Ruining blinked and nodded in agreement, "Second sister is right. After all, confirming a mutual understanding isn't something that can be done in just a day or two."
Yan Qi, however, shook her head. "True mutual understanding is achieved with just a single glance."
This girl was quite the idealist. Qi Zhenzhen didn't know how to approach someone who had developed such a personality in ancient times. She could only hope that Yan Qi's wish would come true.
A young maidservant approached the pavilion. She was from the Princess's courtyard.
"County Princess, Miss Yan, Miss Qi, the Princess sent me. It's almost noon, and she's having someone prepare lunch. Do the two young ladies have any particular dietary restrictions?" the maidservant said crisply.
"I'll have it as usual," Yan Qi replied first.
From this, it was clear that Yan Qi frequented the Prince Rui's mansion.
"I prefer vegetarian dishes, and I have no dietary restrictions regarding ingredients," Qi Zhenzhen said after some thought.
The maidservant curtsied. "County Princess, the Princess asked you to bring the two young ladies over early. I need to go back and report, so I'll take my leave now."
Not long after the maidservant left, Ruining stood up. "My mother sent someone to call for me. If I don't go now, she'll complain about me later. Let's go, sisters. Liuliu, ask someone to come and tidy up later."
The Princess's courtyard was a bit far. Ruining had wanted to send for a sedan chair, but Qi Zhenzhen stopped her.
"Didn't the County Princess just say that eating a single pastry required a fifteen-minute walk?"
Yan Qi nodded. "That's right. If Ruining isn't taking a sedan chair, we can. Liuliu, help me and Miss Qi get sedan chairs."
"Yan Yan, didn't we say before? Share hardships and enjoy blessings together! How can you bear to leave me behind?" Ruining looked at Yan Qi and Qi Zhenzhen pitifully.
"I'm afraid of you," Yan Qi chided Ruining. "Fine, we'll walk. Anyway, you'll be the one who can't take it in the end."
As Yan Qi predicted, Ruining was the first to be unable to bear it. After only walking for fifteen minutes, Ruining was already sighing, her breathing becoming heavy.
"The customs in the border regions are different from those in the capital. When people go out shopping or do other things, they usually walk," Yan Qi said. "Only girls who are not in good health would take a sedan chair."
Qi Zhenzhen had read in books that the folk customs in the border regions were rugged, and it seemed to be true.
"Moving around more is good for the body. You won't notice it after one or two times, but it will have an effect if you persist for a while," Qi Zhenzhen said. "When I was at the別院 (biéyuàn - detached villa), I saw some elderly people from the countryside. Even though they were old, they were still energetic. When I asked them how they maintained their health, besides physical activity, it was mostly walking. They all said, 'A hundred steps after a meal, live to ninety-nine.'"
Ruining held her waist with one hand and her chest with the other, panting heavily. "You, you two, really aren't tired?"
Yan Qi and Qi Zhenzhen shook their heads in unison. They truly didn't feel tired.
For someone like Ruining, who didn't move much usually, walking for such a long time at once was indeed a bit strenuous.
"Don't push yourself. Sit down and rest for a while before continuing," Qi Zhenzhen said, helping Ruining. "Walking should also be done gradually."
Ruining sat down with a plop. Liuliu quickly stepped forward to offer a handkerchief. Her County Princess's forehead was already covered in a light sweat.
"No wonder you two have such good figures!" Ruining said, catching her breath and clenching her fists. "I can't fall behind you. Just watch, my figure will definitely be like yours from now on."
The little maidservant was full of confidence.
Qi Zhenzhen felt awkward about dampening her spirits. Some people are naturally prone to gaining weight; they gain weight just by drinking cold water. Looking at Ruining's plump little face and chubby hands, she could basically confirm that Ruining had little chance of maintaining a slender figure.
Her round, chubby face was fair and tender, how lovely it was, with two dimples that appeared when she smiled.
Qi Zhenzhen genuinely liked Ruining this way.
They walked and stopped, and finally arrived at the Princess's courtyard.
Ruining was practically hanging on Liuliu.
The Princess saw this and, not understanding what was happening, thought Ruining was unwell and anxiously called for the mansion's physician.
"No, no, no. Mother, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. I'll be fine after a rest," Ruining stopped the Princess Rui, thinking that if the physician were called and took her pulse, it would be too embarrassing to admit she was tired from walking.
Yan Qi explained the situation, and the Princess Rui was stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth and laughed.
Under Ruining's indignant gaze, she laughed for quite a while. "Walking more is good. Even if you don't lose weight, at least don't get fatter. Your father and I aren't fat, and Ruiqing isn't fat either, but you were born so plump. If I hadn't seen you right after you were born, I would have wondered if someone had swapped my daughter."
Ruining pouted and looked resentfully at the Princess Rui.
"Alright, alright. Didn't Master Yuanjue praise you for being blessed? You're just slightly plump, not obese, and quite good-looking," the Princess Rui quickly consoled her.
Ruining still pouted. She now suspected that it was because Master Yuanjue said that a plump little girl was blessed that she remained so plump.
Ruining pondered for a moment, but couldn't figure it out. She shook her head, deciding not to think about it. Wasn't she not unattractive this way?
The Princess Rui was now holding Qi Zhenzhen's hand and talking.
"When your engagement with Anian was settled, I wanted to meet you. I never found an opportunity. At the Lotus Banquet, there were too many people. Fortunately, you and Ruining get along well; otherwise, I wouldn't even have an excuse to invite you over," the Princess Rui said softly. "Zhenzhen, I know you must have heard some unpleasant rumors about Anian! Believe me, they are not true. He's at most a bit cold, but he's definitely not someone who would act recklessly."
"This child has had a difficult life. Although he is the legitimate son and holds the title of Crown Prince, he is not favored by the Duke," the Princess Rui wanted to speak well of Gu Sinian to Qi Zhenzhen, so she didn't hide the matters of the Duke's mansion from her.
After all, these things were not secrets, and anyone who wanted to inquire could find out.
Qi Zhenzhen listened, her mouth slightly agape. If this were true, it would indeed be quite convoluted and dramatic.
Furthermore, Gu Sinian and his mother were truly pitiable.
She wouldn't mention the deceased Madam Dong, who was the white moonlight in his heart and whom he could never forget, as the living could not compete with the dead. But what was this new Madam Dong now? Could the relationships be any more chaotic?
"I naturally believe in his character, and I will treat him well in the future," Qi Zhenzhen said softly, lowering her head slightly.
The Princess Rui patted Qi Zhenzhen's hand. "With Zhenzhen's words, I am relieved. You can also rest assured, Anian's mother is a person with a very good disposition. You won't have to worry about unpleasant mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relations after you marry! If there's anything you find difficult to say in the future, just tell me, and I'll help you speak to your mother-in-law."