At noon, the three of them swaggered back to the Prime Minister's Mansion together. They did it on purpose to create a stir. But when they got there, their father was not seen at the dinner table.
Instead, Lady Liu was there, swaying gracefully. Since her status had been elevated to the principal wife, she had been dressing in bright colors, looking no different from the colorful cloth hanging on the bamboo pole in the courtyard.
The old lady was still as respectful to Helian Duo as ever, but there was also a hint of deliberate aloofness in her respect, which was different from her previous amiability. On the contrary, she doted on Xue Lianyu so much that she kept asking him questions, leaving Xue Lianyu hardly any time to answer.
This made Helian Duo, who was sitting on the main seat with the old lady, feel a bit embarrassed.
Cheng Xiran also felt a bit awkward.
"Lianyu, your father once sent me a pot of West Lake Longjing tea. I liked it so much that I've always been reluctant to drink it," the old lady said.
Xue Lianyu grinned mischievously. "If grandmother likes it, I'll send some more over later. There's no shortage of such things in our Feiyu Mountain Villa. If grandmother wants anything else, just ask. I'll do my best to get it for you."
As they chatted idly, Lady Liu noticed the subtle atmosphere. She took out a silk handkerchief and wiped her mouth gently. After glancing at Helian Duo, who was expressionless, she suddenly interrupted, "Does the prince usually talk little, or is the food in the mansion not to your taste today?"
Cheng Zhiyue couldn't help staring at him, and her eyes just wouldn't move away.
Helian Duo didn't put down his chopsticks because of this. Instead, his gaze became colder and colder, and his whole handsome face was like an iceberg.
The originally lively atmosphere suddenly became oppressive, and even the old lady stopped talking. Seeing this, Xue Lianyu had to reply on his behalf, "Madam, you may not know that I usually call him 'wooden head' because he just doesn't like to talk. So I hope madam will forgive him."
After about half a day, the old lady seemed to ignore everything and looked at Cheng Xiran and Xue Lianyu. She said earnestly, "Xiran, do you still remember what I told you last time when I looked for you? You should also remember my instructions, right?"
Seeing Xue Lianyu looking so serious, as if he had known about it in advance, Cheng Xiran couldn't help suspecting that this guy had gone to see the old lady first and must have used some means to convince her sincerely. Otherwise, why hadn't she often heard the old lady mention him actively before?
Cheng Xiran didn't expect that she had been tricked by Xue Lianyu.
Cheng Zhiyue noticed this and said jokingly, "It seems that the rumors in the capital about elder sister and Young Master Xue are not unfounded. Your feelings for each other are really enviable."
Cheng Xiran could hear the sarcasm in her words, but only Xue Lianyu was still smiling foolishly at her.
Just as Cheng Xiran was about to retort, Helian Duo on the main seat finally moved a little. He glanced at Cheng Zhiyue and then changed the topic, "As far as I know, Second Miss and Gu Yuanqing are deeply in love, aren't they? Your feelings for each other are really something others can't envy..."
He deliberately paused for a moment. Seeing Cheng Zhiyue was slightly stunned, he continued, "I wonder when you two plan to get engaged and when you plan to get married. It would also add some excitement to the Prime Minister's Mansion."
Although the topic suddenly turned to herself and she became the center of attention for a moment, Cheng Zhiyue didn't want to reply.
Because Gu Yuanqing was just a tool for her. Using him to suppress Cheng Xiran was her real purpose. There was nothing else.
Cheng Xiran observed the situation and immediately understood Helian Duo's intention. She followed his words and emphasized, "Grandmother and mother may not know that the other day, younger sister and Young Master Gu came to the newspaper office together. They were so sweet. I think younger sister and Young Master Gu are about to have good news."
The two of them were adding fuel to the fire here, making the old lady think that Cheng Zhiyue and Gu Yuanqing were in love with each other. The old lady was quite happy and finally showed a kind face to Cheng Zhiyue for the first time, "If that's really the case, then their marriage should be put on the agenda. Isn't that young man from the Gu family going to take up his post in Shoufang County in a few days? It's better to get engaged in these two days and settle down."
Unexpectedly, Cheng Zhiyue suddenly stood up and shook her head nervously, "No!"
Seeing her staring wide - eyed, the old lady couldn't help being curious, "What's wrong? Didn't you say before that you quite liked that young man?"
She said that before just to show herself in front of the old lady. After all, the old lady had always been lukewarm to Cheng Zhiyue, and Gu Yuanqing was introduced by her. How dare she say directly that he was not good?
Lady Liu was also a bit muddled. These two days she had only been happy about her elevated status and had forgotten to ask about Cheng Zhiyue's situation.
At the moment, she couldn't even make an excuse for her own daughter because she didn't know the situation either.
Both Cheng Zhiyue and Helian Duo seemed to be watching a good show. Although Cheng Zhiyue had complaints about them, she couldn't show it openly. She had to force a smile and say, "I've only known Brother Gu for a few days. It's too hasty to get engaged now."
"Yes, I was just too happy before. You're still young after all. There will be many more opportunities for you to get along in the future."
The old lady said calmly without looking at Helian Duo the whole time.
Helian Duo wasn't upset because of her coldness. He had seen all kinds of storms and was already used to such things. But Cheng Xiran seemed to mind a lot. After all, Helian Duo was her financial backer. How dare she neglect him in the slightest?
If her financial source was cut off because of the old lady's attitude, then she would have nothing to eat in the future.
All the words at the dinner table were extremely boring. Just looking at that mother - daughter pair with such overbearing attitudes, Cheng Xiran had no appetite to continue eating.
Moreover, Helian Duo ignored her completely, so she got up politely and excused herself, "Grandmother, I've finished eating. I'll leave first. You can continue chatting slowly."
Xue Lianyu was about to get up and follow, but Helian Duo, who had already stood up and left the table, pressed his shoulder with one hand, "You'd better stay here and accompany the old lady. I've finished eating too. I'll leave first."
After saying that, he directly chased after Cheng Xiran's figure and left the table. The old lady and the others got up to see them off with courtesy.
The two of them left the Cheng Mansion together. Just then, Prime Minister Cheng's carriage was coming back. Through the light - green window screen, Cheng Xiran knew who was sitting upright inside.
She stopped her steps that were about to leave directly, and Helian Duo also stopped cooperatively.
Then they saw Prime Minister Cheng getting off the carriage with the coachman's help. When he saw them, he just took a calm glance and that was all.
Cheng Xiran quickly stepped forward and saluted, "Xiran greets father..."
Before she could even exchange greetings, Prime Minister Cheng had already left with a flick of his sleeve.