"Don't think I don't know. You were indeed in Chuzhou on the first day, but you left on the second, didn't you?"
Father Cheng's face turned ashen, looking extremely ugly. It was as if Cheng Xiran had committed some heinous crime, which made him so furious. If others saw this, they would surely secretly blame Cheng Xiran for being such an unfilial daughter who never let her parents worry less.
However, Cheng Xiran remained calm. She looked directly into his sharp eyes and firmly said, "Since Father doesn't believe me, why bother asking? Do you think I'm unaware of how you view me and define me?"
Under Father Cheng's slightly stunned gaze, Cheng Xiran continued, "For all these years, I've always respected you and never harbored resentment because of your coldness. All I wanted was a peaceful life. But how have you treated me, Father?"
Her words left Father Cheng speechless and stunned. He never expected Cheng Xiran to talk to him like this. In his impression, she had always been a gentle person. He didn't know when she started to change and learned to resist.
"Master, it's time for dinner..." Sun Yanyan swayed over slowly. After taking a couple of glances at Cheng Xiran, she continued, "Why not sit down and talk this out? Although the old lady doesn't dine in the front hall, she'll know about this sooner or later. Her health won't be able to take it."
Father Cheng signaled her with his eyes to go inside first. Then he said harshly, "If you don't tell the truth today, then from now on, the Cheng Mansion won't have a place for you. Don't you always like to run outside? Well, this time, you can run as much as you like. I'll let you fend for yourself outside!"
Seeing no trace of fear in Cheng Xiran's eyes, he unconsciously raised his voice and roared, "Tell me the truth right now!"
Even Cheng Zhiyue inside was startled, but she felt even happier. She was glad that Cheng Xiran would finally get what she deserved. What made her even more delighted was that from now on, she would take Cheng Xiran's place.
Cheng Xiran still stood there, coldly staring at Father Cheng. Her red lips parted slightly, but she didn't say a single word for a long time. By now, she was completely disappointed in her father.
The more he questioned her, the less she wanted to say.
The less she said, the angrier Father Cheng became. The wind was strong, but it couldn't blow away the anger between his eyebrows. Finally, he raised his hand and slapped Cheng Xiran. Her right cheek burned with pain.
Mu Li drew out her sword and was about to stab Father Cheng, but was stopped by Cheng Xiran in time. "A Li, step aside. This has nothing to do with you. Don't act rashly... You'll only soil your own hands."
She said the last part to Father Cheng.
Hearing this, Father Cheng was naturally furious. "Fine, Cheng Xiran. Now that you've climbed up to a high position, you've become lawless and don't even put me, the head of the family, in your eyes?"
"Do whatever you want, but I won't let you disgrace the reputation of the Cheng Mansion!"
Cheng Xiran stroked her face and sneered, "Does the reputation of the Cheng Mansion still need me to disgrace it?"
"You..."
Father Cheng was so angry that he couldn't speak. Seeing this, Sun Yanyan didn't dare to step forward. It was Liu Shi, who had been sitting inside silently all this time, who suddenly spoke up. "Alright, Master. Why are you arguing with this kind of person? She's just a wild girl, sharp-tongued and full of ambition..."
Then she looked at Cheng Xiran and pretended to persuade her. "Xiran, how could you talk to your father like this? Even though the position of the princess is the dream of all the young girls in the capital, don't you think too highly of yourself? Do you think the prince will always treat you well just because he treated you well for a while? You don't know that you're just a pawn in his hands, and he can discard you at any time."
Father Cheng twitched the corner of his mouth and replied calmly, "Even if I'm a pawn, at least I'm useful. But some people, who just flatter all the time, are probably not even as good as a pawn."
Liu Shi was so angry that she slapped the table and stood up. Cheng Zhiyue on the side quickly stepped forward and held her hand. "Mother, don't bother with her."
"Rebellious! This is simply rebellious..." Father Cheng laughed a few times and then continued, "Look at you. You've been with Helian Duo all day. What have you learned?"
The atmosphere remained tense. Cheng Xiran was just glad that she had bought some snacks on her way back, so she wasn't hungry and could endure it.
Father Cheng scolded her a few times and told her to kneel down. When Cheng Xiran refused, he told the servants to force her to kneel. But every time a servant approached Cheng Xiran, Mu Li would beat them to the ground. She beat one after another. After kicking about a dozen people, Father Cheng gave up.
"Go, take out all this unfilial girl's things. From today on, she's no longer a member of the Cheng Mansion, nor my daughter!"
Sun Yanyan wanted to step forward to persuade him, but Cheng Xiran beat her to it. "I'll leave by myself. There's no need for Father Cheng to do anything."
Saying this, Cheng Xiran took Mu Li and walked towards the back courtyard. Just as they passed through the front hall, they saw the old lady being supported by Nanny Jin. Seeing the old lady's pitying look, Cheng Xiran couldn't hold back her tears. She choked with sobs and said, "Grandmother, why did you come out?"
The old lady called her "good child" several times. Then she gently stroked her still hot cheek and patted the back of her hand. Then she led her outside.
Everyone bowed to her, but she ignored them. She just questioned Father Cheng. "Tell me, what did Xiran do to block your way this time that you have to treat her like this? Or did you listen to the words of some fox spirit in your bed... Expelling Xiran from the Cheng Mansion? Is it really necessary?"
Maybe because she was too excited, the old lady couldn't stop coughing after she finished speaking.
Nanny Jin quickly patted her on the back to help her breathe and poured a cup of warm tea for her to moisten her throat.
Cheng Xiran was also very worried. "Grandmother, let me help you back to your room to rest."
Seeing Father Cheng bow his head and reply seriously, "Mother, I just asked her a few questions. Who knew she would be so emotional and give me a cold shoulder?"
The old lady started to argue with him. In the end, Father Cheng just refused to admit his mistake.
Cheng Xiran was too lazy to stay and listen to his nonsense. She immediately smiled at the old lady. "Alright, Grandmother. Don't say anymore. I've made up my mind to leave. I'll leave tonight and will come to see you often. If you miss me, just ask Nanny Jin to take you to the newspaper office, okay?"
The old lady hugged Cheng Xiran into her arms and said with full apology, "Xiran, I'm sorry. I failed to protect you."
The two of them hugged for a while. After sending the old lady back to her room and chatting with her for a while, Cheng Xiran returned to her own courtyard.