Sheng Yi's gaze fell upon Feng Ran. Her pale face, her whole body trembling, at this moment, how she wished to step forward and shield Feng Ran behind her. How she wished to shout at Xuanyuan Heng: Whatever it is, take it out on me. Stop hurting Feng Ran, can you?
These words, however, remained unspoken.
"Come in, and close the door," Xuanyuan Heng said, his voice icy, exuding a chilling aura that warned others to stay away.
"Your Highness," Sheng Yi's nerves were taut, sensing that something terrible was about to happen.
"Take Feng Ran down and have her examined," Xuanyuan Heng commanded, his face dark with fury.
"Your Highness… Your Highness… You…" Sheng Yi looked at Xuanyuan Heng in a panic, her eyes filled with terror. In an instant, she quickly regained her composure. "Your Highness, is there perhaps some misunderstanding?"
"Sheng Yi, you have overstepped. What you should do and what you should say, you should know better than anyone."
Xuanyuan Heng's words were a clear warning to Sheng Yi.
Sheng Yi said nothing more.
Sheng Yi did not wish to lay a hand on her. Such an examination would be a humiliation for Feng Ran. She couldn't understand why Xuanyuan Heng insisted on this.
"Your Highness, handling this matter in such a way may be… improper," Sheng Yi ventured, her voice low. Although she felt Xuanyuan Heng's actions were incredibly unreasonable, she could not say too much.
Sheng Yi lowered her head, not even daring to breathe loudly. She was truly afraid.
"If you refuse to do it, there are many others who will," Xuanyuan Heng said coldly.
Feng Ran's eyes widened, her gaze disbelieving as she looked at the man before her. This man truly hated her.
Feng Ran knew all too well that the person before her would do as he threatened. Therefore, she looked at Sheng Yi.
"Sheng Yi, I beg you. You do it," Feng Ran pleaded, her voice filled with entreaty. Finally, Sheng Yi nodded in agreement.
Sheng Yi nodded, ultimately agreeing.
Both she and Feng Ran understood.
Feng Ran walked behind the screen, and Sheng Yi followed. Just as Sheng Yi was about to act, Xuanyuan Heng's cold voice rang out.
"If I discover that you have conspired to deceive me, you should know the consequences."
"After all, you are well aware of my methods."
Methods?
Aware?
Of course, she was aware. Her current predicament was entirely his doing.
Sheng Yi nodded and said, "Your Highness, I have been by your side for many years. I naturally know how to handle this matter."
Xuanyuan Heng nodded and said nothing further.
A quarter of an hour passed.
Feng Ran's face was deathly pale, her eyes brimming with tears.
Such a humiliating ordeal had befallen her, yet she was powerless to refuse. However, at least it was Sheng Yi who performed the examination. She felt a sliver of relief. It was better than anyone else.
"Your Highness, it's nothing."
Upon hearing this, a bitter smile curved Feng Ran's lips.
To think that she had been reduced to such a state.
To use such means to prove her innocence. She was probably the only one in the world.
In truth, did he not think that this was all rather unnecessary?
After speaking, Sheng Yi stood rooted to the spot, not daring to leave.
Xuanyuan Heng waved his hand. "Your task here is done. Leave."
Sheng Yi's gaze fell upon Feng Ran.
"Still not leaving?" Xuanyuan Heng's voice was icy.
Feng Ran looked at Sheng Yi, knowing that Sheng Yi's lingering presence was out of concern for her.
At this moment, Sheng Yi did not wish to leave, but Xuanyuan Heng's words were clearly meant seriously.
"Sheng Yi, please go. It's alright," Feng Ran said, forcing a weak smile and speaking calmly.
Sheng Yi finally turned and left without looking back. She quickened her pace.
Her heart was filled with guilt. Knowing Feng Ran's difficult situation, she could do nothing. She could only watch helplessly, and then she had to leave.
Xuanyuan Heng advanced step by step towards Feng Ran, who retreated continuously, filled with terror.
"Scared?" Xuanyuan Heng questioned coldly.
Feng Ran: …
His cold hand glided across her face. "Feng Ran, remember this. Remain chaste, and do not let me find out that you have betrayed me one day."
"Feng Ran, if you wish to live, you had best remember my words."
Feng Ran lowered her gaze, her hands clenched tightly. Just as she seemed about to speak, Xuanyuan Heng's words silenced her.
"Feng Ran, remember this. If you take one wrong step, Sheng Yi and everyone at Chun Man Yuan will suffer with you. You need to think carefully."
"Yes," Feng Ran replied meekly.
…
In the following days, whispers spread everywhere about Sheng Yi's examination of Feng Ran that day.
Sheng Yi was determined to find out who had spread the news.
Later, it was discovered that it was a gate servant who had overheard some words and thus spread the incident.
Sheng Yi dragged the servant out and, in front of everyone, beat the servant to death.
She did this to let everyone know that at Chun Man Yuan, Feng Ran had her protection, and no one could humiliate her.
Of course, she knew that when Xuanyuan Heng was present, she could not protect Feng Ran.
At other times, she did everything she could to protect Feng Ran.
…
Xuanyuan Heng appeared at Chun Man Yuan.
He went directly to Feng Ran's room. Initially, some had harbored ambitions, hoping to impress Xuanyuan Heng and perhaps be noticed by him, thus escaping their current situation.
Later, they all understood that Xuanyuan Heng's presence there was solely for Feng Ran.
"Your Highness, please wait," Sheng Yi called out anxiously.
Xuanyuan Heng looked at Sheng Yi, who blocked his path, with confusion.
"Feng Ran is unwell and resting."
"I will go and see if she is dead."
"If she is dead, throw her out immediately, lest she soil this place."
Sheng Yi's expression shifted, but she said nothing.
She knew that her words were futile, yet she still felt compelled to speak.
Sheng Yi glanced at the room where Feng Ran resided, her eyes filled with worry.
She truly could not stop him.
…
Xuanyuan Heng pushed open the door and saw Feng Ran lying on the bed, her face pale, her lips devoid of color. Her brows were furrowed, and she seemed to be in pain.
"Mother, Father, I am sorry. It is all my fault. It was I who wrongly trusted a heartless wretch, and caused your deaths."
"Mother, Father, Yu Wanyan is dead."
"Mother, Father, I know, your death…"
Feng Ran muttered incoherently.
Xuanyuan Heng's terrifying gaze fell upon Feng Ran. His hand directly seized her fair neck, tightening its grip.