Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 87 No Money

Chapter 87: Chapter 87 No Money

Nuanyang heard Chunlu mention asking the young miss, which meant that even a little maid understood that Miss Feng San could lend out one million taels. It was almost certain, and he felt so envious he wanted to cry. Comparisons are maddening—how could the master end up looking like a beggar next to her?

Fengyu, burning with fever and dazed, upon hearing Chunlu say the young Marquis wanted to borrow one million taels, sat bolt upright despite her illness. "How much?"

"One million taels," Chunlu dared not hide it and showed her the promissory note. The young Marquis had signed it, stamped with the seal of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. Fengyu immediately refused, "Not lending!"

She had been providing medicine, clothing, and grain for the northern city, aiding in post-disaster reconstruction every year, helping them through tough times. She was a merchant, driven by profit, and had already done enough by offering so many resources for free. Her conscience was clear. The noble families were wealthier, and she wasn’t the only rich merchant; why should she single-handedly bear the burden of saving lives?

"Nuanyang said the Marquis Mansion has substantial wealth and will surely repay the money."

"You listen to him making empty promises. The young Marquis is proud and lofty; if the Marquis Mansion were truly rich, why would they borrow from me? This money will most likely never be repaid." Though feverish and disoriented, Fengyu hadn’t lost her wits. Frustration welled up and made her cough until her face flushed red, and Qiuxiang desperately tried to calm her, fearing she might cough up blood.

Chunlu took her orders and prepared to leave, but Fengyu called her back. Miss Feng San’s feverish face was flushed, her eyes bloodshot and red as if she had cried. Qiuxiang lovingly offered her two sips of ginseng tea. Leaning weakly against Qiuxiang, Fengyu murmured, "The post-disaster reconstruction in the northern city doesn’t cost that much. Lend him fifty thousand taels—tell the young Marquis I’ll charge interest."

The Marquis Zhenbei Mansion carried a prestige akin to gold. Yet she had crossed paths with the Third Prince, killed Imperial Uncle Lv, and crippled Duke Ning. Though her actions were seamless, trouble could arise someday. Lending fifty thousand taels to earn Xie Xun’s favor seemed like an acceptable deal. If she needed Xie Xun to handle something in the future, she could then ask confidently.

At the Kyoto Capital Guard Office in the northern city, Xie Xun held the fifty thousand taels silver note, incredulous. "She’s even charging interest?"

This is disaster relief money, and she demanded interest—as if she dove straight into a pile of silver.

Chunlu attempted to explain, but Nuanyang laughed aloud, saying, "Charging interest is proper. Repaying money ought to include interest, isn’t that right?"

Nuanyang cast Xie Xun a meaningful glance—whether the young miss was loan sharking or not was irrelevant; they didn’t have the means to repay anyway. Interest or not, it didn’t matter. The silver was in hand; if they could cheat once, why not?

Zhang Boxi went to solicit funds from the younger generation of noble families. Though regarded as outcasts within their clans, these scions still held personal assets. Many were willing to contribute, having witnessed the devastation in the northern city firsthand. Zhang Boxin, a maestro of persuasion, leveraged his eloquent tongue to gather over thirty thousand taels.

Xie Xun rarely praised Zhang Boxin, saying, "Well done!"

Generals always appreciated soldiers who followed commands effectively. Zhang Boxin grinned foolishly, wiping rain off his face. "Young Marquis, if there’s anything else you need, just give the orders. If the court won’t take care of them, we will!"

During the respite, the Kyoto Capital Guards gathered to await commands, contributing in both monetary and physical effort. Xie Xun surveyed the disheveled troops, dressed in straw raincoats amidst the snowstorm—these were the Kyoto Capital Guards everyone referred to as a chaotic ragtag group, spurned by all. Even Xie Xun had held his prejudices against them.

But in the face of the blizzard, most of the Guards still followed orders, undeterred by the storm.

