Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 160: Engagement

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Engagement

That year, Fengyu couldn’t help but wonder, what use were great heroes?

Their daughter had fallen into the tiger’s jaws, escaping death by just a thread, crying to heaven, crying to earth, but no help came. Did they know? If she’d died in the desolate wilderness, consumed by wild beasts, would they have grieved?

Those two years, the new emperor ascended the throne amidst internal and external turmoil. Yanyang and Beiman fought fiercely, life and death hanging in the balance. The battlefronts were repeatedly breached, fear gripped people’s hearts, rivers of blood flowed on the frontlines, and refugees fled southward. Yet, she, young and frail, made her way back alone to Ningzhou.

Step by step, she clawed her way out of the tiger’s jaws, crossing mountains and rivers to return home. She heard that during those two years, her parents hadn’t once returned, as the battlegrounds were littered with corpses, making letters undeliverable.

When she stumbled, scarred and battered, into Ningzhou’s borders, she encountered her elder sister, who had been searching for her all along. When she was brought home, she was clinging to life, and after careful nurturing for half a year, her health gradually improved.

Her mother cradled her, weeping with regret, heart aching for the hardships Fengyu had endured while lost. But Fengyu’s heart was still, unmoved—late-arriving maternal love was cheaper than grass.

She wanted none of it!

Did she harbor resentment?

Of course, she did. But what use was resentment? Once an order was given, her parents were bound to leave again. As a child, she understood that in this lifetime, aside from herself, there was no one she could truly rely on.

If not for her grandmother and sister, Fengyu thought... she would have perished long ago.

Her sister, though only three years older than her, had spent those two years alone, leading troops across the lands to search for her, from Ningzhou to the Capital City, spanning twelve prefectures.

Fengyu’s thoughts were restless; though exhaustion gnawed at her, sleep eluded her.

In Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, Xie Jue returned home.

Marquis Zhenbei gazed at his three radiant and stunning wives and his distinguished sons, feeling a surge of pride and elation. With Ningzhou pacified and Beiman suing for peace, there was no longer the chaos of war. His children could finally enjoy peace, and the family was reunited. Nothing could be warmer or bring him greater pride than this moment.

If only his eldest daughter were home, then it would truly be complete.

Xie Zhang and Xie Xun accompanied Marquis Zhenbei in drinking. All three were heavy drinkers, consuming several years’ worth of aged "Daughter’s Red" wine prepared by the wives. No one mentioned the war; the wives cheerfully shared tales about the mansion and the Capital City from the past few years with their husband and sons. Marquis Zhenbei, who had been unruly since his youth, was never curbed by the strict rules of his wife.

The Marquis Mansion was nothing like the grand estates with endless rules—there was no restriction forbidding talking during meals or whispering in chambers. After Marquis Zhenbei’s return, the dining hall was filled with laughter during meals, lingering till late into the night.

Xie Zhang and Xie Xun were exceptionally talkative, able to converse about anything with the wives. Xie Jue, though barely saying three words throughout, listened intently all the same.

Marquis Zhenbei proved even more patient than his sons, being devoid of the hardened, militaristic decisiveness forged by years on the battlefield. Even when scolded by his wife, he listened with a cheerful demeanor. The family’s frequent topic of conversation lately revolved around Xie Zhang and Feng Shu’s marriage.

His wife complained that sending Feng Changqing and his spouse to suppress bandits might delay the wedding if they failed to return within half a year. Hearing that they had recently returned to the city, Marquis Zhenbei’s wife was already impatient to visit the Feng Family to discuss the wedding arrangement; even gifts were prepared.

Xie Zhang said openly and confidently, "Shu’er and I would like the wedding to be held in late April."

Lady Lan froze, and Marquis Zhenbei’s wife was equally surprised, "It’s early April now, how can a late-April wedding be arranged in time? We had our sights set on June."

"No." Xie Zhang shook his head firmly, "Late April it is."

Lady Mudan was stunned and blurted out, "Is Shu’er pregnant? Is that why you’re in such a rush?"

The crowd, "..."

