“Young Master Gu, your visit is truly an honor!”
Old Man Du greeted him warmly.
After some pleasantries, Gu Qingcheng learned that Wang Junyan and his party were there to propose marriage, naturally to Du Lanyue.
Old Man Du was delighted to have such a good son-in-law.
Gu Qingcheng sat in the honored guest's seat. Seeing their joyful mood, she didn't immediately mention looking for Du Lanyue.
Gu Qingcheng even stayed for lunch.
She couldn't directly hand over the matter of the chest of gold bars to Old Man Du.
Gu Qingcheng's thoughts were still rooted in modern times, believing that girls should retain some of their private assets, and economic independence ensured a secure life.
Du Lanyue and Wang Junyan were engaged.
Upon hearing this news, Gu Qingcheng sent her congratulations and invited Du Lanyue to her home.
Gu Qingcheng's residence was not yet fully repaired. After all, the entire island had suffered damage, and repair personnel were scarce. It was fortunate that the living quarters, living room, and kitchen could be fixed first.
Seeing Du Lanyue, Gu Qingcheng paused, as she didn't sense the glow of someone experiencing good fortune.
"Sister Lanyue, have you not been resting well lately?"
Gu Qingcheng asked cautiously.
"It's fine," Du Lanyue replied, her tone indifferent.
"Oh, I thought you'd be more cheerful after your engagement," Gu Qingcheng chuckled sheepishly.
Du Lanyue's expression carried a hint of sadness. "It's my parents' command and a matchmaker's word. When a man comes of age, he marries, and when a woman comes of age, she weds."
"How old are you? You're hardly 'grown.' You're only three years older than me."
Gu Qingcheng calculated on her fingers.
Alas, at this age, there was already a sense of urgency. What about her?
Fortunately, her parents had transmigrated with her. Otherwise, they would be pressuring her to marry too.
"Let's not talk about this," Du Lanyue said listlessly.
Ever since being rescued from Mercury Island, Du Lanyue had been in a constant state of melancholy.
Because her kidnapping had been so sudden, to prevent her parents from worrying, Du Lanxing had covered for her, saying Du Lanyue had gone to the countryside for an urgent matter. Fortunately, it was only for one night, and Old Man Du hadn't noticed.
That night, a wind disaster struck. Old Man Du's family was busy with disaster relief. When Du Lanyue returned safely, he didn't specifically ask where she had been.
Du Lanxing covering for her sister was primarily to protect her sister's reputation.
After all, being captured by bandits and taken to their lair was not something to be proud of.
Even if she returned safely, if it became widely known, it would significantly damage her reputation as a maiden.
Furthermore, Gu Qingcheng had even volunteered to rescue Du Lanyue.
With Gu Qingcheng taking charge, Du Lanxing felt relatively at ease.
Thus, even now, Old Man Du was unaware that his normally well-behaved eldest daughter had experienced two incidents right under his nose.
Seeing Du Lanyue's low spirits, Gu Qingcheng thought for a moment before deciding she couldn't hold back any longer. "Sister Lanyue, marriage is a matter of lifelong happiness. You must think it through carefully. Don't just think you're of age and your parents are pressuring you, so you'll just settle for it."
"I do have someone I'd like to marry, but I probably won't get my wish in this lifetime."
Du Lanyue glanced deeply at Gu Qingcheng and suddenly uttered.
"What? You have someone you want to marry? Then go for it! If the mountain won't come to you, you go to the mountain. This is about your lifelong happiness!"
Gu Qingcheng became excited upon hearing this.
Looking at Gu Qingcheng's flushed, excited face, Du Lanyue wanted to pinch her plump cheeks.
However, she ultimately didn't, merely giving Gu Qingcheng a sidelong glance and saying, "My feelings are unrequited. Forget it."
"How can you just forget it? This is your own happiness, you must strive for it. Sister Lanyue, no offense, but you are so beautiful with your peerless looks; that Wang Junyan doesn't deserve you."
Gu Qingcheng had felt this way before, but now that she discovered Du Lanyue's heart was elsewhere, she dared to voice it.
Of course, from a normal perspective, Wang Junyan was a decent match for Du Lanyue, if a bit of a stretch.
However, Gu Qingcheng didn't want her Sister Lanyue to suffer any injustice. At this moment, she wouldn't shy away from playing the role of the villain who disrupted a "marriage."
Du Lanyue remained silent again.
After a long pause, she said softly, "I'll think about it some more."
"What's there to think about? The longer you delay, the worse it will be. I think Young Master Wang is quite fond of you. Besides, who wouldn't be fond of Sister Lanyue? If I were a man, I'd definitely marry you, haha. So, if you don't like him, you should cut ties quickly. The longer it drags on, the deeper the hurt for him."
Gu Qingcheng spoke her mind.
"Is that so?" Du Lanyue seemed to be hesitating.
Gu Qingcheng didn't press her further.
Gu Qingcheng asked, "What do you want to do with the gold bars? I have two chests of gold bars belonging to you."
"Two chests? Wasn't it one?"
Du Lanyue was surprised, thinking she had misremembered.
"There was one chest on Tea Pot Island, and another in Young Master Huo's basement. Do you have a secret room? Or I can help you find one. It would be good to store it as private funds."
Gu Qingcheng offered helpfully.
Du Lanyue hesitated again, then finally nodded solemnly and said, "Then help me find a secret room. I'll pay for the expenses."
"What kind of relationship do we have? We've shared life and death, we're comrades in adversity. Why talk about money? Don't worry, I'll definitely help you secure it. I'll take you to see it in a few days."
Gu Qingcheng felt this was the best approach.
As long as the money didn't go back to the Du family, it wouldn't be managed by them. In the future, with this private fund, Du Lanyue could live a life of freedom and ease.
Gu Qingcheng believed her Sister Lanyue deserved to be majestic and live a carefree life.
And all of this could be secured with money.
She would spare no effort in helping her Sister Lanyue.
Knowing that Du Lanyue didn't like Wang Junyan, Gu Qingcheng was quite worried about how she would handle the situation.
Seeing her unhappy, Gu Qingcheng kept telling jokes to cheer her up.
Finally, after a long while, Du Lanyue managed a faint smile.
Five days later, Gu Qingcheng invited Du Lanyue out. In a civilian residence in the city, Du Lanyue thought Gu Qingcheng had acquired new property.
Unexpectedly, Gu Qingcheng told her it was purchased with her gold bars. The residence appeared ordinary from the outside but was heavily secured inside, with numerous mechanisms and hidden weapons. Any thief trying to take an unconventional route would find it impossible to breach the compound.
The well in the courtyard was particularly ingenious.
There was no water in the well, but stone steps led down. To the side was a cavern, and upon entering, one found an iron door. Behind the iron door was where Du Lanyue's two chests of gold bars were stored.
"You did this in five days?" Du Lanyue marveled at Gu Qingcheng's efficiency.
"Heh, money makes the mare go. I offered them a higher price to work day and night. Don't worry, I hired laborers from outer islands. They were blindfolded when they were brought in and confined here; they couldn't leave. After they finished, they were blindfolded again and sent away. So, even if they had the intention, they couldn't discover the exact location."