Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 189: Fortunate

Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Fortunate

"Good!" Dugu Jing’s heart surged with excitement. Finally, he had the chance to confront Xie Zhang. Like a beast preparing for a fierce hunt, Dugu Jing fixed his gaze on his prey. "Let me make things clear: grappling is a tradition here in Beiman, a test of strength and combat. Since the Eldest Young Master has accepted the challenge, if anything goes wrong in the contest, I take no responsibility."

Xie Zhang smiled politely, his demeanor refined. "Grappling is like war, regardless of fortune or calamity. We share the same resolve—we accept the risks and bear the consequences."

Xie Jue’s brows furrowed slightly. After closing his eyes briefly, he rose and left the table. Both Xie Zhang and Dugu Jing also stood to change their attire. Emperor Jianming chuckled softly, saying, "I’ve heard that General Zhao Wu excels in mounted archery and hand-to-hand combat, rarely meeting defeat. To behold the Great General in action is a great fortune for me."

Xie Zhang held the title of third-rank Zhao Wu General.

The Crown Prince echoed with a compliment as well. "Our Great General is invincible on the battlefield. He will surely defeat the Ninth Prince and bring glory to Yanyang."

The military generals present wore grim expressions. Having been in the army for years, they naturally knew the Beiman people’s incredible physical strength and their prowess in grappling, hand-to-hand combat, and close-quarter weapons. No one stood a chance against them.

The Crown Prince, never having experienced warfare himself, appeared to be praising Xie Zhang but was, in fact, putting him in a dangerous position. The more this distinguished and handsome Great General was elevated, the harder he would fall, leaving him humiliated and ridiculed.

The generals all believed there was no shame in losing to Dugu Jing in a grappling match. They understood just how terrifying the Beiman people’s strength truly was. But the royal court and scholars viewed heroes solely through the lens of victory and defeat.

As a group of young generals stepped forward to offer themselves as challengers, their intent was clear: they didn’t want to see their respected Xie Zhang mocked by the royal court and scholars.

Knowing full well he would lose, Xie Zhang personally stepped forward to accept the challenge, embodying the spirit and honor of the Northern Iron Cavalry.

In the Beiman seating area, someone said something, erupting into a burst of laughter and chatter in the Beiman language. Several generals who understood Beiman slammed their fists on the table in anger, but under the sharp glare from the Marquis Zhenbei, they dared not act out further.

Lin Hongyuan was deeply worried and turned to Lin Hongcheng to ask, "Is Dugu Jing so formidable in grappling?"

"No opponent has ever bested him. There’s no doubt Zhang will lose," Lin Hongcheng replied, his face equally grim. No matter what, Xie Zhang was their nephew. Though their political stances differed, familial ties could not be denied.

"Foolish! Knowing he would lose, why did he accept?" Lin Hongyuan wanted to stop him but knew it was already too late. The expressions on the scholar-officials around him carried a strange mix of fervor and excitement. Lin Hongyuan couldn’t discern whether they hoped Xie Zhang would win or longed for his defeat.

The Crown Prince propped his chin on his hand, his smile deepening as he observed the many convoluted emotions in the air.

Divine being?

Mere ethereal aspirations of the common people.

In times of chaos, heroes arise. The Great General, defending the borders with his golden armor and battle steeds, was revered as a divine figure. People loved him, respected him, and even feared him. They prayed to gods and worshipped deities for his protection, yet they also wished to drag him into the abyss, to watch him fall from the clouds into the mud.

If a hero crumbled into dust, would the world still love him?

The Crown Prince glanced in Feng Shu’s direction. Would you still love him?

Xie Zhang changed into black fitted martial attire, wrapped protective wristbands, and secured his waistband tightly. His outfit was clean and sharp. Feng Shu stood in front of him, adjusting his waistband. Xie Zhang lowered his gaze to look at her. The Second Miss, with skin as pale as snow and hair as dark as the raven’s wing, encircled his waist with her hands to fasten the belt. They were very close. Xie Zhang could hear her quickened heartbeat and softly called her name. "Shu’er..."

Feng Shu looked up at him, her eyes slightly reddened, and cupped his face with her hands, kissing him on the lips. Xie Zhang’s breathing grew unsteady as he held the back of her head with one hand, deepening the kiss.

