Qing Han was dreaming, her good days were about to arrive.
But just then, an icy voice struck: "The person I want to discipline is my business."
"What right do you have, a lowly servant, to interfere in this matter?"
Qing Han's face instantly turned pale, and her whole body trembled. Only now did she realize the seriousness of the situation. She had originally thought she could use this matter to rise step by step, but now, because of it, she had ruined herself.
Her face was deathly pale, and she knelt on the ground, restless, not knowing what kind of punishment awaited her.
Xuan Yuan Heng was known for his extreme cruelty. It was rumored everywhere. She had spoken those words out of sheer madness.
She had been solely focused on how to please Xuan Yuan Heng and how to climb on top of Feng Ran to get closer to Xuan Yuan Heng. She had forgotten that although Feng Ran had fallen to such a state and had been wronged by Xuan Yuan Heng, she had once been by Xuan Yuan Heng's side. Xuan Yuan Heng could harm her, could humiliate her, but others could not.
What she had just said and done had touched Xuan Yuan Heng's bottom line, which was why she was being treated like this.
However, she was not resigned.
Compared to Feng Ran, she was indeed inferior before. But she had come here before Feng Ran, so she had the right to act against Feng Ran.
She had originally intended to humiliate Feng Ran, but unexpectedly, she had brought trouble upon herself and endangered her own life.
"Still not doing as you're told?" Aunt Sheng said coldly, "Are you waiting for me to do it myself?"
"If I have to do it myself, I'm afraid your knees will be ruined."
Qing Han looked at a board covered with needles. If she knelt down, she could control her strength and avoid injury. But if Aunt Sheng were to do it, with Aunt Sheng's temperament, her life might be forfeit at any moment.
Qing Han's hands clenched tightly, and she silently lamented in her heart.
She had truly hoisted herself by her own petard.
"Aunt Sheng, no... no need to trouble your esteemed hands, I'll... I'll do it myself." She quickly shook her head, refusing Aunt Sheng's offer.
Qing Han slowly shuffled over, but she didn't touch the needles, remaining quite a distance away.
She looked up, her eyes full of pitiful pleading, and said to Xuan Yuan Heng, tears streaming down her face, "My Lord, is this acceptable to you?"
Her coy tone and pitiable appearance would melt anyone's heart.
A bloodthirsty smile curved Xuan Yuan Heng's lips, and an intimidating aura emanated from him. He said coldly, "I told you to kneel down, not to put on a show."
Qing Han trembled all over. She had thought that this would be enough. And she had just bowed her head to beg for mercy; had he not been swayed by her? Was he still so resolute?
Qing Han did not kneel down heavily but said with reluctance, "My Lord, if I kneel down, my legs will be ruined. What will become of my rest of my life?"
"Will Aunt Sheng have to take care of me?"
If her legs were ruined, so be it. What was there to be afraid of? The rest of her life? Did someone like her even have a so-called "rest of her life"?
Who had given her the audacity to utter such arrogant words in front of Xuan Yuan Heng?
Everyone under heaven knew that Xuan Yuan Heng could kill someone as easily as crushing an ant. Was this person truly foolish, or merely pretending?
"Are you deliberately using such a topic to attract the Regent's attention?"
"Thinking that since things have already turned out this way, why not try?"
"Perhaps you might reach the pinnacle of life?"
Xiao Lan Jue burst into laughter, like a smiling tiger, saying, "If I told you that what you are doing now is foolish and will cost you your life, what would you say?"
Xiao Lan Jue glanced at Xuan Yuan Heng and laughed heartily, "The dignified Regent, being asked what will become of his rest of his life?"
"I wonder how many times the Regent has heard such a joke."
Xuan Yuan Heng let out a wild laugh, his cold, bloodthirsty gaze fixed on Qing Han. He said coldly, "Whose life I want is just a matter of a word."
"Heh, you have quite the courage."
Qing Han's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
Aunt Sheng frowned, her gaze towards Qing Han shifting. She found it hard to believe that Qing Han, of all people, would not understand such a simple matter.
But given Qing Han's words now, it seemed she was desperately trying to prove something, resorting to such extreme measures.
This person's schemes were truly unfathomable.
It seemed she had underestimated her all along, leading to such a farce.
Aunt Sheng's hand directly landed on Qing Han's shoulder, pressing down heavily. Qing Han's knees were directly forced onto the needles. The pain was so intense that even breathing felt difficult.
She had always thought these words were just casual remarks and would never happen to her.
Aunt Sheng was willing to do anything to vent Feng Ran's anger.
Despite the piercing pain, Qing Han dared not make a sound.
Aunt Sheng said coldly, "Remember this, do not overstep your bounds next time."
"Your status is not high enough."
"You mocked Feng Ran's lowly status, but you do not know that you are not even fit to carry Feng Ran's shoes."
"No matter how Feng Ran is, she is still someone you cannot touch casually."
Qing Han's face grew even paler upon hearing this. She wanted to retort loudly to Aunt Sheng's words, but found herself utterly speechless.
Aunt Sheng's gaze was truly terrifying.
Qing Han's scalp tingled, but she dared not stand up or say a word. She didn't even dare to let out a groan, remaining on her knees.
A self-mocking smile appeared on Qing Han's lips. She had always been ridiculing Feng Ran, but now she was the one who deserved to be ridiculed the most.
She was truly pathetic now.
Qing Huan, standing by the side, her face changed dramatically, filled with fear. She was no longer like when she first entered, thinking about how to please Xuan Yuan Heng.
In fact, she felt a sense of relief that Qing Han had acted first.
One could only say that the bird at the front gets shot.
And Qing Han, wanting to show herself, had only harmed herself.
"Qing Han, after this incident, you must be careful. Considering this was unintentional, I will spare you for now. Naturally, some punishment is still necessary."
Qing Han was dragged away by Hong Yi, as if she were a dead dog being dragged.
The onlookers watched in horror, covering their mouths, afraid to cry out.
Fearing that they would be the next to suffer.
Qing Huan slowly retreated, inching towards the door, wanting to escape this hellish place.
Before her foot could step out, Xuan Yuan Heng's gaze fell upon her. He said coldly, "You saw what happened just now. Do the same."
Qing Huan's face instantly turned ashen. At this moment, she didn't even dare to look up.
She had clearly seen Qing Han's fate. If she did not comply, she would likely not survive. If she did, it would cost her half her life.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, she hesitated.
She wondered if she could choose a different punishment. Was there any possibility that Xuan Yuan Heng would choose to spare her?