Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 143: Demanding Payment

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Demanding Payment

"Redeem it, then redeem it!" Prince Kang fumed, recently stung multiple times by the word "poor." Since his departure from the palace and establishment of his manor, he dared not hold grand banquets, thus losing a substantial source of income. The palace had reduced expenses for years, and he relied heavily on the rewards from Emperor Jianming and the Empress. After being granted his title, although he received a stipend, it was merely enough to cover the manor’s expenses.

Money was tight. As a prince, his food, clothing, and other needs were all covered by the palace. Even the eunuchs’ and palace maids’ salaries weren’t his concern. However, after moving out to establish his manor, everything had to be shouldered personally.

The Empress cared deeply for him, granting him land, estates, and storefronts—all assets that couldn’t be quickly liquidated. He once got drunk at a banquet held at King Qi’s mansion and lamented his financial woes. King Qi, sympathetic to his plight, gave him several thousand silver taels. Fang Lingjun later recounted this incident mockingly to Fengyu, who—aware of his sore spot—intentionally teased and jabbed at him with precision.

Fengyu snapped her fingers, and Shopkeeper Wang, perceptive as ever, went to fetch the deed to Imperial Uncle Lv’s land. Fengyu grinned broadly and said, "Brother Azao is the Empress’s most cherished son. Surely, he has received many rewards and lacks no funds. Now redeeming the deed and returning it to Duke Ning’s mansion is an act of filial piety, an act that both Duke Ning and the Empress will surely view as thoughtful and dutiful."

The Forbidden Army rushed forward to intervene. "Your Highness, you came to get the deed, not to hand over money to the bank! We were ordered to smash the bank!"

Shopkeeper Wang handed over the deed. Fengyu, smiling brightly, accepted it and said, "Brother Azao, you’re truly dutiful. Duke Ning will certainly be very happy. I’m deeply moved by your filial devotion myself."

The Forbidden Army’s leader hesitated to speak, "Your Highness..."

The Third Miss is beguiling you; don’t fall for her trap!

"Pay the money!" Prince Kang grit his teeth. "Of course, I am filial to my family."

Fengyu mischievously blinked. "How touching."

In Kyoto’s guard station, Xie Xun listened as Nuanyang animatedly told the story of Prince Kang painfully shelling out ten thousand silver taels. Nuanyang said, "Master, you should’ve seen Prince Kang’s expression. The Third Miss is truly clever, managing to get money out of him."

The finances of the Yuwen royal family were almost entirely controlled by Emperor Jianming. Before being granted his title, Prince Kang had caused trouble, leading to fewer rewards compared to Prince Duan, and his family assets were nowhere near as prosperous. For him to pull together ten thousand silver taels to redeem the deed to Imperial Uncle Lv’s land—who wouldn’t praise his filial piety upon hearing of it?

Not just Imperial Uncle Lv’s debt was repaid; even Jiang Yang’s debt of thirteen thousand silver taels was settled too. It was undoubtedly Lin Residence that supplied the money. After Jiang Yang and Lin Yu Yan’s engagement, the mother and son had ended up destitute on the streets, ridiculed by others, tarnishing Lin Residence’s reputation. The Feng Family sisters truly take no losses—owing them even a penny would be repaid promptly.

"You’re laughing now, but when the Third Miss comes to collect debts from us someday, will you still be able to laugh?" Xie Xun asked.

Nuanyang’s face immediately fell but then laughed again, saying, "The Marquis has already led his troops back to the capital. With the truce between the two nations, we will have money."

After all, the ancestral assets of the Marquis Mansion are truly vast!

A faint smile appeared on Xie Xun’s face. While the two nations had agreed to a truce, the border remained tense and vigilant. Marquis Zhenbei was returning to the capital with thirty thousand iron cavalry; it was estimated they would arrive within half a month.

Both Big Brother and Second Brother would be returning as well.

Feiying remarked, "Today, the Third Miss was seen wheeling herself around Three Cross Street twice, seemingly showing off her new toy."

Nuanyang burst into laughter. "Then she got scolded for her extravagance, accused of having her feet never touch the ground, and spending a fortune to craft such a fine wheelchair."

Xie Xun: "..."

He imagined Fengyu’s indignant expression after being chastised—certainly thinking how they were blind and arrogant—and couldn’t help but chuckle. In the past, he had found her arrogance annoying, but now he thought it was rather endearing.

