Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 107: Marriage Matters

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Marriage Matters

Xie Xun had spent a long time in the military camp and ate his meals quickly. After supper, he brought Fei Ying, Nuanyang, and others to the Kyoto Capital Guard Office. Meanwhile, several ladies chatted casually with Feng Shu, while Fengyu sat nearby listening attentively. Once the young marquis left, Fengyu became especially well-behaved. The two siblings stayed until the hour of Xu. When the ladies decided to board a boat to watch the performance by the women from Mudan Building, Feng Shu and Fengyu finally rose to bid farewell.

Earlier today at noon, Lady Thirteen had sent word. During the Lantern Festival dragon boat performance, though there were moments of peril, the Empress indeed attempted to create difficulties. However, Lady Thirteen had prepared well in advance, ensuring she didn’t fall into the Empress’s traps. On the dragon boat, besides the Emperor and Empress, civil and military officials also accompanied the royal couple. The Empress dared not act excessively. Other than Miss Lan Hua being startled, no serious harm had occurred.

At night, Mudan Building held its usual performance, and tonight was an exclusive showcase for women. Duchess Marquis An Yuan, Fang Lingjun, Princess Xue Lan, Princess Ning Ru, and others were among those invited.

The Marchioness wanted to take Feng Shu and Fengyu along for entertainment, but Feng Shu didn’t wish for Fengyu to be out in the cold night air and politely declined her invitation. Upon returning to Meiyuan, Chun, Xia, Qiu, and Dong—the four maids—attended the sisters during their bath. Feng Shu and Fengyu soaked in warm orchid-infused water, with dried petals floating on the surface. The fragrant aroma was delightful. Amid the wafting mist, Feng Shu remained silent, her eyes closed, enjoying the moment.

Fengyu, playing with the petals, gently shifted and moved closer to Feng Shu. Sitting side by side on the jade steps, Fengyu tentatively asked, "Sister, are you still upset?"

"Sister is worried about you. Alone in the Capital City amid danger, I was the last to know," Feng Shu opened her eyes and gently stroked Fengyu’s face. Her gaze, reflected by the rippling water, was soft and hazy. Fengyu hurried to explain, but Feng Shu raised a finger to hush her. "Ayu, was it the Crown Princess Consort who summoned you to the palace?"

"Yes!"

"Did she speak with you?"

"Never!"

"And the Crown Prince?"

"Him neither!" Fengyu recalled the palace banquet, saying, "The Crown Princess Consort is due to give birth soon, and the Crown Prince is devoted to caring for her, leaving no room for other concerns. Are you suggesting that from the very start this was all a scheme plotted by the Crown Princess Consort to harm me?"

"Before her marriage, the Crown Princess Consort was regarded as a paragon among noblewomen—quiet, elegant, and virtuous. She would not commit such heinous acts. Perhaps someone else used her name," Feng Shu said, refusing to harbor malice toward the Crown Princess Consort. "In the future, when palace banquets arise, avoid them if you can."

"I understand."

"During my time away from the Capital, you seem to have grown quite close to the young marquis." Feng Shu raised an eyebrow and teased, "Why is it that whenever trouble arises, he always happens to appear so conveniently?"

Feng Shu had no knowledge of the secret involving Fengyu and Xie Xun swapping souls. Observing events as an outsider, she found it suspicious. If the young marquis weren’t Xie Xun of Marquis Zhenbei’s Family, Feng Shu would have suspected ulterior motives, as his presence always seemed pre-arranged. Unable to explain, Fengyu dipped her neck underwater and mumbled, "It’s just a coincidence."

"Who was it that once said the young marquis was cold-hearted, superficial, and bound to die amidst tenderness?" Feng Shu chuckled. "But now you dare to play tricks on him. It seems you two have gotten along quite well?"

Fengyu, silently playing with the petals, resembled a timid quail. Feng Shu poked her waist, and Fengyu, ticklish, laughed and tried to evade her. "Sister, stop tickling! Stop tickling... He owes me 500,000 taels. That’s why he’s willing to smile at me."

Feng Shu stared in shock, blurting out, "You actually agreed to lend him 500,000 taels?"

