Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 181 Hunting

Chapter 181: Chapter 181 Hunting

If the two sons of the Marquis Mansion were killed in the hunting grounds, Marquis Zhenbei would surely retaliate like a fierce beast, implicating the entire family, unless they could do it silently.

How is that possible!

Killing such a renowned Great General, how could it be done in silence.

But they already knew the Crown Prince’s plan, if they didn’t act, they wouldn’t leave the Eastern Palace alive today. Although the Crown Prince said he wouldn’t force anyone to risk their life, in truth, if they dared refuse, they would surely die on the spot.

He was more of a ruler who inspired awe without anger than Emperor Jianming.

"I accept the order!" Zhang Bolan kowtowed heavily, "Ready to sacrifice my life."

Lin Cheng also kowtowed, and the Crown Prince bent down to help them up, smiling gently, "You are both my trusted aides. Once I ascend the throne, you will be my trusted ministers as well."

Lin Xiao and Zhang Bolan dared not respond, only hoping the task would be completed smoothly.

"The hunt is imminent, prepare to act."

"Yes!"

After Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan left the Eastern Palace, Zhang Bolan looked troubled, "Why does His Highness want Xie Zhang’s life? He has close feelings with Lin Helin and Lin Yushu, and has even come to see the Crown Grandson with the Marchioness. He is also the future master of the Northern Iron Cavalry. His Highness should be wooing and pleasing him, so why kill him?"

Lin Cheng was even more puzzled than Zhang Bolan. If His Highness wanted to kill Xie Jue, it was understandable. The Crown Prince and Dugu Jing had secret dealings. Dugu Jing wanted to kill Xie Jue, and the Crown Prince cooperated with him, as they had no personal grudge. Although the Crown Prince dreaded the Marquis Mansion, he would never dare to set up a murder. A month ago, when the hunting ground was arranged, no one thought it was to take the lives of Xie Jue and Xie Zhang.

The Marquis Mansion is at its peak, with the Marquis determined to push new policies. The royal family staying out of it and watching the Marquis fight the aristocracy is the best strategy. Even if they didn’t want to stay out, the royal family and the Marquis Mansion should unite to first crush the aristocracy. Why does the Crown Prince take the risk to kill Xie Jue? One is because Dugu Jing requested it, and two, recently Xie Jue sparred with the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince often ended up on the losing side, feeling displeased. But why kill Xie Zhang?

If the plan is exposed, it would intensify the conflict between the Marquis Mansion and the royal family, which would not benefit the Crown Prince at all. If it is for military power, the master of the Northern Iron Cavalry is the Marquis, not Xie Zhang.

Lin Cheng couldn’t grasp the Crown Prince’s plan. He was happy to see Xie Jue killed, but he didn’t want to provoke Xie Zhang.

If Xie Jue died at the hands of Dugu Jing during the hunt, and the peace negotiations were already discussed, even if the Marquis was furious and filled with hatred, for the sake of Yanyang’s people, he would only swallow his hate. Avenging would incite an unending war between the two countries, and the Marquis, who cares for the world, wouldn’t take personal revenge. They could also blame Dugu Jing for it.

But if Xie Zhang died during the hunt, it would surely stir up turmoil. In the Marquis’s rage, none of the Forbidden Army involved could escape, and it might even implicate their families.

Lin Cheng didn’t understand, a simple assassination, why did the Crown Prince have to complicate it.

He had no grievance with Xie Zhang.

This renowned Eldest Young Master of the Xie Family, gentle and courteous, whether meeting the monarch or subordinates, never lost propriety. Even knowing he searched the Marquis Mansion’s stables, Xie Zhang still greeted him with a smile, engaging in usual pleasantries.

Young Lin Cheng, in his immature days, was envious of Xie Zhang, but after coming of age, hearing how he always charged forward on the Ningzhou Battlefield, winning numerous merits, Lin Cheng could only bow in admiration. It was never heard that the Crown Prince bore any grudge against Xie Zhang.

