Seeing him scratching his head and ears, Cheng Xiran felt like laughing for a moment but managed to hold it back. She said seriously, "Oh, I ate something bad, which caused an allergic reaction on my face and these rashes. So, of course, I look a bit different from the portrait."
Seeing that they still didn't believe her, Cheng Xiran gradually lost her patience. She gave A Li a look. After the brocade box was handed to the guard, Cheng Xiran said again, "Since you don't believe me, please return this to your young master yourself and convey my thanks on my behalf."
"Please forgive us, Miss Cheng. Coincidentally, the young master went out with Miss Xiao half an hour ago. I'll return this item, and I'll also report to the young master truthfully about your visit today."
The guard at the gate was quite polite. Just as the rumors said, Lord Qian was good at governing, but he was helpless when it came to disciplining his eldest son. It was really lamentable and hateful.
Cheng Xiran deliberately stayed a while longer so that the guard could clearly see her appearance.
After that, she and Mu Li turned back on their way. Maybe because they were not familiar with each other yet, when Cheng Xiran tried to strike up a conversation to relieve the boredom, Mu Li always answered irrelevantly, not knowing what to say.
"I noticed that you got along well with Zuo Yan just now. Did you practice martial arts together when you were kids?"
Hearing this, Mu Li gave a soft "hmm" and said, "Zuo Yan and I were orphans since childhood. We were bought together and grew up with the prince."
Cheng Xiran couldn't help sighing, "The prince, Helian Duo, is really generous... But you should be able to go back after protecting me for this period, right?"
Mu Li said calmly, "The prince told me that day that I should protect you until death."
Cheng Xiran's heart skipped a beat, and her steps slowed down.
It was obvious that Mu Li was Helian Duo's confidant... Would she tell him about today's events when she got back?
Just as she was thinking whether to ask, Mu Li seemed to have guessed her mind. With a sincere look on her face, she said, "Miss, don't worry. Now I'm your servant. I'll put your affairs first. Even if the prince asks, I won't say a word."
She paused for a moment and then added, "But the prince won't ask, because if he wants to know, he has thousands of ways."
He is really amazing... Cheng Xiran silently complained in her heart.
The two returned to the Cheng Mansion together. At the gate, they ran into Cheng Zhiyue who was seeing Gu Yuanqing off.
The expressions on their faces showed obvious surprise when they saw her.
"Why do you and Brother Gu look at me as if you've seen a ghost?"
Cheng Xiran walked towards them with a smiling face, deliberately keeping a certain distance from them.
She wasn't afraid that Cheng Zhiyue would notice anything strange, but she wasn't sure about Gu Yuanqing. Since he was so meticulous in plotting against her, he must have his own ways of dealing with people. If he noticed that she was deliberately disguising herself, it would be difficult to handle.
Gu Yuanqing looked at her with a more thoughtful look in his eyes. Cheng Xiran didn't avoid his gaze. Instead, she gave him a slight sneer.
Cheng Zhiyue's mouth opened so wide that it could fit an egg. "What's wrong with you?"
"It's okay. I just ate something bad and had an allergic reaction. The doctor said that I'll get better after resting for a few days and applying some ointment."
Cheng Xiran said expressionlessly. Seeing the corners of Cheng Zhiyue's mouth rising, she ignored it and just wanted to walk past them and go in. But Gu Yuanqing softly called her to stop. "I know a doctor with excellent medical skills. Do you want me to invite him to treat you?"
He deliberately paused for a moment, and his tone became a bit strange. Then he continued, "After all, the annual Hundred Flowers Banquet is just a few days away. And you've become well - known this year. I think the Empress Dowager is very eager to meet you. You must take good care of yourself in these few days. Otherwise, if you delay something important, it might have a negative impact on you and the Cheng family."
Cheng Xiran understood the implication in his words. She also understood the threat in them.
"I'll keep what you said in mind, Brother Gu. I'll take good care of myself these days and won't affect the Hundred Flowers Banquet."
Cheng Zhiyue didn't understand the stakes. She just thought that Gu Yuanqing was caring about Cheng Xiran. She couldn't help glaring at him a few times and then walked inside. Gu Yuanqing quickly followed her and coaxed her gently.
Cheng Xiran couldn't help sneering. After returning to her own courtyard, she didn't see Chu Liyin after looking around. So she called Yun'er and asked a few questions. Only then did she know that someone from Feiyu Villa had picked her up half an hour ago.
It was good this way. She didn't have to pretend in front of her.
"It's really strange. That person said that the master of the villa, Xue, suddenly fell ill, so Miss Chu agreed to go back with them in advance..." Yun'er said while pouring tea for her. "Miss Chu asked me to convey a message that she'll come to play with you in a few days."
"Master Xue knows how to adapt to the situation. No wonder Feiyu Villa has always refused to be recruited by the court, but it can still thrive in the court and the martial arts world, without being excluded but being respected. It has remained prosperous for a long time. It's really a great wisdom."
Cheng Xiran's sudden sigh made Yun'er confused. She couldn't help asking, "Miss, what does Miss Chu's return have to do with Master Xue?"
Cheng Xiran pursed her lips slightly and smiled without saying a word.