Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 165: The Moon (Additional Update)

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: The Moon (Additional Update)

"Jiangnan has sent battle reports. King of Sannan is reinforcing troops at the border and drilling soldiers. The situation does not look optimistic." Marquis Zhenbei’s expression was grave. The smoke of Ningzhou’s battles had just dissipated, yet Sannan was stirring trouble again, and during the peace talks, no less.

Xie Zhang looked at the confidential report sent by Marshal Fang, his face heavy with concern. Marshal Fang and Marquis Zhenbei had guarded the south and north respectively for years, mutually watching over each other, their bond deep. With Marshal Fang stationed in Jiangnan, Marquis Zhenbei could fight the Beiman unrestrained. This was precisely why, with Marshal Fang overseeing Jiangnan, even the influential families, despite their fears of the Marquis Mansion, did not dare plot against them secretly for years. Marshal Fang had even sent his most capable eldest son, Fang Chuning, to Ningzhou.

The battle reports from Jiangnan were always divided into two: one submitted to the Emperor and another sent to the Marquis Mansion. Occasionally, the contents of the two reports differed.

Xie Jue suspected that Sannan and Beiman had been colluding for a while, which was why he took the initiative to join the peace delegation.

"Sannan and Yanyang have opened trade exchanges and have frequent interactions. But Ningzhou’s border remains as impenetrable as a fortress. How could the Beiman and Sannan establish contact?" Marquis Zhenbei frowned and asked Xie Jue, "What’s your basis for suspicion?"

"Instinct!" Xie Jue replied succinctly. Anyone else listening would be infuriated enough to hit him, but when the Second Young Master said ’instinct,’ it truly meant instinct.

The crowd: "..."

Xie Zhang said thoughtfully, "Indeed, the Ningzhou border has been impenetrable for the past decade. But several months ago, Dugu Jing led over ten men into our border, advancing deep into our territory. This poses a major risk. To this day, we haven’t uncovered how many people Dugu Jing brought into Yanyang, nor whether anyone remained behind to relay information."

This was also why Xie Jue suspected collusion between Beiman and Sannan. The timing of Sannan’s provocation was too coincidental, and Xie Zhang couldn’t help but harbor doubts.

Marquis Zhenbei said, "Even if the Beiman left people within our border, how would they send intelligence back?"

"Dugu Jing was injured by me and lost half his life. He returned covertly to the battleground, unseen and unheard. The border defense line is no longer impenetrable." Xie Xun mentioned this matter with lingering gloom in his heart. In Shun City, he had sent a message to Ningzhou, but Xie Zhang never received it. It seemed Dugu Jing had anticipated Xie Xun’s movements and intercepted his messenger halfway.

After returning to the Capital City, Xie Xun wrote another letter and dispatched it urgently to Ningzhou via an eight-hundred-mile express. Only then did Marquis Zhenbei learn that Beiman had infiltrated the border, but by then it was too late.

Dugu Jing had already returned to the battleground, and no one knew how he had entered, let alone how he had departed.

Upon receiving Xie Xun’s second letter, Xie Zhang immediately sought out Marquis Zhenbei and Xie Jue. General Cui, learning of the situation, feared that the Second Young Master suspected him. He handed over his military authority on the spot, demanding that Xie Jue thoroughly investigate, nearly offering to end his own life with a sword to prove his innocence. Once cleared of suspicion, he fortified defenses and strictly regulated the checkpoints. Even exiting the city was subject to rigorous scrutiny, let alone entering it.

"The matter of reorganizing border defenses can be discussed later. Let’s first talk about the peace negotiations." Marquis Zhenbei said sternly, "We must uncover Beiman’s hidden agenda. We need to recuperate and build strength—stopping the war is essential. If the proposed terms are insignificant, we can concede appropriately while keeping our true priorities in mind. At the very least, we should secure ten years without border incursions. Beiman’s domestic situation is not optimistic either—they don’t want to continue fighting. So, we don’t need to be overly accommodating. If Sannan truly intends to divert attention through aggression, it means they are deliberately instigating conflict."

"Beiman has never negotiated peace before, so we don’t know what cards they’ll play. I will try my best to manage the situation. A few days ago, the cabinet also approached me for discussions; the basic terms should not be an issue." Xie Xun sneered, "The cabinet favors peace, willing to concede unconditionally. You also said stopping the war is necessary. If Beiman makes excessive demands, would you also yield unconditionally?"

