Since Gu Sinian had said so, Qi Zhenzhen couldn't refuse. Fortunately, the house had many rooms and many people living in it. He also said he would inform the village head, so there was no fear of others misunderstanding. Moreover, Qi Zhenzhen had her own plans. Being on good terms with Gu Sinian would only benefit her and her two children when they returned to the capital.
"Your Highness, please don't find our farmhouse too simple."
"It's not simple at all. In the entire Xinghua Village, your conditions are the best."
So that was it. Qi Zhenzhen felt she somewhat understood Gu Sinian's intention. This wasn't a military campaign where one had to endure harsh conditions without choice. When there was a choice, one would naturally opt for the most comfortable place. Indeed, looking at the entire Xinghua Village, whose conditions could compare to the Qi family's?
After tidying up the bowls and chopsticks, Zhang Xiaoniu entered the room, holding a piece of green radish and biting into it with a crisp crunch. "Your Highness, would you like some? Zhenzhen's radishes are crisp and sweet, just like fruit. If you want some, I'll cut a piece for you."
Gu Sinian shook his head. "It's getting late today. You should go back first. We'll look around again tomorrow morning."
Zhang Xiaoniu responded with an "aye" and started to leave. He was almost at the door when he turned back. "Your Highness, you're asking me to go back, but where will you stay?"
"I'll stay here," Gu Sinian said with a calm expression.
Zhang Xiaoniu's expression was peculiar. He wanted to say something, but seeing that Qi Zhenzhen had no reaction to Gu Sinian's words, he knew she had permitted it. Therefore, there was no use in him saying anything more. He nodded to Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen and took his leave.
Qi Zhenzhen prepared a room for Gu Sinian. Gu Sinian thanked her and went into his room.
Qi Zhenzhen stood there for a moment before going to Yun Shi's room to inform her about Gu Sinian staying the night.
As Qi Zhenzhen had expected, Yun Shi was a little agitated. "We don't have an adult man in the house, and we're not exactly familiar with Your Highness. If we so readily agree to let him stay, I'm afraid there will be gossip. Mother doesn't fear anything, but you are an unmarried young lady, and it will affect your reputation."
"Mother, he's here on official business this time. If he truly wants to stay, no one can stop him. And he has no ulterior motives; it's simply because our home is spacious and clean. Furthermore, his status is noble. Being on good terms with him will bring us more benefits than harm," Qi Zhenzhen calmly stated her thoughts. "Take Yi Ge'er, for example. He will definitely return to the capital in the future, but he grew up in the countryside. It will be difficult for him to integrate into the circles in the capital. But with Gu Sinian, it will be different."
Yun Shi hesitated. She knew everything her daughter said was right, but...
The Duke Protector's Mansion was almost the foremost of the noble families in the capital, and they were also related to the imperial family. The imperial concubine in the palace was the younger sister of the current Duke. For such a prominent family, it wasn't easy for even the Marquis of Changping's mansion to establish a connection with the Duke's Mansion. That young man, as the Duke's heir, was the future Duke. Could he truly condescend to associate with people like them?
"Mother, I know what you're worried about. Don't you forget, back in the mountains, if it weren't for me, Gu Sinian would have long since become excrement expelled by a brown bear..."
Yun Shi, whose face was still filled with worry, burst into laughter upon hearing Qi Zhenzhen's words and chided her, "How can a young lady speak so rudely?"
Qi Zhenzhen stuck out her tongue. "Mother, I'm just telling the truth. If I hadn't intervened, he would have definitely been eaten by a brown bear. Do you think a brown bear only eats and doesn't excrete? Alright, alright, I won't say that. I just want you to remember that I am his savior. Although your daughter isn't someone who seeks repayment for favors, sometimes, it's a waste not to utilize relationships when they are available. We're not asking him to do anything difficult, so why be embarrassed? Isn't all human interaction a give and take?"
Yun Shi had always been unable to win an argument with Qi Zhenzhen, and seeing her confident demeanor, she sighed. "Since you have it all figured out, Mother won't say anything more. Since he's staying here, make sure to entertain him well and don't neglect him."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "You can rest assured."
For dinner, Qi Zhenzhen put in considerable effort, preparing Emerald Rolls, Pearl Meatballs, a Braised Tofu with Oysters, a Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chilies, and Sweet and Sour Fish Strips. The fish bones were simmered into a pot of soup, milky white and fragrant. Sprinkled with vibrant green chopped scallions, it was a feast for the eyes. After preparing these, she thought for a moment and added White Jade Rolls as a dessert. For staple food, there were steamed sesame paste rolls and three-delicacy steamed dumplings.
She served some to Lin Ruixue and Aunt Lin in their room. Qi Zhenzhen called Qi Yi to fetch Gu Sinian, while she went to call Yun Shi.
Yun Shi invited Gu Sinian to sit at the head of the table, but Gu Sinian refused, stating that Yun Shi was an elder and it was improper for an elder to sit at the lower end.
Yun Shi couldn't persuade Gu Sinian. Seeing that Gu Sinian seemed determined not to sit if Yun Shi didn't, Qi Zhenzhen had to interject and ask Yun Shi to comply. "Mother, why don't you just do as Your Highness wishes?"
After the four were seated, Gu Sinian waited for Yun Shi to pick up her chopsticks before taking an Emerald Roll.
Although Qi Yi was well-mannered, he was still a child. The dinner tonight was exceptionally sumptuous, and the dishes were not what they usually ate. He looked delighted.
"Sister, this is delicious," Qi Yi said after eating an Emerald Roll in two bites.
Gu Sinian also nodded. "It is indeed very good. The filling is seasoned just right."
The so-called Emerald Rolls were simply minced meat mixed with diced shiitake mushrooms and beaten eggs to form a filling, wrapped in blanched cabbage leaves and steamed. After steaming, a sauce was drizzled over, sprinkled with chopped scallion leaves, making it a very refreshing dish.
Qi Zhenzhen replied humbly, "Your Highness flatters me. These are all home-style dishes. I apologize for the inconvenience, Your Highness."
"If this is considered inconvenience, then I wish to be inconvenienced for a lifetime," Gu Sinian said, glancing at Qi Zhenzhen, his tone calm.
Qi Zhenzhen was surprised. Did those words have a hidden meaning? She looked up at Gu Sinian, only to see him drinking soup with a normal expression, as if his words were merely to praise her cooking.
*Overthinking, overthinking,* Qi Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Sinian ate elegantly, but his appetite was considerable. Coupled with Qi Yi's increasing appetite recently, and excluding the one or two bites each dish that Yun Shi and Qi Zhenzhen took, the remaining food, except for the soup, was almost entirely consumed by Gu Sinian and Qi Yi.
Qi Yi patted his stomach contentedly. "Sister, your cooking has gotten even better. I'm stuffed."
Qi Zhenzhen glared at him. Did they usually eat so elaborately? It was just because someone of noble status was present, so they couldn't be too casual. If they ate like this every day, it would be exhausting for her!
Qi Yi obediently stood up to clear the bowls and chopsticks. To Qi Zhenzhen's surprise, Gu Sinian followed suit and began clearing the table.