Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 60: Palace Banquet 3

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Palace Banquet 3

The only legitimate daughter in the second family is Lin Yunong, and the legitimate son is merely seven years old. The Lin Family is known for its upright traditions. Though there are concubines in the household, there are scarcely any illegitimate children. Many noblewomen in the capital aspire to marry into the Lin Family, all due to its embodied virtue and the excellence of its offspring.

Second Mrs. Lin said, "Yunong and Fengyu are of similar age, they should interact more frequently. In the future, when the Lin Family holds banquets, we shall invite Fengyu to join for some fun. This child Yuxue is so adorable; no wonder elder sister is fond of her. General Wude is truly blessed—to have two daughters as beautiful as celestial beings. I wonder who might be fortunate enough to marry them."

Fengyu lowered her head, feigning a coy demeanor. Second Mrs. Lin spoke cheerfully and sincerely, seemingly unaware of Fengyu’s tarnished reputation. Lin Yunong refrained from mocking her but displayed a hint of disdain with a cold glance. In her eyes, Fengyu was unworthy of being her friend.

The Marchioness noticed a eunuch approaching and recognized it as a sign that the banquet was about to begin. "Ayu, you should return to your seat for now. Come visit the Marquis Mansion another day; we can have a proper conversation then."

"Yes!" Fengyu rose, bowed to take her leave from the Marchioness, and returned to her seat. Xie Xun gazed at her back, unblinking. She was like a frail willow bending in the wind, with an outward softness akin to a little white rabbit, yet harboring the heart of a lone wolf.

Lin Yunong caught Xie Xun’s gaze and felt a flash of irritation. "Cousin, is Fengyu really that beautiful?"

Xie Xun’s demeanor remained composed, his slender, jointed fingers lightly swirling the wine in his cup as he curved his lips into an enigmatic smile. "Beautiful," he replied.

This was beauty in its truest sense. No matter how spiteful his sentiments towards Fengyu might be, her face, even dressed in plain attire, could not conceal its breathtaking allure. At the banquet, countless enchanted gazes fell upon her.

Lin Yunong seethed with resentment. Lin Xiao’s gaze grew even more inscrutable. He too noticed the many glances cast furtively by the heirs of aristocratic families toward Fengyu. At seventeen or eighteen, young men were yet unable to appreciate the depth or character of women; beauty was their most straightforward stimulus.

When Fengyu returned to her seat, she finally exhaled in relief. Sitting beside the Marchioness had made her far too conspicuous. She could practically feel the intensity of the countless gazes fixed upon her, whether filled with desire or disdain. Ever since her triumphant counter against Lin Yu Yan, she had understood that peaceful days would elude her. Yet, given the alternative of letting Lin Yu Yan have her way, her own outcome would not have been much better. She had merely chosen the lesser of two evils.

A eunuch announced that the Emperor had arrived, prompting everyone to rise and welcome him. Fengyu, along with Feng Changlin and Lady Feng, rose and made obeisance.

As ceremonial music filled the air, Emperor Jianming entered the hall accompanied by an entourage of concubines.

The Empress and Consort Xie flanked him on his left and right side as they entered, followed closely by Princess Consort De, Concubine Li, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Eldest Princess, and the Second Princess.

The room erupted in unison calls of reverence, celebrating his longevity.

Fengyu knelt alongside the others. Emperor Jianming called upon all to rise and be seated. The Feng Family’s seating, positioned a great distance from the throne, rendered his words a muffled haze, barely audible enough to make out pleasantries about reflecting on the year past and looking forward to the one ahead. The past year had not been easy for the Yanyang Dynasty, but this rare year-end celebration allowed the sovereign and his ministers to revel together.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess were seated to the left of the throne, while the Second and Third Princes, along with the two princesses, occupied the right side. The Crown Princess, heavily pregnant and nearing labor, sat with her belly round and prominent. Madam Lin watched her with visible concern.

When the Feng Family was demoted to Ningzhou, Emperor Jianming had still been a vassal king. The Feng Mansion was just across the street from the Prince Manor, separated only by a road lined with apricot and plum trees. Every summer, when the fruits ripened, the princes of the manor enjoyed climbing the trees to pick apricots and plums. The Feng Family, with its many daughters, rarely joined in such mischievous exploits. Eldest brother Feng Wenrong followed every rule and refused to engage in such unruly antics. When Feng Shu noticed Fengyu’s longing gaze, she would have them pick two baskets of fruit for her. The four sisters of the Feng Family often waited beneath the trees, ready to receive the fruits handed down by the Yuwen brothers. Back then, little Fengyu merely followed behind her elder sisters, content to eat.

