Feng Ran knew better than anyone that Sheng Yi's words were all for her own good. But what about her? She couldn't accept Sheng Yi's kindness.
She knew that perhaps, today's words would hurt Sheng Yi's feelings. Perhaps, from this moment on, Sheng Yi would be very disappointed with her, and would even stop saying anything for her.
Sheng Yi's eyes widened, full of shock and astonishment as she looked at Feng Ran. Just now she mentioned the Feng family. Was it that Feng family?
When Feng Ran first spoke her name, she had thought that this person might be the eldest daughter of the Feng family, who was favored by all. But after thinking about it, she quickly dismissed such a terrifying thought.
Although she suspected, she dared not admit it.
But now, hearing Feng Ran's words herself, she truly believed it.
Sheng Yi's eyes were full of heartache as she looked at the person before her, recalling what Feng Ran had said earlier. She wondered what else she had been through to make her utter such despairing words.
She only felt that there was a connection between Feng Ran and Xuanyuan Heng, but she hadn't expected it to be so deep.
But now she understood that Feng Ran's forbearance had come at a painful price.
"I want to live, this life does not belong to me anymore, I want to live for others."
"That is something I owe others. Because I may not even have the chance to say it."
"I am already broken beyond repair. If those people think I still have some value, I even find it quite interesting."
"Even if they want to humiliate me, want my body, I will give it."
"This is my fate. I deserve it, having chosen this life. I brought it upon myself, and I must walk this path even if I have to crawl. I can blame no one."
Sheng Yi felt extreme heartache. She placed her hand on Feng Ran's back, gently comforting her. If she could take her place, she would gladly do so.
She thought that perhaps Feng Ran still had many things left unsaid.
"Sheng Yi, I have no way back. I can only move forward."
"My current situation is precarious. I cannot afford any mistakes."
After speaking, Feng Ran did not continue to dwell on the matter.
She had said what she needed to say and done what she needed to do.
Sheng Yi looked at the letter in her hand, but ultimately opened and read it.
After reading its contents, her hand clenched tightly. Heh, what use were these words now? If, back then, he had only stepped forward and said a single word, things would not have turned out this way. Perhaps, those tragedies would not have happened.
The things Li Yuncheng wanted to know, she would never tell him, even if she died. She wanted Li Yuncheng to live his life with guilt, to pay the price for what he had done.
Those things could not simply be erased by his unhurried guilt and self-reproach.
Never. In this life, Li Yuncheng would never have peace.
"Feng Ran, I will help you with all my might," Sheng Yi murmured to herself.
Sheng Yi was well aware of the regent's sinister methods. And from the moment the regent brought Feng Ran to Chun Manyuan, she knew that the regent had never intended to let Feng Ran go.
No matter how humble Feng Ran was, no matter how she endured, it would be useless. Because her fate was already sealed.
Sheng Yi thought that Feng Ran was not in immediate danger. Therefore, she could help Feng Ran in secret. That way, Feng Ran would suffer less.
That way, Feng Ran might truly escape the clutches of danger. And Feng Ran would be happy then.
...
In the side room, Feng Ran sat in front of the mirror. She looked at the person in the mirror. Her face had become weathered and unrecognizable. The innocence and carefree demeanor of the past was gone. Even her pure and kind eyes had vanished.
But... it felt somewhat ridiculous to think about it. What was the use of kindness? She had paid so much, only to lose everything in the end.
She laughed at herself.
Her hand gently caressed her cheek. She glanced at something beside her and began to adorn herself.
If she wanted to keep Ling Chiyuan and Li Yuncheng, she had to present her best self.
Perhaps Xuanyuan Heng had guessed that she would never escape in this life, and had therefore relaxed his surveillance on her.
...
'Knock knock.' The door to the side room was pushed open by Ling Chiyuan. The knock was just a pretense.
Feng Ran turned and looked at the person who had arrived, Ling Chiyuan.
Her brow furrowed. Why was Ling Chiyuan appearing at this time?
"What's wrong? Are you unhappy to see this young master? You were smiling brightly, but now, even your smile is gone."
"At this moment, don't you wish you could push me out?"
"But you dare not. Because you dare not offend me."
Feng Ran did not evade. Instead, she said with a smile, "Young Master Li is right. You are an important figure. I welcome your visit. I can only try to curry favor with you, how could I dare offend you?"
"For the past few days, I've been racking my brains, thinking about how to please Young Master Li."
"You know, life is much easier when you please Young Master Li."
"For the past few days, I've been contemplating deeply on how best to please Young Master Li."
As Feng Ran spoke, she feigned an embarrassed expression and looked at Ling Chiyuan.
As she tried to move away, Ling Chiyuan forcefully pulled her back. He then whispered in her ear, "Do you know? Your makeup today has truly captured this young master's soul and heart." He said with satisfaction.
Feng Ran was slightly stunned. She was truly blushing at Ling Chiyuan's sudden words.
She hadn't expected to be turned on by Ling Chiyuan.
Ling Chiyuan looked at Feng Ran, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Just as Feng Ran was about to pull away, he tightly gripped her hand, not letting go, and deliberately murmured in her ear, "Feng Ran, this young master has thought of a wonderful place."
"Let's go. This opportunity is rare. If we miss it, we might have to wait another year."
Wait another year?
What could this possibly be?
And he seemed to be acting on a sudden impulse.
"Young Master Li, I can only stay within Chun Manyuan and cannot leave even a single step."
"Heh, you can't take a step?" Ling Chiyuan said with a rakish grin. "Don't you see who this young master is?"
"Although I cannot redeem you now, I can still take you out."
"I believe no one would dare to stop me."
Ling Chiyuan said, and then, holding Feng Ran's hand, he walked out. And at this moment, the most important thing was that Ling Chiyuan was indeed right. He had taken Feng Ran out so 'openly', and most importantly, just as Ling Chiyuan had said, no one dared to stop him, and no one dared to say anything.
It turned out that as long as one had power and money, anything could be easily accomplished.