What Qi Zhenzhen did not expect was that in the following days, Gu Sinian not only visited the Marquis’s mansion from time to time, but also sent people to deliver things multiple times a day, whether it was delicious pastries he ate, or a perfectly bloomed flower, or a handwritten passage. He would not just send them, but also always wait for Qi Zhenzhen’s response. For example, asking if the pastries were delicious, and then asking what Qi Zhenzhen liked to eat? Or asking if the flowers bloomed well, and then asking Qi Zhenzhen what her favorite flower was, and so on.
Was this considered getting to know each other before marriage?
In early June, the Duke of Huguo’s mansion sent over a sandalwood chest. Four maids carried the chest, bringing it directly to Qi Zhenzhen’s Longxiang Courtyard. After setting down the items, the leader of the group handed Qi Zhenzhen a stack of papers. "Miss, these are our deeds of sale. His Highness the Heir sent us over. From now on, we four will serve by your side. Please bestow names upon us, Miss."
Qi Zhenzhen suddenly remembered what Gu Sinian had said: you have too few people serving you, which is not fitting for your status after marriage. So, was he sending people over specifically? The people serving by one’s side should be carefully selected, and Qi Zhenzhen had great faith in Gu Sinian’s judgment of people, especially given the precedent of Erxi.
"Chunfeng, Xiayu, Qiuyue, Dongxue." Qi Zhenzhen felt she was not good at naming, so she randomly assigned four names to the maids.
"Thank you, Miss, for the names," the four said in unison.
Chunfeng, the leader, pointed to the sandalwood chest and said, "Miss, this was specially prepared for you by His Highness the Heir. He instructed us to ensure you opened it personally."
Before, they were just small items. With such a grand display this time, Qi Zhenzhen was also a little curious about what was inside.
Upon opening the chest, Qi Zhenzhen was somewhat lost in thought—
The magnificent phoenix coronet glittered with dazzling brilliance. Beneath the coronet was a bright red wedding gown. At first glance, it was a fiery, passionate red, but upon closer inspection, it also shimmered with specks of gold.
"This phoenix coronet was designed by His Highness the Heir himself, who commissioned the most skilled master craftsman from Linglong Pavilion to create it over half a year. Every gemstone on it was personally selected by His Highness the Heir. His Highness the Heir said that this is a phoenix coronet that is one of a kind in the world," Chunfeng explained.
"This wedding gown was also designed by His Highness the Heir himself, who commissioned the most skilled seamstresses to create it. The skirt uses hidden embroidery, with phoenix feather patterns embroidered in gold thread. It shimmers with radiance as you walk, making it breathtakingly beautiful," Xiayu also explained.
Qi Zhenzhen was already mesmerized. She didn’t understand hidden embroidery, but that didn’t stop her from appreciating the beauty of the wedding gown.
The wedding gown that Qian Yuanbao had given to Li Nuan before was already quite striking, but compared to the one sent by Gu Sinian, it was still slightly inferior.
"On your wedding day, Miss, you will look exceptionally beautiful in this wedding gown," Erxi exclaimed loudly.
Feixu also said, "With its flowing radiance, Miss will surely look like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens when you wear it."
Qi Zhenzhen’s thoughts returned, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly. "I like it very much."
Chunfeng and Xiayu exchanged glances. When His Highness the Heir had instructed them to come, he had been worried that Miss might not like it.
"Feixu, please take Chunfeng and the others to carry the chest to the storeroom. Assign a couple more people to manage the storeroom and ensure the wedding gown is well looked after," Qi Zhenzhen instructed.
"Please rest assured, Miss," Feixu nodded in agreement and led the maids to carry the chest to the storeroom.
Qi Zhenzhen sat on the couch, her hands supporting her cheeks as she gazed at the flowers on the low table, lost in thought. She was getting married. Initially, she had no expectations for the marriage, only thinking about how to take care of Yun Shi and Qi Yi in place of the original owner. Now, Yun Shi’s situation was very good, and Qi Yi was highly regarded by the Marquis of Changping. Had she fulfilled the original owner’s wishes? From now on, could she do more for herself? Oh no, from now on, she and Gu Sinian were one, so she would do more for both of them.