Lord Qian quickly stepped forward to support them politely, and Cheng Xiran slowly got up as well.
He looked at the waist token belonging to Helian Duo in his hand and the personal letter from the prince. Then he stopped doubting and said, "When I received the prince's letter a few days ago, I had already prepared the guest rooms early. Sir He must be tired from the journey. Why don't you go to the other courtyard first to take a hot bath? I'll ask the servants to prepare some food and wine. You can have something to eat and then take a nap. We can talk about anything this evening."
After all, He Shu was nominally a subordinate of the regent prince. His coming here also represented Helian Duo. So the provincial governor didn't dare to neglect him at all.
As he was speaking, he looked at Cheng Xiran beside Helian Duo.
"I'm his sister."
"This is my wife."
Cheng Xiran and Helian Duo almost said in unison. Lord Qian was totally stunned.
Cheng Xiran looked back at Helian Duo in confusion and found that his face was calm, not like someone who was lying at all. Just as she was about to explain, she heard Helian Duo add, "She's a bit shy in public. Please don't mind, Lord Qian."
The dignified woman standing beside Lord Qian covered her mouth with a smile and said, "When I see the two of you, you look like newlyweds. You're so young. You must have been married for only a short time, right?"
Her words were gentle. It was obvious that she was the legal wife. She was noble and elegant just like a proper legal wife should be.
Liu Shi couldn't compare with her at all.
Helian Duo looked at Cheng Xiran beside him affectionately and then replied, "To be honest, madam, we've been married for two years. We got married at a young age. We grew up together."
Cheng Xiran thought he was just pretending to be affectionate, but his gentle look seemed like a momentary gentle land. She always fell into it willingly without thinking about the consequences.
The smile in the madam's eyes grew deeper. There was even a flash of envy in her eyes. "It's really not easy. You're still so sweet after being married for two years. I'm really happy for you."
"Exactly. I didn't want to bring her with me this time because it's just some official business..." Helian Duo also laughed generously. After a pause, he continued, "But she was so worried about me and didn't complain about the long and bumpy journey. So I finally agreed."
Helian Duo deliberately pretended to be talkative. In fact, he was usually not very talkative. But in order to play the role well, he had also done some preparation.
The maid led them to an east - facing wing room in the other courtyard.
On the way, Cheng Xiran's heart was filled with palpitations, but there was also a lot of unknown shyness. After all, she was a proper young maiden. Why did everything have to be up to him? Wouldn't it make her seem too easy - going?
"Please rest for a while, sir and miss. The food and wine will be served soon."
The maid led them into the room, added a cup of tea for each of them, and then withdrew.
Seeing Helian Duo drinking tea calmly, Cheng Xiran gathered her courage and pretended to be calm as she asked, "What do you mean? Now we have to share the same room."
Helian Duo said unhurriedly, "What? Can you play tricks on me, but I can't play on you? Anyway, didn't you used to wish to be with me? Now that your wish has come true, why are you unhappy?"
"Bullshit!" Cheng Xiran slapped the table and stood up. There was a bit of anger in her eyes. She continued, "I'm telling you, I'm not a casual woman. Moreover, I don't like you!"
Helian Duo drank his tea without changing his expression, but his tone was irresistible. "You can speak louder. Then people outside will hear you and come in to condemn us. At that time, I'll just fly away with my light - body skill, and I'll leave you here to wait for death."
Cheng Xiran immediately shut up.
She hadn't taken a bath for two days and felt extremely uncomfortable. After a while, she could only urge Helian Duo to go out.
But Helian Duo said playfully, "What? It's quite normal for a couple to take a bath together. And you've always been lusting after my body. Why don't I let you have a good look now?"
As he said this, he was about to take off his clothes.
Cheng Xiran quickly covered her eyes with her hands and scolded, "You're so shameless!"
Through her fingers, she could see that Helian Duo didn't stop because of her words.
Cheng Xiran bit her lower lip gently. In a hurry, she ran outside, but when she passed by Helian Duo, he pulled her back.
His robe was already half - undone. Now, because of this pulling, Cheng Xiran was suddenly pulled into his arms, and his robe also fell off, revealing his smooth, strong upper body without a single bit of fat.
Cheng Xiran was extremely shy, with a blushing face. But to her shame, his chest was really so reassuring to lean on!
She even didn't want to break free. Even staying in his arms for one more second would be good.
Obviously, Helian Duo saw through her little thoughts.
"Cheng Xiran, still not admitting it? You're just a lustful woman."
Hearing this, Cheng Xiran pushed him away randomly and explained seriously, "I didn't. I just didn't react in time. Don't think too much... I don't like you at all."
As she said this, Cheng Xiran took two steps back. Just as she sat down to drink some tea to calm herself down, Helian Duo's handsome face suddenly appeared in front of her.
At this moment, the distance between them was only half a meter, a distance where they could kiss each other with just a slight movement.
She even dared not breathe too loudly.
In such a critical moment, Helian Duo actually closed his eyes!
What was he going to do?
What on earth was he going to do?
Cheng Xiran felt that her heart was about to jump out. Her eyes were unconsciously fixed on his bright and plump thin lips.
Kissing them must feel soft.
Seeing his thin lips slowly approaching, Cheng Xiran also unconsciously closed her eyes.
Then she heard several bursts of hearty laughter.
She knew that she had been played by him. When she opened her eyes, she saw Helian Duo beaming with joy.
On an impulse, Cheng Xiran kissed him out of the blue.
It was like a gentle touch of a dragonfly on the water, but she clearly felt his warm lips.
This kiss left Helian Duo in disbelief.
"Let you play tricks on me..." Cheng Xiran gently pursed her red lips, pushed him away gently, and continued, "Please go out quickly. I want to take a bath. Don't waste my time."
As she said this, she bypassed the rosewood table on her own and walked behind the eight - paneled screen.
Helian Duo unconsciously reached out his hand and gently stroked his lips. There still seemed to be Cheng Xiran's warmth on them.
This girl was so bold that she dared to make a move on him, the grand regent prince! If it were any other woman, she probably wouldn't even be able to get close to him... There was a kind of inexplicable emotion lingering in Helian Duo's heart, and even he himself didn't know what it was.