Qi Zhenzhen, after leaving the Li family's residence, ran for a while until the turmoil in her heart gradually subsided.
Her mind had been blank at the time, her only thought to disappear from Gu Sinian's sight immediately. The moment the thought surfaced, she fled.
How embarrassing!
Qi Zhenzhen slowed her pace, the words Gu Sinian had spoken lingering in her mind.
He actually said he liked her? And had liked her for a long time.
He also said that the rumors about him were not true.
Qi Zhenzhen suddenly recalled what Rui Ning and the Rui Princess Consort had said when she visited the Prince Rui's mansion. They had spoken highly of Gu Sinian, saying that the rumors about him outside were unreliable.
So, were those rumors really false?
Then why had he let her misunderstand?
Oh, right, Gu Sinian had explained just now. It was because she had mentioned being betrothed, and his pride had been hurt, leading him to say such things?
"Zhenzhen, why did you come alone?" Madam Yu, preparing to go out to buy something, opened the door and saw Qi Zhenzhen standing at the entrance, asking with surprise.
Qi Zhenzhen only then realized that she had unknowingly walked to the Zhang family's residence.
"Auntie, I came to see Mingyue," Qi Zhenzhen tidied her thoughts and said with a smile.
"Mingyue was just thinking of you, and was planning to visit you at the Marquis's mansion someday," Madam Yu invited her in. "You two sisters really have a connection. She's in her room, go in yourself. Auntie is going out to buy some things."
"Alright, you go ahead, I'll find Mingyue myself."
The Zhang family's house wasn't large; any commotion outside was known inside.
"Zhenzhen, you're here," Song Mingyue said joyfully.
"Stop, stop, stop! Stand still. You're carrying a baby, can't you walk one step at a time?" Qi Zhenzhen hurried forward a couple of steps to support her.
"It's alright, my pregnancy is stable," Song Mingyue said dismissively. "The doctor said my constitution is good, much better than those who can't even manage three months without issue. I was just so happy to see you after such a long time!"
"I really don't know what to do with you," Qi Zhenzhen said helplessly.
"Alright, stop talking about me. Tell me about yourself. How did your grandmother banish you to the estate? Wasn't she always the most doting on you?" Song Mingyue asked. "Was someone instigating trouble, sowing discord?"
"Did Xiao Niu tell you when he got back?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"What would he have to tell me? Oh, right, he did say that they were lucky to be alive this time, otherwise they might not have returned," Song Mingyue replied.
There was nothing to hide from Song Mingyue. Qi Zhenzhen said, "I wasn't banished to the estate by my grandmother. Grandmother and I staged a play. The Heir encountered some trouble there, and I was worried, so I insisted on going."
"The Heir encountered trouble? Then Xiao Niu must have encountered trouble too? No wonder he said those things to me," Song Mingyue realized. "You're truly something, going such a long distance by yourself as a young lady? Aren't you afraid of encountering anything on the way? You all say I'm unreliable, but am I more unreliable than you?"
"What could happen? I wasn't going alone. I brought Er Xi, and Qian Yuanbao also sent two people to accompany us. Besides, don't you know my skills? Xiao Niu learned his martial arts from me," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile.
"Huh? Why is there a little dog here?" Song Mingyue exclaimed.
Qi Zhenzhen looked down. The little wolf cub was squatting by the door.