"Ansu! Zhangru!" Dou Zhao's face lit up with joy upon seeing the visitors. She was even so excited that she nearly let go of Wei Tingyu's hand to greet them.
But just two steps forward, Wei Tingyu held her back. Only then did she realize they were still holding hands.
Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru also noticed this scene, and both giggled softly while exchanging knowing glances. After all, they had known Dou Zhao since childhood, and had never seen her act so shy and adorably awkward before.
"You must be Miss Miao and Miss Zhao!" Wei Tingyu let go of Dou Zhao's hand once the two girls arrived, then cupped his hands in greeting.
"Greetings, My Lord!" The two girls were well-versed in etiquette. Surprised yet honored by his polite gesture, they stopped and bowed together.
"How does My Lord know these two friends of mine?" Dou Zhao was stunned for a moment before asking with a puzzled expression.
"If I'm to marry you, then naturally I must learn more about you. So even before proposing, I had already known you had two close friends. Seeing their joy upon meeting you now, I was sure it had to be them," Wei Tingyu explained with casual ease—but his logic was impeccable.
"I see." Dou Zhao nodded, her cheeks blushing a deeper red.
After all, this meant Wei Tingyu had truly paid attention to her and even carefully inquired about her before their marriage.
One could say he was quite considerate.
"Haha! You used to be so dead set against getting married, and now look at you—sweet as honey!" Miao Ansu teased upon seeing Dou Zhao's bashful demeanor.
"You... don't talk nonsense! I did no such thing…" Dou Zhao's face turned even redder. She quickly glanced at Wei Tingyu beside her and frantically gave Ansu a pleading look, urging her to stop talking!
Even Dou Zhao herself couldn't understand why she had become so addicted to this feeling of being with Wei Tingyu now.
In her past life, he had always been cold and distant, and eventually, they had even become enemies!
"But seriously, Dou Zhao, you've really changed a lot," Zhao Zhangru said, circling Dou Zhao like a scholar inspecting a specimen before speaking seriously.
"Changed? Isn't it just that I'm wearing my hair in a bun now?" Dou Zhao looked down at herself in confusion, feeling like nothing was different.
"Isn't that the change?" Zhao Zhangru chuckled. "You've become a real woman!"
"You... I'll tear that filthy mouth of yours!" Newlywed Dou Zhao couldn't bear such teasing. Her ears flushed red as she lunged to grab Zhao Zhangru.
Zhao Zhangru laughed and hid behind Miao Ansu. The three girls broke out into playful chaos.
Wei Tingyu watched from the side, thoroughly entertained.
Dou Zhao now was a charming young madam, exuding mature allure.
While Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru were two young maidens with contrasting temperaments—one calm, one lively.
Any man would have improper thoughts watching this trio frolic together.
Ahem! Wei Tingyu finally had to clear his throat and say, "If you want to keep playing, at least go inside first. You're still at the front gate..."
"Oh!" The three girls snapped out of it and blushed upon realizing the surrounding crowd staring in confusion. Ignoring Wei Tingyu, they held hands and ran into the Dou residence.
Wei Tingyu's mouth twitched. Dou Zhao! You forget your husband as soon as you see your girlfriends! Looks like I haven't left a deep enough impression over the past few days…
...
"Dou Zhao, what's that scent on you? Why do you smell so good?" Zhao Zhangru, walking on the left, sniffed and asked Dou Zhao in the middle.
"Yeah, I feel a bit dizzy just smelling it! It's such an unforgettable fragrance!" Miao Ansu, walking on the right, chimed in.
"Is it some kind of body scent that married women emit?" Zhao Zhangru didn't wait for a reply and leaned in close to Dou Zhao's neck, sniffing twice.
"Oh, stop saying weird things!" Dou Zhao frowned and cutely snapped at them, "It's something called perfume! Spray it on your body and you'll smell like this."
"Perfume? That sounds amazing!" Miao Ansu was stunned. "Where did you buy it? How much? I want one too!"
Girls could never resist something that made them smell sweet.
"Ah! It must be something only found in the marquis's residence, right? No way they sell that outside!" Zhao Zhangru said, full of envy. She'd traveled far and wide but had never heard of such a thing.
"Oh! That makes sense!" Miao Ansu nodded and glanced back at Wei Tingyu, who was trailing behind them. She agreed—if it were available to the public, it would already be wildly popular!
This only proved Dou Zhao had married into a truly good family.
Miao Ansu felt conflicted. Earlier, she saw Wei Tingyu help Dou Zhao down from the carriage and hold her hand the whole way.
Handsome, powerful, and affectionate—any girl would dream of a husband like that.
It was a pity her best friend Dou Zhao had gotten to him first.
And now, hearing about exclusive perfume from the marquis's residence made her heart ache even more.
Still, she merely felt a touch of regret. She had no intention of ruining her friend's marriage.
But attraction is hard to hide. It's either there or it isn't. You can't fake it.