Feng Ran fell silent, her head bowed, her eyes filled with disappointment.
"Regent," Feng Ran suddenly seemed to recall something important. She abruptly lifted her gaze, staring directly at Xuan Yuanheng, and said with self-mockery, "Regent, didn't you say you would spare my life?"
"So, everything you're doing now isn't to take my life, but to humiliate me?"
"I was truly foolish, begging for my life here."
"In fact, even if I hadn't begged, my life would still be intact."
"Finally, I understand why the Regent has been acting this way."
"The Regent always keeps his word. You said you wouldn't harm me, that you wouldn't take my life, and you will certainly not take my life."
Having said these words, Feng Ran remained silent, her head lowered, as if waiting for Xuan Yuanheng to say something.
Listening to Feng Ran's words, Xuan Yuanheng was not angry. Instead, a broad smile spread across his face. His eyes twinkled, as if he had discovered something amusing.
His mood instantly improved, and with a smile in his eyes, he said, "Heh, Feng Ran, it's been a long time since I've seen you with such spirit. Seeing it now, I must admit, it's quite surprising."
"Well, I must say, you're quite desperate to survive."
Xuan Yuanheng waved his hand, and the guards who had been standing by retreated. As the guard walked out, he was covered in a cold sweat, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
"This time, I will let you off."
Hearing this, Feng Ran's taut nerves finally relaxed completely.
Feng Ran stood up, but Xuan Yuanheng grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a corner. She lowered her head, not wanting to face the man before her. At that moment, Xuan Yuanheng forcefully gripped her chin, forcing Feng Ran to look at him, not even giving her a chance to close her eyes. His intention was to make Feng Ran stare directly at him.
Feng Ran did not close her eyes because Xuan Yuanheng whispered in her ear, "Feng Ran, if I find you closing your eyes, then everyone at Chun Manyuan will suffer a terrible price for your actions."
"If you wish to become a sinner, you are welcome to close your eyes."
Feng Ran resignedly kept her eyes open.
She did not want Sheng Yi to be implicated because of her.
Seeing Feng Ran's submissive demeanor, Xuan Yuanheng felt uncomfortable all over.
"Get out."
Feng Ran uttered no sound and left.
As Feng Ran exited, she encountered Sheng Yi.
Sheng Yi stepped forward, gently patting Feng Ran's shoulder, and said softly, "Feng Ran, you..."
Feng Ran said nothing and simply hugged Sheng Yi tightly.
Sheng Yi glanced into the room and, upon seeing Xuan Yuanheng, immediately averted her gaze.
Sheng Yi ultimately said nothing, merely letting Feng Ran hug her. Perhaps, such companionship was what Feng Ran needed most.
...
Xu Family.
Li Yuncheng was heavily bribed by the Xu family to come. The reason was simple: someone had been poisoned and needed his antidote.
Li Yuncheng, who had originally no intention of coming, agreed to come upon hearing it was for the Xu family.
Naturally, the Xu family had made thorough preparations.
Upon arriving at the Xu family, Li Yuncheng looked at Xu Yunqing with evident schadenfreude and said, "What's wrong? What heinous act did the eldest young master Xu commit to be poisoned?"
"It's unavoidable. With vast wealth comes envy and jealousy. And so, someone took action against me."
"However, I felt unwell that day at Chun Manyuan. Tell me, who could have poisoned me?"
"Do you think I should surround Chun Manyuan and find the poisoner?"
Li Yuncheng chuckled lightly, nonchalantly saying, "And if you can never find the person? What will you do?"
Xu Yunqing smiled, his laughter booming, "Then, in one hour, I will kill one person at Chun Manyuan. I believe someone will come forward."
Xu Yunqing's face was full of smiles as he asked, "What do you think of this plan?"
Li Yuncheng's smile vanished. He looked at Xu Yunqing coldly and said, "You deserve to be poisoned."
"I was thinking, why didn't that person be more severe? How good it would be if they had taken your life."
"Xu Yunqing," Li Yuncheng looked at the composed man, his gaze serious. "Be merciful when you can. I can cure the poison in you. As for the people at Chun Manyuan, please spare them this once."
"No, how can I let them off so easily? You don't know, they nearly took my life."
"But your life is still intact, isn't it? Moreover, I've already taken your pulse. That person didn't intend to take your life, merely to cause you discomfort with a light poison."
Xu Yunqing chuckled at Li Yuncheng, "Seeing how anxious you are, do you know the person who poisoned me?"
"Tell me. You know, I have no idea who the poisoner is. For you to know, it's truly incredible."
"If you tell me who it is, I will no longer trouble the people at Chun Manyuan. How about it?"
Li Yuncheng's brow furrowed, and he seemed displeased. "I'm afraid I don't know."
"I just feel that the people at Chun Manyuan are unfortunate souls. Why not let them go?"
"Some of them are even forced into it."
"Yes, yes, some are forced, but I really want to know who the poisoner is. After all, this is the first time I've encountered such a bold person."
A bloodthirsty gleam flashed in Xu Yunqing's eyes. Those who knew him well would understand that he was about to act. It was just unclear who would be unlucky this time.
"Actually..."
Just as Li Yuncheng was about to speak, the light in his eyes instantly vanished.
He even understood clearly that at this moment, talking to Xu Yunqing was a complete waste of time.
Perhaps, from the very beginning, he had been mistaken.
These words should not have been spoken in the first place.
"Li Yuncheng, do you know something?"
Xu Yunqing asked with a smile in his eyes.
Li Yuncheng shook his head and said coldly, "No, I don't know."
"Heh, that's strange. You, who are usually ruthless and enjoy using poison, are now saying such things. It's hard not to suspect something."
"What? Can't I change my ways?"
"You must understand, if you haven't changed your ways, then no one will cure the poison in you."
"Li Yuncheng, this joke isn't funny."
"Play if you must, but never joke with my life."
"My life is very precious."
"Heh, is it? Now you're scared?" Li Yuncheng said coldly.
"Shut up, I'll cure your poison."
Clearly, Li Yuncheng did not wish to continue talking.