Feng Ran had arrived at the location Xuanyuan Heng had told her about, but she no longer had the strength to even move.
Feng Ran stood there watching everything unfold, unsure why Xuanyuan Heng had brought her here. However, some things were simply beyond her control.
Bei Chenye, seeing Feng Ran about to leave, said coldly, "Feng Ran, now is not the time for you to leave. The Prince Regent has already stated that you must remain here."
"Also, if the Consort wishes to go anywhere, she can simply say the word, and I will appear immediately."
"Consort, you must remember the Prince Regent's words."
Feng Ran saw Ling Chiyuan and wanted to avoid him. But just then, Bei Chenye was nowhere to be found. Feng Ran dared not move.
Her gaze fell on Ling Chiyuan as he walked closer and closer, and she could do nothing.
At this moment, she hated herself intensely.
She wondered why she was so weak. In fact, she didn't have to obey so readily; she could have simply left.
But she knew clearly about Xuanyuan Heng's methods of punishment.
Feng Ran stood her ground, waiting for Bei Chenye to appear.
However, Ling Chiyuan had already appeared before her. He said with icy, bloodthirsty tones, "Regent's Consort, you have quite the spirit. With your changed status, you no longer fear even this young master."
"I recall how fearful you were when you first met me. Why are you not afraid now?"
Feng Ran did not respond to Ling Chiyuan's words, but his words became increasingly harsh. She looked at him coldly and said, "Ling Chiyuan, do you know the consequences of disrespecting the Regent's Consort?"
Ling Chiyuan was stunned by Feng Ran's commanding presence. If he remembered correctly, the Feng Ran of the past would never have been like this. At that time, she was pathetically weak.
Even when facing him, she would always call out, "Young Master Ling."
That sound of "Young Master Ling" was so pleasant to hear.
Ling Chiyuan heard the immense disgust and contempt in Feng Ran's voice as she uttered his name.
He said indignantly, "Who allowed someone as lowly as you to call this young master by his full name?"
"So, your obedience back then was all an act."
Feng Ran remained silent, simply looking at the man before her.
"Ling Chiyuan, you resent me, don't you? But you know about the matters between Ling Chiyuan and Xuanyuan Heng, don't you? When Xuanyuan Heng was to marry me, where were you?"
"You didn't appear then, yet now you stand here shouting. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Feng Ran said coldly, "Ling Chiyuan, my reputation is already ruined anyway. Say whatever you wish."
"If you get involved with me, it will not be good for the Ling family."
"Ling Chiyuan, before you do anything, please think carefully about the consequences."
"Don't you understand?"
"I suppose you thought about this connection back then. If not, why would you find me now? You should have found me then."
Ling Chiyuan was furious. "Regent's Consort, you truly have a way with words. You force these matters onto me that you yourself are responsible for."
Ling Chiyuan said coldly, "Feng Ran, what right do you have to say such things to me?"
"Don't you know what I've done for you?"
Xuanyuan Heng's long fingers landed on Feng Ran's chin. "Feng Ran, I have pestered you for so long, yet not a single person around Xuanyuan Heng has stepped forward. Do you know why?"
Feng Ran remained silent. She knew Ling Chiyuan was right. Xuanyuan Heng likely knew everything that was happening here, and his inaction was simply his way of tormenting her.
A faint smile touched her lips. It seemed he truly hated her.
Feng Ran knew that more and more people were looking. She said coldly, "Let go of me." Her voice was unnervingly calm as she spoke, but her movements were cautious.
"Heh, is that so? Let you go?" Ling Chiyuan leaned his head onto Feng Ran's shoulder, saying with cruel bloodlust, "What can you do to me if I don't let go?"
"Feng Ran, you don't even have the chance to lay a hand on me."
"Ling Chiyuan, is it? Must you cling to me like this?" Feng Ran murmured.
Upon hearing this, Ling Chiyuan became enraged and sneered, "Is it me who clings to you, or Feng Ran, this is all something you owe me."
"I owe you?"
"Ling Chiyuan, I never agreed to anything. In fact, I've always told you not to come near me, that I am unlucky, and anyone who gets involved with me will suffer misfortune."
"Ling Chiyuan, I've said these words. Have you forgotten?"
But at this moment, Ling Chiyuan's eyes were bloodshot with rage, how could he care about such things?
Feng Ran instinctively stepped back. "Ling Chiyuan, do you dare to oppose Xuanyuan Heng?"
"Dare? Why wouldn't I dare?"
Feng Ran laughed, a loud, clear laugh. She looked at Ling Chiyuan as if he were an idiot and said loudly, "Then, what about your family?"
"They have done nothing wrong, yet because of your decision, you are pushing them into an abyss."
"Ling Chiyuan, I was a living example of this before, can't you consider that?"
"Ling Chiyuan, someone sent you here today, didn't they?"
"Aren't you curious who sent you?"
"Even if you don't care about the people of the Ling family, what about your father? Your grandfather?"
"Have you thought about these things?"
"Ling Chiyuan, I was just like you back then. So stubborn, but look at what I ended up with."
Ling Chiyuan listened and faltered.
Yes, these things. He had been angry and hadn't thought them through.
Ling Chiyuan looked at Feng Ran, at a loss for words.
He looked at her, his eyes filled with heartache and guilt. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"If you had told me earlier, perhaps things wouldn't have reached such a stalemate."
"Perhaps, everything could have changed."
Ling Chiyuan clenched his teeth, his hands tightly balled into fists, as if contemplating everything.