"This is our town's new mayor – Zheng Yu," Lu Yu said, turning to Shen Xuan, remembering they hadn't met. "And this is my husband – Shen Xuan, and this is Afu." Lu Yu then introduced them to Zheng Yu.
"Mayor Zheng," Shen Xuan said, bowing respectfully to Zheng Yu. Afu followed suit.
"There's no need for such formality. Lu Yu is my father's savior, and we are now good sisters. You can call me Sister Zheng or just by my name, like Lu Yu does," Zheng Yu said, a little uncomfortable with Shen Xuan's formal bow. She waved her hand and smiled.
Shen Xuan was unsure and looked to Lu Yu for guidance.
"Just call her as she suggested. She's right, no need to be so reserved," Lu Yu said softly, noticing Shen Xuan's questioning gaze. She then took Shen Xuan's hand.
Although Shen Xuan was accustomed to such intimacy when they were alone, he still felt awkward in front of others. He lowered his eyes, trying to pull his hand away from Lu Yu's grasp.
"Brother-in-law, you don't need to be shy. Lu Yu often speaks of you. Your relationship is the envy of many."
Hearing this, Shen Xuan lowered his head, his ears turning red. He stopped struggling, tucked his hand back, and quietly placed it in Lu Yu's warm palm.
"You two take care of them here. I'm going back to interrogate that Sun Fan," Zheng Yu said, eager to question Sun Fan and leaving first.
The matter of Sun Chengliang's corruption had yet to be resolved, and now with his daughter Sun Fan adding fuel to the fire, her conviction would be all the easier.
News traveled fast. Within an hour, everyone at Yuman Tower had heard the news. Zisu rushed to the medical clinic upon hearing it.
When Zisu arrived at the clinic, Muxiang had already woken up. Afu was sitting by Muxiang's side, applying medicine to his face, while Shen Xuan sat nearby, offering Muxiang comfort.
Muxiang was huddled in a corner, his brows furrowed, avoiding contact with others.
Zisu stood by the bed, gazing at Muxiang's face. He frowned, then looked at Gu Yitong, who was still unconscious on the other side, his frown deepening. He pursed his lips, unsure how to offer comfort.
"Young Master Zisu has arrived, please sit," Wu Shao said, seeing Zisu standing by the bed. He picked up a chair from the side and placed it next to Zisu.
Zisu, likely having run all the way, was still catching his breath. He only managed to say "Thank you" before sitting down.
Seeing Zisu's unsteady breathing and a few beads of sweat on his forehead, Wu Shao went to the table, poured a cup of cool tea, and handed it to Zisu.
"Miss Gu will wake up soon, don't worry. Please drink your medicine," Shen Xuan said, holding Muxiang's hand and patting it gently.
Muxiang slowly withdrew his hand, his head bowed, not responding.
Seeing Muxiang like this, Afu became anxious and didn't know what to do. "Young Master Muxiang, please drink your medicine. How can you get better if you don't take it?"
Zisu couldn't sit still any longer. He couldn't bear to see Muxiang so dejected. He picked up the medicine bowl from the table and brought it to Muxiang's lips.
"Muxiang, if you still consider me your brother, drink this medicine quickly."
Seeing Muxiang still unmoved, Zisu spoke with frustration, "Fine! If you don't acknowledge me as your brother, surely you acknowledge her as your sister!"
At Zisu's exclamation of "sister," everyone in the room froze. Only Lu Yu, who knew the inside story, shook her head.
"Miss Gu is Young Master Muxiang's sister?" Afu couldn't help but blurt out when he heard this.
To his surprise, Muxiang suddenly looked up at the mention of "Young Master Muxiang," his body trembling. "I am not!"
Zisu knelt down, took Muxiang's hand, and looked him in the eye, speaking slowly, "After all these days, do you think I haven't noticed anything?"
"I know you've always been self-conscious about your status and didn't want to acknowledge Miss Gu, not wanting her to have a brother who performs in brothels."
"But have you ever thought about it? None of that is important to Miss Gu. What's most important is you, that you acknowledge her."
"She knows your concerns and doesn't want to force you. That's why she hasn't told anyone that you are her brother. She's been protecting you in her own way."
"You know, if she were to make this public, you'd have to acknowledge her whether you wanted to or not. But she didn't want that. She didn't want you to become gossip fodder. She wants you to acknowledge her as your sister from the heart."
"She's become like this today to protect you. Can't you take good care of yourself? Do you want to make her die of sadness?"
Hearing Zisu's words, Muxiang's eyelashes fluttered. Large tears fell onto their clasped hands. He turned to look at the still unconscious Gu Yitong. Muxiang could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
He had always known. He knew that even if he didn't acknowledge her, she wouldn't force him, but would silently protect him in her heart.
This was also why Muxiang hadn't acknowledged her. He didn't want anyone to know that Gu Yitong, the owner of Renkang Hall, had a brother who performed in brothels.
As long as he didn't take the initiative to acknowledge her, he believed Gu Yitong wouldn't pressure him further. He would fulfill her wish by not making a fuss, and their relationship would remain unknown to others.
None of them spoke, quietly waiting for Muxiang to vent. After a long while, Muxiang's emotions gradually calmed down, and he sobbed softly in Shen Xuan's arms.
Finally, he looked up and saw that Shen Xuan's shoulder was wet from his tears. He felt a little embarrassed, his face flushing slightly. He raised his hand to wipe his tears and mumbled, "I'm sorry, I've wet your clothes."
Shen Xuan smiled and said, "It's alright, as long as you've come to terms with it. Drink your medicine now."
Zisu handed him the medicine, and Muxiang took the bowl, frowned, and swallowed the medicine.
Shen Xuan took out a piece of candied fruit from his pocket and offered it to Muxiang. "I see you're afraid of the bitterness, have a piece of candied fruit."
"Thank you," Muxiang said. "After all this time, I still don't know who you are?"
"I am Lu Yu's husband," Shen Xuan said, glancing at Lu Yu and smiling at him. He then introduced Muxiang, "This is Afu, he grew up with me."
Shen Xuan didn't mention that Afu was his attendant. In Shen Xuan's eyes, Afu had long been more than just an attendant; he was like a younger brother. Shen Xuan was only three months older than Afu but was already much more mature.
"We've been talking for so long, but I still don't know who this is?"
"My name is Zisu, and I'm also from Yuman Tower." Zisu felt a little uncomfortable mentioning Yuman Tower, and like Muxiang, he was self-conscious about his identity.
Afu now understood that Yuman Tower was not what he had imagined. Sensing Zisu's low spirits, Afu quickly said, "Then the brothers must have many talents."