"Feng Ran, do you really think I came to find you today just to have this conversation?"
"Do you think I have the leisure for that?"
"No, how could I think that? I was thinking that the Regent, coming to find me, must have some ingenious way to torment me. That's why he sought me out." Feng Ran said calmly, her demeanor and tone as if the matter she spoke of had nothing to do with her.
Perhaps, she had truly resigned herself to fate.
She looked at Xuanyuan Heng and said calmly, "Regent, appearing here and speaking these words to me, do you wish to see me kneeling on the ground begging for mercy?"
"If that is what you desire, I can certainly do so."
She was already at his mercy, long since having lost the right to refuse.
She could only obey, to prolong her life.
"Regent, I kneel, I beg for mercy. Will this satisfy your wishes?"
Seeing Xuanyuan Heng's face still exceedingly grim, Feng Ran calmly asked, "Or must I immediately disappear from the Regent's sight?"
"If the Regent wishes to punish me, then please do so."
"The Regent's power is supreme, who would dare disobey?"
Suddenly, Xuanyuan Heng's bloodthirsty gaze fell upon Feng Ran. His hand landed on her neck, choking her, staring intently at her, meeting her mocking and scornful eyes. Xuanyuan Heng said with bloodthirsty ferocity, "You truly believe I wouldn't kill you, therefore you speak so righteously?"
"Feng Ran, it seems those people have given you quite a bit of courage recently, to dare speak to me like this."
"It is not so." Feng Ran merely felt that today, having spoken her mind, her heart felt exceptionally at ease.
She knew even clearer that whether she spoke or not, the outcome would be the same. So, why inflict suffering upon herself, only to be further humiliated by Xuanyuan Heng?
Her hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, clenched tightly, yet she dared not utter a sound. Instead, with a calm expression, she smiled at Xuanyuan Heng and said, "If the Regent has not yet decided how to punish me, or how to deal with me."
"May I be allowed to rest for a moment?"
During this period, the threats from Xu Yunqing, the interrogations from Ling Chi Yuan, the constant trouble from Qing Han, and numerous other matters had all pressed down on her, leaving her breathless.
Now, Xuanyuan Heng had appeared, and she couldn't help but recall that he was the architect of all her suffering.
Yet, he had shifted all the blame onto her, making her bear it all alone.
Why should she bear all this?
No, this should never have belonged to her.
She thought, whether she resisted or not, her situation would remain the same, and there would be no change.
She could only live cautiously day after day, constantly guarding against those who wished her harm.
She had thought she could hide her feelings well, that she would remain as usual, never angered, and certainly never lashing out. But in the end? She still could not escape.
Yet, knowing that her actions were all in vain, she spoke the words from her heart and felt exceptionally happy.
Xuanyuan Heng's face was dark, clearly enraged. His bloodthirsty gaze never left Feng Ran.
He looked at Feng Ran and said coldly, "Feng Ran, you are incredibly audacious, daring to frame this King. Are you truly tired of living?"
"Yes, I haven't wanted to live for a long time." Feng Ran said, her eyes filled with tears, which quietly streamed down her face.
Feng Ran looked at Xuanyuan Heng, who was questioning her as if driven mad, "You once promised you would not harm my family. But later, my family members died one by one at your hands. Xuanyuan Heng, you constantly call me wicked, saying I killed the Feng family. But I feel it is all your fault, you who killed them."
"The Regent must wish to kill me now, hearing these words."
"Whatever the Regent wishes to do, why hide it? Just act."
"Everyone in the world fears the Regent, so why should I not?"
"I am afraid. Naturally, I am afraid."
"But what good is fear? Because I am afraid, can it change anything? Can it make the Regent spare me?"
"If the Regent wants my life, take it."
After saying these words, Feng Ran's lips curved into a smile, a chilling, almost terrifying smile.
"Feng Ran."
Xuanyuan Heng looked at Feng Ran with cold, bloodthirsty eyes. At this moment, Feng Ran before him was like the free-spirited eldest daughter of the Feng family from many years ago. The fearless eldest daughter of the Feng family. The eldest daughter of the Feng family who did as she pleased.
Watching the person before him, Xuanyuan Heng felt a flicker of joy in his heart.
"Regent, I am a little tired." Feng Ran reached out, through a handkerchief, to remove Xuanyuan Heng's hand from her neck. With a faint, cold smile, she said, "I need to rest. If the Regent has anything else to say, please do so another time."
After speaking, Feng Ran did not even bother to consider what kind of look Xuanyuan Heng was giving her. She simply lay down on the bed.
Xuanyuan Heng watched the person before him. His gaze fell on Feng Ran's fair neck, which had turned bruised and purple from his grip. His eyes held a trace of hesitation and confusion.
His eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty gleam, his hands clenched tightly.
He recalled Bei Chen Ye saying that Feng Ran had not seen any male visitors these past few days, confining herself to her room.
Though he had initially been reluctant to act, the thought of Feng Ran's entanglement with Ling Chi Yuan ignited a fierce rage within him. He reached out, roughly pulling Feng Ran's arm and throwing her to the ground.
"Heh, almost. I was deceived by you."
"Feng Ran, in three days, I will bring you to the Xuanyuan Manor."
He looked at the person on the ground with disgust and disdain, coldly dropping this sentence before leaving directly.
As Xuanyuan Heng walked out of the room, he encountered Aunt Sheng standing by the door.
"Regent, Feng Ran has been very well-behaved these past few days, staying alone in her room, never seeing anyone." Aunt Sheng said softly. Undoubtedly, she knew that her words would have no effect on Xuanyuan Heng. But she thought this was the only thing she could do for Feng Ran.
The ugly gossip outside, she didn't know who spread it, but it was becoming increasingly outlandish.
Seeing the Regent's dark expression today, she was naturally worried about Feng Ran's situation.
She worried that Feng Ran would continue to silently endure everything as usual, without explanation.
Xuanyuan Heng merely glanced at Aunt Sheng and said coldly, "Aunt Sheng, you should just focus on your own affairs."
"Some matters are best not to get involved with."
"To avoid causing yourself trouble."
"I remember, Aunt Sheng is always the one who prioritizes her own safety and never steps forward, no matter what happens."
"Lately, Aunt Sheng's actions seem to have overstepped her bounds."
Xuanyuan Heng had not expected Feng Ran to be so formidable, to have swayed the people around him, one by one.
Aunt Sheng spoke for her, and Bei Chen Ye had also spoken for her.
This Feng Ran truly had great capabilities.
Aunt Sheng lowered her head, listening, her back drenched in cold sweat. Her entire body trembled.