Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 128 Conflict (Added - )

Chapter 128: Chapter 128 Conflict (Added Chapter)

On the official road, dust suddenly swirled up, and the sound of hooves roared like thunder. Xie Xun spotted the Feng Family’s banner and chuckled lightly, saying, "Fengyu, your elder sister is here."

Fengyu abruptly clutched his sleeve. "You have to exaggerate my injuries a bit."

"Why?"

"She’ll hit me."

Xie Xun: "..."

Leading the way on horseback was Feng Shu, dressed in riding attire, with Zhang Da following behind, trailed by a group of Su Family’s Trading House guards—more than twenty people in total. From afar, Feng Shu spotted Zhuifeng, her heart surged with joy, and she breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the carriage. Xie Xun leapt down from the carriage and waved at her.

Feng Shu dismounted swiftly and rushed to the carriage. "Xie Xun, how is Ayu?"

Xie Xun saluted, but before he could respond, Feng Shu had already approached the carriage. Seeing Fengyu lying weakly under the blankets, Fengyu thought to herself, thankfully the toxic effect of the Spirit-Breaking Powder had worn off. With her faint and shaky demeanor, surely her sister wouldn’t hit her. She pitifully called out, "Sister," and Feng Shu’s eyes instantly reddened.

"Ayu..." Feng Shu leapt into the carriage. Fengyu winced in pain, unable to move, and large teardrops fell like pearls, leaving Xie Xun momentarily stunned.

Soft, fragile, brimming with attachment to her sister, as if she had countless grievances to share but couldn’t find the words—a pitiable sight indeed.

"Why are you sweating so much? Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere hurts."

Feng Shu wiped away her tears and sweat, wishing she could suffer the pain in her sister’s stead.

Fengyu’s injuries couldn’t be concealed, so Xie Xun briefly explained the situation. Feng Shu was heartbroken. After comforting Fengyu, she stepped out of the carriage and said, "Xie Xun, Feiying and Nuanyang are waiting for you at the horse farm. You need to get back quickly. Lin Cheng seems to be suspicious and could arrive at the farm at any time. The Beiman people have already been transferred to the manor, with my people guarding them. You don’t need to worry."

The presence of Beiman people in the Capital City without reporting it was a severe crime. Feng Shu had originally planned to wait for news within the city, but as time passed, her unease grew. Unable to contain herself, she went to meet Feiying and Nuanyang. Before leaving the city, she noticed the Forbidden Army assembling. Fearing unforeseen events, she decided to first conceal the Beiman people at her manor.

Without Xie Xun’s explicit order, Feiying and Nuanyang refused to act decisively. However, Feng Shu’s identity was special—she was Xie Zhang’s fiancée, practically a half-master of the Marquis Mansion. In the absence of Xie Xun’s instructions, Feiying and Nuanyang heeded her orders.

Xie Xun pondered briefly, then whistled sharply. Zhuifeng trotted over. "Fengyu’s injuries are serious. The carriage needs to move slowly; don’t jostle her."

Feng Shu froze. Shouldn’t you be worried about the Beiman people detained in the manor?

"I know."

He mounted his horse, glanced back at Fengyu, and galloped away. Fengyu gazed at his retreating figure with a hint of melancholy. By the time Feng Shu returned to the carriage, Fengyu had already withdrawn her gaze, burying herself under the quilt like an ostrich.

Feng Shu hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep for days. Fengyu often visited Xiangguo Temple, where there were many martial monks, and nothing had ever gone wrong. Feng Shu occasionally accompanied her to stay for a few days, though not often. Recently, due to Feng Wan’s marriage preparations, the Feng Family had been busy with selecting auspicious dates, exchanging betrothal gifts, and hosting banquets to thank guests. Lady Feng had asked Feng Shu to lend a hand.

When Zhang Da came back covered in blood, reporting that Fengyu had been kidnapped by the Beiman people, Feng Shu was so frightened she nearly lost her mind. She had traveled extensively over the years, encountering bandits and assassination attempts, but she had never been so panicked. Although she knew that waiting in the city was the wisest move, she simply couldn’t hold back.

Years ago, Ayu was abducted because of her.

Now, with the old nightmare repeating itself, Feng Shu felt excruciating pain. She had placed her best guard, Zhang Da, beside Fengyu to protect her at all costs.

