"No need for a carriage."
As A'Fu followed Gu Yitong out, she saw the carriage waiting at the entrance. Gu Yitong's family did not keep a carriage, so this one must have been rented by Gu Yitong while A'Fu was getting ready.
"Yesterday... your injuries weren't healed yesterday, let's take a carriage," Gu Yitong said, her expression a little uncomfortable. A'Fu instantly understood Gu Yitong's meaning and no longer refused, nodding and getting into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, it was so quiet that they could hear each other's rapid heartbeats. Both were very reserved.
"Your body, um, are you alright today? I'm sorry about yesterday, I was too..."
"It's fine, it's fine, I'm quite alright," A'Fu interrupted quickly, knowing what Gu Yitong was about to say. The carriage then fell into an awkward silence.
After a long while, A'Fu composed herself, let out a long sigh, and turned to Gu Yitong, speaking solemnly, "Thank you yesterday, otherwise..."
"I will definitely save you!" Gu Yitong subconsciously didn't want to hear what A'Fu would say after "otherwise." She wouldn't let that situation happen; she would arrive in time.
"There won't be an 'otherwise'," Gu Yitong added softly in the back, unsure if she was saying it to A'Fu or to herself.
"Mm." A'Fu didn't know what to say upon hearing Gu Yitong's words, only responding with a quiet hum.
"A'Fu, I... will you marry me? I..." Gu Yitong hesitated repeatedly before deciding to ask the question. Although A'Fu didn't want others to know about this yesterday, it didn't conflict with her marrying him.
Marry me? A'Fu stared blankly at Gu Yitong, who had a sincere expression on her face. Feeling Gu Yitong's steady gaze upon her, A'Fu came back to her senses and instantly lowered her head in a fluster.
Her heart was beating so fast. What was happening to her?
Yesterday, she should have been the one thanking Gu Yitong for this matter. Gu Yitong didn't need to go against her own feelings and take responsibility for her.
A'Fu gradually tightened her fingers, clenching her fists tightly. Gritting her teeth, she forced a stiff smile, "You don't need to be responsible, Miss Gu. I should be thanking you. Let's just let this matter go. I... don't mind."
As she spoke the last words, a bitter smile inadvertently appeared at the corner of A'Fu's lips. Although she had feelings for Gu Yitong, she absolutely couldn't force Gu Yitong to marry her in this way. Doing so would be no different from forcing a marriage.
"No! I..."
"Miss! We're here!"
Gu Yitong was anxious. Realizing A'Fu had misunderstood, she was about to explain when the coachman's voice came from outside.
"Let's get down first." A'Fu didn't want to say more to Gu Yitong. As soon as the coachman's voice fell, A'Fu quickly took the reins, giving Gu Yitong no time to speak, and walked directly out of the carriage.
Watching A'Fu's retreating back as she alighted, Gu Yitong sighed and followed her out of the carriage.
After paying the coachman, A'Fu was no longer by her side. It was not convenient to discuss such matters here. She would tell A'Fu when they returned.
"A'Fu, why did you come over?" Gu Yi was busy outside. Seeing A'Fu walk in, he quickly stepped forward, took A'Fu's arm, and began to check her, "How are you? Are you injured anywhere?"
"I'm fine." A'Fu pulled at the corner of her mouth, raising a reassuring smile.
"Xuan'er is inside taking care of Miss Lu. Come with me."
Gu Yi knew that his sister had been taking care of A'Fu since yesterday. Glancing at Gu Yitong standing at the door, Gu Yi let out a breath of relief and led A'Fu into the house.
If A'Fu had any problems or was injured, his sister would definitely tell him. Moreover, there was a doctor here. Since his sister hadn't said anything, she should be fine.
"Young Master." A'Fu stood at the door and saw Shen Xuan inside, diligently taking care of Lu Yu. She pouted and called out with a choked voice.
Hearing A'Fu's voice, Shen Xuan turned around in surprise. Seeing A'Fu standing at the door with tears in her eyes, Shen Xuan strode forward, took A'Fu's hand, and his eyes also welled up with tears.
Gu Yi knew that the master and servant must have a lot to say. He didn't linger in the room, thoughtfully closing the door and going to find Gu Yitong to inquire about A'Fu's situation. After all, some things were not easy to ask A'Fu directly, for fear that A'Fu might recall sad memories.
"Young Master, how are you? Are you injured anywhere? Is it serious? Why is the family head also unconscious?" As soon as A'Fu saw Shen Xuan, she had a barrage of questions, her eyes full of anxiety.
"You've asked so many questions, which one should I answer?" Shen Xuan smiled and wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. The doctor said that the wife will also wake up today."
"Young Master, your wrist!" A'Fu saw the white bandage wrapped around Shen Xuan's wrist and was greatly alarmed. She cupped Shen Xuan's wrist with both hands, her brows furrowed. Tears dripped onto Shen Xuan's hand.
"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury. Don't cry. Why have you started crying so much after staying with me for so long?" Shen Xuan raised his hand to wipe A'Fu's tears, speaking with a smile, half-jokingly lightening the mood, not wanting the atmosphere to be so solemn.
"I'm sorry. If I hadn't taken you out yesterday, you wouldn't have suffered this disaster."
"Yesterday, Yi'er said that Miss Gu saved you at a critical moment, and she was the one taking care of you last night. How do you feel?" After hesitating for a moment, Shen Xuan decided to explain this matter to A'Fu.
"How do I feel?" Hearing Shen Xuan mention this, A'Fu's body stiffened for a moment, then quickly recovered. She pretended not to understand.
Fearing that their conversation would disturb the sleeping Lu Yu, Shen Xuan stood up, took A'Fu's hand, and led her to the tea room on the other side of the screen to sit down.
"Yesterday, when I told Miss Gu that you were in great danger, she was very anxious and didn't even have time to bring anyone with her before rushing to find you. I heard that even the guards under Mayor Zheng couldn't catch up to her, which shows how worried she was about you."
Shen Xuan paused after speaking, carefully observing A'Fu's reaction.
"Young Master, I am very grateful to Miss Gu." A'Fu lowered her head, making it impossible to see her expression.
Since A'Fu said so, Shen Xuan couldn't say anything more. After all, this matter still had to follow A'Fu's wishes. All he could do now was to tell A'Fu how anxious Gu Yitong was when she received the news, hoping that A'Fu would know that Gu Yitong might also have feelings for her.
"Young Master Shen?" A soft call came from the doorway. It was the doctor.
"I've come to take Lu Daifu's pulse." Gu Yi and Gu Yitong were also behind the doctor, all coming to check on Lu Yu's condition.
Just now, Gu Yi had also learned about A'Fu's ordeal from Gu Yitong and felt very distressed. He thought he should let the doctor examine A'Fu later, in case A'Fu had sustained internal injuries from them.
Gu Yitong always remembered the promise she made to A'Fu, only saying that when she arrived, A'Fu was still tied up, and she had directly rescued A'Fu. Gu Yi also believed her completely.