"Is there any way to figure out who that shadow is?" Bai Zheng reined in her thoughts and asked.
Song Yiqing nodded. "The man sent by A Yuan has a good memory. As long as he hears this person say those four words again, he'll surely recognize him."
Bai Zheng frowned and thought deeply.
To get another chance to make this person say the four words "Who's there?"... she'd first have to see him again.
However, since he was a person of some standing in Western Liang, it was unlikely that he'd stay hidden in the Great Zhou forever, right?
Chances were that he'd choose an appropriate occasion to show his true self.
Come to think of it, wasn't the most suitable occasion in the near future...
Bai Zheng tapped her fingers lightly on the table. Leaning on one hand, she pondered seriously. "Do you think this person will show up at my wedding with the marquis?"
This possibility hadn't occurred to Song Yiqing. Now that he heard it, he thought for a moment and replied, "It's highly likely."
If one were to talk about the biggest and most bustling event in Yongding City recently, it was none other than the wedding of Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng.
The shock and attention this wedding had received were no less than that of Princess Yunxi's marriage to the Third Prince, Feng Jingxuan.
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, which was thought to have faded into the annals of the Great Zhou's history, had actually regained its vitality. Feng Linyuan, the Dingyuan Marquis, who was thought to be on his deathbed with no hope of recovery, was getting married. What could be more exciting for the people of the Great Zhou than this?
Moreover, Western Liang and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had been enemies for years after years of battles.
Now that Feng Linyuan, the Dingyuan Marquis, was getting married, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was back in the public eye.
How could the people of Western Liang not be itching to do something?
Thinking of this, Bai Zheng curled her lips slightly, her eyes shining. "There aren't many days left until the wedding. I'm really looking forward to it!"
"Can't you be a bit more reserved!" Song Yiqing couldn't help but rap the table with the handle of his fan and said with disdain, "Even if a girl is really looking forward to getting married, no one would be as direct as you."
Bai Zheng pouted. Thinking that he did have a point, she composed herself, sat up straight, and said with a demure smile, "Mr. Song is right. By the way, is this the great gift you've prepared for me?"
"Exactly." Seeing that she finally sat like a proper young lady from a good family, Song Yiqing grinned, showing his white and even teeth. "Is Miss Bai satisfied?"
How dare he ask if she was satisfied?
After all, it seemed that all this information had been found out by Feng Linyuan. He really had the nerve to take credit for someone else's work!
Bai Zheng gave him a disdainful look and countered, "Since the marquis found out all this, why didn't he come and tell me himself?"
It would save this middleman from taking a cut.
Hearing this, Song Yiqing took on a lecturing tone again. "It's inappropriate for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding."
"Inappropriate? Haha..."
Bai Zheng burst into laughter upon hearing this.
It was possible for anyone in the world to be particular about empty formalities, but Feng Linyuan was the last person to care.
"You don't need to lie to me. The marquis is not the kind of person who cares about empty formalities!" Bai Zheng said firmly.
Song Yiqing looked at Bai Zheng, who clearly didn't believe him, with a complex expression. He recalled the scene when he had rushed to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion before coming to the Bai Mansion.
At that time, Feng Linyuan, dressed in a soft silver robe with his black hair neatly tied up, was sitting under a tree looking through the account books. Liu Feng was lying beside him with its tail drooping.
"Are you going to the Bai Mansion later? Please pass a message to Zheng'er for me," Feng Linyuan said without even raising his eyes when he saw Song Yiqing approaching.
Liu Feng wagged its tail and eagerly came forward, waiting for Song Yiqing to throw it something delicious.
Song Yiqing had come in a hurry and hadn't prepared any snacks for Liu Feng. Helplessly, he spread out his hands. Immediately, Liu Feng bared its teeth and glared at Song Yiqing, as if it didn't welcome him at all and wanted to drive him away.
Furious, Song Yiqing bypassed the ungrateful beast and tugged at Feng Linyuan's robe. "I've been turned away three times. If I go there alone this time, I'm afraid I'll be turned away again. Why don't you go with me? Just lock this ungrateful beast up at home."
As if it understood what he said, Liu Feng bared its teeth even more fiercely.
"I'm not going," Feng Linyuan refused without looking up.
"Why? Don't you want to see your future wife?" Song Yiqing was puzzled.
Judging from Feng Linyuan's attitude towards Bai Zheng, he clearly doted on her very much. He sent people to follow her closely every day, fearing that something might happen to her.
The agreement between Song Yiqing and Bai Zheng had been scrutinized and revised by Feng Linyuan many times before he was allowed to show it to Bai Zheng, which was why Bai Zheng had happily signed her name.
Now, he didn't even want to go and see Bai Zheng?
Feng Linyuan gave a faint smile. Finally, he put down the account books, raised his head, and said in a steady and sincere tone, "The bride and groom shouldn't meet before the wedding."
Song Yiqing's mouth fell open.
Although Feng Linyuan's personality had changed greatly after his injury and he was no longer the young troublemaker in Yongding, Song Yiqing, who had grown up with him, knew his true nature best.
Feng Linyuan had always hated those hypocritical people who used empty formalities to pressure him. Relying on the emperor's favor, he had always done as he pleased. Even the old marquis, Feng Zhen, had been unable to control him back then.
But now, Feng Linyuan, who had never cared about empty formalities, actually said something like "the bride and groom shouldn't meet before the wedding"?
How was that possible!
"When did you start caring about these empty formalities?" Song Yiqing asked.
"If it were just about me, I naturally wouldn't care," Feng Linyuan said softly, his dark pupils filled with a gentle light. "But since it concerns Zheng'er, I must be meticulous and cautious in everything. There can't be any ill omens in our wedding."
After saying this, Liu Feng nudged its nose and drove the stunned Song Yiqing out of the marquis mansion.
Now, standing in front of Bai Zheng and seeing the expression on her face that seemed to say "don't joke with me", Song Yiqing opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word in refutation.
This woman seemed to underestimate A Yuan's deep affection for her.
But this was a matter between the young couple, and he had no say in it anyway.
Thinking of this, Song Yiqing stood up and dusted off his robe. "I've delivered the message and taken care of everything. I won't bother Miss Bai anymore. After the Song family takes over the shops and selects an auspicious day to open them, I'll inform Miss Bai."
"There's no need to select an opening date," Bai Zheng said with a smile.
"What do you mean? Has Miss Bai already set the opening date?" Song Yiqing was a bit caught off guard.
Bai Zheng didn't beat around the bush. She nodded. "Not only that, but I've also decided how to advertise before the opening."
With that, Bai Zheng waved to Song Yiqing. Curiously, Song Yiqing leaned in, and Bai Zheng told him her plan.