Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 62 Forced Marriage

Chapter 62: Chapter 62 Forced Marriage

Emperor Jianming decreed the marriage of Second Princess Huaying to Lin Cheng, bringing immense honor to Minister Lin’s Family, who knelt down to receive the decree. Princess Huaying, born to Noble Consort Li, is seventeen this year—just at a suitable age for marriage—gentle and virtuous. When Noble Consort Li was a concubine at the Prince Manor, Princess Huaying was rarely seen by Fengyu, as the distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate offspring were clear-cut, and children born of concubines seldom left their courtyards.

Following the marriage decree, the court officials offered their congratulations, lauding the match as one of unparalleled beauty and talent, a union blessed by the heavens. Praise flowed endlessly, and Minister Lin’s Family became the center of attention.

Fengyu noticed Madam Lin’s indignation but felt oddly calm. The scandal involving Lin Yu Yan had created a sensation in the whole city, leading to Minister Lin being demoted by one rank and becoming the laughingstock of the officials. It was surprising for Fengyu to see the Lin family attending today’s palace banquet, assuming they were there under Elder Lin’s favor, only to realize it was for the marriage decree.

Emperor Jianming had first delivered a proverbial slap to Minister Lin, then sweetened the blow with an honor—marrying a princess was unparalleled recognition. It showed that Minister Lin had not lost the Emperor’s favor.

Xie Xun wasn’t surprised; the current Emperor excelled at balancing power. Minister Lin, as Emperor Jianming’s sharpest tool, would be a pity to discard. If he were still of use, there would naturally be rewards to entice loyalty.

Madam Lin and Second Mrs. Lin exchanged glances, both taken aback. Minister Lin’s wife had never mentioned this matter. For outsiders, marrying a princess was an honor, but for the Lin family, not necessarily so—they already had their eldest legitimate daughter wed into the Eastern Palace; no further royal marriage was deemed necessary.

Princess Huazhen glanced at the seating of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, her cheeks flushed. Rising to her knees, she said, "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, your daughter has a heartfelt wish, and I beg your approval, Father and Mother."

"Huazhen!" The Empress’s expression changed, veins pulsing in restraint as she struggled to suppress her anger.

Consort Xie, entertained by the unfolding drama, smiled and asked, "The eldest princess, blessed with all the affection in the world, what wish could remain unmet that she would need the Emperor’s approval?"

Princess Huazhen, having grown up in Ningzhou, was spirited and possessed the warmth of Ningzhou women. Proficient in both literature and martial arts, she was Emperor Jianming’s cherished gem.

"What does Zhen’er wish for?" Emperor Jianming asked with a smile.

"Huazhen admires Xie Xun. I ask Father Emperor to grant marriage between us," Princess Huazhen’s words shocked all present. Fengyu, seated far off, couldn’t discern the words of the kneeling princess but acutely sensed the surrounding tension. Instinctively, she glanced at Xie Xun—the young marquis’s expression was colder than the snow, with eyes filled with ruthless intensity.

Consort Xie, initially gleeful at the spectacle, found herself caught off guard. She regretted her reaction, silently cursing the princess. Princess Huazhen, how could you have such audacity!

Fortunately, Princess Huazhen was highly favored and seated close to the throne. Only the imperial family and families of first-rank nobles nearby overheard her words. Everyone wished they could block their own ears.

Emperor Jianming’s smile faded slightly. "Huazhen, marriage is decided by parents; cease this foolish talk!"

"Father Emperor, I am Princess Yanyang, why can’t I marry the one I love?" Princess Huazhen had long admired Xie Xun, who gained fame in his youth. Growing up in Ningzhou, she had a natural admiration for generals on the battlefield. Moreover, the young marquis’s unparalleled elegance and brilliance captured the hearts of countless women.

The animosity between the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion and the imperial family was deep-seated. Princess Huazhen believed marrying into the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion would simultaneously bring them under control and ease the tension—killing two birds with one stone, an unquestionably advantageous move.

Consort Xie sneered, reflecting on the stark differences between Princess Huazhen and Princess Huaying. Huazhen, as a legitimate princess, had been raised with a domineering and willful attitude. Whatever she liked and chose, she would seize at all costs.

The Third Prince, slightly drunk after consuming two bottles of clear wine, sneered, "Sister, you want to marry, but does he want to marry you?"

