"You are not allowed to refuse! This zither was meant for you from the start. I don't understand music, so keeping it would be a waste of a treasure. It's better to give it to someone who appreciates it. Moreover, it's a gift from me to you, and you mustn't refuse it."
Zheng Yu saw through Gu Yi's thoughts and didn't give him a chance to refuse, speaking directly.
"Alright, I'll accept it." Gu Yi nodded, a subtle smile curving his lips.
"Why are your clothes always different from your usual ones?" Gu Yi sat beside Zheng Yu, scrutinizing him from head to toe, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Hearing Gu Yi's question about her clothes, Zheng Yu replied a little shyly, "Normally, my clothes are chosen by the servants. But the clothes I wear when I see you are always chosen by myself. Do you... like them?"
Upon hearing this answer, a sweetness, like that of honey, surged through Gu Yi's heart. It was very sweet.
"I like them." Gu Yi's eyes couldn't help but curve upwards, his lips involuntarily lifting. These clothes were actually quite attractive.
"After this matter is resolved, I will come to propose. Is that alright?" Zheng Yu subtly moved closer, inching towards Gu Yi. She gazed at him steadily, her eyes as tender as flowing water, stirring his heart.
"...You decide." Gu Yi lowered his head, filled with shyness. For such matters, why ask a man if it's okay? It would be better to discuss it directly with his sister.
Satisfied with the answer she received, Zheng Yu curved her lips. Looking at Gu Yi's adorable and shy demeanor, too embarrassed to lift his head, Zheng Yu smiled and pulled him into her embrace, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Look up." Smelling the faint, clean scent emanating from the person in her arms, Zheng Yu couldn't resist the urge to kiss him. Her clear, deep voice resonated from her lips.
"Hmm?" Gu Yi, unaware of the approaching danger, looked up blankly. Before he could react, Zheng Yu leaned down and kissed him.
They parted instantly. Gu Yi was startled by the sudden kiss, his eyes darting around, too shy to look at Zheng Yu.
Zheng Yu was still savoring the soft touch of Gu Yi's lips. Seeing the flustered young man before her, she was struggling to control herself, wanting to kiss him again.
Following her heart, Zheng Yu didn't dwell on it for too long. Acting on her impulses, she slowly leaned in again.
Feeling Zheng Yu's breath growing closer, Gu Yi's heart pounded like a drum. His body, held in Zheng Yu's embrace, instantly went numb. His mind was completely unable to control his actions; he could only sit obediently, waiting for Zheng Yu's approach.
Zheng Yu didn't want to frighten Gu Yi, so she didn't delve too deeply. A light, fleeting kiss was enough to satisfy her.
After the kiss ended, Zheng Yu held Gu Yi tightly in her arms. They exchanged sweet words, and the temperature in the room gradually rose, enveloping the loving couple in a warm embrace of tenderness and affection that envied onlookers.
The moonlight slowly descended, illuminating the two figures holding each other even more clearly.
A knock on the door startled the two engrossed lovers. Gu Yi seemed to snap back to reality, instantly leaping from Zheng Yu's embrace and awkwardly adjusting his collar, which wasn't even disheveled.
His flustered and clumsy movements amused Zheng Yu. Hearing her soft chuckle, Gu Yi paused his actions and stared at her, a hint of embarrassment and anger in his gaze.
Zheng Yu dared not anger her newly acquired little husband. She quickly smiled apologetically and stood beside Gu Yi, leaning in to whisper in his ear, "Your clothes are perfectly neat. Go open the door."
Gu Yi finally realized what had happened, his cheeks flushing crimson. They hadn't done anything, yet he was adjusting his clothes, which clearly told Zheng Yu how much he was overthinking. How embarrassing!
After opening the door, Gu Yi obediently let Gu Yitong in and greeted her softly, "Sister."
"Why isn't there a light on in this dark room?" Gu Yitong asked, puzzled. Her younger brother was usually afraid of the dark and always the first to turn on the lights. Why not today?
Gu Yi stammered, unsure how to explain. Zheng Yu, meanwhile, had already lit the candle. "We were just chatting and exchanging ideas. We got so engrossed in our conversation that we lost track of time, and we even forgot about the candlelight."
Zheng Yu seemed to be acting normally, but Gu Yi looked strange. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes darted around, and he appeared guilty.
Gu Yitong looked at her brother, then shifted her gaze to Zheng Yu. Their clothes were neat. Her eyes moved upwards, noticing their lips were a little red. No, they were very red, exceptionally red.
With a swift movement, Gu Yitong's gaze returned to Gu Yi's lips. They were red and swollen!
*Hiss—*
Indeed, they shouldn't have been left alone for so long. This scoundrel! She's been so forward with my brother before even proposing.
Gu Yitong's change in expression was evident, shifting from confusion to sudden realization and then to anger. Zheng Yu saw this entire sequence clearly.
Fearing Gu Yi would feel uncomfortable, Zheng Yu quickly interjected, "Something else happened today. Come, let me tell you all about it."
As she spoke, Zheng Yu guided Gu Yitong out of the room. After stepping outside, she thoughtfully closed the door and gave Gu Yi a gentle smile before leaving his room.
Leaving Gu Yi alone in the room, he touched his still-burning cheeks and lowered his head with a sweet smile.
"Tsk!" Gu Yitong disdainfully pulled her arm from Zheng Yu's grasp and gave her a look of annoyance.
"Oh, come on! I really have something to tell you. Hurry to your room."
Seeing Zheng Yu's serious expression, which didn't seem fake, Gu Yitong nodded and led Zheng Yu to her own bedroom.
...
"And that's how it happened!" Zheng Yu said, her throat dry. She poured herself a cup of tea and drank it down in large gulps to moisten her throat.
"Is Young Master Shen really planning to report Zhao Liu? If so, the Shen family's reputation will be ruined, and everyone in town will know about the Shen family's internal disputes."
Gu Yitong's question was natural. After all, whether it was a prominent family in town or a small household in the countryside, they all adhered to the principle of not airing dirty laundry in public. Such matters were absolutely not to be spoken of.
"However, the Shen family has always treated Young Master Shen poorly and even caused the death of his father. His decision seems understandable in that context."
Without waiting for Zheng Yu's reply, Gu Yitong began to answer her own question after posing it, finding reasons to justify her previous query.
"But do you have confidence in this matter?" Gu Yitong was more concerned about Shen Xuan's personal reputation.
"If there isn't sufficient evidence, it will be difficult to secure a conviction. If this attempt fails to bring down Zhao Liu and reveal the truth, there will be no further opportunity. Zhao Liu will then clear his name in the eyes of the public, while Young Master Shen will be branded as unfilial and unreasonable."
"I found physical evidence with Zhao Ran, and Ayu said she has found reliable witnesses. It should be fine. Besides, I'm here too," Zheng Yu said with a smile, nudging Gu Yitong's shoulder.
"What? Mayor Zheng will be biased when presiding over the trial tomorrow?" Gu Yitong playfully slapped away Zheng Yu's outstretched hand.
"Ayu is my sister. People are bound to have their biases. Moreover, with ample evidence now, there won't be any problems. Even if Zhao Liu manages to turn the tables, I won't let Ayu's husband be slandered."
Hearing this, Gu Yitong smiled and nodded, raising her teacup to signal Zheng Yu to drink.