Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 139: Stirring Trouble

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Stirring Trouble

They once encountered a fierce battle between the Beiman and the Ningzhou Light Cavalry by the river outside the city. She and Feng Ling were scared out of their wits. The Crown Prince held Feng Shu’s hand from beginning to end, shielding her from the brutal battlefield.

But Feng Shu was not afraid at all. She drew her small bow and shot dead a Beiman. It was also then that Feng Shu met Xie Zhang, who was thirteen and had just entered the battlefield. They met by the blood-soaked Shaling River.

Such are the twists of fate.

At a glance, Feng Shu liked Xie Zhang, clad in silver armor and wielding a long spear, radiating under the scorching sun. This may not have been romantic love, but when Xie Zhang proposed, Feng Shu immediately agreed.

Feng Shu lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Just childhood playmates."

She paused in silence, then looked up and said, "I never knew you weren’t happy, sister. It’s all my carelessness. If I ever said or did anything to hurt you, it was my fault."

Feng Wan gently held her hand, "It was my own sensitivity and overthinking in youth. I’ve long let it go, which allows me to speak of it calmly."

"How are you getting along with Prince Duan?" Feng Shu asked.

Feng Wan’s face slightly froze. She wasn’t one to complain or burden others, but Feng Shu was different. Her eyes reddened slightly as she spoke softly, "Since the imperial decree for marriage, I’ve met him twice in the palace. His attitude was indifferent. He didn’t want this marriage, and he’s heard some things about Zhang Boxin, making our encounters awkward, not knowing what to say. Though he never spoke harshly, there’s a great deal of distance. The Princess Consort De subtly hinted that after the wedding, a concubine would be arranged for him, advising me not to be jealous. This marriage was not our desire, and I don’t know how things will turn out. I just wish for peace and safety, with no delusions."

When Feng Shu returned home and saw her gloomy expression, she knew things weren’t well. Xie Zhang was devoted to her. At twenty-three, most Yanyang men would’ve had children, but Xie Zhang was devotedly waiting for her. Partly because of the war and partly out of respect, they were a perfect match. Feng Shu could sense Feng Wan’s troubles and disappointments.

"Sister, the issue with the nursing nuns giving you a hard time, I’ve heard about it from Grandmother. In the end, you are Princess Duan, and she is a servant. You’ve learned the necessary etiquette. If she intends to make things difficult, you can use your status against her. She wouldn’t dare oppress you. If you keep everything bottled up inside, others will only see you as an easy target. You’re yet to be engaged with Zhang Boxin. Preserve yourself and stay pure; no need to fear idle gossip. Once engaged, you must build a good life with Prince Duan and communicate sincerely with him. No matter what, live comfortably. If you develop a bond before the wedding, life will be smoother after. But if you say nothing, how would others know what you’ve been through?"

Feng Wan was surprised; was Feng Shu teaching her to complain to Prince Duan?

Her expression was too straightforward, prompting Feng Shu to chuckle, "Not complaining, but appropriately developing feelings. Prince Duan senses your heart belongs elsewhere and reluctantly married you, so his attitude is passive. Forcing a minister’s wife to marry has been criticized, and as a prince, he must have heard some gossip, making him inevitably dissatisfied. If you want to build a good life with him, you can’t be passive. At the very least, let him know you married him with full intention, hoping to spend a lifetime together."

Feng Wan was suddenly enlightened. She had indeed been dwelling in gloom and passivity these days, leaving everything to fate, never thinking of actively changing anything, merely resigning to it.

During her second encounter with Prince Duan in the palace, it was clear he wanted to say something, then lost enthusiasm. Feng Wan’s eyes reddened slightly, "Thank you, second sister, for telling me these things."

"We are sisters; if you’re well, I’m happy too," Feng Shu said sincerely. "I advise you so earnestly because if I were to remarry, I certainly wouldn’t want to, and wouldn’t listen to such reasoning. So, it’s good that you don’t blame me for being talkative."

How could she blame Feng Shu for being talkative? Recently, both parents and bosom friends saw her marriage to Prince Duan as a soar into nobility. Even the noblewomen who once looked down on her sent invitations, eager for her to attend their banquets. Feng Wan only found it all surreal. Feng Shu sincerely wished for her well-being, prompting this heartfelt conversation.

The two sisters talked late into the night, a heart-to-heart they hadn’t had since coming of age, hoping for a peaceful and harmonious future for each other.

The next day, the Vice Minister Lin Mansion was abuzz with joy. Lin Cheng and Princess Huaying wed, with the wedding hall set at the Lin Residence. The Lin family spared no expense to marry the princess, making it extraordinarily lively.

Prince Duan and Prince Kang escorted Princess Huaying in a joyful procession, with civilians gathering to witness the grand wedding.

But Lin Cheng was not so at ease. On his wedding day, he didn’t have to attend the morning court, yet he heard that Xie Xun impeached him during the morning court. Lin Cheng, accompanied by a thousand Imperial Guards, used the Marquis Mansion’s harboring of Beiman as a pretext to forcibly search the marquis’s stables, almost clashing with the cavalry. Ministers were abuzz with gossip, and Emperor Jianming was furious.

The great victory in Ningzhou made the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion exceptionally prestigious, but Lin Cheng still led Imperial Guards to search the Marquis Mansion’s stables, without finding anyone. It was clear the royal family was targeting the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion.

Emperor Jianming learned of the matter the night before. Lin Cheng entered the palace to apologize. So, during the morning court, Emperor Jianming feigned ignorance, placing all blame on Lin Cheng. Punishment was inevitable; Lin Cheng was the head of the Imperial Guards, and Xie Xun intentionally impeached him on his wedding day, clearly not letting him enjoy a smooth wedding. Emperor Jianming’s first time marrying off a daughter was meant to be a grand affair, promising prestige to the Lin Residence and honor for his daughter.

Due to Xie Xun’s impeachment, all the favors Emperor Jianming intended for Lin Cheng were canceled. After Lin Cheng’s wedding, punishment awaited. So what should have been a jubilant wedding was completely disrupted by the young marquis, with the Marchioness, Lady Lan, and Lady Mudan attending the event. Xie Xun had both impeached Lin Cheng in the morning court and intended to attend the wedding banquet in the evening.

Zhang Boxin hadn’t planned to attend the banquet, yet because Zhang Bolan was going, he had to go. Tension had always existed between him and his illegitimate elder brother. Who knew Xie Xun would summon him, Zhou Liyu, and Cai Wensen.

"Your task tonight is to get Lin Cheng drunk and create some trouble."

Zhang Boxin, feeling invigorated, was eager for the banquet and asked, "How much trouble should we create?"

Xie Xun pondered, "Create as much trouble as you want; I’ve got your back."

Zhou Liyu rubbed his fists eagerly, "Can we settle old scores and take revenge?"

"Granted!"

The trio of spoiled brats was so excited that they nearly signed a military pledge with Xie Xun, promising to complete the task.

On Lin Cheng’s wedding day, after being impeached by Xie Xun, he wasn’t in the best spirits. Xie Xun led a group of Kyoto Capital Guard scions to the wedding feast and got Lin Cheng so drunk he couldn’t tell east from west.

Zhang Boxin, Zhou Liyu, and Cai Wensen, tasked with getting Lin Cheng drunk, started their mission. Although the Imperial Guards came to stop them, they couldn’t withstand these unruly scions, each with their own backing, and Lin Cheng was soon downed by their drinking assault.