Helian Duo couldn't help smiling. "Why do you care about what these people say? Just take it as a joke."
Cheng Xiran pouted, indicating that she couldn't do it. Moreover, as she casually looked around, she just then noticed the sachet hanging from his waist, which she had embroidered for him herself.
"You're actually still wearing it. Aren't you嫌弃 it's ugly?"
She couldn't help asking. Helian Duo followed her gaze and looked down. After a moment of concentration, he smiled and said, "Why should I think it's ugly? As the saying goes, 'a wife who has shared the husband's hard times', so how could I have the audacity to refuse the things made by my 'wife who has shared my hard times'?"
The way he put it... was he comparing her to his wife who had shared his hard times?
Why had he become so good at talking these days? Not only did he smile more often, his tone had also become gentler. Even his whole person seemed a bit unlike the Helian Duo she knew.
Only then did she realize that what she had feared was his status rather than the man himself, and what she liked and loved was also the man himself rather than his status and position as the regent.
The two of them chatted and laughed all the way to the Prince of Qi's Mansion.
As soon as they got off the carriage, they saw Helian Yue and Cheng Zhiyue waiting for them outside.
When Helian Yue saw Cheng Xiran, he stared at her intently.
It wasn't until Cheng Zhiyue grabbed his arm that he came to his senses.
Cheng Xiran stepped forward two steps and saluted. "Cheng Xiran pays respects to the Prince of Qi."
Cheng Zhiyue also saluted Helian Duo. Her coquettish voice made Cheng Xiran feel uncomfortable.
"The future Regent's Consort is truly extraordinary. Not only is her writing wonderful, she can also compose poems and lyrics. Even her appearance is as beautiful as a celestial being."
Cheng Xiran forced a smile and deliberately avoided his gaze. Then she heard Helian Duo say, "Xiran is indeed very outstanding. Ordinary women naturally can't compare."
Cheng Zhiyue felt secretly annoyed, because his words also included herself. If there were other women present, it would have been okay, but there was only herself. Wasn't he just scolding her indirectly?
But she couldn't just stand there stupidly without any response. If she didn't fight back, the Prince of Qi's soul would be taken away by Cheng Xiran.
So she cleared her throat and echoed with a beaming smile, "What the regent said is indeed true. Sister is indeed beyond the reach of us ordinary women in some aspects."
Helian Duo was too lazy to deal with her and didn't even look at her.
"Alright, please come inside quickly. It's a bit cold outside."
All the decorations in the Prince of Qi's Mansion exuded the word "extravagant". From the large murals and utensils to the small teacups for drinking tea, everything was extremely exquisite.
Except for this man and his disgusting lecherous looks from time to time.
"Serve the dishes. There are only the four of us tonight. I know that you, Uncle Regent, don't like too many people."
Helian Duo nodded slightly.
Cheng Xiran had eaten some pastries on the way to fill her stomach. Firstly, it was to maintain her perfect image, and secondly, she was on guard that today's banquet might not be simple. She was afraid that Cheng Zhiyue or Helian Yue might do something to the food.
Cheng Zhiyue got up and poured wine for them personally. "This wine is a rare vintage privately stored by the Prince of Qi. It takes several years to get just one jar. I'm sure the regent and sister will like it."
Cheng Xiran was just afraid that there was poison in the wine. Just as she was hesitating whether to drink it, she saw Helian Duo take out a pill from his waist. "Xiran, this is a hangover pill. Take some, so that you won't get drunk and make a fool of yourself later."
Seeing his secret signal, Cheng Xiran understood what he meant. She pouted and took the pill, nodding. "Okay, okay, okay. Since it was personally prepared by the regent, I will naturally take it."
Cheng Zhiyue didn't take it too seriously. Only a trace of worry flashed through her eyes, and then it turned into a sneer at the corner of her mouth. "Sister, don't blame your little sister for being talkative. I'm sure you've been under a lot of pressure since you got together with the regent. After all, the regent has been the dream lover of all the girls in the capital for so many years. I bet they've said a lot of bad things about you behind your back."
Just thinking about this made Cheng Zhiyue angry.
Why was she and Cheng Xiran both betrothed by the emperor on the same day, but everyone's attention was focused on Cheng Xiran? Even the court officials who came to visit today were all here for Cheng Xiran.
She knew it was because of Helian Duo, but just thinking that she had always been inferior to others in the past and still couldn't change this situation even when she was about to get married, her emotions naturally became pent - up and couldn't be relieved.
Right in front of the other two people, Cheng Xiran boldly held Helian Duo's hand that was resting on the table. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, little sister. But I have no right to interfere with what others say, after all, their mouths are on their own bodies. But the fact that the regent loves me is obvious. On the contrary, it's precisely because of his love that has allowed me to come this far and made me willing to face everything that follows with him."
The Prince of Qi clapped his hands and cheered.
"Actually, all love in this world is the same. If everyone had such a good attitude like Miss Cheng, there would be far fewer people in this world who would turn from love to hate."
Cheng Xiran replied politely, "Your Highness the Prince of Qi is over - praising. Xiran just said what she wanted to say. It can't be regarded as any great truth."
Cheng Zhiyue on the side snorted softly. She really hated Cheng Xiran like this. She hated that everything Cheng Xiran got was better than hers, and she hated even more that Cheng Xiran had the capital to be proud.
But on the surface, or at least in Helian Yue's eyes, she still had to pretend to be reasonable.
Cheng Xiran drank the wine. It was really good, but it was very strong, so she didn't dare to drink too much, lest something embarrassing like last night happen again.
She sipped it in small sips, and Helian Duo kept putting dishes on her plate.
Seeing this, Helian Yue also put dishes on Cheng Zhiyue's plate. Although he showed an affectionate appearance on the surface, in fact, their hearts were far apart. When the empress dowager had talked to him before, he had already taken a fancy to Cheng Xiran. Not only because her newspaper could be used as a network, but also because of her charm.
Who would have thought that Helian Duo would come out of nowhere and ruin his previous plan.
"By the way, the envoys from Yulin Kingdom will be entering the capital to pay homage to the emperor in a few days. I heard that the emperor has arranged for you, Uncle Regent, to receive them first?"
Before Helian Duo could reply, he continued, "But I heard that the princess of Yulin Kingdom is also coming this time, and her target is you, Uncle Regent. I don't know if you'll be able to handle it then."
After saying that, he deliberately glanced at Cheng Xiran.
Almost instinctively, Helian Duo turned his eyes to look at Cheng Xiran. All his tenderness was concentrated in that moment. He promised, "I will naturally explain the situation to them at that time. I will never let Xiran be wronged in the slightest."