Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 141: Envy

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Envy

Xie Xun regretted it—he should have struck harder. Third Miss might have directly given him three chests of gold.

Although Fengyu didn’t know that Lin Cheng had sent someone to assassinate her but failed due to interference by the Beiman, it didn’t dampen her hatred for Lin Cheng. Lin Yu Yan ruined her coming-of-age ceremony, while the young Marquis ruined Lin Cheng’s wedding. A sibling’s debts repaid by their sibling—fair and reasonable.

Xie Xun reciprocated the favor by making three personal visits to invite Zhang Lingzheng’s grandfather to treat Fengyu’s internal injuries. Zhang Lingzheng’s grandfather, an imperial physician who had served three reigns, had already retired to his hometown. Renowned for his mastery in medicine, he was especially skilled in treating internal ailments. After reviewing Doctor Zhou’s prescription, the old physician wrote a few new prescriptions for Fengyu. Within six days of taking the medications, her internal injuries began to heal. Though it was only a temporary fix, it at least relieved her from further suffering.

Fengyu’s condition was not something that could be completely restored in a short time. Even if Hua Tuo himself were alive, he couldn’t guarantee her a long and healthy life. The old physician’s miraculous skills left Doctor Zhou deeply impressed. Even Zhang Lingzheng was surprised—the young Marquis had managed to use sweet words to persuade his grandfather, who had avoided worldly affairs for more than a decade, to come.

After Fengyu’s injuries improved, the old physician left behind a few prescriptions for maintenance. Feng Shu was immensely grateful and thanked the old man profusely. Doctor Zhou wanted to become his apprentice but was politely refused.

The old physician specialized in internal medicine but was helpless when it came to the poison in Xie Xun’s leg. Many prominent figures in the capital wished to seek his expertise upon hearing of his renowned healing abilities. However, overwhelmed by the requests, he left the Capital City after Fengyu recovered.

To express her gratitude to Xie Xun, Fengyu sent him another chest of gold.

Feng Shu lamented, "Ayu, take it easy already—Xie Xun is going to empty out your dowry."

"Don’t worry, sister; I’ll make good money from now on," Fengyu replied cheerfully.

Feng Shu privately thought, You really have ambition. Typically, you preach about ’light gifts heavy sentiment,’ yet when it’s Xie Xun, it turns into chest after chest of gold.

At the Marquis Mansion, Nuanyang excitedly eyed the chest of gold Third Miss had sent over. The abacus clicked noisily—young Marquis’s private savings were climbing at a meteoric speed.

"Master, Third Miss is basically sponsoring you now!"

Xie Xun wholeheartedly agreed and finally understood his eldest brother’s subtle boasting: I’m poor, but someone takes care of me.

He had once scoffed at his brother for it. Now, walking down the same path, he couldn’t deny—it wasn’t a bad feeling.

The Marchioness commented meaningfully, "Zhixu, are you... alright?"

To be showered with money like this by a young lady—would his self-esteem be hurt?

The young Marquis didn’t feel hurt at all; instead, his mind raced as he pondered what he could do for Third Miss next, so she might send him a third chest of gold.

This chest of gold could fund spring uniforms for the Kyoto Capital Guard, saving him the trouble of arguing money out of Mr. Gong.

Xie Xun thought to himself, They could even order the spring uniforms from Fengyu’s clothing shop. The money would flow back to Third Miss anyway. Perfect! The Kyoto Capital Guard gets their uniforms, and Third Miss earns her profit—it’s a win-win.

Though Fengyu’s injuries had healed, she remained housebound. Shopkeepers would send messengers if anything needed reporting. As the weather in Capital City grew warmer, flowers blossomed in full spring. Meanwhile, news from Ningzhou shocked the court.

The Beiman had requested a peace negotiation.

This was unprecedented—the Beiman had clashed with Yanyang’s warriors for five generations on the battlefield beneath the Sha Ling Tian Mountain. Neither side ever retreated, locked in a brutal struggle for decades. For the first time, the Beiman reached out for peace.

After the Beiman King died, his princes descended into infighting. Eventually, the Sixth Prince emerged victorious and succeeded as the new Beiman King. He and his younger brother Dugu Jing, the Ninth Prince, were born of the same mother. Once crowned, the new king transferred military authority to Dugu Jing, who became the Beiman’s supreme commander. Surprising everyone, Dugu Jing crossed the Ningzhou Defense Line and returned to Beiman.

The Beiman’s call for peace divided the Yanyang court into pro-war and pro-peace factions embroiled in chaotic disputes. Led by Marquis An Yuan, the direct descendants of the Marquis Zhenbei sided with the pro-war faction. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and his allies advocated peace.

During the heated debates in the Jinluan Palace, Xie Xun remained silent. The pro-war faction argued that Ningzhou’s victory and the Beiman King’s death presented the best opportunity to completely subdue the Beiman. Why not seize it? Conversely, the pro-peace faction pointed out the toll war took on people’s lives and resources. Yanyang needed respite—Ningzhou could not afford continued conflict. If the peace proposal was rejected and the Beiman reorganized, hostilities would resume endlessly. The natural barrier at Sha Ling Tian Mountain meant that striking deep into Beiman territory would lead to considerable losses that Yanyang couldn’t withstand.