"What are Kyoto Capital Guards? They are individuals who, through three hundred and sixty days a year, wield their swords and ride tirelessly. They do not question the future but protect thousands of households with unwavering resolve. They embody the hopes of countless common folk. Even if the path forward is filled with peril—mountains of blades and seas of flame—you and I must lie down to pave a safe road for them. That is the essence of the Kyoto Capital Guards. Do you understand?" Xie Xun’s voice pierced the snowstorm and lodged firmly in the hearts of every Kyoto Guard.

"Understood!" Layers of echoes burst forth across the northern city, binding all the Guards into a single cohesive force against the snowstorm.

With one snowstorm, the young Marquis secured his footing within the Kyoto Capital Guards.

Lin Xiao observed Xie Xun through the storm. His eyes shone with light—part awe, part admiration. At last, he understood why the Northern Iron Cavalry had been loyal to the Marquis Mansion for so many years.

Three generations of Marquis Zhenbei had served steadfastly for the people, tireless and devoted. If he were a soldier, even he would willingly follow such a general.

The news of Xie Xun using fifty thousand taels of personal funds quickly spread among the Kyoto Capital Guards. The younger members of the noble families genuinely respected him—having grown up in the Capital City, they recognized how difficult it was for the court to supply Ningzhou with grain. The Marquis Mansion’s wealth had been used to sustain the Northern Iron Cavalry. For them, contributing money merely meant surrendering pocket change, but the young Marquis’s fifty thousand taels were his private reserves, his bottom-line savings.

Who wouldn’t admire such a leader who faced calamity head-on and refused to shirk his responsibilities? The Kyoto Capital Guards grew fervent, united as one.

Fengyu remained gravely ill for three days. Her fever brought nightmares, robbing her of restful sleep. Qiuxiang stayed by her side and red-eyed from exhaustion.

When Fengyu’s fever finally receded, Chunlu returned as well. Though extreme weather struck the Capital every year, it often passed quickly. In the past few days, hail hadn’t caused significant damage, and the blizzard had subsided. The affluent young Marquis was now calmly directing the Kyoto Capital Guards in post-disaster reconstruction.

The disaster was essentially under control. The Kyoto Capital Guards earned nationwide praise during this snowstorm, reversing their reputation under the decisive leadership of the young Marquis. Thousands worked tirelessly day and night in the northern city, and the reputation of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion rose even further. Fengyu chuckled softly, "After the snowstorm, he’ll have a headache."

"Miss, what are you saying?"

Fengyu chuckled lightly. "Nothing. How are Lady Liu and her child?"

"Lady Liu faced postnatal dangers, but Doctor Zhou arrived in time, and she’s no longer at risk. The merchant guild sent over firewood and grain, and the child is healthy as well," Chunlu said smilingly. "The Kyoto Capital Guards have taken over the northern city. Miss, rest and recover. We’ll handle the rest when you’re well again."

Fengyu finally relaxed, focusing on her recuperation. Old Mrs. Feng, knowing Fengyu had always cared for the Six Cross Street’s elderly, infirm, and children, never objected to her actions. Fengyu performed these deeds without seeking recognition, avoiding any mention of Miss Feng San’s contributions to relief efforts in the northern city. This time, all the credit went to the Kyoto Capital Guards.

At court, in the Jinluan Palace.

Emperor Jianming specifically praised Xie Xun for the Kyoto Capital Guards’ outstanding performance during disaster relief, their reputation transformed. The Emperor mused that the men of the Marquis Mansion were naturally adept at leading troops, turning an unruly faction into an organized force in a short time—truly admirable.

"Xie Xun, you contributed wealth and effort to disaster relief—truly a model for the officials. I hear you even used fifty thousand taels from your personal funds?" Emperor Jianming spoke warmly, surprised when Chen Mo had brought it up earlier. That the Marquis Mansion could produce fifty thousand taels at once was unexpected.

Xie Xun replied, "Your Majesty, those fifty thousand taels came from selling ancestral property without informing my father. When he returns to court, he’ll break my legs—please speak kindly of me then. I had no choice; we truly have no money."

The court officials, "..."