"As for that old hag, the Empress Dowager, we'll have to take things slowly."
Cheng Xiran suddenly noticed that Helian Duo was becoming more talkative, especially when he was with her.
She tried hard not to let the smile on her lips show too obviously.
This matter was over, and Helian Duo began to prepare to deal with Hua Bairu's case.
However, just as one wave subsided, another rose.
These days, they had been busy with the matter of the Minister of War, so they had no time to care about Cheng Zhiyue at home.
It was only now that the shopkeeper suddenly came to report that Cheng Zhiyue had rented a rice shop next to the newspaper office and opened an identical one. Although the content was different, it was essentially the same.
Even so, Cheng Zhiyue's newspaper office became popular. No one knew whether she had hired online trolls or used some other means. Anyway, there was nothing this woman wouldn't do.
"It's a pity. I had an agreement with the prince to go on a picnic in the suburbs this afternoon."
Cheng Xiran followed the shopkeeper back to the newspaper office and noticed a lot of people in front of the door across the street. When she saw Liu Shi and the other women and children dressed similarly to her, Cheng Xiran understood.
At the same time, she still couldn't understand Cheng Zhiyue's behavior until she leaned against the door and met Xiao Qi.
Seeing the two of them whispering to each other like sisters, Cheng Xiran felt like laughing. She laughed at the stupidity of Liu Shi and Cheng Zhiyue.
Soon, Xiao Qi walked towards her lightly. Cheng Xiran stood there motionless, with no intention of inviting her in.
Xiao Qi didn't care about this. After all, she came here today just to say some harsh words on behalf of Cheng Zhiyue.
"You'd better be more careful in the future. Don't do anything sneaky and get caught by us. When that happens, we won't care about our past friendship. We'll still expose it to the public."
"Okay." Cheng Xiran pretended to agree and continued to watch her act.
Xiao Qi probably noticed and couldn't help but be stunned. Seeing her nonchalant look, she continued, "Cheng Xiran, I'm telling you, the prince won't really marry you. I advise you to leave early. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
"The prince won't marry me, and he probably won't marry you either..." Cheng Xiran pursed her lips and smiled, then continued, "Don't you even look at what you're worth?"
Xiao Qi got angry and was about to raise her hand, but the next second, she was subdued by Mu Li, who appeared out of nowhere.
"My dear sister, if you really want the prince to look at you, I can talk to him for you later. But I'm really worried that he'll feel sick then."
When did Cheng Xiran become so powerful? She didn't even notice.
Xiao Qi was angry but couldn't argue with her, so she had to leave. Cheng Xiran even specially told someone to send her out nicely.
"It's really boring. I don't know what these women are thinking all day long."
Cheng Xiran complained. The shopkeeper, who was doing the accounts, couldn't help laughing: "Miss, why worry? There were many people who imitated us before, but they all failed in the end. I think it will be the same this time, right?"
"It may not be the same this time..." Cheng Xiran lazily folded her arms across her chest, glanced in that direction, and then continued, "My intuition tells me that they're up to no good. We'll know soon enough."
Cheng Xiran was too lazy to make wild guesses here. She just started to look at the information Helian Duo had prepared for her. This time, it wasn't just about uncovering the Minister of War. Helian Duo had also uprooted all his other party members, leaving them no chance to catch their breath.
After reading for a while, she heard the sound of gongs and drums outside.
At first, she didn't find it strange. She thought it was the variety show Liu Shi had invited to celebrate the opening of Cheng Zhiyue's newspaper office. But as she listened, there was no laughter and joy that matched the atmosphere. So she curiously got up to check.
She was really shocked when she saw.
"Gu Yuanqing?"
Cheng Xiran was a little surprised, but when she thought about it carefully, it seemed reasonable.
When Cheng Zhiyue saw Gu Yuanqing, it was like seeing an old lover. Her face showed all kinds of emotions. Even Cheng Xiran, who had stared at her for several times, couldn't tell what they were. So she stopped speculating on her own and walked straight up.
She said with a smiling face, "Isn't this Young Master Gu? It's been a while since I last saw you."
After so many days, the previous injury had completely healed. Seeing his rosy complexion, it seemed that he had been living a good life recently.
When Gu Yuanqing saw Cheng Xiran, he couldn't help smiling at her faintly: "It's the eldest miss."
"What are you doing..."
Cheng Xiran glanced at the uncles and grandfathers behind him who were still beating gongs and drums.
