If Luo Wanqing knew Qi Zhenzhen's current thoughts, she would surely laugh at Gu Sinian, thinking he had shot himself in the foot. He thought himself clever, believing that marriage alone would suffice! Qi Zhenzhen was not a native born ancient girl, and she certainly didn't have the mindset that a wife should be subservient to her husband. Now that she believed she shouldn't develop feelings for Gu Sinian, she had closed her heart, and it wouldn't be so easy to open it again.
"The wedding was originally set for the third day of the third month, but that has passed. Has a new date been set?" Li Nuan asked.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head, "Choosing a date has its complexities. His Highness the Prince Consort mentioned he would go to Taihe Temple again to seek Master Yuanjue's help. He only returned yesterday and has many matters to attend to; I doubt he has had the time!"
"Your marriage has truly been a series of twists and turns," Li Nuan sighed. "Originally, you were to marry before me, but now it seems you will marry after me."
Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian had initially set their wedding date for the third day of the third month, while Li Nuan and Qian Yuanbao had set theirs for the twenty-eighth of the same month.
It was now the seventeenth of March. Even if they rushed, it was impossible to set a new date within ten days. Furthermore, the蛊虫 (gu worm) in Gu Sinian's body had not yet been resolved. Although Gu Sinian no longer spoke of what would happen if he were to perish, Qi Zhenzhen could sense that he wanted to resolve the gu worm issue before proceeding with the marriage.
"Good things come to those who wait. You, don't worry about me. In ten days, you will be Madam Qian," Qi Zhenzhen said, putting her thoughts aside and teasing her.
"Yes, in ten days, I will be going to a strange place to start a new life. Zhenzhen, I am happy, but for some reason, I am also a little afraid," Li Nuan said worriedly.
In her past life's terms, this was pre-wedding jitters, a fear of the future life that would be different from her current one.
Qi Zhenzhen patted her hand. "You've met Old Madam Qian. She is kind-faced and looks easy to get along with. Grandmother also said that Old Madam Qian is a straightforward person and won't treat you with the typical mother-in-law-to-daughter-in-law tactics. You like Qian Yuanbao, and Qian Yuanbao likes you. This is a love that is mutual, not a blind marriage. After marriage, you will care for him, and he will cherish you. What is there to fear in a life as sweet as honey? The Qian family is simple, and there won't be any troublesome affairs. You only need to take good care of Old Madam Qian and Qian Yuanbao's daily needs. You can handle all of this with ease, so what is there to be afraid of?"
"Your uncle's official post has also been settled, and the Emperor has enfeoffed you as a County Princess. Whether it's your maternal family or yourself, you have a strong backing. What are you afraid of?"
Hearing these words, Li Nuan felt as if a fog had lifted, and the gloom in her heart seemed to dissipate instantly.
"Thank you, Zhenzhen. If it weren't for you, my heart would still be heavy," Li Nuan's worries faded from her eyes, leaving only the joy of a bride-to-be.
"You, you are just too meticulous in your thoughts, easily overthinking things. While planning ahead is good, if it goes too far, it becomes a burden," Qi Zhenzhen said.
Li Nuan smiled sheepishly, "I will try to change that in the future."
...
"Zhenzhen, you're here?" Madam Wang entered briskly with a maid. "Nuan girl, you too. You didn't inform your mother when Zhenzhen came to our manor. If I hadn't heard from the servants, I wouldn't have known."
"Greetings, Aunt. Xuanxuan and I just arrived and were about to pay our respects to you," Qi Zhenzhen bowed to Madam Wang and said with a smile.
In the past, Madam Wang would have used such words to criticize Qi Zhenzhen for being ill-mannered and not paying respects to elders. Now, Madam Wang had a very good relationship with Tang Shi and the Li Nuan sisters. She was also a straightforward person, saying what she felt. If she was happy, she would express her happiness, and if she wasn't, she wouldn't force a smile.