Feng Ran's entire being seemed to drain of life, leaving her with a look of utter despair.
Her gaze fell upon Xuanyuan Heng. She looked at him and said, "Xuanyuan Heng, I beg you, spare Aunt Sheng. If you have a problem, take it out on me. Aunt Sheng truly knows nothing about any of this."
Feng Ran knew that all her plans had truly fallen apart at this moment.
Xuanyuan Heng's voice, like that of a demon, echoed in her ears. He took her hand and said in a low, sinister tone, "Let's go, Regent's Consort. Come back to the manor with me."
"Xuanyuan Heng, you haven't promised me yet. Please, let Aunt Sheng go. This is all my fault, and Aunt Sheng has nothing to do with it."
Feng Ran knew that even if she didn't die this time, she would be stripped bare. Yet, that was what she deserved, as her own plan had been discovered. However, Aunt Sheng was innocent.
She did not want Aunt Sheng to be implicated because of her.
Feng Ran was directly shoved into the carriage by Xuanyuan Heng.
"Let go of me. Xuanyuan Heng, you're hurting me." Feng Ran struggled incessantly, feeling as though Xuanyuan Heng was about to break her hand.
Xuanyuan Heng ignored her, his grip still tight.
As Feng Ran continued to struggle, he said coldly, "Feng Ran, if you keep squirming, I will make you regret it."
"You should know, if I wanted to deal with you, there are a thousand ways."
Having struggled enough, Feng Ran quieted down. Facing Xuanyuan Heng, her whole body trembled.
Yes, she had calmed down now and was clear about her predicament.
"Why? Did you want to escape from my side?" His deep voice, like a ghost, whispered into Feng Ran's ear. Hearing it, a cold sweat broke out on her back.
Feng Ran's hands trembled, and she no longer dared to speak casually. She even worried that if she said the wrong thing, Xuanyuan Heng might kill her.
"I... I didn't want to escape." Feng Ran could only say this, bracing herself.
Xuanyuan Heng let out a cold snort, tossed a travel bag in front of Feng Ran, and said icily, "What about this? How do you explain it?"
"You can't possibly say you carry a travel bag with you when you go out."
Feng Ran's palms were slick with sweat. She bit her lip tightly, her face pale, and hesitated for a long time, wondering how to answer.
"Feng Ran, are you trying to wear me down? But remember, my patience is limited. If you push me too far..."
"No, that's not mine." Feng Ran blurted out.
Xuanyuan Heng seemed amused. He chuckled and said, "Oh? So you mean to say it's mine, is that it?"
As he spoke, he didn't forget to kick it a couple of times.
"Yes... yes, it is indeed yours..." Feng Ran could barely speak clearly now, trembling all over, even her voice quivering.
"Heh, Feng Ran, do you think by saying that, I'll believe your lies?"
"Let me tell you, I won't believe a single word you say."
Feng Ran's face was ashen, but at this point, she could only stick to her story: "It really is yours..."
Xuanyuan Heng said coldly, "Then I shall open it and see if it truly is."
"If it isn't, then Feng Ran, you will truly..."
Before Xuanyuan Heng could finish speaking, he opened the bag and froze when he saw its contents.
Inside were men's clothes, and in a color he liked.
Xuanyuan Heng looked at Feng Ran, seemingly waiting for an explanation.
"I just happened to see this outfit and thought it suited you perfectly. And I've been by your side for so long, yet I've never given you anything. So I thought of giving this to you."
After a long pause, Feng Ran finally spoke in a low, hoarse voice, tinged with sobs.
She closed her eyes, her gaze filled with bitterness.
She thought that her travel bag originally contained her own things, but she feared being caught, so she resorted to this stratagem.
She hoped that such a situation would not happen, but if it did, it would be a safeguard.
Feng Ran gave a self-deprecating laugh. She only wanted to escape, only to find she couldn't.
All her hopes instantly turned to dust.
Because she knew she could no longer escape.
She admitted that she had wanted to flee.
But ultimately, Heaven had not let her off.
What had she done so wrong for Heaven to treat her this way?
As Feng Ran hesitated, Xuanyuan Heng grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him. He exuded an icy aura and said, "Feng Ran, I don't know what game you're playing, but since you say this is for me, I will accept it."
"However, if there's a next time, Feng Ran, I won't let you off so easily."
After speaking, Xuanyuan Heng disdainfully released Feng Ran. He took out a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and then threw the handkerchief away.
Feng Ran, see, your plan was ultimately nothing.
Feng Ran, in truth, from the moment you planned to escape from here, it was a mistake.
You must understand, by Xuanyuan Heng's side, you can never truly escape.
Feng Ran, you might as well resign yourself to fate.
Tears began to stream down her face.
Feng Ran reached up and wiped away her tears. She took a deep breath, as if she had come to some realization.
The carriage stopped before the Xuanyuan Manor. As Feng Ran prepared to alight, Xuanyuan Heng appeared before her, reaching out as if to help her down. She instinctively wanted to evade him.
"Feng Ran, be good. Do as I tell you, understand?"
"You know, if you're not good, you will be punished, and that will be difficult for you."
"Feng Ran, you must think carefully."
"Feng Ran, obediently listen to me."
"Oh, and the clothes you gave me, I like them very much. However, don't ever give me anything like that again."
"Because if something like this happens again, I won't be able to resist killing you. Do you understand?"
Feng Ran stood frozen, afraid to move. She was held in Xuanyuan Heng's arms but dared not utter a word.
Her whole body trembled, and her palms were slick with sweat.
She was terrified and wanted to scream, but she knew clearly that she could say nothing and do nothing.