Today, with some free time at last, Feng Ran, after much deliberation and careful wording, went to see Aunt Sheng.
She thought some things needed to be said to Aunt Sheng so she would understand and be prepared. If nothing happened, that would be good. If something did happen, being prepared would certainly be beneficial.
Feng Ran recounted the day's events to Aunt Sheng. Aunt Sheng frowned slightly but didn't say much.
Feng Ran didn't ask further. People had their own matters to deal with. Naturally, Aunt Sheng's expression turned grim after hearing the words, and Feng Ran saw it clearly.
"Aunt Sheng, I've said what I needed to say. I'll go attend to my own affairs now."
Aunt Sheng nodded. "Mm, go ahead."
Seeing Feng Ran's worried expression, Aunt Sheng called out to her as she was leaving, saying thoughtfully, "Feng Ran, don't worry. Nothing is wrong."
"There's nothing here that concerns you."
Feng Ran's previously furrowed brow finally relaxed upon hearing Aunt Sheng's words.
She had always worried that her own troubles might involve Aunt Sheng, and therefore, she had been exceptionally cautious.
Feng Ran returned to her room, feeling somewhat dazed.
Originally, she had wanted a peaceful life, just living day by day. But her current situation did not allow it.
Just then, the door was violently pushed open from the outside.
"Huang Qianqian?" Her voice held a hint of disbelief. After all, when she had last seen Huang Qianqian, she hadn't been like this. Now, everything seemed to have changed.
Huang Qianqian looked at Feng Ran with a contorted face, her eyes blazing like a demon's. "Feng Ran, you wicked person."
"My face is ruined. This scar will be with me forever."
"Feng Ran, even if I've wronged you, it was only minor transgressions. I never intended to harm you."
"But you? Look at my face. Because of you, my life is ruined."
"Do you know? Now, no one can even bear to look at me."
Huang Qianqian poured out the anger in her heart.
"Feng Ran, you already have the Regent. Why do you want to steal Ling Chi Yuan from me?"
"What did you say to him that made him treat me so cruelly?"
"The scar on my face was caused by Ling Chi Yuan."
"Do you know? To vent your anger, Ling Chi Yuan poured scalding hot tea directly onto my face, and then ordered people to splash salt water on me."
"Feng Ran, do you know? At that moment, I felt like I had fallen into hell. That torture was like hell on earth."
"Feng Ran, why are you so vicious? Why did you harm me?"
Feng Ran simply watched Huang Qianqian, who was spewing insults like a madwoman.
"Feng Ran, I'd rather be dead than alive now."
"You, rather be dead than alive?"
"I see your face is ruddy. At most, you just have a scar on your face."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Huang Qianqian's already contorted face turned demonic. Her eyes, filled with terrifying malice, stared at Feng Ran as if she wanted to kill her. Gritting her teeth, she shrieked hysterically, "Feng Ran, I will not let you go. Even if it costs me my life, I will not give up."
"As long as I'm alive, I will never let you off."
Hearing Huang Qianqian's words, Feng Ran didn't show fear. Instead, she let out a sneer. "Huang Qianqian, if you were truly capable of harming me, you wouldn't be standing here now, roaring at me like a madwoman."
"Right now, you're like a trapped beast. You want to attack me, but you have no way to do so."
"Your shouting at me now is simply because you have no other recourse."
Huang Qianqian's face changed instantly. This was precisely what she feared most, the thing she least wanted to face. Yet, Feng Ran had exposed it directly, without any pretense, leaving her no time to process it.
"It's all your fault."
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in such a pathetic state now."
"I was once in a high position. Because of your appearance, I have become so lowly."
"Feng Ran, because of your appearance, what was originally mine has been snatched away by you. Don't you feel any guilt?"
Feng Ran laughed, a radiant, heartfelt laugh.
"I snatched it away from you?"
"Huang Qianqian, don't you think that's a ridiculous joke?"
"Feng Ran, can't you seriously consider it? If you hadn't suddenly appeared, how could I have ended up like this?"
"It all started with you."
"Feng Ran, don't look at me with such an innocent expression. In fact, you're enjoying all of this, aren't you? You planned it all, didn't you?"
"You are truly deep in schemes."
Feng Ran was exhausted, almost unable to support herself. She leaned weakly against the corner.
At this moment, she desperately wished someone would drag Huang Qianqian away.
Facing Huang Qianqian's torment, Feng Ran felt genuinely annoyed.
She just wanted to be alone, to be quiet.
"Shut up," Feng Ran commanded loudly.
This stunned Huang Qianqian, who had been incessantly chattering.
All this time, she had been causing trouble for Feng Ran. No matter what she did, Feng Ran wouldn't say anything, and would even let her rant for as long as she pleased. But today, she had directly scolded her.
She had thought Feng Ran was easy to bully, but it seemed she was not as she had imagined.
"Huang Qianqian, if you truly believe that Young Master Ling would be devoted to you without me, then you can go find Young Master Ling right now."
"But you seem to have forgotten that the scar on your face was caused by Young Master Ling himself, wasn't it?"
Feng Ran chuckled dismissively. "If not, you're welcome to try again."
She had said what she needed to say. As for what would happen next, she couldn't be sure.
She believed Huang Qianqian had understood. Whether she chose to admit it or accept her fate was her own decision.
Huang Qianqian's face turned ashen, and she was at a loss for words.
Seeing Huang Qianqian's predicament, Feng Ran let out a snicker, as if she had no worries at all.
"Feng Ran, shut your mouth."
Feng Ran gave Huang Qianqian a cold glance and said icily, "From now on, if you want to frame me, you'd better investigate thoroughly before acting."
"Just looking at you, I feel things are not that simple."
Feng Ran offered a wry smile.
Feng Ran desperately wanted Huang Qianqian to leave, not to waste her time here.
But she had made herself very clear. Yet, Huang Qianqian seemed not to have heard.
"Feng Ran, in this lifetime, you'll never escape my grasp," Huang Qianqian declared with unwavering conviction.