"Then I won't go see Concubine Niang. I'll just have Zisu send the things and money over. That way, Grandmother and Father won't be unhappy. I haven't been around Concubine Niang much since I was little anyway, so a few more years of this should be fine," Qi Xuanxuan said.
Qi Zhenzhen felt a pang of sadness. Life as a庶女 (shù nǚ - daughter of a concubine) was not easy. She wondered how this little girl had managed to endure it. Although the original owner of this body had suffered a lot, at least she had always been by Yun Shi's side and hadn't lacked maternal love.
"Yes, persist for a few more years, and Grandmother and Father will definitely understand," Qi Zhenzhen said firmly.
"Second Sister, what kind of husband do you think I'll find in the future?" Qi Xuanxuan suddenly blurted out.
Qi Zhenzhen was taken aback. She was still immersed in the matter of Concubine Xiang, and this little girl's thoughts had already wandered so far.
"Your future marriage will be decided by Grandmother and Father, so it's really hard to say."
"What if Grandmother and Father misjudge someone?" Qi Xuanxuan pouted, looking very worried.
"Grandmother has a sharp eye, so it shouldn't happen, right?"
"That's not necessarily true. Some people are very good at pretending, and what if they deceive Grandmother? So, I think it would be best if I could choose my own husband. Ideally, I'd get to interact with them more before the engagement. That way, I'd know if they're good or not." Qi Xuanxuan narrowed her eyes, as if she were already in that situation.
"How old are you, to be thinking so far ahead?" Qi Zhenzhen was amused and speechless. Moreover, the little girl's thinking was very progressive, with a modern flair.
"Second Sister, you don't understand. One must plan ahead and prepare in advance! That way, you won't be caught off guard when the time comes. To be honest, I'm not worried about Grandmother, but I am worried about Father. I know Father doesn't have a very deep emotional connection with us children. If our marriages can add to the Marquis's estate, Father won't consider our happiness."
Qi Zhenzhen was quite surprised. She hadn't expected the little girl to see things so clearly.
Qi Xuanxuan continued, "Not everyone is as lucky as Second Sister, to meet someone like the Crown Prince. Although his reputation outside isn't good, since Grandmother approves of this marriage, he can't be too bad. Besides, I think the Crown Prince treats Second Sister very well. Look, before he left the capital, he would send things over from time to time, even making me look forward to them! What a good person!"
"What else?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"He's good-looking!" Qi Xuanxuan's eyes sparkled. "Which man in the capital is better looking than him? I personally feel that people, regardless of gender, have an advantage if they are good-looking."
Qi Zhenzhen agreed. He was indeed very handsome, with delicate features and a serene, aloof aura, like an immortal descended to earth.
"What is all this stuff in your little head?"
"Second Sister, do you think I can find someone as good-looking as Second Brother-in-law?" Qi Xuanxuan looked like a little infatuated girl.
"Stop, stop, stop. Don't say any more. It's too early for you to be thinking about this."
"How can it be too early? Qingqing's family has already started looking for suitors for her, and Qingqing is only a year older than me," Qi Xuanxuan said matter-of-factly.
Zisu explained from the side, "Qingqing is the Third Miss's confidante, a young lady from an Earl's manor. They get along well and often play together."
"Then should Second Sister go and talk to Grandmother, and ask her to look for someone for you? Lest the good ones get snatched away by your friends," Qi Zhenzhen joked.