Cheng Xiran didn't pay much attention to the details. She just nodded slightly and said, "Hm." After that, she started to ponder over her manuscript. If she didn't write quickly, she wouldn't be able to meet the quota for the next day.
Helian Duo, however, thought she didn't want to talk to him. So he kept interrupting, "Are you going to write about Ren Ning'er?"
"What for? Do I have nothing else to write and have to waste my paper on her?"
The mention of Ren Ning'er put Cheng Xiran on high alert.
Helian Duo felt bored and stopped talking. He picked up the Surangama Sutra at hand and started reading.
After a short while, Helian Duo deliberately put down the book in his hand and glanced at Cheng Xiran sitting opposite him. At this moment, she was bowing her head and writing. Her long eyelashes were like jade fans, fluttering like flying butterflies among the flowers. Looking further down, under her delicate nose was a cherry - like red lip, charming yet cute.
"My lord, there's a young lady outside who claims to be Ren Ning'er. She says she's here to thank you for saving her last night."
The innkeeper's words interrupted his daydream.
Cheng Xiran, who had been concentrating on her manuscript, couldn't help but look up. She was a bit surprised. "Why is Ren Ning'er here?"
Helian Duo didn't really want to see Ren Ning'er at first. But seeing that Cheng Xiran cared, an idea popped into his mind. He said, "Go and invite Miss Ren in. Warm up a pot of good tea. Don't neglect her."
Cheng Xiran let out a snort and said, "Since when has the lord taken such an interest in Ren Ning'er?"
"After all, the Ren family is extremely wealthy. If I can have some dealings with them, it might be a good thing for me."
Helian Duo said seriously. Cheng Xiran pouted slightly and didn't say a word.
As the footsteps got closer, Cheng Xiran slowly put down her pen. She was about to get up and go to another room when Helian Duo stopped her. "What's wrong? The matter is all settled. Are you still afraid to see her?"
There was no time for her to reply because Ren Ning'er had gracefully walked up to them.
She didn't even glance at Cheng Xiran. Her attention was completely drawn to Helian Duo.
She acted coyly and curtsied gracefully. "I'm Ren Ning'er. Greetings to the lord. I hope the lord is well."
Helian Duo motioned for her to get up.
Although Ren Ning'er had a delicate makeup on her face, she couldn't hide her exhaustion. Was she so eager to flirt with men before she had fully recovered? Was she really that impatient?
"I'm here today to thank the lord for saving my life..." She took out a silk handkerchief from her waist, wiped her eyes and sobbed, "I don't know who is so vicious as to want to kill me. Fortunately, the lord showed up in time, so I don't have to worry anymore."
Helian Duo was about to敷衍 the situation when he heard Cheng Xiran say calmly, "Although the short - tailed pit viper doesn't often appear in the capital, all the major medical clinics in the capital have the medicine to treat the snakebite. Moreover, the lord didn't show up in time last night. He had been in the prime minister's mansion all along. Cousin, don't say the wrong thing."
Cheng Xiran didn't know why she was looking for trouble. Maybe it was because this wasn't the prime minister's mansion and Ren Ning'er couldn't do anything to her, or maybe it was because she had Helian Duo as a backer, so she dared to speak up.
"Has cousin finished her manuscript? If so, go back to the mansion as soon as possible. Have you forgotten what your father told you? It seems that your time for reflection in front of the wall hasn't passed yet."
"Cousin is right. I'll go back to the mansion now. Cousin and the lord can have a nice chat."
Cheng Xiran said this and got up to leave. She really couldn't understand what was so special about Helian Duo. Why did every girl who met him fall for him? Although he was really good - looking, it couldn't be the only reason.