"Too much free time recently? How about I send you to the border?" his voice was icy.
"If you're so idle, then perhaps all those young ladies from wealthy families are also quite idle. This king shall go find Old Master Xiao and keep him busy."
"Perhaps, you need someone by your side to keep you in check."
"No…"
"Xuan Yuan Heng, I'm only saying this because I have too much free time. It was truly unintentional, you can't…"
Xiao Lan Jue truly hadn't anticipated that a casual remark would land him in such trouble. More importantly, his grandfather didn't doubt Xuan Yuan Heng's words in the slightest. Whatever Xuan Yuan Heng said, he believed.
Only then did Xiao Lan Jue obediently shut his mouth.
Sheng Yi lowered her head, thought for a long while, then looked up at Xuan Yuan Heng and asked cautiously, "Your Highness, there's more to Feng Ran's situation, she isn't…"
"I don't wish to hear it."
Sheng Yi swallowed the words that were already at her lips, forced to retract them.
At this moment, Sheng Yi stood rooted to the spot, finding it difficult even to breathe.
Xuan Yuan Heng's aura was too powerful.
"Your Highness, if there's nothing else, I shall take my leave," Sheng Yi said, biting her lip.
"Someone is seriously injured, I need to tend to them."
"I don't want anything to happen to the people under my command. At the very least, while they are under my charge, no accidents will be permitted."
All the words she had prepared now couldn't be spoken.
The purpose of her visit remained unfulfilled.
She had the opportunity to speak, but she didn't dare.
Xuan Yuan Heng's eyes were filled with anger: "Seriously injured?"
"Who?" Although he already knew who it was, he still asked.
Following this exchange, Xuan Yuan Heng's brows furrowed, and his mood was visibly grim.
"Feng Ran." Sheng Yi seized the opportunity to continue, "Your Highness sent Feng Ran to the Xuan Yuan Mansion that day, and the people at Chun Man Yuan wrongly blamed Feng Ran for the entire incident."
"Since they couldn't win Your Highness's favor, they were extremely enraged. However, they couldn't act against or insult Your Highness, so they directed all their resentment and anger towards Feng Ran."
"Feng Ran has not had an easy time at Chun Man Yuan."
"She's been walking on thin ice, so to speak."
Sheng Yi had many more things she wanted to say, but ultimately, she didn't.
What needed to be said had been said. The rest would naturally be revealed later.
Xuan Yuan Heng remained silent, idly toying with a jade pendant in his hand.
Xuan Yuan Heng's gaze, sharp as a killer's, fell upon Sheng Yi as he coldly questioned, "Is that so? How I choose to humiliate Feng Ran is my business."
"Outsiders, however, are not permitted to lay a single finger on her."
"Qing Han was the one who harmed Feng Ran the most," Sheng Yi stated the name directly.
Sheng Yi had taken good care of Qing Han over the years, but Qing Han had recently gone too far.
During this period, Qing Han had been doing everything she could to climb over her, to usurp her position.
"Have her come here," Xuan Yuan Heng's eyes were icy as he instructed, "Ensure Feng Ran recovers swiftly, no matter the cost."
Sheng Yi looked up, her eyes filled with confusion and doubt.
Was Xuan Yuan Heng concerned about Feng Ran, or was he trying to torment her? His actions were perplexing.
Xiao Lan Jue, who had been standing by without speaking, immediately chimed in upon hearing this, "I've seen this Qing Han. She looks so delicate and weak. I never expected her methods to be so terrifying."
"It seems all pretty girls are venomous."
"I should stay far away from them in the future."
Xuan Yuan Heng glanced at Sheng Yi at his words: "Then, let all of them come."
Xiao Lan Jue: "Are you planning to vent Feng Ran's anger?"
"Didn't you say before that you wanted Feng Ran to pay with blood?"
"And now you're getting soft-hearted already?"
"Actually, if you can't bear it, you could always bring her back to the mansion and keep her as a pet."
Xiao Lan Jue appeared to be seriously contemplating, stroking his chin with great earnestness. "Feng Ran, with her looks, it's natural for people to pry."
…
Upon hearing Sheng Yi say that Xuan Yuan Heng wanted to see them, Qing Han and Qing Huan had been diligently dressing up. They thought this was a rare opportunity and they needed to be impeccably dressed. Perhaps, if Xuan Yuan Heng noticed them, they could ascend to greatness overnight.
The two women were already at odds with each other.
When they saw Xuan Yuan Heng, they wished their eyes could be glued to him.
They had assumed Sheng Yi was speaking casually. Although they didn't entirely believe Sheng Yi's words, upon seeing Xuan Yuan Heng, they were already incredibly excited.
If not for their desire to impress Xuan Yuan Heng and win his favor, they would have rushed forward directly.
At this moment, both were doing their utmost to showcase their best selves.
Hoping to capture Xuan Yuan Heng's attention.
"I heard you two have been making things difficult for Feng Ran? Is that true?" Xuan Yuan Heng asked, seated on a chair, his deep voice resonating. His face was calm, making it impossible to discern his inner thoughts.
The two felt a bit awkward, unsure how to answer.
Qing Huan glanced around. Her hands were clenched tightly. In her heart, she made a firm decision: this was a rare opportunity, and she would take a gamble.
If she won, she would gain wealth and glory. If she lost, she would pretend to be pitiable and beg Xuan Yuan Heng to let her go; he probably wouldn't harm her.
"Your Highness, this servant is Qing Huan."
"This servant has admired Your Highness for a long time. I always wished that if I ever had the chance in this life, I could glimpse Your Highness's noble presence. I never expected to see Your Highness today; my life is already complete."
"Does Your Highness have any important matters to instruct this servant on by summoning me?" Qing Huan's hands were tightly clenched. She suppressed her excitement.
All she needed to do now was remain calm, and most importantly, perform well.
Qing Han, standing to the side, watched everything unfold and instantly felt unwell.
This precious opportunity had been snatched away by Qing Huan.
Normally, this Qing Huan acted so proud. She never imagined she would resort to such base tactics.
Heh, normally she maintained an air of superiority, but now she had revealed her true colors.
Qing Han was consumed by jealousy. This little b****. Later, she would make sure this b**** knew that trying to seduce the man she desired in front of her would come at a price. She would teach her a lesson.
Heh, a b**** like this, wanting to replace her? Did she even consider her own status? Was she qualified?