"The prince announced that he was going on an inspection tour to the border. The border is vast, and it would take three or four days just to get there. Even if the empress dowager really sends someone to check, the round - trip time is enough for the prince to manage. Besides, so far, the empress dowager has taken no action. The capital is peaceful, and nothing serious has happened."
As Zuo Yan was speaking, he looked at Cheng Xiran somewhat sheepishly. Cheng Xiran understood and guessed, "Something happened to my family?"
"It's not a big deal. It's just that Sun Yanyan has been causing trouble all day long, making the Cheng Mansion a complete mess."
To Cheng Xiran, this was just trivial. As long as it didn't involve the survival of the Cheng Mansion and implicate herself, she had long since become indifferent.
Xue Lianyu moved closer to Cheng Xiran, wanting to talk to her, but was glared at by Helian Duo and quickly backed away.
"Since there's no chance to enter the Liu Mansion for the time being, we should first solve the matter of Steward Wu..." Helian Duo's expression was cold. A menacing look welled up in his long and narrow eyes. He continued, "We'll raid the bandit stronghold mentioned in the letter tonight and see if the forty thousand taels of silver are hidden there."
He always said the most ruthless words in the calmest and most ordinary tone.
Even though Cheng Xiran was well aware of Helian Duo's decisiveness in killing, she still couldn't help but remind him, "There must be a lot of people in the bandit stronghold. Zuo Yan, how many men did you bring?"
Zuo Yan showed no sign of fear and even looked confident. "To avoid suspicion, we couldn't bring too many people. Together with the men here, there are about forty in total."
"But since it's a stronghold, there could be at least a few hundred people inside..." Cheng Xiran looked worried. She continued, "You only have forty men. Aren't you afraid of failure if you just attack head - on without a plan?"
Xue Lianyu couldn't help but interject, "Xiran, why are you so worried? Our A Duo can take on a hundred enemies single - handedly. He's not afraid of these barbarians at all."
But Cheng Xiran was still a bit worried. After all, they were dealing with real bandits. They didn't even know their details and were going to fight a large group. It really didn't seem right.
But seeing the unwavering look on Helian Duo's face, Cheng Xiran felt embarrassed to persuade him further.
"Stay near the Qian Mansion to protect her tonight. We'll come back after we've taken care of things."
After Helian Duo said this, he got up. Right in front of Xue Lianyu, he took Cheng Xiran's hand and left.
Xue Lianyu chased after them. "Hey hey hey, there's something going on between you two, right? What's up? Are you together?"
Cheng Xiran gently pulled her hand away. Seeing that Xue Lianyu was getting more and more excited, she glared at him. "Come on, didn't you say you had something to tell me? Say it now."
Xue Lianyu was slightly stunned, then grinned. "It's about Li Yin, that little girl."
Just as Cheng Xiran was getting curious, she saw Xue Lianyu's expression turn from happy to sad. "Yes, that little girl has fallen in love with a candy peddler recently. She just hangs around his shop all day and refuses to go anywhere else. I asked her to come and eat, but she wouldn't. She even said that the guy is really handsome and that she wants to marry him. Isn't that too much?"
His complaint was met with Helian Duo's teasing. "Shouldn't you feel more peaceful this way?"
Cheng Xiran immediately agreed. "Yes, I told you to seize the opportunity before."
Xue Lianyu was obviously unhappy. "Are you two a married couple? You're singing in harmony!"
Helian Duo quickened his pace and walked out of the door. Cheng Xiran followed closely behind.
The night was deep. The long street was deserted. The full moon hung high on the branches. Occasionally, a few sparrows flapped their wings across the sky. The soft moonlight shone on Cheng Xiran and Helian Duo, making everything seem so peaceful.
Although there was a little distance between them, walking slowly like this, she felt extremely happy.
It seemed that with each step, the distance between them was getting shorter.
"In my opinion, Lianyu has finally realized his feelings. I think they'll get together when they return to the capital this time."
Helian Duo was the first to start the conversation. Then they had a deep discussion about Chu Liyin and Xue Lianyu. In the end, they reached an agreement: Chu Liyin and Xue Lianyu were going to have a wonderful marriage.
"I heard from Zuo Yan that the empress dowager is going to arrange a concubine for Helian Yue and has set her sights on Cheng Zhiyue."
Helian Duo said this casually, just wanting to talk more with Cheng Xiran. But when Cheng Xiran heard this, she thought a bit more and said firmly, "Don't worry. Even if my whole family sides with the empress dowager, I'll stand by your side."
This made Helian Duo laugh, but he still played along and said seriously, "How can you be so sure that standing by my side is the right thing to do? What if I'm even more evil than the empress dowager?"
Cheng Xiran rolled her eyes and patted her chest. "Because I, Cheng Xiran, have a good eye for people!"
Actually, their relationship had reached that point, but neither of them was willing to be the first to break the ice. After all, they had slept in the same bed. What were they still shy about?
It was very late when they returned to the Qian Mansion. Helian Duo simply changed into a knight's outfit and was about to go out.
Before leaving, he naturally gave her some careful instructions, mainly telling Cheng Xiran to be extra careful.
Seeing him about to leave in the deep night, Cheng Xiran was suddenly moved. She quickly called him back, then went into the inner room and took out the sachet she had made. She said softly, "I put some Chinese herbal medicines in it. They can refresh your mind. Also, the embroidery on the flower is a bit ugly. Don't mind it too much."
Helian Duo was wearing a veil, so it was hard to see his expression.
When he took it but didn't put it on immediately but put it away, Cheng Xiran couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He must have disliked her handicraft.
But unexpectedly, the next second, she heard him say firmly, "I'll wear it tomorrow. If I wear it now, it might get stained with other people's blood and let your kindness down."
Cheng Xiran pursed her lips, holding back her laughter. "Okay, okay. Be sure to be careful. I'll wait for you to come back."
Helian Duo nodded heavily and then disappeared into the night.
Cheng Xiran suddenly felt empty inside. She even regretted not talking to him more just now.
She put on a cloak. Although she wanted to read a book, she didn't dare to light a lamp for fear that the passing servants would see and come to question her. So she could only sit in the dark, leaning against the window, in a daze.
The feeling of being surrounded by darkness was not very good. As time passed, it could even make people feel scared, especially when there was the slightest sound outside.
She didn't know how long she had been waiting. By the time the night watchman announced the fifth watch, there was still no sign of anything happening outside.
Cheng Xiran couldn't hold on any longer. She dragged her tired body and got up to go back to the inner room.
When she passed by the door, it was gently pushed open. The sound was extremely soft. She was just wondering why she hadn't heard a single sound and was about to take out the dagger she always carried with her when she heard a familiar groan.