Princess Huazhen responded confidently, "If the Emperor commands the marriage, could he dare defy it?"

Emperor Jianming secretly hoped to marry Princess Huazhen to Xie Xun. Having a princess marry into the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion was an extraordinary strategy—far more potent than Lin Yushu’s union with the Eastern Palace in maintaining control. Princess Huazhen represented not merely an alliance but a watchful eye constantly surveilling the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s actions, making it easier to suppress their influence.

The Empress had already used the Crown Princess Consort as an intermediary to discreetly probe Marchioness Zhenbei’s thoughts, but the Marchioness politely declined the proposal.

"Xie Xun is already a ruined man, unworthy of a princess. Please, Your Highness, find a more suitable match," said the Marchioness, rising in refusal before Emperor Jianming could speak.

"I don’t mind!" Princess Huazhen turned and looked at Xie Xun. "The young marquis’s leg injury can be healed over time. In my heart, he’ll always be the great hero defending Yanyang."

The Marchioness felt profoundly uneasy, fearing Emperor Jianming might indeed issue the decree, compelling the Marquis Mansion to resist—again disrespecting imperial authority, just as when Xie Yuan refused to marry Consort Xie years ago.

Princess Huazhen was fearless. Back when Xie Junhua was married, Marquis Zhenbei Xie Yuan also defied the imperial decree. Yet Consort Xie joined the palace as the Noble Consort anyhow. Power doesn’t yield easily—it’s the Yuwen Family’s sovereignty.

Lin Hongyuan and Lin Hongcheng exchanged glances and said nothing, though they had previously advised the Marchioness to consider accepting the union. Marrying Princess Huazhen—a legitimate, highly cherished princess—into the Marquis Mansion would achieve a harmonious balance between the imperial family and the Marquis Mansion, benefiting both sides.

Feng Ling and Feng Wan were chatting about the delightful palace desserts, indulging in a few extra bites. Fengyu, however, sensed the shifting atmosphere. Despite the music and dances continuing, a sharp tension pervaded the forefront. Princess Huazhen’s forceful assertion made her determination unmistakable.

The Marchioness brimmed with anger as Xie Xun rose to his feet, his expression cold and aloof. "The princess’s favor is undeserved and should not be refused. However, I am destined to marry the one I hold dear, and that person is not the princess. Still, as a subject, I dare not defy an imperial decree. Even if my heart belongs elsewhere, if the Emperor commands the marriage, I will permit myself to be branded a heartless man."

Emperor Jianming’s face darkened considerably. Should Xie Xun and Xie Yuan—as they did years ago—firmly resist such a marriage decree, all present officials would witness the Marquis Mansion’s bold defiance of the imperial order.

But Xie Xun did not resist outright. He simply stated he already had someone he loved, and not the princess. Loyalty between sovereign and subject remained intact; however, should Emperor Jianming force the marriage, he’d only make Xie Xun a heartless victim—confirming the imperial family’s oppression of the Marquis Mansion in plain view.

Emperor Jianming dared not enact such a decree, confirming publicly a breach of decorum that would diminish imperial authority.

Xie Junhua, tears streaming down her face, gazed at Xie Xun, recalling a past veiled in darkness and anguish. Her heart ached deeply. She too had once loved someone, her father had once resisted an imperial decree.

The result was her beloved’s death in Huangquan and the rivers of blood shed by the Northern Iron Cavalry.

History was repeating itself.

She bit her lips in anguish, nearly breaking her teeth in rage.

Princess Huazhen’s face alternated between red and pale. With reddening eyes, she asked, "You have someone you love already? You refuse to be this princess’s husband?"

"Yes."

Princess Huazhen’s disappointment turned to indignation, while Emperor Jianming said coldly, "Huazhen, enough! Stop the nonsense. Marital matters are decided by parents."

Princess Huazhen was unwilling to yield, but the Third Prince mocked her, "Sister, stop embarrassing yourself. He doesn’t want to marry you. An imperial princess has no shortage of suitors; why cling so stubbornly to one man?"

Princess Huazhen stormed off in anger, leaving Emperor Jianming to remark, "Huazhen has been spoiled by me, acting recklessly and presumptuously. Please forgive such impropriety, my lords."

The nearby officials and nobles dared not meet his gaze, each yearning to have missed the dramatic scene entirely. Xie Xun still carried an air of indifferent nonchalance, though agitation brewed furiously within him.