Feng Ran, who had originally intended to leave, now showed no signs of departing.
She remained rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on Xuanyuan Heng, as if she had lost everything.
However, Feng Ran's demeanor profoundly agitated Xuanyuan Heng. His hand found its way to Feng Ran's fair neck, and he said coldly, "Feng Ran, beg this King. Kneel down, beg me. If I am in a good mood, perhaps I will spare you."
Xuanyuan Heng exuded a terrifying aura as he spoke.
He would rather see Feng Ran kneeling and pleading, rather than her current lifeless state.
At this moment, Feng Ran appeared indifferent to everything, as if she had lost it all.
It seemed as if there was no one or nothing left in this world that she cared about.
"Feng Ran, I told you, as long as you kneel and beg me, I will spare you. Why won't you be obedient?"
"Tell me, if you were obedient and pleased me, perhaps I would let you go."
Seeing Feng Ran's continued silence, Xuanyuan Heng began to panic. He said coldly, "Feng Ran, as long as you please me well, I might let you stay by my side."
"How about it? Isn't this what you have always longed for?"
As Xuanyuan Heng uttered these words, he himself was somewhat startled.
He was consumed by rage, and what angered him even more was that he himself did not know what he truly wanted.
His hand moved to Feng Ran's lips, caressing them repeatedly. A cold smile curved his lips. "Feng Ran, please me. If I am happy, I will let you stay in the manor."
Feng Ran had tried so hard to please Du Rong, all for the sake of Chun Manyuan. So, he would give her this opportunity, to please him. Such an opportunity, should be what she desperately desired.
Feng Ran looked up, gazing at the person before her with incomprehension, but responded with firm resolve, "Your Highness, with my lowly status, I am not worthy. Please find someone else."
"Feng Ran, you could go and please Du Rong to leave Chun Manyuan. Then why is it not acceptable when it comes to me?" Xuanyuan Heng was taken aback by the rejection, and so thoroughly rejected.
Feng Ran remained silent for a long time, her eyes fixed on the man before her, as if trying to see through him. She could not fathom what he was thinking.
"Your Highness, my status is too low, I fear I would defile you."
"I do not wish to become the target of everyone's attacks."
"Your Highness, how many people in this entire city are enamored with you? Are you trying to force me to a dead end?"
"Although my life is cheap, I only have one life, and I cherish it dearly," Feng Ran said calmly. When she spoke of her cheap life, there was no hesitation in her voice.
Xuanyuan Heng's eyes blazed with anger as he looked at her. "Feng Ran, how dare you reject me so utterly."
"Feng Ran, you will regret this."
"No," Feng Ran said to Xuanyuan Heng with unwavering firmness. "Xuanyuan Heng, in this life, the only thing I regret is knowing you, and insisting on marrying you against my family's wishes."
Had she found someone reliable in Chun Manyuan?
Someone who was willing to do anything for her, and yet now, he was directly refusing his proposal.
He could not believe that a woman willing to sacrifice her own life would give up so easily.
Xuanyuan Heng grasped her chin, almost crushing it, and said coldly, "Feng Ran, who gave you the audacity to say such things?"
"Feng Ran, do not forget, I can take your life at any moment."
"Feng Ran, in this life, you will never escape from my grasp."
Feng Ran smiled and replied softly, "Yes, I naturally know that this life of mine has never been my own to control."
"This life already belongs to someone else."
She looked at Xuanyuan Heng and scoffed, "But this life will never belong to you."
"Xuanyuan Heng, you said you wanted me to live, to live in pain. Therefore, you will not take this lowly life of mine."
Her words left Xuanyuan Heng speechless for a moment.
To so resolutely utter such self-deprecating words, perhaps only Feng Ran could do such a thing.
Xuanyuan Heng looked at the woman before him in disbelief. He had never known her to be capable of speaking such words.
Was this still the person he once knew?
The one whose eyes were solely on him?
Xuanyuan Heng stared intently at the woman confronting him, feeling an extreme sense of unfamiliarity.
Feng Ran raised her hand, as if to strike Xuanyuan Heng's face. At this moment, Xuanyuan Heng seized her hand.
He exuded a terrifying aura, looking at Feng Ran and saying coldly, "Feng Ran, you think you can hit this King? You are not worthy."
He flung her chin away.
Feng Ran blinked slightly, then seemed to realize something, suppressing the sense of loss and emptiness in her heart.
A sneer of disdain played on her lips. Ha, what was she even hoping for? Was she still expecting him to change his mind?
As Feng Ran tried to get up and leave, she was stopped again by Xuanyuan Heng.
She did not want to be close to him and struggled relentlessly, accidentally pinning Xuanyuan Heng beneath her.
"Xuanyuan Heng, I heard a piece of huge news. Everyone is spreading rumors that you brought Feng Ran back to your manor. I naturally didn't believe it, so I came to..."
Xiao Lan Jue spoke, but was immediately startled by the scene before him. He turned and walked out.
Had he just seen something he shouldn't have?
Something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Didn't Xuanyuan Heng hate Feng Ran to death? Didn't he want to kill her?
Then what he saw seemed to contradict what he had been told.
Was it him? Had he not rested well recently, causing him to hallucinate this scene?
He waved his fan, shaking his head, as if firming a thought. It seemed he needed to replenish himself properly next time; he hadn't expected his body to be so depleted.
However, Xiao Lan Jue did not dare to leave casually.
After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, seeing that no one had emerged from inside, Xiao Lan Jue went over, tapped on the door, and asked softly, "I came at an inconvenient time, can I leave now?"
Hearing Xiao Lan Jue's suggestive tone, Feng Ran knew he must have misunderstood.
"Come in," Xuanyuan Heng said coldly.
Xiao Lan Jue naturally entered. His gaze fell on Feng Ran, full of playful amusement.
"What is going on here? Did you call me here to watch a show?"
"The medicine?" Xuanyuan Heng's brows furrowed.
Xiao Lan Jue placed the medicine directly into Xuanyuan Heng's hand. "This medicine, you must take it quickly to... preserve your leg."
But when his gaze fell upon Feng Ran and Xuanyuan Heng, his demeanor shifted drastically. His face broke into a wide smile. "I didn't expect your body to be so weak that you needed me to bring medicine."
His eyes lingered on Feng Ran, whose face instantly turned bright red.
"Don't overthink it, I won't go around blabbing."
Xiao Lan Jue said with utter sincerity.