Before Feng Ran could speak, Ling Chi Yuan had already barged in. He grabbed Feng Ran’s hand and glared fiercely at Qing Huan.
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Ling Chi Yuan said coldly. This damned person dared to slander Feng Ran in front of so many people.
Feng Ran was so resolute that no matter how others slandered her outside, she wouldn't utter a single word.
Ling Chi Yuan.
Feng Ran finally understood why Qing Huan had gone to such lengths to bring her here, even showing such animosity towards her.
And why, just now, she had suddenly pushed her away and driven her off.
But as she turned to leave, Qing Huan had grabbed her back again, brought her before Yun Sheng, and used Yun Sheng’s hand to destroy her.
If Yun Sheng succeeded, then Ling Chi Yuan would seek trouble from Yun Sheng. And she, Feng Ran, would have nothing to do with it.
Because, from beginning to end, she had never been involved in this matter.
Qing Huan had said: Feng Ran, you deserve to die. Feng Ran, if you hadn't appeared at the wrong time, I wouldn't have laid a hand on you. Nor would I have taken your life.
But if heaven wants your life, and you want to dodge it, you can't.
Then, this matter truly cannot be blamed on me.
Feng Ran looked at Ling Chi Yuan like this. Was this matter caused by Ling Chi Yuan?
If not for Ling Chi Yuan, these people might not have sought to harm her.
Feng Ran paid no attention to Ling Chi Yuan, her gaze fixed on Qing Huan. Qing Huan naturally felt Feng Ran’s gaze upon her and instinctively avoided it, even showing fear.
She didn't understand why she was afraid. Why did she look away?
Feng Ran’s eyes seemed to pierce through her.
Qing Huan clenched her fists tightly, even wanting to leave immediately.
She felt as if Feng Ran had seen through her. At this moment, she felt like a clown, leaping and dancing incessantly before Feng Ran.
And all her actions seemed like a huge joke.
What she had done made Feng Ran utterly contemptuous.
No, Feng Ran and she were of the same status. Why did Feng Ran always act as if she were superior?
Her status was so lowly, even lower than hers. How could she stand before her and act so righteously?
At this moment, Feng Ran shouldn't be like this. She should be lowering her head, begging for mercy before her.
Feng Ran, what right did she have to look down on her like this?
Why? Feng Ran should clearly be in greater predicament than her. She should be bowing her head, apologizing to anyone she met, and constantly trying to appease people.
Ling Chi Yuan also sensed that Feng Ran was completely different from how she usually appeared.
He desperately wanted to clarify the situation, but in the end, he held back.
He looked at Yun Sheng, clenched his fists, and said coldly, “You had better explain this matter clearly, otherwise, don’t think of leaving here alive.”
“Feng Ran is the person I, Young Master Ling, protect. She is not someone to be casually slandered.”
“I, this young master, want to see who has eaten a leopard's gall to dare to plot against the person I protect like this.”
“It seems today, some people will have to see clearly and recognize who they are dealing with.”
Qing Huan looked at Feng Ran with jealousy. Seeing Ling Chi Yuan protect Feng Ran so fiercely, even at such a banquet, proved he truly cherished Feng Ran, which was why he acted this way.
Seeing the man she longed to be with speaking up for that lowly woman Feng Ran, she was consumed by jealous rage. She could no longer remain calm. Since she couldn't have Ling Chi Yuan, Feng Ran wouldn't have him either.
Why could Feng Ran so easily snatch away the man she had worked so hard for?
For so many years, she had done so much to attract Ling Chi Yuan’s attention, but he hadn't even deigned to spare her a glance.
Yet, Feng Ran’s appearance had changed everything. The moment she appeared at Chun Man Yuan, Ling Chi Yuan’s gaze fell upon her.
She was so jealous she was going mad.
At this point, she had lost all reason. As she pondered what to do, she saw Feng Jin standing behind Ling Chi Yuan. A sarcastic smile curled her lips.
“Heh, Young Master Ling, Feng Ran’s own brother hasn't spoken up to defend her yet, and you’re already so eager. Young Master Ling, this is not right.”
“Young Master Ling, on what grounds do you protect Feng Ran like this? Are you her escort?”
Qing Huan seemed to fear nothing and continued, “Young Master Ling, the person who should stand up for Feng Ran right now should be Feng Jin, not you.”
“Feng Ran, the eldest daughter of the Feng family. What are your thoughts upon seeing your brother, whom you almost got killed?”
“Heh, Feng Ran, for her own selfish desires, destroyed the Feng family and dragged the lives of the entire Feng clan into it.”
“I remember, Feng Jin was also sentenced to death back then, yet he is alive now.”
“Could this be a case of someone abusing their power?”
“Feng Ran, do you perhaps regret it now? Because of you, Feng Jin, who could have lived a peaceful life, has once again been dragged into darkness and his life is threatened again. Does your conscience not trouble you?”
Ling Chi Yuan looked at Feng Jin behind him, his eyes full of shock.
He had investigated Feng Ran and knew everything about her. But his investigation indicated that Feng Jin had died many years ago, along with the entire Feng clan.
Yet Qing Huan claimed this person was Feng Jin, Feng Ran’s own brother.
Was this true?
Ling Chi Yuan looked at Feng Jin, “Are you Feng Ran’s brother?”
Feng Jin’s eyes were filled with confusion, and he shook his head.
Although he had heard many rumors in the past few days, and people around him had subtly mentioned this matter, he did not believe it.
That day, Feng Ran had been very firm with him, stating that her brother, Feng Jin, had long since died, and she herself had buried his body.
He had also investigated, and the matter was indeed as Feng Ran had said.
Although he had once believed he had a connection with Feng Ran, faced with all the evidence, he had ultimately chosen to believe what Xuanyuan Heng said: that he had no relationship with Feng Ran.
Perhaps, he simply bore a coincidental resemblance to Feng Jin.
Ling Chi Yuan looked at Feng Jin, staring intently as if trying to see through him.
His gaze shifted to Feng Ran, “Feng Ran, is what he’s saying true?”
Feng Ran looked at Ling Chi Yuan like this. She nodded, “Naturally, it is true.”
“Back then, it was the Regent who ordered the execution of the Feng family. How deeply the Regent hated the Feng family and how much he wanted them to be buried with Yu Wan Yan. How could he have been soft-hearted and let my brother go?”
Feng Ran looked directly at Ling Chi Yuan, as if trying to make him believe her words.
Qing Huan, however, was unwilling to accept this. All her meticulously crafted plans had been so cleverly undone by Feng Ran. How could she be reconciled?
Qing Huan seemed to be throwing all caution to the wind. She looked at Feng Ran and said through gritted teeth, “Feng Ran, don’t try to sow discord. Who knows what unspeakable things you did back then? It’s impossible that you managed to keep Feng Jin alive.”
At this point, Qing Huan was like a cornered dog.