"Madam He, what are you doing here?"
Cheng Xiran quickly put on a look of embarrassment and whispered, "I came to deliver water chestnut cakes and red bean soup to the lady, but it seems that something's not quite right in there. As an outsider, I didn't feel it appropriate to butt in."
Xiaolian understood and reached out to take the food box from Cheng Xiran's hands. Then she sighed softly and said, "The lady has always been very bothered by her inability to have children. So whenever she quarrels with the master, she always brings it up again. We're all used to it."
"Lord Qian and the lady shouldn't quarrel often..." Cheng Xiran pretended to be puzzled and then continued, "They seem so loving. Logically, they shouldn't quarrel so fiercely."
Xiaolian motioned for Cheng Xiran to step aside and then whispered, "Madam He doesn't know. The master and the lady hardly ever quarrel, but whenever they do, it's always because of the lady's younger brother, the master's brother - in - law."
Cheng Xiran pricked up her gossipy ears and asked, "What's the reason for this?"
"What else? The lady's brother bullies the locals and does all kinds of evil here, relying on his brother - in - law who's a provincial governor."
No wonder. No wonder Lady Qian's face changed when she heard something about her brother. So there was such a story behind it. Cheng Xiran slowly got a clue, but she couldn't quite put it into words for a moment.
"In that case, I won't go in. I'd better avoid any awkwardness."
Cheng Xiran left in a hurry. On the way back, she went to the kitchen, took some Chinese yam cakes and water chestnut cakes, along with two bowls of red bean soup.
She added extra sugar to these two bowls of red bean soup. Since she liked sweet things, she thought Helian Duo would like them too.
When she came back, Helian Duo had already woken up and was sitting at the desk writing a letter.
Cheng Xiran opened the food box in front of him. Suddenly, a puff of steam rose, which caught Helian Duo's attention.
"Water chestnut cakes, Chinese yam cakes, and two bowls of red bean soup I made myself. Do you want to have a taste?"
"I don't know the effects of the water chestnut cakes, but the Chinese yam cakes are good for strengthening the spleen and kidneys..." Helian Duo gently put down the writing brush in his hand, picked up a piece of Chinese yam cake and put it into his mouth. Then he continued, "Are you hinting at something to me?"
Cheng Xiran rolled her eyes at him in annoyance. She picked up a bowl of red bean soup and took a sip. She felt her stomach warm up instantly.
Seeing several identical letters on the desk, Cheng Xiran couldn't help asking curiously, "Why are you writing so many identical letters?"
Helian Duo said proudly, "I'm afraid they might be intercepted, so I have to do this. But even if they are intercepted, it doesn't matter. There are a lot of important things in them written in secret codes. Only my people can understand them."
He didn't seem so narcissistic in the capital. It had to be said that after coming out here, Helian Duo seemed to have become more cheerful. Although he wasn't as cool as before, it made Cheng Xiran feel a sense of peace. She always felt that the distance between them had been inexplicably shortened.
"You're really great then."
Cheng Xiran took several sips in a row. Seeing that she was enjoying the food, Helian Duo took out the other bowl and took a sip. He found it extremely sweet and was about to put it down when he heard Cheng Xiran say slowly, "Life is bitter, so we can only eat more sweet things to comfort ourselves. Don't you think so?"
Because of what she said, Helian Duo gave up the idea of putting down the bowl and ate it with her.
He really didn't like sweet things, but he actually finished the whole bowl of red bean soup.
After they were full, Cheng Xiran told him what she had seen and heard outside Lady Qian's courtyard.
After listening, Helian Duo showed no excessive emotion on his face. "I don't think this has much to do with the case we're investigating. This is their family matter. What could it possibly have to do with this case?"
But Cheng Xiran was stubborn. "You're short - sighted. I think it's very relevant. Lady Qian doesn't seem simple at all."
The two had a profound discussion on whether it was worth further investigation. The final result was that Cheng Xiran would do it herself.
She would prove with facts that she was right.
"But the premise is that you must ensure your own personal safety. Otherwise, if I find out, I won't spare you."
Cheng Xiran shrugged dismissively. She didn't take this matter too seriously and never thought there would be hidden dangers in it. She also didn't understand what was waiting for her next.
After that, Lord Qian and Lady Qian quarreled for a while and then left the mansion.
Helian Duo followed them personally, while Cheng Xiran stayed in the mansion to observe the situation. During dinner, Lady Qian was in a very unstable mood. She only took a few bites and then covered her face and sobbed. Before Cheng Xiran could go up to comfort her, she was helped back to her courtyard by Xiaolian to rest.
Cheng Xiran and Helian Duo had a rather awkward dinner.
Later, when she learned from him that Lord Qian had gone to a brothel, Cheng Xiran couldn't believe it. "Lord Qian, how could he go to a brothel? This doesn't match his character. Even if he's angry, since he never wanted to take a concubine before, how could he go to a brothel?"
Helian Duo was absent - minded. "My men have already started to keep an eye on him. They'll come and inform me as soon as there's any change."
After all, this wasn't the capital, and this was a stronghold of the Empress Dowager's forces. If they weren't extremely careful in their actions, they would put themselves in a dangerous situation. Failing to find out the truth was a minor matter, but losing their lives would be a big one.
The two waited in the room for a while. One was embroidering and the other was reading a book, until there were a few unusual bird calls outside the window.
Helian Duo jumped out of the window and flew onto the eaves. Looking at his handsome figure, Cheng Xiran couldn't help whispering, "I can't imagine that I'm actually sleeping in the same bed with such a man."
Although nothing had happened.
Speaking of this, Cheng Xiran couldn't help feeling confused. Logically, when a man and a woman were alone in a room, it was most likely for something to happen. But why did Helian Duo show no reaction when they were in the same room?
Was it that her figure was really not attractive enough to men, or was it Helian Duo's problem?
It must be his problem. Otherwise, how could he have been alone without a woman by his side for so many years?
Cheng Xiran wanted to verify this, but she was too timid. So this thought just flashed through her mind and she didn't turn it into an actual action.
Helian Duo returned with a chill all over him.