Miss Truth

"Lady Lanyan, please don’t take offense at Qing’er’s rudeness; she has always liked to be contrary with others," Dugu Lanyan said, smoothing things over.

Ran Yan was to marry Xiao Song, whose wife from the Dugu clan was Dugu Lanyan’s aunt. Although they were not very close, they were still within the prohibited degrees of marriage, and Xiao Song was Dugu Lanyan’s cousin. Given such a relationship, she could not afford to have a fall out with Ran Yan.

"Hmm," Ran Yan set her cup down, turned to look at Cheng Qing’er, and said, "What is Lady Cheng trying to imply with these words? And how does she expect me to respond?"

Ran Yan was not a senior member of Ran Yunsheng’s family, and therefore could not decide on his marriage affairs. Moreover, according to historical records, the Prince Consort of Princess Baling was Chai Lingwu. Even if Ran Yan truly wished to propose Ran Yunsheng as the Prince Consort, the future would likely be tragic, just as Liu Qingsong said—they couldn’t twist the thigh of history.

"It means nothing special; I just wanted to remind you that the Princess has never failed to get the person she sets her sights on," Cheng Qing’er said indifferently.

Dugu Lanyan’s expression grew even more displeased. She was uncertain whether Cheng Qing’er genuinely wanted to be contrary with Ran Yan or was there to cause trouble. The words she spoke would inevitably pit Ran Yan against Princess Baling. If Ran Yan were simply Miss Seventeen of the Ran family, Dugu Lanyan might not be so suspicious. But she had just heard that the wedding arrangements between Ran Yan and Xiao Song were settled, and that they were to be married in March. Under such circumstances, Cheng Qing’er’s actions made one wonder.

People generally knew that the Duke Cheng Zhijie was brave and bold, so they assumed he was a rough and simple man. However, only those who were close to him understood that he was coarse on the outside but intricate on the inside, and in matters of state affairs, he was not inferior to Fang Xuanling or others. As the legitimate daughter of Cheng Zhijie, Cheng Qing’er was very much like her father; without really knowing her, one could only see her arrogance and rudeness.

Ran Yan looked at her for a long while before turning away, saying, "Lady Cheng has been considerate; thank you."

Ran Yan deliberately pretended not to understand her provocation, taking her words as a kind reminder. Should Princess Baling find out, she would inevitably develop a dislike for Cheng Qing’er.

Without any show of emotion, Ran Yan returned the favor of provocation subtly. Beneath this quiet exchange of blows, Cheng Qing’er actually felt rather pleased. She shared a similar disposition with Ran Yan, normally favoring a straightforward approach. However, should anyone try to deceive her, it would be utterly impossible.