Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 172 Temper (Added Update)

Chapter 172: Chapter 172 Temper (Added Update)

Xie Xun said, "Your Majesty, last night, my Second Brother and Junior General Fang were attacked on the streets. It was Dugu Jing who struck first. Lacking skill, and now he dares to cry injustice."

Dugu Jing denied it. "Your Majesty, I and Second Young Master Xie are old acquaintances—back during the Beiman days, I owed him many favors. I merely wanted to reminisce, but who knew the Second Young Master would suddenly launch an attack, killing my Beiman generals. My army has already been routed; I came to your esteemed capital for peace negotiations. What reason would I have to kill him and disrupt the treaty between our nations?"

"Then what reason would my Second Brother have to kill your Beiman generals on the eve of the peace talks?" Xie Xun sneered coldly.

"Perhaps you should ask what unspeakable deeds the Second Young Master committed during his time in Beiman that made him want to silence witnesses permanently!"

"Adding baseless crimes to someone’s name can be done without needing evidence!" Xie Xun’s face darkened. "If you want peace talks, then conduct them properly. If not, then leave, and we’ll continue fighting!"

The crowd: "..."

Marquis Zhenbei: "...?"

After endless reminders and warnings about how the Ningzhou conflict must come to a halt, were those words eaten by dogs?

As such, before the two nations’ peace envoys even entered the negotiation hall, things had already soured in Jinluan Palace. The civil and military officials were stunned and exchanged bewildered looks.

Marquis An Yuan remarked to Marquis Zhenbei, "Look at that temper—remind you of anyone? Ring any bells?"

Marquis Zhenbei, infuriated to the point of wanting to sever ties with his rebellious son, absolutely denied seeing any resemblance. Decades later, he finally understood how much love the Old Marquis Zhenbei had for his younger self, sparing him from being beaten to death.

Xie Zhang quietly asked Xie Jue, "Did you teach him to negotiate like this?"

Xie Jue replied, refusing to take the blame, "No, I didn’t."

Though the talks ended on a sour note, the outcome was better than Xie Jue had expected. He wondered what the Eastern Palace’s next move would be.

After court adjourned, Emperor Jianming privately summoned Marquis Zhenbei.

In Yangxin Palace, Emperor Jianming met with Marquis Zhenbei. The verbal clash earlier between Xie Xun and Dugu Jing during morning court had not concerned him much. He handed Marquis Zhenbei a confidential report from Jiangnan.

"A year ago, Jiangnan officials were found colluding with merchants, seizing farmland from the common people. I have dispatched three successive inspectors, but none of them have unearthed any evidence. I suspect there is something deeply wrong within the Jiangnan administration. So, the Jinyi Guard was privately sent to Jiangnan to investigate. It turns out that not only are officials collaborating with noble families to annex civilian farmlands and exploit the people, but some Jiangnan officials are secretly trading with Sannan, transporting iron and copper from Yanyang into Jiangnan to amass profits. Over the past two months, iron and copper from black markets have been frequently shipped into Sannan, with checkpoints along the way functioning as mere formalities." Emperor Jianming looked worried. "Yanyang and Beiman have been at war for decades, yet Sannan has been recovering peacefully all this time. Now, their army is strong and well-equipped. After trade began, raw materials have been steadily going to Jiangnan, ensuring Sannan’s forces are prepared for war. Can we be certain they won’t invade our borders? The latest intelligence from the Jinyi Guard indicates Sannan is increasing its troops near our borders. We must remain vigilant."

Regarding administrative matters, Marquis Zhenbei had little understanding. As for Sannan’s troop movement along the border, he had already received intelligence on this. "Your Majesty, while Sannan has indeed been recovering for decades, most of their forces are naval and not skilled in land combat. Marshal Fang’s ten-thousand-strong navy is stationed in Jiangnan. If Sannan were to declare war, Marshal Fang would surely be able to repel any foreign invasion."

Emperor Jianming remarked, "Beiman seeks peace, Jiangnan faces the threat of war... Is it possible that Beiman and Sannan have been colluding all along?"

Marquis Zhenbei froze. "Your Majesty, I have just returned from Ningzhou and am unaware of the current state of affairs in Jiangnan. Has Marshal Fang sent any war updates?"

"Marshal Fang has submitted reports stating there is no cause for concern in Jiangnan."

Inside Yangxin Palace, the lingering fragrance of sandalwood caused Marquis Zhenbei to feel drowsy; he was truly unaccustomed to such incense. Even the main courtyard of his residence seldom used it.

