The old man who had spoken earlier also stepped forward and walked towards them. "Hey, young man, you haven't sworn an oath to me yet! Unless you write a guarantee letter in front of everyone today, promising that you'll never mess around with other women again, not even making eyes at them, I won't let you go today!"
For a moment, quite a few people got up and walked towards them, surrounding them. Helian Duo coldly scanned the crowd. Perhaps his gaze was too fierce, for many people stepped back.
Only the old man was completely unfazed. Instead, he thought Helian Duo was provoking him. In a fit of anger, he flew towards Helian Duo and threw a punch, but Helian Duo nimbly dodged it.
"You're not worthy to fight with me."
Helian Duo quickly picked up Cheng Xiran. Fortunately, they were close to the balcony. Holding Cheng Xiran in his arms, he leaped down from the balcony, eliciting a series of exclamations.
Cheng Xiran felt a rush of wind in her ears, but soon it was replaced by a warm sensation.
Helian Duo carried her back to the carriage and told the coachman to settle the bill at the inn and fetch the wine.
He wanted to put her aside, but Cheng Xiran naturally wrapped her arms around his neck. She slightly opened her eyes and was startled when she saw it was Helian Duo. "We haven't finished the wine yet. Where are we?"
She looked around. When she noticed she was lying horizontally in Helian Duo's arms, she struggled free in anger. "Helian Duo, you lecher! You took advantage of me. How could you do this!"
Actually, she felt a bit shy, but more of her emotion was anger.
Helian Duo was on the verge of tears. "Come on, it was you who clung to me, okay?"
"Impossible!"
Cheng Xiran shouted at him, then picked up the cloak beside her, wrapped herself in it, and prepared to sleep.
"Go to the inn to sleep. Don't sleep in the carriage."
Helian Duo was about to tell the coachman to go to a nearby inn when Cheng Xiran grabbed him. "I don't want to stay here now!"
A faint smile played on Helian Duo's thin lips. He then changed his words. "Travel through the night."
Only then did Cheng Xiran fall asleep peacefully. Even though her body would inevitably be jolted, she just didn't want to stay here and watch Helian Duo being lovey - dovey with that Fengxian.
She originally wanted to ask him why they didn't stay, but due to the overwhelming drowsiness, she fell asleep on her own.
Because she had a dream about being hungry, she reached out her hands and rummaged around. Finally, she felt as if she had touched a piece of flesh. But the next second, she heard Helian Duo's scream.
Not only did it wake Cheng Xiran up, but it also startled the coachman outside.
"Master He, what's wrong?"
Cheng Xiran opened her eyes groggily and only then realized that the piece of flesh she had touched in her dream was Helian Duo's abdomen.
She felt a bit embarrassed and at a loss. She could only force out a couple of dry laughs to ease the situation.
"Um, sorry. I didn't mean to."
"You're the lecher... " Helian Duo moved to the side while complaining. "Moreover, you're really restless when you sleep. I really don't know what to do with you."
"Then why don't you just go back and find your Miss Fengxian..."
As soon as she said this, she realized she had brought up a sensitive topic. She had an impression of what had happened in Fengxian Residence. Although she didn't remember it completely, she knew she had behaved like a shrew at that time.
"Speaking of this, I should thank you for getting me scolded for no reason..." Helian Duo rolled his eyes at her several times, frowned slightly, and continued, "You really live up to your reputation as a newspaper publisher. Things like being in a respectful marriage for two years and your husband flirting with other women and ignoring you. You can really show off your skills anytime."
Cheng Xiran silently gnawed on the dry pancake in her hand until Helian Duo asked seriously, "Cheng Xiran, just tell me. Why did you make such a scene today?"
It couldn't be that she was about to confess her love, could it?
Cheng Xiran could only explain, explaining non - stop. "Well, I just thought it was boring and wanted to have some fun. There's definitely no other meaning."
Seeing that Helian Duo was half - believing, she added more details. "Look, weren't we having a great time tonight? In the past, your life was too dull and monotonous. Don't you think today was fun?"
Helian Duo shook his head repeatedly.
This time, it was Cheng Xiran's turn to question. "Do you really have feelings for that Fengxian?"
She carefully observed Helian Duo's facial expression. Even the slightest upturn of his lips didn't escape her notice.
"Fengxian is really beautiful. If Xue Lianyu saw her, he would definitely be completely smitten."
Was he trying to distance himself? In fact, he had no feelings for Fengxian at all?
She didn't ask further and fell silent, just lowering her head and silently gnawing on the tasteless pancake.
Early the next morning, the carriage stopped in front of a breakfast stall on the outskirts. She had drunk wine last night, and the hard pancake had made her feel uncomfortable. Cheng Xiran drank two large bowls of congee and ate a basket of steamed dumplings before she felt better in her stomach.
Helian Duo settled the bill but was surprised to find that his money bag was gone.
The money on him was only enough to pay for this breakfast.
He guessed that it had been stolen during the chaos at Fengxian Residence last night.
After explaining the situation, Cheng Xiran also rummaged around for her money bag. The money given to her by Nanny Jin was also gone.
Helian Duo looked at her with a look of disappointment. "You had quite a good time this time. So much silver has been stolen."
Cheng Xiran shrugged helplessly. "I didn't expect it either. It's because you look so noble that those thieves noticed us. It's half my fault and half yours. It's not all my responsibility."
While she was being unreasonable, Helian Duo didn't blame her anymore. Instead, he asked the coachman, "How long until we reach Fenzhou?"
"We'll be there by noon."
Helian Duo didn't waste any more words. He just told the coachman to whip up the horses while the weather was good so that they wouldn't starve on the way.
They were in such a hurry that they didn't have time to enjoy the scenery along the way. Cheng Xiran originally thought she was coming out for a trip, but now it seemed she had thought too much.
Anyway, after a bumpy journey, they finally arrived at the governor's mansion at noon.
Helian Duo took out a written notice he had written himself from his waist as if it were a real one, and then handed it together with his waist token to the guard at the door.
The guard just glanced at it and quickly bowed. "So you're Master He. Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go in and inform the governor."
With that, he turned and entered the mansion.
Soon, they saw a middle - aged man in formal attire, accompanied by his family, walking out.
Helian Duo stepped forward, bowed, and saluted the leading official. "I'm He Shu. Greetings, Lord Qian."