Qi Zhenzhen mentioned this to Gu Sinian, who immediately refused. "This is not good for Jinrong, and it will also make the Yan family's sixth son feel that Jinrong is indispensable to him. If he continues to pester and deceive her, Jinrong, a girl who has grown up protected, might be deceived by him."
Gu Sinian's reasoning made sense. However, given the current situation, Jinrong herself had brought it up. If they prevented her from seeing him, she would surely be unhappy, and they didn't want her to do anything impulsive.
"We can make arrangements," Gu Sinian said after thinking for a moment.
After Gu Sinian explained his arrangements, Qi Zhenzhen felt that the effect might be better. It was indirectly understood that although it was more cruel, it would make Jinrong give up completely.
The next day, Qi Zhenzhen said she wanted to eat pastries from Baiwei Su and asked Jinrong to accompany her.
Jinrong wanted to speak but hesitated, ultimately saying nothing.
"The pastries from Baiwei Su are delicious, no less than those made by the imperial chefs," Qi Zhenzhen said, pretending not to notice Jinrong's conflicted expression. "Their osmanthus cake is superb, melting in your mouth. If your cousin hadn't gone early to book a private room for us, we wouldn't be able to get any even if we went now."
Jinrong forced a smile. "Then we really must try it."
The two took a carriage to Baiwei Su. Qi Zhenzhen brought Erxi, and Jinrong brought Lvxu.
Upon arrival, Erxi presented Gu Sinian's token. The shop assistant immediately led them upstairs with a fawning smile. "Your pastries will be sent over immediately; they are all freshly baked."
"Brew a pot of your signature flower tea too," Qi Zhenzhen ordered.
"Certainly, everyone knows that our flower tea tastes even better when paired with our pastries," the shop assistant said proudly.
Jinrong was distracted; she had no appetite for pastries or flower tea.
As the shop assistant opened the door to leave, two people passed by their private room and entered the one next door.
Jinrong suddenly stood up. She couldn't be mistaken; one of the two people was Yan Liulang, and he was with a woman. He was carefully supporting her, and even though she only saw his profile, Jinrong didn't miss the doting expression on his face and the smile in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Qi Zhenzhen asked her.
Jinrong slowly sat back down. "The people who just passed by were Yan Liulang, and he was with a woman."
Qi Zhenzhen raised an eyebrow. "Jinrong, are you sure you saw correctly?"
"I'm not mistaken. He's still wearing the sachet I gave him on his waist," Jinrong said with a bitter smile.
When the shop assistant brought the pastries, Qi Zhenzhen stopped him. "Which private room did those two people who just passed by go into?"
The shop assistant looked troubled. Qi Zhenzhen gave Erxi a look, and Erxi slipped him a small silver ingot.
The shop assistant lowered his voice. "Coincidentally, they went into the private room next to yours."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "Alright, you can go."
The partitions of the private rooms on the second floor were made of wood. Although they had been specially treated, it was still possible to hear sounds from the adjacent room if one made an effort.
"Erxi, Yan Liulang also knows martial arts. Be careful when you do it," Qi Zhenzhen cautioned Erxi.
"Madam, don't worry, they won't discover anything from next door."
Soon, Erxi made a hole about the size of a thumb near the window. Being in a corner, it was very inconspicuous. The layout of each private room was the same, so in Yan Liulang's room, a potted plant was placed, and the hole was right behind it.
"Xiaoyu, the doctor said you need to be happier. Excessive worry is not good for our child," Yan Liulang's voice came through clearly.