Lu Yu arrived at the medical clinic early in the morning, her face glowing and her smile so wide her teeth were showing and her eyes were crinkled. It was clear she had experienced something good.
"Is there good news? Or did you and your brother-in-law make up last night?" Gu Yitong asked curiously, seeing Lu Yu's radiant expression, so different from the day before.
Upon hearing the words "last night," Lu Yu's face instantly turned red. She awkwardly moved to the side, not answering the question.
"Oh my!" Gu Yitong's eyes widened in realization. She suppressed a laugh, wearing an expression that suggested she had just stumbled upon a momentous secret.
"Why are you so vulgar?" Lu Yu, made even more uncomfortable by Gu Yitong's reaction, shot her a glare.
"Yo yo yo! Embarrassed and angry?" Gu Yitong swaggered playfully in front of Lu Yu, making her teeth itch with annoyance.
"Why didn't you take me with you yesterday? Sigh." Gu Yitong feigned regret, looking provocatively at Lu Yu.
"Master! I'm here!"
Fortunately, A'Fu arrived at this opportune moment, saving Gu Yitong from a potential blow to the head. Otherwise, Lu Yu might have smacked her to see what was inside her head, which seemed to be filled with nothing but eavesdropping.
"Young Master Zisu?"
Hearing A'Fu's voice, they followed his gaze to the doorway, where Zisu stood alone.
"Is Young Master Zisu looking for Yi'er?" Gu Yitong was the first to react, inviting Zisu inside.
"Yes, our boss at Yu Mantang insists that Mu... Yi'er return." Zisu, who had almost blurted out Mu Xiang, quickly corrected himself to Yi'er.
Ever since Gu Yi was injured, she hadn't returned to Yu Man Lou. Zisu had always handled things there. Having grown up in the establishment, Zisu was skilled in many arts and would perform an extra act during performances to substitute for Gu Yi.
However, this time, it was impossible to refuse. The head of Yu Mantang insisted on Gu Yi's return, claiming that many customers had been lost due to Gu Yi's absence. Zisu had no choice but to come to the medical clinic to find Gu Yi.
Gu Yi happened to emerge from the inner room at that moment. Hearing the words, she instinctively touched the scar on her forehead, which had not yet completely faded.
"Zisu, I'm sorry. Thank you for bearing the pressure for me these past few days. I'll go back with you now." Gu Yi said apologetically, tidying herself up to leave with Zisu.
After Gu Yitong and Gu Yi were injured, Gu Yi had taken leave from the establishment. However, rumors about Shen Xuan had later surfaced, and Gu Yi had been trying to help, which is why she hadn't returned. Gu Yitong hadn't realized this.
Now that Zisu mentioned it, and seeing Gu Yi about to leave with him, Gu Yitong naturally objected.
"Yi'er, let me buy your freedom. You don't have to stay there."
"Does Sister look down on my status?"
Seeing Gu Yi's dejected expression, Gu Yitong quickly explained, "No! I'm just afraid of something like what happened before happening again."
Gu Yi thought about it. It was true. Her sister had angered Sun Fan, the daughter of the former town mayor, Sun Chenliang, because of her. Although Sun Fan was still in prison, it couldn't be guaranteed that her subordinates wouldn't seek revenge for her.
If she were to be in danger again, she might not be as lucky as last time. More importantly, it would implicate her sister again.
"Yes, Yi'er, just listen to Miss Gu and buy your freedom," Zisu also stepped forward to persuade her.
He hadn't come here to call Gu Yi back but to discuss it with them. He also hoped that Gu Yi could break free from that place and live the life she was meant to live.
"But Yi'er is considered our top performer here. The head of the establishment probably won't let her go easily."
Zisu's point was valid. The boss of Yu Man Lou would indeed not easily let go of such a cash cow.
"It's so lively here, Young Master Zisu is here too." Zheng Yu entered from outside, smiling as she looked at everyone in the room.
"I have an idea!" Gu Yitong snapped her fingers and pulled Zheng Yu towards her. "If the town mayor were to go, she wouldn't dare to demand an exorbitant price, would she?"
"What are you guys trying to do?" Zheng Yu, having just entered, hadn't quite grasped the situation before being so clearly involved.
"It's just..."
Zheng Yu understood the situation and readily agreed to help, completely forgetting her original purpose for visiting.
When the four of them arrived at the brothel, the boss was asleep in his room. Upon hearing that the town mayor had arrived, he was so startled that he didn't even have time to dress properly, rushing downstairs in a flustered manner.
"Is the town mayor here to listen to music at our Yu Mantang as well?" the boss asked obsequiously.
"No, she's accompanying us to help Mu Xiang here buy her freedom," Gu Yitong answered for Zheng Yu.
"To help Mu Xiang buy her freedom? This..."
Seeing the boss's troubled expression, Gu Yitong knew he was overthinking. "Whatever the price, just say it. We're not trying to take her away for free."
"That's right. I'm only here with them to ensure Mu Xiang can be released," Zheng Yu added, picking up where Gu Yitong left off.
"No, no, no, how could I think that?" The boss repeatedly shook his head, though it was clear he was visibly relieved.
After paying the money, they accompanied Gu Yi upstairs to pack. In truth, there wasn't much there that Gu Yi wanted to take, but the zither and the wooden box filled with childhood toys were very important to her.
Opening the door, a refreshing fragrance wafted out. It seemed that Zisu had been lighting incense here during her absence.
The incense in the room was plum blossom, which Zheng Yu also liked. She recognized it as soon as she entered. Her own room also used plum blossom incense, which was elegant and refined, possessing a unique charm, different from other fragrances.
"Young Master Gu plays the zither?"
Seeing Gu Yi nod, Zheng Yu smiled and asked, "May I have the honor of having Young Master Gu play a tune for me?"
Gu Yi felt a bit embarrassed by the request. She placed her hands on the zither strings and said, "I'll play for you when we get back to the clinic."
In the manor's storeroom was a wutong zither, which she had acquired by chance. Such a fine instrument should be played by those skilled hands, not wasted with her.
Gu Yitong followed behind Gu Yi and saw her pick up the box. Gu Yitong stepped forward and gently opened the box. She saw the music scores that Gu Yi had personally torn up that day and the broken bamboo dragonflies, all meticulously pieced back together and placed inside the box.
Gu Yitong reached out and picked up a reassembled bamboo dragonfly. She noticed bloodstains on it and looked at Gu Yi with a heart full of concern.
Gu Yi knew what Gu Yitong was thinking. She smiled, took the bamboo dragonfly from Gu Yitong's hand, placed it in the box she was holding, and closed the lid.
"Sister, don't dwell on the past anymore. I'm back now, aren't I?"
Gu Yitong nodded, not dwelling on the matter further.
After packing their belongings, the group went downstairs and placed the wutong zither onto the carriage. Just as Zheng Yu was about to board, she heard someone calling from a distance, "Miss Zheng!"