"Dream on!" Marquis Zhenbei slammed the table with his fist. "What kind of foolish question is that? Peace negotiations between nations—endless concessions are a grave mistake. It’s Beiman seeking peace, not us. What we are entitled to, we must take without compromise."

Xie Xun’s expression relaxed slightly.

"Marriage alliance!" Xie Jue suddenly said two words.

Xie Zhang froze for a moment. "Beiman seeks a marriage alliance?"

Xie Jue nodded, and Marquis Zhenbei blurted out, "How do you know?"

"I saw it!"

Marquis Zhenbei, being an impatient man, pounded the table repeatedly. "Second Son, I beg you—can’t you speak in complete sentences? Will it kill you to say everything all at once?!?!"

"Did Ting Feng see the Beiman Princess?" Xie Zhang asked softly.

Xie Jue nodded and replied, "The Sixth Princess is among the accompanying entourage."

Xie Zhang, ever the understanding voice for Xie Jue, placated Marquis Zhenbei. "Father, Beiman brought their Sixth Princess to the peace talks evidently with intentions for a marriage alliance. It’s just unclear which Prince they have set their sights on. This Sixth Princess is seventeen this year, named Dugu Hongying. She and Dugu Jing are twins—a dragon and phoenix pair—and she is also the only maternal sibling of the current Beiman King."

When Dugu Jing led troops into the city, Xie Jue and Fang Chuning were sitting in the private lounge of a tavern. Xie Jue, with his remarkable memory, recognized the Beiman Sixth Princess disguised as a man and mingling among the entourage at a glance.

"How do you know?" Marquis Zhenbei, unfamiliar with the Beiman Royal Family, asked.

Xie Jue shot him a cold look and slightly furrowed his brow—a gesture familiar to those who knew him as a sign of displeasure. Marquis Zhenbei felt guilty yet maintained a facade of self-righteousness.

Xie Zhang chuckled lightly. "Father, Ting Feng wrote a detailed account of Beiman’s situation after his return, including introductions to the Beiman Royal Family."

Marquis Zhenbei instantly recalled the thirty-thousand-word report on Beiman’s basic situation authored by the Second Young Master and blurted out, "You read it all?"

That lengthy overview had given Marquis Zhenbei a headache from just one glance, prompting him to toss it aside to gather dust.

"I did read it." Xie Zhang smiled faintly, "And memorized it too."

Xie Xun added with an icy tone, "Second Brother, how tragic—after two years of planning, braving life and death to uncover Beiman’s fundamental situation, Father didn’t even bother to read it fully."

Marquis Zhenbei sneered. "As if you read it!"

Xie Xun: "..."

Indeed, he hadn’t read it either!! Thirty-thousand words of analysis—not even a dog would read that!

Xie Jue drank tea indifferently, his glassy eyes tranquil as water.

Marquis Zhenbei felt complicated. Beiman’s defeat and their approach for peace talks, offering a princess in marriage, was nothing unusual. However, Emperor Jianming—a.k.a. the husband of his eldest daughter—posed a tricky question. Marquis Zhenbei asked, "How old is His Majesty?"

"Forty-three." Xie Zhang answered.

The four father-and-son figures fell silent simultaneously. The Beiman Sixth Princess was merely seventeen.

Xie Jue said, "Crown Prince."

Xie Zhang lowered his gaze and remarked softly, "The Beiman Princess entering the Eastern Palace as a concubine would also count as a marriage alliance. But given His Majesty’s prime years, this isn’t a certainty either. Since Beiman didn’t disclose her presence in advance, we will act unaware for now. Zhixu, during tomorrow’s negotiations, keep your temper in check."

"Noted!" Xie Xun smiled lightly. "Brother, in the past six months, I’ve cultivated patience and exceptional composure."

Marquis Zhenbei snorted disregarding the situation, rolling his eyes not so gracefully. Xie Xun also grinned cheerfully at his father, demonstrating exemplary self-restraint.

Xie Zhang brought Xie Jue along as Xie Xun left the main courtyard. The maids attending the courtyard couldn’t help but marvel whenever they saw the trio. Each possessed features inheriting their father’s stunning looks, their charm unrivaled in the Capital City, with distinct and unique qualities.

Xie Zhang resembled an orchid and jade tree, refined and elegant. Xie Jue had beauty akin to bright moonlight, understated yet striking. Contrarily, Xie Xun was sharp and unrestrained, a display of confidence and individuality.

"Second Brother, is the moon in the Capital City that fascinating?" Xie Xun teased as the three stepped out of the courtyard.