Cheng Xiran came to a halt. Then Mu Li immediately said, "The first time the prince sent me to protect you, I was no longer a member of the prince's mansion. Now that I've left you, where else can I go?"
Cheng Xiran had been quite reluctant to part with her in the first place. Now, hearing her words, her heart softened.
Yun'er and Zhuque then started to speak up for Mu Li one by one.
"What I said before was just out of anger..." Cheng Xiran gave her a smile and continued, "Since you're one of mine, I won't leave you behind again. From now on, let's all live a good life together!"
She would strive to forget that heartless man, Helian Duo, as soon as possible!
No, it seemed that he had never liked her in the first place...
When they returned to the Cheng Mansion and reached the front hall, they happened to encounter Prime Minister Cheng, the old lady, Mrs. Liu, and Sun Yanyan who was watching the show on the side.
Cheng Xiran stepped forward to pay her respects. After listening for a while, she learned that they were discussing the wedding of Cheng Zhiyue and Helian Yue.
The wedding date was set at the end of this month, seemingly to quickly cover up the scandal of Cheng Zhiyue spending the night in the Qi Prince's Mansion.
"Speaking of weddings, why haven't we heard any news from the prince's side these days?"
Mrs. Liu started to make sarcastic remarks again.
Although Cheng Xiran was too lazy to deal with her, she still replied with a beaming smile, "Madam, the prince has been tied up with numerous affairs these days. I've hardly had any chance to see him, so things have been delayed."
Mrs. Liu took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. A hint of smugness appeared in her eyes as she taunted, "Really? But why do I hear from others that the prince is just playing with you? Moreover, recently, people have been spreading the rumor that the prince and Princess Huabairu of Yulin Kingdom are childhood sweethearts, and the two of you will soon cancel the engagement."
"Did you hear the prince say this to you with your own ears?" Cheng Xiran retorted without hesitation, leaving her speechless.
Prime Minister Cheng, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "Don't end up making the Cheng Mansion lose all its face!"
Her father was always so selfish. Cheng Xiran was already used to it, so when she heard his words, she just let them go like the passing wind and never delved into them.
She pretended to be serious, stood up, and paid her respects again. "Please rest assured, Father. I won't be as stupid as my sister."
Prime Minister Cheng had nothing to say.
Then, seeing the old lady with kind eyes and a smiling face, she said, "Xiran, the prince sent some things over yesterday. Come with me to my courtyard to pick them up."
Cheng Xiran quickly stepped forward to support her. The two of them, the granddaughter and the grandmother, soon withdrew.
On the way there, Cheng Xiran kept thinking, did he really leave something for her?
What could it be?
But after entering the room and warming herself by the sandalwood incense burner for a while, she heard the old lady say softly, "Your sister fainted before she even finished copying half of the scriptures, and your father let her off."
So, Helian Duo didn't send anything for her at all?
Cheng Xiran was stunned. Then she heard her grandmother continue, "Xiran, tell me honestly. Has something happened between you and the prince?"
"Really nothing..." Cheng Xiran pretended to smile brightly. After a pause, she continued, "There's actually nothing between that Huabairu and him. He has already assured me of this, so I fully trust him."
Seeing that her grandmother was still half - believing and half - doubting, Cheng Xiran had to resort to a drastic measure. "Grandmother, if you don't believe me, I'll invite him over for lunch today. Although he's a prince now, he listens to me very much."
She actually just said this to boost her confidence. Unexpectedly, her grandmother really believed her and immediately nodded slightly and said, "Good. I also have a few words I want to say to him. Thanks to our Xiran's good fortune, even the powerful Regent Prince has to respect me as his grandmother when he sees me."
Cheng Xiran felt like crying but had no tears.
But since she had boasted and her grandmother was looking forward to it so much, she really didn't have the heart to expose the truth. Now there was only one way, which was to invite him over for lunch.
It shouldn't be difficult, right?
Just think of it as a favor from an ordinary friend?
After sitting with her grandmother outside for a while, Cheng Xiran returned to her own courtyard.
First, she sent Zhuque to invite him. After about the time it took to burn a stick of incense, Zhuque came back alone.
"The prince said he didn't want to see me."
Then she sent Yun'er. After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Yun'er also came back alone.
"The prince said it was useless for me to invite him."
She simply went to invite him herself. As soon as she left the Cheng Mansion, she saw Helian Duo standing with his hands behind his back on the long street.
In his green robe, he looked extremely elegant, just like a celestial being.
He didn't come towards her. It seemed that he was waiting for her to go to him.
So the two of them stared silently at each other for two seconds. Finally, Cheng Xiran took the initiative to walk towards him.
Seeing that he remained silent, Cheng Xiran had to take the initiative to speak again without looking at him. "It's like this. I haven't told my grandmother about what happened between us. So come and have lunch at the mansion at noon. Just act as usual."
"What happened between us?" Helian Duo asked calmly.
"You know, that stupid thing." Cheng Xiran was a bit annoyed.
"What stupid thing?" Helian Duo continued to press.
"Helian Duo, can you stop pretending? Anyway, I'll have a chance to meet the emperor in a few days and ask him to cancel the engagement. Today, just do it to make the old lady happy, okay?"
Helian Duo actually smiled at her.
How could he have the nerve to smile?
And his smile was as bright as the warm sun today.
How could he manage to smile?
Just when Cheng Xiran was百思不得其解, she heard Helian Duo say firmly, "I'll never let him cancel the engagement in this lifetime."
Before she could react, she heard a voice from behind, "Your Highness, what brings you to my humble mansion today? It really makes this place shine."
It was Prime Minister Cheng.
Helian Duo suddenly took her hand and walked towards Prime Minister Cheng.
When Prime Minister Cheng bowed to Helian Duo, it was also as if he was bowing to Cheng Xiran.
It was really the first time in her life to see her own father bowing to her!
"I was busy with official business a few days ago and didn't take good care of Xiran for a while. Anyway, we'll be family in the future. It's also good for the relationship between our two families if I come and visit often."
Prime Minister Cheng had no choice but to put on a respectful look. "Your Highness is quite right."
Then he invited the two of them in.
Along the way, Cheng Xiran wanted to break free several times, but this guy was holding her hand tightly finger by finger. Her efforts were in vain.
It should be noted that the warmth from his palm spread to her, gradually calming her heart.
"Now that the relief funds have all been recovered, I won't pursue the past any further. After all, we'll be family in the future. I hope the prime minister will act more cautiously. Don't be deceived by others, and don't have any bad intentions that might ruin your own life."
Helian Duo spoke very directly and clearly, leaving no room for Prime Minister Cheng to refute.