Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 106: Foes

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Foes

Feng Shu and Fengyu stayed at the Marquis Mansion for dinner. The curfew was lifted for the Lantern Festival’s third night, and the Kyoto Capital Guard was on duty. Tonight, Zhang Boxi was in charge of patrols. Though Xie Xun didn’t need to stay up late, he still had to oversee matters at the Kyoto Capital Guard Office. His decision to dine at home surprised the Marchioness, as the dinner table was filled with the ladies of the house. Without the strict protocols of the past, Xie Xun raised his cup and toasted Feng Shu before the meal began.

Feng Shu’s trip to Ningzhou to care for Xie Zhang had been mentioned in a family letter from Marquis Zhenbei’s Family. However, fearing it might distress the women of the household, Xie Xun withheld the message.

Xie Zhang’s swift recovery, without any lingering aftereffects, was largely thanks to the medicines Feng Shu had brought from Jiangnan. Ningzhou experienced a shortage of supplies this year, with severe winter conditions causing a high mortality rate among the injured. Besides tending to Xie Zhang, Feng Shu brought along a batch of herbs collected from Sannan, alleviating the pressing need of the Northern Iron Cavalry.

Feng Shu accepted his toast graciously, while Fengyu coolly remarked, "Little Marquis, shouldn’t you be heading to the office?"

"Third Miss seems quite concerned about the Kyoto Capital Guard’s affairs."

"All the people of the Capital City rely on the Little Marquis and the Capital Guard for protection. You’re the great hero in everyone’s eyes; the city simply can’t do without you."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Of course not!" Fengyu looked at him innocently. "I’m genuinely praising you. Yet somehow, you’re twisting the facts and accusing me first. How unfair!"

"Who’s twisting facts?" Xie Xun leisurely responded, "Whatever I want to eat, you snatch it away. You pile food into my bowl and yet don’t eat it yourself, leaving my bowl overflowing."

The Marquis Mansion’s kitchen was managed by Lady Mudan, who seemed to have picked up some extravagantly pretentious habits somewhere. Whenever the men of Marquis Zhenbei’s Family weren’t home, the women indulged in refined dining. The dishes were arranged beautifully, with very modest portions. The table was covered with dainty presentations, leaning vegetarian, as no one anticipated Xie Xun’s presence. The few meat dishes — beef and neck pork — were sliced thinly and placed on small plates. As soon as Xie Xun reached for them, Fengyu swept them away. Whatever he tried to grab, Fengyu snagged first. For the carnivorous Little Marquis, he could only resign himself to eat vegetarian.

He suspected that if he attempted to pick up a piece of fish, she’d move the entire fish to her plate. Though infuriating, it was oddly endearing. After knowing her for so long, it was the first time he’d seen her act so petty.

Lady Lan had long noticed Fengyu was deliberately teasing Xie Xun but chose not to intervene. Instead, she nudged the Marchioness and Lady Mudan to enjoy the spectacle. Beneath the table, Feng Shu repeatedly tugged on Fengyu to rein her in, but Fengyu stubbornly continued as she pleased.

"I eat slowly—what’s it to you!" Fengyu snapped back, deliberately ensuring he could see the food, but not touch it.

"Petty little thing!"

Fengyu, now indignant, raised her slender, lily-white hand and waved her fingers dramatically. "500,000 taels—pay up!" Xie Xun, amused, picked up the last slice of pork neck and offered it to her with a smile, "Third Miss, have some meat. Eat more."

The three ladies all turned their heads to stare at Xie Xun in unison, astonished. It seemed there was nothing the Little Marquis feared, yet he had never ’yielded’ so quickly!

Feng Shu couldn’t bear it any longer. "Ayu, stop messing around," she urged.

The Marchioness found the situation entertaining. It had been a while since she’d seen Xie Xun so relaxed, even engaging in banter with the young ladies. Curious, she asked, "Zhixu, have you been bullying Ayu?"

"Who could possibly bully her?"

"He did!" Fengyu, full of grievance, reported to the Marchioness.

Xie Xun lounged back lazily, placing his chopsticks down. "Alright, Third Miss, why don’t you tell everyone exactly how I’ve bullied you?"

Of course, Fengyu wouldn’t dare mention the palace banquet and the Third Prince’s incident. Xie Xun thought he’d finally see her falter, but instead, Fengyu boldly aired her grievances to the gathered ladies. "Ayu was painting among the plum trees today, and the Little Marquis said my artwork was ugly."

