Seeing Cheng Xiran get up, Chu Liyin obediently stood up too.
The old lady's face showed obvious displeasure, and her tone was no longer as gentle as before. "There are guests here. Aren't you ashamed..."
It was obvious that her words were directed at Minister Cheng and his wife, Liu.
Then, she quickly changed her expression into a kind one. She waved at Cheng Xiran and Chu Liyin, motioning them to leave directly. "You two little girls should have a great time. Don't worry about us here. Remember not to play too late and make people worry. I'll send someone to look for you when it's time."
The two of them curtsied. Then, right under the noses of Minister Cheng and his wife, they slipped away. Before leaving the Cheng Mansion, Cheng Xiran called Zhuque and Yun'er, and fortunately, the old lady agreed.
After leaving the Cheng Mansion, Cheng Xiran felt refreshed, no longer feeling the previous sense of grievance.
Seeing Chu Liyin looking preoccupied, Cheng Xiran comforted her, "It's okay. They can't bully me."
To her surprise, as soon as she finished speaking, the little girl suddenly stopped in her tracks. Then she hugged Cheng Xiran tightly, patted her on the back gently, and said softly, "Sister must marry a man of high status. Then no one will dare to bully you."
Zhuque and Yun'er burst into laughter, amused by her innocence.
Cheng Xiran imitated her serious look and asked, "Then who do you think I should marry?"
Without hesitation, Chu Liyin replied, "The prince! He is kind, handsome, and the regent. If you marry him, you won't have to worry for the rest of your life!"
A slight ripple appeared in Cheng Xiran's eyes, but it soon disappeared. "Forget it. High positions come with great loneliness. Besides, I'm just an ordinary woman. How dare I aspire to marry him?"
"But I think the prince really cares about you..." Chu Liyin murmured indifferently.
Maybe he cared about her abilities and the fact that she was a weak woman, so he had risked his life to save her that day. After all, her newspaper office had secretly gathered a lot of information for him.
Well, today was a good day. Why think about these useless things?
Cheng Xiran came back to her senses and quickened her pace towards the newspaper office. Xue Lianyu had told her in advance that they would meet there. Although she was too lazy to play with Xue Lianyu, since Chu Liyin was infatuated with him, if she could match them up, wouldn't she be helping to create a good marriage?
When the four of them arrived at the newspaper office, they saw Xue Lianyu sitting leisurely by the window, holding a teacup and looking at the passing girls lovingly.
Cheng Xiran gave him a disdainful look, then sat down alone. Not seeing the other person in the newspaper office, she casually asked, "Are you the only one here?"
Xue Lianyu wanted to come closer, but Chu Liyin stopped him with one hand. So he had to sit obediently in his place and pouted. "Mu Tou never likes to be in a crowd. So I didn't invite him today. I guess that guy would rather stay at home reading books by the lamp."
"The prince doesn't like crowds, but it doesn't mean he never does. We're all friends. If he's not here for the lantern festival tonight, it will be so boring..." Chu Liyin paused for a moment and then started to persuade Xue Lianyu. "Go and invite the prince. It's such a nice day. He must be bored staying at home alone."
Cheng Xiran tried her best to keep a calm expression on her face.