Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 98: Fall into the Lake

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Fall into the Lake

Lin Yu Yan, though foolish and wicked, had always looked down on Mr. Jiang, finding him utterly repulsive.

"Jiang Yang, have you lost your mind? Even if my reputation is utterly ruined, it’ll never be your turn to marry me. And still, you act so smug, like you’re something special. What are you? You don’t even deserve to carry my shoes!" Lin Yu Yan, in her confusion and fury, completely forgot about her earlier attempts to seduce Jiang Yang.

Lan Xin tried desperately to intervene, quickly pulling her back, "Miss, stop talking."

Jiang Yang, however, still believed they were deeply in love, separated only because Lin Yu Yan had been banished to the manor, forcing them apart with regretful hearts. With a shocked expression, Jiang Yang declared, "Miss Yuyan, you once told me you admired my noble demeanor parading through the streets as top scorer. You said you loved my literary talent and my collection of poetry. You claimed you fell in love with me at first sight, wanting me to break off my engagement and marry you. Your words were heartfelt and unforgettable—do you not remember?"

By the river, where crowds bustled, Jiang Yang’s words caused an uproar of murmurs among those present. The onlookers whispered and pointed fingers, prompting Lin Yu Yan to lash out viciously at them. "What are you looking at? Get lost!" she snarled.

Turning back to Jiang Yang, she issued a sharp warning. "I find you repulsive now, Jiang Yang. I don’t like you anymore! Is that so hard to accept?"

Lin Yu Yan had always been wildly arrogant and heeded no one, looking down on Jiang Yang while speaking with careless cruelty. Jiang Yang was crushed. "Miss Yuyan, my heart remains devoted to you. We exchanged letters with mutual affection; we walked among the flowers at Xiangguo Temple, embraced in harmony. You even said you wouldn’t marry anyone but me in this lifetime. How could you change so suddenly?"

Lan Xin snapped, "Mr. Jiang, restrain your tongue! Our miss doesn’t even know you well."

Lin Yu Yan grew increasingly impatient. These past days had been nothing but insufferable for her—she couldn’t even find a companion to roam with during the Lantern Festival, abandoned and dismissed by everyone. Meanwhile, her rival Fengyu flourished splendidly, strolling among lanterns with glowing grandeur, only for Lin Yu Yan to now encounter the misfortune of Jiang Yang. Without hesitation, she mocked him. "Look at you: in terms of appearance, you’re no match for Young Marquis. In status, you’re worth nothing. In riding and archery, you couldn’t hold a candle. Top scorer—so what? Can you write a few acidic poems? Big deal. What could possibly make you worthy of my affection? I just wanted Fengyu to suffer humiliation at her coming-of-age ceremony, having her engagement annulled and her reputation ruined. So I pretended to share feelings with you. Who would have thought you’d actually believe me? Haha, truly laughable!"

The trio secretly listening was utterly dumbfounded. Lin Yu Yan continually shattered Fengyu’s comprehension of depravity. Before the coming-of-age ceremony, their interactions had been limited to confrontations at Imperial College. Yet Lin Yu Yan went as far as to deceive Jiang Yang into breaking off the betrothal, disgracing her publicly.

Unspeakably compromising her reputation and purity, and she didn’t care at all!

Qiuxiang was indignant. "Miss Lin is simply shameless! Truly despicable to harm someone when there’s no grudge or grievance before the coming-of-age ceremony."

"Mr. Jiang and Miss Lin—a perfect match made in hell. Utterly revolting," Chunlu added in disgust, frowning deeply.

However, which unmarried girl would stoop to such schemes to harm others? Fengyu had initially believed Jiang Yang broke off the engagement under pressure from Young Marquis. Xie Xun had never openly justified himself, but to think Jiang Yang willingly sought higher connections.

That belief had always lingered with Fengyu—if Jiang Yang hadn’t been chasing status, all his studies would’ve been in vain. Why else would he break off the engagement? It wasn’t advantageous to him in any way.

Fengyu’s gaze cooled. "Indeed, a match made in hell."

She motioned for Chunlu, who leaned closer. Fengyu whispered a few instructions in her ear. Chunlu froze in astonishment, straightened herself, and departed. Qiuxiang asked, "Miss, what’s Chunlu going to do?"

