Feng Ran smiled, her smile however was somewhat eerie.
"Do you think I have too many days to live? This life of mine has never belonged to me, has it?"
"Didn't the Prince say that my life was meant to live on for eternity?"
"Didn't the Prince say that in this world, besides you, no one else could take my life?"
Feng Ran spoke with unusual ease, as if she had figured out Xuanyuan Heng completely.
Suddenly, Feng Ran burst into laughter, her face beaming. The smile even carried a hint of weariness.
Feng Ran laughed self-deprecatingly. In the past, she had lived with such caution, but now? She felt as if she had suddenly seen the light, even feeling that she was happier now than she had been living in constant fear.
Xuanyuan Heng looked at the person before him with confusion. This person was completely different from before. To him, she even seemed somewhat strange.
"Those people tried to kill me, so naturally, as such a venomous person, I want them dead."
"If they are alive, they will surely cause trouble for me, and at that time, I might not even have a chance to resist."
"I am doing this simply to save my own life."
"Heh, Feng Ran, you truly have a heart of a snake and a scorpion. Then, your kneeling before me and repenting back then was all a lie, wasn't it?"
"Feng Ran, your intentions are truly wicked."
"Feng Ran, do you feel I'm mistaken? Do you wish to defy me?"
"But Feng Ran, you want to kill those people, don't you?"
"But I will not let you have your way."
"Hongyi and Huang Qianqian will not only be absolved of punishment, but I will also ensure they live well, after all, they are the ones I'll keep to torment you."
"How could I possibly let you live a peaceful life?"
"Feng Ran, you had best hold on."
"What's wrong, do you hate me to the bone? Right now, are you wondering why I'm still alive? Do you really wish to kill me?"
Feng Ran lowered her gaze, looking at the ground, not uttering a single word. She simply stood there quietly.
No one could tell what she was thinking at that moment.
They couldn't even discern her expression.
If it were her from a few years ago, hearing these words, she would have undoubtedly racked her brains to explain, finding all sorts of ways to make Xuanyuan Heng believe her.
But now, she couldn't be bothered.
She only wished to live peacefully.
As for what Xuanyuan Heng thought, or what he wanted to do, these were no longer things she needed to concern herself with.
She was now living under someone else's roof, her status the most lowly. She was no longer the eldest daughter of the Feng family who could say whatever she pleased. She was no longer someone who had others to shield her from any troubles.
She, who had lived the life of a pampered pearl, had been ruined by this man, who was like a demon.
In truth, from beginning to end, it was her own actions that had brought about this misfortune.
If only she had listened to her parents' words back then, perhaps things wouldn't be like this.
She could only blame herself, and no one else.
It was simply her fate, nothing more, nothing less.
"Feng Ran, why are you smiling? Did I tell you to smile? Shut your mouth."
"Feng Ran, don't think I truly dare not lay a hand on you." Xuanyuan Heng exuded a terrifying aura.
If outsiders saw him, they would surely be terrified. However, the person facing him now was Feng Ran, and naturally, he would not receive the reaction he desired.
"Feng Ran, you must remember, when I said I would spare your life, it was only because I wished to, but if I wanted your life, your life would be forfeit."
As these words were spoken, Feng Ran's expression flickered, but it instantly returned to normal.
Xuanyuan Heng had been quite pleased with Feng Ran's fearful look, but upon seeing her expression recover, his own became extremely unpleasant.
What he truly desired was for Feng Ran to act submissively.
But Feng Ran's current demeanor was somewhat defiant, which he naturally could not stand.
He recalled the Feng Ran of the past, who would kneel before him, begging earnestly, hoping he would listen to her explanation.
But the Feng Ran of today was completely different.
"Your Highness, you should have known what fate awaited those two from the very beginning, so why ask me?"
"You are doing this simply to make Hongyi and Huang Qianqian resent me."
"Now that everything has unfolded as you wished, Your Highness, is there anything left to say?"
"Feng Ran, remember, you yourself are to blame for all this, do not blame outsiders."
Feng Ran let out a cold scoff. "Since Your Highness has already made up your mind, why continue to hold onto me?"
Her hoarse voice sounded again. "Besides, you don't believe my explanations or my words at all, so why should I waste my time speaking?"
"Is it just to make you happy?"
Her gaze fell upon Xuanyuan Heng, and she said with a self-mocking smile, "Xuanyuan Heng, I have experienced all sorts of torment and methods over these past years."
"Bring on any other methods you have. I will receive them all."
Her calmness was so unsettling that it made one question her sanity.
But only she knew that behind this composure, she had paid a great price.
The wounds she had suffered in the past were invisible to outsiders; only she could see them.
"Heh, is that so?" Xuanyuan Heng said coldly. "Those were merely appetizers."
"Feng Ran, if we go by your thoughts, it seems I should do something even more excessive. Otherwise, it would be a disservice to your words."
Feng Ran smiled and said calmly, "Your Highness may do whatever you wish."
She understood why Xuanyuan Heng was so enraged.
However, there were some things that, even though she knew them better than anyone else, she was unwilling to mention.
She knew that even if she presented evidence before him, he would never believe it. So why waste her breath?
After a long silence, neither of them spoke. They simply confronted each other, staring, creating an atmosphere that was almost terrifying.
"If Your Highness has nothing else, then I shall take my leave."
"I still have many matters to attend to." Feng Ran spoke calmly, her demeanor exceptionally indifferent, showing not the slightest hint of reluctance.
Having said that, she had made her position clear.
Feng Ran knelt and performed a ritual bow, then stood up, intending to leave.
She did not wish to be here.
Wherever Xuanyuan Heng was, she felt that even her presence was a bad omen.
Just as Feng Ran was about to rise and depart, Xuanyuan Heng walked over step by step, his foot landing on her hand, pressing down heavily, without any trace of remorse or tenderness.