Qi Zhenzhen was completely stunned, her eyes wide open as she stared blankly at Madam Lu and Gu Sinian.
What had she just heard?
"Miss Qi is a wonderful person, but I fear she might not think highly of me," Gu Sinian said earnestly.
Qi Zhenzhen really wanted to ask if they were pretending she didn't exist.
"Zhenzhen, what do you think of Little Niu's friend? I find him quite good. I've lived for most of my life, and this is the first time I've seen such a handsome young man with such a good temperament. He didn't show any impatience when I spoke to him," Madam Lu said with a beaming smile. "I heard from your aunt that your mother hasn't found you a match in the village."
How was Gu Sinian? Of course, he was good. How could she dare to say otherwise? This was none other than the esteemed heir apparent!
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "Madam, he's very good."
"Oh my, you both think highly of each other. I think you two are quite a good match!" Madam Lu said happily. "Young man, why don't you go back and speak to your family elders? Let the two families meet and settle this matter!"
"Alright," Gu Sinian said, looking at Qi Zhenzhen with a half-smile.
Qi Zhenzhen glared back at him resentfully. Even if she was cooperating with Madam Lu, did he have to be so accommodating?
The high and mighty heir apparent, and her, a simple village girl?
Oh, even if she was the young lady of the Marquis of Changping's estate, she was still born of a concubine. Given Gu Sinian's status, even the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changping would be considered to have married up by marrying him.
"This is truly joyous news. I've been worried these past few days, and today's great happiness makes one so cheerful," Madam Lu said, in a very good mood.
"Madam, have Da Jiang and Xiao He returned?" Qi Zhenzhen changed the subject.
"Not yet."
Li Shan had been apprehended; they should have seen it. Why hadn't they returned yet?
"Madam, where do Da Jiang and Xiao He usually live?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"They live under the bridge. Da Jiang is skillful and has nailed the sides shut with wood, leaving only a small opening for one person to pass through. They spread a lot of straw and cover themselves with thick quilts. They can get through the winter like that. I pieced together those quilts myself back then!" Madam Lu said.
"It's already this late, and they haven't come over. I'll go look for them," Qi Zhenzhen said, walking outside.
Gu Sinian also stood up. "I'll accompany you."
Qi Zhenzhen paused for a moment, then continued walking outside. What could she say? Could she say he shouldn't go?
When unsure what to say, the best approach is to remain silent. Qi Zhenzhen walked silently, with Gu Sinian on her left. He also remained silent.
It was good to be silent like this.
Just as Qi Zhenzhen was secretly wishing for the silence to continue, Gu Sinian's voice reached her ears.
"I think Madam Lu's suggestion just now is very good."
He thought it was good? How was it good?
Qi Zhenzhen felt awkward. "Where does Your Highness think it's good?"
"I am unmarried, and you are unwed," Gu Sinian said, tilting his head slightly, his expression serious.
What to do, what to do? She, a modern person, was being flirted with by an ancient person. What's more, she was actually excited and shy, her heart fluttering like a nest of rabbits.
In their previous few meetings, there had been a bit of subtle ambiguity, but neither had said anything.
What had gotten into Gu Sinian today? Could it be that Madam Lu's few words had stirred his emotions?
"Your Highness, are you joking?" Qi Zhenzhen said softly, lowering her head.
After a long silence, when Gu Sinian didn't speak again, Qi Zhenzhen looked up. Gu Sinian was gazing at her intently, his deep eyes like a vortex. Caught off guard, Qi Zhenzhen felt herself sinking into them.
"Zhenzhen, you think I'm joking?" Gu Sinian asked very seriously, placing his hands on Qi Zhenzhen's shoulders.
His voice was deep, and as the saying goes, his voice had a natural bass, making one's ears feel as if they could conceive.
Finally regaining her composure, Qi Zhenzhen averted her eyes, not daring to look at Gu Sinian. "I, I don't know."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Qi Zhenzhen wanted to slap herself. Her voice was soft and carried a hint of shyness, which was a classic sign of feigned refusal. Men's charm is misleading, misleading!
Clearing her throat a few times, Qi Zhenzhen pulled her hands away from Gu Sinian.
"Your Highness, Madam Lu doesn't know much about my family's affairs. Although my mother hasn't found me a match in the village, I am betrothed. My father arranged it when I was young. After I come of age, I will marry the person I am betrothed to," Qi Zhenzhen said slowly.
Gu Sinian was taken aback. "So? Did Miss Qi take my words seriously just now? It's my fault for misleading Miss Qi. I was just moved by what Madam Lu said. Miss Qi is indeed wonderful, but as you know, I am the heir apparent of the Duke of Huguo's estate!"
The implication was that Qi Zhenzhen was not worthy of this status.
What he said was not wrong, but it was not openly stated. Qi Zhenzhen felt a tiny flicker of disappointment.
"Let's hurry, Miss Qi. Aren't we looking for someone?" Gu Sinian took a long stride, creating distance between himself and Qi Zhenzhen.
With no time to think further, Qi Zhenzhen could only follow him.
They found them under the bridge. Xiao He had a fever, and Da Jiang was wiping his forehead and armpits with cold water.
Xiao He's face was unnaturally flushed, indicating a severe fever.
"When did he start having a fever?" Qi Zhenzhen reached out and touched Xiao He's forehead. It was burning hot, estimated to be around forty degrees Celsius.
"He just started having a fever not long ago. It's fine, Miss Qi. Doesn't he get a fever a few times every winter? If I diligently wipe him down, he'll be fine by tomorrow morning," Da Jiang said calmly.
With such a high fever, the person was already delirious. Without medicine, relying only on physical cooling to bring down the temperature? That was a joke.
Qi Zhenzhen felt a pang of sadness. She couldn't blame Da Jiang and urgently said, "Carry Xiao He to the noodle shop, and I'll go find a doctor. Hurry, we can't delay. A high fever can damage the brain."
Da Jiang seemed flustered. Xiao He had had fevers before, but never this severe. Saying he would be fine by morning was Da Jiang comforting himself.
"You go with her to find a doctor. I'll take him," Gu Sinian said.
Da Jiang and Xiao He were in rags, while Gu Sinian was dressed in splendid attire.
Da Jiang instinctively shook his head. "I, I'll carry Xiao He to the noodle shop."
"You are too thin and weak. If you carry him, you won't be able to walk quickly. He has a high fever now, and it's so cold outside. If he catches a chill, his condition might worsen," Gu Sinian said calmly.
Qi Zhenzhen quietly wrapped Xiao He in a quilt. Gu Sinian bent down and scooped him up in his arms. In the blink of an eye, he was several feet away. Qi Zhenzhen suddenly remembered when they first met, how he had pushed Manager Ma Shi, and how he had lightly leaped aside to avoid her and the horse.
"Miss Qi?"
Seeing Qi Zhenzhen in a daze, Da Jiang called out softly.
"Oh, let's go. We need to find a doctor. Don't worry, he'll be fine," Qi Zhenzhen reassured Da Jiang.