Xie Xun spat out a mouthful of wine, and Xie Jue, quick on his feet, dodged swiftly to avoid getting his sleeve soiled. Marquis Zhenbei glared at his illustrious eldest son with a look of violent irritation, as though about to break his legs.

Xie Zhang, unusually flushed, hastily explained, "Shu’er and I are passionate but proper; we would never commit acts against decorum."

Everyone, including Marquis Zhenbei and the wives, breathed a sigh of relief. After all, since returning to the city, Xie Zhang had spent most of his days with Feng Shu, sometimes even staying overnight at the manor. Lady Lan had subtly advised him to practice restraint and adhere to propriety. Truthfully, even if she were pregnant before marriage, nobody would really mind—Feng Shu was already seen as the mansion’s eldest daughter-in-law in their hearts; all that was missing was the wedding itself.

Lady Lan furrowed her brows, "But why are you rushing? Late April is simply too tight a schedule for a grand wedding. Feng Family’s eldest girl is getting married in April; there’s no way they can prepare for a second wedding."

Marquis Zhenbei’s wife chimed in, "A month’s time isn’t enough for preparations. June would be best—June 6th is an auspicious date. We’ve all considered it. Why are you so fixated on April?"

Xie Zhang still sought to push for his chosen date, but Marquis Zhenbei interjected, "Listen to your mother—June it is."

Lady Mudan rejoiced, "It’s been years since the mansion had a joyful celebration; it must be grandly prepared and lively."

Though unable to secure an April wedding, Xie Zhang appeared slightly dejected.

With one son sorted out for marriage, the three wives turned their piercing gazes directly toward Xie Jue and Xie Xun. Unperturbed, Xie Jue met their gaze head-on with his usual stoic expression. No matter how suggestively they smiled, the Second Young Master maintained his ice-cold demeanor, serenely staring back.

Forget it. This one seems intent on dying alone. No hope here.

The wives retreated in defeat and shifted their eager focus to Xie Xun.

"Age before beauty!" Xie Xun knew exactly where this was heading and quickly passed the buck, "Once Second Brother solves his lifelong commitment, it’ll be my turn."

Lady Mudan, smiling coyly, teased, "Zhixu, is there a lady you fancy?"

Xie Xun, his face unchanged, sipped wine in feigned ignorance, hesitating whether to reveal his intentions, fearing an awkward confrontation with Fengyu should she visit again.

Xie Zhang and Xie Jue exchanged glances and poured Xie Xun another drink, "We’re all ears, Brother."

Xie Xun mirrored Xie Jue’s icy expression entirely.

"Don’t mimic your Second Brother; you’re nineteen already," said Marquis Zhenbei’s wife. "It’s time we considered your betrothal."

Xie Xun, contemplating his three-year promise to Fengyu, calmly responded, "No need for betrothal, I’ll marry directly when three years have passed."

His words stunned everyone, Marquis Zhenbei included. Xie Zhang raised a subtle brow, "Have you secretly pledged yourself to someone?"

"Who’s the unfortunate girl you’ve ensnared?" Marquis Zhenbei glared at Xie Xun’s face, suspecting some shallow-minded girl had fallen for his looks. Otherwise, given Xie Xun’s reputation in the Capital City, no respectable family would willingly marry their daughter to him.

Xie Jue, expressionless, let out a cold snort. Lady Mudan turned to ask, "Ting Feng, do you know who she is?"

"No, I don’t."

Marquis Zhenbei mulled over Emperor Jianming’s words, growing uneasy. The emperor had long intended to marry Princess Huazhen to Xie Xun; their ages matched well, and the Princess had declared her devotion to Xie Xun alone. However, with his eldest daughter already a Noble Consort, marrying the Princess to Xie Xun would cause an intolerable disruption in familial hierarchy.

Could it be that the steely young man had been swayed by her persistence?

"Does it not matter which family the girl comes from, as long as you’re betrothed?" Xie Xun asked while twirling his wine cup, testing the waters.

The room fell silent. Knowing their youngest son’s temper, the wives tread cautiously, while his two skeptical elder brothers, suspecting his connection with Fengyu, chose silent restraint.

In the eerie silence, Marquis Zhenbei spoke at last, "What absurd dreams are you having? Of course, it matters!"