Before Liu could reply, she continued on her own, "Since you think this Young Master Qian is a good match, why don't you betroth Sister Zhiyue to him? Logically, such a good opportunity shouldn't fall to me."
Liu's face twitched slightly, but she still kept the smile on her face. "Your younger sister is already engaged to Yuan Qing. I think that young man is quite nice. Moreover, Young Master Qian has set his heart on you."
Cheng Xiran let out two cold laughs and didn't say a word for a while, but still stared intently at Liu, making Liu feel a bit uneasy.
"If you can really marry into the Qian Mansion, it'll be your fortune. Lord Qian is a great favorite in front of the emperor."
She could only keep talking to relieve her inner fear.
"Why don't you take this 'fortune' for yourself?"
Leaving this remark behind, Cheng Xiran got up and left without looking back. She felt sick just staying here for one more second.
"You have no say in this matter. Young Master Qian came here today and expressed his heartfelt feelings!"
Liu roared at Cheng Xiran's back, and the only response she got was the howling wind. Seeing this, Nanny Wang at the side immediately tried to console her. "Madam, don't worry. With Miss Xiao playing the match - maker in this matter, it's bound to succeed."
"Yes. If Miss Xiao Qi hadn't told me about Qian Youliang, I wouldn't even have known such a person existed. Qian Youliang is a lecher. Naturally, he'd be coveting Cheng Xiran's beauty..." Liu said with a hideous and smug look on her face. "I don't believe she can find any way to resist!"
After Cheng Xiran returned to her room, she yawned several times in a row. Maybe Liu was speaking ill of her behind her back.
However, she didn't have time to care about these things for the moment. She was extremely sleepy, so she simply washed up a bit and then fell into bed.
Early the next morning, she was woken up by the sound of Mu Li drawing her sword.
"A Li, you can't draw your sword casually in the mansion. Besides, this is Nanny Jin, a maid beside the old madam. She's a good person. What if you scare her like this?"
And Zhu Que's scolding voice.
Cheng Xiran then got up from the couch, put on an outer robe, and drowsily opened the door.
Mu Li put away her sword after seeing her and obediently stood aside. This made Cheng Xiran think of what Helian Duo had said last night... well - trained. Looking at Mu Li's upright appearance, she realized that she had to ask Helian Duo for an explanation.
Because Mu Li only seemed to listen to her.
"Sorry, Miss. I woke you up. But no matter what I said, A Li just wouldn't let Nanny Jin in."
Seeing Zhu Que looking troubled, Cheng Xiran gave her a smile and then patiently explained to Mu Li, "A Li, this is Nanny Jin. She's from the old madam's room. The old madam has been very kind to me. You don't need to worry."
Mu Li nodded slightly.
"Nanny Jin, what's the matter so early in the morning?"
Nanny Jin patted her chest and replied, "I'm here on the old madam's orders to see if Miss is awake. If you are, please come with me to the old madam's room to have breakfast alone."
Normally, it meant there was something important.
Cheng Xiran didn't dare to be slow and nodded slightly. "Okay. You go back first. I'll go there after I wash up."
Nanny Jin left after receiving the order. Before leaving, she took a look at Mu Li, who was expressionless.
"I'm not kidding. Can't you smile a bit, A Li..." Zhu Que shook her head helplessly and helped Cheng Xiran back into the room.