Sheng Yi listened to Qing Huan's deflective words and laughed. She was so amused by the sheer shamelessness of the person before her that she felt she might go mad.
She even doubted if such a person could exist in the world.
"Qing Huan, a face is a valuable thing. I hope you can pick yours up."
"If the person that day had been you, let alone going to the Xuanyuan Royal Estate, you would have likely died on the spot."
Sheng Yi scoffed, her eyes filled with mockery as she said, "Don't dismiss these words. Otherwise, you will regret them sooner or later."
"Qing Huan, you'd best behave yourself. If I discover you making any more moves, you'll have a very unpleasant end."
"Especially when dealing with Feng Ran, you'd better be clear, she's not someone you can touch."
Facing Sheng Yi's warnings and threats, Qing Huan's face turned ashen. Her eyes, filled with unwillingness, glowed crimson as she glared at Sheng Yi, roaring defiantly, "Sheng Yi, we are both people working under you, why do I have to be treated like this?"
"As the saying goes, people strive for higher places, and water flows to lower ones. I am merely following the natural course of things."
"Sheng Yi, don't you think this is unfair to me?"
"If you suspect me and believe I did those things, then you should produce evidence. As long as you have proof, I will admit it."
"But without any evidence, you are blaming me for everything. Why must I endure this humiliation?"
"Sheng Yi, don't you think you owe me an apology?"
Sheng Yi, upon hearing this, couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, right. You also offended Gu Yan Chen that day. Have you thought about how you'll handle that?"
"This time, there will be no one to speak up for you."
"You can slowly 'enjoy yourself'."
"Feng Ran was kind enough to help you once, and yet you treated her like this. It can be said that kindness is not rewarded. And now? You need to deal with the matter of Gu Yan Chen properly."
"As you said, with your methods and abilities, you can make Gu Yan Chen do anything. Then, we shall see."
Sheng Yi chuckled and said, "Don't disappoint me."
"I can definitely do it."
"I won't crawl through dog holes just to survive. I will make Gu Yan Chen kneel and apologize to me."
Sheng Yi glanced at Qing Huan, her eyes filled with disdain and disgust. "Very well, we shall see."
Sheng Yi stood up and left, unwilling to waste any more time arguing with the person before her. Talking to such a person was less productive than getting some good rest.
"I will definitely surprise you."
Sheng Yi said sarcastically, "Get out. Don't be in my sight, you're an eyesore."
"Sheng Yi, I will take my leave." Qing Huan was filled with resentment, but she had no choice but to feel so wronged.
As Qing Huan was about to leave, Sheng Yi said coldly, "Qing Huan, I have protected you all these years. I never let you get into danger. But now it seems I have raised an ungrateful wretch. From this day forward, I will no longer protect you."
"Therefore, you must fend for yourself in the days to come."
Hearing this, Qing Huan's face became extremely grim. She wanted to say something, but found she had nothing to say.
Qing Huan snorted coldly, her gaze sweeping over her surroundings.
Fend for herself? Protecting her?
What a colossal joke, how could she say such a thing so casually?
...
Qing Huan looked at the people surrounding her, her eyes filled with bewilderment and confusion.
Lihua then walked out, her gaze wary as she looked at Qing Huan.
Qing Huan was completely perplexed. Lihua's attitude was truly baffling. After all, in normal times, Lihua would practically fawn over her whenever they met. Her current demeanor was highly suspicious.
Qing Huan didn't pay it much mind and walked away.
Lihua, however, seemed anxious. She quickly ran up to Qing Huan, grabbed her hand, and looked at her with urgency, wanting to say something, but it seemed there were things she couldn't say.
Qing Huan cast a cold glance at Lihua.
"What have you done that has caused the people above to target you like this?"
"Do you know? Sheng Yi publicly declared in front of everyone: if anyone dares to stand up for you, to defend you. She welcomes it wholeheartedly. After all, it's sisterly affection, she naturally wouldn't say anything."
"However, Sheng Yi said that she's making her intentions clear beforehand. She said, if anyone gets too close to Qing Huan, she will consider that person her sworn enemy."
"I imagine that person's days ahead will be filled with misery."
Qing Huan finally understood. No wonder so many people were avoiding her. As soon as she approached, they would scatter as if they had seen a ghost.
Qing Huan recalled her conversation with Sheng Yi that day and felt her confidence waver.
"No, you must have misheard." Qing Huan said to Lihua with a calm expression.
"Lihua, I have been here for many years, longer than Feng Ran. Even if Sheng Yi were to favor someone, it would surely be me."
Qing Huan said somewhat flusteredly, "You must have misheard."
Qing Huan, who had been in good spirits just moments ago, intending to buy some rouge and powder, now wore an extremely ugly expression.
However, many people knew in their hearts that Qing Huan was merely reaping what she sowed, leading to this outcome.
But they dared not voice their thoughts further.
In a place like Chunmanyuan, it was better to avoid trouble than to court it. Protecting oneself was paramount.
They had seen it all too often in places like Chunmanyuan – people being misunderstood and framed.
Sheng Yi stood not far away, watching everything unfold. She shook her head, her eyes filled with malice.
For some people, no matter how much you say or how many opportunities you give, nothing will change.
Sheng Yi returned to the back courtyard and, just as she was about to rest, saw two figures appear.
"Prince Xuanyuan, Young Master Xiao." Sheng Yi was truly startled. The arrival of these two people was completely unexpected.
Most importantly, Xuan Yuanheng had also appeared.
Xiao Lan Jue's peach blossom eyes were alight with amusement. He teased, "Sheng Yi, what's wrong? Are we that frightening?"
Xuan Yuanheng, however, looked calmly at the guilty Sheng Yi.
It seemed Sheng Yi was hiding something from him.
Xuan Yuanheng stared intently at Sheng Yi, as if trying to see through her.
Xiao Lan Jue, on the other hand, was joking, "Sheng Yi. You look so scared seeing us, and it's broad daylight. Have you done something you regret?"
Sheng Yi: This Xiao Lan Jue's mouth was constantly running.
In truth, she wanted to deal with Xiao Lan Jue, to find a way to make him shut up. This person talked too much.
For a moment, even Xuan Yuanheng regretted bringing him here.