So Gu Yuanqing turned his gaze to Cheng Zhiyue and said sincerely, "As you can see, I heard that Zhiyue opened a newspaper office today, so I thought of finding some people to liven things up for her and support her. It just so happens that I haven't seen her for a while."
Cheng Zhiyue, who was being stared at by him, felt a little creepy on her back and quickly hid behind Liu Shi.
Liu Shi, who was stupid, didn't give him a good look at all. She even said righteously, "Gu, I'm telling you, now Zhiyue is already the fiancée of the Prince of Qi. You'd better not have any more thoughts about her!"
Cheng Xiran almost burst out laughing.
Gu Yuanqing bowed politely and said, "I've made the lady laugh. I've just been recuperating at home for a while and have been busy with affairs. It's only now that I have the opportunity to come and see Zhiyue."
Liu Shi snorted lightly, looking down on him.
The atmosphere was stalemate. After a while, they heard Cheng Zhiyue say faintly, "You can leave after you've seen. The Prince of Qi will come later."
Cheng Xiran didn't invite him to her place. After standing for a while and feeling bored because there was no exciting news, she went back to the newspaper office. What she didn't expect was that Gu Yuanqing actually came to her on his own initiative.
"I'd like to ask you for a favor."
As soon as he came in and sat down, he went straight to the point.
After Cheng Xiran reacted, she asked, "What favor does Young Master Gu want me to do for you?"
"I want to see the prince. I need to talk to him face to face."
Cheng Xiran didn't ask what it was about. Seeing his determined face, although she didn't know whether he was a friend or an enemy, the current situation was turbulent. If he could provide a little help, it would be a good thing for them.
So she readily agreed, "Okay. If it works out later, I'll send someone to inform you at your home."
Gu Yuanqing gave her a very grateful look and then got up and left.
After finishing the work in the newspaper office, it was already late. She didn't go to find Helian Duo. After all, he had been busy reorganizing the court these two days and had spent a lot of effort. She still had to leave him some private space and let him have a good rest.
But as soon as she returned to the Cheng Mansion, she heard the steward say that Prime Minister Cheng was waiting for her in the front hall.
"Miss, be more careful. I think the prime minister doesn't look very happy."
It seemed that there would be another argument tonight.
Actually, she also knew clearly in her heart what was waiting for her. So when she came to the front hall and saw Prime Minister Cheng's angry look, she brought it up before he could speak.
"I'll move out of the Cheng Mansion. Father, you don't need to say anything more."
She dropped this sentence and was about to leave, but was stopped by Prime Minister Cheng in a loud voice.
"Cheng Xiran, you're so bold. Do you know what you're doing now? Look at what you've done since you've been with Helian Duo. None of these things are what a decent person would do!"
Had the words become so harsh?
Cheng Xiran smiled with the corners of her lips curved. There was a faint smile in her eyes. Although her tone was light, every word was like a precious pearl: "Father, you're wrong. Every day with the prince makes me feel more and more like a real person."
Immediately afterwards, there was a clear sound of a teacup shattering on the ground.
Cheng Xiran listened very comfortably, and the smile on her face didn't fade.
But Prime Minister Cheng was so angry that he was breathing rapidly, and his chest was heaving. "Cheng Xiran, do you really not understand or are you just pretending? Don't you know what you can do and what you can't do? Do you know that you've angered the Empress Dowager and almost harmed the entire Cheng family? For a man like Helian Duo, you don't even want your own family!"
Cheng Xiran let the words go in one ear and out the other. She didn't take any of his words to heart at all.
She was just thinking about whether she should go directly to the prince's mansion later.
However, she still hit the nail on the head and grasped Prime Minister Cheng's weakness: "Father, when you say this, it makes Xiran can't help but suspect that there's really something between the Minister of War and the Empress Dowager."
Only then did Prime Minister Cheng realize that he had said too much.
He quickly changed his tune, "The court is not only managed by Helian Duo. You've made such a big commotion without saying a word. Where do you put the majesty of the Empress Dowager? Moreover, can you think about your sister before you act? Aren't you afraid that she'll have a hard time in the future because of this?"
Cheng Xiran asked him without hesitation, "What about father? How many times have you really thought about me?"
Prime Minister Cheng was stunned. After a while, he slowly said, "Don't try to change the topic. I'm talking to you about a very serious matter."
Cheng Xiran just felt speechless: "Why say more? Father's meaning is obvious. Even if I don't want to think too much, I already have."