Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 51: Revenge

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Revenge

"If you keep babbling nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart." Lin Xiao charged forward to hit her again but was stopped by Lin Cheng. Lin Yu Yan, frightened by Lin Xiao’s fierce gaze, hid in Mrs. Lin’s arms.

The young man had a sharp and lethal expression, like an avenging Asura. Lin Yu Yan trembled in fear, feeling both aggrieved and resentful. It was all Fengyu’s fault. Everything was Fengyu’s doing—even her most doting brother was now protecting Fengyu.

"Enough!" Mrs. Lin bellowed sternly. "Do you think the house isn’t chaotic enough? All of you, shut your mouths. Return to your courtyards immediately, and no one is allowed to leave without my permission."

Fang Lingjun had stayed at Fengyu’s residence for several days, but Mrs. Fang urged her to return home. Though Lingjun wished to stay longer, she couldn’t bear leaving her mother alone. Fengyu prepared a cartload of Jiangnan specialties for her to take back. Whenever Fang Lingjun visited, Fengyu ensured she never left empty-handed and had closely learned the Fang Family’s preferences. Every gift was tailored to their liking.

Just after seeing off Fang Lingjun, Mrs. Lin paid a visit. Zhang Da, who had returned to Feng Mansion after hearing about Fengyu’s troubles, had been keeping an eye on the front courtyard. "Mrs. Lin first visited Madame Feng, but after being politely declined, she must have said something because the matriarch herself stepped in to receive her. They’ve been talking for nearly an hour."

Qiuxiang added, "Chunlu and I wanted to eavesdrop, but Mrs. Rong guarded the courtyard tightly, not allowing anyone to approach. We truly couldn’t get any information."

Fengyu seemed thoughtful but remained calm, replying lightly, "Grandmother will come here after she meets with Mrs. Lin."

Just as Fengyu predicted, the matriarch visited Meiyuan after sending off Mrs. Lin. Fengyu had earlier instructed the maids to prepare pear soup to soothe and cool the temper. When the matriarch arrived, she still carried a fiery demeanor. Chunlu, perceptive as always, promptly presented the pear soup. Fengyu smiled and said, "Grandmother, don’t be angry. Have some pear soup to calm yourself."

The matriarch dismissed the pear soup, saying, "Do you know why Mrs. Lin came?"

"Failing both threats and bribes, could they have seized some leverage against us?"

The matriarch and Feng Changlin had discussed before—Lin Yu Yan must face consequences for this matter. As long as she served her sentence, the issue would be resolved. But the Lin Family had resisted, leaving the matter at an impasse.

If Minister Lin had leverage against Feng Changlin, jeopardizing his career, Fengyu would consider reconciliation. The squabbles of young ladies couldn’t be allowed to affect the family’s honor and prosperity. Feng Changlin was an upright official and had already risen to the rank of third-tier Assistant Minister of Ministry of Personnel—not merely some insignificant official easily swayed by Minister Lin.

"You spent the night with Lin Xiao, just the two of you, at the manor. Mrs. Lin is using this as a pretext to stir trouble." The matriarch’s expression grew darker, but Fengyu, upon hearing this, actually sighed in relief. The matriarch continued, "First, she invoked Lin Xiao’s act of saving your life, asking you to show mercy. When I refused, she threatened your reputation. The scandal with Jiang Yang has already spread disgracefully—isolated incidents with Lin Xiao would extinguish any remaining dignity your name holds. Her weapon is indeed my weak spot."

"What does she want?" Fengyu asked.

"She hopes for reconciliation, that you’ll admit the incident was youthful horseplay and that Lin Yu Yan had no intention to harm you, turning big matters into small ones, and small matters into nothing," the matriarch explained. "How do you feel about this?"

"Why must a woman marry in this world?" Fengyu was not one to compromise easily. "My reputation may be irreparably damaged, but if she thinks she can control me using it, she will find herself disappointed. I have wealth, land—I can live well my entire life."

