Xu Yunqing chuckled lightly, his tone laced with disdain. "As for those unsavory matters, who in the capital doesn't know about them?"
"What Feng Ran did, one only needs to ask anyone to know."
"Precisely, no need to ask. Anyone who has been to Chun Manyuan likely knows."
Ling Chi Yuan: "..." He was instantly rendered speechless.
He truly wanted to say something, but these were the facts. Xu Yunqing wasn't wrong in the slightest. How could he argue?
After speaking, Xu Yunqing's expression turned grim. He stood up and walked out.
Those accompanying him followed, but Xu Yunqing said irritably, "No need to follow."
Naturally, they stopped where they were, but they would still offer covert protection.
Ling Chi Yuan turned to Li Yuncheng and asked, "Aren't you curious? Don't you have anything to say?"
"Just now, listening to you, you didn't seem to harbor any hostility towards Feng Ran."
"As expected of my good brother, you know what's on my mind."
Li Yuncheng blinked in surprise. After a long moment, he finally spoke, "Yun Qing is dealing with some family matters, which is why he's become a bit volatile."
"You can't blame him for this."
Ling Chi Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I know these things."
"Besides, we've known each other for ages. Don't I know his temperament?"
Hearing Ling Chi Yuan's words, Li Yuncheng felt relieved.
Ling Chi Yuan seemed to recall something and asked Li Yuncheng earnestly, "Then do you have anything you want to say to Feng Ran?"
Li Yuncheng hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "That day, I happened to be at Chun Manyuan when Feng Ran's condition became problematic, and I couldn't stand by, so I intervened to help."
"So, you're Feng Ran's savior? In that case, I should thank you properly."
"After all, Feng Ran's savior is also my savior."
"It seems the coincidences in this world are truly remarkable."
Li Yuncheng explained that it wasn't a matter of saving a life, but merely being present at the right time and place.
It was just a small matter.
Seeing that Feng Ran had not returned after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Ling Chi Yuan sent someone to inquire if she had encountered any trouble. Logically, she shouldn't have taken so long.
Initially, he had intended to go himself. But recalling Xu Yunqing's words just now, he knew Feng Ran must be feeling distressed. If he went and happened to see something Feng Ran wouldn't want him to see, what then?
Feng Ran looked at the gate, seemingly within reach yet impossibly far. She thought that if she just crossed that threshold, she could escape. Escape this place, this source of her panic.
Alas, a voice from behind her stopped all her frantic thoughts.
"Feng Ran, are you trying to run away? Is it just because of what I said earlier?"
"Tell me, if Ling Chi Yuan knew about the transaction between you and me, what would he do?"
"Would he still cherish you so dearly?"
"Feng Ran, your methods are truly impressive."
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran instinctively reached out to slap Xu Yunqing. However, her intentions were already foreseen by Xu Yunqing, who swiftly grabbed her hand, leaving her no room to resist.
Feng Ran struggled, trying to get Xu Yunqing to release her.
Anyone could appear here at any moment. She was worried that if others witnessed this scene, Ling Chi Yuan might misunderstand.
She truly didn't want Ling Chi Yuan to misunderstand.
"Please, let me go, won't you?" Feng Ran's voice was almost a plea.
"Scared? Are you begging me now?" Xu Yunqing's bloodthirsty voice whispered in Feng Ran's ear. His hand moved to her waist, his breath hot against her ear.
Feng Ran trembled violently. At some point, Xu Yunqing's hand was on her neck, slowly tightening. He was like a demon from hell, whispering with a bloodthirsty tone, "Feng Ran, your methods are truly impressive. In such a short time, you've made Ling Chi Yuan obey your every word."
"That's Ling Chi Yuan. So many noble ladies wished to marry him, yet you, someone so base and unworthy, snatched him away. How many women must be heartbroken."
"Tell me, if those prominent families knew about this, how would your life turn out?"
Xu Yunqing's hand went to her hair, pulling it back and bringing it to his nose. He asked with a smile, "Why does it seem like things are getting more and more interesting?"
Feng Ran looked at the man before her, who resembled a demon. Her entire body trembled.
She even wondered how she could escape his entanglement.
"Young Master Xu, please, let me go."
"I never intended to be with anyone. I've already said, my life never belonged to myself in the first place."
"Is that so? But Feng Ran, you occupied my attention back then. You should have been devoted to me, not secretly conniving with Ling Chi Yuan behind my back."
"Furthermore, Ling Chi Yuan and I grew up together."
"Feng Ran, you truly have impressive methods."
Feng Ran stared at the person before her, her eyes filled with fear.
"No, I didn't know about this," she quickly shook her head.
"And I've never plotted or seduced anyone." Feng Ran defended herself in a state of panic.
Her whole body trembled. The man before her was a demon from hell. He would truly do as he said; he would genuinely destroy her.
"Heh, is that so? But Feng Ran, I only believe what I see with my own eyes. I don't care about anything else." With that, his hand quickly moved to Feng Ran's neck, tightening. Seeing Feng Ran's face turn pale and her constant struggles, Ling Chi Yuan was overjoyed. His face was filled with smiles, a bloodthirsty curve to his lips.
Even his eyes emitted a strange glow.
Feng Ran's hands flailed wildly, reaching in Xu Yunqing's direction, only to find that no matter what she did, she couldn't touch him.
The man's mocking laughter echoed in her ears.
And those venomous, berating words, she heard every single one.
He curved his lips into a bloodthirsty smile and said, "Heh, Feng Ran, if you just died like this, wouldn't that be too easy?"
Feng Ran's eyes widened in disbelief, looking at the man before her, unable to believe what she was hearing.
After a long time, she finally reacted.
She struggled, the pain making it impossible to breathe.
But she still struggled desperately. She thought that as long as she could live, she was willing to do anything.
Xu Yunqing finally threw her to the ground, his face filled with disgust.
Looking at the person on the ground, he bent down, pinched Feng Ran's chin, and said coldly, "Feng Ran, you are truly vile."
"Feng Ran, put away your dirty thoughts. I won't let you succeed," Xu Yunqing said coldly. Then he stood up and sneered.