On the way back, it was less like riding horses and more like strolling with them. They moved extremely slowly, with several of them on horseback, even falling behind the carriage.
"Zhenzhen, what gift will you give me for my wedding?" Zhang Xiaoniu asked casually. "The Young Lord has bought me a house in the capital. When the time comes, I'll bring Mingyue to live in the capital."
"Really?" Qi Zhenzhen couldn't hide her surprise. It would be much easier for her and Song Mingyue to see each other then.
"Of course, it's true. I'm under the Young Lord's command, and I don't have many opportunities to return to the village. Would it make sense for me to leave my wife in the village by herself after getting married? Besides, when we got engaged, I promised Mingyue that you two could see each other often." Zhang Xiaoniu mumbled.
"Let's not talk about that. You haven't told me yet, how did you get engaged to Mingyue? Didn't you two dislike each other?" Qi Zhenzhen was full of questions about this. "Did you perhaps offend Mingyue, and she had no choice? That must be it. That girl complained about you to me quite a bit."
"I didn't offend her." Zhang Xiaoniu stuck out his neck. "What kind of person do you think I am? Never mind, I won't say anything. If you want to know something, ask Mingyue when we get back."
After saying that, Zhang Xiaoniu squeezed his horse's belly, and the man and horse shot forward.
As for the others brought by Gu Sinian, they had been following leisurely about thirty feet behind, so now it was Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian riding side by side.
"Is Zhenzhen planning not to speak to me at all?" Gu Sinian's eyes held a smile as he slightly turned his head, looking seriously at Qi Zhenzhen.
His little wife was becoming more and more beautiful, her eyes so lively that he wished he could marry her and hide her away right now.
Qi Zhenzhen felt a bit uneasy. For some reason, she felt that Gu Sinian's gaze was strange today. In the past, he seemed aloof, his expression and eyes very cold, but today?
Like a spring breeze.
Qi Zhenzhen thought of these four words. Yes, that was the feeling.
Moreover, he was staring at her intently now, the light in his eyes making her thoughts scatter.
"Zhenzhen?" Gu Sinian's voice rose slightly.
"Ah. Does the Young Lord have any instructions?" Qi Zhenzhen concealed her panic and replied appropriately.
"There are no instructions, I just want to talk to you," Gu Sinian's voice was deep and unhurried. "Zhenzhen, we are already betrothed, so there's no need..."
To be so distant.
Qi Zhenzhen gently turned her head, looking at Gu Sinian, waiting for him to finish speaking, but he never did.
Qi Zhenzhen actually had something she wanted to ask Gu Sinian. She wanted to ask about the matter between Gu Sinian and Qian Yuanbao. Although she had made a guess, she hadn't received confirmation from the person involved, and she still had some doubts. What if Yan Qi's words were misleading, and if she guessed wrong because of it, wouldn't she be harming Li Nuan?
"Who is the person the Young Lord likes?" Qi Zhenzhen asked, carefully considering her words, feeling that she had asked very discreetly.
Gu Sinian opened his mouth, the answer on the tip of his tongue. If he said that the person he liked was her, would he scare her away? A woman who could easily agree to their agreement, and even arrange the matter of divorce in advance, seemed to value love very little. Gu Sinian was not sure if she would like him now. Therefore, he couldn't say he liked her at this moment.
He turned his head, looking straight ahead. "When the time comes, you'll know."
When they got married, when they stayed together day after day, when she developed feelings for him.
This was someone who wholeheartedly wanted to protect the other, unwilling to reveal their feelings.
Qi Zhenzhen asked again, "The person you like is not Qian Yuanbao, am I wrong?"
"Yuanbao, he has someone he likes," Gu Sinian said after thinking for a moment. "It's probably your cousin. So you don't need to worry about your good sister. Although he seems a bit reckless, he's not bad at heart, and he'll probably be a good husband. After we get married, I will also be a good husband, protect you, and not let you suffer any grievances."
Qi Zhenzhen didn't think much of it, taking it as him saying that out of gratitude.
The journey that would have taken half a day at a fast pace took a full day at a leisurely pace.
The Qi family's residence was lit up. Da Jiang and Xiao He guarded the entrance and were delighted to see Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Yi, stepping forward to greet them.
Qi Yi jumped down from the carriage, and Qi Zhenzhen also dismounted. The two nodded to Da Jiang and Xiao He and went straight into the courtyard.
The people inside had already heard the commotion and came out together.
Yu shi brought Song Mingyue, Xun Wan Niang, Qian Bo, and Gu Chengyang.
Just as Qi Zhenzhen was about to step forward, she saw Yu shi leading the way to perform a bow.
Qi Zhenzhen, with quick eyes and hands, supported Yu shi. "Auntie, what are you doing?"
"Mother, look, I said it's fine to continue as before, but you insisted on saying I was wrong." In the dim lamplight, Song Mingyue's face was filled with a happy smile. "Zhenzhen, I was really afraid that things between us would change. That would be so painful!"
Qi Zhenzhen walked forward with a smile, hooking Song Mingyue's shoulder. "We promised to be sisters for life. If sisters are like this, it would be so awkward."
Yu shi turned her head, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. "You're all grown women now, and you're still hooking arms like this. Aren't you afraid people will see and laugh? Don't stand in the courtyard, hurry inside. The food is ready, wash your hands and come eat."
The meal prepared by Yu shi was very rich, filling the entire table. A small table for the women, and the men occupied a large table.
"Is your mother well?" Yu shi added a bowl of rice for Qi Zhenzhen and couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't she come back to visit this time? I heard that noble families have strict rules, and women are not easily allowed to go out. Is that true?"
"My mother is doing well, and she asked me to bring gifts for you and Auntie," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "It's indeed not like here, where we can go out whenever we want. I was able to return this time thanks to the Young Lord's favor."
"Good, that's good."
Yu shi knew about Qi Zhenzhen's engagement to Gu Sinian from Zhang Xiaoniu. She had always thought this young man was excellent and had even whispered to Yun shi that it would be wonderful if he could be paired with Qi Zhenzhen. Now that it had come true, it was a cause for great joy.
Considering they had traveled hard all day, they dispersed after dinner.
Qi Zhenzhen kept Song Mingyue to stay overnight, as the two sisters had many things to talk about.
Yu shi initially disagreed, but she couldn't resist their pleas. After giving a few instructions, she left with Xun Wan Niang.
Gu Sinian stayed in the original room, and the bedding had been aired. Qi Zhenzhen first sent him back to his room, then asked Da Jiang and Xiao He to bring water. After everything was taken care of, she returned to her own room.
Everyone else had been living here all along, and things were as usual, so Qi Zhenzhen didn't need to manage them.
"I see you've lost weight. Is life at the Marquis's mansion difficult?" Song Mingyue asked, holding Qi Zhenzhen's hand after closing the door. "Are people there bullying you?"