Feng Ran was woken by a splash of icy cold water.
The biting cold washed over her.
"You're finally awake."
Feng Ran shivered all over, hugging herself and rubbing her hands, as if to make herself feel better.
"Who is it? Why are you treating me like this?" Feng Ran's voice was low and hoarse. She had no strength in her body, unable to even lift herself, let alone see who was in front of her.
"It is I." The man's icy voice rang out again.
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran shivered and wanted to escape.
She desperately tried to recall what she had done to anger this man again and bring him to her.
"Feng Ran." Xuan Yuan Heng walked over, grabbed Feng Ran's chin, and forced her to look at him. He said coldly, "That night, did you enjoy your time with Lord Di?"
Feng Ran was utterly astonished by Xuan Yuan Heng's sudden accusation.
She and Lord Di? It was absolutely not true.
Feng Ran wanted to ask, but she closed her ears. What was the point of asking if she wouldn't get the answer she wanted? Why would she wrong herself? Why would she endure disdain for no reason?
She had already been through enough and didn't want to go through any more.
"Lord Xuan Yuan, this must be a misunderstanding. This servant has never stepped out of this place, so such a preposterous thing is impossible."
Hearing this, Xuan Yuan Heng's expression turned extremely unpleasant.
Xuan Yuan Heng sneered, "Heh, is that so?"
"Unfortunately, I don't believe a single word of your explanation."
Her gaze fell on Xuan Yuan Heng, and Feng Ran shook her head, indicating that no explanation was needed.
"My lord, if that is the case, may this servant retire for the night?" Feng Ran saw the crux of the matter clearly, but she did not wish to get involved.
Xuan Yuan Heng burst into laughter, his voice filled with humiliation and mockery. "Feng Ran, don't you think anyone would believe you if you said these things?"
This question completely cornered Feng Ran.
After a long pause, Xuan Yuan Heng spoke again. "Feng Ran, where is your sense of shame? Did you lose it the moment you appeared here?"
"Xuan Yuan Heng, this matter is not within your jurisdiction."
Feng Ran had endured enough these past few days, and it should be sufficient.
"Heh, Feng Ran, have your wings hardened?"
"Do you think I'm no longer qualified to manage you?"
"That's not the case."
"Your status is noble, and it is always inappropriate for you to frequent such places."
Xuan Yuan Heng sneered and had someone pour another basin of cold water on her. He squatted down, grabbed Feng Ran's chin, and threatened, "Feng Ran, remember your place. Even if I dislike you, even if I drive you to a place like this, you have no right to complain or escape."
"Okay," Feng Ran replied firmly.
Xuan Yuan Heng left, taking Yan Bai with him.
When Sheng Yi saw Xuan Yuan Heng leave, she rushed over immediately. Seeing Feng Ran in such a disheveled state, Sheng Yi was heartbroken. She didn't care about anything else and helped Feng Ran up, her heart filled with worry.
"Feng Ran, can you tell me something?"
"Actually, this matter has always been weighing on my heart, and I've wanted to understand it, but I haven't had the opportunity."
Sheng Yi met Feng Ran's questioning gaze and said with a hint of helplessness, "I didn't dare to ask anything while Xuan Yuan Heng was here."
"I have no right, and I understand that very well."
Feng Ran nodded, "Sheng Yi, ask away, as long as I know..."
"Feng Ran, what is the misunderstanding between you and Xuan Yuan Heng that makes him hate you so deeply and want to destroy you completely?"
"Although Xuan Yuan Heng is a prince, there have always been stories of your love."
"But now it has all changed."
Sheng Yi, having been by his side, knew Xuan Yuan Heng's methods.
Even though Xuan Yuan Heng looked down on Feng Ran, he had kept her by his side for years. For him to suddenly change so drastically, something must have happened to cause it.
This matter must have been very serious.
Hearing this, Feng Ran's face turned pale, and her hands clenched tightly.
There were some things she was unwilling to mention again.
Xuan Yuan Heng's cruelty towards her was extreme.
Seeing Feng Ran's state, Sheng Yi didn't press further and quickly changed the subject. "You..."
"Xuan Yuan Heng's beloved concubine is dead, and I am the murderer." Feng Ran said this calmly.
Her words were filled with immense power and a terrifying aura, yet Feng Ran spoke them so easily, without any fear.
Sheng Yi stiffened for a moment but quickly recovered. Her hands, however, did not stop, as she continued to arrange Feng Ran's hair.
"Feng Ran, you were framed, weren't you?"
"You tried to explain, but all the evidence pointed to you, right?"
"Even when you knelt before Xuan Yuan Heng, begging him desperately, you were met with his heartless treatment."
Feng Ran stared blankly at Sheng Yi. At that moment, she couldn't say a word, or rather, she didn't know what to say, or what was appropriate to say.
"Sheng Yi, do you trust me that much? Aren't you afraid that this is all something I've fabricated?"
Sheng Yi shook her head, her voice full of heartache. "No."
After a long while, Sheng Yi spoke again. "Even if it's fabricated, I would still choose to believe you."
"Feng Ran, look forward."
"The days ahead have been too bitter, so look forward. Think of the good days to come, and it won't feel so bitter."
Sheng Yi's words shattered all of Feng Ran's resolve.
Feng Ran thought she would never cry again in her life. She thought she would live alone forever.
But she never expected that someone would still believe her.
Feng Ran spoke many words to Sheng Yi, and her floodgates of emotion opened at that moment.
Sheng Yi listened quietly.
For Feng Ran, this was the best way to confide.
Indeed, her mood improved considerably.
Feng Ran's fingers were red and swollen, a gruesome sight. Naturally, she could only rest for the next few days.
Fortunately, with Sheng Yi's help, her fingers did not bear any scars. However, Feng Ran discovered that her fingers would ache after prolonged use. But she said, "Perhaps, this is just how it is."
Sheng Yi didn't dwell on such matters, only realizing them later.