Ling Chiyuan's face was full of smiles as he said, "We do."
Upon hearing this, Feng Ran looked up to meet Ling Chiyuan's gaze and immediately lowered her head. "This humble servant, with such a lowly status, how could I possibly know Master Ling? Master Ling must have mistaken me for someone else."
Xuanyuan Heng's gaze remained fixed on Feng Ran.
The more anxiously Feng Ran answered, the less he believed her.
She claimed not to know Ling Chiyuan, yet her hurried emotions betrayed her.
Ling Chiyuan paid no mind to the onlookers' curious gazes; his attention had been solely on Feng Ran from the start.
Ling Chiyuan cared even less about Feng Ran's denial of acquaintance.
To say they knew each other wouldn't be entirely accurate.
Ling Chiyuan ignored the gazes of those around him, a smile curling his lips, and said, "Don't know me? I recall we just met."
Ling Chiyuan walked to Feng Ran's side, sat down directly, and in front of everyone, pulled Feng Ran into his embrace. He said lazily, "Do you remember now?" He blew warm air by Feng Ran's ear, an extremely intimate gesture.
Gu Yanchen stood up, about to walk over, when Xiao Lanjue beat him to it.
A sinister glint flashed in Xiao Lanjue's eyes. "Look, Young Master Ling and Feng Ran seem to have a hidden relationship."
"Ling Chiyuan is the greatest womanizer in Ming. How long has it been, and Feng Ran is already involved with Ling Chiyuan? Her methods are truly well-honed."
"It seems Young Master Ling is quite pleased with Feng Ran. If not, how about taking her as a concubine in your household?"
"Concubine?" Ling Chiyuan scoffed and looked at Feng Ran. At this moment, Xuanyuan Heng blocked his path.
Ling Chiyuan did not hesitate and faced Xuanyuan Heng, his eyes full of amusement. He stroked his chin. "She is, after all, the eldest daughter of the Feng family, and Xuanyuan Heng's discarded wife. Making her a concubine might be elevating her status."
"If I were to take her back and keep her as my own, that would not be bad."
"After all, a woman that Xuanyuan Heng fancied, I, this young master, must see what extraordinary abilities she possesses."
As soon as the words fell, Feng Ran was suddenly pulled into an embrace. She couldn't even struggle.
Ling Chiyuan took her hand and gently touched it. "This hand is indeed so soft. It's a pity that the scar on its back ruins such fair skin. Truly a shame."
"Tsk tsk," Ling Chiyuan said with feigned disappointment.
Ling Chiyuan's hand rested on Feng Ran's waist. Her waist was so slender, it felt as though he could snap it with a slight squeeze.
Before Feng Ran could react, she was completely enfolded in Ling Chiyuan's arms.
In front of Xuanyuan Heng, she was being touched by another man.
Feng Ran felt utterly ashamed.
Seeing this, Ling Chiyuan laughed, a rather loud laugh. Had he found a treasure? He hadn't done anything, yet Feng Ran's face had turned crimson just from a puff of warm air. He realized things were becoming more and more interesting.
His gaze fell upon her fair collarbone. He was captivated by it.
As he reached out to touch it, the collarbone that was inches away vanished.
When he finally saw clearly, he discovered that Xuanyuan Heng was holding Feng Ran's hand, pulling her out of his reach.
Feng Ran, who had been wearing a light veil, was now covered by Xuanyuan Heng's outer garment.
Ling Chiyuan's good mood instantly evaporated.
With a dark expression, he looked at Xuanyuan Heng and said coldly, "Xuanyuan Heng, you're not going back on your word, are you?"
"Didn't you just say you would give her to me?"
Ling Chiyuan waved his fan and said, "I had already planned to keep her in my backyard and see her every day. Imagining a life with a beauty by my side daily, one would be content."
"Xuanyuan Heng, so many people heard you. You won't renege on your promise, will you?"
Xuanyuan Heng's face was grim. He looked at Ling Chiyuan with cold malice and said, "A woman I do not want, even if she is ruined, I will not give her to someone to keep."
"Heh, besides, she has offended me."
"I intend to make her live in hell. Giving her to you to keep would mean she'd live too comfortably."
"How could I let her have her wish?"
Ling Chiyuan raised an eyebrow, looking at Xuanyuan Heng. This man had never changed, still as cruel as ever.
But Ling Chiyuan did not believe that Xuanyuan Heng harbored no affection for Feng Ran. If he truly had no feelings, why would he be so enraged?
He did not wish to say more to Xuanyuan Heng.
Ultimately, he turned his gaze to Feng Ran and asked with a smile in his eyes, "Feng Ran, would you be willing to be kept by me?"
*Boom.*
Feng Ran was filled with shame. Her face instantly contorted with extreme mortification. She had never imagined that one day she would be treated so cheaply, like a commodity, pushed back and forth by the man she admired most, in front of distinguished guests.
The word 'sold' seemed to be branded upon her.
When Ling Chiyuan asked that question, he himself felt somewhat surprised.
Normally, he wouldn't cross Xuanyuan Heng. Firstly, he felt it unnecessary. Secondly, he had no grievance with Xuanyuan Heng, so why would he create trouble for himself?
But today, for a woman, a woman Xuanyuan Heng no longer wanted, he had become like this.
At this moment, he didn't know what else to say.
However, Feng Ran's bowed head and her exquisite collarbone lingered in his mind.
A peculiar thought arose in his heart: he had to have this woman.
Even if she was someone Xuanyuan Heng had discarded.
Ling Chiyuan looked at Xuanyuan Heng with a half-smile. "She is no longer your princess consort. If I want her, I have many ways."
"Xuanyuan Heng, you were so possessive before because she was your princess consort. But now, both you and I have a chance."
"I will make one statement here today: Feng Ran, even if I have to fight with my life, I will have her."
The surrounding people gasped.
How had a perfectly fine matter escalated to this point?
They dared not offend Ling Chiyuan; this young master always did as he said.
But this time, it involved Xuanyuan Heng. It seemed the winds of change were about to sweep through the capital.
Was it truly worth it for a woman?
Gu Yanchen spoke from the side, "Ling Chiyuan, do not assume everyone in the capital fears you."
"The capital is not a place where you can do as you please."
Xiao Lanjue glanced at Gu Yanchen and said coldly, "It seems the heavens in the capital are about to change."
"Gu Yanchen, it is better to say less."
"..."
Gu Yanchen immediately fell silent and sat to the side, drinking and watching the show.
Xuanyuan Heng's gaze fell on Feng Ran. Ha, this woman could truly attract all sorts of men at any moment.
His eyes landed on the light veil Feng Ran was wearing, and he sneered.
Dressed so thinly, wasn't it just to entice people?
He had truly underestimated Feng Ran back then. He hadn't expected that to survive, she would be so bold.