Cheng Xiran, Mu Li, and the old woman all looked in the same direction. From afar, they could see a man holding a long sword striding towards them. The killing intent exuding from his body was far stronger than that in Helian Duo's eyes.
The old woman was so frightened that she knocked over the just - wrapped wontons in front of her. She wanted to run but was reluctant to leave them, so she quickly bent down to pick them up. Cheng Xiran immediately rushed over, helped her up, and led her to hide in a small corner.
Mu Li hadn't even said a word, yet Cheng Xiran had already done everything she should. This made Helian Duo very pleased.
"It's you! You've caused our young master so much trouble. You were also the one who secretly played tricks on him in the Qian Mansion last night, weren't you?"
The man rushed towards Helian Duo and soon got into a fight with him. The night was extremely dark. Cheng Xiran couldn't see clearly. She only saw two sword lights criss - crossing each other.
"What was your purpose for inviting our young master to the brothel last night? Why is he still unconscious now?"
It seemed that Helian Duo's plan had already been set in motion. Without waiting for the sun to rise tomorrow, Qian Youliang would be found naked on the bustling East Street in the capital. Helian Duo must have deliberately leaked this information and then pretended to be an unknown chivalrous hero, aiming to shift the blame onto himself.
The old woman had fainted from fear.
Mu Li also joined the fight. With the two of them working together, the black - clothed man soon found himself at a disadvantage. Helian Duo stopped in time and coldly ordered, "I'll leave this to you. Don't kill him. I'm waiting for him to go back and find reinforcements."
After saying that, he picked up the old woman in his arms and led Cheng Xiran away.
Since their identities couldn't be exposed, they placed the old woman in the home of one of Helian Duo's informants. By the time they had settled the old woman, the night was already deep. Cheng Xiran couldn't tell the time. She only knew that the moon in the sky was gradually disappearing.
The road was pitch - black. She was scared even if she didn't admit it. The cold wind blew, making her shiver several times.
Cheng Xiran pretended to be calm and complained, "Can't you call a carriage when you go out? It'll take ages to walk from here to my mansion, won't it?"
"It's closer to my mansion from here. Come back to my mansion with me."
Helian Duo said casually. Seeing that Cheng Xiran beside him didn't respond at all, he added, "There's only one road leading to the Cheng Mansion from here, and it passes by Huayan Pavilion. I'm afraid Qian Youliang's men might be lying in ambush there. I might not be able to take care of you then."
What! He had even hugged her and fought with others last time!
Could it be that he said this just to make her agree to go back with him?
Cheng Xiran felt a strange sense of self - satisfaction in her heart, but soon reality slapped her in the face. The two of them returned to the prince's mansion together. After entering, Helian Duo went straight to the study, as if he was eager to get rid of her.
Cheng Xiran stood at the gate of the prince's mansion. For a moment, she felt unwelcome. She discussed with Zuo Yan, "Could you please send a carriage or two servants? As soon as A Li comes back, send me back to the Cheng Mansion, okay?"
Zuo Yan looked a bit embarrassed. "Miss Cheng, I'm afraid this isn't appropriate."
Cheng Xiran stamped her foot in anger. "It was your prince who invited me back, and now he just leaves me here without saying a word. What kind of person is he?"
Zuo Yan quickly explained, "I saw that the prince looked unwell. He must be extremely tired. Please understand, Miss Cheng. I'll take you to Nanyuan first. It's not too late to talk to the prince about anything tomorrow."
Cheng Xiran shook her head vigorously. "I'm not going. I'll wait here for A Li to come back. A Li is fighting with someone and hasn't returned yet."
Zuo Yan nodded understandingly. Then he went out of the gate and looked around. After making sure there was no danger of ambush, he came back. But his eyes casually glanced at the ground and then couldn't move away.
Cheng Xiran only saw Zuo Yan suddenly crouch down nervously and reach out to touch the ground.
"Why are all of you so strange?"
Cheng Xiran bent down as well. She saw Zuo Yan slowly raise his hand. The stain on his finger was clearly blood. It still smelled of blood, obviously fresh.
The two looked at each other. After a moment, they both exclaimed in unison, "It's the prince!"