Feng Ran finally obeyed, ceasing her struggles, though a hint of reluctance remained on her face.
Yun Sheng, despite his apprehension of Gu Yan Chen’s power, was now seething with rage at the scene unfolding before him. The little beauty was rightfully his. Now, Gu Yan Chen had snatched her away in front of so many onlookers, leaving him no room for composure.
Yun Sheng completely forgot his father’s instructions before he left. He directly rushed to Gu Yan Chen’s front, blocking his path. "Young Master Gu, this is not how you do things. The little beauty in your arms was the one I spotted first. You just came and snatched her away, isn't that a bit excessive?"
"This little beauty, I found her first. Young Master Gu, shouldn't you be returning her to me?"
"Of course, if Young Master Gu desires this little beauty, after she has served me, I can magnanimously yield her to you."
Gu Yan Chen’s expression turned extremely grim. Was Yun Sheng’s brain not functioning properly?
Ignoring the seemingly deranged Yun Sheng, Gu Yan Chen turned to Feng Ran. "Will you come with me, or with him?"
Feng Ran lowered her gaze, her eyes filled with turmoil, unsure how to answer or make a decision.
Yun Sheng, however, chuckled. "Young Master Gu, this is too difficult for the little beauty."
"You ask the little beauty this way, how can she possibly answer?"
"If she offends you, there will be no good outcome for her."
"Young Master Yun, you are the one making things difficult for me," Feng Ran said to Yun Sheng, her voice chilling.
Yun Sheng sneered. "Is this because you’ve latched onto a high branch? But, little beauty, you seem to have forgotten that you are from Chun Man Yuan, and Young Master Gu cannot protect you at all times."
"Furthermore, with your lowly status, you can’t even cross the threshold of the Gu family."
Yun Sheng scoffed. "Little beauty, apologize to me now, and perhaps I will still forgive you."
"Of course, if you serve me well, there's still hope for you to become my concubine."
Feng Ran listened quietly to Yun Sheng’s words, saying nothing.
Yun Sheng laughed, his smile growing increasingly unrestrained. "What, are you tempted? Too happy to speak?"
"Young Master Yun, women from that place are only good for a bit of fun. Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock if you take her back as a concubine?" Someone standing nearby, seemingly wanting to stir the pot, chimed in.
"That’s right," Yun Sheng said, looking at Feng Ran provocatively.
"Feng Ran, what do you say, come with me, or with him?" Gu Yan Chen said coldly.
Feng Ran clenched her fists tightly. If she had any other choice, she would rather go with neither of them; she just wanted to be alone. Neither of these men had good intentions. Feng Ran was now caught between a wolf and a tiger. Gu Yan Chen's aversion to her was incredibly obvious.
"Young Master Gu, take me with you."
"Heh, take you?" Gu Yan Chen's flippant voice echoed in Feng Ran's ears. "Do you remember how you treated Wan Yan back then? Did you ever consider your own fate?"
"Do you think I truly came to save you?"
"Feng Ran, it’s because keeping you alive allows me to slowly destroy you. What a waste it would be if you died so directly."
Feng Ran gave a self-mocking laugh. She didn't pay much attention to Gu Yan Chen's words. She was already accustomed to such mockery and humiliation.
A bewitching smile curved Feng Ran's lips, and her smile startled Gu Yan Chen when he saw it.
"Yes, so Young Master Gu must protect me well now."
"If I lose my life, then you all will have no more amusement."
Gu Yan Chen looked at Feng Ran, his impulse to simply discard the person in his arms almost overwhelming him. However, Feng Ran now held tightly onto his sleeve.
"Young Master Gu, you must keep your word."
"Feng Ran, do you think you can threaten me by saying this?"
"Do you know where those who dare to threaten me end up?"
Feng Ran's face shifted slightly. Did she know? Of course, she knew. They must have all been dealt with by him. Those people surely met a terrible end. Gu Yan Chen was quite pleased with Feng Ran's pale face.
As Gu Yan Chen was about to enter with Feng Ran, his progress was interrupted by a voice.
"Do you think I'm dead? Causing trouble in front of the Xuanyuan mansion?"
Xuan Yuan Heng’s gaze fell on Feng Ran, then to her arms around Gu Yan Chen's neck. He felt an urge to destroy Feng Ran's hand.
"Put the person down," Xuan Yuan Heng said coldly.
Gu Yan Chen finally let her down. Just as everyone thought this farce was over, Xuan Yuan Heng whipped Gu Yan Chen. "Gu Yan Chen, do you know what you did wrong? Do you know what punishment you should receive next?"
Gu Yan Chen lowered his head and nodded. He knew he had crossed Xuan Yuan Heng’s boundaries just now. Everyone thought the matter was settled. Feng Ran also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Gu Yan Chen," Xuan Yuan Heng said ruthlessly, "shouldn't your hand be crippled?"
Feng Ran's eyes widened, and she glared at Xuan Yuan Heng. "Xuan Yuan Heng, this has nothing to do with Gu Yan Chen. If anyone is to be punished, it is me."
"All the fault is mine."
"Heh, Feng Ran, since when have you and Gu Yan Chen been so close, to the point of risking your own life to beg me on your knees for him, even pleading with me for his sake?"
"I recall that back then, no matter what methods I used, you never knelt."
Hearing Xuan Yuan Heng's humiliating words, Feng Ran scoffed. "Regent, this matter arose because of me."
Xuan Yuan Heng did not let Feng Ran finish. He coldly interrupted her. "Feng Ran, do you know? Actually, just now I was considering letting Gu Yan Chen go."
"But seeing you beg for mercy so desperately, I suddenly changed my mind."
"Tell me, what would you do if I took Gu Yan Chen's life?"
"Would you spend your nights thinking that someone died because you pleaded for him, plunging you into guilt for the rest of your life?"
"Xuan Yuan Heng, no, you can't do this."
"You can't disregard human life like this."
"Xuan Yuan Heng, Gu Yan Chen is someone by your side. Can you truly bring yourself to act?"
"If those around you learn that loyalty to you yields no rewards, but instead leads to an innocent loss of life, then who will willingly serve you in the future?" Feng Ran said anxiously.
Gu Yan Chen remained silent, quietly watching Feng Ran. He hadn't expected that after he had humiliated her so much, she would still speak up for him. A peculiar feeling stirred within him. Even the contempt he once held for Feng Ran was quietly changing at this moment.