It turned out that everything that had happened was planned by Xuanyuan Heng, and bringing her here was just to make her a scapegoat.
Even more so, he wanted her to become the object of resentment for all women. What a brilliant plan. This way, he wouldn't have to lift a finger, and she would naturally become someone everyone wanted to strike down and deal with.
So, all his actions were leading up to this moment.
Just now, she hadn't understood why he was doing this, but now she finally realized his intention.
"Feng Ran, you must be well aware of the consequences this will bring you. However, no matter what the consequences are, you must obediently comply if you wish to survive."
Xuanyuan Heng's bloodthirsty, demon-like voice echoed in her ear, "Of course, if you don't put on a show, you can also choose not to. But what you will have to face next, what you will endure, is something you can hardly imagine."
"Think carefully about what you need to do."
"Feng Ran, look at this. Isn't it wonderful? I've thought through everything and the resulting consequences for you, and all you have to do is choose."
"Feng Ran, you must understand that you are the only one with such an honor."
Feng Ran's eyes were filled with terror and helplessness. She looked at Xuanyuan Heng and questioned, "Why are you treating me like this? Xuanyuan Heng, I have already paid the price I should have."
Feng Ran finally questioned him cautiously, her voice barely audible, only loud enough for the two of them to hear.
In reality, Feng Ran knew better than anyone that these words were useless. Yet, she still wanted to say them, perhaps holding onto a sliver of hope.
But Feng Ran also knew more clearly that these were just her own thoughts. Xuanyuan Heng clearly wouldn't listen to her. In fact, to Xuanyuan Heng, her words were utterly ridiculous.
"Feng Ran, are you trying to resist this king? You should know that your resistance is of no use to this king."
Xuanyuan Heng's hand landed on her neck, gripping it tightly as he said sinisterly, "Feng Ran, you know very well that I can take your life at any moment."
"You have no right to say these things to this king."
"The fact that I haven't killed you or laid a hand on you is, in itself, a grace bestowed upon you."
"Feng Ran, remember, you must behave yourself. This is your last chance. If you don't perform well, your future days will not be easy."
Suddenly, Feng Ran's face turned extremely pale. Without thinking, she grabbed Xuanyuan Heng's hand and pleaded, "Regent, please don't. You can ask me to do anything else, but not this."
"Regent, if those people are allowed to harm me, then I won't even have a chance to live."
The mere thought of being tormented and bullied by those people in the future made Feng Ran's face drain of all color.
She struggled slightly, looking at the person before her and cautiously pleading, "Regent, please spare me. If they are allowed to deal with me, I will surely perish."
"After doing so much, I have been so humble, all for the sake of survival."
She didn't want to leave now, nor did she dare to say anything more. She simply looked at Xuanyuan Heng, as if waiting for his response.
However, she knew very well that she didn't need to wait for Xuanyuan Heng's answer; she already knew what awaited her.
Feng Ran looked at Xuanyuan Heng, even silently pleading in her heart, "I hope Xuanyuan Heng will agree to my plea. This is all she can do in this life."
"Regent, I can agree to do what you want me to do, but there is one thing you must promise me."
"I will hold back those 'fierce beasts' for you, but you must also guarantee my safety and not let those people harm me."
"As long as you promise me this, then everything else will be easy to discuss."
Xuanyuan Heng let out a light sneer, looking at Feng Ran and saying coldly, "Do you really think this king would agree to you?"
"What exactly do you want me to do for you to let me go?" Feng Ran whispered, not even daring to speak loudly.
At this moment, Feng Ran herself was unsure what to say or do.
She was somewhat fearful, thinking that since meeting Xuanyuan Heng, she had always been unable to control herself in his presence.
Feng Ran calmed herself down, her eyes filled with endless sorrow and desolation. "The Regent seemed to say he wanted me to live well. However, if I do as the Regent says, then these people will surely try to take my life."
"In that case, will the Regent's words be disregarded?"
"And if I live, living like I'm in hell, will the Regent be happy to see it? But if I am taken away by these people, where will the Regent's face be?"
Hearing Feng Ran's words, Xuanyuan Heng let out a light sneer. To protect herself, Feng Ran was truly resorting to any means necessary.
"Regent, I just want to live. Why is it so difficult?"
Feng Ran questioned, her voice barely suppressed.
She was almost at her limit, utterly helpless.
At this moment, she thought, perhaps it would be best to simply disappear.
If she disappeared, everything would be gone.
All sorts of thoughts flooded her mind.
Feng Ran considered at this moment, why not directly beg Xuanyuan Heng to kill her?
"Feng Ran, you will do as this king tells you, yet you are here haggling with this king."
"Feng Ran, you are not worthy, nor can you."
Feng Ran stood up, walked directly to the main hall, and knelt before the Emperor, kowtowing. "Your Majesty, I remember when you bestowed the marriage upon me and the Regent, you said that once the Regent married me, he could never marry anyone else in this life, not even if I died."
"Your Majesty, a ruler's word is his bond, do you remember?"
All eyes were on Feng Ran. To them, she seemed to have gone mad. How could she say such things?
This was a capital offense, punishable by death. Had she considered the consequences when she spoke?
The people around her began to mock Feng Ran, each waiting for her to be executed by the Emperor.
After all, he was the supreme ruler, and who dared to utter such treasonous words before him?
Even if the fault lay with the Emperor, one could not say it.
The Emperor was the Son of Heaven; how could he err?
Feng Ran knew that these people would surely think she was insane.
But she had been pushed to her limit, and this was the only thing she could do.