Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 149: Acting

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Acting

Princess Huazhen envied Feng Shu for being able to travel the world and admire the magnificent landscapes of Yanyang, but the Crown Prince knew what Feng Shu was truly doing—devoting herself wholeheartedly to the Northern Iron Cavalry and Xie Zhang.

The Crown Prince intentionally steered the conversation, almost all topics centering around Feng Shu. Fengyu could see that her elder sister actually wanted to redirect the conversation to the eldest sister and Prince Duan, but was unable to succeed.

Such subtle nuances were imperceptible to others, and the atmosphere at the table remained harmonious.

"Why don’t you ever go out with your second sister?" Prince Kang asked Fengyu.

Fengyu replied sadly, "I’m weak and sickly, can’t live past eighteen, and can’t endure long journeys."

The crowd, "..."

The air suddenly turned chilly!

"Really?" Prince Kang widened his eyes, seeming almost gleeful, "You’re that frail?"

"You look rather pleased," she remarked.

Under Feng Shu’s gaze, Prince Kang faltered and said nervously, "I wish you a long life. There are rare medicines in the palace—I’ll find some for you."

Fengyu chuckled softly, "Alright then."

Prince Kang thought privately, I was just being polite, don’t take it seriously.

The Crown Prince spoke warmly, "Indeed, the palace has a ginseng that strengthens the body and promotes longevity. One day I’ll send it to the mansion, hopefully to aid Miss Feng San’s recovery."

Fengyu thought to herself, When you sent assassins to the manor to kill me, you didn’t hesitate, so why play the good guy now? A saintly facade but a venomous heart—wasn’t that supposed to be my specialty?

"Thank you, Crown Prince brother," Fengyu replied sweetly, not at all afraid to displease him, "My health was passable, but a few months ago someone tried to assassinate me at the manor. I was so frightened I ran a fever, bedridden, nearly burned out to ashes."

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows, "In broad daylight, someone dared to strike—was the perpetrator identified?"

Fengyu sighed, "A large tree attracts the wind; perhaps business grievances led to it."

"I can help investigate thoroughly. If the culprit is caught, justice will be served."

Fengyu thought privately, You put on such a good act; your shameless facade surprises even me. She smiled and said, "Alright, then I’ll trouble you, Crown Prince brother."

"Ayu, the Crown Prince handles affairs of state daily. Don’t trouble him with such trivial matters," Feng Shu scolded lightly.

Fengyu looked aggrieved and disheartened, "Alright, Crown Prince brother, I won’t bother you anymore—it’s simply Ayu’s poor fate."

The crowd, "..."

Why does Miss Feng San seem so overly dramatic? Stirring up trouble is apparently her forte.

"Your Highness, Ayu is young and ignorant; please don’t take offense," Feng Shu apologized with a smile, pouring him a cup of wine. The Crown Prince raised his brows slightly, a trace of pleasure in his eyes, and drank the wine poured by Feng Shu.

Fengyu thought privately, He hasn’t touched a single dish since sitting down, fearing poisoning—yet he drinks wine so freely? If you’re afraid of poison, why dine out at all?

The Crown Prince’s deep gaze carried a gentle smile as he offered another toast, "Feng Shu, I’ll also drink to you."

Feng Shu felt a prickling unease but smiled while raising her glass. In truth, she and the Crown Prince, Prince Duan, and Huazhen shared some genuinely beautiful memories.

They were her best companions in her youth.

Prince Duan noticed that Feng Wan hadn’t eaten much, drinking two cups on an empty stomach, and offered her several pieces of fish. Feng Wan thanked him, lowered her head to eat, but deep inside, a lingering unease remained.

Princess Huazhen abruptly asked Feng Shu, "The Northern Iron Cavalry’s triumphant return—your wedding to Xie Zhang should be happening soon, right?"

The Crown Prince raised his glass and drained it in one gulp, his lips curving slightly upward. His gentle and serene gaze rested on Feng Shu, who simply laughed lightly and said, "Yes, elder sister’s wedding comes first, and mine will follow shortly after."

