"So you've come specifically to tell me your grandmother arranged a marriage for you?" Gu Sinian asked, raising an eyebrow.
Qian Yuanbao nodded proudly. "My little wife is amazing. Beautiful, with a lovely figure, not all skin and bones, and she makes incense. She's incredibly good at it! You know about my strange condition, but when I smell the incense made by my little wife, it's fine. Don't you think this is heaven compensating me, giving me this destined marriage?"
His beaming face couldn't hide his smugness. At first, he hadn't thought much of the engagement, but now he felt his grandmother's choice was excellent.
"If I recall correctly, she's the sister of the girl who demanded gifts at the Lotus Banquet?"
Qian Yuanbao's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"That girl was quite something, drawing all the attention. Of course, not for her talent or temperament, but for her sheer audacity," Gu Sinian said. "Even I, who don't care for gossip, heard about it. That shows just how ridiculous the joke she made was. The same family..."
"When did you become so shallow?" Qian Yuanbao frowned. "Even if they're from the same family, that doesn't represent my little wife. Just like Gu Siya doesn't represent you! Besides, your Qi Zhenzhen and my little wife are very close. Do you think Qi Zhenzhen can't tell good from bad?"
"Tsk tsk, I haven't even said anything, and you're already defending her so fiercely. It seems your little wife suits you very well." Gu Sinian glanced sideways at Qian Yuanbao. "Just a few days ago, someone was saying women are all trouble and should be avoided if possible."
"It can't be helped, fate is truly wondrous." Qian Yuanbao was very pleased. "My grandmother said she'll have my little wife brought into the household this year. Oh, right, my little wife is Qi Zhenzhen's cousin. Come on, call me cousin-in-law first."
Qian Yuanbao felt he could finally hold his head high. He had always been overshadowed by Gu Sinian, and now, wouldn't he have to obediently call him brother-in-law?
"Hongde Opera Troupe's Feng Baizhao." Gu Sinian said slowly. "What do you think your little wife would think of you if I revealed a little something about that?"
The smugness on Qian Yuanbao's face froze. "How do you know?"
"Know what? I just thought his dan actor sang exceptionally well. I initially thought it was a delicate young lady, but I didn't expect it to be a man playing a female role. You used to chase my little girl when you were young. This time, you haven't mistaken him for a girl and chased after him, have you?" Gu Sinian's lips curved into a smile. "Alright, looking at you, it seems you have."
Qian Yuanbao's face flushed with embarrassment. Gu Sinian wasn't wrong; he had indeed mistaken Feng Baizhao for a woman.
Of course, he hadn't chased after him, merely patronized his performances.
His reputation preceded him, and the opera troupe owner, trying to curry favor, sent Feng Baizhao to the hot spring villa.
At that time, his grandmother hadn't yet arranged his marriage to Li Nuan. He thought it was rare to meet someone he fancied, so he tacitly agreed.
The result...
Qian Yuanbao couldn't help but shiver.
The rumors about him were one thing, but the reality was another.
So when Feng Baizhao, with his dark hair unbound, dressed in a red robe with his chest exposed, lay on his bed with a seductive expression and spoke in a male voice, Qian Yuanbao was so startled he bolted out of the room.
Fortunately, he was sober at the time. If he hadn't been, whatever might have happened would have ruined his reputation for life.
He had ordered his subordinates to keep this matter strictly confidential. How could Ah Nian possibly know?
"Ah Nian, we've known each other since we were children, for over ten years now, right? You know what kind of person I am. I was cooperating with you before, so I let those rumors run wild. I'm a pure man, I like gentle and soft girls. No matter how handsome a man is, he's still a man. Looking is fine, but I would never do such a thing. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. Feng Baizhao is indeed good-looking. When he's in makeup, his delicate appearance is even more so than a girl's. I was mistaken at the time, wasn't I? I sent him back immediately. I'm innocent. Don't you dare say anything to Qi Zhenzhen."
Qi Zhenzhen was so close to his little wife. If she found out, his little wife would surely know too. And his little wife was so easily embarrassed; she wouldn't ask him directly. If she kept it bottled up, what if something happened to her?
"Therefore, seeing how poor your eyesight is, I think I should tell Zhenzhen and have her tell her cousin." Gu Sinian said very seriously. "After all, Zhenzhen and her cousin are very close."
"Fine, you don't need to call me brother-in-law anymore. Let them talk amongst themselves, and we'll talk amongst ourselves."
Gu Sinian nodded. "It's not easy for you to find a wife, and your grandmother is so old and looking forward to your marriage. I certainly won't say much more."
Qian Yuanbao breathed a sigh of relief. People really shouldn't get too cocky; it often leads to a fall. He was the prime example.
However, how did Ah Nian find out?
Before Qian Yuanbao could ask, Gu Sinian enlightened him. "My mother enjoys listening to opera, and coincidentally invited the Hongde Opera Troupe. And coincidentally, Feng Baizhao was the one performing. He did sing quite well, but when I gave him the reward money, Feng Baizhao's gaze towards me was a bit off. I'm sure I've never had any grievances with him, yet his eyes held hatred."
Well, everyone outside was spreading rumors that he and Ah Nian were a couple. Feng Baizhao wouldn't have thought that he rejected him because of Ah Nian, would he?
No, he had to clarify this opportunity. He liked women, not men.
"I should still remind you, Feng Baizhao doesn't seem like he's just playing along; it looks like he's genuinely taken a liking to you." Gu Sinian added. "Don't take it lightly. People from the lower strata, when they get desperate, can be even more difficult to deal with."
Qian Yuanbao rubbed his forehead. "I understand, thank you."
He had arrived full of swagger but left dejected. Qian Yuanbao's boast had ended in failure.
As soon as he left the Duke's mansion, Qian Yuanbao ordered his attendant to go to the Hongde Opera Troupe and find Feng Baizhao to clarify things. This was not a beautiful misunderstanding; if it wasn't handled properly, it could become a fatal blow in the future. Thinking that this matter originated because of him, Qian Yuanbao also had his attendant bring a stack of silver notes as compensation.
The attendant, having received the order, didn't delay at all and skillfully found the Hongde Opera Troupe's lodgings.
Meanwhile, Feng Baizhao hadn't even had the inclination to perform for the past few days. All his tender feelings were focused on that troublesome man from the Qian family.
That day at the hot spring villa, he thought he could achieve his goal, but that troublesome man turned and left as soon as he saw his unadorned appearance, without any lingering affection.
If he were ugly, it would be one thing, but in reality, his appearance without makeup was much better than with it. This was a common consensus. Even before entering the capital, whenever the opera troupe visited a place, he was fawned over by many gentlemen, which showed how attractive he was. Yet, that troublesome man avoided him. After much thought, there was only one reason: the troublesome man was devoted and only had eyes for the one from the Duke's mansion.
What to do? Feng Baizhao expressed his melancholy.