Seeing them about to attack Gu Yitong again, Muxiang rushed forward, knocked away the guard with her body, and steadied the stumbling Gu Yitong, shielding her from behind.
Sister, you've always protected me. Today, it's my turn to protect you.
"I promise you!" Muxiang shouted with all her might, "I promise you, I'll use my body to exchange for her life. Please let her go."
Muxiang's voice was desperate as she looked pleadingly at Sun Fan. She couldn't bear to watch Gu Yitong be tortured by them.
"You promise? Wouldn't it have been easier if you had done this earlier?" Sun Fan's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them, then suddenly, as if understanding something, he asked, "She's your beloved, isn't she?"
As he spoke, he approached Muxiang, pinched her chin with one hand, and slowly began to speak, his foul breath spraying onto Muxiang's face.
"It seems your feelings for her are quite deep. Tsk, tsk, tsk, truly touching." He paused, then sneered, "However, I don't sleep with men who have someone in their hearts, especially men whose bodies are not clean. I find it disgusting."
"You all finish her off quickly. As for him, I'll keep him to enjoy myself later, and then I'll bestow him upon you!"
Sun Fan laughed heartily, pulling Muxiang into his embrace, burying his head on her shoulder, and taking a deep breath. "You smell so good. Wait for me to cherish you properly later."
Muxiang couldn't break free and watched helplessly as Gu Yitong was struck on the head and fainted.
"Let go of me!" Muxiang roared like a madwoman, struggling with all her might.
"You handle her, and I'll take the beauty back with me."
Seeing that she couldn't break free and was about to be taken away, Muxiang became fierce and bit down on Sun Fan's neck with all her strength. Sun Fan cried out in pain but didn't let go, even tearing off a piece of flesh.
Sun Fan's eyes rolled back in pain as he clutched his neck and howled. However, he didn't forget to retaliate.
He ordered his subordinates to drag Muxiang, who had run to Gu Yitong's side, over. Grabbing Muxiang by the hair, he smashed her head against the wall, leaving Muxiang dizzy and unable to resist any further.
"You damned whore, how dare you bite me? I'll kill you today!"
Then, using his blood-covered hand, he slapped Muxiang back and forth.
Muxiang's eyes widened, staring fixedly at Sun Fan, her eyes filled with hatred. She gritted her teeth, suppressing her pained moans with all her might, refusing to make a sound no matter how much she was tortured.
With the sound of footsteps, Zheng Yu quickly subdued Sun Fan and his men. Afu followed behind, stunned by the sight before him.
Muxiang's face was covered in blood, her cheeks swollen beyond recognition. Gu Yitong lay in a pool of blood, her life or death unknown.
Seeing Muxiang trying to stand, Afu quickly stepped forward to support her and led her towards Gu Yitong.
"My lord, this young lady is still alive." Zheng Yu's subordinate moved quickly, felt for Gu Yitong's breath, and immediately reported to Zheng Yu.
"Quick! Take them both to Ren Kang Tang!"
Confirming that Gu Yitong was not in mortal danger, Muxiang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Due to the beating she had received, she completely fainted.
Zheng Yu ordered his subordinates to carry Gu Yitong back to the medical hall, while he himself carried Muxiang and rushed back.
Afu trotted behind them. It could be said that their rescue was largely thanks to Afu.
At that time, Afu ran and shouted, following his memory back to the entrance of Yu Man Tang. He happened to meet Zheng Yu there, accompanied by several subordinates in official uniforms.
Although Afu didn't recognize Zheng Yu, he knew they were officials and rushed forward to seek help.
There was a reason why Zheng Yu came to the entrance of Yu Man Tang to look for someone.
Earlier that morning, Wu Shao was chatting with Gu Yitong. Wu Shao, unaware of the situation, talked about her childhood days playing with Li Fulang. The childhood memories of the siblings were truly nostalgic.
"We grew up together. Last year, my brother was married off to my sister-in-law and left home. I was always worried if my brother would be bullied after he left. Now that my brother is pregnant, I've come to visit him."
"Unexpectedly, when I came here, I heard that Master's medical skills were superb, which reignited my childhood interest in learning medicine. I insisted on learning from Master, and Master also valued me, so he accepted me," Wu Shao said, scratching his head with a smile.
Wu Shao spoke carelessly, but Gu Yitong listened attentively.
Hearing Wu Shao talk about her childhood, she couldn't help but think of her younger brother, Gu Yi. Her heart ached, and she casually made an excuse to leave the medical hall and headed towards Yu Man Lou.
Lu Yu was worried about Gu Yitong but knew she couldn't leave the medical hall. Coincidentally, Zheng Yu came to the medical hall at that time wanting to chat with them.
Since Zheng Yu's father was completely cured by Lu, Lu Yu visited the medical hall from time to time to chat with them.
Lu Yu then asked Zheng Yu to go to Yu Man Lou to find Gu Yitong. Zheng Yu had also secretly noticed some special relationship between Gu Yitong and Yu Man Lou during this period. He immediately agreed and led several subordinates towards Yu Man Tang.
Upon arriving at Yu Man Tang and inquiring, they learned that Gu Yitong had left after getting drunk. They also learned that a young master from Yu Man Lou had left with her. Zheng Yu was puzzled and sent his subordinates to search everywhere.
By chance, he encountered Afu seeking help and rushed to the location Afu mentioned with his subordinates.
Seeing Gu Yitong lying on the ground, Zheng Yu gasped, his eyes wide as he looked at the bloody scene before him. He never expected to find the injured Gu Yitong by chance.
"Lu Yu! Come quickly and save them!" Before entering the medical hall, Zheng Yu's voice could be heard from outside.
Hearing the shout, Lu Yu hurried out, also startled by the scene. However, she quickly calmed down and methodically instructed them to place Gu Yitong and Muxiang on the beds. After washing her hands, she opened her needle pack and prepared to administer acupuncture.
"Wu Shao! Go and brew two bowls of ginseng soup."
"You two go and get some yam and cornus officinalis to boil. Hurry!"
After clearing everyone out, Lu Yu took a deep breath, picked up her needle pack, and quickly began to stabilize Gu Yitong's condition.
Muxiang had no internal injuries; she just looked more frightening. However, the injuries were all on her face, which was quite troublesome.
"Young Master, why are you here?"
Shen Xuan saw Afu following them and quickly stepped forward, taking Afu's hand and examining him carefully. He was relieved when he confirmed there were no injuries.
"I was worried when I didn't see you return home for so long, so I came to town to look for you." Shen Xuan frowned, his eyes brimming with worry. "The injuries on Miss Gu and that young master just now were truly terrifying. I'm glad you're alright."
"How did you encounter them?"
As Shen Xuan and Afu were talking, with a creak, Lu Yu came out from inside.
"Wife, how are they doing?" Shen Xuan anxiously stepped forward when he saw Lu Yu emerge.
Zheng Yu also followed closely, full of questions.
"They're not as serious as they look. Don't worry, they'll wake up soon."
Hearing Lu Yu's assurance, the few of them collectively breathed a sigh of relief.