Xuan Yuan Heng stood not far away, watching Feng Ran being humiliated and insulted, yet he made no move.
As he witnessed the scene unfolding before him, he felt a growing impatience.
Xuan Yuan Heng had thought that after bringing Feng Ran back to his manor today, she would eagerly try to please him. That way, he could legitimately keep her within the manor.
But he discovered that things always seemed to go contrary to his expectations.
Initially, the wet nurse hesitated a little when it came to laying hands on Feng Ran, as the Regent was watching. After all, this person had once served the Regent. If the Regent still harbored feelings for her, and she were to harm Feng Ran, it would clearly be asking for trouble.
However, after the way she treated Feng Ran just now, the Regent had seen it all but had not uttered a single word. Naturally, her actions became even more unrestrained.
Just as the wet nurse was about to strike at Feng Ran's vital spots, a scream of pain erupted from her.
The wet nurse fell directly to the ground, crying out in agony.
She had intended to curse vehemently, but upon turning around and seeing Xuan Yuan Heng, all her curses were retracted.
She immediately got up, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed incessantly, pleading, "Your Highness, Your Highness, this servant, this servant deserves death, this servant deserves death."
"I beg Your Highness to spare this old servant this time."
The wet nurse didn't even know what mistake she had made.
But no matter how the wet nurse begged for mercy, Xuan Yuan Heng did not let her go. Instead, he directly had her taken away.
The wet nurse could only look at Feng Ran with resentment, her gaze seeming to wish she could kill her.
Feng Ran dragged her injured leg, walking with difficulty.
"Stop! Do you not want your leg anymore? Or do you not want your life?" Xuan Yuan Heng watched as she struggled to stand, dragging her injured leg as she limped along. In that moment, he wanted to rush forward, take her hand, and demand answers loudly.
"To Chun Man Yuan."
"I dare not forget Your Highness's instructions."
"If I don't serve at Chun Man Yuan, my life is not my own at any moment."
Suddenly, Xuan Yuan Heng's face darkened to an extreme. He clenched his fists tightly, strode forward, and grabbed Feng Ran's neck, saying sinisterly, "Serve? My command? When did you start obeying my orders so diligently?"
She was so eager to return, it was to see Li Yun Cheng, wasn't it?
And Ling Chi Yuan, too, right?
If she could latch onto either of those two, they could help her redeem herself.
Heh, her calculations were indeed meticulous.
"The Regent is busy with state affairs. Naturally, it's inevitable that he might forget his words."
"However, while Your Highness may forget, I dare not. It concerns my life."
As Feng Ran spoke these words, she always kept her head down, her voice indifferent, with an air of having nothing to live for, as if nothing in this world was worth her desire.
To live? Chun Man Yuan? To serve?
"Heh, Feng Ran, you truly do obey my words."
"Since that's the case, then hurry back to Chun Man Yuan and serve the guests well."
Feng Ran responded softly, "Mm."
"I will definitely live according to Your Highness's wishes. I will live a lowly existence."
"Then I wish you good luck."
"But those two are not people you can casually associate with."
"You don't need to trouble Your Highness with this. I will handle it well."
Xuan Yuan Heng, emanating rage, looked at Feng Ran and said coldly, "Then I will watch with wide eyes."
"At that time, don't come crying and kneeling before me, begging me."
"Feng Ran, I gave you a chance, but you foolishly rejected it. Then do not blame anyone else."
Humiliating and mocking words were hurled directly at Feng Ran. Her face turned ashen, her lips pale. Her eyes held visible despair, and even more so, terror.
She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she held back.
"Thank you for Your Highness's well wishes." Under Xuan Yuan Heng's gaze, Feng Ran said with a slight smile.
In the snowy night, Feng Ran dragged her injured leg, limping along. Even though people around saw her, they dared not step forward to help.
However, Feng Ran was already accustomed to such treatment and did not pay it any mind.
...
Xuan Yuan Heng watched Feng Ran disappear from his sight. In the past, Feng Ran would have knelt before him, begging desperately, even saying things to soften his heart.
But the Feng Ran of today had changed; the pleading was gone.
Since when had she become like this?
Xuan Yuan Heng tapped lightly on the table, a cold smile curving his lips. She seemed to be slowly changing.
Heh, changing under his nose was absolutely impossible.
No matter who gave her hope, he would shatter it.
He would make her realize that in this life, no one could save her.
In this life, she could only live under his shadow.
At this moment, a trusted subordinate knelt before Xuan Yuan Heng. "Go and investigate. Investigate what has happened with Feng Ran during this period."
"Yes, Your Highness." The man replied and left.
Just then, the wall suddenly cracked open.
At this moment, Bei Chen Ye appeared and stood beside Xuan Yuan Heng, respectfully saying, "Your Highness, Young Master Xiao seemed to have said something to Feng Ran just now, but the distance was too great, so I couldn't hear clearly."
"Should this subordinate go and find Young Master Xiao to clarify?"
"No need." After speaking, Xuan Yuan Heng seemed to recall something and said coldly, "Tell the people at Chun Man Yuan to be discreet. Although Feng Ran was sent there by me, and she is meant to serve people."
"She is still, after all, my person. They cannot simply bully her at will."
Bei Chen Ye responded. Xuan Yuan Heng hesitated for a moment before speaking, "What exactly happened between Du Rong and Feng Ran? Why would Du Rong attempt to harm Feng Ran so severely?"
"Feng Ran and Du Rong should not have known each other."
"Remember to investigate the reasons clearly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You may go."
...
Chun Man Yuan.
Bei Chen Ye appeared. The people inside, upon seeing him, all wished to get closer to him. However, Bei Chen Ye's murderous gaze and the terrifying aura he exuded only allowed them to covet, not to approach.
Aunt Sheng saw this and her gaze fell upon Bei Chen Ye. "Why have you come here today?" After speaking, she seemed to recall something and immediately asked, "Does Your Highness have any instructions?"
Bei Chen Ye did not feel offended by Aunt Sheng's words. He simply nodded and glanced at Aunt Sheng. "What happened that day? Why did Du Rong almost take Feng Ran's life?"
"Why do you care about this matter?" Aunt Sheng's gaze fell on Bei Chen Ye again, as if understanding something. She said earnestly, "It was Your Highness who sent you, wasn't it?"
Bei Chen Ye's brow furrowed slightly. He seemed not entirely satisfied with Aunt Sheng's words.
"Aunt Sheng, just focus on your own responsibilities. As for other matters, they are not for you to inquire about. Do not ask too much, and do not know too much."
"Knowing too much will bring you no good."
Bei Chen Ye said coldly.
Aunt Sheng was a stable person who worked for His Highness and never made mistakes. However, today's Aunt Sheng was entirely different from her usual self.