Although he hated Feng Ran to the bone, he had never thought of poisoning her.
He would never resort to such a despicable method as poisoning.
But Feng Ran was indeed poisoned, and it was a deadly poison.
The antidote he gave Feng Ran every month was concocted by his men. However, the antidote seemed to be useless for Feng Ran now, and the poison in her body was worsening.
He was naturally aware of the poison in Feng Ran's body. But what had happened during this period to make her condition so much worse?
It seemed someone had tampered with Feng Ran's poison. But who it was, he had ordered Bei Chen Ye to investigate, yet nothing could be uncovered.
"Regent, we've found some leads in this matter, but they abruptly went cold," Bei Chen Ye said with some difficulty. "It seems Feng Ran offended someone she shouldn't have in the barren lands, which led to her being poisoned."
"It's said that the person who poisoned her is already dead."
Xuan Yuan Heng's face was cold, and it was impossible to tell his thoughts at this moment. He merely said coldly, "I didn't expect such a coincidence to exist in this world."
Bei Chen Ye trembled slightly. It seemed the Regent was not satisfied with what he had investigated.
Bei Chen Ye trembled again and said cautiously, "Regent, the clues have run out here, but I will continue to investigate this matter."
"Until I find a lead."
Xuan Yuan Heng glanced at Bei Chen Ye, his eyes filled with doubt.
If even Bei Chen Ye couldn't find anything, it seemed the person who targeted Feng Ran was truly insidious.
They must be someone with an extremely meticulous mind.
Xuan Yuan Heng recalled what Feng Ran had said to him earlier, implying that her poisoning was deeply connected to him.
If that were the case, perhaps Bei Chen Ye should investigate from his own perspective.
Xuan Yuan Heng, who was about to speak, thought of something and finally waved his hand, "You may go. Continue with your tasks."
Bei Chen Ye paused slightly.
"Is there anything else you need to report?"
Bei Chen Ye hesitated, but then quickly said, "Regent, the investigation results indicate that the poison in Feng Ran's body is now incurable and has deeply penetrated her bones."
"Even Physician Li Yun Cheng probably can't bring her back."
The man in the main seat's eyes were filled with ice and indifference. Bei Chen Ye shivered, his back covered in cold sweat. He suddenly realized that he might have said something he shouldn't have.
Thinking of this, his face turned extremely grim.
He had likely touched upon the Regent's forbidden territory.
In fact, even he himself did not understand why he had said those words.
He should have just reported what he knew and left. Now, however, things seemed to have become rather complicated for him.
"Bei Chen Ye, just do what you're supposed to do. There are things that are not your business, things you shouldn't know. It's best to speak less about them."
"Even if you know, you can pretend not to know."
"Bei Chen Ye, such matters should not have been spoken by me."
Xuan Yuan Heng said coldly, and his seemingly calm words made Bei Chen Ye tremble. He even said fearfully, "Regent, I was wrong."
After speaking, Bei Chen Ye immediately knelt down.
He felt that something was amiss with himself. Especially concerning matters related to Feng Ran, he couldn't handle them calmly.
"Bei Chen Ye, just focus on your own duties."
"Do not ask, do not do things that are not meant for you," Xuan Yuan Heng said coldly.
At this moment, Bei Chen Ye had committed a grave offense in Xuan Yuan Heng's eyes.
The fact that Xuan Yuan Heng did not act against him was already a great mercy.
"Go."
Xuan Yuan Heng's words served as a stern warning to Bei Chen Ye.
Although Bei Chen Ye had overstepped his bounds this time, he had indeed done much for him over the years. This time, it would be forgivable.
Bei Chen Ye rose and left, his hands clenched tightly.
In truth, he felt that Feng Ran was not as worthless as Xuan Yuan Heng described her. He believed there must be some misunderstanding.
He had wanted to say more, but he restrained himself and dared not.
He knew that he had already angered the Regent, and it was magnanimous of the Regent not to punish him.
...
"Did you send the person back to Chun Man Yuan?" Xiao Lan Jue looked around, not seeing Feng Ran. He unceremoniously sat down and took a drink of tea.
He was extremely languid, showing no fear of the Regent, whom everyone else feared.
Gu Yan Chen glanced at Xiao Lan Jue and scoffed, "What are you talking about? How could Xuan Yuan Heng bring back a woman like Feng Ran?"
"Why would a woman from the brothel appear here? Isn't it too dirty?"
Xiao Lan Jue glanced at Gu Yan Chen displeasedly, his entire body rejecting him.
This person's attitude was different when he didn't know Feng Ran was Feng Ran.
Now, his attitude and his words were so annoying, truly bothersome.
"Alright, we don't need to say it. Let Xuan Yuan Heng say it. Isn't he here?" Xiao Lan Jue's face was filled with smiles as he looked at Xuan Yuan Heng.
Xuan Yuan Heng merely looked on coldly, seemingly unwilling to answer.
Gu Yan Chen chuckled and said, "As the saying goes, a good horse doesn't turn back to graze. With someone like Feng Ran, how could Xuan Yuan Heng be moved by her again?"
Xiao Lan Jue let out a cold snort and gave Gu Yan Chen a look, saying coldly, "If you don't know how to speak, then don't speak. Your presence here is really affecting my mood."
"Heh, it's affecting your mood? What about it? Can you actually kill me?"
Xiao Lan Jue then put away his casual demeanor and said seriously, "Xuan Yuan Heng, Feng Ran has been punished enough. She has suffered so much; it's time to let her go."
"She has already paid the price for her wrongdoings."
"Let her go," Xiao Lan Jue said cautiously to Xuan Yuan Heng.
Such a suggestion was indeed audacious, and he naturally dared not say it openly.
Xuan Yuan Heng, who had been indifferent, seemed to be provoked upon hearing Xiao Lan Jue's words. He immediately turned his face cold and said icily, "No, I will not let her go, even if I die."
"Even if Feng Ran dies, I will not let her go."
"This is the end she deserves."
This was the first time Xiao Lan Jue and Gu Yan Chen had seen Xuan Yuan Heng so cold and terrifying. At this moment, he was truly frightening and made them uneasy.