From the Imperial Study, Gu Sinian went to Consort An's palace.
Consort An saw him and, looking at his thin appearance, sighed, "You child, why don't you take care of yourself when you're out? Look how thin you've become. Do you want your aunt to worry herself to death?"
"I've only lost a little weight, Aunt, please don't worry," Gu Sinian said. "Your nephew just came from His Majesty's. His Majesty told me about Grandmother's entry into the palace. Could Aunt tell me more about it?"
"His Majesty told you about this matter?" Consort An asked.
Gu Sinian nodded. "If it weren't for Zhenzhen traveling all the way to the border this time, Aunt might not have waited for your nephew to return."
Consort An had initially felt a bit jealous, thinking Gu Sinian valued Qi Zhenzhen too much. After hearing his words, that jealousy vanished.
"Don't rush, your aunt isn't senile, how could she be dictated to by your grandmother? You've seen for yourself that Zhenzhen is fine. If something were wrong, could she have gone to save you? Your aunt is just worried that after you return, your grandmother will bring up the old matter. She never approved of Zhenzhen from the start, and there will be a lot of fuss then," Consort An sighed.
"It's alright, my nephew's mind is made up, I want no one but Zhenzhen," Gu Sinian said.
"Zhenzhen is a good girl, and your aunt also approves of you. If necessary, we can ask His Majesty to grant you a marriage, then your grandmother won't be able to object," Consort An said. "However, this would only increase your grandmother's resentment, and Zhenzhen's life won't be easy after she enters the household. I don't know if it's because of her age, but her temper has become more volatile. And that girl by her side, after Granny Gu returned and told me, I had people investigate. Although nothing was found, I always feel there's something wrong with that girl."
Gu Sinian narrowed his eyes. He wasn't unaware of his grandmother's and Xu Miaoniang's intentions. He had always thought that if he clearly refused, they would abandon their thoughts. It seemed he had been too naive.
"Aunt, I will visit you again another day," Gu Sinian took his leave.
Consort An did not detain him, only admonishing him to think carefully before acting.
Leaving the palace, Gu Sinian headed straight for the Marquis of Changping's mansion.
Chaohui Hall.
"Greetings to the Old Madam," Gu Sinian said, cupping his fists.
The Old Madam's face lit up with joy. "It's good that you're back, it's good. I'll have someone fetch Zhenzhen back right away."
"If it weren't for the Old Madam's cover this time, your junior would fear he wouldn't have returned," Gu Sinian said with sincere gratitude.
"I didn't agree at first, but that girl Zhenzhen pleaded with me repeatedly. She even threatened that if anything happened to you, she wouldn't want to live either," the Old Madam sighed. "I couldn't refuse her, so I thought of a way to cover for her. Fortunately, you both returned. Now I can finally sleep soundly."
"Old Madam, please rest well. Your junior will visit again another day."
After Gu Sinian left, the Old Madam immediately had Granny Fang arrange for someone to fetch Qi Zhenzhen back to the mansion. She also sent for the Marquis of Changping and informed him of Gu Sinian's return.
The Marquis of Changping was very excited. "I knew Zhenzhen was capable. With this, after she marries, who in the Duke of Protectorate's mansion would dare look down on her? Then, if anything happens in the mansion, we'll have more confidence when we speak."
The Old Madam glared at him. "Is this something that can be spoken of openly? If Zhenzhen were a man, I would have arranged for people to announce it grandly without you saying anything. But Zhenzhen is a girl. Whether others believe it or not, if it falls into the wrong hands, they might twist it. Who would you reason with?"
"So, this matter will just be kept quiet?" the Marquis of Changping was dumbfounded.
The Old Madam shook her head. "The Heir knows, and it's kept in his heart, so it's not entirely unspoken. He cherishes Zhenzhen's kindness, and he will naturally treat her well in the future."