Du Lanxing was unaware that her sister was currently caught in a dilemma.
Initially, Du Lanyue, feeling embarrassed, hadn't revealed everything about her intimate moments with Gu Qingcheng to her sister, holding back some details.
However, Du Lanxing soon noticed something was amiss. Under her sister's persistent questioning, Du Lanyue, unable to bear her inner confusion any longer, recounted the details of their interactions one by one.
After all, her sister had always supported her relationship with Gu Qingcheng, had even covered for them, and unequivocally approved of their union. There was no harm in telling her.
What Du Lanyue hadn't anticipated was her sister's reaction after hearing about their interactions. Her sister's bright, intelligent eyes blinked rapidly, and then she looked at her with a worried expression, saying:
"Sister, Young Master Gu is like a stoic gentleman in front of you?"
Du Lanyue's beauty was unparalleled even on Tea Tavern Island. How could Young Master Gu control himself and remain unaffected?
Du Lanyue felt a wave of confusion wash over her, unsure how to answer her sister.
Finally, she could only lower her head dejectedly and say with a troubled expression:
"Perhaps it's because I don't appeal to him?"
"That's wrong, Sister. If it's not because you're not attractive enough, don't you suspect Young Master Gu has some hidden ailment? Maybe he's impotent! He's the one who's incapable!"
Du Lanxing felt she had figured it out and excitedly slammed her palm on the table, causing the tea set to jump and clatter loudly.
This slap also struck Du Lanyue like a bolt of lightning, opening her mind.
"That's right, why didn't I think of that? Sister, I've heard of men called 'Tian Yan Su', who, though not eunuchs, have been like this since birth and are incapable of intercourse.
From my perspective, perhaps Young Master Gu is such a person.
He's incapable of intercourse, but he still likes women, which is why he doesn't reject you, yet acts like a gentleman."
Du Lanxing felt increasingly convinced as she reasoned it out logically.
Du Lanyue's face slowly turned red. It wasn't from anger or irritation, but from a sudden feeling of pity for Gu Qingcheng, realizing how pathetic and unfortunate he was.
She didn't join her sister's condemnation of Gu Qingcheng. After a long pause, she slowly uttered:
"Even if he is like that, I still like him."
"What? Sister, you're being foolish! How can you be like this?
You haven't confessed to him yet, and no one else knows what happened between you on the island. Let's just forget about it!
Since he's not the right person for you, we'll find someone else."
"No, Lanxing, you don't understand. If Young Master Gu truly has a hidden ailment and is unable to perform, I won't mind him.
I can't find anyone else I like more. I just like him.
And I don't think there's anything wrong with him being like this. I still want to be with him."
Seeing Du Lanyue's resolute gaze, Du Lanxing was so frightened she slumped into her chair, speechless for a long time.
"Sister, you need to think carefully. If you're determined to be with him, and you can't have conjugal relations or children, can you bear it?"
Du Lanyue thought about it very seriously for a long time. Just as Du Lanxing thought she had come to a decision and would heed her advice, Du Lanyue said:
"I've thought it through. Even if it's like this, I accept it. I just think he's a good person, and he's good to me. As long as he continues to be good to me, I don't care about anything else."
"Ah? This?"
Du Lanxing was momentarily speechless.
"Actually, a person's happiness in life is fleeting. In this chaotic world, life is as fragile as a mayfly; no one knows when an accident might end their life.
Think about it, when we were fleeing, how many dead people did we see along the way?
Did they not have wives and children, parents and elders?
Back then, I often wondered why people had to suffer so much, and still struggle to live.
Now, I suddenly feel a realization. If you have someone you love in your heart, you'll be willing to persevere for them!
As for conjugal relations and children, look at how many couples, even after marriage, aren't necessarily happy with children.
From the birth of a child to their adulthood, it causes endless worry.
In this kind of world, it's best to enjoy the moment. As long as I can be happy with him for one day, I won't think about anything else."
"Sister, how can you be like this? It seems I've wronged you. I shouldn't have let you go to Peach Blossom Island with him."
Seeing that her sister was resolute, Du Lanxing became truly anxious.
Finally, she could only say dejectedly, "Don't tell Father and Mother about this for now. Let's think about it further."
Seeing her sister's hesitation and even opposition to her relationship with Young Master Gu, Du Lanyue secretly made up her mind and solidified her thoughts.
In fact, she had her sister to thank for reminding her, because Gu Qingcheng's stoic behavior was truly strange. A normal man wouldn't act like him.
Even when he held her, he didn't make any disrespectful advances.
It was somewhat embarrassing, but one time when Du Lanyue woke up, she even deliberately loosened her collar slightly...
But Gu Qingcheng never crossed the line.
Compared to other men who would immediately look at her with lustful eyes, as if they wanted to cling to her, Du Lanyue found Gu Qingcheng's gaze clear and pure, which she longed for and wished to accompany her for a lifetime.
It was at this moment, as the sisters were talking, that Steward Zhu hurried in. Upon seeing Du Lanyue, he said with great joy:
"Eldest Miss, you're back! Hurry back! His Lordship has been urging me since he returned yesterday, saying not to let you stay at the manor for so long. The times are unsettled, and he wants me to bring you back.
I managed to stall him by saying that the technical training here is at a critical juncture, and the manor is well-staffed and relatively safe, so he relented. Otherwise, he would have sent me to pick you up yesterday.
But he also said that if he didn't pick you up yesterday, he absolutely would today. Fortunately, you're back today, or I wouldn't know how to handle it. Why did you stay away for so long this time?"
This last sentence, Steward Zhu dared not voice.
The matter of Gu Qingcheng's hidden ailment was known only to her and her sister. She didn't want any more people to know, as it could be a fatal blow to Gu Qingcheng if it ever got out.
Although Steward Zhu was trustworthy, one more person meant one more chance of leakage.
The thought of Gu Qingcheng being ridiculed by outsiders if his privacy were known made Du Lanyue's heart feel a pang of bittersweet sadness.
Du Lanyue couldn't bear to see Gu Qingcheng face ridicule in the future. As Steward Zhu went out to prepare the carriage, she also entrusted her sister with a worried reminder:
"Lanxing, the matter of Young Master Gu's hidden ailment should be known only to you and me. Don't let anyone else know.
He must be feeling terrible himself, which is why he's kept it hidden."