If there was a problem with the newspaper office, it meant there was a problem with her livelihood. And if her livelihood was in jeopardy, how could she have the nerve to sleep soundly?
With this in mind, Cheng Xiran forced herself to open her eyes. Supported by Yun'er, she got up. Since things were so urgent, Yun'er didn't have time to help her wash up. Instead, she fetched the Shu brocade cloak beside the bed and carefully wrapped it around her. "Take it easy, miss. Watch your step."
As soon as she stepped out of the room, a sudden cold wind hit her, instantly waking her up. Unconsciously, she quickened her pace.
Before reaching the mansion gate, she could faintly hear the extremely worried voice of the shopkeeper from outside. "Please go in and inform her again. This matter is really urgent. It concerns the safety of the newspaper office. I really can't handle it alone."
Hearing this, the butler turned around. Seeing Cheng Xiran approaching, he quickly stepped forward. "Miss, you're awake."
Cheng Xiran just nodded. Then she quickly walked up to the shopkeeper and calmly asked, "Shopkeeper, what exactly happened to the newspaper office?"
"About an hour ago, I was having a good rest in the backyard. But for some reason, there were strange noises from the front. I thought it was odd, so I got up and walked towards the front to find out. But the closer I got, the louder the noise became. I was so scared that I didn't dare to go any further. After everyone left, I lit a lamp and only then did I realize that all the books and manuscripts in the main hall had been ransacked, the doors and windows had been smashed, and the scene was in a complete mess..."
"Did anything go missing..." Cheng Xiran paused for a moment. As if thinking of something, she widened her eyes and continued, "Was the glazed flower vase in my upstairs room stolen?"
It wasn't that she particularly liked the vase. She was mainly afraid that once Helian Duo noticed it was missing, he might indirectly blame her, and then she wouldn't be able to defend herself.
The panicked look in the shopkeeper's eyes gradually faded. "I saw the glazed flower vase. It's intact. But hundreds of already - printed newspapers were either burned or crumpled. None of them were left in good condition... It seems we won't be able to sell any newspapers today."
"I think I already know who did it." Cheng Xiran gently pursed her red lips. She already had an idea in mind.
After much thought, she told the shopkeeper to go back first and asked him to find some craftsmen to repair the newspaper office after dawn. After watching his thin figure gradually disappear from her sight, Cheng Xiran turned back.
The butler said something behind her, probably asking what she was going to do.
What could she do? Naturally, she went back to catch some more sleep. Yun'er didn't dare to ask more and just served her to rest.
If she hadn't heard Yun'er mention this when she woke up, she might have thought she had just had a long and realistic dream.
After having a simple breakfast, she set off for the newspaper office. The shopkeeper was very responsible. When she arrived, there were carpenters already working at the door. So she inspected the whole place thoroughly, which made her even more certain of her previous speculation.
Seeing her come, the shopkeeper stepped forward and deliberately lowered his voice. "The newspaper office on West Street updated today with the content you wrote yesterday. People outside are all talking about which one of our two newspaper offices is the real one."
"I didn't expect them to be so capable. This time, I didn't think it through. I was careless."