"Perhaps it's your overwhelming charm?"
Qi Zhenzhen shot him a playful glare. "If I have such charm, then is His Highness the Prince Consort as captivated by me as he is?"
Without waiting for Gu Sinian's reply, she continued with a sweet laugh, "Your Highness the Prince Consort, please don't overthink it. I'm just making a joke."
Gu Sinian swallowed the words he was about to say. Why rush things? If he confessed his feelings and scared her off, she might refuse to marry him, and he wouldn't even have a place to cry.
"If there comes a time when I need to admit your charm, I naturally will. We'll help each other," Gu Sinian said with a calm expression.
Qi Zhenzhen understood his meaning. He was saying that if she encountered any unwanted suitors in the future, he wouldn't mind stepping in to ward them off. It was the same principle as her marrying Gu Sinian to attract everyone's attention and, in turn, protect the person Gu Sinian loved.
"Don't worry, I'll behave myself after we're married."
The implication was that he wouldn't need to trouble himself.
"I'll also try my best not to cause you any trouble."
They entered the house one after another. Lin Ruixue pulled Qi Zhenzhen into a room. "Have you explained everything to that Du Xiang? Did His Highness the Prince Consort see you two talking? We saw His Highness at the entrance when we returned. He asked about you. Your maternal grandmother and I were going to say you were with Song Mingyue at the Song family's, but your aunt spoke too quickly and mentioned that you were stopped by a young man on the way. Then His Highness the Prince Consort went out with a displeased expression. Did he do anything to you?"
Little Zhang Shi's quick tongue? It was likely intentional. She wanted Gu Sinian to misunderstand her, but what good would it do for Little Zhang Shi if Gu Sinian misunderstood her?
"No, he just asserted his claim." Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Du Xiang said he wanted to be good to me..."
Lin Ruixue's mouth fell open, her face showing undisguised surprise. She had expected Du Xiang to either apologize or pick a fight when he stopped Zhenzhen, never that the young man had taken a liking to her. What was all this?
"That Du Xiang is truly something. Has he forgotten his mother's face? How dare he say such a thing!" Lin Ruixue said with disgust. "Besides, where does he get the confidence that you would like someone like him?"
Lin Ruixue was straightforward and had almost gone to the Du family's door back then, showing her aversion to them. Hearing Qi Zhenzhen explain Du Xiang's purpose for stopping her now, she was somewhat exasperated.
"Auntie, please calm down. I've already made things clear with Du Xiang!" Qi Zhenzhen soothed Lin Ruixue.
Lin Ruixue grumbled a few more sentences, essentially saying that Du Xiang was a toad wanting to eat swan meat. Although Qi Zhenzhen didn't agree with this view, she didn't refute it. In this situation, her silence would prevent Lin Ruixue from dwelling on the matter.
Meanwhile, Little Zhang Shi was agonizing, desperately wanting to know if there was any unspeakable secret between Qi Zhenzhen and that young man, and whether His Highness the Prince Consort had indeed witnessed their "good deed" and what his attitude was.
As soon as the two returned, she had scrutinized them. His Highness the Prince Consort's expression seemed a little off. As for Qi Zhenzhen's expression, it was very normal, though she couldn't be sure if it was feigned.
Little Zhang Shi couldn't hold back any longer and eagerly pulled Big Zhang Shi aside to talk.
"Sister-in-law, I spoke a bit too quickly just now. Do you think it might affect Zhenzhen?" Little Zhang Shi put on a look of apprehension. "If it does, I'll be terribly guilty. Can you give me some advice on what to do? I noticed His Highness the Prince Consort's expression wasn't very good when he came in."
Big Zhang Shi hadn't thought much of it initially, but after Little Zhang Shi's words, she also felt uneasy.
She didn't know His Highness the Prince Consort's temperament, but she had heard that people with power and influence had unpredictable personalities. If His Highness the Prince Consort was angry with Zhenzhen because of this, would it affect their marriage?
"I say, you, why do you speak without thinking?" Big Zhang Shi said angrily. "You ask me what to do, how would I know what to do? If His Highness the Prince Consort blames Zhenzhen for this, then you'll be the culprit, and our mother definitely won't let you off!"
Little Zhang Shi pouted. "Sister-in-law, that's not right. His Highness the Prince Consort asked just now, and I didn't dare to lie. I didn't say much, just that Zhenzhen was stopped by a young man to talk. If there's anything, then it's Zhenzhen's actions that are too..."
Little Zhang Shi wanted to say "improper," but she knew that Big Zhang Shi and the old madam had always protected Qi Zhenzhen. If she uttered those three words, they would surely accuse her of talking nonsense.
Even so, Big Zhang Shi's gaze at Little Zhang Shi became much sharper.
"No, it's not Zhenzhen's fault, it's that young man's. No matter how important the matter, it's not good to stop a young lady to talk, right?" Little Zhang Shi quickly shifted the blame to Du Xiang. "However, in the end, Zhenzhen's personality is too soft. She should have just refused him directly."
Big Zhang Shi shot Little Zhang Shi a glare and hurried to the old madam's room. Although Little Zhang Shi's words were unpleasant, she had a point. She couldn't be sure about this matter and had to see the old madam's attitude.
The old madam frowned upon hearing Big Zhang Shi's words. Zhenzhen had always been meticulous and handled everything perfectly, leaving no room for criticism. Therefore, when she had asked them to return first, she hadn't thought much of it. But now, it seemed she had been too simplistic.
"That second daughter-in-law, useless and always ruining things!" the old madam cursed under her breath. "Go and call your elder sister over. Didn't she take Zhenzhen away earlier?"
Big Zhang Shi quickly called Lin Ruixue over, and Qi Zhenzhen followed.
"Grandmother, you don't need to worry. Du Xiang and I have nothing going on, and His Highness the Prince Consort isn't angry with me. He was just worried about me being alone, so he came to pick me up," Qi Zhenzhen said nonchalantly.
"Really? Are you not deceiving me?" the old madam asked suspiciously. "Your second aunt told your elder aunt that she saw His Highness the Prince Consort's expression wasn't good when he returned."
"It's true. He's always expressionless, appearing cold and distant, giving people the impression that he's angry. But that's not the case. He's very good to me and protects me in everything," Qi Zhenzhen explained. "If you don't believe me, you can call him over to ask."
Qi Zhenzhen's expression was relaxed. The old madam observed her carefully and, seeing no trace of worry, finally believed her words. "Your second aunt was worried that her quick tongue might have angered His Highness the Prince Consort."
Little Zhang Shi...
Qi Zhenzhen's mind raced, and she had an idea. She wanted to see what tricks Little Zhang Shi was up to.
At lunch, the Lin family members were all on edge.
Gu Sinian's expression was very unpleasant. He pointed at several dishes, saying they were too bland, and then accused Qi Zhenzhen of being too presumptuous, taking advantage of his affection and not taking him seriously. With a heavy thud of his chopsticks, he returned to his room.
The faint smile that had been on Qi Zhenzhen's face disappeared, replaced by an expression of embarrassment. Without a word, she also hurried back to her room. Lin Ruixue followed closely but was shut out. She couldn't get any answers through the door, which greatly worried the old madam and the others.