Gu Sinian's eyes were still full of grievance, and he looked at Qi Zhenzhen with longing.
Can't stand it, can't stand it. Young man, do you know you're very alluring?
Although she usually acted with great composure, she was a true admirer of good looks at heart. This was also a major reason why she agreed to Gu Sinian's proposal. Even if he liked men, she could tolerate it for the sake of his handsome face. After all, beauty is justice, and she had always been full of a sense of justice.
Gu Meiren looked at her with accusatory eyes, which was practically inciting her to commit a crime.
Calm down, stay composed, steady yourself.
She couldn't do anything that was less than beastly. She had heard that people who liked the same sex were more loyal in their affections. If she really did something and angered Gu Meiren, with her current capabilities, she wouldn't be able to protect herself, let alone the Yun family and Qi Yi. Similarly, the Changping Marquis Manor could not withstand the wrath of the Duke's Manor. Moreover, Qi Tianming's temperament would not oppose the Duke's Manor for the sake of their mother and three children.
"I'm telling the truth. I'm worried about you too, after all, next year I'll be marrying you." Qi Zhenzhen said with utmost sincerity, "I don't want to bear the reputation of being a jinx."
Gu Sinian's lips curled. How could those words sound so unpleasant?
Seeing that his expression hadn't improved, Qi Zhenzhen continued, "What I'm saying is true, very, very true."
"Don't you believe me, I swear to heaven."
Gu Sinian's face turned completely dark. He just wanted to hear a sincere concern, why was it so difficult?
"Did I say something wrong?" Qi Zhenzhen asked cautiously.
Gu Sinian: "..."
He finally managed to force out a smile, "You didn't say anything wrong. I will take good care of myself and strive to return to marry you in one piece."
"Then thank you."
Gu Sinian picked up his teacup and took a sip. Who could tell him why he was so irritable?
Gu Sinian remained silent, and Qi Zhenzhen felt restless. It was really awkward for them to just sit there like this. But since Gu Sinian didn't speak, she didn't dare to leave. Looking at his silent demeanor, she felt a little timid...
"Zhenzhen, Zhenzhen..." A rough, loud voice broke the awkward silence. Soon, Qi Zhenzhen saw Zhang Erniu and Lin Ruixue.
Both of them had expressions of surprise. Lin Ruixue hurried to Qi Zhenzhen's side, "You've grown taller and thinner. Has your mother not returned?"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened.
Qi Zhenzhen turned in a circle on the spot, "I haven't eaten less. All the food I've eaten has gone into growing. I'm doing very well, and my mother is also doing very well. Brother Yi has also returned and is hiding in the room. I'll call her out. You two sit first!"
"This commoner pays her respects to the Young Lord." Lin Ruixue had just noticed Gu Sinian sitting there and quickly paid her respects. She had been staying outside for a while and had met more people. Lin Ruixue now knew how noble the Young Lord's status was and couldn't be as casual as before.
"We are all family, no need for such formalities." Gu Sinian said indifferently.
Lin Ruixue responded with an "aye" and sat down on a chair next to him. She pondered Gu Sinian's words, "We are all family?" How could they be family? This Young Lord was too approachable.
Lin Ruixue and Zhang Erniu did not yet know that Qi Zhenzhen was engaged to Gu Sinian. They had only just met, and Qi Zhenzhen hadn't had a chance to tell them yet.
Qi Yi was called out by Qi Zhenzhen. He respectfully bowed to Lin Ruixue and Zhang Erniu as a junior and greeted them.
"Good boy, you've gotten stronger, not bad, not bad." Zhang Erniu's fist, as big as a alms bowl, thumped Qi Yi's shoulder.
Qi Yi subtly shifted his body and dodged Zhang Erniu's fist.
Zhang Erniu looked surprised. His punch was a greeting. Although it wasn't as serious as a sparring match, it wasn't that easy to dodge. Of course, he hadn't put any strength into his punch, it was just a gesture of affection.
Zhang Erniu, not believing it, extended his fist again, but was still dodged by Qi Yi.
Zhang Erniu was delighted. This young man's martial arts skills were truly impressive.
"Tiger doesn't miss his martial arts practice every day, but compared to Brother Yi, he's still far behind. Come, spar a few moves with your uncle." Zhang Erniu said with a chuckle.
"Spar what?" Lin Ruixue's face darkened. "Hurry up and unload the things from the cart outside! Zhenzhen and Brother Yi are rarely back. You be good and don't act foolish!"
Zhang Erniu obediently retracted his hand, "Aye, I know. I'll go unload the cart now, right now."
Zhang Erniu trotted out.
Lin Ruixue then pulled Qi Zhenzhen to sit down and quietly asked her about her situation in the Marquis's manor.
Qi Zhenzhen answered one by one. Lin Ruixue's brows furrowed. As expected, once one enters the Marquis's manor, it's like entering a deep sea; life isn't easy.
"Can't you come back?" Lin Ruixue asked. "Life at home is very good now. It would be great if we could all be together when you come back!"
"Unless something unexpected happens, I can't come back. Aunt, I'll have someone pick you up to the capital next year. Then you can meet my mother." Qi Zhenzhen said, "I'll be getting married in March."
Lin Ruixue looked shocked, "Why so soon? Who arranged the marriage for you? Was it the one your mother mentioned that was arranged when you were little? Do you know what kind of family the other party is from? Do you know what kind of person they are?"
Gu Sinian, sitting nearby, remained expressionless, calmly drinking his tea.
Qi Zhenzhen glanced at him, "The marriage was arranged by my father and grandmother. It's the Young Lord of the Duke's Manor. It's not the engagement arranged when I was little."
"The Young Lord of the Duke's Manor?" Lin Ruixue repeated. Were there several Duke's Manors in the capital? She remembered Gu Sinian was the Young Lord of a Duke's Manor. Could it be him? No, she had said back then that Zhenzhen and this person were a good match and asked Yun Shi to consider it, but Yun Shi had said their statuses were too different, so it was impossible. How could it be possible now?
"Is it him?" Lin Ruixue lowered her voice, her eyes glancing at Gu Sinian.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded gently, "Yes."
No wonder, when she paid her respects earlier, he had said they were all family. So that's what happened.
"What is his family like?" Lin Ruixue asked.
She had interacted with Gu Sinian before. This young man was calm and extraordinary, and also handsome. He was a good prospect, but marriage couldn't just be about whether he was good; the family's background was also very important. She had heard that wealthy families placed great importance on legitimate and illegitimate children. Would the Duke's Manor bully Zhenzhen because of this issue later?
"The marriage was agreed upon by the elders of both sides." Qi Zhenzhen said, as she couldn't elaborate on the Duke's Manor's affairs.
This meant that the other side was willing. Lin Ruixue was secretly relieved upon hearing this, thinking that Zhenzhen's life would be easier when she went there.
"Aunt, please rest assured, I will treat Zhenzhen well." Gu Sinian suddenly spoke, "And I will protect her from being bullied by others."
He said this very solemnly, and Lin Ruixue was very happy to hear it, "Good, good, good."
After speaking, she looked outside. Seeing that Zhang Erniu had almost finished moving the items, she stood up, "I won't stay here any longer. I still need to go back and see your maternal grandparents, and also tell them about this happy event. We'll come back the day after tomorrow when Mingyue brings her dowry gifts."