Xue Lianyu also came over upon hearing the sound. Seeing that Cheng Xiran was enjoying the food, he picked up a piece and tasted it. Then he casually asked, "By the way, aren't you supposed to be at the Cui Mansion at this time? Why did you come back so early?"
Helian Duo was quite straightforward. After looking down at Cheng Xiran, who was eating with gusto, he replied coldly, "The night banquet hadn't started yet. I said I still had official business to attend to and came back first. It was really boring there. I didn't want to stay any longer."
Cheng Xiran chewed the last bite of the pastry hard and took a sip of hot tea. She felt really happy and couldn't help smiling at him. "Did you see Mrs. Liu and Cheng Zhiyue?"
Helian Duo stared at the crumbs on her lips for a while. For a moment, he wanted to reach out and wipe them off, but he withdrew his hand just as he stretched it out. Was he being too obvious?
"Why are you staring at me?" Cheng Xiran noticed his strange expression and asked again.
Helian Duo quickly averted his gaze and coughed twice to relieve the awkward atmosphere. His tone softened a bit. "You'd better wipe your mouth."
Before she could reply, Helian Duo glanced at the gradually darkening sky outside the window and continued, "Although General Cui is a general with remarkable military achievements, the former emperor bestowed many valuable things on him, but he didn't accept any of them. He is frugal and kind - hearted, and is quite respected in this area..."
Seeing that he deliberately paused, Cheng Xiran quickly wiped her mouth and said with a soft smile, "But this Mrs. Liu, in order to show her status as the main wife, dresses up in a flashy and plump way. Since all the guests at the banquet are noble people, they must be secretly laughing at my father for promoting such a woman to be his main wife."
Xue Lianyu listened to their vivid description and could already picture it in his mind. He asked curiously, "By the way, when did your father promote her? Why didn't I know about this?"
It was not until Cheng Xiran described yesterday's event calmly that Helian Duo and Xue Lianyu suddenly understood.
"I'll rely on you two for more care in the future."
Cheng Xiran looked meaningfully at Xue Lianyu and Helian Duo. Helian Duo looked expressionless as if he was thinking, while Xue Lianyu patted his chest confidently and said, "Don't worry. If you need to, you can just move into Feiyu Mountain Villa. I'll send someone to take good care of you every day."
But Helian Duo suddenly interrupted, "It's as if you didn't rely on us before."
Who knew what got into him today? He seemed to pick on everyone... Cheng Xiran was too lazy to talk to him. Suddenly, the pastry in her hand didn't seem delicious anymore. She simply wiped her mouth, closed the brocade box, and looked at Xue Lianyu mysteriously. "Take me there earlier tonight. Otherwise, I'm afraid they'll lock the door if we go back late."
At the mention of this, Xue Lianyu got excited. "Sure, no problem. I've already made the arrangements. We'll go as soon as it gets dark."
Helian Duo was confused. After hearing their conversation, he frowned tightly and asked seriously, "Where are you going tonight?"
Xue Lianyu was about to answer, but Cheng Xiran stopped him in time. "Your Highness, it seems that it has nothing to do with you where we're going. Anyway, you just need to know that we're not causing you any trouble."
He could hear the strange tone in her voice. Helian Duo just gave her a disdainful look and said nothing more.
After sitting in silence for a while, Zuo Yan came to find Helian Duo. The two whispered something to each other and then left directly.