Cheng Xiran hadn't seen Helian Duo or Xue Lianyu the whole day. At dusk, she simply paid a visit to their residence.
Since she had been blocked outside the door last time, this time, without her even asking, the guard at the door led her into the mansion.
"Isn't the prince in the mansion?"
"Reporting to the young lady, the prince hasn't been back since last night."
The guard respectfully led her directly to the South Courtyard... What was he thinking!
"Um, I'd better wait in the front hall."
She hadn't paid much attention due to a momentary distraction. Now that she realized it, she quickly wanted to leave, but the guard had already left, and Qiao'er was just coming out of the room with a medicine bowl in her hand.
When Qiao'er saw her, her expression changed from calm to furious in just a second.
To Cheng Xiran's surprise, Qiao'er went back into the room and soon came out again. "Miss Cheng, my young lady invites you in."
It seemed she had no choice but to go in.
She followed Qiao'er into the room with a sinking heart. The room was filled with smoke. It turned out to be the medicine stove in the outer chamber.
The fragrance of the Chinese herbal medicine gradually calmed her mind.
But then Su Yunxiu's disgusted look made her feel irritated again. She couldn't help but speak up first. "The prince disappeared after he came here yesterday afternoon. I don't know where he is. Staring at me like this won't help. I can't make him suddenly appear in front of you."
Her straightforward words left Su Yunxiu stunned for a moment. "Wasn't the prince with you? Then where on earth has he gone?"
Seeing Su Yunxiu's pale face and the freshly changed white cloth beside the bed with bloodstains on it, Cheng Xiran realized that she was seriously injured this time.
"I'm not sure either. You'd better just wait for him to come back obediently. I didn't see him at the newspaper office. I came to the mansion on the off - chance of finding him, but then I heard from the guard at the door that he hasn't been back."
Su Yunxiu's expression softened a lot. She gave a look, and Qiao'er understood and stepped forward to offer tea to Cheng Xiran.
Cheng Xiran was already used to this sudden change in attitude.
"I just want to always be by the prince's side, but he has always been trying to send me away..."
Before Cheng Xiran could even ask, Su Yunxiu started to sob softly. It seemed she was trying to play the emotional card. But Cheng Xiran didn't buy it. Or rather, she wasn't interested in the complicated relationship between Su Yunxiu and Helian Duo at all.
But Su Yunxiu just kept talking on her own. "At first, I thought the prince liked you. But recently I've noticed that there are many women around him, and there are more than just you and me who admire him."
How could she possibly like Helian Duo, that cold and narcissistic guy?
She was about to explain, but a sudden steady and powerful sound of footsteps interrupted her thought.
"You'll leave tonight. Zuo Yan has already packed your travel expenses and luggage for you. When you go south this time, go straight back to your hometown and find a way to make a living on your own. I'll have Zuo Yan take care of everything for you so that you won't have any worries."
Helian Duo's words were completely devoid of any warmth, just like the chill that surrounded him as he walked in.
Cheng Xiran couldn't help shivering and deliberately moved closer to the medicine stove.
Su Yunxiu, who was lying on the couch, was already crying loudly. She wanted to get out of bed but it was in vain. Her injury was too serious, and she simply didn't have the strength to get up. Because Helian Duo's expression was so grim, Qiao'er, who was standing beside, didn't dare to step forward to help.
She just stood there silently, keeping quiet.