Feng Ran sat before the mirror, taking out a handkerchief and meticulously wiping away every spot Xu Yunqing had touched.
Even so, she still felt it wasn't clean enough. A sense of impatience and regret washed over her. Why hadn't she pushed Xu Yunqing away directly just now?
She even felt a sense of disgust towards herself.
Xuan Yuanheng had called her base, willing to do anything for what she wanted. Now, she felt that perhaps Xuan Yuanheng wasn't entirely wrong.
Feng Ran stood by the window, pushing it open. She leaned against the frame, watching the bustling crowds on the street, all busy with their own livelihoods.
She took a deep breath. She wished she could be like them, toiling for survival, rather than being confined here.
Xu Yunqing had not left. He looked up and saw Feng Ran by the window, her eyes filled with longing.
The corners of his lips twitched into a smile. He then closed the fan in his hand, took a handkerchief from someone nearby, wiped his hands, and threw the handkerchief away. The fan, however, was discarded outright.
The servant who followed quickly picked up the fan and secretly hid it.
This fan was something young master had just taken from the storeroom today; it was priceless. Yet, young master had thrown it away. What a waste.
It seemed he could indeed make a fortune from this.
But who was it that made young master so disgusted? He even thought, if young master were to come more often, he would truly strike it rich.
If it weren't for Li Yuncheng saying he had to return immediately at the appointed time to detoxify, he definitely wouldn't be leaving.
He felt that Li Yuncheng must have done this deliberately to annoy him.
This was the first time Xu Yunqing had been so preoccupied with a woman.
Of course, he was not lacking in beauties.
Xu Yunqing had many female confidantes, but he was always very decisive when dealing with them.
"Young Master, the lady is waiting in the residence. Your health is important."
Xu Yunqing shot a fierce glance at the servant standing beside him, displeasure evident in his eyes.
The servant wisely closed his eyes.
He didn't even dare to look up.
"Feng Ran." Sheng Yi's voice pulled Feng Ran out of her thoughts.
She looked at Feng Ran, holding her hand, and said with concern, "Feng Ran, Xu Yunqing has left. He's booked you for a month."
"But Feng Ran, I must remind you, Xu Yunqing must have a purpose in approaching you. Although we don't know what his true intentions are, Xu Yunqing is not a good person."
"You cannot easily give your heart away. Do not do anything rash."
"Mhm." Feng Ran replied softly. She had seemed to expect Sheng Yi to say something like this.
No doubt, no questions. She answered so readily.
Sheng Yi's brows furrowed, her expression turning somewhat grim as she said, "Feng Ran, Xu Yunqing is not as simple as he appears."
A smiling tiger? She knew that, but the current situation was not something she could choose. It wasn't as simple as saying she didn't want it.
Feng Ran looked calmly at Sheng Yi.
Sheng Yi did not continue speaking, for she understood Feng Ran's difficult circumstances better than anyone.
"Feng Ran, do you truly believe Xu Yunqing can take you away?" Sheng Yi asked in a low voice.
Perhaps it would be a blow to Feng Ran to hear it, but she felt Feng Ran needed to face reality.
"Sheng Yi, this is the only way out, isn't it?"
"No, Feng Ran, this is not your only way out."
"Perhaps there are even better ways out?"
"Have you considered? If this decision of yours angers Xuan Yuanheng, what awaits you? Have you considered the consequences of such an action?"
"Feng Ran, it's not too late. Do not make another mistake."
"No."
"Feng Ran, the ruthlessness of Xuan Yuanheng's methods, I believe you already know them without me having to say." Sheng Yi didn't want to bring it up, but she felt some things needed to be said.
Perhaps Feng Ran was just momentarily blinded. All she needed was someone to remind her, and she didn't want Feng Ran to make further mistakes.
"Feng Ran, the Regent's power is immense. No one can contend with him. Is it truly wise to place all your hopes on Xu Yunqing?"
Sheng Yi didn't want Feng Ran to experience any more hardship.
"Feng Ran, you should know better than anyone that no one dares to go against Xuan Yuanheng."
"And you? You should be most aware of what the outcome would be."
Sheng Yi sighed helplessly. She even wanted to tell Feng Ran that everything she was doing was under the Regent's watchful eye. He knew about all these matters, but he hadn't acted drastically yet. Hence, he hadn't intervened.
In reality, Xuan Yuanheng was already plotting, intending to strike decisively.
Did Feng Ran know about these things?
If Xuan Yuanheng were to go mad, Feng Ran, would you still be alive?
"Sheng Yi, this is my only chance to leave Chunmanyuan. I have many things to do. I cannot be trapped here forever."
"But do you think you can escape with Xu Yunqing's help?"
"Do you think Xu Yunqing will resist Xuan Yuanheng for you?"
"Feng Ran, you must realize, no one will pay a bloody price for a woman in the world of pleasure, to save you?"
"Feng Ran, be clear-headed. No one will do something so foolish for someone unworthy."
If she had the ability to help Feng Ran, she would willingly do so, but she knew even better that this matter was extremely difficult. Feng Ran would likely never escape Xuan Yuanheng's grasp in this lifetime.
Sheng Yi knew even better that even if Feng Ran grasped a lifeline, Xuan Yuanheng would destroy all her lifelines one by one.
In truth, she wished Feng Ran happiness more than anyone.
"Feng Ran, Xu Yunqing is not a good person either, and he's not easy to deal with."
"Sheng Yi, I understand all of this, but I still have to take a chance."
Sheng Yi knew that anything more she said at this point would be futile.
Her gaze fell on the table, where she saw the unusually rough fabric.
"What is this?"
Feng Ran picked up the fabric, a hint of embarrassment on her face as she said, "Xu Yunqing helped me. I plan to make him a sachet."
Sheng Yi sighed helplessly, looking up at Feng Ran. In the end, she did not utter the hurtful words.
A person of Xu Yunqing's status lacked nothing. Why would he care for these crude things?
But if she said it, it would truly sting.