Feng Ran looked at Elder Lan with icy eyes, her gaze almost piercing him like a knife.
Elder Lan flinched, not daring to meet Feng Ran’s gaze.
He feared that if he wasn’t careful, everything would happen to him.
Although Feng Ran was not favored, she was still Xuan Yuan Heng’s woman. Xuan Yuan Heng was very concerned about his reputation. If she were to embarrass him in front of so many people, her future days would likely not be easy.
Xuan Yuan Heng walked to Feng Ran’s side. Just as he seemed about to speak on her behalf, he heard Feng Ran’s words, and his entire being tensed instantly.
Some people, some things, were not meant to change just because one wished them to.
Elder Lan knew that continuing the conversation would be of no benefit to him. He looked at Feng Ran and said coldly, "Regent Consort, if you have no further instructions, may I take my leave?"
Feng Ran wanted to say more, but then she remembered Elder Lan’s threatening tone. "Regent Consort, are you sure you want to continue? You haven’t forgotten, have you, that His Majesty decreed this matter today? Do you intend to defy His Majesty’s decree?"
"Even if you are the Regent Consort, this world ultimately belongs to His Majesty. And the Regent must also obey His Majesty."
"Feng Ran, do not push your luck too far."
"Elder Lan, what if I insist on pushing my luck?" Feng Ran looked at him and said coldly, "The words I just spoke, you must already resent me for. If I back down now, I fear that whenever you have the opportunity in the future, you will try to kill me."
"The Fen Ran who was once naive and guileless is long dead."
Elder Lan’s eyes widened, staring at Feng Ran. He had not expected her to speak so directly.
The original Feng Ran was easy to manipulate. Naturally, he still believed the person before him was just as easy to manipulate.
However, looking at the situation, things were completely different from what he had imagined.
"Elder Lan, I am someone who does not even value my own life. Tell me, if you were to clash head-on with me, what are your chances of winning?"
Feng Ran's words truly provoked Elder Lan. In all his years, he had never been so humiliated. Not even the decline of the Lan family had brought him such shame.
But now, Feng Ran’s appearance had turned everything upside down.
Everything had changed completely.
Facing Feng Ran’s words, he could not find any rebuttal.
Elder Lan looked at Feng Ran for a long time before finally speaking with a reprimand, "Feng Ran, you truly have sharp methods. You treated Yu Wan Yan the same way back then, didn't you?"
"Yu Wan Yan died a terrible death."
"Indeed, the most venomous heart belongs to a woman. It truly suits you."
"Feng Ran, Lan Xian nearly lost her life for you back then. Now that you've appeared, not only have you not thanked her, but you're also slandering her."
"Your heart is truly vicious. That is why, even though you were sent to the border and even though you stayed in places like Chun Man Yuan, you could still rise again and stand so proudly before us."
"You truly have remarkable methods."
"Lan Xian was truly played for a fool by you, yet she remained unaware. She even stood by your side and spoke for you."
"You are truly deep in your schemes, truly exceedingly wicked."
Feng Ran listened quietly to Elder Lan’s words. Once she confirmed he had finished speaking, she looked at him coldly and said, "Vicious intentions? Lan Xian was played for a fool by me?"
"Don't you think these words should be turned around and directed at Lan Xian to be more fitting?"
"If I have vicious intentions, then Lan Xian must be a demon."
"If I recall correctly, many things were instigated by Lan Xian behind the scenes. I was merely made to do them."
"In fact, some things were done directly by Lan Xian, and I just stood by and watched. When someone appeared, Lan Xian would disappear. And I? I would step forward to take responsibility for what Lan Xian had done."
"If it's about being wicked, then I truly fall short of Lan Xian."
"Those slanderous words, you'd best think clearly before speaking them."
"I dare to say this because I have evidence."
She spoke coldly, her gaze falling on Lan Xian, who stood not far away.
Those matters were originally Lan Xian's doing. But later, all the blame fell upon her. It was truly absurd.
She was remarkably calm, showing no signs of agitation. Her voice even sounded somewhat gentle.
She did not betray any panic, as if she truly had evidence, just as she claimed.
The surrounding people listened, but none dared to step forward.
Feng Ran was now the Regent Consort, and no matter how resentful they were, they did not dare to act rashly.
As for Lan Xian, if she had no connection to Prince Yelü, they would naturally have disdained her. But these two individuals were not people they could easily provoke.
Feng Ran clenched her fists tightly. What exactly happened to Yu Wan Yan, she had no idea. However, Lan Xian was the one who had interacted with Yu Wan Yan. She didn't even know what had transpired between Lan Xian and herself.
Why did Yu Wan Yan die?
Later, she didn't even have a chance to explain before being directly branded a murderer.
Feng Ran gave a self-deprecating laugh. This was her fate. Because she trusted Lan Xian, she hadn't expected Lan Xian to scheme against her in the end.
And she ended up taking the blame for Lan Xian’s murder. She became the most vicious person, while Lan Xian became the most pitiful in everyone’s eyes.
In everyone’s words, Lan Xian had been implicated by her.
But only she herself knew who had implicated whom.
Feng Ran knew even more clearly that no one would believe the words she had just spoken.
In their eyes, she was merely framing Lan Xian.
As expected, Lan Xian put on an act of being deeply wronged, and without saying a word, those people believed her.
Feng Ran’s lips curved into a cold smile.
Yes, it had been this way for years. What was there for her to care about?
She would watch the people before her with such composure.
Evidence, she truly had none.
But even if she produced evidence, would these people believe her words?
The answer was, undoubtedly, no.
Elder Lan felt a pang of fear in his heart, even wondering what he should do.
If Feng Ran continued to linger, the situation would only become more troublesome.
But just as he was worrying, Feng Ran chose to say nothing and do nothing.