Truly curious!

The Young Marquis found her endearing, but Lin Yu Yan did not. Coming out of Linlang Pavilion, Lin Yu Yan spotted Qiuxiang and Chunlu taking turns pushing Fengyu out of Baofeng Bank.

Prince Kang, leading a unit of Forbidden Army soldiers, was standing in her path, saying something. Fengyu wore a radiant smile, coaxing Prince Kang, who had his back to her; Lin Yu Yan couldn’t discern his expression. However, judging by their familiarity, Lin Yu Yan clenched her silk handkerchief, seething with hatred. Lan Xin, nervous about her causing trouble, hesitantly urged, "Miss, let’s return to the residence."

Lin Yu Yan fixed her gaze on Fengyu. She had been confined once again for some time, almost sent to the manor. After being engaged to Jiang Yang, she had thrown herself into chaos, refusing to accept her circumstances. Yet her father and brother remained resolute, with only her mother quietly advising her to endure for now, saying public opinion was formidable. The wedding date was still far off and variables were plentiful.

Public opinion is formidable... Why should she endure malicious gossip while Fengyu flaunted herself around? Lin Yu Yan’s eyes burned with hatred. "She seduces Xie Xun and now cozies up to Prince Kang—it’s shameless."

Feng Wan and she had fallen into the water together, yet their fates were worlds apart. She had thought Feng Wan would at best marry Prince Duan as a concubine, but hadn’t expected Prince Duan to promise her the main wife position—an honor granted by the palace itself. If Fengyu became Princess Kang, she’d never be able to exact revenge in her lifetime.

"Miss..."

"Lan Xin, I want to ruin her face—she’s far too dazzling!" Lin Yu Yan gripped Lan Xin tightly. "If someone could help me disfigure her, I’d give them anything!"

Lan Xin was horrified. Her young mistress had completely lost her mind when facing Fengyu, unable to bear Fengyu’s slightest success. Coldly yet cautiously, Lan Xin said, "Miss, please calm down. We’ve suffered losses dealing with Miss Fengyu before—it never ends in victory. What if the Eldest Young Master finds out?"

Jealousy had twisted her mistress beyond recognition. Lan Xin thought back to how half a year ago her mistress had been surrounded by admirers, commanding power with ease. Now, she was alone and destitute; Zhang Jingmiao and Wu Changhuan refused to associate with her anymore. Sadness welled within her—had the mistress refrained from provoking Fengyu, none of this would have happened.

Lin Yu Yan managed to regain some calm. Lin Cheng’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind, filling her with apprehension. Lan Xin added, "Miss Fengyu is frail and sickly; even if we do nothing, she won’t live long."

Lin Yu Yan finally felt some placation. Yes, Fengyu was frail and sickly. No matter how conniving she was, aiming to rise to prosperity, neither the Young Marquis nor Prince Kang would marry her as their main wife. With such a flirtatious face, she was only suited to be a mere plaything.

Fengyu naturally noticed Lin Yu Yan but paid her no mind. Lin Yu Yan posed no threat to her, so Fengyu didn’t even bother sparing her a glance.

Prince Kang was also quite the amusing character. After redeeming the deed to Duke Ning’s land, instead of returning it to Duke Ning Mansion, he kept it in his own possession. Duke Ning, who had fallen from his horse and suffered a fractured bone, had already recovered. When he arrived at Baofeng Bank to demand the deed, Shopkeeper Wang was startled. "Prince Kang has already redeemed the deed. Has he not delivered it to the Duke Mansion? Perhaps Prince Kang is overwhelmed with royal affairs. Since he is your grandson, why don’t you visit Prince Kang’s manor to inquire?"

Duke Ning was alarmed upon hearing this and confronted Prince Kang. Being the shameless sort, Prince Kang claimed he had paid the ten thousand silver tael debt on behalf of his uncle. If he wanted the deed, he’d now have to pay ten thousand taels to him. Upon returning to his manor with the deed, Prince Kang inquired about its value and found it was worth fifteen thousand silver taels. This irked him greatly, as he had originally intended to take back the deed for free from Baofeng Bank. Yet, thanks to Fengyu, he had paid ten thousand silver taels. He felt that this sum could not be spent in vain—clear calculations must be made, even among relatives.

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