"I saw you on the main road just now, Young Lady, but I didn't expect you to take the side path..." Zuo Yan bowed his head and made a respectful salute, looking apologetic. Then he continued, "His Highness was worried about your safety recently, so he asked me to protect you secretly. I'm really sorry that you still got caught in the rain for a while."
Is that guy really that kind - hearted?
A warm feeling welled up in Cheng Xiran's heart. She reached out to take the paper umbrella and casually asked, "Has he returned to the mansion?"
Zuo Yan shook his head slightly and replied seriously, "His Highness and Young Master Xue have gone to Lord Lu's place. They said they had important matters."
Cheng Xiran just casually let out an "oh". Then she looked up at the increasing rain and murmured, "I see. You can go back first. I can manage on my own."
Seeing the hesitant look on Zuo Yan's face, she didn't say anything more and just walked away with the umbrella in hand.
Zuo Yan still followed not far behind her as usual. Only after he saw her safely back did he return to the prince's mansion with relief. Then he went straight to Helian Duo's study. When he got permission to enter, he saw Helian Duo standing upright in front of the window with a gloomy expression. His eyes were lowered, seemingly looking at the rain.
Zuo Yan stepped forward and reported the situation. Then he heard Helian Duo lift his eyelids slightly and say in a lazy voice, "I've assigned Lian Yu to handle an important matter. Let her deal with the matter in the yamen on her own."
"Is it a bit difficult for Miss Cheng to handle this matter completely on her own?"
Zuo Yan asked without thinking. Immediately after he asked, he felt a bit regretful.
Helian Duo was slightly stunned. A look of reluctance flashed across his eyes and then disappeared with a soft sigh. "Although she explained everything during the boat ride last time, I always feel that she didn't tell me the whole truth. So this matter still needs further investigation."
Zuo Yan understood and nodded slightly, "Okay, I understand. I'll give the order right away."
"Give her some pointers when necessary... You'd better investigate Gu Yuanqing. Although those people won't follow his orders, it might be different if it's the Empress Dowager or Prime Minister Cheng."
Zuo Yan took the order and withdrew, leaving Helian Duo alone to listen to the sound of the rain.
He couldn't help but recall the passionate heartbeat he had heard before. Was it his or hers?
Zhuque's injury had almost recovered. When Cheng Xiran returned to the backyard, she was already able to get out of bed by herself. She was making all kinds of lanterns with Yun'er there, preparing to go out and have fun on the street at night in a few days.
As soon as Cheng Xiran sat down, Zhuque and Yun'er both rushed over to ask about what had happened on West Street today. Naturally, they would ask about the spy. Cheng Xiran was still angry with that female spy at the moment, so she had no mood to tell them in detail. Her tone was a bit harsh, and she kept changing the topic.
Zhuque understood and didn't ask anymore, but Yun'er was straightforward. "Is the young lady jealous?"
Jealous? How could she be jealous just because of Helian Duo?
She said angrily, "I have no feelings for him at all. I don't like him. Why would I be jealous of him? Am I crazy?"
Yun'er laughed even more. Just as she was about to argue with Cheng Xiran, Zhuque pulled her back.
"Young lady must be tired today. I'll go and prepare things for you to wash up. Go to bed early."
Cheng Xiran didn't reply but just obediently followed Zhuque back to her room. While taking a bath, she kept recalling all the things that had happened between her and Helian Duo. Even a tiny look back then was now magnified a hundred or a thousand times in her mind... Helian Duo's thin lips were very bright. She wondered if they would be soft if she kissed them. And his solid and smooth chest would surely give her a great sense of security if she leaned on it!