Due to He Lianduo's sudden joining, the atmosphere in the private room became rather delicate. Gu Yuanqing even specially asked the waiter to serve the Drunken Immortal Brew, the signature good wine of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.
The way he catered to others like this was seen by Cheng Xiran, which made her feel that Gu Yuanqing might one day be in power, for he knew well how to conduct himself.
"It's truly my great fortune to dine with Your Highness today!"
As he said this, he toasted He Lianduo right in front of him.
He Lianduo just replied with a blank - faced "Hmm". In front of people he didn't like, he didn't want to show any expression at all. Cheng Xiran also didn't dare to act too close to him, lest Cheng Zhiyue go back and say something gossiping in front of the prime minister.
However, what Cheng Xiran didn't expect was that after sitting in silence for a while, He Lianduo's first words were addressed to Cheng Zhiyue, and his tone was even a bit gentle: "Miss Cheng of the second generation in the Cheng family, it's been some time since we last met."
Judging from Cheng Zhiyue's expression, she seemed flattered.
Immediately afterwards, she quickly nodded and replied, "Thank you for Your Highness's concern. I'm just an ordinary commoner, yet Your Highness still remembers me."
There was a hint of smile in He Lianduo's eyes. Ignoring the strange look from Gu Yuanqing, he just said to her, "Miss Cheng of the second generation in the Cheng family is extremely beautiful, proficient in all kinds of arts, and from a prominent family. How can you be an ordinary commoner?"
Cheng Zhiyue shyly lowered her eyes. She was already overjoyed, and now it was even worse, until Gu Yuanqing took her hand.
This pulled her out of the beautiful dream He Lianduo had given her.
But her cheeks were already blushing, and it was because of He Lianduo, not Gu Yuanqing.
He Lianduo glanced at her casually and then carefully savored the Drunken Immortal Brew in his hand. Taking a sip, he couldn't help but praise, "This year's Drunken Immortal Brew should taste better than next year's. This year is a year with abundant rain in the capital. The flowers and fruits that are the ingredients of this Drunken Immortal Brew have all got a more suitable climate, so they must have grown more exuberantly."
He Lianduo had no reason at all to flirt with Cheng Zhiyue. If there was one, it must be purpose - driven.
So Cheng Xiran just secretly speculated about his purpose in her heart and didn't relate this matter to herself. She never thought that He Lianduo did this to vent her anger.
Gu Yuanqing sorted out his somewhat chaotic thoughts and then slowly replied, "Your Highness is right. If Your Highness likes it, I'll have someone pack some and send it to your mansion later."
He Lianduo didn't say a word, which was regarded as a default.
After a long while, Cheng Zhiyue finally regained her senses. Thinking of her previous gaffe, she forced herself not to look at He Lianduo anymore. Otherwise, if Gu Yuanqing noticed something, she really wouldn't be able to explain herself.
"Sister, is the newly serialized story 'The Lament of Jade' a tragedy today?"
Cheng Zhiyue tried to change the topic to make her situation look less awkward.
Cheng Xiran saw it but remained calm: "Maybe because I wrote the preface and gave it this name, outsiders think it's a tragedy. But what does it matter if it's a tragedy or a comedy? Life has its joys and sorrows. I can only be sure that their story will never end."
Her words caught He Lianduo's attention.
Gu Yuanqing couldn't help but clap his hands and praise, "Miss Cheng of the first generation in the Cheng family is really talented. It's not easy for the prime minister to raise such an outstanding daughter."
As if thinking of something, he then praised Cheng Zhiyue, "Of course, as your younger sister, Zhiyue is also very intelligent."