Hearing this, Cheng Xiran didn't say a word but just smiled. After some thought, Helian Duo followed Gu Yuanqing's words and continued to praise, "Actually, the second young lady has also written a few poems. I've been fortunate enough to read them. Her writing is no worse than the eldest young lady's."
After saying that, Helian Duo winked at Cheng Xiran. She couldn't understand his intention. She didn't know if his look was to show off to her or to explain something. Anyway, she couldn't figure it out.
But Cheng Zhiyue was different. Hearing Helian Duo's words, she blushed again involuntarily. Her tone was soft and gentle. "Your Highness, you're overpraising me. How can I be compared with my elder sister? But still, thank you for your kindness."
Saying so, she got up and curtsied to him.
Helian Duo waved his hand lazily, signaling her to sit down.
Cheng Xiran suddenly thought that Gu Yuanqing's green outfit today really matched the current mood.
She couldn't help smiling, but was stared at by Cheng Zhiyue. Seeing the look of puzzlement on her face, Cheng Zhiyue asked, "Sister, what are you laughing at?"
"It's nothing. I just suddenly thought of someone. That's all," Cheng Xiran explained in a hurry.
Gu Yuanqing coughed lightly twice and joked, "Speaking of this, there's one thing I'm really curious about. I'd like to ask the eldest young lady. I hope the eldest young lady won't hesitate to enlighten me."
Cheng Xiran just listened quietly.
Gu Yuanqing subconsciously glanced at Helian Duo before asking, "I've heard that Young Master Xue from Feiyu Villa has some feelings for the eldest young lady. I wonder if it's true?"
Helian Duo's face changed suddenly, but fortunately, he reacted quickly and soon returned to normal. He picked up the wine cup beside him and took a sip.
But Cheng Xiran handled it with ease and showed no sign of panic at all. "Young Master Xue is the biggest shareholder of our newspaper office. I have a friendship with him like that between friends. If it seems to outsiders that there's something more between us, it's just a marketing strategy. So whether Young Master Gu believes it or not is up to you."
Helian Duo curled his thin lips slightly and thought to himself that Cheng Xiran had really made progress.
It seemed that she could handle things on her own now.
Gu Yuanqing was temporarily at a loss for words.
For the next half an hour, Helian Duo didn't say a single word. Maybe it was because Cheng Xiran could handle the situation, so he could just enjoy his meal in peace.
Even though Gu Yuanqing was very sophisticated and tried to please others, since he met Helian Duo, no matter how many tricks he had, they were nothing in Helian Duo's eyes. So he had no choice but to give up.
The four of them parted ways at the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Tower. It was Gu Yuanqing who first proposed, "Your Highness, I still have some things to deal with. So I'll go back with Miss Zhiyue first. I won't bother you anymore."
Helian Duo just nodded and then turned around and walked in the opposite direction.
Cheng Xiran had no choice but to follow him silently. She didn't dare to get too close or walk side by side with him. After all, she knew that she had tricked him today, so she had to be very careful.
It wasn't until Helian Duo stopped in his tracks and called out to her loudly, "Cheng Xiran, when did I become a plaything for you to amuse yourself?"
Cheng Xiran almost failed to stop in time and bumped into him. She was so frightened that she was still in a state of shock. She bit her lower lip gently. After thinking for a long time, she finally found an excuse for herself. "I just wanted to annoy Cheng Zhiyue and dampen their arrogance."
"So you can just use me so openly..." Naturally, it brought Helian Duo's cold - voiced question, "Cheng Xiran, do you think they're worthy of sitting at the same table with me with my status?"