Although Cheng Xiran was surprised by Helian Duo's sudden visit, at this moment she was quite grateful to him for saving her from physical punishment.
Just as she was thinking, Cheng Xiran was forcefully dragged by her father to the main hall. As soon as she entered, she saw Helian Duo sitting upright on one side, sipping the tea in his cup. Seeing Cheng Xiran being brought in like this, he was really taken aback for a moment.
She looked exactly like a cat being grabbed by the scruff of its neck.
"Kneel down!" her father roared. Then he quickly bowed to Helian Duo and said, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. My daughter offended you unintentionally. Please spare her life, Your Highness. I will surely punish her severely."
Helian Duo was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't understand what Cheng's father meant.
Cheng Xiran didn't kneel down. Naturally, she noticed Helian Duo's expression. She curled her lips into a smile and softly asked, "Your Highness came to see me?"
"Yes. I'd like to discuss Anecdotes in the Capital with the eldest young lady."
Hearing this, Cheng's father thought to himself that something was wrong. It seemed that Helian Duo really came to seek retribution.
"Your Highness, my daughter is young and ignorant. Please spare her life for my sake," Cheng's father said mournfully. "You wretch! Why don't you kneel down!"
Cheng Zhiyue was extremely excited. Her eyes even fell on Helian Duo's face. If she really became the legitimate daughter, wouldn't it be easy for her to marry the regent?
"When did I say I wanted the eldest young lady's life?" Helian Duo stood up and said.
"Ah?" Cheng's father didn't react for a moment. "Then why did you come today..."
"I'm here to talk about a business deal with the eldest young lady," Helian Duo said calmly.
Hearing Helian Duo's words, Cheng Xiran's eyes lit up. "You saw my rental advertisement?"
"What advertisement?" Helian Duo was naturally unfamiliar with such a novel term.
"It's the bold - printed words I put on the cover of the magazine," Cheng Xiran said. She had been worrying about not having a partner. Now the potential investor had come to her.
"Yes. The young master of Feiyu Villa saw those words," Helian Duo nodded. "I wonder if the eldest young lady is available?"
"Available, available. Let's go quickly. I'll lose one tael of silver for every second we delay," Cheng Xiran said with a big smile. Then she turned to comfort the old lady and followed Helian Duo away.
"This..." Cheng's father never expected things to develop like this.
"Your Highness doesn't seem angry. Could it be that His Highness really has feelings for Ran'er..." the old lady guessed involuntarily.
"I don't care about anything now. I just hope she won't drag the entire prime minister's mansion into trouble," Cheng's father said angrily.
The old lady ignored Cheng's father and turned back to her own yard. Cheng Zhiyue, who had been standing beside them, almost tore the handkerchief in her hand to pieces. She was filled with unwillingness.
Sitting in the carriage, Cheng Xiran still couldn't quite believe it. Since getting in the carriage, Helian Duo hadn't said a word, which made Cheng Xiran wonder if he was going to secretly get rid of her.
Over - imagining the situation, Cheng Xiran couldn't help shivering.
"Cold?" Helian Duo looked at Cheng Xiran and asked.
Cheng Xiran looked at the sunny June day outside. Who would feel cold on such a day?
But then, Cheng Xiran noticed a familiar magazine cover beside the soft seat. She immediately laughed and said, "Does Your Highness also read Anecdotes in the Capital? What do you think of it?"
Helian Duo's expression remained calm. He picked up the magazine on the seat. It must have been thrown there by Xue Lian and the others.
"The writing is too stiff," Helian Duo said slowly.
He had actually read Anecdotes in the Capital. Cheng Xiran's writing was quite amazing. But after all, it was about his own story, so it was really hard for Helian Duo to like it.
"Where is it stiff?" Cheng Xiran was stunned. It had been a long time since anyone had said her writing was bad.
"However, compared with your previous works, it's much better now," Helian Duo's eyes fell on Cheng Xiran's face. "You've changed a lot."
Helian Duo's eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, making Cheng Xiran feel that she had nowhere to hide.
"Your Highness has read the magazine, right?" Cheng Xiran blinked. "This is called being heart - broken by love and finally waking up."
"Change the story," Helian Duo shifted his gaze.