Yun Sheng spoke with extreme excitement, his voice carrying no restraint. His eyes, filled with triumph, fixed on Feng Ran. He said with a sneer, "I was in too much of a hurry to leave home today and forgot to check these shoes. Just lick them clean for me."
Originally, not many people had noticed what was happening. But Yun Sheng's words drew all eyes in the banquet hall towards them.
The gazes of those present landed on Feng Ran, watching her with the anticipation of a spectacle.
Feng Ran, the eldest daughter of the Feng family, and formerly the Regent's Consort. Though no longer so, she was now being humiliated by the Yun family's wastrel in front of so many dignitaries.
It seemed Feng Ran's future would be anything but smooth. This Yun Sheng had some unspeakable kinks. No woman who fell into his hands ever had a good end.
Naturally, there were those who rose to resist. However, the consequence of their resistance was losing their very lives.
Therefore, many of these people would avoid Yun Sheng from a great distance.
Yun Sheng had a sister who was a favored concubine in the palace. As such, no one dared to offend him.
Yun Sheng relied on this, acting outrageously outside. Yet, no one dared to say anything.
Everyone waited to watch the show, each thinking that Feng Ran, with her backbone, would naturally not do such a lowly thing.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Feng Ran's lips. She took out a handkerchief and began to wipe, meticulously cleaning Yun Sheng's shoes until they were spotless.
The surroundings immediately erupted with jeers and taunts.
"To save her life, the Feng family's eldest daughter has truly thrown all dignity away."
"How could she agree to this?"
"Shouldn't she have resisted with her life?"
"Heh, she's willing to do anything to preserve her wretched life."
"I never expected the Feng family's eldest daughter to be so base. Looking at it this way, the Regent's decision was indeed correct."
"Heh, the Regent married her only because she threatened him. She's shameless."
"She brought ruin upon all of the Feng family, and yet she still has the audacity to appear here. It's utterly laughable."
Feng Ran's ears were filled with the taunts, but she acted as if nothing had happened, as if she heard nothing, continuing with her task.
A bitter smile played on her lips. So, all of this was her own doing.
So, all of this was caused by her own hands.
So... so.
She smiled, a bitter smile.
And yet, to stay alive, her hands could not stop.
This was her fate.
...
Ling Chi Yuan had intended to go home. However, he saw someone rushing towards him. Whatever they said, his expression turned extremely grim. Without even thinking about the reason for their urgency, he turned and headed towards the banquet.
At the banquet, a crowd had gathered around a certain spot, their words cutting deep.
The appearance of Ling Chi Yuan at this moment caused the surrounding people to quiet down considerably.
But a few young masters continued to speak.
Qing Huan, upon seeing Ling Chi Yuan appear, was startled at first. Though her face was full of joy.
Earlier, she had come here, constantly searching for Ling Chi Yuan. The banquet attendant had said Ling Chi Yuan had already left. But how could she possibly waste such a good opportunity to interact with Ling Chi Yuan?
She gave all the silver she had brought to the attendant, asking him to find Ling Chi Yuan and tell him what was happening here.
Seeing Ling Chi Yuan, she was overjoyed. Her silver had truly not been spent in vain.
But the moment she realized Ling Chi Yuan was here for Feng Ran, she was consumed by violent jealousy.
She even wondered why everyone was so infatuated with Feng Ran.
What was so special about Feng Ran?
Though she knew full well that Ling Chi Yuan's presence was for Feng Ran, Qing Huan still wore a smile and approached Ling Chi Yuan directly, saying with flattery and obsequiousness, "Young Master Ling, I didn't expect to meet you here today. This is truly our fate."
Ling Chi Yuan's gaze never left the surroundings; it never fell upon her.
"Young Master Ling, did you come here looking for someone?"
"Are you looking for Feng Ran?"
Qing Huan uttered the name through gritted teeth.
Ling Chi Yuan, who had not paid any attention to Qing Huan, immediately nodded upon hearing her words and asked, "Where is Feng Ran?"
Ling Chi Yuan inquired with some urgency. In truth, he could have found her if he searched, but he felt that searching was a waste of time, and he didn't want to delay any further.
This person mentioned Feng Ran, so they must know where she was.
This person seemed familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before. But Ling Chi Yuan, in his haste to find Feng Ran, couldn't recall where he had met the person in front of him.
"Young Master Ling, this Feng Ran..." Qing Huan feigned a look of difficulty.
Heh, Feng Ran, once Ling Chi Yuan sees what you've done, he'll surely abandon you.
"Where is she?" Ling Chi Yuan seemed to be losing patience.
"Over there." Qing Huan pointed towards a spot not far away, speaking with resentment. But thinking that Feng Ran would soon be despised and rejected by Ling Chi Yuan, her mood improved considerably. She seemed worried that Ling Chi Yuan might delay his search for Feng Ran and miss the good show she had arranged, thus wasting her efforts.
She looked at Ling Chi Yuan and said ingratiatingly, "Young Master Ling, let me take you there."
Ling Chi Yuan nodded, "Yes. Come to the Ling manor later for a reward."
Qing Huan walked ahead, with Ling Chi Yuan following behind. Her hands were clenched tightly. Hearing Ling Chi Yuan mention coming to the Ling manor for a reward, her eyes filled with hatred. Heh, she had done all this, not for some reward.
What she desired was far more than that.
Qing Huan's heart was filled with joy. Just as they reached their destination, she pointed ahead and said, "Feng Ran is right here, but the situation is a bit..."
"Young Master Ling should probably not go."
Before Qing Huan could finish speaking, a loud bang, "Peng," was heard. Yun Sheng was directly kicked flying.
Qing Huan stared blankly at the scene unfolding before her, everything happening so unexpectedly that she hadn't even had time to react.
At that moment, Qing Huan saw Ling Chi Yuan's eyes were bloodshot. His foot landed on Yun Sheng, and he kicked him again and again, almost to the point of kicking him to death.
Qing Huan covered her mouth.
She almost cried out. She hadn't expected Ling Chi Yuan to act so directly.
What... what was going on? Everything was completely different from what she had imagined.
The person who should have been treated this way was Feng Ran.
Yun Sheng was the young master of the Yun family. How could Ling Chi Yuan dare?
And the Ling and Yun families had dealings with each other.
Yet, Ling Chi Yuan's kicks were so fierce, almost taking Yun Sheng's life.
Feng Ran was stunned. She didn't even know what was happening.
Feng Ran looked up, her eyes fixed blankly on the person before her.
Yun Sheng's wails, however, pulled Feng Ran back from her shock.