The warm air inside the room blew towards her, gradually warming up Cheng Xiran's frozen body after staying outside for so long. She moved her stiff legs and then stepped in.
Seeing Cheng Xiran enter, the maidservant standing aside bowed slightly and then lifted the curtain embroidered with a hundred good - luck characters. Faint voices and the aroma of pastries came from inside.
It wasn't mealtime yet, and those pastries and tea were for a little snack.
After Cheng Xiran entered, she saw Mrs. Ren and the old lady of the Cheng family sitting on the cushioned couch, chatting and smiling. There were quite a few tea fruits on the wooden table in the middle, and several maidservants were standing aside with food boxes, waiting on them.
All the people in the room were female relatives. The men were in the front hall, having tea and chatting.
Liu was sitting on the left - hand stool, closest to the two old ladies. She was accompanied by Cheng Zhiyue and several maids. On the right, Ren Ning'er was sitting beside Miss Ren Tingting, the third daughter of the Ren family. At this moment, Ren Tingting's eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying.
Cheng Xiran scanned everyone in the hall and then bowed slightly to the two old ladies.
Mrs. Ren turned to look at Cheng Xiran and said with a smile, "It's been a few years. Miss Cheng has grown up a lot. I've heard that you've made quite a name for yourself and even won the emperor's praise."
Cheng Xiran lowered her head and said, "You're over - praising me, madam. It's just that the emperor took a fancy to me. It's not really praise."
Mrs. Ren looked at Cheng Xiran with a smile. "Miss Cheng is not young anymore. It's time to find a match for you. Sister, I have a suitable candidate among my relatives."
Hearing this, the old lady of the Cheng family quickly said, "That's just perfect. I've been worrying about finding a good family for Xiran. If you have a suitable one, it won't hurt for her to meet him."
Hearing this, Cheng Xiran glanced at Ren Ning'er, who seemed to be enjoying the show. She knew that this matter was not that simple. However, she still wanted to see what Mrs. Ren was up to, so she kept silent and listened.
Taking the opportunity, Liu interrupted and flattered, "Xiran is good in every aspect, but her reputation is not very good. The story about her and the prince has spread far and wide. I wonder if that family would mind."
Hearing this, Mrs. Ren waved her hand with a smile and said, "It doesn't matter. As long as she's pure." As she said this, Mrs. Ren also glanced at Cheng Xiran, as if she was a bit suspicious.
"Of course." Liu then asked, "I wonder what that family is like?"
"The family has only one son. He's a bit older and has been married once. But he and his wife haven't had any children after several years of marriage. He's eager for an heir, so he wants to marry again. He has the title of a scholar. If Xiran marries into their family and can bear children, she will surely be well - treated."
Hearing this, Cheng Xiran couldn't help but sneer. It turned out that not only was the man old, but he was also a widower. They just wanted her to marry in and have children. Were they treating her like a baby - making machine?
"Mrs. Ren, while your own children's marriages are still unsettled, you're trying to interfere in other people's affairs. Could it be that the Ren family is deliberately pushing someone they don't want onto the prime minister's mansion?" Cheng Xiran said calmly.
Before coming here, she had made some inquiries. Ren Ning'er had a very bad reputation in Wujin Town. The story of her eloping with her lover had spread like wildfire. In order to marry off his daughter, Mr. Ren had found such a marriage for her. Since Ren Ning'er was unwilling, she had set her sights on Cheng Xiran.
Mrs. Ren's smile froze on her face immediately. The originally warm atmosphere in the room turned a bit cold. Mrs. Ren glared angrily. "The marriages of children are always decided by their parents. I'm just suggesting a candidate to my sister. If you don't like it, we can change it."
"Change? How? And to whom?" Cheng Xiran pressed on relentlessly, giving Mrs. Ren no chance to catch her breath.