Chapter 38

Gu Nanyan wasn't well-versed in romantic affairs. She was constantly occupied with matters of state in the Great Qi era and had no time to spare. Moreover, her personal life wasn't merely private matters, but public affairs that affected the nation as a whole.

Different forces harbored their own devious plans; some aimed to use her royal descent to dispatch her to a distant fief, away from the power's center. Others wished to exploit her title as the Princess of Zhenguo to intervene in politics. There were even those scheming to sow discord between her and her younger brother.

In order to counteract these schemes, Gu Nanyan declared she would not marry until her brother was of marrying age. This declaration resulted in her remaining unwed until the age of 28, and she remained so until her death.

In reality, Gu Nanyan had long been prepared for a life of spinsterhood. The men of Great Qi typically got engaged early; the meritorious ones were usually betrothed by seventeen or eighteen. Those who she waited for, deliberately remaining unmarried were often up to no good and Gu Nanyan held no regard for them.

She had initially thought that she would spend her life unmarried, but surprising circumstances led her to become reincarnated in the modern world. People here generally married later in life. Zhan Lingfeng, for instance, would have had a child old enough to run errands if we were still in the Great Qi era, yet here, he remained a bachelor.

Gu Nanyan took the selection of her partner very seriously and, despite not meeting him yet, she had unearthed and studied a lot of information about Zhan Lingfeng.

She was rather pleased with Zhan Lingfeng.

She considered the possibility of cultivating him to her liking, and if he truly did not meet her standards, she would simply switch.

Despite having no personal experience, Gu Nanyan did not think that love was anything too complicated. She had witnessed her emperor-father and empress-mother's interactions enough to form her own expectations. She demanded not much but that Zhan Lingfeng should match at least half of the standards her mother had set and that should suffice.

The house rules she set were simple and should not be a burden for Zhan Lingfeng.

But this was Gu Nanyan's perception. Contrarily, it left the rest of the people in the house in complete awe.

They could hardly believe what they were hearing.

The lady of the house was setting rules for the master?

Everyone gasped. Although the master appeared gentle, he was notably distant and cold, pushing people away discreetly. His autonomy was unparalleled. Since childhood, he had been making his own rules with very little interference, even from elder lady.

But now, his wife was dictating the house rules!

The servants held their breaths and lowered their heads, refraining from making any eye contact.

Zhan's mother, Zhan Yiran, were both equally flustered, not knowing what to say.

As for Hua Ying'an, she wouldn't interfere. She was an outsider and had no business meddling in their marital affairs.

The atmosphere went tense for a moment.

Zhan Lingfeng eyed Gu Nanyan, marveling at her audacity to even think about setting rules for him. A snicker escaped his lips just as he prepared to retort.

The disgruntled voice of Gu Nanyan was heard, “I don't like you laughing like that. Don't laugh like that again."

Zhan Lingfeng: "......"

So, she even dictates how he laughs now. That's some audacity.

Gu Nanyan was always fair-minded. This wasn't the ancient era, and she wasn't the Princess of Zhenguo. She didn't wish to suppress others with her authority. Plus they were to be husband and wife, they must respect one another.

Back in the days of Great Qi, despite her father's imperial status, he never condescended her mother. On the contrary, they respected and cherished each other, behaving like ordinary couples.

Zhan Lingfeng: "......"

Oh, so he was supposed to peel the shrimps for her!

"Pfft!" Someone couldn't hold back a chuckle.

With one glance from Zhan Lingfeng, that person stopped.

Everyone quickly bowed their heads, acting as if absorbed in their own tasks, avoiding unnecessary movements or stares.

Even Zhan's Mother and Zhan Yiran were biting their lips to suppress their laughter.

It was so funny. They thought Gu Nanyan was going to peel the shrimps for Zhan Lingfeng, but turns out, she wanted him to do it.

By the look on his face, Zhan Lingfeng must have thought the same.

Served him right. He made a fool of himself.

Perfect!

If not for Zhan Lingfeng's overpowering presence, Zhan Yiran would like nothing more than to burst out laughing and have a dig at him.

Zhan Lingfeng's eyes darkened. He knew all were waiting for the moment to laugh at him.

He hated being a laughing stock. He wanted to flip the plate of shrimps; however, he acknowledged his earlier misbehavior.

While Gu Nanyan was seriously setting household rules, Zhan Lingfeng sneered lightly, mocking her. In front of Gu Nanyan, Zhan Lingfeng naturally lost some of his momentum, feeling guilty.

Zhan Lingfeng sighed softly in his heart, thinking that peeling shrimp was a good way of showing remorse.

With this in mind, Zhan Lingfeng cleaned his hands with a wet wipe and put on disposable gloves. With his head down, he started peeling the shrimp.

Zhan Lingfeng was meticulous in everything he did, striving for perfection, even in peeling shrimp. Not a single strand of antennae was left on the clean, plump shrimp.

He placed the peeled shrimp on Gu Nanyan's plate.

Gu Nanyan sat elegantly in her chair, waiting naturally for Zhan Lingfeng to peel the shrimp. Her straight posture, slender neck, and fingers, white as scallions, all seemed to suggest she was born to be served.

Gu Nanyan glanced at the shrimp and was very satisfied with Zhan Lingfeng's skill. She picked up the shrimp with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.

Being a princess of the royal family, Gu Nanyan was taught etiquette from a young age, and her elegant and dignified demeanor permeated every movement and speech she made.

Her eating manner was very graceful. Without showing her teeth or making chewing noises, she finished eating the shrimp quickly and elegantly.

As Zhan Lingfeng peeled one, she ate one.

Gradually, watching Gu Nanyan, her eyes squinting slightly as she enjoyed the food, Zhan Lingfeng felt a sense of satisfaction, as if he was hand-feeding her.

He wished to continue feeding her like this forever.