Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 27 Household Affairs

"Don't bring up such heavy topics. Let me share something amusing. My good-for-nothing younger brother came back all injured today. Guess what? He was fooling around with that notorious Third Miss from the Feng Family." Lin Cheng sneered coldly. "He's no master of his craft, yet dares to play hero to rescue a beauty. Almost cost him his life."

"The Third Miss Feng who was rejected by the top scorer?" Xie Xun mused, as if intrigued. "I've heard a bit about her. What happened between Lin Xiao and her?"

Xie Xun was remarkably handsome, lounging lazily in a chair padded with fox fur. His smile flirted on the edge of mischief—charming but not vulgar. The stark contrast of black and white in his eyes hinted at unseen blades, though they were concealed by his laughter.

"That Third Miss Feng is a peculiar one. Tenant farmers at Yiling Village were exploiting loopholes and paying less rent. She went to confront them, and then got ambushed that night. Lin Xiao happened to be there watching the drama unfold. Unable to return to the city late at night, he stayed at her manor and nearly lost his life." Lin Cheng shook his head. "Every time Lin Xiao gets involved with Feng San, it spells trouble. Last time, he got kicked into the lake and couldn't get up for three days, yet somehow he hasn't learned his lesson. Now, he's gone after her again—he must have lost his mind. If he hadn't stopped her last time, my mother would have stormed into the Feng Mansion to demand accountability."

The one who had actually kicked Lin Xiao into the lake, Xie Xun, remained calm as he sipped his wine. With a faint smirk, he raised an eyebrow. "She went to collect rent, and the tenants became so disgruntled that they sent someone to kill her?"

"No idea who she offended. Lin Xiao said those assassins were well-trained, definitely not amateurs hired by farmers." Lin Cheng visibly disdained Fengyu. "A mere girl from the inner chambers stirring up such chaos—anyone who gets involved with her is out of luck."

Xie Xun chuckled softly for no apparent reason. Raising his wine glass, his expression was both mocking and resigned. Truly, anyone who gets involved with her is out of luck.

"You know as well as I do that my brother is nothing but a libertine, not even remotely interested in women. Feng San's infatuation with Jiang Yang is a widely known scandal. Now, she's tangled up with Lin Xiao, making him risk his life for her. Shameless, just another fox spirit causing trouble from who knows where." Lin Cheng swirled his wine with a certain venom. "If she dares to cling to Lin Xiao, let's see how I handle her!"

"You should worry about managing Lin Xiao!" Xie Xun downed his liquor with no mercy, saying bluntly, "And warn him—don't entertain wild dreams."

"Are you implying that Lin Xiao is chasing after Feng San? Impossible. Her father is merely a fifth-rank military general, and she herself is disgraceful and shameless. She's not even fit to be a concubine for someone like Lin Xiao. Why would he be interested in her? I hear the Feng girls are good-looking; perhaps she's only suitable as a plaything."

Xie Xun gripped his wine cup tightly. His jet-black gaze was as calm and cold as the silence before a storm. His strikingly good looks often made people forget that he was a young general, ruthless in battle—a murderer disguised beneath the soft allure of the Capital's pleasantries.

"A fifth-rank military general, so what?" Xie Xun's tone was languid yet alarmingly dangerous. "The eldest daughter of General Wude is the future daughter-in-law of my Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. And you mean to say that her sister is only good enough to be Lin Xiao's plaything?"

Lin Cheng froze, caught off guard by Xie Xun's outburst. Awkwardly, he forced a laugh and slapped his own mouth. "Forgive my loose tongue—drunken nonsense. Little Marquis, don't be angry. I'll punish myself with three glasses."

Xie Xun sneered coldly. Lin Cheng rarely referred to himself as "cousin" in front of him. True to his word, Lin Cheng grabbed a jug and poured himself three consecutive drinks to atone. Nuanyang strode briskly into the courtyard, holding a letter. "Master, there's a family letter from Ningzhou."

Lin Cheng, sensing Xie Xun's annoyance, decided not to linger in the mansion. He rose and took his leave. "Little Marquis, don't take my drunken words to heart. Next time, my treat—we'll have a proper drink in the Peony Garden."