"Zhixu, that’s too much!" Lady Lan was the first to chastise Xie Xun before softening her tone to inquire, "What did Ayu paint? Can we take a look?"

Feng Shu barely avoided choking in laughter. She coughed until her face flushed, hurriedly tilting her head to maintain composure. Beneath the table, she stepped lightly on Fengyu’s foot: Don’t you dare show them your painting and make a fool of yourself.

In matters of aesthetic taste, Fengyu and Feng Shu shared no common ground. Xie Xun couldn’t suppress his laughter and clapped his hands. "Nuanyang, bring Third Miss’s masterpiece here for the ladies to admire."

Nuanyang had already collected the painting earlier. Upon hearing the command, she brought it over and unfurled it before the ladies.

Lady Mudan and Lady Lan had silently agreed beforehand that no matter what the painting looked like, they would heap praises. After all, Feng Shu was a renowned talent, her paintings extraordinary, so Fengyu’s work couldn’t be too far off.

The three ladies stared fixedly at the plum blossom painting, falling into a deep silence.

From which angle should they start praising it to sound sincere?

Feng Shu covered her eyes, letting out a long sigh. Truthfully, she adored Fengyu deeply, but even familial adoration couldn’t make her appreciate Fengyu’s earth-shatteringly terrible artistic skills.

Fengyu, on the other hand, had always believed with utmost conviction that her artistic prowess was unmatched—others simply lacked the taste to admire it.

"This chrysanthemum is... quite large!" Lady Lan, attempting a compliment from a unique angle, remarked, "Very full of life."

Perhaps it was her own limited exposure; she hadn’t seen this particular variety before.

The Marchioness hesitated, "Chrysanthemum? Hmm... it looks more like a rose. Very brightly colored."

"Neither chrysanthemums nor roses look like this!" Lady Mudan clapped her hands abruptly. "I’ve got it—it’s a lan hua! Such a big, lush pot."

Xie Xun burst out laughing, his joyous voice carrying through the courtyard, audible to all the guards and maids. Watching Fengyu’s stunned expression, he laughed heartily, "Why paint chrysanthemums, orchids, or roses during winter? She was painting from the plum tree by the pavilion this afternoon!"

Lady Mudan was dumbstruck. "Do we even have plum trees like that in our garden?"

Everyone: "..."

"This is a plum tree. That’s the trunk, these are the branches..." Fengyu guided her finger across the painting, "Here are the blooming flowers, and here are the buds."

Lady Lan questioned blankly, "Why are the plum blossoms larger than the tree trunk?"

Fengyu replied matter-of-factly, "Because the flowers are prettier than the trunk. I deliberately painted them larger."

The three ladies exchanged glances. Xie Xun raised a brow, suddenly recalling Fengyu’s moonlit depiction from before, where the head was disproportionate to the body. Could it be that the Third Miss believed her face was beautiful and thus deserved similarly exaggerated proportions?

Facing Fengyu’s eager "praise me" gaze, the ladies paused for a moment before the Marchioness declared, "I have never seen a painting with such a unique style; it’s refreshingly original."

"Yes, yes, very distinctive," Lady Mudan agreed, following the Marchioness’s lead. "On closer inspection, it’s indeed a plum blossom—painted with incredible imagination."

Lady Lan, "... ..."

Nuanyang couldn’t contain her laughter, her shoulders shaking as she collected the painting and exited the hall. The ladies now had firsthand experience with Fengyu’s artistic capabilities. So, the rumors that Third Miss wasn’t fond of scholarly pursuits were undeniably true.

Fengyu’s disappointment was evident; yet another group of people unable to appreciate her work.

The Marchioness, moved by sympathy as she noticed Fengyu’s gloominess, spoke gently, "Art is meant to cultivate the spirit and bring personal joy. If you find it beautiful, then it is beautiful. Style, after all, is subjective. Seek not the approval of others. Meeting a kindred spirit is a blessing; if not, simply savor your creation yourself."

A few comforting words eased Fengyu’s dejection. Xie Xun, caught in the ripple effect, found himself laughing, only to be ’punished’ unexpectedly. "Zhixu has been very inconsiderate. I declare he’ll go ten days without any meat!"

Fengyu nodded firmly, throwing a triumphant glance at Xie Xun. "Serves you right!"

Xie Xun, "... ..."

Petty little thing!