Xiao Lanjue cast a fierce glance at Xuanyuan Heng, wishing he could attack. However, he knew that with Bei Chenye protecting Xuanyuan Heng, he was powerless.
Not only could he not make a move against Xuanyuan Heng, but he might even be the one getting hurt later.
After a long while, Xiao Lanjue looked at Xuanyuan Heng and shook his head. "He's been poisoned."
Xuanyuan Heng's brow furrowed slightly. "Cure it."
"I can't."
Xuanyuan Heng looked at Xiao Lanjue and said, "Aren't you a renowned physician? How can you not cure this poison?"
Xiao Lanjue replied, "This is a potent poison, and I cannot resolve it."
Xuanyuan Heng's brow furrowed again.
Silence filled the room, broken by no one.
Xuanyuan Heng glanced at Feng Ran, then finally left.
Sheng Yi had initially thought that Xuanyuan Heng would be able to cure Feng Ran, but now it seemed she had been mistaken.
As Sheng Yi felt disheartened, she contemplated finding Li Yuncheng. The matter she had been worried about might come to pass, and she did not want Feng Ran to lose her life like this.
"Your Highness…"
Sheng Yi was contemplating how to send Xuanyuan Heng away and how to find Li Yuncheng, to persuade him to detoxify Feng Ran.
She believed Li Yuncheng would surely have a way. However, whether Li Yuncheng would agree to help was another matter entirely.
As she was thinking about how to find Li Yuncheng and explain the situation, Xuanyuan Heng's next words interrupted all her thoughts.
"Have her take this medicine."
Sheng Yi, with a look of confusion, accepted the pill.
After Xuanyuan Heng left, she quickly administered the pill to Feng Ran.
Within fifteen minutes, Feng Ran woke up.
Sheng Yi watched Feng Ran, her heart filled with worry. She kept her eyes on Feng Ran, and only after confirming Feng Ran was alright did she give a few instructions and leave with peace of mind.
Feng Ran looked out the window, a look of helplessness on her face. She knew Xuanyuan Heng must have appeared. After all, when her poison flared up, only Xuanyuan Heng's pills could save her. It was always Bei Chenye who delivered them. Seeing Sheng Yi's expression, she could guess that Xuanyuan Heng had appeared.
However, even though she knew, she ultimately did not expose or mention it.
...
Today, Feng Ran had specially dressed and groomed herself. This was because yesterday, Xiao Lanjue had sent over a great many things, causing everyone at Chunmanyuan to be incredibly jealous and envious.
Yet, despite all this, Feng Ran paid no mind to their stares.
Feng Ran looked at herself in the mirror and touched her face. The scar on her right cheek, even with makeup, was still clearly visible.
She let out a soft scoff. But what did it matter? Who would care?
Sheng Yi looked at Feng Ran with concern, her voice full of heartache. "Feng Ran, you still shouldn't go."
Feng Ran turned, her gaze falling on Sheng Yi. She took Sheng Yi's hand, a faint smile on her lips, and said, "Sheng Yi, I know you're worried about me getting into trouble."
"But Sheng Yi, with my current identity, how can I refuse?"
"Sheng Yi, you know it's not Xiao Lanjue's decision, but Xuanyuan Heng manipulating everything."
"But Sheng Yi, even if I know this, what can I do? What can I say?"
"To survive, I can only do this."
"But, Feng Ran, you..."
Feng Ran looked at Sheng Yi, her voice full of gratitude. "Sheng Yi, I know you are worried about me."
"Sheng Yi, since this has already been decided, let it be."
Sheng Yi said nothing more, for she knew well that anything she said now would be futile. What was bound to happen would happen.
Feng Ran was personally sent into the carriage by Sheng Yi. She was traveling in Xiao Lanjue's carriage.
Sheng Yi tightly held Feng Ran's hand, her voice filled with concern. "Feng Ran, you must live well, understand?"
Feng Ran nodded. "Mmm."
Hearing this, Xiao Lanjue, inside the carriage, couldn't help but scoff. "What is it? Do I look like a devil? You're so cautious and say so much just for a trip out with me."
"Sheng Yi, you say that, and it makes me feel so hurt."
Xiao Lanjue's face held a hint of grievance. The sight of his wronged expression was rather amusing.
Sheng Yi watched the carriage depart with reluctance, but her heart was filled with deep worry.
However, no matter how worried she was, it was of no use. Some things could never be changed.
And she had no right to change anything.
...
In the carriage, Feng Ran sat perfectly still, as obedient as could be, not even daring to shift her body.
She sat quietly, afraid to even move.
She feared that any action she took would be met with Xiao Lanjue's words.
Xiao Lanjue was someone close to Xuanyuan Heng, and many things were completely unpredictable.
Xiao Lanjue looked at Feng Ran, who was constantly keeping her head down. "What's wrong? Are you thinking about where I'm taking you today?"
"Are you thinking I might make a move on you?"
Xiao Lanjue smiled broadly, chuckling. "Don't worry, I won't touch you even a bit."
Feng Ran: "..."
Faced with Xiao Lanjue's smile, she felt a sense of bewilderment.
"Young Master Xiao, are we going to..." Feng Ran tried to ask where they were going.
Just then, the carriage stopped. Xiao Lanjue waved his fan and chuckled, "We've arrived."
"When you get off the carriage, you'll naturally know where we are."
Feng Ran met Xiao Lanjue's playful gaze, and a bad feeling stirred within her heart.
Alighting from the carriage and seeing familiar surroundings, she felt completely unwell.
Xuanyuan Royal Mansion.
Why had Xiao Lanjue brought her here?
Xiao Lanjue's face was filled with a smile at Feng Ran's shock and bewilderment. He was even quite pleased to see her reaction.
"Why have you brought me here?" Feng Ran's hands clenched tightly, suppressing her thoughts, afraid to voice them.
At this moment, she couldn't guess. Had Xuanyuan Heng asked her to come, or was this solely Xiao Lanjue's idea?
Many speculations swirled in her mind, but she remained silent.
She thought that what was meant to happen would eventually happen.
Xiao Lanjue directly pulled Feng Ran into his embrace and exclaimed with laughter, "Xuanyuan Heng is hosting a banquet for me today. I thought it wouldn't be good to come alone, so I decided to bring someone along."
"After much thought, I decided to bring you."
"Feng Ran, tell me, am I good?" Xiao Lanjue asked, seeking praise, as if expecting a reward.
Feng Ran looked at Xiao Lanjue in surprise. She was truly taken aback by his words.