Many even wished to marry her, but she herself was unwilling.
It could be said that those people were not whom she desired; she had always longed for Xuanyuan Heng. For years, she had been waiting for the day Xuanyuan Heng would appear before her, at which point she would readily agree without any reservations.
Lan Xian's gaze was fixed entirely on Xuanyuan Heng. She wondered why Xuanyuan Heng couldn't spare a glance her way.
Xuanyuan Heng, if you only utter a word, even if it means taking my life, I would willingly comply.
Yet, she had waited for so many years, and Xuanyuan Heng hadn't even bothered to give her a look. At this very moment, Xuanyuan Heng was still standing by Feng Ran's side, still thinking for Feng Ran.
Xuanyuan Heng's gaze fell upon Feng Ran, and he said calmly, "Feng Ran, as I've said, do as you wish. In this world, no one can stop you."
"Of course, I've also said that if you disgrace me, I will absolutely not let you off."
"Feng Ran, you must think carefully. If you spare the person before you, what fate will befall you? Will you lose your own life?"
"How to proceed, I believe I don't need to remind you here, do I?"
How to proceed, I don't need to remind you?
Feng Ran certainly understood why Xuanyuan Heng uttered these words. More importantly, though it seemed he was speaking up for her, Feng Ran knew better than anyone that everything Xuanyuan Heng was doing was merely to threaten her, to make her obedient.
And if she didn't follow his commands properly, her subsequent days would likely be agonizing.
Feng Ran knew everyone present was waiting for her to make a decision. No, it could be said that everyone was waiting to witness her downfall.
As if waiting for her to be humiliated by Xuanyuan Heng.
These were precisely what the people before her wanted to see.
Feng Ran closed her eyes, seemingly contemplating something. Suddenly, she widened her eyes, looking at everything before her, and after a long pause, she spoke, "Regent, if I kill Lan Xian, can you then intercede and speak for me before His Majesty?"
"As long as my life is not harmed, you can have me do anything."
"Regent, what if my hand is too heavy and I accidentally kill her?"
Xuanyuan Heng walked to An Nuan's side, a smile plastered on his face, and said, "Is that so?"
"If her life is truly taken, then let it be taken."
"You are the Regent's consort, why can't you take the life of a mere lowly woman?"
A lowly woman's life?
Feng Ran's lips curled into a faint smile.
Yes, in Xuanyuan Heng's eyes, a life was truly that worthless.
Feng Ran let out a soft scoff. Yes. Didn't she know this from the very beginning?
Wasn't what she had experienced before precisely this?
Thinking of this, she looked at the man before her with sorrow.
"Is that so? But Lan Xian seems to have caught the eye of Prince Yelü. If I harm Lan Xian, Prince Yelü will likely not let me off."
"That is indeed true."
"However, you should know that if you want me to help you, you must pay a price."
"Feng Ran, how do you want me to act for you?"
Xuanyuan Heng said this calmly, as if discussing an ordinary matter.
Feng Ran, what can you do for me?
"What can you do for me?"
Yes, what else could she do for Xuanyuan Heng with her broken body? Xuanyuan Heng lacked nothing.
It could be said that with just a word from Xuanyuan Heng, countless people in the world would be eager to do his bidding.
Feng Ran gave a self-deprecating laugh.
And what could she do for Xuanyuan Heng?
What could she do to make Xuanyuan Heng help her unconditionally?
"From today onwards, this life of mine belongs to the Regent, how about that?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Heng laughed, even laughing quite loudly.
He looked at Feng Ran, as if mocking her.
"Feng Ran, your life has belonged to me from beginning to end, and you now say this life belongs to me. Doesn't that sound amusing?"
Amusing?
At this moment, Feng Ran didn't know what to say.
Yes, her life never belonged to her in the first place. How could she utter such words?
Feng Ran lowered her head, not even daring to breathe deeply.
For she knew better than anyone that she had no right to make demands of Xuanyuan Heng, nor the power to refuse. Her being here was an opportunity granted by Xuanyuan Heng.
If Xuanyuan Heng hadn't given her this chance, she would have none at all.
Thinking of this, Feng Ran let out a soft snort.
Everything seemed predetermined by fate.
She had never had a chance.
She laughed at herself; she should have known this all along, yet she desperately refused to admit it.
Her life had never belonged to herself.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Heng smiled, laughing with joy. He looked at Feng Ran, his eyes full of light, and in a good mood, he said, "Feng Ran, considering you are the Regent's consort, I will help you this once."
"Why did you agree to help me?" Feng Ran asked softly. In truth, she didn't want to ask. But this matter had been weighing on her heart, and she had always wanted to ask but never found the opportunity.
At this moment, even she didn't know when her courage had grown so much that she dared to ask this question.
Feng Ran looked at Xuanyuan Heng with resignation. Whatever the outcome, whatever lesson she had to endure, she would accept it.
"Go ahead, even if it means taking Lan Xian's life, with me here, no one will dare to harm you in the slightest."
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran looked at Xuanyuan Heng in surprise, but she quickly hid her astonishment.
That Xuanyuan Heng would agree was something she had never expected. But since he had agreed, she would make good use of it.
After all, such opportunities were rare.
Feng Ran looked at Lan Xian, removed her hairpin, and aimed it directly at Lan Xian's neck. Lan Xian retreated, trying to dodge, but found herself cornered, with no room left to retreat.
She placed all her hopes and gaze on Prince Yelü, saying almost pleadingly, "Save me, I beg you."
However, her pleas were of no use.
Prince Yelü directly stepped back, and under Xuanyuan Heng's watchful eye, he completely severed any connection he had with Lan Xian.
At this moment, Prince Yelü no longer possessed his previous haughty demeanor.
Now, he looked utterly devoid of his former spirit.
Even Prince Yelü raised his hands and shouted to explain, "Don't look at me, I have no relationship with her."
Hearing Prince Yelü's words, Feng Ran found it amusing.
So this was how heartless people were. They saw everything so clearly.
And to avoid implicating themselves, they would say anything and do anything.