Shen Xuan was initially deeply influenced by this kind of thinking, often feeling shy about his body's most primal reactions. However, with Lu Yu's persistent efforts and her daily instillation of the idea of freedom in intimacy, Shen Xuan finally began to change, his mindset progressing.
Lu Yu knew that this way of thinking wouldn't be accepted by everyone, but she truly didn't want her husband to continue to be troubled by it. Her husband was the best husband in the world and didn't need to be like them.
Fortunately, Ah Da arrived in time, interrupting Afu's awkwardness. "I heard Afu was back, so I hurried to the kitchen to make some of Afu's favorite dried fruits. Come and try them."
Ah Da, with a face full of smiles, placed the plate on the table. His every movement now exuded the demeanor of someone who personally served the master of the household.
"I think the one who has changed the most in these three days must be Ah Da."
Afu subtly shifted the topic to Ah Da, smiling as he teased him. "I remember when I was still serving the young master here, you were very reluctant to speak, only focused on serving the master. You always seemed indifferent to what others said."
"But now, with this presence, you probably outshine all the young servants in the manor. Are they all particularly afraid of you now?"
"It's alright, I suppose." Ah Da scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed, but he still accepted Afu's compliment.
Shen Xuan, listening to their conversation, couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I think Afu has also changed a lot in these three days. He has the presence of a master, and even changing the topic is so skillful."
"Young Master!" Afu couldn't argue with Shen Xuan and blushed slightly, afraid he would continue discussing the previous topic.
Shen Xuan certainly wouldn't. Ah Da was still an unmarried young master. No matter how open-minded Shen Xuan had become due to Lu Yu, he still felt uncomfortable discussing such matters in front of Ah Da. He only dared to speak freely with Afu, who had grown up with him like a brother.
The topics for unmarried young masters were merely embroidery, or delicacies, and some amusing jokes. However, the conversations among married men were much more varied, such as children, or some whispered secrets between good brothers.
Ah Da, on the side, didn't quite understand the veiled meanings behind their words and just let out a few dry laughs.
Shen Xuan's words were indeed effective. Afu's mind was now filled with "food and sex are natural desires," completely casting aside the issue of gaining weight.
He was still contemplating this even as he got into the carriage.
Could he truly enjoy it?
He had no memory of his first time with Gu Yitong, only feeling soreness all over afterward. So, in his memory, this matter should be extremely painful, and he was a little scared.
But after hearing Shen Xuan speak today, he suddenly felt a bit curious, even harboring a faint anticipation for the next five or six days to pass quickly.
Since that day, Gu Yi had remained in the manor, behaving himself, not going anywhere, and no longer mentioning Zheng Yu.
Eventually, Gu Yitong called Gu Yi to the study for a heart-to-heart talk that lasted for a full hour. Afterward, Afu also comforted Gu Yi.
Although Gu Yi's eyes were red and swollen when he came out, he no longer avoided the issue as before. He proactively started embroidering his wedding attire and no longer shied away from the matter.
Within a few days, the men's academy opened. Gu Yi and Shen Xuan no longer had time to stay in the manor. They agreed to go to the men's academy together early in the morning to meet the teachers and students they hadn't seen in a long time.
Everything began to fall into place, and Zheng Yu also gained more opportunities to interact with Gu Yi with the opening of the men's academy.
After talking with Gu Yi and Zheng Yu, Gu Yitong no longer restricted Gu Yi, entrusting him to Zheng Yu's care with confidence. Zheng Yu personally escorted Gu Yi home every day after school.
Gu Yi and Zheng Yu were very discreet, never appearing overly intimate in public. Zheng Yu would proactively leave after escorting Gu Yi home.
With the wedding date approaching, the Zheng and Gu households became busy.
At this time, the groom-to-be was patiently embroidering his wedding attire in his room, a smile on his face.
The bride-to-be was busy preparing the betrothal gifts while also secretly meeting with the groom-to-be. Their days were filled with activity.
Gu Yitong turned a blind eye to this, only strictly preventing them from meeting secretly on the day before the wedding.
Gu Yi had no father, only an elder sister. The pre-marital guidance naturally fell upon his brother-in-law, Afu. However, Afu was too embarrassed to speak directly, so he could only hand some simple picture books to Gu Yi, instructing him to look at them himself, and then explaining some common knowledge before leaving with a blush.
That day, Afu was three months pregnant. He finally understood what Shen Xuan had meant. Gu Yitong knew he had frightened Afu before and, with extremely gentle movements, spent their first intimate experience in a way that would be remembered fondly.
Afu was now five months pregnant, his belly gradually swelling. Although he applied the ointment personally made by Lu Yu, some faint stretch marks had inevitably appeared.
He was very self-conscious about them at first, even afraid to shower with the lights on and not allowing Gu Yitong to touch him. However, later, under Gu Yitong's gentle care and guidance, he finally let down his guard, slowly accepted his own body, and his emotions became more stable.
Before every intimate moment, Gu Yitong would first kiss the areas with stretch marks, repeatedly telling him that she loved him, and the baby loved him too, so he should love himself even more.
Any difficult matter, any heartache, has a solution, depending only on whether the person providing care is someone he values and whether they do so with effort, emotion, and sincerity.
...
"First comb, combed from head to tail, free from illness and worry. Second comb, combed from beginning to end, flying wing to wing. With a beginning and an end, sharing wealth and honor in this life."
As the wedding officiant's words fell, Gu Yi was slowly covered with the wedding veil, sitting on the bed waiting for Zheng Yu to pick him up.
According to custom, he was supposed to bid farewell to his sister and brother-in-law in the main hall. After the unanimous decision between Zheng Yu and Gu Yitong, they decided to forgo this step.
In Zheng Yu's words: "Bid farewell? What farewell? We are all family."
In Gu Yitong's words: "Yi'er is my brother. What farewell? Are you going to take him back as your brother? Otherwise, why should he bid farewell to me, his sister!"
Gu Yi was the youngest among the four. Fearing he might be nervous, Shen Xuan, Afu, and Zisu all stayed, accompanying him and chatting idly.
"The bride is here!"
The servant, panting, ran from the main gate into the courtyard and shouted. Gu Yi's heart involuntarily tightened, his heartbeat quickening.
"Don't be nervous." Shen Xuan stroked Gu Yi's back, gently comforting him.
Accompanying Zheng Yu were Lu Yu and Wu Shao. They walked on either side, clearing the way for Zheng Yu, entering the courtyard first, and standing on the sides, unmoving like stone lions.
Gu Yitong was stunned by the imposing display. She cleared her throat, walked to Lu Yu's side, and whispered, "How much did she pay you two?"