Her little Ayu loved money but spent lavishly on herself. Yet she treated outsiders like notorious misers. Years ago, when choosing a residence for her fiancé Jiang Yang, she only picked a modest three-courtyard house, reasoning that as her marriage was still years away, there was no point in selecting a grand mansion for him. Even toward her future husband, she was stingy. That she’d lend the young marquis such a fortune, knowing it was unlikely to be repaid, was utterly uncharacteristic of Fengyu.

"I’ll make sure to collect the debt." Fengyu pressed her lips together, adding, "With interest, too."

The Marquis Zhenbei was a principled man whose family wealth was largely spent on supporting the army, first using his own funds, then borrowing from the Su Family’s wealth. As a result, Xie Zhang and Feng Shu often joked that upon returning victorious from war, there might not be enough funds left for a lavish wedding. Feng Shu once laughed while itemizing her dowry, prompting Xie Xun’s elder brother to eagerly anticipate a comfortable life funded by his wife after their marriage.

Thus, Feng Shu knew the financial state of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion was near collapse. Her sister had likely been deceived by the young marquis’s flowery words. Torn between loyalty to her sister and concern for her uncle, Feng Shu could only sigh helplessly.

Her generosity toward Xie Xun was almost enviable. Returning to the matter at hand, Feng Shu asked, "Wait, 500,000 taels isn’t a small sum. How long did you save up to gather that much?"

Fengyu blinked proudly, "Sister, over the past three years, I’ve earned a bit of pocket money. It’s nothing really."

Feng Shu, "...?"

"Pocket money?"

The scandal surrounding Lin Yu Yan and Jiang Yang had caused quite the stir across the Capital. Seeking discretion, the Lin Family quickly announced Lin Yu Yan’s engagement to Jiang Yang. Meanwhile, Lin Cheng and Princess Huaying’s wedding was set for mid-February, while Lin Yu Yan and Jiang Yang’s wedding was slated for year’s end. Jiang Yang seemed satisfied with the arrangement. Fengyu, upon hearing the news, found it rather amusing. A wedding set for year’s end implied potential upheavals, and the Lin Family evidently sought a backup plan.

After the archery banquet scandal, Lin Yu Yan had struggled to find any suitable match. Mrs. Lin had attempted to marry her off to Li Pengfei, but the Li Family declined. In contrast, Jiang Yang, despite his reputation, held the title of top scorer. Both carried equally tarnished reputations, and their marriage served to quell gossip for now.

The Lin Family faced difficult times, and the Feng Mansion also had its share of woes. The affair between Feng Wan and the Second Prince had become a topic of heated conversation. Fengyu had learned from Wen Shisan during a banquet at Mudan Building that night that prominent ladies throughout the Capital were discussing the incident. Many claimed Feng Wan hoped to climb to higher stature, aspiring to transform into a phoenix. However, the likelihood was the Second Prince would only make her a concubine.

The scandal became the subject of mockery among aristocrats during casual gatherings. Feng Wan, who had already remained unmarried for years and drawn criticism for it, now found herself at the center of further ridicule. Lady Feng wept daily out of regret, but it was already too late. On the night Feng Wan fell into the water, the Second Prince promptly sent word to Lady Feng, assuring her he would take responsibility. With the Zhang Family rejecting the union, the Feng Family was left awaiting news from the palace.

After the Lantern Festival, there had still been no updates from the court. Zhang Boxin visited three times, only to be dismissed by Feng Changlin. He even stood in the snow for three hours but never got to see Feng Wan. Even his letters were thrown into the fire by Lady Feng, never reaching Feng Wan.

In aristocratic circles, marriages were often not within the individual’s control. Zhang Boxin’s determination couldn’t change the situation. When Feng Shu coincidentally encountered Zhang Boxin upon returning home, she spoke briefly with him, after which he departed dejectedly.

Even Old Mrs. Feng grew anxious. Feng Wan pleaded tearfully with her grandmother to let her return to Liling for some time to recuperate and perhaps find a match away from the gossip of the Capital.

"Foolish child! You are the eldest granddaughter of the Feng Family. If you suddenly return to Liling for marriage, others will naturally make guesses. You’ve done nothing wrong, so there’s nothing to fear. Running away will solve nothing and only give others an opportunity to gossip. We will wait patiently for news from the court—be it good or bad, this family will face it together. A Feng Family daughter has never acted shamefully, and you won’t need to worry about remaining unmarried. Even if the palace offers no resolution, you can stay home forever as an honored lady of the family."