Seeing the imposing momentum, as if they were determined to kill Cheng Xiran, the old lady stepped forward without hesitation and carefully shielded Cheng Xiran behind her. "I'm warning you. Before the truth of this matter comes to light, no one is allowed to touch our Xiran."
Liu, standing beside them, fanned the flames at the right moment. "Now that we have both witnesses and evidence, what else does Mother want?"
Cheng Xiran withdrew the fake smile from the corner of her mouth and was about to engage in a hundred - round verbal battle with her when she heard the old lady say calmly, "Last time, it was also you who provided the witnesses and evidence. How do I know if you're not behind this again? I'll keep the witnesses and evidence with me for now. I'll interrogate them carefully when I get back. If there's no problem, it won't be too late to deal with Xiran."
Father Cheng was about to say something, but was silenced by a look from the old lady.
Seeing the situation start to ease, Helian Duo echoed, "The old lady is right. We should wait until early tomorrow to discuss this matter."
As the only person of high status present, once he spoke, others didn't dare to say more.
Liu and Cheng Zhiyue looked confident. This time, they had spent a great deal of money to bribe people, and they had done everything flawlessly. Since they couldn't punish Cheng Xiran now, they might as well wait until tomorrow. Anyway, she was doomed sooner or later, so there was no need to rush.
"Then I'll go and check on Ning'er's injury first..." Father Cheng cast a disgusted look at Cheng Xiran, then ordered the three or so servants behind him. "Take the eldest young lady to the ancestral shrine to reflect on her mistakes. Take the witnesses and evidence to the old lady's room. Don't make any mistakes."
"Yes!"
Cheng Xiran would never let them take her by force. Before the servants could reach her, she walked towards the ancestral shrine on her own. Before leaving, she didn't even glance at Helian Duo, not knowing that he was looking at her with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
The ancestral shrine was very quiet. Through the paper window, one could see the clear moon in the night sky. There seemed to be a rustling sound in the ears, adding a bit of mystery to the otherwise silent summer night.
"If there was a separate room in the ancestral shrine, it would be great. It's always a bit cold sleeping on the ground."
Moreover, it made her back ache.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Suddenly, a familiar male voice came into her ears. Although she didn't see the person, Cheng Xiran knew who it was. "Hasn't the prince returned to the prince's mansion?"
As the sound of footsteps got closer and Helian Duo's tall and straight figure came into view, in the dim candlelight, his exhaustion was fully revealed, which made Cheng Xiran feel inexplicably sad.
It should be because of her matter... Thinking of this, Cheng Xiran gave him a shy smile. "Actually, Your Highness doesn't need to worry about me. I can handle this matter on my own. Your Highness isn't related to me. I always trouble Your Highness, and I feel really uneasy about it."
Hearing this, the words of comfort that Helian Duo was about to say were swallowed back. He gloated and said, "I'm not worried about you. I'm just worried about Anecdotes in the Capital."
He paused for a moment and then continued, "Besides, who do you think you are? Do you think you can handle this matter just because you want to? Do you know who Ren Ning'er is and who the old lady is?"
After Helian Duo's explanation, Cheng Xiran realized that this matter was definitely not that simple. Because of what happened before, the old lady had tried every means to take revenge on her, not to mention this time.
"The old lady dotes on her granddaughter Ren Ning'er and won't care whether you're wronged or not."