"The Crown Prince desires the Feng Family’s wealth and the military power of the Marquis Mansion. He doesn’t dare to touch even the Feng Family, and with the Marquis Mansion at its peak, if His Highness makes a move against it, the time isn’t ripe. Isn’t he... isn’t he afraid of the Marquis Mansion’s retaliation?"

"Zhang Bolan, you and I have worked together for many years, having had disputes and schemes. But this time, we are in the same boat, whether we succeed or fail depends on fate." Lin Cheng felt a chill on his back under the scorching sun.

Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao were also on the list of officials for the hunt, and they could bring their families. This time, nearly all military generals could accompany, and Feng Shu would also go to the hunting grounds with her parents.

The royal hunting ground was at Xiyanshan in the southern suburbs, and the entire mountainous area was included in the hunting grounds. To demonstrate Yanyang’s strength before the Beiman, the hunt was organized grandly, larger than in previous years, encompassing two mountainous areas south of Xiyanshan. Fortunately, there were enough cavalry members, so the garrison posed no pressure.

Fengyu said, "Father, Mother, I want to go to the hunting grounds too."

"Ayu, you never liked hunting. The wind is strong in the forest, what if you catch a cold?"

In the Capital City’s hunts, Fengyu had never participated.

"I just want to relax." Fengyu blinked innocently, "If my sister can go, can’t Ayu go too?"

Feng Shu, "..."

"Of course you can go!" Feng Changqing couldn’t resist the pitiful look of his youngest daughter, "Father will teach Ayu how to hunt."

"Father is the best!"

Feng Shu couldn’t help but smile, with the warm spring breeze and the green willow supporting her sister to visit the hunting grounds, to save her from scolding the Young Marquis at home every day. The Young Marquis had recently been working tirelessly for peace negotiations, indeed working hard.

Fengyu heard that Marquis Zhenbei and the third son of the Xie Family would both attend the hunt, along with almost all young nobles from the Capital City aristocracy, making it the largest hunting event in over a decade. Even the Beiman were participating, and Fengyu thought the Beiman were surely going to cause trouble. They openly demanded the life of the Second Young Master on the first day of peace talks, and now participate in the hunt.

In the hunting grounds, killing someone is easy.

Dugu Jing wants to kill Xie Jue, crude and foolish, not fitting the actions of a nation’s general. Many considered Dugu Jing’s actions as a mere bluff to pressure Xie Xun during the talks.

However, Fengyu felt that killing Xie Jue might be Dugu Jing’s main objective in the peace talks.

The Second Young Master, who planned everything flawlessly, what countermeasures would he take?

On the day of the hunt, Fengyu got up early to dress and groom, with Qiuxiang and Chunlu packing the luggage for the three-day hunt, planning to stay overnight at Xiyanshan. They packed the scents Fengyu liked, the pillow she always hugged, her favorite jade bone fan, and her usual entertainment reads. Qiuxiang and Chunlu also packed over twenty outfits, with matching accessories, shoes, and more.

Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao, seeing several large boxes in the courtyard, exchanged looks. Su Yuejiao said, "Ayu, it’s just three days of hunting, you don’t need to bring so many things."

"Is it too much?" Fengyu rested her chin on her hand, reluctantly saying, "Qiuxiang, bring two fewer outfits, don’t be too ostentatious."

"Yes!"

Feng Shu chuckled, "Let her bring them. The tent conditions are basic, and staying a few days, tidying it nicely can make Ayu sleep soundly."

Fengyu beamed brightly, "Sister, you’re the best."

Su Yuejiao was a bit jealous but amused. Feng Changlin had official duties and couldn’t accompany him. Feng Wan was unwell, Prince Duan had to accompany the emperor, and the first madam wanted to take Feng Ling to visit Feng Wan, so they didn’t go to the hunting grounds with them.

After Emperor Jianming and the consorts left the city, the carriages of the major aristocratic families followed closely. Feng Changqing, Su Yuejiao, and Feng Shu rode horses, Fengyu sat in a carriage, lifting the curtain to talk to Feng Shu, with the long convoy stretching back but orderly.