"The matter of the second young lady spending the night at the Prince Qi's Mansion last night somehow got out, and everyone on this street knows about it. They've all come to watch the show," Steward Wang said, lowering his head as he spoke.
Cheng Xiran suddenly understood. It seemed she grasped the meaning of what Zuo Yan had said earlier, and also understood what Helian Duo meant.
Prime Minister Cheng almost instinctively glanced at Cheng Xiran. Cheng Xiran couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Seeing this, the old lady interjected, "Xiran has been with me all morning and never left the Cheng Mansion. She didn't even know about this morning's incident. How could she have done such a thing? Don't always suspect her whenever something goes wrong in the mansion. Xiran isn't the kind of two - faced person."
Only then did Prime Minister Cheng slowly withdraw his gaze.
Liu was on the verge of crying but dared not, for fear of angering Prime Minister Cheng even more. After all, this incident not only brought disgrace to the Cheng Mansion, but it was even more embarrassing for him as the head of the family.
Prime Minister Cheng simply threw down his chopsticks. The others didn't dare to move their chopsticks either, except for the old lady.
"Look! Now the whole capital will know what a fine daughter the Cheng Mansion has raised. She hasn't even officially gotten married but has already had an affair. I'm probably going to be the laughingstock of others for a long time!" he said, directing his words at Liu.
Liu didn't dare to say a word, and even Sun Yanyan didn't dare to step forward to persuade him.
Cheng Xiran secretly snickered in her heart but on the surface pretended to look sad.
"Prime Minister, perhaps I should send someone out to deal with this to prevent it from spreading further..." the steward suggested softly.
But he was quickly refuted by Prime Minister Cheng. "No need. Let it be. Do as it will."
After saying that, Prime Minister Cheng got up and left, and soon Liu followed.
The old lady ate a few mouthfuls casually and, supported by Nanny Jin, returned to her own courtyard. In the front hall, only Cheng Xiran and Sun Yanyan were left. Sun Yanyan seemed to have noticed something, and there was a hint of meaning in her eyes as she looked at Cheng Xiran.
"Xiran, tell me honestly. Did you know about this beforehand?"
Cheng Xiran put a piece of meat into her mouth, chewed for a while, and then swallowed it. Only then did she slowly say, "Whether I knew it or not, this has already happened. None of us can change it."
Sun Yanyan murmured softly, "Don't you think you've gone too far?"
"Me, going too far..." Cheng Xiran burst into laughter as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. Then she stared fixedly at Sun Yanyan and continued, "Have I gone too far? Why didn't you say she'd gone too far when she put aphrodisiacs in my wine cup last night? If it was me who brought disgrace to the Cheng Mansion today, would you say this to Cheng Zhiyue?"
Sun Yanyan was stunned. She didn't expect Cheng Xiran to be so emotional.
"Sorry, I didn't know the whole story..."
Cheng Xiran withdrew her cold gaze and continued to eat. "The world is about to change."
Outside the window, the autumn wind was gentle. Where was the sign of change?
Cheng Xiran had been waiting for Helian Duo to pick her up. She'd been waiting since lunch, for about an hour.
"Miss, the prince is waiting outside the mansion gate and asking us to go out!" Yun'er walked in with a beaming smile. She was very happy today because of what happened to Cheng Zhiyue.
When they came out of the Cheng Mansion, they found that the crowd that had surrounded the place before hadn't dispersed. Instead, it had grown even larger.
"I'd say there's really no comparison between the legitimate daughter and the concubine - born daughter!"
"Exactly! I used to think Cheng Zhiyue was such a gentle and kind person, but it turns out she's just all show!"
"Doing such a thing that ruins the family's reputation. Humph, Prime Minister Cheng is going to have a hard time now!"
Cheng Xiran followed Helian Duo towards the crowd, and the crowd automatically made way for them.
Sure enough, having the Regent as a backer made a difference. Although it attracted a lot of envy and jealousy from other women, there were also many benefits. She didn't have to be afraid of anything as long as there was someone to support her.
After they got away from the crowd and it was quiet again, Cheng Xiran asked, "Did you do this?"
Helian Duo replied seriously, "He favors his youngest son, while I feel sorry for his eldest daughter. We each act for someone. What's wrong with that?"
Cheng Xiran pursed her lips and smiled. Her heart was warm, not only because of the warm sun but also because of his words.
"Thank you so much. I was a bit unbalanced before, but now I feel much better!"
As she said this, Cheng Xiran took out two candies from her purse and handed one to Helian Duo.
Helian Duo gently tore off the candy wrapper and popped the candy into his mouth. Instantly, the sweetness filled his mouth. He couldn't help but smile and say, "Is it too easy to buy me off with just one candy?"
Cheng Xiran shrugged indifferently. "I only had two candies on me. Isn't it enough to give you one?"
Just as Helian Duo was about to reply, they saw Xue Lianyu striding towards them angrily with a newspaper in his hand.
"Xiran, how could you write about all my things?" Although he looked angry, his tone was gentle.
Cheng Xiran pouted and said leisurely, "What? You're allowed to use the two of us to gain attention, but I'm not allowed to write about you? But the number of newspapers sold today should be small, and Cheng Zhiyue's incident has overshadowed you. Don't worry. No one will pay much attention to you."
When it came to this, Xue Lianyu immediately became curious. He leaned in and said, "Tell me the details!"
"What details?" Cheng Xiran was confused.
Xue Lianyu gave a sly smile, and she immediately understood. She gave him a look to let him figure it out himself.
"By the way, I went to the palace to deliver something this morning and happened to meet the emperor. He asked me to pass a message to you. He said that whenever you're free, go to the palace. He has something important to discuss with you."
Helian Duo's face darkened a bit, and then he replied calmly, "Got it."
"By the way, Xiran, I want to buy some clothes and jewelry for Liyin. Would you accompany me to go shopping?" Xue Lianyu looked at Cheng Xiran pleadingly, hoping she would agree.
Unable to resist, and since she really didn't have anything important to do, Cheng Xiran agreed. "Okay then."
"Then you two go. I'll go to the palace. There must be something urgent."
After saying this, he turned around and left. Only then did Cheng Xiran realize that he always left just like that.
She stared at his tall and slender back for a long time. When she came to her senses, she was surprised to find that Xue Lianyu had been staring at her for a long time too.
He said firmly, "It seems that Xiran likes A Duo more."
Although Cheng Xiran blushed, she instinctively retorted, "How could that be? It was clearly he who fell for me first!"