Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 55 Sour Poem

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Sour Poem

After Jiang Yang was humiliated, he couldn’t help but think, if he hadn’t canceled the engagement, he would still be the top scorer with endless silver. Fengyu might be foolish, but she’s pretty enough to be a trophy wife. He could then take several more learned and well-mannered concubines; life would be so beautiful.

"Sister Fengyu, I lost my senses, I mistakenly believed rumors and shouldn’t have canceled our engagement at the Ji meeting. Please forgive me this once," Jiang Yang pleaded genuinely, "I will give you a procession of bridal gifts spanning ten miles and the grandest wedding."

Fengyu raised an eyebrow, surprisingly, given how decisively he broke the engagement, she thought Jiang Yang had found a better match, someone more powerful than the Feng Family to pave his green cloud road.

"Ptui, my young lady has already broken off the engagement with you. You speak nonsense and tarnish her reputation, shut up quickly. Who would want to marry you, shameless as you are," Qiuxiang looked at him with disdain, "Can’t repay debts but can still daydream."

Fengyu was amused by Qiuxiang, while Jiang Yang, originally embarrassed by Qiuxiang’s scolding, thought to himself that once they were married, he would surely teach this ignorant maid a lesson and sell her away. Seeing Fengyu’s smile, he was captivated to the point of blindness; even a fairy was no match. Jiang Yang had never seen a woman more beautiful than Fengyu.

"Lonely lamp not bright, tormented thoughts; draw curtain, gaze at the moon, long sighs; beauty like a flower beyond the clouds, Sister Fengyu, I wish to renew our past bonds, begging you to forgive your brother," Jiang Yang declared earnestly. Whether in Liling or the Capital City, many girls had expressed their feelings to him. Jiang Yang was always surrounded by girls secretly adoring him. He thought that Fengyu, being so foolish yet fond of him, would relent and change her mind with just a few sweet words.

"Miss, what fancy poem is he reciting, something about lonely lamps, something about sighing at the moon, sounds like bad words at first hearing."

Fengyu feigned confusion, "I don’t understand either."

Qiuxiang put her hands on her hips and scolded, "Jiang Yang, you know full well that our Miss hates poetry and literature, yet you recite fancy poems to disgust her. How malicious your intentions!"

Fengyu, "..."

Jiang Yang’s face alternated between blue and white, continuously retorted by Qiuxiang, very embarrassed, he reprimanded Qiuxiang, "I am speaking with Sister Fengyu, please do not interfere."

Qiuxiang mocked, "My young lady doesn’t want to waste her breath on you. Top scorer, be quick and find somewhere cool to stay, don’t block the way."

"Sister Fengyu, please, you must believe my words." Jiang Yang didn’t want to entangle with Qiuxiang, feeling that arguing with a maid was beneath his dignity.

Fengyu chuckled softly, as if she were a peony, stunningly beautiful, she said innocently and tenderly, "I’ve fallen for someone else, what can I do?"

Jiang Yang was shocked, greatly struck, Qiuxiang just felt delighted, "Don’t pester my young lady in the future, and repay the debts soon."

Chunlu, seeing Fengyu not coming out for a long time, went in to find her. Seeing Jiang Yang from afar, she frowned in disgust and walked over quickly. When Jiang Yang came to his senses, he caught up. Chunlu pointed her soft sword horizontally, "Stop, come a step closer, and don’t blame me for being rude!"

Qiuxiang didn’t forget to turn back and spat vehemently, "Bad luck!"

Jiang Yang watched Fengyu’s departing figure, feeling lost and resented Fengyu for being fickle and mercurial. They had just canceled the engagement, yet she already fell for someone else, truly unruly.

Qiuxiang and Chunlu accompanied Fengyu into the carriage, Zhang Da guarded beside them. Fengyu ate the orange peeled by Qiuxiang and lazily asked, "The Little Marquis said that Jiang Yang canceled the engagement because he instigated it from behind. At the time of the engagement cancellation, Jiang Yang should have been fearful and panic-stricken, yet he was arrogant and fearless, more like he found a better match, more powerful than our family. How did he regret it in just a month?"

