"Miss, the Flowing Cloud Dress is here. On my way here just now, I saw the Second Miss waiting at the mansion gate. She urged me to come and ask if you were ready." Zhuque held the Flowing Cloud Dress in her hands and spoke of Cheng Zhiyue's worthless appearance.
Cheng Xiran cast a cold glance at the dress and said, "Help me do my hair. Let Cheng Zhiyue wait a bit longer. I just can't stand the way she fawns on others."
Zhuque responded and picked up the comb beside her to help with her hair. "Miss, you didn't like to go before. Why are you suddenly willing to go?"
These words had another meaning to Cheng Xiran. She lowered her eyebrows slightly and said softly, "Zhuque, wasn't Xiao Qi very close to Prince Helian Duo before?"
"Ah?" Zhuque was a bit slow to react. "Miss Xiao grew up with the prince, so of course they have a good relationship. May I ask why you're asking this, Miss?"
So they grew up together. No wonder. Helian Duo, it's not unfair at all to depict you as a butcher in my writing. Humph!
Zhuque found a pink cloak. It must be cold on the Xuanshan Mountain, so it was better to bring an extra piece of clothing. Before going out, she double - checked that nothing was left behind and then slowly headed out.
As soon as Cheng Xiran stepped out, she saw two people standing at the mansion gate. Cheng Zhiyue had even brought Lady Liu with her. What's this? Did she have to bring her mother along just to curry favor with the powerful?
"Cheng Zhiyue, this is a flower banquet for young ladies. It's inappropriate for you to bring her." Cheng Xiran stepped forward and said coldly, showing her disgust without the slightest concealment.
Hearing this, Cheng Zhiyue looked at Lady Liu with a hesitant look and said softly, "Mother, what elder sister said makes sense. If you go with me, what will others think of me? Don't worry. I'll be fine alone."
"It's just going to a flower banquet. It's not like you'll lose your life. You're making a big deal out of nothing." Cheng Xiran glanced at them disdainfully and stepped into the slightly luxurious carriage in front. Presumably, it was prepared by Xiao Qi for her.
Lady Liu thought the words were reasonable. After instructing Cheng Zhiyue a few words, she returned to the mansion.
The carriage wheels rolled. In less than half an hour, they arrived at the foot of the Xuanshan Mountain. After getting off the carriage, Cheng Xiran saw many soldiers guarding the foot of the mountain. Judging from this arrangement, there should be soldiers standing at every entrance.
That Helian Duo really sealed off the Xuanshan Mountain. Is Xiao Qi's words really that effective to him?
The guarding soldiers blocked their way. Zhuque stepped forward and presented the visiting card before they were allowed to enter. There were also a few maids left at the foot of the mountain to guide the way, and small sedan - chairs were prepared to take them up.
The sedan - chair was very bumpy. Cheng Xiran even thought that Xiao Qi might be taking revenge on her by deliberately preparing such a sedan - chair for her. It finally stopped at the pavilion on the mountainside.
Cheng Xiran got off the sedan - chair. From afar, she saw Xiao Qi sitting not far away, chatting and laughing with several other ladies in the pavilion. At this moment, she probably understood why Helian Duo had sealed off the mountain.
The ladies sitting in the pavilion were not only the daughters of high - ranking officials but also a princess. They were all dressed gorgeously. In comparison, her and Cheng Zhiyue's careful dressing seemed a bit inferior.
Xiao Qi was talking with Princess Ziyun. When she saw Cheng Xiran, she quickly stood up and waved to them. "Sister Cheng, come quickly. I've been waiting for you for quite a while."
She sounded so affectionate, but in fact, she was just saying that Cheng Xiran had wasted time and made her wait. She was just the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, yet still acting so arrogantly in front of them.
Cheng Xiran walked forward slowly. Cheng Zhiyue behind her might have thought she was walking too slowly. She wanted to take big steps but was afraid of overtaking her, so she patiently followed behind.
After entering the pavilion, Xiao Qi sat back down. She affectionately took Cheng Xiran's hand and said with a beaming smile, "The 'Anecdotes in the Capital' I was just talking about was written by this Sister Cheng."