This was something both the Feng Mansion and Marquis Zhenbei Mansion had tacitly agreed upon. The Marchioness had already selected auspicious dates—late April and early June were among them.

Feng Wan lowered her head shyly upon hearing the mention of the wedding. The Crown Prince smiled lightly and said, "I’ve long admired the eldest young master. You are a perfect match with him—talented and beautiful. When you get married, I’ll send a grand gift."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Slightly tipsy after two more cups of wine, Fengyu left the private room and stepped onto the observation deck on the third floor to clear her head. She hadn’t forgotten—this Crown Prince had sent assassins for her. Fengyu had little interest in socializing further with him. No matter his warm smiles, she sensed his duplicity. But he was a monarch, and she only a subordinate; she had no choice but to endure.

"So, you really won’t make it past eighteen?" Prince Kang’s voice came from behind; he had also walked out onto the observation deck. The third-floor guests were the only ones permitted to admire the glowing city lights from here.

Fengyu greeted him politely but couldn’t be bothered to reply. Prince Kang sneered, "Gone silent, have you?"

"Why ask knowingly? Why twist the knife, Your Highness?" Fengyu leaned lazily against the railing, cheeks flushed with alcohol. Drowsy and brazen, she acted like Prince Kang wasn’t even there.

Prince Kang, however, found it amusing. As a royal grandson, he’d grown up domineering—who dared not yield before him, except for the irreverent and defiant Xie Xun?

Fengyu... When she was insolent, she was truly insolent, and when spineless, she was remarkably spineless. Prince Kang often suspected Xie Xun’s spirit occasionally possessed Fengyu, or else how could a mere fifth-rank military general’s daughter be so audacious?

"The royal sister said you’re considering a live-in husband. Don’t you like Xie Xun?" Prince Kang taunted. "Or is Xie Xun pining for you all by himself?"

"I don’t like Xie Xun. Don’t tarnish my reputation." Fengyu, tipsy yet clear-headed, knew this was something she absolutely could not admit.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on her side—next door, a drunken Xie Xun, who had just left to sober up after being forced to drink by Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin, happened to overhear Miss Feng San’s resolute denial: "I don’t like Xie Xun."

"Really?" Prince Kang exclaimed excitedly, almost jubilant. "Not even a little?"

"What does it matter to you?"

"I simply can’t stand Xie Xun’s arrogant, insolent face. Thinking he’s harboring one-sided feelings, I’m itching to set off fireworks in celebration!" Prince Kang laughed as though he’d won a lover’s affection himself. "Xie Xun, your day of reckoning has come! Hahahaha!"

Fengyu, amused by his antics, chuckled. Though tipsy and slightly dizzy, she couldn’t suppress her irritation that Xie Xun hadn’t visited her during her recovery period. Miss Feng San was exceptionally petty, so she leaned closer to Prince Kang and said playfully, "Want me to tell you a secret? I find him tiresome too."

Prince Kang burst into hearty laughter, visibly pleased.

"Oh? And what else does Miss Feng San find tiresome about this marquis?" Xie Xun asked as he approached the observation deck, still dressed in his Kyoto Capital Guard Commander’s uniform, his tightly cinched waist highlighting his tall and stately figure. The deck offered sweeping views, four corners lit by palace lanterns. His face remained shrouded in the dim glow, half-obscured yet imposing.

Fengyu, only slightly tipsy and far from drunk, turned her head upon hearing his voice. Eyes brightened, she saw Xie Xun standing in the lamp’s light. Before she could react, Prince Kang sneered, "Ayu says she finds your arrogant, insolent face tiresome!"

Fengyu, "..."

Xie Xun stepped forward, his face gaining clarity under the shifting light and shadow. Fengyu and Prince Kang leaned against the railing, appearing as if sharing whispered secrets. Xie Xun’s gaze darkened, revealing a peculiar, intense animosity—a territorial possessiveness, like a beast protecting its domain, itching to kick Prince Kang off the deck.