Feng Ran was punished by Xuanyuan Heng, and had to kneel on the street for three hours every day.
This was the most prosperous street, in front of the liveliest Chun Manyuan. Coupled with Feng Ran's identity as the eldest daughter of the Feng family, those around her naturally knew. Therefore, many people stopped to watch.
"Look, this is the eldest daughter of the Feng family. Back then, she was so arrogant."
"Yes, it was hard to even get a glance."
"But now? She has to kneel here every day."
"Indeed, I never thought I would live to see such a scene. Heaven has truly been kind to us."
The onlookers, who were there to watch the spectacle, and those who mocked Feng Ran, all gathered around, making the already bustling street even more impassable.
Feng Ran, however, continued to kneel, kowtowing, and doing what she had to do, muttering, "I am lowly, I deserve this fate."
She saw clearly the pointing and gossiping of the people around her.
Qing Han deliberately stepped out of the crowd and poured the scalding tea in her hand directly onto Feng Ran's back.
"Feng Ran, how does this taste?"
Feng Ran did not answer.
However, Feng Ran's calm silence infuriated Qing Han. Feng Ran had been kneeling for several days, and her tea had 'accidentally' spilled several times. She had thought that one day, Feng Ran would not be able to bear the pain and would stand up. She would beg for mercy.
But she had been waiting, and waiting, yet Feng Ran never begged.
Normally, it was nothing. But the people around her started to mock her. They always said she was useless, unable to deal with even a waste like Feng Ran.
Qing Han took all these stinging words to heart. How could she bear it any longer?
She stepped forward and placed her foot on Feng Ran's back, stomping down with all her might, not sparing her full strength to make Feng Ran suffer more.
"Feng Ran, why don't you just die?"
As Qing Han spoke, she took the hot water handed to her by Qing Huan and poured it directly from Feng Ran's head.
Hot water landed on her body, and she struggled. But at this moment, Qing Han held down her shoulders, giving her no chance to escape.
Qing Han thought that with this basin of hot water, Feng Ran would surely be unable to endure it.
However, she must have underestimated Feng Ran.
While everyone was treating Feng Ran as a joke, Feng Ran's gaze fell upon Qing Han, and she coldly called out, "Qing Han, wait a moment."
"What?" Qing Han looked with confusion and doubt, looking at An Nuan and saying indifferently, "Feng Ran, do not call my name."
"But when I hear my name from your mouth, I feel hurt."
Feng Ran said coldly.
"Feng Ran, what nonsense are you spouting?" Qing Han was pulling at her hair, which was extremely disheveled. The whole person looked somewhat disheveled and even confused, wondering if Feng Ran had gone mad and what she wanted to do.
"Am I talking nonsense? Qing Han, you have harbored improper feelings for the Regent all along."
"And you have always wished for Xuanyuan Heng to notice you, but you have never achieved it over the years. Why are you thanking me now?"
"If anyone is to blame for this, it is not me."
"Qing Han, do you think no one knows about what you did today?"
"You seem to have forgotten your last confession."
Feng Ran let out a cold laugh and looked at the contorted face of Qing Han, saying icily, "Do you know? I have Xuanyuan Heng's secret guards by my side, and Xuanyuan Heng should know everything you have done by now."
"Well, what do you plan to do about this?"
Upon hearing Feng Ran's words, Qing Han froze, a shiver running down her spine.
Yes, how could she have forgotten something so important?
"Feng Ran, stop trying to scare me."
"If the Regent really sent secret guards to your side, then you have been kneeling here for the past few days without anyone speaking up for you."
"Do you think I will believe what you say?"
After speaking, Qing Han did not dare to say anything more and turned to leave.
She did not know if Feng Ran's words were true or false. However, she was also afraid. What if Feng Ran was telling the truth? What would happen then?
After all, her face had been disfigured because of Feng Ran.
Feng Ran glanced at the time, then stood up, grabbed Qing Han's hand, and choked her. She did not know where she got the strength from, but she dragged Qing Han over and said coldly, "Qing Han, it's not that I don't dare to touch you, it's just that I feel it would dirty my hands to deal with someone like you."
"But now I realize that I have been forbearing, and you have become more audacious. I think it's time to let you know that I'm not someone to be bullied."
Qing Han trembled all over. She tried to break free from Feng Ran's grasp but found she couldn't. She was terrified, her face instantly turning ashen.
"Feng Ran, you... you can't lay a hand on me, I..."
Feng Ran let out a cold laugh and said, "Oh, really? I can't lay a hand on you, do you think I will listen to your words?"
Just as Qing Han was about to say something more, Feng Ran slapped her across the face repeatedly, saying coldly, "Remember this, from now on, never provoke me."
"Next time, you won't be so lucky."
After speaking, Feng Ran let go of Qing Han and slowly walked away.
She looked up at the plaque of Chun Manyuan and suddenly, a bloodthirsty smile curved her lips.
Such a place had become her final destination.
And besides Chun Manyuan, she had nowhere else to go.
At this moment, a voice in her heart was screaming: Escape, don't stay here any longer, escape!
Escape?
Indeed, she had thought about it.
But the world was vast, and Xuanyuan Heng's eyes and ears were everywhere. How could she escape?
Perhaps, before she could even get out of the city gates, she would have already been caught by Xuanyuan Heng.
She remembered Xuanyuan Heng saying that he had arranged people by her side to monitor her every move.
But at this moment, Feng Ran only wanted to escape, to flee this place.
Feng Ran's steps stopped. While everyone was wondering what Feng Ran was going to do, she suddenly ran away, dragging her broken body, and fled.
As Feng Ran ran, it was as if she had returned to the time when her parents and younger brother were still alive.
Back then, she could disregard everything and run freely.
Suddenly, a voice shattered all her dreams.
"Feng Ran, what a surprise. I didn't expect to meet you here."
At this moment, Feng Ran was pulled out of her reverie. She then realized that she had run to the outskirts of the city.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she felt an inexplicable fear.
"Feng Ran, what's wrong? Are you disappointed to see this young master?"
Feng Ran shook her head, a bitter smile appearing on her lips. "No, how could I be?"
"Young Master Xiao is my benefactor. I am only too happy." At this moment, Feng Ran's face was filled with a smile.
Feng Ran suppressed her emotions, but the smile remained on her face, though it did not reach her eyes.