"Is Your Highness still suspicious of the young lady?"
Helian Duo took two steps and came to the window. Through a corner, he could see Cheng Xiran strolling on the long street below.
There was a rare tenderness in his eyes.
His tone softened considerably as well. "Based on what I know of her, she couldn't have written such a good poem. And the former Cheng Xiran neither knew how to swim nor cook. Although she explained about the swimming, I'm only half - convinced."
Before Zuo Yan could reply, he quickly turned around and instructed, "You go and keep an eye on her personally. Xiao Qi is no good person. She tried to harm Xiran once before, and there's no guarantee she won't do it again today."
This really puzzled Zuo Yan. Clearly, his master cared about Cheng Xiran, but he always pretended to be indifferent; clearly, he had feelings for her and thought about everything for her, but he didn't dare to admit it openly.
Anyway, as an outsider, he couldn't understand, and he couldn't ask either.
All he could do was nod. "Yes, Your Highness. I'll go right away."
Helian Duo let out a soft sigh, and his brows knitted involuntarily.
Cheng Xiran, Cheng Xiran, who on earth are you, and what secrets are you carrying?
By this time, Cheng Xiran had arrived at the Xiao Mansion. After handing the invitation to the servant at the door, she was led all the way to the back courtyard. The layout of the Xiao Mansion was vast, after all, it was the residence of the Grand Tutor.
"The young lady has set up a banquet in the Fuchun Mountain Residence..."
Hearing the maid's explanation, Cheng Xiran was slightly taken aback... Fuchun Mountain Residence. Isn't this the name of a painting by Huang Gongwang, a painter of the Yuan Dynasty?
Half - understanding, she followed the maid through a lush and dense area, then bypassed a long path, and passed by a mandarin duck pavilion before finally reaching the Fuchun Mountain Residence. It was surrounded by two large lotus ponds that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. Remarkably, the lotuses in the ponds hadn't completely withered yet. Upon closer inspection, one could still see one or two beautiful blossoms.
The "Fuchun Mountain Residence Scroll" depicts the scenery on both sides of the Fuchun River. This place could barely be considered similar.
"So, Miss Cheng, I didn't lie to you, did I? Father has always loved hibiscus. He asked countless gardeners before he got the wonderful recipe to make the hibiscus bloom even in early autumn."
Xiao Qi's words interrupted her train of thought.
She turned her eyes and saw Xiao Qi standing on a step higher than her, dressed in gorgeous clothes, looking rather imposing.
Behind Xiao Qi was a long corridor, and there were many young ladies in the corridor, all looking in their direction.
Cheng Xiran was not afraid at all and didn't give Xiao Qi a chance to intimidate her. Instead, she walked up to her side with a smile and stood shoulder to shoulder with her before answering, "Indeed. I remember Miss Xiao mentioning it when we went out to play last time. It's really rare to see it today."
Xiao Qi was surprised at her boldness. After all, this was the Xiao Mansion, not the Cheng Mansion, yet this woman didn't act like a guest at all.
Although she was unhappy in her heart, she didn't show it on her face at all. Instead, she even chatted and laughed. "It seems that Miss Cheng has a good memory. You still remember things so clearly after so long."
As she spoke, she assumed the air of a host and led Cheng Xiran towards the corridor.
Cheng Xiran followed slowly, her tone thought - provoking. "Yes. I was so worried when Miss Xiao accidentally fell into the water last time. Now seeing that Miss Xiao looks rosy and in good health, I can finally rest assured."
Xiao Qi twitched the corner of her mouth, only wearing a faint smile on her face and didn't reply.
It wasn't until she led Cheng Xiran into the crowd that she began to introduce the origin of the Fuchun Mountain Residence.
"The reason it's named like this is that I like a painting by Huang Gongwang called 'Fuchun Mountain Residence Scroll', which depicts the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Fuchun River..."
She rambled on for a long time, mostly empty words to show off her talent.
Cheng Xiran was too lazy to listen. She just looked around and thought that except for the Cheng Mansion, all other places were so beautiful that they made her heart flutter.
When she had saved enough money, she must build a rural cottage in the capital. Plant the flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables she liked, and raise a few small animals. She could live a relaxed and care - free life day and night. It would be simply delightful.
She was imagining her wonderful future life in her mind. Xiao Qi thought she was envious, so she felt even more superior. She began to introduce the high - quality antiques and porcelain treasures in her family, which made many people around her exclaim in admiration.
She thought Cheng Xiran was also listening, but actually Cheng Xiran was observing the situation. She was looking for a suitable person to get some gossip from. But after looking around, she found no one who met her requirements. Those people obviously had a good relationship with Xiao Qi. Maybe they were even the people Xiao Qi had specially invited. Otherwise, why were they all surrounding her?
Cheng Xiran sat there by herself, feeling bored. Fortunately, the pastries on the sandalwood table looked delicate, so she still had something to do.
Before she had eaten a few bites, Xiao Qi couldn't stay quiet anymore. She shifted the topic to Cheng Xiran. "I still remember the poem you composed yesterday, Xiran. I think I can't compare to you. Since all the sisters are here today, why don't you compose another poem suitable for the occasion? Let us broaden our horizons."
Xiao Qi also thought that Cheng Xiran was just lucky once. After all, when she was hailed as the number one talented young lady in the capital a few years ago, Cheng Xiran was still relentlessly pursuing Helian Duo. At that time, she was just a good - for - nothing. If you asked anyone on the street about her, no one would know.
Although she didn't know why Cheng Xiran had become so famous recently, Xiao Qi was always convinced that she had resorted to some shady means.
Cheng Xiran handled the situation with ease. She recalled some poems depicting the autumn scenery, beautiful ladies, and pleasant scenes in her mind, and then she recited them fluently, which impressed all the young ladies.
"I wanted to say yesterday that the eldest daughter of the Cheng family really lives up to her reputation. It seems that she really has some skills."
"Exactly. Otherwise, how could she single - handedly run the newspaper and make it so successful?"
"I think Miss Xiao's good reputation might come to an end this time."
Hearing these words, how could Xiao Qi bear it? But she was always known for being well - educated, reasonable, and considerate. Although the people present today were not from extremely wealthy and noble families, they were still from noble lineages. Even if she wanted to get angry, she had to take her image into account. If something went wrong with her and it was spread out, the loss would be more than just her face.
Thinking of this, Xiao Qi calmed herself down and began to praise Cheng Xiran in front of everyone. "Xiran is really worthy of running a newspaper. Your literary talent is truly outstanding."
Cheng Xiran suddenly got in the mood to play and wanted to test whether Xiao Qi's reputation as the "number one talented young lady in the capital" was just for show. So she publicly provoked her. "Miss Xiao, are you good at poetry? Why don't you also compose a poem impromptu?"
This way of defeating Xiao Qi just by reciting poems really suited Cheng Xiran well.
It was just that she hadn't settled the score with Xiao Qi for the matter of Qian Youliang last time.
Xiao Qi knew her own limitations. Otherwise, she would have composed a poem yesterday. She knew that her strength was far inferior to Cheng Xiran's. But fortunately, she had read a lot of books. So she calmly replied, "Composing poems is so boring. Why don't we write some articles? I always like to write some annotations and book reviews when I read. I wonder if Miss Cheng dares to accept?"
Facing her open provocation, Cheng Xiran was not afraid at all. Naturally, she confidently accepted the challenge. Those rich young ladies who were looking forward to the showdown must have sensed the smell of gunpowder in the air.