Regarding his rather annoying habit of keeping people in suspense, Cheng Xiran had long since grown accustomed to it. She took the initiative to continue his train of thought and deduced, "You mean there's a possibility that this was just someone's prank?"
"We can't rule out the possibility that Su Yunxiu did it herself. Maybe she wanted to gain Mu Tou's sympathy..."
Xue Lianyu stated without exaggeration. It was indeed a possibility.
But the more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed. How could anyone be willing to harm themselves just to attract a man's attention?
Chu Liyin was already feeling drowsy beside them.
"He Lian Duo has great power and influence. There must be many people who want to harm him. How can you be so sure that it's more likely that Su Yunxiu did it herself?"
As they spoke, the situation seemed to be becoming clearer.
Hearing this question, Xue Lianyu wore a self - satisfied look on his face. "Because he's a very shrewd man. It's impossible for someone to easily damage his belongings or harm the people around him."
It seemed that He Lian Duo was indeed quite capable, otherwise Xue Lianyu wouldn't have been so certain.
"Forget it. I'm not interested. I'll just continue to work on my story."
Cheng Xiran left for another room, and Chu Liyin followed... to go to sleep.
She stayed at the newspaper office for the whole afternoon. By the time the sky was filled with colorful clouds, He Lian Duo still hadn't returned.
Afraid of giving the people at home any chance to criticize her, she didn't wait any longer and returned to the mansion.
Even before she reached the mansion gate, she noticed several servants. Their uniforms were not those of the mansion's servants, so it seemed that there was a visitor in the prime minister's mansion.
"The eldest young lady is back," the butler said respectfully as he bowed to her.
Cheng Xiran nodded in acknowledgement and casually asked, "Who is the visitor inside?"
"Reporting to the young lady, the visitor is Master Gu. He just passed the imperial examination and returned some time ago. He came to visit today, seemingly to discuss the marriage of the second young lady."
"Oh, so that's the reason."
Cheng Xiran curled her lips. After entering the mansion, she originally planned to take the side door to the back yard, but was called to a halt by Mrs. Liu.
"Xiran, there's a visitor at home. Why don't you come and say hello?"
Mrs. Liu had noticed her from such a distance. It seemed that she had done it on purpose.
Cheng Xiran quickly walked over. After bowing, she didn't even look at this so - called Master Gu. Instead, her eyes fell on the valuable ornaments and fabrics on the table. This Master Gu was really generous.
Mrs. Liu followed her gaze. She pretended to be a kind and gentle wife and mother. She even patted Cheng Xiran lightly and said with an affectionate look, "Xiran, do you like any of these fabrics? Pick some. Later, we can ask the maids to make clothes for you."
"Step - mother, isn't this inappropriate? After all, these are my sister's things," Cheng Xiran played along.
Mrs. Liu forced a laugh. "Look at what you're saying, child. You two are sisters. Your sister's things are yours, aren't they?"
Since Mrs. Liu was being so kind, Cheng Xiran couldn't refuse. In front of Cheng Zhiyue, she picked several bolts of cloth in colors that Cheng Zhiyue liked and took two hairpins. After that, she pretended to be embarrassed and said, "I'm really lucky today because of my sister. I've never had such things before."
She deliberately lowered her voice when she said the last sentence. She didn't know if the people present had heard it.
Anyway, Mrs. Liu's face instantly turned ashen. It seemed that her words had achieved the desired effect.
"I've heard about the charm of the eldest young lady of the Cheng family from others when I was in Bingzhou. I must say, seeing is believing."