"Play matchmaker!" Fengyu’s lips curved into a sarcastic smile. For Lin Xiao’s sake, she had originally hoped to reconcile with Lin Yu Yan. But alas, Lin Yu Yan had squandered the opportunity Lin Xiao had fought for her.

The coming-of-age ceremony was meant to be one of the most significant days in Fengyu’s life—second only to her wedding day—but Lin Yu Yan had ruined it. Fengyu would undoubtedly settle that score.

The revelation shattered Jiang Yang’s confidence and infuriated him. "You cozied up to me on purpose—just so I’d break off the engagement with Fengyu? How could you... be so malicious!"

"Malicious? Mr. Jiang, it’s you who have aspirations higher than the heavens but a fate thinner than paper. If your feelings for Fengyu were steadfast, how could you have fallen for my act?" Lin Yu Yan sneered, reveling in his misfortune. "Blame Fengyu, then. Isn’t it your bad luck to be her fiancé? Ten years of toil preparing for the exam, only to be ruined by her. Hate her, Mr. Jiang!"

Struck as if by lightning, Jiang Yang froze in place as Lin Yu Yan, with Lan Xin by her side, turned to leave. Just as they approached the bridge, they were suddenly slammed by a great force. Lan Xin instinctively shielded Lin Yu Yan, but both lost their footing and tumbled into the river.

"Help! Someone help!" Lin Yu Yan screamed desperately, flailing in the river. She couldn’t swim, gripping Lan Xin tightly as both women thrashed about.

Jiang Yang, still dazed, was jolted by a cool voice. "Mr. Jiang, this is your one chance to leap over the dragon’s gate. Save her, and she’ll have no choice but to be your bride."

A crowd swarmed the lake’s edge, watching Lin Yu Yan and Lan Xin struggle in the icy waters. Their calls for help grew fainter. A man prepared to dive in to save them, but Jiang Yang acted faster, plunging into the water to rescue Lin Yu Yan.

Having lived in Liling for years, Jiang Yang was skilled in swimming. Rescuing a woman from a lake was no easy task for a man—gossip would surely ensue, and rumors of romance would be inescapable. Yet when people offered aid, it brought relief, as others soon joined in.

Chunlu returned to Fengyu’s side. Fengyu asked, "Were we noticed?"

"I wore a mask. Lan Xin didn’t see clearly. Besides, the bridge was crowded—it’s normal for there to be accidents. Miss, don’t worry." Chunlu was always meticulous, and Fengyu trusted her completely.

Standing by the bridge, Fengyu watched coldly as Lin Yu Yan struggled in the water. Winter garments, now soaked, dragged her deeper and deeper. Jiang Yang removed his cloak and clung tightly to her.

One of the female onlookers stretched out a bamboo pole toward Lan Xin, who grabbed it firmly. As Lan Xin spotted Jiang Yang clutching Lin Yu Yan, darkness clouded her vision—she nearly fainted.

It was over!

Those who schemed to ruin a woman’s reputation often harbored intricate plots. Lin Yu Yan had swallowed several gulps of icy water, shivering and stiff, her weak struggle leaving her embarrassingly exposed.

Fengyu remained expressionless. "You two truly are a perfect match. Stick together and spare others from your havoc."

"Let’s go home!"

Feeling thoroughly pleased, Fengyu turned to return to the estate. The Lantern Festival tonight had been eventful—she enjoyed every moment.

Just as she stepped away, Fang Lingjun arrived in haste, breathlessly finding her. "Ayu, something... has happened... Your elder sister fell into the water but was rescued by the Second Prince!"

"What?" The sudden news struck Fengyu like thunder. Her heart raced uncontrollably, feeling an icy chill. She had just orchestrated Lin Yu Yan’s fall into the water—and now her elder sister shared a similar fate. Was this karma?

"Is elder sister alright?"

Fang Lingjun steadied her breathing, guiding Fengyu to a secluded spot, "She seems fine—just swallowed a few mouthfuls of water. Apart from the Crown Prince and the consorts aboard the dragon boat, the Princes and Princesses had wandered off to entertain themselves. The Second Prince, for some reason, collided with your elder sister near the river. Amidst the commotion, she was pushed into the water, and the Second Prince jumped in after her, rescuing her in full view of the crowd."