Feng Jin was unwilling to leave. He still seemed hesitant, as if he had many more words to say to Feng Ran.
Feng Jin looked at Feng Ran, his voice laced with hesitation. "Feng Ran, is everything you're saying true?"
"Actually, if you would just admit that you are my elder sister, I would believe you, without a shred of doubt."
"Feng Ran, I know you're not saying these things to hurt me. I believe you don't want me to fall into a mire."
"You said that because you didn't want me to be ridiculed by those people, didn't you?"
Feng Ran's hands clenched tightly.
Why, why?
Why wouldn't Feng Jin leave? Why did he have to insist on this matter?
Wouldn't it be better if this matter was just let go?
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Heng's brows furrowed as he looked at Feng Ran.
"Feng Ran, has your heart been moved?"
"You see, Feng Jin is still persistent. What about you? What do you think?"
"Perhaps, I should restore Feng Jin's memory. I imagine it would be quite amusing."
"What do you think?"
Feng Ran was instantly stunned. He asked, what did she think? No, no, she didn't want that at all.
"No, Regent, you can't do that. It's already good like this. Please, don't say anymore, okay?"
Feng Ran looked at Xuanyuan Heng anxiously, wishing she could cover his mouth.
But in the end, she could do nothing.
"Feng Ran, you're trembling all over. What's wrong?" Feng Jin asked softly.
He felt that Feng Ran was acting rather strangely.
"Feng Ran, are you hiding something from me?" Feng Jin asked with conviction, because in his eyes, Feng Ran was clearly not herself.
Feng Ran didn't want to admit what he was saying, but in his view, Feng Ran was definitely hiding something.
"Feng Ran, tell me. I'll believe whatever you say," Feng Jin insisted.
He believed that his suspicions were true, and all that was left was Feng Ran's answer.
"Young Master Feng, no, there's nothing."
"Didn't I make myself perfectly clear earlier?"
"I don't understand why you would think that, Young Master Feng."
"Did I say something wrong that caused such a deep misunderstanding, Young Master Feng?"
Feng Ran looked at Feng Jin and said, "Young Master Feng, can you tell me why you are so insistent?"
"Young Master Feng, you can tell me, and I can answer each of your questions."
"I can resolve all the doubts in your heart."
"Young Master Feng, or are you, like those people from Lai Chun Man Yuan, trying to..."
*Slap*
Feng Jin struck her, cutting off what Feng Ran was about to say.
Feng Jin had never imagined he would hear such disgraceful words.
From the moment he first saw Feng Ran, he felt she was different from those people.
But now? Feng Ran's words made him utterly disappointed.
"Feng Ran, stop talking."
"Is it right to say such things to defame yourself just to drive me away?"
To drive him away, to say such things and slander herself?
Yes, that was indeed her intention in saying those words.
But how could Feng Jin have figured it out?
Feng Ran suddenly burst into laughter. She covered her face and said mockingly, "Young Master Feng, you repeatedly call me your elder sister, yet you struck me with a slap."
"Young Master Feng, do you believe the words you just spoke yourself?"
"Young Master Feng, you must be joking, playing tricks on me."
Feng Ran said with a light laugh, her eyes full of amusement.
She looked as if she were not the one who had been struck.
Xuanyuan Heng said nothing, merely watching the two of them, listening to their conversation and arguments.
Feng Ran knew that perhaps everything happening now was what Xuanyuan Heng wanted to see. This might all be part of his plan.
Yes, it was all planned by Xuanyuan Heng.
In this life, she would never escape the inescapable net he had cast for her.
Her current predicament was such that she could barely protect herself. Why then should she acknowledge Feng Jin? Having Feng Jin by her side would be the worst outcome for him.
Having Feng Jin by Xuanyuan Heng's side would be best for him.
"Young Master Feng, perhaps there are things from many years ago that you are unaware of."
"Young Master Feng, the Regent hates me to the bone. He wishes I were dead."
"Tell me, if you were my brother, could you still be alive today? Would the Regent keep you by his side?"
Feng Jin shook his head. Having been by Xuanyuan Heng's side all these years, he knew very well that if Xuanyuan Heng hated someone, he would not spare their life, let alone those connected to them, who would be implicated without cause.
And what Feng Ran said was indeed true.
Feng Ran watched Feng Jin closely. Seeing his expression change slightly, her heart finally felt a little at ease.
It seemed Feng Jin believed what she had said.
But it didn't seem like complete belief.
Still, it was a start.
"Young Master Feng, if I were truly your elder sister, you would likely become a laughingstock of the world."
"If I were in your place, I would never do such a foolish thing that harms myself."
"Young Master Feng, think about the Regent's character. If you were my brother, you would certainly not have an easy life."
"Therefore, you should be glad you are not my biological brother."
"Actually, I would also like to have a talented younger brother like you, but that is impossible now."
Xuanyuan Heng looked at Feng Ran with disgust and said coldly, "Feng Ran, you are truly filthy."
"Guards, throw this person out of the manor immediately."
Feng Jin: ...
Though he had wanted to speak, Feng Jin ultimately chose to remain silent.
Feng Jin no longer defended Feng Ran and simply walked away.
Feng Ran was directly abandoned on the street, and passersby pointed and whispered at her.
Feng Ran said nothing. She simply lay on the ground, weeping silently, and then, as if driven mad, burst into loud laughter.
She was truly a laughingstock.
Feng Ran on the ground trembled all over, yet no one around stepped forward to help.
However, to Feng Ran, this lack of help was entirely normal.
Feng Ran was in great pain. Just as she was about to faint from the agony, she half-closed her eyes and noticed a familiar figure approaching in the distance. Feng Ran wanted to speak but found herself paralyzed, as if her acupoints had been sealed. She could do nothing, say nothing, while lying on the ground.