Mu Li quickly withdrew her hand in time. Otherwise, in the next second, she might have struck Hua Bairu on the shoulder, and the latter would have been sent flying several meters away onto the lawn, writhing in pain.
"The girl beside you is quite skilled in martial arts. And she doesn't seem to be an ordinary bodyguard. Judging from her speed and moves, she must have been a killer before," Hua Bairu said as she sat down opposite Cheng Xiran without even a hint of courtesy.
Did she think this was her own home?
Cheng Xiran found it hard to tolerate this, but considering Hua Bairu's status, she still managed a smile and replied, "Your Highness is right. A Li used to be a killer and was under the command of the prince. The prince was afraid that I might be bullied on a daily basis, so he sent A Li to protect me."
She didn't know why she added that last part. Maybe it was because of Hua Bairu's presence that she couldn't help showing off her affection with Helian Duo.
Even though she wasn't a person who liked to compare with others since childhood, when it came to Helian Duo, she wouldn't yield to anyone.
Not even the king of heaven.
Hua Bairu was about the same age as Chu Liyin, but her mind was much more mature. She clearly heard the hidden meaning in Cheng Xiran's words, and the smile on her lips froze.
"I have some important news. I wonder if Miss Cheng would like to hear it?"
Her tone was full of barbs, and Cheng Xiran didn't give her a good look either. She simply replied, "Then you don't have to say it."
"The emperor has ordered the prince to accompany me around the capital starting tomorrow. After all, the relationship between our countries is extraordinary, and both the emperor and the empress dowager attach great importance to it."
"Oh, really? Then I wish Your Highness a pleasant trip here."
The maids standing nearby could already sense the thick smell of gunpowder in the air.
"I read this morning's newspaper. Of course, I believe in Miss Cheng's character. I'm sure Miss Cheng would never do such a despicable thing as having an affair with two men at the same time..." Hua Bairu raised her eyebrows slightly and continued, "But this matter has spread and doesn't sound good. As soon as I heard about it, I immediately asked the prince to discuss how to handle it."
She never stopped mentioning Helian Duo in her words, just like a dog-skin plaster sticking to him tightly. Cheng Xiran was not afraid at all. She calmly said, "So Your Highness also contributed to this solution. I really should thank you. As the prince's fiancée, I'll toast you with tea instead of wine!"
Hua Bairu was immediately stunned on the spot. The first thing she said after coming to her senses was, "So what if you're the fiancée? As long as you're not married and haven't consummated the marriage, the engagement can be annulled at any time."
Finally, Cheng Xiran couldn't hold back anymore and directly asked, "Did Your Highness come here today just to argue with me?"
After gulping down the tea in front of her, Hua Bairu said word by word, "Let me be straight with you. I came to the capital with the diplomatic mission this time just to be with the prince. I've been in love with the prince since I was a child. I gave up before because he was too cold and hard to approach. Now that someone has smoothed out his sharp edges and made him more charming than before, how could I let this opportunity slip away?"
Cheng Xiran's face turned cold. "He and I are already engaged. Isn't it inappropriate for Your Highness to do this?"
Zhuque and Yun'er looked at Hua Bairu impatiently. They had already cursed her in their hearts countless times.
"Neither of them is married yet. What's inappropriate about it? Now I still have a chance. If I can make the prince fall in love with me, then your engagement can be annulled. Isn't that a happy ending for everyone?"
A happy ending for everyone?
No.
This could hardly be called a happy ending. Helian Duo clearly loved her. How could he fall in love with Hua Bairu?
"Then you can forget about it for the rest of your life."
Cheng Xiran had no other choice but to threaten her. But she didn't expect that Hua Bairu was neither soft nor hard to deal with. "The rest of my life hasn't ended yet, and I haven't even started to put my mind to it. How do you know it's impossible? I can tell you that in Yulin Kingdom, there are so many people who like me that they can line up to the city gate. I don't believe the prince won't fall in love with me."
Cheng Xiran was a little anxious, but then she thought, what was she anxious about? She didn't have to care about this Hua Bairu at all. As long as she could keep Helian Duo steady, clearly understand his feelings, and unconditionally trust that he would handle all these things properly, that would be enough.
So she calmed down, steadied her restless mood, and then said with a smile, "Indeed, it's Your Highness's freedom to do whatever you want. I have no right to interfere. Since the emperor has ordered the prince to accompany you around, then go ahead."
"In two days, it will be the Qixi Festival in our country. I'm sure you also celebrate it here. At that time, I'll drag the prince to release sky lanterns with me. I'll pray that the prince and I will be together forever. It is said that any wish you make on this day will come true!"
Cheng Xiran was a new youth from the 21st century. How could she believe in such feudal superstitions? So when she heard Hua Bairu's words, she just smiled and didn't pay any attention.
Seeing her indifferent expression, Hua Bairu felt a little strange. She then asked, "What's with your expression and attitude? Aren't you afraid that I'll snatch the prince away from you?"
"Because I trust the prince, I have nothing to say. You can do whatever you want. For the sake of the good relationship between the two countries, the prince will naturally compromise. Your Highness can rest assured. If he doesn't take good care of you later, I'll definitely teach him a good lesson."
Cheng Xiran gradually became complacent, not knowing that Hua Bairu's face was getting uglier and uglier.
"Cheng Xiran, can't you just leave the prince? Tell me, what's so good about you? You have neither a good figure nor a beautiful face. Why does the prince like you? It's really puzzling!"
The whip in her hand swept across the corner of the marble table and accurately shattered the teacup in front of Cheng Xiran.
Mu Li wanted to step forward, but Cheng Xiran gave her a look to stop her. "Your Highness still has a childish temper. Why do you care about her? Since she thinks it's fun to do this, just let her be."
The butler on the side couldn't stand it anymore and whispered, "Your Highness, after all, she is the prince's fiancée and the future princess. You should pay attention to your manners. If you hurt someone, it will be a big deal."
A hint of coldness flashed across Hua Bairu's eyes. Then she scolded the butler, "Who do you think you are? Do you think you're qualified to teach me a lesson here? In Yulin Kingdom, no one dares to talk to me like this!"
"Then you can just go back to your own country," Yun'er murmured in a low voice.