There was quite a commotion outside. She could vaguely hear women's shrill screams that seemed to pierce through the sky.
It was still pitch - black outside.
"What's going on out there?" she asked softly. Zhuque quickly stopped what she was doing and leaned in again. "Did I wake you up, Miss?"
Seeing the girl shake her head blankly, Zhuque sighed. "It's Sun Yanyan. She said she had a splitting headache. Then, a voodoo doll was found in Lady Liu's room. It had Sun Yanyan's birth details written on it and was stuck full of needles... Although the Prime Minister never really believed in such things, he always maintained a sense of reverence and never allowed such unclean items in the house... Now she's causing a huge scene in the yard."
Cheng Xiran asked Zhuque to pour her a cup of tea. After taking a couple of sips and feeling better in her throat, she said, "I didn't expect Lady Liu to end up like this. She's finally being schemed against."
Zhuque was puzzled. "It's only natural for Lady Liu to do such things. Why do you say she's being schemed against, Miss?"
"Think about it. She's not stupid. After being with Father for so many years, how could she not understand anything? If she had used this trick earlier, she would have used it against me long ago. Why wait until now? Moreover, these past two days, she's been pinning all her hopes on the Hundred - Flower Banquet and has had no time to deal with Sun Yanyan."
After Cheng Xiran's analysis, Zhuque suddenly understood. "I see."
"This Sun Yanyan is really ambitious. She's only been in the mansion for a few days, and she's already turned the whole place upside down... If Lady Liu doesn't fight back, she'll surely be defeated by Sun Yanyan one day..."
Cheng Xiran lay down again. She could still vaguely hear the commotion outside.
Zhuque sighed several times in a row.
Thinking that the old lady was in poor health and couldn't stand such noise, Cheng Xiran asked Zhuque to go to the old lady's yard to check on her.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, Zhuque came back, bringing in the cold air from outside.
"The old lady was indeed woken up and can't fall asleep now. She's coughing in the room. Nanny Jin is boiling medicine."
Cheng Xiran first let out a soft "hmm", then said, "Tomorrow, find some time to call the doctor who's treating the old lady to the newspaper office. I want to ask about the old lady's condition... I also want to look for famous doctors everywhere to see if we can relieve the old lady's pain."
Zhuque couldn't help but praise. "I think even the Prime Minister isn't as filial as you, Miss."
The old lady had always doted on her. If it weren't for her, Cheng Xiran would have been unable to survive in the Cheng Mansion long ago. While sharing the original owner's memories, she knew that the relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter was very deep. If she could help, she surely would.
Moreover, Sun Yanyan's scheme did have some effect. Early the next morning, Cheng Xiran didn't see her or her proud daughter at the dining table.
The old lady wasn't there either because she hadn't rested well the previous night. So in the front hall, there were only Cheng Xiran, her father, and the beaming Sun Yanyan, with some maids waiting on them.
Sun Yanyan had a good appetite. While she was busy adding dishes to the Prime Minister's plate, she also showed concern for Cheng Xiran.
Cheng Xiran pretended to go along with it on the surface, but in fact, she saw through Sun Yanyan's little tricks clearly. She just didn't expect that Sun Yanyan wasn't as simple as Xue Lianyu had said.
But she wouldn't dare to say a single word, because it was related to her honor and whether she could continue to live a care - free life in the Prime Minister's Mansion.
However, the Prime Minister didn't look too happy. During the meal, he also asked the steward about the old lady's health. Then, after drinking only a couple of mouthfuls of porridge, he got up and left for the back yard.
Before leaving, he gave Cheng Xiran a meaningful look, as if he was on guard in case she bullied Sun Yanyan.
Cheng Xiran was speechless but ignored it. She gulped down the porridge, just wanting to finish quickly and leave.
After the Prime Minister left, Sun Yanyan seemed to open up her chatterbox and took the initiative to talk to her. "It's a pity you weren't there last night. You didn't see Lady Liu's embarrassed look. It's still funny just thinking about it."
Cheng Xiran also laughed, but her eyes grew colder. "I'd say if you work a bit harder, maybe it won't be long before you become the mistress of this mansion."
Hearing this, Sun Yanyan was first stunned, then covered her face and giggled. She said self - deprecatingly, "I know my own fate. Even if the Prime Minister loves my body, he won't let me replace Lady Liu. After all, I'm from the brothel. Such a background would disgrace your father if it got out."
She was quite self - aware.
Cheng Xiran stopped being polite and asked directly, "Don't tell me you've been causing such a stir in the Cheng Mansion these past two days just for fun."
Sun Yanyan pursed her thin lips slightly and gently put down the chopsticks and bowl in her hand. The porcelain bowl and silver chopsticks clinked, and the sound was cut through by her shrill voice. "I've heard what Young Master Xue said. Lady Liu has always been harsh on you. I'm doing this to avenge you. Haven't you been happy seeing her like this these past two days?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Xiran stood up. Her face was solemn, and she asked bluntly without showing any mercy, "Have you been sleeping well these past two days?"
Without waiting for Sun Yanyan to reply, Cheng Xiran left the mansion without looking back.
She went straight to the newspaper office. She saw that the shopkeeper had just opened the door. Only then did she realize that she had come a bit early today.
"Have you had breakfast, Miss?" the shopkeeper pointed to a plate of big meat buns on the table.
Before Cheng Xiran could reply, the shopkeeper added, "These were made by my wife. The meat filling in them is definitely much more than what you can buy outside. If you don't mind, Miss, try one. I've been eating them for years, and I think they taste good."
Since he said so, Cheng Xiran had to pick one up. As soon as she took a small bite, the meat filling oozed out. It was indeed as the shopkeeper had said.
"They're delicious," Cheng Xiran said.
She sat down by the door. While watching the passers - by on the long street in a hurry, she also looked at the rising sun. She felt that even a fleeting touch of the sunlight could bring warmth.
The shopkeeper brewed a new pot of tea and poured a cup for her.
After they chatted for a while, they heard quite a commotion outside. She looked at the approaching figures in the distance and couldn't help but feel puzzled.