Both arguments were valid. From a personal standpoint, Xie Xun was against peace; the Marquis Mansion bore hatred for Beiman as deep as the ocean. Yet, setting emotions aside, Ningzhou required a peace agreement.

War would ruin Yanyang—both Beiman and Yanyang needed rest and recovery.

The Crown Prince said, "We’ve won a great battle. The border soldiers have served the nation admirably. Peace negotiations, with Yanyang taking the lead, would mean no smoke of war at the borders. Citizens of both nations can live in peace—why not choose this path?"

Emperor Jianming also supported the idea of peace. A ceasefire would mean the Marquis Mansion relinquishing their military authority, relieving him of his unease. Without the looming threat of Beiman, the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s power to override royal authority would diminish significantly. During the period of recuperation, the emperor could gradually reclaim political control—this was the shared ambition of Emperor Jianming and the Crown Prince.

Marquis An Yuan and Elder Lin saw this clearly. Despite having secured victory that could force the Beiman to surrender, the demand for peace was disheartening. Civil officials from noble families even insinuated that Marquis Zhenbei’s reluctance to negotiate peace stemmed from an intent to preserve autonomy and resist yielding military power. Their tone angered Xie Xun to the point of wanting to punch their teeth out. As the debate reached a boiling point, an urgent dispatch arrived on the imperial desk—an eight-hundred-mile expedited report delivered by Marquis Zhenbei.

Marquis Zhenbei conveyed his willingness for Yanyang to negotiate peace with the Beiman but set forth one condition: Xie Xun was to replace the Minister of Honglu Temple as Yanyang’s representative at the negotiation.

Emperor Jianming privately wondered, Would the young Marquis really negotiate peacefully, or publicly execute the envoy and escalate the conflict between the two nations?

Xie Xun stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I am willing to negotiate peace with the Beiman."

The Crown Prince felt relieved—if Marquis Zhenbei agreed to peace, everything else would fall into place. He quickly stepped forward to support Xie Xun as Yanyang’s representative, granting Xie Xun the authority to select the negotiation envoys.

Elder Lin and the noble faction also backed the peace proposal, prompting Emperor Jianming to accept the request of the new Beiman King. The peace negotiations were scheduled for mid-April in the Capital City. With this decision, the border battles ceased, and the nation erupted in celebration.

Capital City exuded jubilation, as if the Beiman had openly surrendered. Indeed, the scenario was almost equivalent—Yanyang, as the victor, would dictate the terms. The Beiman, initiating the peace proposal, naturally would pay reparations and cede territory—everything would favor Yanyang.

Lin Cheng and Xie Xun exited the palace together. After being criticized by Xie Xun in public, their relationship had grown delicate. Following his wedding, Lin Cheng was penalized with a year-long salary suspension. Since Emperor Jianming and the Crown Prince still needed him, the punishment remained relatively lenient. Seeking reconciliation, Lin Cheng invited Xie Xun to Mudan Building to drink while apologizing. His arrogance in the stables was matched now by his sincerity in making amends.

Xie Xun understood that their relationship had been irreparably fractured, yet he accepted Lin Cheng’s apologies gracefully. Regardless of the hidden barbs exchanged, outwardly, they maintained an amicable appearance.

Overthrowing an imperial confidant wasn’t easy. Even if Lin Cheng fell, Emperor Jianming and the Crown Prince would elevate someone else to serve as their blade.

"The Beiman peace negotiations—I know it leaves you bitter, but this outcome is for the best. The Beiman King is dead, their forces are fragmented. After recuperation, if they dare violate the borders again, we will crush them entirely." Though Lin Cheng offered his words of comfort, inwardly, he was exceedingly pleased.

If the negotiations succeeded, the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion would relinquish military power.

The Mansion’s authority would diminish significantly. As an imperial confidant, Lin Cheng knew well that a gentleman’s revenge could wait for ten years.

"I hold no bitterness. Peace negotiations are indeed the best choice." Xie Xun’s dark eyes reflected the calm before the storm. "I’m simply curious about what conditions the Beiman might propose!"

"By the way, for this peace delegation—who do you plan to select?" Lin Cheng smirked and offered himself, "What do you think about counting me in?"

"What business does the head of the Imperial Guards have meddling in peace negotiations?" Xie Xun’s voice turned cold and uncompromising. "If you truly wish to join the delegation, resign from your post as head of the Forbidden Army and join Honglu Temple. When that happens, a seat at the negotiation table will certainly be reserved for you."

Lin Cheng burst into laughter, "You truly have a knack for humor."

Failing the probe, Lin Cheng remained undeterred. In fact, he felt schadenfreude—the peace negotiations posed a crisis for the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. Secretly, Lin Cheng mused, Xie Xun, we’ll see how long your arrogance lasts.

At Three Cross Street, Feng Shu headed to the Marquis An Yuan Mansion early in the morning. Spring was in full bloom, and the sun shone brightly. Fengyu, having been stuck at home recovering for days, was unbearably bored. Accompanied by Qiuxiang and Chunlu, she went shop-hopping. With her left leg recovered enough for walking, Doctor Zhou advised rest for a few more days, but Fengyu opted to ride out in her wheelchair.

Her wheelchair was uniquely crafted, drawing the attention of passersby. Fengyu felt pleased—her wheelchair indeed turned heads. Of course, letting only Feng Ling marvel at it would be far too wasteful.