Lin Duoruo turned around, her face full of surprise, "Never mind them?"
Gu Siya nodded, "As long as their lives are not in danger, I won't interfere. Over the years, under my father's indulgence, they have become increasingly arrogant. My second brother's actions this time have also helped me solve a problem, after all, if I were to act, it would be hard not to leave some traces."
Lin Duoruo was happy for his composure, but also worried. If the Lin family encountered trouble in the future, would he be so heartless?
As if reading Lin Duoruo's mind, Gu Siya held her hands, "The Lin family is different from the Dong family. The Lin family will not be so reckless. If the Lin family truly encounters any trouble in the future, I will not stand by. Because that is your home, and you are the most important person to me for the rest of my life."
Lin Duoruo was touched and leaned obediently into Gu Siya's embrace.
What if he was a son born of a concubine? In her eyes, Gu Siya, as a son of a concubine, was far better than many disciples from other families.
Gentle, refined, wise, and capable. Such a man would surely have a bright future.
After embracing for a while, Gu Siya pulled Lin Duoruo to the courtyard and sat at the desk to continue painting her portrait.
Qingquan Courtyard.
Qian Yuanbao leaned against a chaise lounge, looking languid.
"Your old man is really ruthless, he's smashed several of my shops. So, how will you compensate me? With your body?" Qian Yuanbao winked, "I can't possibly suffer such a loss for nothing."
"Whoever smashed them should be held accountable. Why are you coming to me?" Gu Sinian's expression was cold. "Don't come crying to me that you have no one. The people you train are probably more numerous than those kept by the Duke's mansion."
Qian Yuanbao curled his fingers in a delicate gesture, "You old scoundrel, can't you let me act a little fragile? Rumor has it outside that you've abandoned me, a fragile person. Besides, they are your father's men. If I had smashed them beyond recognition, wouldn't it be difficult for you?"
Gu Sinian shivered, a look of disgust on his face, "Can you speak properly? If not, get out of here quickly. The door is over there, don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Qian Yuanbao sat up straight, "Can't I even make a joke? You, as always, are so boring from beginning to end. Let's not talk about the Dong family's affairs or your father's affairs. Let's talk about my lifelong event. You stirred up trouble this time and ruined me. I thought I could finally turn over a new leaf, but now, all those with improper intentions are thinking of pitying and cherishing me. If it weren't for the many people around me, I would have been abducted and defiled by now. Tell me, how will you compensate me?"
"How come I heard that your old madam has summoned all the matchmakers in the capital, determined to marry you off?" Gu Sinian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly.
Now it was Qian Yuanbao's turn to shiver, "You're still saying that! It's all your fault. Those people are at our Qian mansion's door every day, wanting to take me in. If my grandmother wasn't so furious, would she have done something so crazy?"
"So, isn't getting married a good option? Find someone you like, have a passionate relationship, and preferably have a big, healthy baby soon. That way, all the previous troubles will be resolved, won't they?" Gu Sinian raised his eyebrows slightly, "I think your old madam's method is very good, very good."
"Women are so troublesome. Who wants to tie a big trouble to themselves? If I get married, where will I find pleasure and amusement?" Qian Yuanbao looked fearful, "No, no, I can't lock myself in a cage."
"Don't even think about running. I haven't finished dealing with my own matters. If you run away!" Gu Sinian's eyes were cold, staring directly at Qian Yuanbao.
Qian Yuanbao glared back defiantly, but soon surrendered.
"You're the boss, you win! I admit defeat."
"At your age, you should be looking for a girl to settle down with. Your grandmother is old, can you bear to let her worry about you all the time?" Gu Sinian said with a seemingly earnest tone, "Find someone you fancy, and you'll find that life is quite interesting."
Qian Yuanbao picked at his ear. Had he misheard? Were those words spoken by Gu Sinian? Could a person as cold as him say such things?
"What kind of magic does Qi Zhenzhen have that you've become so infatuated with her that you're not yourself anymore?" Qian Yuanbao mumbled. "Besides, you know as well as I do that I can't stand the scent of powder on women. None of the maids in our Qian mansion use any scented powders. But women all love beauty, who would truly not use powder?"
"Perhaps you'll meet someone who doesn't want to use it, or perhaps this habit of yours will disappear?"
Qian Yuanbao waved his hand, "We'll see. If the old lady wants to fuss, let her fuss. Anyway, she'll still need my approval in the end. Oh, right, on the sixteenth, I need to go to the Changping Marquis's mansion to deliver a birthday gift. My old lady has some acquaintance with the old lady of the Marquis's mansion, so she'll be going to wish her old friend a happy birthday, and I have to accompany her. Are you going?"
Gu Sinian nodded, "My mother is not well and doesn't go out. My grandmother doesn't have any acquaintance with the old madam of the Qi family, so I'll go on behalf of my mother to wish her a happy birthday."
"We'll come and pick you up then," Qian Yuanbao said.
Gu Sinian did not refuse, thus agreeing.
"Is there anything else? If not, hurry up and leave. So many people are watching you, perhaps someone is already lurking at the Duke's mansion entrance. If anything happens, it will be another hassle. Some people are just waiting for an excuse to attack me!" Gu Sinian urged him to leave.
"I wish you would be attacked, so you can experience the taste of heartbreak!" Qian Yuanbao rolled his eyes. "I'll make sure to look wronged as I leave the Duke's mansion later, and your reputation as the Crown Prince who has fallen out of love will spread even further."
"As you wish."
On the sixteenth of June, early in the morning, all the servants of the Changping Marquis's mansion were gathered for a lecture. Today, many high-ranking officials and nobles would be present, so they had to serve with spirit. Those who served well would be rewarded, and any mistakes would be punished.
Qi Zhenzhen, as usual, accompanied the Old Madam to breakfast and presented her with a forehead band she had embroidered herself. The style was very ordinary, but the stitches were fine, showing great care.
"Your needlework is quite poor. This forehead band must have taken a long time to embroider, right?" the Old Madam asked with a smile.
Qi Zhenzhen held out her hands, "To hide the stitches, I spent a full eight days embroidering it. Look how many needle pricks I have on my fingers!"
The Old Madam asked Madam Fang to bring some cooling ointment, "Just rub it on when you get back, and it will be fine."
"Thank you, Grandmother," Qi Zhenzhen said with a beaming smile and handed the cooling ointment to Feixu to hold.
Not long after breakfast, the Li family arrived together. They would first offer their birthday wishes privately, and then present their birthday gifts when the guests arrived. It was a grand occasion.
The young ladies were all wearing new clothes custom-made by Jinxiu Workshop and their best jewelry.
"Your hair ornament is so beautiful, Zhenzhen sister. Why haven't I seen you wear it before?" Li Qing's eyes were fixed on Qi Zhenzhen, and she asked with a greedy tone.