Men's eyes were filled with a glow as they looked in Feng Ran's direction, as if anticipating something.
...
"This Feng Ran is probably finished this time."
"So be it. Who told her to offend Qing Huan? Being manipulated is her own fault."
"Heh, it's good for her to suffer a little. Otherwise, she might think she's the most powerful one."
"Heh, we'll just watch. This has nothing to do with us."
"Exactly, what does it matter to us if she lives or dies."
"Letting her be in a difficult situation and suffer a bit this time is also good. It will help her understand that even with Aunt Sheng's protection, she can't rest easy."
Feng Ran stood at the top of the stairs, listening to the murmurs of those people. Her expression remained unchanged as she walked past them.
She knew very well that no matter what explanation she gave, these people were hostile towards her.
She had also clearly heard the conversation between Qing Huan and that person. Only after that person 'left' did she slowly step out.
Even though she knew who was targeting her and trying to harm her, she wouldn't be foolish enough to rush forward.
For many things, nothing needed to be said.
She was used to it. Accusations, loss of face, humiliation—they were useless to her.
She wouldn't care about any of it.
Those people, after saying all sorts of unpleasant things, dared not step forward to trouble her.
She knew that Aunt Sheng must have said something for them to be so cautious.
Did her heart not hurt when she heard those humiliating words? Did she not care? No, she cared, and it hurt even more.
But she couldn't argue with anyone; she had to be here.
"Feng Ran, come here." Hong Yi looked at Feng Ran, her eyes full of calculation.
Everyone wore schadenfreude smiles, even wishing Hong Yi could humiliate Feng Ran here.
Feng Ran glanced at Hong Yi, knowing that Hong Yi detested her, hated her deeply, and saw her as an enemy. She even felt that Feng Ran had stolen everything from her.
Hong Yi often tried to trip Feng Ran up.
"Sister Hong Yi, is there something? Aunt Sheng said that I'm not feeling well these days and need to rest, so I shouldn't entertain guests." Feng Ran didn't want any more arguments, so she directly stated Aunt Sheng's instructions. Even if Hong Yi wanted to make things difficult for her, she would still have to restrain herself.
The people of Chun Manyuan feared Aunt Sheng.
But she was an exception. She and Aunt Sheng were practically enemies.
Hong Yi held a grudge against Aunt Sheng, and therefore, anyone Aunt Sheng protected, she would try her best to destroy.
Hong Yi said coldly, with evident displeasure, "The guest specifically requested you. Even Aunt Sheng can't do anything about it."
"That person wields immense power and is acquainted with the Regent. If you don't go, do you want to doom all the sisters of Chun Manyuan?"
Those who were just watching, thinking it had nothing to do with them, unexpectedly found themselves implicated in the end.
At this moment, they all looked at Feng Ran, hating her to death, as if if Feng Ran refused, and something happened, it would all be Feng Ran's fault.
In their eyes, Feng Ran was now a great sinner.
"If Feng Ran doesn't go, does she want to get us killed?"
"Yes, who does she think she is? Coming to a place like this, does she still want to maintain her chastity?"
"Heh, maintain her chastity?"
One of them let out a cold sneer and said coldly, "If my life is ruined by her, I won't let her off even as a ghost."
"Heh, she really thinks she's something."
"Do you really think that's a good job? That person is notoriously 'difficult to please'. A year ago, one of our sisters was tortured to death by him. You haven't forgotten that, have you?"
The surrounding people let out soft 'hushes' and said in low voices, "Keep it down, we can't let Feng Ran hear."
"If she doesn't go, we'll have to suffer too."
However, those people dared not say much, as Feng Ran had Aunt Sheng supporting her.
If Hong Yi troubled her, Hong Yi would naturally be fine. But they had no one to protect them; in the end, it would be them who suffered.
Although that man was violent, his spending was generous. More importantly, he had connections with the Regent, so his status was self-evident.
Such a good opportunity falling into Feng Ran's hands naturally made them envious.
They were almost mad with jealousy.
...
Feng Ran was led by Hong Yi to the Heaven-tier private room.
Hong Yi's face was dark, her eyes filled with displeasure. She looked at Feng Ran and said coldly, "Serve him well. You must not offend the person inside. Otherwise, we will be dragged down by you."
"Also, remember, whatever the guest says, goes. You cannot refuse."
"The person inside must not be easily offended."
As Hong Yi was about to leave, she seemed to remember something important and looked at Feng Ran with a cold warning, "Even if Aunt Sheng supports you, if you offend the person inside, perhaps ten Aunt Shengs won't be enough."
"Feng Ran, you caused the death of the Feng family members, and so many others." Hong Yi looked at her fingers and said coldly, "You wouldn't cause Aunt Sheng's death, would you?"
"Can you do such a thing as repaying kindness with enmity?"
"Will your conscience be uneasy?"
"Mm," Feng Ran replied softly, lowering her head.
Hong Yi still didn't intend to let Feng Ran off and sneered, "What? Mm? Are you saying you would do such a thing as repaying kindness with enmity?"
Feng Ran shook her head and firmly guaranteed, "No, I won't, Sister Hong Yi."
Seeing this, Hong Yi's brows furrowed even tighter, and her mood worsened.
She simply couldn't stand Feng Ran's haughty demeanor.
"Feng Ran, serve carefully, or I will kill you," Hong Yi said coldly and bloodthirstily.
"Sister Hong Yi, does Aunt Sheng know about this? Or is this something you're doing to retaliate against me?"
Hong Yi turned around, exuding a terrifying aura. Her eyes showed displeasure.
Originally, she disliked Feng Ran. When Feng Ran said these words, she hated her even more.
This was indeed her intention, but to have it said so directly by Feng Ran, where could she possibly save face?
"Heh, go in," Hong Yi pushed her inside directly, not giving her any chance to speak.
Feng Ran was pushed into the private room by Hong Yi and fell directly onto the floor.
Her hand was grazed, but she made no sound.
Suddenly, a hand reached out towards her, but Feng Ran avoided it directly.
She got up, lowered her gaze, and stood aside without speaking.
Suddenly, she noticed someone standing in front of her, and that person let out a laugh.
Upon hearing the man's laughter, Feng Ran's face instantly turned crimson.
To her, this was a very embarrassing thing.
The man reached out, his hand on her waist. She tried to pull back, but the man had no intention of letting go.
Feng Ran wanted to leave but could only stand still.
The man's gentle and refined voice sounded, whispering intimately in her ear, "I've been waiting for you for a long time, but for a beauty, even waiting until the end of time would be worthwhile."