On the other side, in the Qian family's carriage.
Old Mrs. Qian turned the prayer beads in her hand, which were clearly one of the two strings of prayer beads that Li Nuan had given to the Old Madam earlier. This showed how good the friendship between the two elders was.
"Grandmother, you look so serious. Have I done something wrong again?" Qian Yuanbao asked cautiously, carefully recalling his performance at the Marquis Changping's manor. It wasn't outstanding, but it certainly wasn't wrong.
"Ah? Ah!" Old Mrs. Qian came back to her senses. "It's nothing, I was just thinking about your marriage."
"My marriage? Didn't you just gather those matchmakers? And I haven't seen any portraits sent over! Did you take a fancy to a girl at the birthday banquet today? I advise you to save yourself some trouble. The people here today are all reputable families. Which of them doesn't know Qian Yuanbao's reputation? Didn't you see how they looked at me and Ah Nian as if we were wolves? If it weren't for that kid from the Qi family inviting us, no one would have sat at our table. It's as if we would do something to them on the spot! They should look at themselves first, are they worthy?" Qian Yuanbao said carelessly.
Old Mrs. Qian raised her hand and tapped Qian Yuanbao on the forehead. "From today onwards, you will stay honestly in the manor. Don't get involved in those businesses for now. Just let Uncle Qian send experienced old people to manage them, and there won't be any mistakes. You need to calm down. If you don't show yourself, those rumors will gradually fade away. Your grandmother has found you a good girl today, a girl with excellent character and temperament."
"I trust your judgment, but will she fancy me?" Qian Yuanbao asked with a nonchalant air.
"The girl hasn't said she's unwilling."
"She probably hasn't heard of my reputation, has she?"
Old Mrs. Qian nodded. "That's true, she only returned from outside not long ago."
Qian Yuanbao's mind kept replaying the scene at the birthday banquet. Only returned not long ago, only returned not long ago...
Marquis Changping had introduced his second daughter, who was staying in the separate villa to recuperate with her brother.
Bah, what separate villa? It was clearly Xinghua Village, and clearly someone who had been living astray for some unknown reason.
No, no, this Qi Zhenzhen was clearly the one Ah Nian fancied. How could she be matched with him now?
That skinny little girl back then did look a bit better now, but she wasn't his type at all. What was this all about?
"What's with that expression?" Old Mrs. Qian frowned.
"No, no, no, I'm just surprised that there's a girl who doesn't know my reputation. Why don't you tell me, whose daughter is she? Let me see if I have any impression," Qian Yuanbao said with a smile.
Old Mrs. Qian gave him a reproachful look. "The second daughter of Marquis Changping's manor, the one with outstanding tea ceremony skills. That 'Phoenix Nodding Three Times' pouring technique, I've lived for most of my life and have never seen anything like it. How about it, isn't that girl good? When the Qi family's kid was questioned earlier, Grandmother saw it clearly. She asked her maid to get a carving knife and some wood, and let that kid perform on the spot, directly slapping the face of Princess Qin, and earning everyone's admiration. So calm and intelligent, it's rare. And her humble demeanor after performing the tea ceremony, neither arrogant nor impatient, good, very good."
Calm and intelligent, of course. Otherwise, how could she do business with him? Anyone who could do business with Qian Yuanbao was capable. Although it was initially to repay the kindness of saving his life, the subsequent events, including the ideas she came up with when Qian Ji Restaurant and Fu Man Lou were competing, were not something ordinary people could think of!
"She's quite good, but aren't you afraid she won't agree when she knows my character? She's just returned now and doesn't know! Besides, I think she's vain. Can she do without rouge, powder, and perfume for me?" Qian Yuanbao muttered. "You'd better not have high hopes, lest you be too disappointed."
Without rouge, powder, and perfume?
Old Mrs. Qian's eyes lit up, the prayer beads in her hand turned faster, and the smile on her face grew even wider. This trip today was the right one!
After Old Mrs. Qian returned to the manor, Qian Yuanbao went to the Duke's manor without a moment's delay. This matter couldn't be kept from him. His old lady was always decisive. If things were settled and delayed, wouldn't Gu Sinian tear him apart?
Duke's manor, Qingquan Courtyard.
Gu Sinian frowned, looking at Qian Yuanbao. "Why are you here again?"
With such an attitude, it was really annoying. Qian Yuanbao really wanted to keep everything to himself and not say a word.
"Why is Young Master here? As my close friend, you have this attitude?" Qian Yuanbao rolled his eyes. "Aren't you afraid people will see something?"
"Speak, what is it?" Gu Sinian asked.
"Marquis Changping's manor was really lively today! Most of the families in the capital went, right? I was dazzled today. Those young ladies were all dressed up so beautifully. It wasn't a birthday celebration, it was clearly with other intentions!" Qian Yuanbao said. "I did see a few who were quite good. Not to mention anything else, just those three daughters of the Qi family, they were truly like flowers."
Gu Sinian waited for Qian Yuanbao vigilantly. "What do you mean?"
"It means nothing, I just feel that Qi Zhenzhen is like a changed person. When she was in Xinghua Village, she was a skinny bean sprout, but now she's as vibrant as a peach. I see many young talents' eyes sticking to her, especially that astonishing tea ceremony. Talented and beautiful! I guess after today, the threshold of the Marquis's manor will be worn down!" Qian Yuanbao said, observing Gu Sinian's expression.
Gu Sinian's frown deepened. Zhenzhen's performance today was indeed outstanding. Coupled with the Marquis Changping's manor's words of sibling affection, Zhenzhen had now entered the eyes of all the families in the capital. Qian Yuanbao was right, after today, the threshold of the Marquis's manor would indeed be broken.
In this case, the Lu family might not be satisfied with this marriage. Even if the Lu family was unwilling, the Qi family would definitely arrange this marriage for Qi Mingzhu. As for Zhenzhen, with today's performance, she wouldn't have trouble getting married.
"Look at how you're frowning, you could kill several flies." Qian Yuanbao finally got a chance to chide Gu Sinian. "However, you really need to hurry. I don't know about others, but my old lady has taken a liking to Qi Zhenzhen. After the banquet dispersed, I didn't leave immediately because my old lady went to discuss this matter with the Old Madam of the Qi family. My old lady just told me that she was very fond of Qi Zhenzhen. The situation was such that she wished to finalize the matter today."
The Old Madam of the Qi family was actually looking for a marriage for Zhenzhen. If that was the case, they weren't planning to give the marriage with the Lu family to Zhenzhen. They fancied the Qian family? Gu Sinian narrowed his eyes. "What did you say? Your old lady fancies her, what about you?"