Qing Huan watched Feng Ran, who remained silent. Feng Ran was exceptionally smug at this moment, her face beaming with a smile as she said, "Feng Ran, what do you think? I've exposed your dirty dealings, and now you're speechless, aren't you?"
"Even you yourself feel you have no face to show, don't you?"
"I remember that when the entire Feng family was executed, you were the only one absent. At that time, you must have been trying to curry favor with those people to save Feng Jin's life, right?"
As Qing Huan spoke, her gaze fell upon Feng Jin, saying, "Feng Jin, what's wrong? Are you afraid of being implicated, so you don't dare to acknowledge Feng Ran?"
"Feng Jin, actually, your actions are understandable. They can even be excused. After all, anyone would choose to do so to save their own life."
Seeing that everyone was stunned, Qing Huan looked at Ling Chi Yuan and said, "Young Master Ling, if you get involved with someone like Feng Ran, in the end, you will be the one to get hurt. You must think it through carefully."
"Young Master Ling, wouldn't it be better to see through the person in front of you sooner?"
"Why must you fall for her?"
"Young Master Ling, if you don't believe my words, you can always ask Feng Ran. I believe Feng Ran wouldn't shamelessly utter more lies now."
He looked at Feng Ran, then at Feng Jin, as if understanding something.
The confusion in his eyes became even clearer.
Ling Chi Yuan stared quietly at Feng Ran. He suddenly shook his head, no, how could he be swayed by the words of outsiders, words that slandered Feng Ran?
Feng Ran was so wonderful.
What happened back then, he couldn't control.
Perhaps, Feng Ran had truly done something unforgivable at that time. But she knew nothing then. Making mistakes was inevitable.
In the past, she had endured immense suffering, and no one protected her. But now it was different; she had him, Ling Chi Yuan, to protect her. He would not let Feng Ran walk alone in her solitude.
He looked at Feng Ran, his eyes filled with heartache.
He even wondered what kind of life Feng Ran had lived when he wasn't around to see her.
He even thought that since fate had brought him to Feng Ran, the mission to protect her should fall upon him.
He remembered why Feng Ran was so unwilling to see him back then. It was because she didn't want to involve him, didn't want to bring him misfortune because of her.
Why was Feng Ran so foolish?
He didn't need her to do so much for him.
The heartache and pity washed over him, so profound that words could not express it.
Ling Chi Yuan thought about how she had faced the slander and difficulties of those people all by herself in the past.
He even resented himself, thinking that if he had met Feng Ran sooner, she wouldn't have had to endure such suffering.
It turned out that her coldness towards everyone had a reason.
It turned out she was so afraid of being hurt that she became guarded against everyone, not just him.
Ling Chi Yuan secretly resolved in his heart that from now on, he would treat Feng Ran even better, and never let her fall into danger again.
Ling Chi Yuan's gaze returned to Feng Ran. Looking at her, he softly asked, "Feng Ran, don't worry, I won't believe anything people by my side say. I only believe what I see for myself."
"Feng Ran, from now on, with me here, I will surely protect you completely."
At this moment, Ling Chi Yuan was no longer the usual dissolute man; he was a completely different person from his previous self.
Qing Huan, hearing these words, bit her lip fiercely, harboring hatred for Feng Ran.
Why, why, why did such a thing happen?
She had revealed these matters, expecting Ling Chi Yuan to detest Feng Ran, to cast her aside.
But, in the end, she had lost, lost completely.
It was laughable that Feng Ran hadn't even explained, and yet the matter was resolved.
Feng Ran lowered her head, not daring to look at Ling Chi Yuan.
Actually, she wanted to say that what Qing Huan had said was true. She was indeed that kind of person, and Feng Jin was indeed her biological brother.
But with so many people watching at the banquet, she couldn't utter those words of confession.
Feng Ran just looked at Ling Chi Yuan quietly.
She thought that when Ling Chi Yuan heard these words, he would immediately distance himself, stay far away.
But Ling Chi Yuan did not do so; instead, he spoke to her with such tenderness and made those vows.
However, she was not worthy at all.
She looked at Ling Chi Yuan and slowly said, "Ling Chi Yuan." After a long pause, she spoke again, "Thank you for believing me."
"I really didn't do those things."
Her gaze fell upon Feng Jin, but she quickly retracted it. She was afraid, afraid she might not be able to hold back and cry, revealing her inner thoughts.
Doing so would only harm Feng Jin.
She had already made so many mistakes.
And she didn't want to make any more mistakes now.
She knew that she was deceiving Ling Chi Yuan at this moment. But she had no other choice.
"Young Master Ling, I don't know why Qing Huan would say such life-threatening words. You know, this is something that can cost one their head."
Qing Huan burst into laughter, sneering, "Feng Ran, you bitch, you don't dare to admit it, do you?"
"Are you scared, Feng Ran? Do you think that with Ling Chi Yuan around, you can do whatever you want?"
"Feng Ran, do you think Ling Chi Yuan can withstand the poisonous hand of Xuan Yuan Heng?"
"Feng Ran, even if you don't admit it now, it doesn't mean you can hide it forever. I believe that one day, the truth will be exposed."
"One day, your malicious true colors will be clearly seen by everyone."
"Feng Ran, you are truly pathetic. Your own brother stands before you, and yet you dare not acknowledge him. How ridiculous."
Feng Ran clenched her hands tightly, constantly telling herself not to get angry, not to speak, to endure, to hold back.
She couldn't act impulsively; if she responded to Qing Huan, she would truly fall into the trap Qing Huan had set. Most importantly, even Feng Jin would be implicated.
She didn't want Feng Jin to be implicated because of her again.
Qing Huan said these were all her fault. But these were all bestowed upon her by Xuan Yuan Heng, and it was clearly Xuan Yuan Heng's fault. Why should the blame be placed on her?
What wrong had she done?
She was also a victim of false accusations, also framed.
However, if she were to speak these words, who would believe her?
Who could stand against the powerful Regent?
To oppose the Regent was like an egg hitting a rock; ultimately, she would only be smashed to pieces.
Her gaze secretly swept towards Feng Jin, wanting to confirm that Feng Jin was safe.
She didn't dare to be too obvious, fearing that someone with ill intentions might see it and use it as an excuse to drag Feng Jin deeper into trouble, ruining Feng Jin's current peace and tranquility.