Sheng Yi's probing gaze met Feng Ran's lowered head, and not a word was spoken.
Sheng Yi's gaze fell upon Feng Ran's injured finger. She said nothing, but diligently began to tend to it.
The bloody and mangled finger was enough to bring tears to anyone's eyes. Yet, as Sheng Yi treated Feng Ran, Feng Ran did not utter a sound.
Sheng Yi's eyes were filled with distress.
She thought that Feng Ran must have endured much to be this way. The thought itself brought her immense pain.
She longed to do something for Feng Ran, but found herself utterly helpless. In fact, she could barely protect herself, let alone help Feng Ran.
"Feng Ran, you must rest well during this time," Sheng Yi said, doing her utmost to assist, helping wherever she could.
Seeing Feng Ran's pale face and colorless lips, she felt a pang of sympathy. Though clearly in agony, Feng Ran could only endure it, refusing to let anyone see her pain.
Sheng Yi sighed helplessly, tidied her things, and rose to leave.
At that moment, Feng Ran, who had been silent with her head bowed, spoke in a hoarse voice, "Sheng Yi, Prince Xuanyuan once said that here, I can only obey orders, and I do not even have time to rest."
"Sheng Yi, if I were to rest, then you would be the one to suffer. I do not wish for you to be implicated."
Sheng Yi's foot was already on the threshold, her hand tightly gripping the door frame, her body trembling.
Her heart was a tempest of emotions, with many words left unspoken.
She had not been unaware of the rumors circulating about Feng Ran, but she felt that Feng Ran was utterly unlike what was said of her.
Feng Ran said she did not want anyone else to be implicated because of her. Yet, she had never thought of herself. She could have been ungrateful, selfishly seeking benefits for herself.
But she did not. Even now, her thoughts were solely on the well-being of those around her.
Sheng Yi shook her head. She wanted to help Feng Ran, but her actions were insufficient.
She pondered what could have happened to Feng Ran to make her so submissive, so cautious.
Sheng Yi lived in a constant state of unease, her eyelids twitching incessantly, as if foretelling some ominous event.
...
"Where is she?"
"Prince Xuanyuan? Are you looking for Qinghuan? Or Qinghan?" Her initial surprise at Xuanyuan Heng's sudden appearance quickly gave way to composure.
"Feng Ran?"
Upon hearing this, Sheng Yi's face contorted, her eyes filled with a flicker of wariness.
Xuanyuan Heng's mention of Feng Ran always filled her with a sense of dread.
But facing Xuanyuan Heng, she knew better than anyone that this place belonged to him, and she was all too aware of his cruel methods.
Sheng Yi said softly, "Feng Ran's hand is injured, so I let her rest."
"Heh, her hand is merely injured, not broken, nor is she critically ill." Xuanyuan Heng scoffed, "Rest? Does she deserve it?"
"Remember, she is not here to enjoy herself, but to atone for her sins."
"Does anyone dare to act on their own volition and wish to live?"
Sheng Yi knelt down with a thud, protesting on Feng Ran's behalf, "Feng Ran's hand is truly incapacitated. Most importantly, if she does not rest properly, her hand will be ruined."
"That means it has not yet been ruined. Then, she will continue with her tasks." Xuanyuan Heng said grimly, "Of course, even if her hand were broken, she would not be allowed to rest. Her legs are not broken."
"However, this seems to be a bit difficult for Feng Ran..."
"You say? Does this King need you to teach me how to do things?"
"No, no, it's not like that." Her entire body trembled, her face changed color, and she said fearfully, "My lord, this servant would not dare."
"It is just that my lord instructed this servant to ensure Feng Ran lives well and is not to have any accidents. This servant is afraid that if Feng Ran meets with an accident, this servant's life will be forfeit."
"This servant cherishes her life, which is why she is doing her utmost to protect Feng Ran."
Xuanyuan Heng's brow furrowed. Feng Ran was not living well? Her life was truly in danger? His heart clenched, as if being squeezed tightly, raw and bleeding.
He had done so many terrible things, never flinching even at murder, yet now he felt an unsettling, suffocating sensation.
"Where is she?" Xuanyuan Heng demanded icily.
Sheng Yi stiffened, her face ashen. At this moment, she could not guess Xuanyuan Heng's intentions in inquiring about Feng Ran.
But meeting Xuanyuan Heng's terrifying gaze, Sheng Yi became afraid. She looked at him with fear and finally said softly, "She is resting in her room." She had originally thought of finding another place, but Sheng Yi's legs were so badly injured they were almost crippled, and no one dared to shelter Feng Ran. She knew better than anyone whose will this was.
Sheng Yi watched Xuanyuan Heng walking upstairs, her heart hanging in suspense.
At this moment, Sheng Yi regretted the decision she had made moments ago.
If Xuanyuan Heng went up, Feng Ran's life would be in grave danger.
Sheng Yi hesitated, "My lord, Feng Ran has been in pain for a long time, and she should have just rested. It is likely not appropriate to go up now." She seemed to be trying to secure another chance for Feng Ran, to give her a less passive situation.
"My lord, let this servant go up and check. If she is awake, then have Feng Ran come down."
"As my lord said, Feng Ran's legs are still fine. How can my lord's noble person stoop to such a thing?" Sheng Yi said calmly, yet her tightly clenched hands betrayed her fear.
Her palms were covered in sweat.
Xuanyuan Heng turned back, casting a cold glance at Sheng Yi.
Sheng Yi stopped, daring not to speak or follow further.
She watched helplessly as Xuanyuan Heng went upstairs.
Creak. The door opened. Xuanyuan Heng even wondered what kind of scene he would witness, what Feng Ran's plight would be.
Instead, he saw Feng Ran resting peacefully. She did not even wake up to the considerable noise of him pushing open the door.
That day, in Xuanyuan Mansion, he had not observed Feng Ran too closely. At that time, he had only wanted to torment her.
Feng Ran was no longer the young lady of the Feng family as she once was.
When she was the young lady of the Feng family, her furnishings were all exquisite, and everything in her room was of the highest quality.
But this place now was extremely rudimentary. It was truly unimaginable that Feng Ran could live in such a place.
Feng Ran moved slightly, her hand emerging from beneath the covers. The bruises on her wrist were shocking to behold.