Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 180 Ambush Kill

Chapter 180: Chapter 180 Ambush Kill

Xie Xun wanted to intervene but knew that the Iron Cavalry desperately needed the Crimson Gauze Armor. "Dugu Jing, you wouldn’t consider facing my Second Brother in a one-on-one duel, would you? That would be a bit unfair."

"Heh!" Dugu Jing sneered, as if he had heard a ridiculous joke. "A duel? Are you insulting me?"

Xie Xun: "..."

Marquis An Yuan pondered silently; the young marquis seemed to be insulting his Second Brother instead. He lowered his voice, "Young Marquis, are you sure you’re not a spy planted by the enemy?"

Xie Xun let his concern cloud his judgment and spoke without thinking. His peripheral vision caught Xie Jue’s expressionless face, making his scalp crawl. Second Brother, I’ll kneel and apologize to you when we get home!

The terms of negotiation were discussed one by one. In truth, Yanyang and Beiman both knew where their bottom lines lay, and the clauses were already clearly defined. Except for killing the Second Young Master, Beiman essentially got everything they wanted.

Marquis An Yuan quietly shared with Xie Xun and Xie Jue, "Dugu Jing must have taken leave of his senses. Just days ago, he swore to kill the Second Young Master without fail. But now, here he is, obediently negotiating."

Xie Jue had dispatched Shadow Guards to monitor Dugu Jing but found no useful leads—aside from street conflicts with Xie Xun, there was nothing peculiar. He had been trying to find evidence of collusion between the Eastern Palace and Beiman but came up empty-handed.

"Failed negotiations would cost him his life. Perhaps he’s afraid," Xie Xun replied with a smile. He knew that Dugu Jing had made trouble for his Second Brother and Fang Chuning again last night, and another conflict had ensued.

His Second Brother, possibly aiming to corner Dugu Jing into an early concession—or perhaps with other motives—bluntly told Dugu Jing that failure in negotiation meant he wouldn’t leave the Capital City alive.

In battle between armies, envoys were not to be slain.

Much less envoys for peace negotiations.

If, amid Beiman and Yanyang’s urgency to cease hostilities, Dugu Jing were killed, it would announce to the world that Yanyang and Beiman were eternal enemies, extinguishing any hope of peace talks.

It would sever the path forward completely, sending a message to armies and civilians throughout the realm: no retreat, no surrender!

This would be a reckless and extreme move.

The terms for negotiation proceeded smoothly, and the entire court celebrated. The finalized document was reviewed by the cabinet and presented to the emperor. From every conceivable angle, the terms were undeniably favorable for Yanyang.

Within the palace, a grand banquet was held to welcome the Beiman envoy. Monarch and ministers shared in the festivities.

Xie Xun remained uneasy about the wager between Dugu Jing and Xie Jue, uncertain what challenge Dugu Jing might propose. During the banquet, after several rounds of drinking, someone mentioned the spring hunt.

The royal family annually observed rites for spring and autumn hunts. Spring and summer were for protecting crops; autumn and winter for consuming game and easing spirits. With Yanyang’s strong traditions in archery and horsemanship, noble scions consistently organized hunts, making it an event widely celebrated throughout the land.

In past years, the spring hunt would commence mid-April. This year, the negotiation scheduled for mid-month caused a delay. But unlike previous years, this one was different—peace negotiations with Beiman had led to Yanyang’s resounding triumph, boosting morale to an unprecedented high. A hunt was exactly what the people needed to channel their fervor.

Beiman soldiers, valorous and capable warriors who hunted fierce tigers and wolves in their homeland, had surprisingly shown interest in experiencing the royal hunt of Yanyang. Dugu Jing expressed hope for his troops to witness Yanyang’s customs firsthand.

Emperor Jianming eagerly agreed.

Preparations for the spring hunt immediately resumed. Originally, all arrangements had been made, with plans to hold the hunt after Beiman’s departure from the Capital City. Now, with Beiman participating, security around the hunting grounds was heightened.

Marquis Zhenbei proposed deploying thirty thousand Iron Cavalry to guard the hunting grounds.

The Crown Prince raised objections, pointing out that royal hunts had traditionally been secured by the Forbidden Army, and did not agree to replace them with the Iron Cavalry. Marquis Zhenbei and the generals argued for the emperor’s safety and stood their ground. After failing to persuade them, the Crown Prince reluctantly accepted joint deployment of Iron Cavalry and Forbidden Army.

