Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 59 Palace Banquet 2

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Palace Banquet 2

After everyone took their seats, the atmosphere lightened considerably. Fang Lingjun waved at Fengyu and ran over to find her. The Fang Family was seated in the first row to the left, just ahead of the Feng Family. Turning around, Fang Lingjun immediately had eyes on Fengyu. After greeting Feng Changlin and the First Madam, she was about to speak when Xie Xun strode straight toward them.

The movements of the young Marquis were the focal point of the entire room. Fengyu felt a sense of foreboding and sure enough, saw him approaching. "Third Miss, my mother wishes to see you."

He looked down at her, his expression gentle but brimming with undeniable pressure. Under the gaze of the crowd, Fengyu rose calmly and followed Xie Xun to meet the Marchioness.

The strikingly elegant young Marquis and the captivating Third Miss immediately became the center of attention. Though Fengyu had never appeared at palace feasts before, she was not unfamiliar to others. After all, she had been the subject of scandalous rumors—infamously discussed even in the Jinluan Palace. Everyone claimed the Third Miss was vulgar and unworthy, foolish and uncultured.

"This, vulgar and unworthy? Foolish and uncultured?" A dignified and luxurious lady expressed her shock. "Walking alongside the young Marquis, she looks quite demure."

"The Feng Family produces beauties. Each of the girls in the household is even lovelier than the last."

"Su Yuejiao was the most famous beauty in Jiangnan. How could her daughter not be stunning?" Mrs. Wu covered her mouth and laughed. "Were it not for her extraordinary looks, how else would General Wude defy his father’s orders, refusing any bride but her, nearly causing a scandalous elopement?"

The Duchess Marquis An Yuan turned to look at her. "Mrs. Wu, General Wude married his wife through proper matchmakers and ceremonial proposals. Their wedding was a grand event in the Capital City. Before their marriage, there had been no engagement, so where does your talk of elopement come from? The couple fought valiantly together on the battlefield, while you sat back enjoying wealth and comfort in the Capital. Gossiping like this—aren’t you afraid of twisting your tongue?"

Mrs. Wu’s face turned awkward, and she fell silent.

When the Marchioness saw Xie Xun and Fengyu arrive together, her brow arched slightly. Such a harmonious pairing of talent and beauty—truly heaven’s match. Yet how unfortunate that since Shu’er had married the eldest son, Fengyu could no longer marry Xie Xun.

Fengyu had always liked the Marchioness. When she had inhabited Xie Xun’s body, her interactions with the Marchioness had been delightful. Seeing her again now brought a wave of familiarity. With a radiant smile, she paid her respects, and the Marchioness, with a kind demeanor, held her hand and seated her by her side. She didn’t mind the prying eyes of others. "Ayu truly is a budding beauty. Two years apart, and you’ve matured into someone even more striking. I heard you were injured during the archery feast; are you doing better now?"

She brought up the archery feast openly, with Minister Lin’s family seated just behind her to the left. Lin Xiao’s gaze was dark as he looked at Fengyu. Mrs. Lin shot him a warning glance, silently cursing Fengyu as a seductress who had harmed her daughter and bewitched her son, leaving him in a daze. Lin Xiao withdrew his gaze, downed three cups in a row, his chest aching as though pierced by needles.

"Madam, the wound is healed," Fengyu replied with warm courtesy. The golden hairpin the Marchioness wore was one of her designs—solemn and exquisite, complementing her regal elegance. The beaded floral ornament was also of Fengyu’s design, and her eyes shone brightly upon seeing her work adorned by someone. It filled her with pride and satisfaction, as though meeting a kindred spirit.

"I’m glad you’re healed. We’ll have Xie Xun send some nourishing supplements to the Feng Mansion so that you can take proper care of yourself. Ayu is clever and considerate, well-versed and composed. Pay no mind to the gossips. If anyone bothers you, feel free to put them in their place. Should anything happen, our Marquis Mansion will back you up." The Marchioness caressed her face affectionately and gave her a gentle pinch. "Once your elder sister is back home, come visit our Mansion with her."

"Yes, Ayu understands," Fengyu responded tenderly. "Sister wrote in her letter that she would certainly arrive home before the Lantern Festival. Once she returns, Ayu will accompany her to the Mansion to pay respects to you. I heard you enjoy Jiangnan’s apricot blossom cakes. A chef from Jiangnan is currently at our residence—Ayu will bring you a box to try."

