Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 94 The Youth

Chapter 94: Chapter 94 The Youth

Xie Xun heard her voice and turned around. Fengyu had already collided into his arms. Xie Xun, with his tall and upright figure trained in martial arts since childhood, stood firm and held her steadily as she rushed into him, not moving an inch. With a soft and fragrant beauty in his embrace, he was about to tease Fengyu when suddenly, he felt a cold, soft sensation press against his lips. Xie Xun, startled by the chill, pursed his lips and ended up holding her soft, cold ear with them.

The boy’s hot tongue lightly touched—an interplay of fire and ice. His mind momentarily blurred, and he gave a gentle nibble.

"Ah! Pain!" Fengyu’s ear burned as if it had burst open, dripping with searing heat. She cried out in pain, her body trembling all over, letting out an unintelligible moan. Xie Xun froze briefly before hurriedly releasing her ear.

What was he doing!!!

In the dimly lit corridor, the view was unclear, but senses seemed magnified infinitely. Fengyu clearly felt the boy’s scorching tongue and damp kiss. Her heart beat like a drum, frantic and shy. She clumsily grabbed Xie Xun’s lapel as she steadied herself on the stairs.

Looking up, she was confronted by the boy leaning casually against the wall, his pair of fiery, shadowed eyes staring into hers. He rested against the wall, while the oil lamp above flickered uncertainly in the snowy wind. Fengyu dared not meet his gaze yet found herself trapped in the narrow hallway, feeling only the heat of their shared breaths.

The air thickened, sticky like the dampness after a rain, veiled and ambiguous. Fengyu nervously clung to his lapel, crumpling the young Marquis’s official robe.

"I... I..." Fengyu rarely stammered, hurriedly attempting to flee, but misplaced her step. Xie Xun was quick to react, wrapping his arm around her waist as both of them bumped into the wall.

Fengyu grabbed at his belt with one hand, her fingertip brushing against the hilt of his sword. She tilted her head and met his obscure, unreadable gaze. Outside the stargazing pavilion, the distant clamor of dragon boat festivities on the lake seemed faint as though echoing from afar.

Xie Xun’s embrace and breath enveloped her. Fengyu could hear the erratic heartbeat of the boy, then his husky voice breaking the tense silence, "Does the Marquis’s waist feel good to touch?"

Like a shock of electricity, Fengyu abruptly released her grip. Her hand, overwhelmed by nervousness, had been unknowingly stroking and squeezing. A rush of heat shot straight to her scalp, and she felt so ashamed she wanted to leap off the stargazing pavilion.

"I... I didn’t mean it." Fengyu hadn’t anticipated creating such an ambiguous moment, yet she couldn’t retreat. In this cramped space, the young Marquis’s presence was overpowering, leaving her no escape.

Xie Xun lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on the ear he had just bitten. Under the faint glow of the oil lamp, that ear now appeared red as though bleeding. Xie Xun suddenly felt an inexplicable urge, a primal hunger, like a beast encountering its sweet prey.

He bit gently against his teeth, resisting the temptation to bite again.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, the girl in his arms flinched like a startled rabbit trembling in exasperated fear. Xie Xun quickly turned his gaze, bending forward slightly with his back facing her, "Climb up, I’ll carry you down."

Fengyu stood awkwardly, unwilling to let Xie Xun carry her downstairs. Yet the young Marquis, not giving her a chance to protest, pulled her wrist over and directly hoisted her onto his back. Fengyu cried out in astonishment, throwing her arms around his neck.

Though the staircase was narrow, Xie Xun carried her down with remarkable steadiness, far more comfortable than fumbling alone. Fengyu rested her head on his shoulder, unable to resist touching the ear that Xie Xun had just bitten. Her ear burned hot in response.

The entire descent was spent in silence, neither breaking it, only their breaths intertwining. Outside, the sounds of dragon boat festivities grew louder. The rare opportunity for commoners to witness the royal visage brought them excitement and thrill.

Fengyu silently pondered. With the Crown Princess Consort giving birth to the first legitimate imperial grandson, the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion should now have room to breathe. His circumstances should not be as dire anymore.

