These two are really something. They finally found a chance to meet, and instead of seizing the opportunity for some sweet talk, they drag her into this. Gu Sinian knows the truth best: marrying her is just a cover for his relationship with Qian Yuanbao. In that case, it shouldn't matter if she meets an outside man, should it? She's a sensible person. Although they are just cooperating, at least as long as this arrangement lasts, she won't betray him.
"Young Master Qian, you're not speaking correctly," Qi Zhenzhen took a deep breath and argued earnestly. "Old Madam Qian and my grandmother were as close as sisters. I am my grandmother's granddaughter, and you are Old Madam Qian's grandson. Based on the intimacy of the two elders, you and I are like siblings, so how can I be considered an outside man? Furthermore, I have a business cooperation with you, Young Master Qian, which can barely be called a partnership. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, this meeting today cannot be defined as meeting an outside man."
"Sharp tongue," Qian Yuanbao pouted. "A Nian, if you marry her, she'll probably want to manage everything for you."
"Young Master Qian, please rest assured, that won't happen. The Heir is the head of the household, so naturally, he will listen to her in everything," Qi Zhenzhen quickly said.
"I am perfectly willing to let her manage everything for me," Gu Sinian's voice rang out almost simultaneously.
What?
Qi Zhenzhen blinked her eyes. Had she heard correctly? Gu Sinian said he was willing to let her manage him?
She glanced at Qian Yuanbao and saw his expression was a bit displeased. Qi Zhenzhen surmised that these two must be having a disagreement, which is why Gu Sinian said that to provoke Qian Yuanbao. Honestly, can't you two have your squabbles without affecting innocent bystanders!
Qi Zhenzhen pretended not to hear Gu Sinian's words and said, "I won't disturb your meal any longer. Our food has already been served. If we delay any further, the dishes will get cold and won't be palatable. They say the food at Qian Ji Restaurant is superb, and I don't want to miss the chance to taste it."
After speaking, Qi Zhenzhen didn't wait for Qian Yuanbao or Gu Sinian to react. She and Er Xi fled in a hurry.
Yes, fled in a hurry.
She didn't want to be caught in the crossfire of their unspoken tensions if she lingered a moment longer.
"We've been waiting for you, second sister," Li Rou pulled Qi Zhenzhen to sit down. "Qian Ji Restaurant really does have dishes made with wolf peaches."
The Qian family often sent wolf peaches to the manor, and they ate them frequently. Now, they weren't as fond of them as they were when they first started eating them.
There was only one dish made with wolf peaches. Perhaps Qian Yuanbao knew she ate them often and might not like them. As for the other dishes, they were likely the genuine signature dishes.
There was Eight Treasure Duck, Dongpo Pork, Crystal Pork Knuckle, Stuffed Silver Sprouts, Steamed Shad, Wensi Tofu, and Chicken Skin Shrimp Ball Soup. These were accompanied by four small cold dishes, four kinds of dim sum, and two plates of fruit.
The presentation was exquisite, stimulating the appetite at first glance.
Especially the Stuffed Silver Sprouts and Wensi Tofu. These two dishes looked ordinary, but they were incredibly difficult to prepare. Without a master chef with exceptional skill, it would be impossible to make them. Taking Stuffed Silver Sprouts as an example, the bean sprouts were thin and long. Their heads were removed, leaving only the slender stems. A fine bamboo skewer was used to hollow out the center of the stem, and then finely chopped meat paste was carefully stuffed in. Finally, hot oil was poured over it. The heat from the oil would cook the bean sprouts and meat paste. Regardless of whether it tasted good or not, the control of oil temperature and heat, reaching the precise temperature to cook the sprouts and meat paste, was a testament to the chef's skill.
As for Wensi Tofu, the tofu, such a soft and tender ingredient, was cut into extremely fine shreds, and the challenge of keeping the tofu shreds intact was considerable. It was served in a rich chicken broth, skimmed of oil, with shiitake mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, chicken breast, and cured ham, all cut into shreds as fine as the tofu. A sprinkle of emerald green chopped scallions was added, making it both delicious and visually appealing.
There were many dishes, and they were not at the manor. Qi Zhenzhen strongly requested Granny Fang and the others to sit down with them. Granny Fang couldn't refuse Qi Zhenzhen, so she called a few maids to sit with them. Unfortunately, after sitting down, they were all very reserved. Qi Zhenzhen, unable to help it, called over a waiter and ordered another table of dishes for them.
The two groups, masters and servants, ate to their hearts' content.
Qian Yuanbao treated them to a table of signature dishes, while Qi Zhenzhen prepared to pay for her table.
As a result, the shopkeeper came forward. "How can we charge the second young lady? We were not attentive enough earlier and did not prepare food for this madam and the others. I am already very pleased that the second young lady does not blame me."
This?
This reason sounded so far-fetched! But seeing the shopkeeper's serious expression, Qi Zhenzhen knew that she wouldn't be able to pay for this table of dishes.
Fine, she would consider this favor as being from Qian Yuanbao.
After eating their fill, Qi Zhenzhen did not forget her promise to Qi Xuanxuan. She bought sugar figurines and candied hawthorns, and then went to Yipin Zhai to buy cloud slices cake and osmanthus cake. These two were their signature items, always in high demand, and the old madam loved them the most.
Qian Ji Restaurant, private room.
Qian Yuanbao patted Gu Sinian's shoulder. "If you keep standing, you'll turn into a waiting stone. The Marquis's carriage is already out of sight."
"I haven't paid my respects to your grandmother in some time. I think I should go pay my respects, and by the way, discuss with her which noble lady in the capital is suitable. Good brother, you can't be married and still be alone, can you? Then you'll be asking me out for meals and drinks every other day. If I refuse, it feels a bit unfair to our childhood friendship. If I don't refuse, it's not good to neglect my wife. After much thought, this is the best way."
The smile on Qian Yuanbao's face froze. He had merely teased Qi Zhenzhen just now, and before she had even entered the household, he was already defending her?
"That second young lady of the Qi family is sharp-tongued, and she didn't suffer any loss. Is it necessary for you to act like this? Besides, wasn't I doing this for your own good, to test Qi Zhenzhen's magnanimity!" Qian Yuanbao said ingratiatingly. "As for paying respects to my grandmother, forget it. She's been very healthy recently, nothing's wrong. Heh, heh."
Gu Sinian just looked at him without speaking.
"Alright, alright, it was my fault. Next time I see her, I'll definitely apologize," Qian Yuanbao said dejectedly, his face contorted. "Didn't you fancy the Sky Silk Brocade last time? I'll have someone send you a bolt when I get back."
"Two bolts!" Gu Sinian said unhurriedly.
"I only got three bolts in total, and you know how precious Sky Silk Brocade is. I went to great lengths to acquire these three bolts!"
"Then three bolts?"
"Two bolts it is, two bolts. First, tell me, what do you want to do with it?"
"Make a wedding dress," Gu Sinian said calmly.
Sky Silk Brocade for a wedding dress, isn't that a bit too extravagant? A wedding dress is only worn on the wedding day; it's simply a waste of a treasure! Qian Yuanbao really wanted to curse when he thought of using the shimmering and exceptionally rare Sky Silk Brocade for a wedding dress.
"There are plenty of good fabrics, why must you use Sky Silk Brocade?"
"It's only once in a lifetime, so of course, I have to give her the best," Gu Sinian said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.