If anything were to happen to Fengyu, she wouldn’t know what to do.

"Sister, don’t cry. I’m fine." Fengyu wanted to help her sister wipe her tears but couldn’t lift her hands. Overcome with sadness, she started crying as well.

Feng Shu wiped her tears away. "Sister won’t cry anymore, and you shouldn’t cry either—it’ll hurt your eyes."

Zhang Da came over to drive the carriage, and the group slowly headed toward the Capital City.

Lin Cheng indeed brought the Forbidden Army to the Western Suburb Horse Farm. This was the horse farm under the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s control, occupying a vast area. The mansion had appointed a shopkeeper to manage the farm.

When the battles were not intense, the Xie Family’s three brothers enjoyed riding at the horse farm. Adjacent to it was the Feng Family’s horse farm, nearly connected to the Marquis Zhenbei’s. The Feng Family’s farm had been leased to merchants from Gaoping County.

While recuperating from his wounds, Lin Cheng grew increasingly suspicious about the group of burly men; their characteristics resembled Beiman people too much, though he lacked concrete evidence. However, he felt a faint thrill, an excitement—if he captured the Beiman people, it would certainly be a grand achievement.

While the northern official road was under the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s control, Beiman people had infiltrated openly—this suggested negligence on the marquis’s part. If Lin Cheng could persuade the Beiman people to incriminate the mansion, it might not topple it completely, but it would surely tarnish its reputation. As a subordinate, all Lin Cheng could do was gauge his superiors’ inclinations and strive to redeem himself. Capturing the Beiman people would surely delight the Crown Prince.

Although Fengyu frequented Xiangguo Temple, Lin Cheng didn’t suspect her of any connection with the Beiman people—their worlds were entirely separate.

Xie Xun’s timing in leaving the city seemed rather coincidental. Upon his return to the city, it appeared he received some urgent mission, promptly leading troops out once more. Except for Nuanyang and Feiying, his close guards hadn’t returned, and the Marquis Mansion had deployed the Iron Cavalry to stand guard at the horse farm, as though protecting some important figure.

Suspicious, Lin Xiao’s explanation notwithstanding, Lin Cheng didn’t believe a word!

When Lin Cheng arrived at the horse farm with a thousand Forbidden Army soldiers, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu were competing in horseback archery against guards from the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. A few impatient young men, filled with fighting spirit, were challenging Feiying.

The Forbidden Army, having mobilized in force and arriving with great momentum, drew the attention of the group outside. Lin Cheng dismounted, his waist adorned with the embroidered-spring saber, his demeanor cold and stern.

Lin Xiao stepped forward. "Brother, why are you here?"

"Why are you here?" Lin Cheng asked with slight surprise.

Lin Xiao’s gaze shifted to the soldiers behind Lin Cheng and cautiously replied, "Zhang Boxin was feeling down, so we took a day off to accompany him in horseback archery."

Zhang Boxin didn’t like Lin Cheng at all. His legitimate elder brother was the deputy commander of the Forbidden Army and had been in high spirits recently. He also knew Lin Cheng had been punished by the Crown Prince and was recuperating. The presence of the Forbidden Army blanketing the hillside exuded solemnity and authority, leaving an oppressive atmosphere.

"What brings Brother Lin to the horse farm?" Zhou Liyu inquired.

"Where is the young marquis? I have matters to discuss with him," Lin Cheng demanded.

Feiying stepped forward, saluted, and replied, "The master went to Gaoping County and won’t return until evening."

"How convenient. Why didn’t you go with him? Isn’t it strange for the young marquis’s guards to remain at the farm while he isn’t here?"

"The master’s private affairs are beyond our inquiry."

Lin Cheng’s presence was commanding. "Feiying, you’d better quickly notify the young marquis to return. My patience is limited."

Feiying furrowed his brow slightly. The farm was full of Northern Iron Cavalry, nearly a thousand of them. He didn’t believe Lin Cheng dared to force his way through.

"Brother, what are you planning?" Lin Xiao suppressed his inner fear. "The young marquis left half an hour ago; we can all testify to that."

"Shut up!" Lin Cheng snapped angrily. "You idiot, always siding against your own!"