"It seems Zheng Yu is truly dedicated to this male academy, coming to discuss matters about it with Yi'er every day." Gu Yitong pushed the ledger forward, propping her chin on her hand as she chatted with Lu Yuxian.
"She comes to the clinic in the morning these days, and in the afternoon she should be at your residence discussing the same things with your brother-in-law. Tomorrow, you should just bring your brother-in-law directly, so she doesn't have to run back and forth. It's quite tiring." Gu Yitong, uncharacteristically, showed concern for Zheng Yu.
"She hasn't come to find Xuan'er these past few days; she must have arranged it with Xuan'er in advance," Lu Yuxian replied casually while tidying her prescriptions, her head bowed.
"She hasn't been here these past few days?" Gu Yitong's ears perked up at this statement, a sense of alarm rising. "But didn't she say she only finished organizing things recently?"
Seeing Lu Yuxian still engrossed in sorting out prescriptions, Gu Yitong didn't bother her further. Instead, she went to the backyard to find the two of them, wondering why they hadn't emerged yet.
To her surprise, upon entering the backyard, she saw the two of them embracing each other, nestled closely. Gu Yitong's eyes widened in shock, and after a moment of stunned silence, she finally found her voice and let out a sharp cry.
Gu Yi, lost in the warmth of Zheng Yu's embrace, was startled by Gu Yitong's shout. He immediately pulled away from Zheng Yu's arms. Upon realizing it was his sister, he lowered his head, his face flushing crimson.
Zheng Yu was also taken aback by Gu Yitong's outburst. Now it was perfect; they had been agonizing over how to tell Gu Yitong, and now they didn't have to. They had been caught.
Zheng Yu turned around as well, stepping in front of Gu Yi and offering Gu Yitong an awkward smile.
Gu Yitong strode forward in anger, shoving Zheng Yu aside and pulling Gu Yi behind her. She demanded, "Have you swallowed all your upbringing? Being so forward with my brother in broad daylight!"
Damn it, if I don't assert myself, does she think my brother is easy to bully?
"That's not it, Sister. I was willing," Zheng Yu didn't want Zheng Yu to bear the brunt of his sister's reprimand alone. He broke free from Gu Yitong's grip, stood in front of Zheng Yu, and looked up at Gu Yitong.
"You! You!" Gu Yitong was beside herself with anger, but she couldn't bring herself to scold her brother. She could only turn her attention back to Zheng Yu.
"If you're a woman, don't stand behind my brother!" Gu Yitong, still fuming and feeling the issue unresolved, added, "Get out of here right now!"
Lu Yuxian, who had heard the commotion from the front hall, had already made her way to the backyard. Upon hearing Gu Yitong's words, she gave Zheng Yu a meaningful look, signaling for her to leave first.
"Yi'er, I'll be going now." Zheng Yu, fearing that her departure would put Gu Yi in a difficult position or make him sad, decided to say goodbye to Gu Yi before leaving.
"What are you saying!" Gu Yitong trembled with anger at Zheng Yu's words. "Hurry up and get out!"
Watching Zheng Yu leave, Gu Yi also lowered his head, bracing himself for a scolding. He knew he had done wrong. Such a relationship, kept secret from his elder sister, was considered clandestine. In a large family, it would be a disgrace to the entire clan and punishable by family law.
Seeing Gu Yi's submissive posture, waiting to be disciplined, Gu Yitong couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh. She merely let out a heavy sigh.
"You should go back to your room. It's too cold outside; don't catch a chill." After saying this, Gu Yitong was pulled away by Lu Yuxian.
"Young Master Gu, you should go back to your room. Your sister is just a bit too anxious, don't overthink it."
Gu Yi pursed his lips, nodded at Lu Yuxian, and quietly turned to enter his room.
Wu Shao, who had been leaning against the doorframe watching, quickly hurried to the main hall to pour tea for the two women as Lu Yuxian and Gu Yitong approached.
"You were so agitated just now, you even scared Young Master Gu," Lu Yuxian said, taking the tea from Wu Shao and placing it in front of Gu Yitong.
"If he could be scared, he wouldn't have done something like this today!" Gu Yitong was still furious. Fortunately, Gu Yi wasn't present, allowing her to vent her frustration. If Gu Yi were still there, she truly wouldn't have had the heart to speak harshly.
"Isn't it just that they couldn't help themselves? Besides, they have feelings for each other; why must you interfere?"
"When did I say I wanted to interfere? I'm just angry!"
"Angry that Yi'er kept such a big secret from me and didn't tell me!"
"I'm also angry that Zheng Yu sneakily took my brother away!" Gu Yitong became more incensed as she spoke. "Yi'er is not even sixteen yet, and he's been an adult for less than a year. How could she be so bold!"
"What makes me even angrier is that scoundrel Zheng Yu being so forward with my brother in broad daylight, showing no manners! Have all her etiquette lessons been eaten by dogs? It's hardly respectful of Yi'er!" Gu Yitong paused, then added with a hint of disappointment, "Yi'er too, he's not reserved at all."
"Today I reprimanded Zheng Yu, and he even shielded her in front of me. They aren't even married yet, and he's already siding with her."
"Love is something no one can control. You'll understand when you find someone you like," Lu Yuxian said, taking a sip of tea with a composed demeanor.
However, Lu Yuxian didn't miss the keywords Gu Yitong mentioned. "So, you're agreeing to their relationship?"
"It's not certain yet. I still need to observe Zheng Yu's attitude towards Yi'er. I can't let her have him too easily, or she won't cherish him in the future." Gu Yitong was still being stubborn, and Lu Yuxian didn't expose her.
How could Gu Yitong disagree? Seeing her brother's expression just now, he clearly adored Zheng Yu. How could she go against her brother's wishes?
Gu Yi spent the entire afternoon in his room, lost in thought. He hadn't expected Gu Yitong to find out so soon. Thinking of his sister's angry demeanor that afternoon, Gu Yi felt a pang of sadness. His sister probably didn't approve.
Hearing a knock on the door, Gu Yi quickly stood up, looking nervously at Gu Yitong, who had just entered. His fingers fiddled incessantly, and his lips were pressed tightly together.
Seeing Gu Yi's tense little face due to nervousness, Gu Yitong felt a surge of tenderness. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so harsh with Zheng Yu earlier, but then again, she felt Zheng Yu deserved it, but it shouldn't have happened in front of Gu Yi.
"Yi'er, you, you don't need to be nervous. Sit down first, and Sister will talk to you slowly."
Gu Yitong led Gu Yi to a chair and had him sit down, then poured him a cup of hot tea.
"Don't worry, Sister isn't forbidding this. It's just that I might have been a bit too extreme just now. Don't be angry with Sister."
"No, no, I'm not angry," Gu Yi quickly waved his hands, explaining, "I was just afraid Sister would be angry and sad."
"I actually am sad. You didn't tell me about such a big matter, and you even kept it from me with Zheng Yu." Gu Yitong truly put on a hurt expression as she spoke, though this was not an act; she was genuinely a little upset.
"Sister, I'm sorry. I, I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how to start." Gu Yi lowered his head, feeling very guilty.
"It's alright. Sister knows you were embarrassed to say it and afraid I would be upset. Sister understands. Don't blame yourself." Gu Yitong, just like when he was a child, stroked Gu Yi's head.
Gu Yi habitually turned his head, nuzzling against Gu Yitong's hand, and a smile finally appeared on his lips.
Seeing that Gu Yi had completely relaxed, Gu Yitong naturally proceeded to say what she had to say next.