"Can't be, right? That actor didn't pester you," Qian Yuanbao said.
Gu Sinian pursed his lips, his eyes clear and cold. "Am I to say you're naive, or that you're foolish?"
"Then what do you suggest? I can't just eliminate the person over this, can I?" Qian Yuanbao was troubled.
"There's no wall that doesn't let in wind. So, the first thing you need to do is confess, confess to Li Nuan," Gu Sinian said. "Otherwise, when Li Nuan hears about it from someone else, she'll be even harder to appease. And you know how rumors tend to exaggerate and fabricate. You might think there's nothing between you and Feng Baizhao, but if it gets out, people will definitely think there is, and a lot of it."
"Who would spread it? The people around me are tight-lipped; they wouldn't," Qian Yuanbao felt Gu Sinian was exaggerating.
"Feng Baizhao, and the Hongde Troupe. Don't you think others in the Hongde Troupe know about this? They didn't say anything before because they thought you and Feng Baizhao might get together, and they could benefit from Feng Baizhao then. Now that Feng Baizhao's dream is shattered, those people won't care if they get no benefits. Moreover, this sort of thing is always something people love to gossip about," Gu Sinian glanced at Qian Yuanbao and spoke slowly.
"No way?" Qian Yuanbao still found it hard to believe.
"Want to try and see?"
Qian Yuanbao was conflicted. What if Gu Sinian was right?
"Then I'll go confess to Li Nuan first? No, not now. Your wife is here, and I'm a bit intimidated by her," Qian Yuanbao said with a dejected expression. "She warned me before to treat A Nuan well. If she finds out about this, no matter what A Nuan's attitude is, she won't give me a good look."
"Shall I go with you?" Gu Sinian offered.
"Really?" Qian Yuanbao was overjoyed. If A Nian went, he could find an excuse to speak with Qi Zhenzhen alone, and he could also speak with A Nuan alone.
The two went to the Li residence together. The doorkeeper, upon learning that the young master of the Protectorate Duke's mansion was also coming, rushed in to report. Coincidentally, Li Su had just returned and came out to greet them personally.
After exchanging pleasantries, they were led to the Li family's flower hall.
Li Su was a man of strict principles and naturally wouldn't allow his daughter to come out and meet Qian Yuanbao.
Cup after cup of tea was served, making Qian Yuanbao restless. His future father-in-law stayed with them the entire time.
It wasn't until after dinner, when Li Su went to the yamen, that Qian Yuanbao finally got his chance.
Gu Sinian, as he had promised Qian Yuanbao, found Qi Zhenzhen to speak with.
"Don't believe a word of what's being said outside," Gu Sinian began. "I'll be returning to Taihe Temple in a few days. We'll set a good date as soon as possible."
"After you returned, have you felt any discomfort from the蛊虫 (gu worms) on you?" Qi Zhenzhen asked softly, not taking up Gu Sinian's conversation.
"Luo Wanqing left some medicine before she left. I take it once a day and haven't felt any discomfort," Gu Sinian replied.
"And have you made any progress regarding the matter of the蛊虫 (gu worms)?" Qi Zhenzhen asked again.
"Not yet," Gu Sinian shook his head.
Qi Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I've heard that raising蛊虫 (gu worms) requires feeding them with one's own body. The more powerful the蛊虫 (gu worm), the higher the requirements for the feeder. Besides regularly feeding on the feeder's fresh blood, they also need to be replenished with fresh poisonous insects."
This was some information about蛊虫 (gu worms) she had learned in her previous life, though she wasn't sure if it was accurate and relied on Gu Sinian to investigate.
"I will have someone investigate," Gu Sinian said. "However, I don't know if this matter can be resolved before the wedding. If not, it might implicate you then."
Qi Zhenzhen pursed her lips and smiled. "Are you not afraid I'll go back on my word by telling me this now?"