yun Lan pulled Yun Di aside for a murmured conversation, and then they both walked away one after the other."

Hearing this, Du Yunluo wasn’t sure whether to feel worried or relieved.

Although she didn’t know where Du Yundi had gone, if he was with Du Yunlan, things shouldn’t be too bad.

Jiang Yunuan circled around Du Yunluo and saw the muddy hem of her cloak. She couldn’t help but say, "The snow only stopped at dawn, the ground hasn’t dried yet. The three of you fell and dirtied your hems. Quickly find a place to tidy up."

Young ladies valued their appearance, and looking so disheveled was indeed unsightly.

Princess An Ran, upon hearing this, pulled her snow jacket’s hem forward. Seeing it was covered with snow and mud, her expression turned even more unsightly.

Mu Lianhui noticed this and hurriedly said, "Ah Shao, Ay, go attend to the guests yourselves. What are you staying here for when the ladies are getting ready!"

She shooed the gentlemen away and urged the maids to bring the ones from Du Mansion and Duke Jing Mansion. Today, upon arriving at Wangmei Garden, these accompanying maids and older women were invited to enjoy tea and chat together, attentive maids served the ladies, and there was no need for them to follow.

The maids hurriedly left.

Mu Lianhui pondered for a moment and said, "There’s a little courtyard not far ahead, let’s go rest there and clean up the snow jackets."

Princess An Ran nodded.

Du Yunnuo and Du Yunluo exchanged a glance and did not refuse.

Everyone walked together toward the little courtyard.

The courtyard wasn’t too far, just the time of one stick of incense.

Mu Lianhui stepped inside and saw Mu Liancheng standing awkwardly at the bottom of the veranda steps outside the main room. She halted her steps.

"What’s wrong?" Mu Lianhui asked. Mu Liancheng didn’t answer, prompting her to frown and move to go inside, only to be grabbed by Mu Liancheng. She had to ask again, "Brother, what’s wrong?"

Everyone sensed that something was amiss, not just from Mu Liancheng’s demeanor, but also from the faces of a few maids showing a panicked look.

Du Yunluo’s heart tightened suddenly.

She suddenly thought of her past life, could it be that Shi Lian’er had succeeded?

Du Yunluo panicked for a moment, instinctively grasping Du Yunnuo’s hand. When she glanced to the right into the corner shadowed by the veranda, she saw two people standing there, blinked, and realized it was Du Yunlan and Du Yundi.

Du Yundi noticed her too, gave a gesture of silence with his forefinger, and then bent his eyes in a smile.

Du Yunlan also glanced over and secretly waved his hand at her.

The suspended heart abruptly settled, her legs went weak, and if not for Du Yunnuo beside her, she might have almost fallen.

Since Du Yundi could smile, and Du Yunlan was at ease, it was evident that the two hadn’t gotten involved in anything bizarre.

As long as her brother was fine, whatever shocking thing happened in this little courtyard, Du Yunluo wouldn’t worry.

Mu Lianhui noticed the Du brothers in the corner too and was momentarily startled before she suddenly yanked her hand free from Mu Liancheng and took swift steps forward, pulling aside the curtain embroidered with plum blossoms under the moon.

A gasp.

Outside, everyone could hear Mu Lianhui’s trembling voice: "What is going on here?"

Mu Liancheng sighed and followed her in.

The others exchanged glances, and eventually Jiang Yunuan, having a somewhat notable status, followed Mu Lianhui and then shouted, "Prince Rui! Mr. Huo! Miss Shi!"

That shout of "Mr. Huo" made Huo Ruyi’s eyes widen. She no longer cared about decorum or propriety, striding into the room quickly.

Princess An Ran stood in place, coldly watching the swaying curtain.

Du Yunluo’s mind buzzed.

Where Shi Lian’er was, what good could come of it?

This was meant to be a scheme against Du Yundi, but why were Heir of Prince Rui, Li Luan, and Huo Ziming involved?

Was it an accident, or...

Du Yunluo glanced at Princess An Ran, thinking of how Princess had looked at her uneasily and angrily by the lakeside when she encountered Mu Lianxiao. Her thoughts shifted, and she moved close to Princess An Ran, whispering, "County Princess, when I went to find my brother earlier, I encountered the Princely Heir by chance. The Princely Heir said someone told him that today the only one wearing a red snow jacket was me. If we hadn’t pulled you back by the water just now, what do you think would have happened?"

Princess An Ran’s face turned pale.

She wasn’t a fool; a lot of things clicked instantly.

Just as Du Yunluo had said, she would go find Du Yundi, exchange snow jackets with Du Yunnuo, encounter Mu Lianxiao—these were all accidents.

The only one who could send a message to Mu Lianxiao was Mu Lianhui.

If Du Yunluo hadn’t seen Mu Lianxiao today, Mu Lianxiao would have always thought she was the one in red. At the water, if she hadn’t stood firm and fell in...

From such a distance, it was impossible to see her face clearly. Provided that another person in red was deliberately obstructed, people coming from afar might not notice. Yet, she in a red feathered snow jacket in the water stood out unmistakably.

With Mu Lianxiao’s personality, he would naturally dive in to save her.

And once they emerged from the water together... ha...

Princess An Ran was already furious envisioning that scene. She fiercely glared in the direction of the main room, silently cursing: Mu Lianhui, you can oppose Du Yunluo all you want, and if you want to anger her to death, go ahead; it’s your business if you two tear into each other. But why drag me into it? If I and the Princely Heir fell in together, are you pushing me to hang myself in shame?

Each wrong has its perpetrator and each debt its debtor. Princess An Ran wouldn’t blame Du Yunluo for this; she just detested Mu Lianhui’s empty words in the letter for apology while planning such a scheme against her. Recalling the earlier mention of "Mr. Huo" in the room, she coldly chuckled, pulling Du Yunluo into the room with her.

Du Yunluo stumbled after her a few steps, saw the anger between Princess An Ran’s brows, and guessed her thoughts.

Princess An Ran wanted an ally, pulling someone along to bolster her presence.

Knowing this, Du Yunluo didn’t bother to struggle, curious about the situation inside the room.

As soon as she stepped in, Du Yunluo saw Li Luan sitting on an Eight Immortals Chair in the central room, his peach blossom eyes void of their usual warmth, his face frighteningly dark.

Opposite him sat Huo Ziming, his face pale, head bowed, oblivious to Princess An Ran’s entrance.

Looking further into the east room, Huo Ruyi stood with her back turned, shaking with anger, seemingly about to explode if not for Jiang Yunuan holding her back.

Following Princess An Ran into the eastern room, Du Yunluo saw Shi Lian’er sitting on a couch, her clothes disheveled, pear slice eyes full of tears.

And Mu Lianhui was standing right beside Shi Lian’er, her red lips tightly pressed, looking at Shi Lian’er with no hint of warmth in her eyes.

Du Yunluo’s wrist was being gripped painfully by Princess An Ran. Just as she was about to pull free, Princess An Ran said coldly, "Who will explain to me what’s going on here?"

Huo Ruyi’s body stiffened, turning to face Princess An Ran. After a moment, she snorted, "I thought you were annoying enough. Now I understand what someone truly shameless looks like!"