Feng Ran got up, wanting to go out and see who the visitor was that made her so afraid. Was it Ling Chi Yuan? Xu Yun Qing? Or Li Yun Cheng?
Just as Feng Ran was about to step out, a voice made her tremble all over, so much so that she dared not move her feet.
She wanted to move, but found her feet seemed to be fixed in place.
Aunt Sheng knew she wanted to help Feng Ran, but was powerless. All she could do was this.
"Regent, Feng Ran is not feeling well today and may not be able to serve you."
"Regent, there are many other girls in Chun Man Yuan with excellent looks, skillful service, and who are understanding and considerate. Might the Regent consider visiting them?"
"Perhaps, you might find one to your liking."
Xuan Yuan Heng's voice was exceptionally cold. He said coldly, "Aunt Sheng, don't forget your place. What right do you have to speak about what I want to do?"
Aunt Sheng lowered her eyes and finally stepped aside.
The door was directly pushed open from the outside. Feng Ran looked at the person before her but ignored him, her gaze falling on Aunt Sheng. "Aunt Sheng, go about your business."
Aunt Sheng was a little worried, concerned that Feng Ran might not be able to handle the situation well.
"Feng Ran..."
"Aunt Sheng, go about your business. I can handle this myself."
Xuan Yuan Heng walked step by step towards Feng Ran, grabbed her by the neck, and said sinisterly, "Feng Ran, you don't actually think Xu Yun Qing can save you, do you?"
"With just one command from me, Xu Yun Qing would be eager to avoid you."
Feng Ran calmly nodded.
Xuan Yuan Heng frowned, displeased with Feng Ran's reaction.
He detested Feng Ran's calm demeanor, as if she didn't care at all. He let out a soft snort, "Feng Ran, there will be a banquet at the Xuan Yuan mansion tomorrow. Remember, you must play the zither."
"I want everyone to know that the once proud eldest daughter of the Feng family has now fallen to such a lowly status."
"Regent, please rest assured, I will be there on time," Feng Ran said calmly. At this moment, her face was serene, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
It was impossible to fathom her mood.
She would go, for the sake of survival, she would naturally obey.
Xuan Yuan Heng would not be so kind as to let her go easily; he would surely find ways to humiliate her tomorrow.
She would live the way Xuan Yuan Heng wanted her to see.
Xu Yun Qing was not the right person for her, so she would find another.
Although difficult, this was her only way out.
Xuan Yuan Heng frowned slightly, clearly unable to fathom Feng Ran's obedient reaction.
In fact, Feng Ran's calmness made him agitated.
In his opinion, Feng Ran should not be so calm. She should be kneeling and begging him.
Xuan Yuan Heng's icy voice rang out, "You'd better perform well tomorrow."
"Regent, it's late. How about resting here for the night?" Feng Ran said coldly. She was not willing to say this, but Xuan Yuan Heng had been standing there. She said these words merely to deliberately disgust him.
She thought that this way, Xuan Yuan Heng would leave.
"Feng Ran, put away your filthy thoughts. You are so dirty that even looking at you is an eyesore. How can you expect me to stay here?"
After Xuan Yuan Heng finished speaking, he left directly.
Feng Ran's heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled as he finally left. Just now, she had even worried that he would not leave.
She spread out her hands and saw that her palms were covered in sweat.
Her back was drenched in sweat. She was even afraid that Xuan Yuan Heng would really stay.
...
The next day.
Feng Ran got up early. She was already dressed and had brought her things.
Feng Ran stood outside Chun Man Yuan, waiting.
She imagined that someone from the Xuan Yuan mansion would come to pick her up.
Huang Qian Qian saw Feng Ran and said sarcastically, "Feng Ran, what are you waiting for here? Don't tell me you're delusionally expecting the Regent to send a carriage to pick you up."
"You don't have that honor."
"Just look at your lowly status. How could anyone from the Xuan Yuan mansion send a carriage?" Huang Qian Qian leaned to the side, mocking her relentlessly.
She simply couldn't stand to see Feng Ran living well. To be able to go to the Xuan Yuan mansion was something many people wished for, but Feng Ran had this opportunity, making her so jealous that she was going mad.
She even wanted to harm Feng Ran, but Aunt Sheng was always watching, so she never had a chance to act.
How could Feng Ran's life be so good?
Huang Qian Qian continued to insult Feng Ran, thinking that if Feng Ran lost her temper and attacked her, she could use this opportunity to disfigure Feng Ran's face and ruin her.
Who knew that Feng Ran remained calm and said nothing.
Huang Qian Qian watched as Feng Ran got into the carriage from the Xuan Yuan mansion. She was so angry that she wanted to act directly, but could only stand there and glare.
...
At the Xuan Yuan mansion.
Feng Ran placed the zither she had brought down and looked up, only to see Xuan Yuan Heng holding a woman in his arms. The woman was leaning entirely into Xuan Yuan Heng's embrace. Xuan Yuan Heng whispered something in her ear, and the two of them laughed together.
Seeing this scene, Feng Ran's heart was pierced.
Xuan Yuan Heng, still embracing the alluring woman, walked up to Feng Ran and said with disdain, "Feng Ran, look, I can be intimate with any woman, but I absolutely cannot be with you."
"Feng Ran, in this lifetime, you will never stand by my side."
Feng Ran remained motionless, her face still calm. Her hands continued to play the zither.
Xuan Yuan Heng was driven to irritation by her calmness. He directly kicked something away.
Feng Ran watched as the zither, which had been in good condition, was broken. Her heart ached, but she quickly controlled her emotions, squatted down, and collected the zither. However, as she was tidying up the last part, Xuan Yuan Heng's foot landed directly on Feng Ran's hand and rubbed it forcefully.
Feng Ran's hand immediately turned red.
Feng Ran's brows furrowed. At that moment, she wanted to push Xuan Yuan Heng's foot away and pull her hand out, but she found that the more she struggled, the harder Xuan Yuan Heng pressed.
She gave up. And then she heard the humiliating words of the people around her.
Tears finally couldn't be held back.
At this moment, all her grievances poured out in a torrent of tears.
She had endured for so long, constantly telling herself not to cry, and even more so not to appear weak in front of Xuan Yuan Heng. But at this moment, she could no longer bear it.
She wanted to stop crying, but even she could not control herself.
Feng Ran was ridiculed and humiliated by everyone. Feng Ran had no idea how she returned to Chun Man Yuan.
In Chun Man Yuan, everyone was laughing at her, but she didn't care at all.