Cheng Zhiyue was slow to react. When her emotions finally settled, she was so excited that she couldn't contain herself. She quickly got up and kowtowed to express her gratitude. Father Cheng beside her also chimed in with a lot of nice words.
This matter ended with Cheng Zhiyue being betrothed to the Prince of Qi as his princess.
Cheng Xiran and Helian Duo came out first.
They originally thought they would leave the palace together, but Helian Duo said he had to see the emperor and told her to wait outside.
She obediently waited without asking a single question.
It wasn't until Cheng Zhiyue walked out triumphantly and deliberately stopped beside her.
"Father is inside talking to the Empress Dowager."
Seeing that Cheng Xiran remained silent, she continued on her own, "Sister, congratulations. I wonder when you and the prince will get married. If we sisters were to get married at the same time, it would surely be a most wonderful thing."
Cheng Xiran still said nothing.
"I'm not blind. I know you two never made a private promise of marriage. If you did, there would be some news outside. Moreover, I can tell from the way the prince looks at you that there's no love in his eyes!"
Cheng Xiran reached out to pick at her ear. She didn't really listen to what the other said and only found the noise annoying.
She turned to stare at her coldly and said, "Are you a worm in the prince's belly that you know all this? And even if he doesn't love me, do you think you could still marry the Prince of Qi if I hadn't said those things today? Shouldn't you thank me?"
She found that Cheng Zhiyue always liked to ask for trouble and was really detestable.
"You... The Empress Dowager favors me!"
The hard truth was right in front of her, but Cheng Zhiyue still refused to admit it.
"Sure, sure. Can you please shut up... " Cheng Xiran let out a soft sigh and continued, "Instead of wasting your time here, you'd better go back and fix yourself up. Otherwise, the Prince of Qi might get tired of you in a few days."
Her words worked. Cheng Zhiyue stopped talking to her and turned to walk outside.
Not long after, Prime Minister Cheng also came out looking pleased. He too stopped beside Cheng Xiran. His expression changed from joy to anger, and he hissed, "If Zhiyue hadn't been there today, how do you think this would have ended? What's your status, and what's the Empress Dowager's? How dare you directly reject her?"
Without waiting for Cheng Xiran to reply, he went on, "Although you're not worthy of the Prince of Qi, this concerns our Cheng Mansion. But you seem to be completely detached, not caring at all."
"Prime Minister Cheng is wrong. It's not that I'm detached. It's just that I'm no longer a member of the Cheng family..." Cheng Xiran bowed slightly to him and continued, "So what happens to the Cheng Mansion has nothing to do with me. But Xiran still thanks Prime Minister Cheng for your kindness."
After saying this, Cheng Xiran walked outside.
She heard Prime Minister Cheng's two cold snorts behind her but didn't really care.
She had experienced all the warmth and coldness, the fickleness of human relationships in the Cheng Mansion. Now she felt like she had developed an indestructible spirit.
When she got outside, Zuo Yan was already waiting.
"Miss, please follow me out of the palace first. The prince said he has to stay and probably won't return to the mansion until night."
Cheng Xiran got into the prince's carriage and was escorted by Zuo Yan out of the palace and back to the newspaper office.
"The prince just bought a house on the outskirts of the capital this morning. Since it's still early, do you want to go and take a look?"
Zuo Yan looked very happy. Cheng Xiran didn't answer him but instead asked, "Zuo Wei, what great happy event have you encountered today? I saw you looking very happy in the palace just now."
Zuo Yan was straightforward, "What else could it be? Of course, it's because of the marriage between you and the prince."
"The prince has been alone for so many years. Now that he finally has you by his side, it's truly a blessing!"
Was it really a blessing for him?
Cheng Xiran forced a smile, "Actually, I was just trying to fob off the Empress Dowager at that time. Mainly because I don't want to marry the Prince of Qi."
Zuo Yan was slightly stunned, "But the prince has already asked the emperor for the imperial decree of marriage. I'm afraid the good news of your and the prince's wedding will spread throughout the capital tomorrow!"
A look of surprise flashed across Cheng Xiran's eyes, "Really... But..."
She wanted to explain but found herself at a loss for words. Finally, she simply nodded slightly and said, "The prince must have his reasons for what he does. I don't need to ask too much."
Zuo Yan sensed something was off and didn't continue. He also didn't mention the house on the outskirts of the capital. Actually, Cheng Xiran didn't know that this house was personally selected by Helian Duo as soon as he heard that she had been driven out of the Cheng Mansion.
Cheng Xiran was idle at the newspaper office. She was on the second floor, trying to write an article but couldn't focus. She couldn't quite describe her feelings. There was joy but also worry. Was she putting Helian Duo in an awkward position by doing this?
The whole second floor seemed to be filled with Helian Duo's aura, and even the white porcelain teacup on the table was no exception.
She didn't know whether to stand or sit, so she simply went downstairs.
The shopkeeper was helping in the kitchen in the backyard. Without saying a word, she also rolled up her sleeves and started working.
Because she was channeling her emotions into work, she was very energetic. Even the shopkeeper was shocked.
Before dinner, Helian Duo returned with the twilight.
He exuded an air of nobility that she couldn't match or even look directly at.
Seeing Cheng Xiran looking glum, Helian Duo couldn't help but tease her, "I'm the one who was taken advantage of today. Why do you look more like the victim?"
Cheng Xiran ate her meal indifferently and replied, "How about I ask the emperor to revoke the imperial decree of marriage in a while? That should solve the problem."
"Do you think I'm something you can use when you need me and discard when you don't?"
Helian Duo's tone was neither happy nor angry.
Cheng Xiran spoke her mind, "But I really did it for an emergency today. And... I think you surely don't want to marry me either, right?"
The shopkeeper sensed the subtle atmosphere and immediately got up and left, "Miss, I'll go back first. The old woman at home is waiting for me to have dinner."
After the shopkeeper left, Helian Duo walked over and sat down opposite her. He stared at her and said firmly, "Cheng Xiran, do you think the imperial decree of marriage from the emperor can be disobeyed casually? If this angers the emperor, not only you but even I might lose my life."
His words made Cheng Xiran suspicious, "It shouldn't be that serious, right? We can just say our relationship has broken down."
"You're still thinking too simply..." Seeing Cheng Xiran's expression change slightly, Helian Duo emphasized, "I'm telling you, you'd better not mention such things in the future. If it reaches the emperor's ears, it will be a matter of life and death."
His words really intimidated Cheng Xiran.
Cheng Xiran didn't know if she believed him or if she just wanted to find an excuse for herself to feel at ease.
Even if she had to bear this false name with him, she was willing.