Qi Zhenzhen paused and continued, "Grandmother must know Qian Yuanbao's reputation outside."
The Old Madam's brow twitched slightly, and she nodded. "Grandmother knows. He's a young man with a reputation for being a bit of a rake. It's not a big deal. Once he's married, he'll naturally rein in his ways."
If it were just a fleeting dalliance, it would be understandable. But Qian Yuanbao and Gu Sinian were not acting on a whim. Qi Zhenzhen suddenly recalled Qian Yuanbao's jealous and petulant behavior that day at the Qian Ji Restaurant. He was clearly devoted to Gu Sinian. In such circumstances, if Sister Nuan married him... Li Nuan, unlike her, was a maiden thoroughly steeped in ancient customs. Marriage was an extremely important matter to her, her reliance for the rest of her life, a complete entrustment of herself. Clearly, Qian Yuanbao was not someone worth entrusting herself to.
Gu Sinian was similar in some ways, but she and Gu Sinian had an agreement. Moreover, she had already prepared herself mentally and had a fallback plan. Whether they divorced or she was cast out in the future, she could still live well.
But Li Nuan was different. If she ended up in the situation Qi Zhenzhen envisioned, she might even lose her life.
Therefore, she couldn't stand by and watch Li Nuan leap into a fiery pit.
"Great-Aunt, is what you're saying true?" Li Nuan asked after recovering her senses.
The Old Madam nodded. "Of course, it's true. Old Madam Qian has already spoken with me, and I've also sent word to your grandfather. As long as he hasn't completely lost his mind, he will surely agree to this marriage. Although that young man from the Qian family has a notorious reputation, you've met him. He's a handsome and talented individual. Most importantly, his grandmother has guaranteed that no matter how much is said about him outside, Yuanbao will surely settle down once he's married."
Qi Zhenzhen felt a bitterness she couldn't express. She knew the most about the relationship between Qian Yuanbao and Gu Sinian.
Gu Sinian had even made an agreement with her to protect their relationship.
They were so deeply devoted that settling down? Who would believe that?
"Zhenzhen, I know you're doing this for Nuan's sake. Trust your grandmother. The children raised by Old Madam Qian will surely not be bad," the Old Madam patted her hand and comforted her. "Besides, with the Marquis's mansion backing Nuan, what is there to fear?"
He was quite capable, but...
Qi Zhenzhen was so frustrated she wanted to bang her head against a wall. How could she not have realized that Old Madam Qian would immediately set her sights on Li Nuan?
"Nuan, dear, come sit here. Great-Aunt will tell you about the Qian family," the Old Madam beckoned. "Oh, by the way, do you have any An Shen Xiang? As one gets older, one sleeps less and dreams more. Old Madam Qian has the same problem. She's used up what she took from me last time, and now she's sent someone to ask for more."
Li Nuan was very well-behaved. "I'll send some over to Great-Aunt later."
The Old Madam babbled on, revealing all the details of the Qian family. The more she spoke, the more surprised the faces of the young ladies became.
Qi Zhenzhen had a vague idea of Qian Yuanbao's family background, but she didn't know the details and hadn't paid much attention. Now, the Old Madam, in order to give Li Nuan some peace of mind, was explaining it in detail. Listening to it, it was truly remarkable. Although they were a merchant family, they had the backing of powerful people. Officials of the first rank, princes – they all paled in comparison.
That was the number one person in Da Feng.
The true number one.
With such a family, what did it matter that they were merchants?
"Oh, right, Old Madam Qian asked me to inquire if you have anything that requires the Qian family's assistance. If you do, just ask. Don't be shy," the Old Madam added.
The Qian family's background had a great impact on Li Nuan. She had initially thought they were an ordinary family, but now it seemed they were anything but ordinary.
"Nuan, dear?"
Li Nuan snapped back to attention. "Great-Aunt, why would the Qian family take an interest in me? Given the Qian family's status..."
Li Nuan's meaning was clear: with the Qian family's status, they could marry women of noble birth. Why would they marry her, an unknown illegitimate daughter?
"I must say, the word 'fate' is quite mysterious," the Old Madam said. "The young master of the Qian family suffers from a peculiar ailment. He cannot tolerate various fragrances since childhood. Countless renowned physicians have examined him, but to no avail. Girls, of course, use fragrances. And what about rouge and powder? Don't they all have scents?"
Qi Zhenzhen suddenly remembered Qian Yuanbao's violent vomiting in the Old Madam's room that time. She had wondered why he would vomit so severely. It must have been because Li Qing was almost leaning against him! Li Qing's perfume that day was quite strong.
Tsk, this was practically heaven forcing Qian Yuanbao to have a preference for men.
After all, which delicate young lady would have no scent at all?
With such an ailment, Qian Yuanbao couldn't even get close to young ladies.
No, if that were the case, why would Qian Yuanbao get married? He couldn't get close, not even to put on a show. Wasn't this openly delaying Li Nuan?
Seeing the younger ones looking surprised and very curious, she continued, "Old Madam Qian said that in the past, she didn't even dare to use An Shen Xiang because of her grandson's condition. At that birthday banquet, didn't Nuan give me two An Shen Xiang bracelets? I passed one on to Old Madam Qian, and she wore it. When she returned, she and young master Qian traveled in the same carriage. The carriage was cramped, and any scents would be concentrated inside, unable to dissipate. Old Madam Qian suddenly remembered she was wearing the An Shen Xiang bracelet, and its fragrance was subtle, so she could still smell it. Yet, young master Qian showed no reaction that day. Old Madam Qian thought her grandson's strange illness had healed. She burned other incense when she got home, but young master Qian vomited bile. After repeated tests by Old Madam Qian, she discovered he could only tolerate the scent of that An Shen Xiang."
If this were true, it would truly be predestined.
"Didn't I ask Nuan for more incense later? I got them all for Old Madam Qian. As a result, young master Qian was fine after smelling them. Old Madam Qian took the incense pellets and asked a perfumer to recreate them according to the proportions. Anyway, others couldn't tell any difference, but when it came to young master Qian, he vomited terribly."
Immune only to the incense made by Li Nuan?
Was this considered fate?
Qi Zhenzhen also pondered. Could it be that Qian Yuanbao, unable to tolerate the various scents on young ladies, had grown closer to Gu Sinian? Over time, people mistook him for being fond of men? That didn't seem right either. Gu Sinian had admitted to his relationship with Qian Yuanbao. Could it be that Qian Yuanbao was forced?