"Perhaps they no longer want him," Qiuxiang said, "He was just born with a good-looking face, there’s a term, what’s it called, embroidered..."

Chunlu said, "Embroidered pillow."

"Yes, an embroidered pillow, good-looking but useless."

Fengyu couldn’t help but laugh, scholars value reputation above all, and face-saving. Socializing and networking everywhere need money, and there are servants at home. Without support from the Feng Family, Jiang Family’s mother and son are just eating away their fortune, their hard days are yet to come.

After finishing some business at Linlang Pavilion, Fengyu went to the rear of Wangjiang Restaurant and took a seat in a private room.

Wangjiang Restaurant was Fengyu’s enterprise. The manager, surnamed Zhou, belonged to an established restaurant in the Capital City. Three years ago, a family incident needed urgent funds, and he sold the restaurant to Fengyu. Fengyu took over the restaurant but did not dismiss Manager Zhou, giving him a ten percent annual profit share. On the surface, it remained Manager Zhou’s restaurant, but in reality, ownership had changed hands, Fengyu’s insight was sharp; this was the most profitable restaurant in the Capital City.

Manager Zhou, unaware that Fengyu’s injury was fake, prepared light dishes besides the Eight Treasures Duck, which were light yet not bland, very exquisite. After pleasantries, Fengyu said, "Lin Yu Yan has been sent to the manor by the Lin Family. Don’t let restaurant gossip ferment further, let it be."

Manager Zhou chuckled lightly and said, "Understood, I have the measure of this matter, won’t cause you trouble further."

"I’ve always felt assured with your work."

The two exchanged a smile, and Manager Zhou did not disturb Fengyu any further. After he left, Qiuxiang and Chunlu also sat down to dine with Fengyu. The Eight Treasures Duck was a whole duck stuffed with glutinous rice, chestnuts, diced chicken, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, ham, and fresh scallops with a dozen ingredients, marinated and then steamed over a slow fire, tender and delicious, rich and soft, all three masters and servants loved this dish. Wangjiang Restaurant supplied it in limited quantities each month, attracting people flocking in admiration.

The ever-stable Chunlu, even when eating delicacies, showed a broad smile. Fengyu observed them and felt pleased. She did not care for duck meat but loved the fillings inside the duck’s belly. Qiuxiang and Chunlu knew her preferences, digging out the tenderest parts for her. With a small appetite, Fengyu felt quite full after just a small bowl.

While Qiuxiang and Chunlu were enjoying their feast, Fengyu leaned against the window to observe the lively scenes below. This private room had excellent views, even the neighboring Linlang Pavilion could be seen clearly. She saw Wu Changhuan and Zhang Jingmiao’s carriage stop at Linlang Pavilion as they went inside together to select jewelry.

Zhang Da’s voice came through the curtain, "Miss, someone seeks an audience."

"Let them in!"

After Zhang Da entered, he spoke softly, "Miss, Prince Qi wishes to invite you for a meal together."

"Where is he?" Fengyu wondered.

"In the Peony private room." Each room was named after a flower, and the Peony room was to her right. Fengyu got up; Qiuxiang and Chunlu wanted to accompany her. Fengyu said, "You stay here and eat without worry, it’s a restaurant, no harm."

"We will accompany the Miss!" Qiuxiang and Chunlu replied in unison, wiping their mouths with handkerchiefs and rinsing with tea. Fengyu did not insist and took them to see Prince Qi together.

Prince Qi was alone in the private room. He sat by the window, donned in silk robes with a bamboo fan in hand, charming and graceful, elegant and composed. He was the genteel Prince Xian, face full of warmth and friendliness.

Fengyu greeted, "Greetings to Prince Qi."