"How did you know I enjoy apricot blossom cakes?"

Xie Xun raised his brows, his smile laced with irony as he regarded her. This black-hearted lotus could captivate others effortlessly if she chose to act the part. Fengyu glanced at him sideways, their eyes briefly meeting before disengaging. She caught the mockery within his gaze but calmly replied, "Sister mentioned it, Ayu always remembered."

Ayu is such a thoughtful child." The Marchioness beamed, the two engaged in lively conversation without evading the judgmental eyes of onlookers. The Marquis Zhenbei Mansion had long been known for fiercely protecting its own—whether it was the Marquis himself or Xie Xun, no one dared provoke them. When Shu’er was in the Capital, she frequently visited the Mansion. Though Xie Xun held the title of young Marquis, everyone in the household acknowledged that Xie Zhang was the rightful Heir of Marquis Zhenbei. The Marchioness treated him like her own son, and Xie Xun had never shown any desire to rival his elder brother.

The Marchioness adorably defended even her daughter-in-law’s younger sister. "This is Xie Xun—just treat him as if he were your elder brother. If you need anything, seek him out and don’t worry about inconveniencing him."

Xie Xun chuckled derisively, his gaze instinctively falling on the coral beads adorning her wrist. The Marchioness turned toward him. "Do you have an opinion?"

"Wouldn’t dare!" Xie Xun sat up straight, leaning into the implication. "Little Sister Ayu is wonderful. If there’s trouble, come to me—never worry about being a bother."

Just bring food!

His expression was both deep and intense, his eyes inherently alluring, as if he were staring longingly at a lover—even when it was merely a tree. Ordinary women would likely swoon under his captivating gaze, but Fengyu inwardly mocked him for being a flirt. That casual "Little Sister Ayu" sent shivers down her spine in its insincerity. Anyone could be nauseating if they chose to be; she smiled sweetly while bowing. "Greetings, Brother Zhixu."

Xie Xun: "..."

"You even know Xie Xun’s courtesy name?" The Marchioness raised her brows. A mother knows her son best, and she couldn’t help wondering if Xie Xun and Fengyu were already acquainted.

Xie Xun mused inwardly: Mother, she’s even aware of how many moles your son has. Fengyu chuckled softly and explained, "Sister had told me."

"Aunt is so partial. Whenever I go to seek help from Cousin, you never allow it. How is it that you encourage Cousin to handle her matters instead?" A young girl clad in pale violet winter attire commented in dissatisfaction. Her beauty and grace carried a confident edge—she was Lin Yunong, the legitimate daughter of Elder Lin’s second son.

The Marquis Zhenbei Mansion was seated next to Elder Lin’s family. Elder Lin had reported illness and remained at home, but his eldest son Lin Hongyuan and second son Lin Hongcheng had brought their wives along. Lin Yunong was Lin Hongcheng’s legitimate daughter.

The Marchioness chuckled, "She is soft-spoken and timid, often bullied by others. I only asked Xie Xun to look after her. You ought to be more considerate rather than pick on others!"

"Aunt!" Lin Yunong pouted, "You’re just biased."

"Ayu is kind and endearing, and with her parents absent, why shouldn’t I favor her more?" The Marchioness smiled warmly. Fengyu affectionately poured her tea, only making the Marchioness increasingly fond of her delightful demeanor.

Lin Yunong had grown up pampered like a star surrounded by the moon, cultivating an attitude befitting a young mistress. She rarely looked down upon others or deliberately caused trouble. In fact, when Lin Yuyan’s bullying of Fengyu went too far, Lin Yunong would step in and admonish her. At the Imperial College, Fengyu and Lin Yunong had little interaction, and Lin Yunong was disinclined to associate with girls of lower social standing like Fengyu.

Fengyu glanced toward the Lin Family’s seating area, where Lin Yunong was the only junior present. Lin Hongyuan’s eldest legitimate daughter had married into the Eastern Palace, becoming the Crown Princess Consort. His second daughter was not yet eight years old. His eldest legitimate son Lin Helin, who had achieved the rare accolade of ranking first in three major examinations, had been known as a prodigy since childhood. He lived a reclusive lifestyle, seldom seen even after attaining such honors. Instead of entering Hanlin Academy, he chose to travel across the land, hiking and sightseeing. Rarely in the Capital City, he had reached the age of twenty-three this year yet remained unmarried. Despite matchmakers practically breaking down Lin Family’s door, they showed no urgency in the matter.