Xuan Yuan Heng let out a soft laugh upon seeing this, his gaze lingering on Feng Ran’s unwilling face, a face that could do nothing against him.
In truth, this was not what he wished to see.
If he could, he would have preferred Feng Ran to stay by his side willingly.
However, Feng Ran was currently solely focused on leaving, and he had no choice but to resort to such measures to keep her close.
He thought, perhaps with the passage of time, everything would change.
Xuan Yuan Heng looked at Feng Ran with a serious expression and said, “Feng Ran, do you remember? When you were pursuing this King, you were willing to do anything.”
“Why have you changed now?”
Feng Ran shook her head and replied coldly, “When one is young, there are times when one doesn’t understand things.”
“But now that I am sensible, some things can no longer be undone.”
“Xuan Yuan Heng, do you know? If I could go back, I would rather never have met you in this lifetime.”
“Because meeting you has been far too bitter.”
“Having met you, I have experienced all the bitterness this life has to offer.”
“Feng Ran, you didn’t used to say that. Feng Ran, have you completely forgotten the words you once spoke to this King?”
“I don’t know. Those things happened so many years ago, I’ve already forgotten them completely,” Feng Ran said coldly, not giving Xuan Yuan Heng an opportunity to continue his pestering.
He thought this would make Feng Ran back down. However, he seemed to have miscalculated; such a conversation could not make her retreat.
“This King remembers, back then, you were willing to do anything to please this King. You even went to the furthest temple to seek a peace charm for this King’s safety.”
As Xuan Yuan Heng spoke, he took out the peace charm and placed it before Feng Ran, saying earnestly, “This is the peace charm you sought for this King.”
“Feng Ran, look, this King has kept it all this time.”
Feng Ran listened and looked, a bitter smile curving her lips.
Ha, all of this was truly a ridiculous joke.
“If it were back then, I would have been very happy, but now it’s all too late for me. I don’t need all this anymore.”
Xuan Yuan Heng continued, “This King knows you don’t need it now, but this King is only saying it to let you know, without any other intention.”
“Feng Ran, this King remembers, you once said that even if the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled, even if the heavens and earth were torn apart, you would still love this King. You said that even if you had to give your life, only I would remain in your heart.”
“Feng Ran, do you remember what you said back then?”
“Do you remember?” Feng Ran suddenly smiled, looking at Xuan Yuan Heng and saying, “Regent, have you also forgotten what you yourself said back then?”
“Back then you said, Feng Ran, this King will never fall in love with you.”
“Feng Ran, you might as well forget about entering this King’s eyes in this lifetime.”
“Regent, I remember every word you said very clearly. Regent, please don’t forget.”
“Regent, I remember what you said back then very clearly, and I hope the Regent remembers it just as clearly.”
“Also, someone of my status is truly not worthy of the Regent.”
Xuan Yuan Heng reached out, intending to touch Feng Ran, but was directly evaded by her.
He finally let out a helpless sigh, then spoke, “Feng Ran, this King, regrets it. I regret the words I spoke.”
He said this with utter seriousness, and even a hint of an unfathomable smile on his face as he uttered these words.
Xuan Yuan Heng truly regretted it.
He reached out to grasp Feng Ran’s hand, but she evaded him, her gaze wary as she watched him.
In the end, Xuan Yuan Heng stopped his movement. He feared that if he continued to try and hold Feng Ran’s hand, it would frighten her.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“You don’t need to hide from this King either. This King will not harm you,” Xuan Yuan Heng said gently. “This King just wants to see you. After knowing that you are well, this King will leave and will not continue to pester you.”
Feng Ran’s ears turned red as she listened to Xuan Yuan Heng’s words.
She had never seen such a gentle Xuan Yuan Heng before.
Xuan Yuan Heng retracted his hand, and looking at Feng Ran, he said, “You may go. Leave this place.”
Feng Ran looked at the person before her with astonishment. She was truly too surprised to speak, facing someone who suddenly offered to release her.
“Are you truly letting me go?”
Xuan Yuan Heng nodded. “Yes.”
“This King has thought about it. Rather than binding you to my side and making you so miserable, it is better to let you go and live happily.”
“This King cannot bear to see you in such low spirits.”
Feng Ran got her wish and left the Xuan Yuan Manor.
Standing outside the Xuan Yuan Manor, she looked around in confusion at everything. It was all so unfamiliar.
She didn’t know what to do or how to proceed.
At that moment, she said to herself, “Feng Ran, you have finally achieved your wish.”
“Finally, Xuan Yuan Heng is no longer pestering you. You are finally free.”
From now on, you are free. You are no longer controlled by anyone.
…
“Is the person dead?”
Xuan Yuan Heng asked coldly.
Bei Chen Ye quickly nodded and said, “No. Following the master’s orders, we kept her alive.”
“Mm.”
Xuan Yuan Heng saw Yu Wan Yan. Upon seeing her trapped inside a vat, her limbs gone, his face was filled with coldness as he said, “Well done.”
“Throw her into the mountains to fend for herself.”
“Yes, master.”
Yu Wan Yan was continuously making muffled sounds. She wanted to speak, but she could no longer form words.
Yu Wan Yan could only let Bei Chen Ye escort her away.
…
Feng Ran found Lan Lan’s family and completed the tasks Lan Lan had entrusted to her. She also returned Lan Lan’s jade pendant to her family.
In gratitude, Lan Lan’s family kept her there, ensuring Feng Ran had food and shelter. Lan Lan’s family took very good care of Feng Ran.
However, Lan Lan’s family noticed that although they provided Feng Ran with many good things, she was never happy, always seeming to hide something in her heart. m..oΓg
Ou Yang Jing looked at Feng Ran and said, “Feng Ran, you were protected by Lan Lan, which means you are also someone I must protect.”
“Feng Ran, for the past year, you have been here, and though you seem happy on the surface, I can see that you are not.”
Ou Yang Jing said earnestly, “And I have investigated your affairs.”
Feng Ran looked at Ou Yang Jing, her face filled with shock and bewilderment. She even wondered why Ou Yang Jing had done this.
“Feng Ran, for the safety of my family, I certainly have to investigate all matters thoroughly. Only then can I feel at ease.”
Listening to Ou Yang Jing’s explanation, Feng Ran understood. After all, to Ou Yang Jing, she was a stranger.
His investigation of her was undoubtedly certain.