Helian Duo picked up a piece of shredded potato in front of him, took a bite, and then swallowed it expressionlessly.
Cheng Xiran, however, eagerly served him a bowl of fish soup and put it aside, then picked a lot of dishes for him until the pile on his plate resembled a small mountain before she stopped. With a beaming smile, she said, "Well, I'd like to ask you to go to the Qian Mansion and tell Qian Youliang to stop pestering Cheng Zhiyue."
"But don't you wish for the worst for them mother and daughter? And I heard from Duo about this matter. I think what you did was great," Xue Lianyu interjected in puzzlement.
Helian Duo, however, hit the nail on the head. "Is it for the old lady?"
Cheng Xiran blushed and replied in a soft voice, "Yes. I don't want grandmother to worry about Cheng Zhiyue's affairs anymore."
Helian Duo was silent for a while. Xue Lianyu also spoke up for Cheng Xiran. "Duo, it's just a matter of your words anyway. Just agree to Xiran. It won't be a waste of all the dishes she cooked for you."
"You can also go in the name of the Bandit Jade Villa. No one will stop you," Helian Duo gave him a disdainful look and didn't even glance at Cheng Xiran.
Cheng Xiran didn't ask further. Seeing that his reaction was neither a clear refusal nor an acceptance, she just ate on her own. Judging from his attitude, he would probably agree. It seemed that this matter was likely to be properly resolved.
She secretly let out a sigh of relief. But as if Helian Duo could read her mind, he slowly said, "Don't be too happy too soon. Besides, I have something else to ask you."
Helian Duo paused and was about to continue when Xue Lianyu cut in first. "Why is it rumored everywhere that Duo has a preference for men and that he abandoned you... But then again, when did you two get together? Have you ever been together?"
The word "together" sounded so appealing.
She had spent a lot of time with Helian Duo and could count every single moment of it, but she wasn't really "together" with him.
This time, it wasn't Helian Duo who explained first, but Cheng Xiran. Almost as soon as Xue Lianyu finished asking, she immediately retorted, "Those are just idle rumors. The words of the mob are not to be trusted. As for why there are rumors about the prince's preference for men, it's probably because of what happened last night."
Actually, she wanted to say that it was all Helian Duo's fault. If he had left with her obediently last night, there wouldn't have been so many troubles.
But how could she blame him at this moment? Of course, she took all the blame on herself. With a look of regret on her face, she said, "It's all my fault. I caused the prince to be misunderstood last night... The prince can get married soon. Then such rumors will be self - defeating."
It took her a long time to muster the courage to say the second half of the sentence.
"I really appreciate you for giving me such a great idea," Helian Duo scoffed at her, and his face was clearly displeased.
He was even more displeased than when the topic of others gossiping about his preference for men came up.
Cheng Xiran could only force a smile. The more carefully she handled the situation, the more unhappy Helian Duo became. What was wrong with him? Was he a man - eating monster? Why had she been being so insincere in the past two days, saying things against her will and doing things that went against her true nature?
Xue Lianyu sensed the strange atmosphere and quickly changed the topic. "Let's eat, let's eat."
Cheng Xiran ate this meal without tasting a thing. She didn't know what was wrong with herself. Anyway, she extremely regretted coming to the prince's mansion today. She even felt a bit afraid to face Helian Duo.
As for the reason, she didn't dare to admit it and was also reluctant to admit it.
Finally, lunch was over. Cheng Xiran thought she could finally leave this place that had troubled her so much. But Helian Duo stopped her. "You'll go to the Qian Mansion with me later."
The refusal was clearly written on Cheng Xiran's face. She said straightforwardly, "No way. I don't want to see Qian Youliang."
But Helian Duo's attitude was very firm. "If you don't go with me, then I can't do anything about this matter. You might as well just wait for the people from the Qian family to come to your mansion."
"You..." Cheng Xiran gritted her teeth in anger, but she had no way to deal with Helian Duo.
Xue Lianyu didn't even dare to speak up for her. He also didn't know what was wrong with Helian Duo. He had been chatting so well with him earlier, but as soon as Cheng Xiran was involved, he became so irrational and un - calm.
When going to the Qian Mansion, Helian Duo only took Cheng Xiran with him and didn't even bring a single guard. If Cheng Xiran didn't know the situation, she would have thought he was taking her out for fun.
But thinking about it, he was the powerful regent. The people in the Qian Mansion would probably kowtow and salute when they saw him. Following him, there was no need to worry about being bullied or harassed by Qian Youliang.
What intrigued her was that there was clearly a certain distance between the prince's mansion and the Qian Mansion. They could obviously choose to take a carriage, but Helian Duo insisted on walking.
So for a while, the two of them strolled on the long street, walking from the bustling East Street all the way to the West Street. They met a lot of people on the way and attracted many envious or jealous looks. She suddenly thought that Helian Duo did this on purpose.
When they arrived at the Qian Mansion, the servants guarding outside immediately saluted when they saw Helian Duo and then directly invited them in without announcing their arrival.
Although Lord Qian was the vice - minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Cheng Xiran had heard that he was always a frugal man. Therefore, all the furnishings in the mansion were simple yet elegant. If it weren't for the fact, no one would have believed that such a noble and upright man could raise a prodigal son like Qian Youliang.
"Your Highness, please move to the Listening - to - Rain Pavilion. I'll go and inform the master in the front hall right away."