"Why fear Xuanyuan Heng?" Ling Chi Yuan asked calmly, appearing genuinely puzzled by Feng Ran's question.
Feng Ran's expression turned somewhat grim, but under Ling Chi Yuan's gaze, she cleared her throat and said, "Yes, your status is noble. Naturally, you wouldn't fear Xuanyuan Heng."
"As for me, my status is low and humble. I have to constantly strive to survive."
"To fear and to please is all to preserve one's own life."
"I only wish for a peaceful life."
...She only wished for a peaceful life. Was that all Feng Ran wanted? Didn't she desire a better life?
Here, everyone was exerting all their effort to please him, hoping he would take them away from this place. Feng Ran, however, was entirely different from them. This made him even more inclined to approach her, even to unearth whatever secrets she held.
In truth, Feng Ran did have such thoughts. She even considered speaking out. But in the end, she chose not to.
"Feng Ran, what exactly is going on between you and Xuanyuan Heng?" Ling Chi Yuan suddenly blurted out.
This was something Ling Chi Yuan had long wanted to ask and to know.
Ling Chi Yuan stared intently at Feng Ran, hoping she would speak and reveal what he longed to hear.
Under Ling Chi Yuan's gaze, Feng Ran was on the verge of confessing, but she ultimately withdrew.
She inwardly mocked herself, wondering if she even had the right to say such things.
"Nothing," Feng Ran shook her head, finally uttering the single word.
Ling Chi Yuan took a step closer, intending to approach Feng Ran. At this very moment, Xuanyuan Heng appeared. Without any warning, he grabbed Feng Ran's hand and directly pulled her away.
Ling Chi Yuan attempted to pursue, but Bei Chen Ye blocked his path.
Ling Chi Yuan could only watch as Feng Ran was taken away by Bei Chen Ye, utterly helpless.
At this moment, Ling Chi Yuan felt a pang of regret. He even wondered if bringing his people with him would have changed everything.
Then, he wouldn't be standing here, watching Feng Ran being dragged away by Xuanyuan Heng, with nothing he could do.
...
Feng Ran was dragged away forcefully by Xuanyuan Heng, bumping and bruising herself all the way.
Her hands struggled incessantly, trying desperately to escape. But the more she moved, the tighter his grip became. Eventually, she stopped struggling.
By the time Feng Ran regained her senses, Xuanyuan Heng had already brought her to his manor.
Xuanyuan Heng pulled Feng Ran straight inside.
Before Feng Ran could even steady herself or comprehend what was happening, Xuanyuan Heng flung her to the ground. Then, icy cold water poured down directly onto her head.
A piercing coldness enveloped her.
Feng Ran instinctively tried to shield herself from the frigid water. Though she knew it wouldn't help much, she still made the effort. But ultimately, her hands were forcibly restrained.
Feng Ran's heart sank as she realized two people were dragging her to the side and tying her hands.
She was completely immobilized and could no longer struggle.
She thrashed, desperate to escape, but it was all in vain.
Feng Ran refused to resign herself to fate, yet she was now utterly powerless.
Xuanyuan Heng approached her step by step, holding a dagger. The cold blade grazed her face.
Xuanyuan Heng traced her skin, not with force. Feng Ran felt a chill. Finally, Xuanyuan Heng placed the dagger at Feng Ran's throat and said with a bloodthirsty tone, "Heh heh, what if I were to press this into your neck?"
"What do you think, I suddenly want to see your neck bleed. The color must be quite beautiful, wouldn't it?"
"Feng Ran, what's wrong? Why has the smile disappeared from your face?"
"That smile you gave Ling Chi Yuan earlier was so enchanting and flattering."
"What's the matter? It's completely gone when you're with me. Do you think I'm not worthy?"
With a wave of his hand, the dagger landed on the wall. He placed his hand on her face, stroking it, and said with a bloodthirsty glint, "Feng Ran, tell me, would you die without a man?"
"Are you so base that you would sell your body for what you desire?"
He shouted, his voice filled with rage and accusation.
He wished he could kill the person before him.
Bei Chen Ye stood nearby, calmly relaying the information he had gathered, as if the events unfolding before him were entirely unseen.
After a long pause, Bei Chen Ye spoke, "My Lord, this is the situation."
Feng Ran let out a self-deprecating laugh and abandoned all her struggles.
Xuanyuan Heng didn't even spare Bei Chen Ye a glance, coldly ordering, "Scram."
Bei Chen Ye remained composed. "Yes." With that, he withdrew.
Xuanyuan Heng narrowed his eyes, his fierce gaze fixed on Feng Ran.
Feng Ran lowered her head, her eyes filled with fear, her entire body trembling.
Her eyes were wide with terror, wishing at that moment that someone would burst in.
Someone to save her.
Xuanyuan Heng ordered everyone in the room to leave, leaving only him and Feng Ran.
Xuanyuan Heng slowly approached Feng Ran, his hand landing on her bound wrist before he unbound her.
Once freed, Feng Ran, without a second thought, tried to flee. At that moment, she thought of nothing but escape.
If she could escape, she would be saved, her life secured.
Unfortunately, just as she believed she had escaped, before she could even rejoice, Xuanyuan Heng grabbed her hand and flung her onto the bed.
Xuanyuan Heng slowly moved closer to Feng Ran. His hand went to her collar, undoing the ties and slowly removing her clothes.
Feng Ran trembled all over. Resigned, she closed her eyes.
She would endure it like being bitten by a dog.
Before Feng Ran could react, she was stripped bare and flung onto the ground.
Snow fell from the sky, and the ground was covered in it. Feng Ran was frozen to the bone, yet Xuanyuan Heng showed no intention of stopping.
Xuanyuan Heng squatted down, cupped Feng Ran's chin, forcing her to look at him, and said coldly, "Feng Ran, now, you shall enjoy yourself thoroughly."
Suddenly, many people appeared around them.
Feng Ran scanned the people standing nearby. They were the servants of the Xuanyuan manor.
Instantly, she understood Xuanyuan Heng's intentions.
In that moment, she was overwhelmed with shame.
He was truly intent on humiliating her.
To him, what was Feng Ran's reputation worth?
To him, tormenting Feng Ran and watching her suffer was the most important thing.