"Doctor Luo's words are quite blunt," the old madam replied calmly. Having gone through the incident with Xu Miaoniang, her heart was filled with many emotions. Without the disturbance of the蛊虫 (gu worms) affecting her mood, she listened with equanimity.
"Doctor Luo speaks wisely," the old madam agreed.
"I am no match for your understanding, Old Madam," Luo Wanqing replied faintly.
The old madam gave an awkward smile and said to Gu Sinian, "You escort Doctor Luo out. Do not neglect her. I will send the thank-you gift to the Hundred Herbs Hall later."
After leaving the Yan Nian Courtyard, Gu Sinian spoke, "Zhenzhen is already waiting in the carriage outside. I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't be escorting you back. Zhenzhen..."
Luo Wanqing shot him a glance. "Don't worry, I'll ensure she gets there safely. Also, it's not that I want to say anything, but I feel there's something strange between you two. Do you need any help?"
Given that she knew her fellow villager had feelings for Gu Sinian, she hoped they could have a harmonious relationship.
Gu Sinian hesitated, his expression also somewhat peculiar.
"If you have something to say, just say it," Luo Wanqing urged.
"I can't quite explain it. I don't seem to know how to get along with her," Gu Sinian said with annoyance. "But one thing I can be sure of is that I like her. I've been fond of her since I coaxed her into making that agreement."
Luo Wanqing seemed to understand what was going on, similar to her situation with Lu Heng. They liked each other, but didn't know how to express affection. What was meant as kindness appeared stiff and awkward, giving a strange impression. Was this what they called a 'straight man'?
"Didn't you say you went to Taihe Temple to calculate the auspicious date? Did you find it?" Luo Wanqing asked.
Gu Sinian nodded. "The sixth day of the sixth month."
"Today is the fifth day of the fourth month, meaning there are two months until your wedding," Luo Wanqing said. "It's not long, but it's not short either. You have plenty of time to figure out how you should interact with each other. You're quite thick-skinned with me, so just apply that thick skin to Qi Zhenzhen."
"Thick-skinned?" Gu Sinian instinctively felt Luo Wanqing was teasing him.
"Yes, thick-skinned," Luo Wanqing nodded seriously. "For example, when you go to the Marquis's mansion, find any opportunity to meet her. If you don't know what to say when you meet, just tell her what you've done, what you've eaten. Casually mention how much you wish you could do things with her, or how delicious something you ate was, and that you want her to try it too... things like that, understand?"
This was essentially describing the act of 'persistence'. Gu Sinian recalled his own words when confessing his feelings, "A good woman fears a persistent man." It seemed he would have to take this path.
"Could it be that Lu Heng used this method to win you over?" Gu Sinian grasped the key point.
Luo Wanqing, now a mother of two, felt no shame. She responded openly, "Exactly."
No, in reality, Lu Heng had done even more than she had described.
She had been annoyed by his persistence, yet he had also occupied her heart.
In short, the past was not worth recalling.
"Regardless, if you use this method well, the strange atmosphere between you will surely disappear," Luo Wanqing said. "Also, you should make good use of the people around her. A roundabout strategy, understand?"
Luo Wanqing stood on her tiptoes and patted Gu Sinian's shoulder. "Alright, no need to escort me further. Take your time to ponder. Young man, I have high hopes for you."
With that, she lightly hopped onto the carriage.
"Why did it take so long to come out?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"I gave Gu Sinian some pointers," Luo Wanqing replied.
"Pointers?" Qi Zhenzhen was confused.
Luo Wanqing winked. "You'll know later."