Marquis Zhenbei seemed as if he had never received Marshal Fang’s report. "If Marshal Fang says there is no cause for concern in Jiangnan, then there must be none. Your Majesty need not worry."

The eunuchs attending to them refilled the tea cups with fresh brew and quietly departed.

Emperor Jianming remarked, "I, too, trust Marshal Fang to guard Jiangnan well. However, Sannan moving troops closer to the border raises questions about whether Yanyang should shut down the trade routes. Otherwise, the continuous flow of iron and copper to Sannan is certainly not a favorable development."

Marquis Zhenbei’s heart trembled slightly. While hot-tempered, he frequently listened to Xie Jue’s advice. Still, he was no reckless man. Carefully, he replied, "Your Majesty, Marshal Fang is more familiar with the situation in Jiangnan. You should consult with him. I am unversed in trade matters. If you find it difficult to make a decision, perhaps seek advice from the cabinet."

Shut down the trade routes?

Why ask him? What does the Sannan trade routes have to do with the Marquis Mansion?

Emperor Jianming handed him another report from the Jinyi Guard. Marquis Zhenbei skimmed through it, ten lines at a glance, and his expression grew dark. The iron mined for Sannan’s trade routes came from twelve provinces.

The Su Family’s Trading House!

"The Su Family has deep ties to the Marquis Mansion. While I am unable to make the final decision, I summoned you first to ask—what should be done?" Emperor Jianming sipped the fragrant tea, his tone mild, as though discussing an ordinary matter.

The world claimed Marquis Zhenbei had overshadowed imperial authority for years. In truth, it was a balance of power between Marquis Zhenbei and the noble families that kept the emperor’s authority in check. Xie Yuan was well aware of this.

With empathy, if he were Emperor Jianming and discovered evidence incriminating the Su Family, he would not act rashly either. To first approach the Marquis Mansion for discussion—and with such mildness, no signs of anger visible—only proved that Emperor Jianming had already concluded within his heart that the Marquis Mansion had ruled over the emperor’s seat for years, turning him into little more than a puppet.

Marquis Zhenbei rose and knelt to plead, "Your Majesty, I have loyally guarded our borders for years. Smuggling iron to Sannan is tantamount to treason; I absolutely will not condone it. If Your Majesty uncovers solid evidence, I promise I will show no favoritism."

"Then let us summon the Su Family Patriarch to the Capital City and have the Ministry of Revenue conduct an investigation. What do you say?" Emperor Jianming suggested pleasantly.

Marquis Zhenbei furrowed his brows. Since Feng Shu and Xie Zhang’s engagement, Su Family Patriarch Su Ming had stopped visiting the Capital City. Marquis Zhenbei recalled Xie Jue’s advice that the trade route must not be closed.

Several strategies had been analyzed, and possible outcomes carefully outlined by the Second Young Master Xie before the peace negotiations. The strategies all focused on the peace talks since he preferred not to waste words; Xie Xun would handle those in his stead.

Regarding the issue of the Sannan trade routes, that had been mentioned briefly by Xie Jue right before Marquis Zhenbei came to meet Emperor Jianming. At that moment, Marquis Zhenbei had felt there was more to those remarks. His heart raced wildly.

How had Ting Feng known about the emperor’s intentions to discuss the Sannan trade routes?

Marquis Zhenbei secretly reflected upon this. With Emperor Jianming so outwardly humble, how could he possibly refuse? Refusing would only confirm to himself and the world that Marquis Zhenbei truly overshadowed imperial power, commanding such dominance that even imperial decrees mattered little to him.

If he agreed, Su Ming’s trip to the Capital could entail unforeseen risks.

Feng Shu and Xie Zhang’s wedding—Su Ming was unwilling to attend in celebration.

"Your Majesty, Su Ming has prepared military provisions diligently for years with unwavering loyalty. I deeply believe the Su Family’s Trading House would never engage in smuggling iron. Please allow me to investigate this matter myself!" Though kneeling in humility, Marquis Zhenbei rejected ordering Su Ming to visit the Capital.

Emperor Jianming sneered coldly. Just as the Crown Prince had predicted, Marquis Zhenbei harbored private interests. If his allegiance were solely to the emperor, why would he fear Su Ming traveling to the Capital?

"Very well, as you wish. Rise."

Marquis Zhenbei stood, his expression heavy. "Your Majesty, I have one matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Speak," Emperor Jianming said with warmth, "Whatever my loyal subject requests, I will certainly fulfill."