Li Rou, as if finding a kindred spirit, excitedly explained to Qi Zhenzhen, while Qi Xuanxuan listened attentively. Only Li Nuan wore a look of helplessness, genuinely believing that young ladies fiddling with wood was improper.
After a lengthy explanation, Li Rou finally felt satisfied, sighing, "If only Sister Zhenzhen could live with me."
"You girl are becoming more and more unreliable. Aren't you crazy enough on your own, now you want to drag others along?" Li Nuan chided.
"Sister, you just haven't experienced the joy of it! If you did, you'd be coming over every day without me having to pull you," Li Rou stated righteously.
Li Nuan, unable to argue with her, stomped her foot in annoyance and called to Qi Zhenzhen, "Let's go, we won't stay here with her messing around. I've made a new incense, see if you like it?"
Seeing Qi Zhenzhen being led away by Li Nuan, Li Rou stomped her feet again. She wanted to continue talking with Qi Xuanxuan, but saw Qi Xuanxuan wave at her, "Sister Rou, your things are indeed fun, but I prefer the incense Sister Nuan makes."
What else could Li Rou say? She couldn't exactly restrain them here.
"Princess Jinrong sent someone to the Qian family to ask for incense, and Yuanbao found me," Li Nuan said softly, recounting events that happened when Qi Zhenzhen was not in the capital.
"Oh, Yuanbao~" Qi Zhenzhen drew out her words, "Sister Nuan, you didn't blush when you saw Qian Yuanbao?"
Li Nuan stomped her foot, "You girl, I'm talking to you properly, and you start teasing me again."
"Where did I? I didn't, absolutely not!" Qi Zhenzhen laughed, "Xuanxuan, does Second Sister tease Sister Nuan?"
Qi Xuanxuan cooperated perfectly, "No, she doesn't."
Li Nuan was no match for the two sisters and soon, blushing, recounted how she and Qian Yuanbao interacted.
"Tsk tsk, this Qian Yuanbao really knows how to coax people. He's completely charmed you, making you devoted," Qi Zhenzhen said with a playful smile.
"As if the Heir Apparent wouldn't know how to coax you!" Li Nuan retorted.
Qi Zhenzhen froze. On the journey back to the capital, she had been avoiding Gu Sinian, but he hadn't said anything about her avoidance. Qi Zhenzhen knew it was her own overstepping of their agreement, her mindset shifting that caused this. Without emotional involvement, she could marry Gu Sinian with a clear conscience. But now, with feelings involved, Qi Zhenzhen had more than once entertained the thought of breaking off the engagement.
"What are you spacing out for?" Li Nuan nudged Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen snapped back to attention, "Sister Nuan, do you like Qian Yuanbao?"
To such a direct question, Li Nuan's face turned red again, and she shyly nodded, "I do like him."
"What do you like about him?"
"He's very interesting when he talks. Every time he makes me laugh, he smiles happily too. He's very thoughtful; if I mention something casually, he'll find it and give it to me. He also teaches me to carry myself with a certain dignity, so that I have the presence of a county princess personally enfeoffed by the Emperor, and others won't look down on me," Li Nuan said softly.
Beneath Qian Yuanbao's roguish demeanor lay such a considerate heart. It was evident that he truly liked Li Nuan and was genuinely investing in their relationship.
What about Gu Sinian?
Qi Zhenzhen recalled everything Gu Sinian had done. He seemed to have put thought into his dealings with her as well. While he didn't amuse her like Qian Yuanbao, he seemed to have resolved the troubles she encountered.
It was precisely because of this that her heart had slowly fallen for him.
And all of this was merely based on their agreement.
The matter of love, truly, was a source of great vexation!
Never mind. She would guard her heart well and fulfill their agreement. Once the agreement period was over, they would part ways, never to see each other again.
Li Nuan looked at Qi Zhenzhen in surprise, somewhat confused as to why this girl was spacing out again and again.