Their breaths intertwined, their shared love overwhelming them, burning intensely enough to consume each other’s ardor. They desperately tried to give one another the deepest expression of feeling.

Xie Zhang was strikingly handsome, with lips fuller and softer than a woman’s. Feng Shu bit his bottom lip, her nose brushing against his as she suppressed the turmoil in her heart. "Brother, I cannot wait until our wedding day."

Xie Zhang, lost in passion, murmured, "?"

Feng Shu’s hand slid to his waistband, caressing his side as she placed feather-light kisses on his lips. "If you defeat Dugu Jing, we’ll go to the manor and spend our first wedding night there."

Xie Zhang, "..."

"I’ll be your trophy!"

Xie Zhang, "..."

His heart pounded like a wild beast out of control, roaring furiously. Feng Shu blushed deeply; she knew this invitation was bold, even reckless. It broke societal convention, yet in the face of life and death, etiquette was meaningless.

The desire in Xie Zhang’s eyes was so intense it almost seemed tangible. He gently kneaded the nape of her neck and asked hoarsely, "What if I lose?"

"Then you’ll lie still and behave yourself. Don’t move," Feng Shu buried her face in his shoulder. What mattered was that he stayed alive.

"Alright." Xie Zhang hugged her tightly, trying to calm the storm within. Talking about passion before stepping onto a life-or-death stage—it was utterly maddening. He took deep breaths, suppressing his surging emotions, and ruffled her hair lightly. "If we don’t get to bow at the wedding altar, I won’t rest in peace. Don’t worry. I promise I’ll come out unscathed and take you in a wedding carriage with eight bearers."

He knew Feng Shu was terrified of Dugu Jing—she understood that Dugu Jing had come for his life.

Feng Shu accompanied Xie Zhang out of the tent. In the distance, Xie Jue stood waiting for him, dressed in pristine white, tall and graceful like jade. Xie Zhang spoke gently, "Shu’er, the stage is violent. You mustn’t watch the match, alright?"

Feng Shu shook her head lightly, her unwavering gaze fixed on him. Xie Zhang’s heart softened. In truth, he feared Feng Shu would suffer seeing him hurt. He wanted to persuade her again, but at that moment, Dongxue and Xia Zhu rushed over. "Miss, the Third Miss has been found. The young marquis says she has been bitten by a viper and is in grave condition."

"What?" Feng Shu was jolted. She gathered the hem of her dress and dashed toward the Feng Family’s tent. After covering several steps, she turned back to look at Xie Zhang. Xie Zhang waved at her reassuringly, urging her to take care of her sister.

Feng Shu quickly departed with Dongxue and Xia Zhu.

Xie Xun brought Fengyu back to camp and had Zhang Lingzheng dragged over. Zhang Lingzheng had been treating Lin Xiao and the others for bee stings but was pulled over by Nuanyang to check Fengyu’s injury. Fengyu’s venom from the snakebite had spread rapidly. The bitten area was swollen with alternating shades of black and blue. Having missed the optimal treatment window, Zhang Lingzheng found the case extremely difficult. It was Fengyu again!

He had treated Fengyu multiple times and had a growing impression of her: from cruel and ruthless to tragically fated. Now, he only felt that misfortune followed her relentlessly. Of all the people who ventured into Xiyanshan to hunt, how was it that she alone managed to get stung by venomous bees and bitten by venomous snakes?

Fengyu’s body was inherently weak. While others bitten by venomous snakes had a survival rate of tenfold, hers was merely eightfold. Xiyanshan was a hunting ground where predators thrived due to the lack of human presence. Every year, hunts here resulted in various incidents. There were only a handful of venomous snake types, and the imperial physicians always kept antidotes prepared.

Having missed the best treatment window, the venom spread throughout Fengyu’s body, making her condition more critical. Xie Xun’s face darkened. Feng Shu met Xie Xun outside the tent but had no time for greetings as she hurried to check Fengyu’s state.

Unable to guarantee Fengyu’s survival, Zhang Lingzheng said, "The Third Miss has missed the optimal treatment time. Now, everything hinges on her reaction to the antidote. If she can survive tonight peacefully, there might still be a sliver of hope."

Outside the tent, Xie Xun heard these words, his heart pounding wildly. Nuanyang rushed over. "Master, Dugu Jing is challenging the Eldest Young Master at the seating area. They are already grappling."

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