"Yu’er, you are not alone. Behind you stands our entire family. When you were humiliated and hurt, the whole family was in pain and determined to seek justice for you. But the Lin Family—paramount among aristocratic families, revered and feared—remains unyielding. If the stalemate continues, one day, two days, it may not matter. But if prolonged, your uncle’s career could be hindered, your aunt outmaneuvered, your elder brother blocked from promotion. The marriages of sisters within our household may also be affected. Will they still feel sympathy for you, or will resentment grow?" The matriarch spoke softly. "Through this ordeal, Lin Yu Yan’s future prospects are already grim. If she seeks to fight you to mutual destruction, what then? I understand you are hurt and unafraid of reputation. But someday, when I pass away, your parents will also depart. You need the family’s protection, Yu’er. In my view, Lin Yu Yan has learned her lesson; further entanglement is unwise. Her behavior will inevitably lead to trouble someday. Let us watch and wait."

"I will follow Grandmother’s advice." Fengyu answered obediently.

"Then I will reply to Mrs. Lin, requesting she bring Lin Yu Yan to apologize to you personally to close this matter. Is that acceptable?"

Fengyu’s eyes misted over. She understood her grandmother had done everything within her power to seek justice for her. Lin Yu Yan’s reputation was ruined, and if the Lin Family truly wished to protect her from serving her sentence, public outcry would still leave their room for maneuver limited. The Feng and Lin Families were worlds apart—compromise was inevitable.

"For the sake of Lin Xiao saving my life, I can agree to reconcile."

Fengyu also realized that prolonging the matter would only make her position worse. Without concrete evidence that Lin Yu Yan intended to harm her, the Lin Family could only work on tarnishing her reputation. By handling this matter diplomatically, others would see that the Lin Family was abusing its power. Reputation was everything to aristocratic families like theirs—Lin Yu Yan’s future suffering would far surpass what she faced today.

Lin Yu Yan was reluctant to visit Feng Mansion to apologize, throwing tantrums at home. It was Elder Lin who, upon hearing of this, summoned Minister Lin to his residence and firmly demanded the couple bring Lin Yu Yan to apologize, whether through pleading or bowing. The matter must be settled, and following the apology, Lin Yu Yan would be sent to a manor to reside for a year or two to temper her character.

Lin Yu Yan caused uproar at home, but after Elder Lin’s order, she dared not defy him. Begrudgingly, she accompanied Minister Lin and Mrs. Lin to apologize. Fengyu, officially claiming severe injuries, did not appear in public. Instead, Feng Changlin and Madame Feng received the visitors. Minister Lin personally apologized to Feng Changlin, promising strict disciplinary action for Lin Yu Yan and sending her to a manor for several years to demonstrate their sincerity.

Although agreeing to reconcile, Fengyu had no intention of letting the Lin Family off lightly. She sent Zhang Da to speak with the shopkeeper of Wangjiang Restaurant, spreading rumors within the establishment about Lin Yu Yan’s attempted murder and Minister Lin’s aggressive stance, while insinuating the Ministry of Justice’s hesitation to prosecute.

Wangjiang Restaurant was the largest in the Capital City and a gathering place for scholars across the nation. As the rumors spread among the patrons, public outrage ensued. Scholars, indignant, decried the injustice: how the Lin Family, despite a history of defending the borders, was incapable of safeguarding their own daughter. Accusations mounted against the imperial court for disregarding human life and dishonoring those who defended the nation’s frontiers—violating the law with impunity. These scholars, versed in eloquence, wielded their words like weapons.

The matter eventually reached Emperor Jianming’s ears.

Minister Lin’s reputation suffered irreparable damage. Xie Xun discreetly directed military generals in court to reopen the military grain case. Additionally, Marquis An Yuan criticized him for failing to raise his daughter properly and abusing power. Under pressure from Emperor Jianming and the cabinet, Minister Lin was demoted one rank and penalized with a year’s forfeited salary.