Qiuxiang and Chunlu saw Xie Xun carrying Fengyu downstairs and froze for a moment before stepping forward to meet them. When Xie Xun set her down, Fengyu awkwardly retreated to create some distance between them. Xie Xun stood still, his gaze landing on the flowered hairpin adorning her head. In a faint voice, he remarked, "The Marquis shall take his leave."

"Xie Xun, may peace and joy accompany you for Lantern Festival," Fengyu blurted, offering her blessing.

Xie Xun’s lips curled into a half-smile. "The Marquis is better suited for wealth and fortune wishes."

Fengyu, "..."

His laughter echoed as he strode away. Nuanyang and Feiying led the guards accompanying him for duty. Nuanyang glanced back over his shoulder as he walked, waving farewell to them.

"Miss, are you unwell? Your face is red—did you get overheated?" Qiuxiang rubbed her palms together and reached out to touch Fengyu’s forehead.

Fengyu had returned to her calm and composed demeanor. "I’m fine, don’t be so tense. Let’s go find Junjun and Xue Lan."

Chunlu and Qiuxiang supported her as they left the stargazing pavilion. Outside, the dragon boat procession was in full swing. Both shores were packed with crowds. Searching for Fang Lingjun and Princess Xue Lan amidst such throngs proved to be a daunting task. As they passed Mudan Building, Fengyu spotted Lin Cheng leading several Forbidden Army guards outside it. She frowned slightly—what was Lin Cheng doing?

Lin Cheng noticed Fengyu among the crowd but paid her no mind. Shortly after, Lady Thirteen led a group of women from Mudan Building. Fengyu’s heart raced wildly—could it be that the matter of her and Lady Thirteen assassinating Imperial Uncle Lv and injuring Duke Ning had been exposed? Lady Thirteen spotted Fengyu but acted as though ignorant.

Lady Thirteen, along with four women, departed with Lin Cheng and the Forbidden Army, drawing admiration from bystanders who praised the women of Mudan Building.

"The ladies of Mudan Building are renowned across the realm, personally selected by the Emperor for performance—what divine fortune this is."

"If one were favored by a nobleman, they’d soar high as a phoenix on the bough."

Fengyu furrowed her brows, watching their retreating figures, her expression heavy with concern. Why was the Emperor abruptly selecting women from Mudan Building for a performance?

Women leaving for performances were beyond Fengyu’s control. She could only wait nearby at the lantern festivities for news to return after the dragon boat procession concluded.

"Ayu, Ayu..." Fang Lingjun eagerly waved at her. Fengyu saw Fang Lingjun, Princess Xue Lan, and several young gentlemen among the crowd—it was Lin Xiao, Zhou Liyu, Zhang Boxin, and Cai Wensen.

Fengyu approached and greeted them courteously. Zhang Boxin, Zhou Liyu, and Cai Wensen were not wearing Imperial College uniforms. These scion gentlemen preferred understated but refined attire, donning jade crowns and carrying scented jade pouches at their waists. Their youthful and handsome faces stood out prominently amidst the crowd. Though Fengyu had met them a few times before, she wasn’t particularly acquainted with them.

"Fengyu, you really do love wearing red and gold. You’re instantly noticeable in the crowd," Zhou Liyu quipped, lively and spirited. "Wearing so many bejeweled hairpins in public—aren’t you afraid of thieves?"

The group burst into laughter. This laughter was different from the derision she experienced during her time at Imperial College; Fengyu chuckled lightly as well. "If he can steal them, then that’s his talent."

"Ayu looks stunning and dignified in her attire—you all just lack taste to appreciate it!"

Zhang Boxin smirked. "Fengyu, this is your handkerchief friend, dressing plainly yet complimenting your red and gold style as lovely? So hypocritical! You should stop befriending her."

Fang Lingjun clutched her waist and delivered a kick. "You’re asking for it!"

Everyone roared with laughter, eventually agreeing to view the lanterns together. Out of consideration for Princess Xue Lan and Fang Lingjun, Fengyu joined them willingly, quickly growing familiar with the group. Lin Xiao walked quietly behind Fengyu, almost like a guardian deity, occasionally interjecting a word or two. Being scions of noble families and having studied at Imperial College, their discussions were lively and wide-ranging.