"Very well!" Xie Xun remained lounging lazily, not even bothering to stand and see him out. Lin Cheng didn't mind the dismissal. The Little Marquis had always been bold and untamed, placing no one in his eyes. He dared to even hit the Third Prince—why would Lin Cheng dare to act like an elder cousin in front of him?

After Lin Cheng left, Nuanyang quickly stepped into the pavilion and handed the letter to Xie Xun. "Young Master, this was delivered by Zhang Da, who serves the young lady."

The Feng Mansion, Plum Garden.

After Feng Changlin returned from his duties, Lady Feng complained about Fengyu's misconduct. The couple then headed to the Old Madam's Songhe Garden. They stayed there for an hour before Mrs. Rong, who served the Old Madam, came to summon Fengyu. When Fengyu arrived at the Songhe Garden, the Old Madam was brewing tea by the windowsill. A calming incense burned in the brazier, and the room, warmed by silver charcoal, was cozy. Fengyu shrugged off her cloak and handed it to Qiuxiang. Qiuxiang followed Mrs. Rong to an adjacent room to drink tea while she waited, leaving only the grandmother and granddaughter in the main room.

Fengyu clung to the Old Madam coquettishly, "Grandmother, did you miss me? Being outside for just a day felt like three autumns—I missed you to death!"

The Old Madam smiled fondly and tapped her on the forehead. "You little rascal, don't think sweet talk will spare you."

"If Grandmother listens to just one side of the story from Uncle and Aunt and blames me," Fengyu huffed, "then I refuse to accept it."

The Old Madam cradled her face tenderly, her warm palm against Fengyu's slightly cold cheek, teasing, "Then why don't you tell me—where do you feel wronged?"

Fengyu pouted and refused to speak. The Old Madam pulled her to sit on the heated couch. When the water on the stove began to boil, Fengyu lifted the copper kettle, poured water, and brewed tea in one seamless motion. The Old Madam could tell from her demeanor that she had suffered grievances.

"Regarding the matter at Yiling Village, you did nothing wrong. Shu'er entrusted the estate to you to manage. At first, your grandmother worried that you were too young and inexperienced, an easy target for manipulation. But it seems you've handled everything quite well, with order and diligence. However, my dear Yu'er, even teeth and tongues occasionally clash—how can family living under one roof not? You've repeatedly contradicted your uncle and aunt. To their credit, they've tolerated your youth and never made things difficult for you. As the younger generation, if their words make sense, listen. If you find them unreasonable, endure it. Why scold them to the point of losing face? Your aunt has managed the household for years and values her reputation. Family bonds run deep, and only by standing together through hardship and prosperity can a family thrive. I know you're standing up for your mother, and I have no doubt that if anyone disrespected me, you'd defend me just the same. Loyalty is admirable, but choose your words carefully—do not wound hearts." The Old Madam spoke earnestly. "Family should not hold grudges overnight, all right?"

Fengyu felt a twinge of guilt. She rarely argued with her elders, and the "repeated contradictions" Grandmother mentioned probably referred to Xie Xun's defiance on her behalf. Sheepishly, she conceded, "The world preaches repayment of kindness a hundredfold—but why does she always humiliate Mother?"

The Old Madam held her hand, gently rubbing it. "Your aunt was born into an aristocratic family. Even as a Countess, she'd be more than fitting—she was raised in wealth and privilege. Fate brought her to marry into the Feng Family. Initially, she looked down on us, seeing the Feng family as a modest household, and disrespected her mother-in-law. Then, your mother married in. Being a merchant's daughter, she became the subject of ridicule, especially for standing as her sister-in-law. There was inevitably resentment. Later, during that rebellion, both the Feng Family and your aunt's family suffered—falling from grace. Living off your mother's dowry must have deepened her bitterness, though she'd never admit it. When your older sister was betrothed to Marquis Zhenbei's son, her jealousy and resentment grew. Do you know why?"

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"I don't!" Fengyu said, genuinely unaware of the history. She only knew her sister and Xie Zhang had been engaged in Ningzhou.