Within the Eastern Palace annex, all was silent and oppressive.

The Crown Prince leaned his head on his hand, eyes shut, as Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan stood at attention in tense silence. The palace clock’s water-drip mechanism ticked rhythmically. Despite their public rivalry, Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan shared a mutual anxiety. Locking eyes, each saw their unease reflected in the other. The Iron Cavalry’s deployment was within the Crown Prince’s expectations. Marquis Zhenbei had been testing the limits of imperial authority, yet his actions were entirely justified. The Crown Prince could not interfere, especially since Emperor Jianming had recently been holding late-night discussions with Marquis Zhenbei—showing clear favor and trust.

The Crown Prince was undoubtedly displeased. Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan, contemplating the Crown Prince’s schemes, felt a mix of unease and anticipation. The inclusion of Beiman in the hunt introduced far too many uncertainties.

"Is everything prepared at the hunting grounds?"

"Rest assured, Your Highness. A month ago, before the Beiman envoy entered the Capital City, we had already made all arrangements." Lin Cheng reassured him, "The Beiman’s participation in the hunt was proposed spontaneously during the palace banquet. Even when the Second Young Master sent Shadow Guards to inspect the grounds, they found nothing amiss. There’s no way they could have foreseen that we had planned this well before their arrival in the Capital City."

The Crown Prince’s tone was soft, "This must be foolproof. If there’s any slip-up, don’t expect to live."

"Understood!" Zhang Bolan and Lin Cheng knelt in unison. Zhang Bolan declared, "Your subjects are willing to sacrifice everything for Your Highness, even unto death."

The Crown Prince was deeply satisfied. Zhang Bolan, a son born of a concubine, sought to climb higher. Without loyalty, no matter how outstanding or talented he was, he would never surpass Zhang Boxin.

"Your Highness, Xie Jue is frighteningly intelligent and seems capable of predicting all your moves. If Dugu Jing intends to kill him at the hunting grounds, what if he refuses to engage?"

"Dugu Jing targeting Xie Jue doesn’t concern me." The Crown Prince’s expression turned icy. "What I want is Xie Zhang’s life!"

Alarmed, Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan hurriedly bowed low. "Your Highness, please reconsider!"

Killing Xie Zhang posed far greater complications than killing Xie Jue. Xie Jue, frail and delicate, was an easier target. Xie Zhang, on the other hand, was a young prodigy in warfare—adept at leading troops and unrivaled in skill. A hundred Forbidden Army soldiers might still struggle to subdue him.

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes. Since the start of negotiations with Beiman, he and Xie Jue had been locked in a series of moves and countermoves, struggling for dominance. He had sought to replace Xie Xun as the negotiator, but his wish had failed. He prevented the Iron Cavalry’s entry into the Capital City, yet again his plans were foiled. Xie Jue had dismantled his schemes one by one. Even the deliberate flaws he left behind—to lure Xie Jue into uncovering evidence of his collusion with Dugu Jing—were no match. Xie Jue pressed on, threatening Dugu Jing alongside Fang Chuning, ultimately forcing Dugu Jing to adjust his negotiation tactics. Xie Jue appeared reckless, yet every move flowed seamlessly with calculated ease.

What was his ultimate goal?

Rumors long spoke of this Second Young Master’s baffling, enigmatic methods—calm and unflappable. But no matter how insightful Xie Jue proved to be, he’d never anticipate the Crown Prince’s true intentions!

Xie Jue’s Shadow Guards moved like ghosts, their intelligence networks extending into the palace and court alike. Even away from the Capital City, Xie Jue wielded an intimate grasp of political dynamics. Every step aligned with his aims, as though no plot could escape his foresight.

What a pity—such talent born into a marquisate.

For the spring hunt, a feint would mask the true intent: Beiman sought Xie Jue’s death. Beiman soldiers, however, were merely tools—the Crown Prince’s ultimate aim was Xie Zhang.

"Are you afraid?" The Crown Prince stood, walking toward Zhang Bolan and Lin Cheng, his form eclipsing the light. "I will not mistreat those who serve me well, nor will I force anyone to risk their lives. If fear compels you to withdraw, there’s still time."

Their backs drenched in cold sweat, Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan reflected on the orders they first received—to cooperate with Beiman in assassinating Xie Jue at the hunting grounds, ensuring a single, decisive strike. Yet now, the Crown Prince’s target was revealed to be Xie Zhang.