Cheng Xiran watched coldly as the furious Lady Liu lost her temper, a slight curl at the corner of her lips.
This concubine mother of the original owner had always bullied the original owner. What's more, it was this concubine mother who had turned the original owner into an illiterate fool.
"Let's see who dares!" Cheng Xiran sat down leisurely, propping up her cheek with her hand. "Father hasn't said a word yet. Why are you in such a hurry, Concubine Mother? If I really disgrace the Cheng family, Father will punish me. It's not your place to worry."
In this era, the distinction between the superior and the inferior was very clear. As the eldest legitimate daughter, her status was much higher than that of Lady Liu, who was not the main wife.
"How dare you talk back to me! You're so disrespectful!"
Lady Liu noticed that Cheng Xiran's temper had changed a lot recently. She was no longer the soft - hearted girl who could be bullied at will.
"Respect? "Cheng Xiran let out a soft laugh. "I call you Concubine Mother out of respect. Otherwise, with my status as the legitimate young lady, you should bow to me properly!"
Lady Liu trembled with anger at Cheng Xiran's words. She pointed at Cheng Xiran but couldn't say a word for a long time.
"What? Concubine Mother, if you don't leave, do you want me to add a few more lines for you in my novel?" Cheng Xiran picked up her pen again and said without even looking up.
"You!" Lady Liu staggered and quickly supported herself on the old maid beside her. Finally, she left in a huff.
"Impetuous." Cheng Xiran shook her head and continued writing her novel. But when she wrote the name "Helian Duo", his face actually appeared in her mind.
He was really good - looking. No wonder the original owner was so infatuated with him.
"Cheng Xiran, you're such a face - lover." Looking at the paper stained with ink, Cheng Xiran put aside those useless thoughts in her mind.
Sure enough, this was a world that judged people by their appearance.
At this moment, in the private room of the teahouse, the "handsome guy" was being loudly ridiculed by the slouching man sitting opposite him.
"Tsk tsk tsk. I thought His Highness the Regent would spend the night in the Prime Minister's Mansion and forget about me waiting here to have tea with you."
Xue Lianyu waved his jade - bone fan and gloated as he looked at Helian Duo, only to receive a glare.
"Don't, don't. I'm just joking." Xue Lianyu shrank back and said, "It seems that Miss Cheng has no intention of stopping this thing called a magazine?"
Hearing this, Helian Duo couldn't help frowning.
"However... I'm curious whether Miss Cheng lacks funds and has the intention to cooperate?" Xue Lianyu raised his eyebrows slightly, which made Helian Duo look at him.
"What do you want to do?" Helian Duo knew Xue Lianyu well. This guy was completely obsessed with money. He was a cunning merchant who was always thinking about making money.
"Regardless of what was written in Anecdotes of the Capital, the magazine itself was something unheard of. I've also read the content. It's extremely novel. It has only been out for a few days, but it has already become famous in the capital. Almost everyone has a copy."
Xue Lianyu looked down at the tea leaves unfurling in his cup, and only then could people notice a small mole on his eyelid.
"Moreover, this can be used for more than just making money."
Xue Lianyu was a merchant, and he was extremely sensitive to business and making money. Naturally, he had noticed the hidden value behind Anecdotes of the Capital.
"Popular support." Helian Duo uttered these two words. Naturally, he hadn't overlooked this point.
If something was so popular among the common people, it would be very easy to guide public opinion. If it could be properly utilized...
But after all, the magazine was writing about his own affairs. Moreover, if their Feiyu Villa really got involved, it would be impossible to stop the publication.
Thinking of this, Helian Duo suddenly felt a headache for no reason. When had Cheng Xiran ever made him so troubled?
"Your Highness, just sacrifice your good looks. For the greater good, right?" Seeing Helian Duo's expression, Xue Lianyu knew there was a chance and resumed his lazy look.
"Get out."
"Sure!"
On the other side, Cheng Xiran really found that she was running short of funds.