The apricots and plums of Ningzhou were exceptionally sweet. Once, struck by cravings late at night, her elder sister secretly led her through the side gate to scavenge for apricots. The rustling disturbed Yuwen Heir next door, who had been studying. Concerned Feng Shu might hurt herself climbing, the Heir volunteered to climb the tree and gather apricots for the sisters. However, with limited visibility at night, he inadvertently stepped on a brittle branch, falling and injuring Feng Shu. The vassal king, Emperor Jianming, personally visited to offer an apology.

During childhood, the Feng sisters and the Yuwen brothers were quite close. The eldest princess Yuwen Huazhen, Feng Shu, and Feng Wan were of similar age. The side entrances of their mansions were just five meters apart. The children often gathered on that road to play. Summer was undoubtedly their happiest season.

When Fengyu was five, sudden palace upheavals arose, ushering Marquis Zhenbei to escort the Ningzhou Prince into the capital. The status of the prince manor and Feng Mansion shifted dramatically, and their joyful days came to an abrupt end. The daughters of the Feng Family had since grown up, no longer climbing trees and seldom venturing to the streets to play.

Fengyu’s recollection of those days was blurred; she had been too young. The Crown Prince and Second Prince preferred the company of Feng Shu and Feng Wan, while the Third Prince also favored the two elder sisters. She and Feng Ling were mere little followers, trailing after their siblings in days filled with fishing in the streams and stealing bird eggs from trees. The children roamed freely under the open skies with no regard for imperial decorum. Ningzhou, with its liberal customs, produced children of vibrant and bold personalities.

The seated officials whispered among themselves. The noblewomen exchanged pleasantries over wine, yet the young men and women adhered strictly to decorum. The feast’s dishes were lukewarm; by the time they arrived from the Imperial Kitchen, some were completely cold. Fengyu merely picked a few fruits and vegetables to eat. The palace had prepared fruit wine for the ladies—sweet and refreshing, just to Fengyu’s liking.

At the center stage, performers danced gracefully, the music’s soft allure painting a scene akin to a time of peace and prosperity. Fengyu admired their fluid movements, inexplicably reminded of Furong Inn’s intoxicating dances and concealed dangers. Her gaze landed on Xie Xun, who lounged lazily, his half-smiling expression locked on the dancers. His seemingly languid eyes radiated charm and indulgence. Fengyu chuckled inwardly—Little Marquis feigned the airs of a libertine, but he was nothing of the sort.

What libertine in the embrace of tenderness would carry such deeply unfathomable eyes?

As the dance ended, civil officials exchanged poetry in a lively literary contest. Fengyu found the occasion tiresome and hoped for its swift conclusion, longing instead for the comfort of her bedroom’s soft pillows and warm blankets.

As she sipped her fruit wine, the chief palace maid beside the Empress descended the steps, walking purposefully toward the Feng Family’s table before announcing with a bright smile, "Her Majesty the Empress summons the three young ladies of the Feng Family to an audience. Please follow me, ladies."

Fengyu froze momentarily. Feng Wan and Feng Ling were equally taken aback. Though this was their second time entering the palace, the Empress had never summoned them before. Lady Feng’s expression betrayed unease, but there was no time to offer her daughters any guidance, as they had already risen to follow the palace maid.

Feng Wan, Fengyu, and Feng Ling followed the palace maid in order to the throne’s front, where they knelt to greet the Empress. The Empress, radiating kindness, addressed them warmly, "It has been ten years since I last saw you. You have all grown into fine young ladies. Do you still remember me?"

Feng Wan lowered her gaze, replying softly, "Your Majesty embodies both beauty and virtue, a guiding light of the realm. We daughters of Feng often reminisce about you, not forgetting even for a day."

"I often think of you as well," the Empress laughed lightly, "I recall the apricot and plum trees in front of your mansion and the laughter you shared under the trees with the Crown Prince, the second and third princes, and Huazhen." Then turning to Princess Huazhen, she continued, "Huazhen, do you still remember your childhood companions?"