Gu Sinian remained silent, supporting Qin shi as she entered the room. He dismissed the attendants and revealed a little about Qi Zhenzhen to Qin shi.
Upon hearing that it was a country girl, Qin shi's brow furrowed slightly. Her son was so outstanding; what noble lady was not worthy of him? To marry a country girl would be too much of a compromise. Although she had never expected her son to marry a woman of prominent status, shouldn't there be some parity?
"A Nian, are you serious?" Qin shi asked, deliberating.
Gu Sinian nodded, "Naturally, I am serious."
For certain reasons, Gu Sinian did not mention that Qi Zhenzhen was a young lady of the Marquis of Changping's estate. Instead, he recounted how she had saved him and Qian Yuanbao in the mountains several months prior. "If it weren't for her then, Mother would not be seeing her son now. Mother, rest assured, she is very good, smart and capable, and does not possess the sour disposition of those noble ladies. Oh, and the snacks you used to love are all made by her. The spicy pickled cabbage in cooperation with the Qian family was also managed by her."
Qin shi was not an arrogant person. Upon hearing that Qi Zhenzhen had saved Gu Sinian's life, the notion that she was unworthy of her son vanished instantly. It was a jest; setting aside her son's affection for her, the debt of saving a life was enough for her to accept this girl.
As the old saying goes, a life-saving grace cannot be repaid, except by offering oneself in marriage.
Furthermore, being able to make so many delicious snacks indicated that the girl had good culinary skills.
Although families like theirs had cooks and did not need to cook themselves, Qin shi felt that the food prepared by cooks would surely not be as good as cooking oneself. The act of cooking for a beloved was a very happy thing.
"Then tell Mother, did that girl agree?"
Gu Sinian nodded, "Originally, she was unwilling to agree, feeling she was not worthy of my son. As for matters of the heart, sincerity can move mountains. I am not a reckless person, and only after I went out on duty, happening to be near her home, did she finally stop avoiding me. The money she earned from doing business was used to establish a clan school in the village, allowing all eligible children in the village to study. She herself is literate."
Qin shi nodded continuously. What a good daughter-in-law, and also someone with broad-mindedness. With such a girl by her son's side, capable of taking care of everything, wouldn't she be much better than those raised in the inner chambers?
Moreover, Qin shi had a selfish thought: such a girl would not be pampered, and her son would not be wronged.
"Tell Mother, and Mother will send a matchmaker to propose," Qin shi said with a smile. "We also need to prepare betrothal gifts; we cannot slight her just because she is a country girl. Mother still has some personal savings. Find an opportunity to send them to the girl. After all, many people are watching families like ours. You must give her some face and not let others look down on her."
Gu Sinian had not expected his mother to be so accommodating. He had thought that even if his mother was reasonable, it would take some effort. To have the matter settled so readily was truly unexpected. This way, he would not have to worry about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relations once Zhenzhen entered the household.
"Oh, regarding your grandmother, Mother will go and speak with her. I observed the situation, and Miss Xu also knows your grandmother's intentions. Since you have no such intentions, let's clarify things early. There are many good families in the capital; let your grandmother find a suitable match for her soon," Qin shi said after some thought. "We must not delay the young lady. She is also a good girl, proper and knowing her place. My health was also restored by her."
Gu Sinian hesitated, then nodded, "Regarding Grandmother..."
"You can rest assured. Your grandmother is not an overbearing person. If you don't like it, she cannot force you, right?" Qin shi said. "Since I married into the Gu family, I have had a very good relationship with your grandmother; we have never argued. Both of us only wish for your well-being. If you like her, how could she be unwilling?"
Gu Sinian thought, that was true; Grandmother had always doted on him.
"I will trouble Mother to handle this matter. As for the betrothal gifts, there is no rush."
Zhenzhen had not returned yet. He had to wait until everything was arranged.
Qin shi had been concerned about Gu Sinian's marriage for the past two years, but her son had never agreed. Now that he had brought it up himself, how could she not be happy? After dismissing Gu Sinian, Qin shi, along with Nanny Li, went to Yanniang Courtyard.
Since being poisoned, she had not left Lanzhi Courtyard. Today, seeing her out, the servants of the manor looked at her with surprise.
Qin shi paid no attention to these matters. As for the management of the household, she did not care. Whoever wanted to hold it could have it.
The sweeping maids in Yanniang Courtyard saw Qin shi and her retinue and hurried inside to relay the message. Madam Lan personally came out to greet them, with Xu Miaoniang accompanying her.
"Your complexion is even better than when I visited a couple of days ago. You should go out more often, let them know that you are the mistress of this manor. Those who are not properly recognized and are acting presumptuously are tiresome to see," Madam Lan said, intimately linking her arm with Qin shi's. The mother and daughter-in-law sat on the couch, one on each side.
"It is all Miss Xu's credit. If it weren't for her, I would likely still be confined to bed. She not only prescribed a dietary regimen for me but also told me to go out for a stroll every day. I myself feel much more energetic. Mother, you must not mistreat Miss Xu. I will have Nanny Li send a box of jewelry over later; they are pieces I wore when I was young and are suitable for Miss Xu's vibrant complexion," Qin shi said slowly and softly.
"Those things of yours are all treasures. Miaoniang, quickly thank Madam. The jewelry she wore when she was young was all from renowned craftsmen. The styles, even by today's standards, are very fashionable," Madam Lan praised. "Miaoniang should indeed dress up properly; her usual attire is too plain."
After chatting for a while, Qin shi put on a hesitant expression, her gaze flicking towards Xu Miaoniang several times. Madam Lan understood that she had something to say.
Xu Miaoniang stood up gracefully, her voice melodious, "Old Madam, Madam, the small kitchen is stewing soup. I will go and check on it, lest the heat is too much and it loses the soup's intended flavor."
After she left, Madam Lan nodded, "Is there something important to discuss?"
Madam Lan understood in her heart that Qin shi's words were related to Xu Miaoniang. She had brought it up twice, and Madam Lan had deflected it. Now that A Nian had returned, she could not avoid discussing this matter with him.
"It is an important matter, related to Miss Xu. She is a young lady with a delicate disposition, so naturally, she cannot be present to hear it," Qin shi said slowly. "I told A Nian about Mother's intentions, and A Nian is unwilling. A Nian said that he regards Miss Xu as a sister, with only brotherly affection, not romantic love. His words were very firm, and I fear he truly has no such intentions. Although Miss Xu is a good girl, Mother, as you know, a forced melon is not sweet. We cannot let Miss Xu suffer such hardship."