"Regent, are you enraged and want to poison me?"
Feng Ran endured the pain from her body, tugging at the corner of her lips, and said nonchalantly, "The Regent wields immense power. Killing me would be as simple as crushing an ant."
"Do it," Feng Ran finished, closing her eyes in resignation. Sometimes, she was truly tired.
She couldn't seem to find a reason to persist. She thought that if she died, she might be able to see her parents again, and perhaps atone for her sins.
Xuanyuan Heng's brow furrowed. He lowered his hand, only to grasp Feng Ran's chin tightly, sneering, "Heh, Feng Ran, you've truly surprised me. I almost fell for your trick."
"I was almost sent to the underworld."
He whispered into Feng Ran's ear, his voice laced with bloodlust, "Feng Ran, you don't actually think I'm foolish enough to kill you, do you?"
"I said I would keep your life."
"I intend to let you live in hell for all eternity. Have you forgotten?"
After speaking, Xuanyuan Heng forcefully twisted Feng Ran's chin. He stood up, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, and wiped his hands. His icy gaze fell upon Feng Ran. "Enjoy yourself in Chun Manyuan. I haven't had enough of watching the show."
His cold fingertips traced Feng Ran's face, finally settling on her fair neck.
Xuanyuan Heng's hand gently choked Feng Ran's neck. He whispered into her ear, "If my grip were any tighter, would your life last until tomorrow?"
Feng Ran raised her eyes, meeting Xuanyuan Heng's bloodthirsty gaze. Her body trembled as she looked at Xuanyuan Heng in disbelief. What he said was true. He never joked.
For some reason, Feng Ran's hands reached out and clung to Xuanyuan Heng. Her body went limp, and she collapsed into his embrace, speaking alluringly, "My Lord, how about I serve you well? Would that be alright?"
Xuanyuan Heng's brow furrowed. He was somewhat perplexed by Feng Ran's sudden words, unable to fathom what she was trying to achieve.
Xuanyuan Heng rose to leave.
However, Feng Ran remained in his arms, her hand sliding across his face. "Regent, I've been listening obediently and learned a great deal. Are you sure you don't want to inspect my progress?"
"If you don't inspect, then how will you know how well I've learned?"
"Then am I deserving of death?"
"Feng Ran, you are truly despicable," Xuanyuan Heng said, looking at her with disgust and aversion.
Such a cheap Feng Ran was an eyesore.
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran lowered her gaze, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. The more Xuanyuan Heng detested and loathed her, the better.
That way, Xuanyuan Heng wouldn't remember her, and she wouldn't have to live in constant fear.
"Heh, despicable? Regent, have you forgotten that this is all as you wished?" Feng Ran said with a laugh.
"You..."
As Xuanyuan Heng was about to say something, his gaze fell on Feng Ran's side. Her hand was tightly clenching a handkerchief, clearly showing her fear.
Xuanyuan Heng mused that Feng Ran feared him so greatly, yet now she feigned such debasement to provoke him. It was likely that things were not as simple as they appeared.
Suddenly, his eyes gleamed with insight, as if he had realized something.
He no longer felt aversion or disgust, nor did he shy away from Feng Ran. Instead, he placed his hand on her waist and sneered, "Is that so? Made great progress? Then, serve me well."
"I want to see just how much progress you've made, as you claim."
With that, Xuanyuan Heng exerted force and pulled Feng Ran closer into his embrace.
Feng Ran froze, her eyes wide with surprise and shock.
Xuanyuan Heng's actions were entirely different from what she had anticipated.
Shouldn't he have pushed her away in disgust, humiliated her, insulted her, and then left immediately?
Yet, Xuanyuan Heng's behavior now was utterly bizarre. Was she overthinking things?
While Feng Ran hesitated, Xuanyuan Heng tightly gripped her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye, and sneered, "What's wrong? Is it difficult?"
"You proposed this yourself. I never forced you. Now that I've granted your wish, aren't you happy?"
Feng Ran: "..."
As Feng Ran was in a daze, Xuanyuan Heng had already brought her to the bed.
Feng Ran's heart pounded furiously.
At this moment, the door was pushed open from the outside.
Xiao Lan Jue, standing at the doorway, widened his eyes. Looking at the people before him, he doubted if he had entered the wrong place.
He walked out, checked, then looked again at the two people before him, whom he recognized.
But these two had a deep-seated hatred for each other. How could they be entangled like this?
Why had Xuanyuan Heng asked him to come?
Xuanyuan Heng, however, still forcefully pulled Feng Ran into his embrace and coldly questioned, "Are you here to find Feng Ran?"
Xiao Lan Jue clearly saw the icy gaze that seemed intent on killing him.
"Yes..."
"Pah, pah..."
Xiao Lan Jue's composure was on the verge of collapse.
Heh, he had someone send a letter to his mansion, inviting him over for a chat. What was this now? Had he forgotten?
Who was the one in need of his help?
Heh, what do you mean, "come to find Feng Ran"? Anyone with eyes could see that you are the one seeking Feng Ran.
He realized that whenever matters concerning Feng Ran arose, Xuanyuan Heng would lose his composure, and his actions would be baffling.
Xiao Lan Jue did not feel awkward. Instead, he found a place to sit down and said, "Since you can't forget Feng Ran, you should keep her within your mansion. For a Regent of your status, frequenting such places is unbecoming."
Xuanyuan Heng remained silent. He glanced at Feng Ran, thinking this was likely what she had hoped for.
After all, back then, Feng Ran was willing to do anything to be by his side.
Feng Ran shivered all over, her eyes filled with fear.
She didn't want to return to the place where she was "kept." She was terrified.
That place was hell on earth.
All her actions just now were intended to make Xuanyuan Heng detest her and forget her existence. She only wanted to live in peace.
She was afraid of Xiao Lan Jue's words and Xuanyuan Heng's probing gaze.
For a moment, she even felt as if Xuanyuan Heng could see right through her.
Feng Ran dared not move at all.
"Xuanyuan Heng, you asked me to come here just to witness this scene? What is your intention?"
"Or are you trying to tell me not to harbor improper thoughts about Feng Ran? That even in a place like this, only you can touch her?" Xiao Lan Jue said playfully.