Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 40 Ambiguity
CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40 AMBIGUITY
Fengyu hadn’t expected him to seek solitude here. "Today Fengyu faced danger—many thanks to Young Marquis Xie for saving my life."
"If this marquis hadn’t saved you, you could have saved yourself," Xie Xun retorted. That arrow striking the horse’s leg might have saved her life anyway. As the brilliant sunlight glimmered, Xie Xun raised a hand to shield his eyes and said mockingly, "You truly have no fear of death, daring to risk your life against Lin Yu Yan."
Fengyu replied lightly, "I had no intention of stirring up dust, yet the wind brought it my way. Involving Young Marquis Xie was purely accidental. Young Marquis’s righteous assistance is deeply appreciated."
"Righteousness?" Xie Xun stood, petals fluttering as he moved. Bending down to look at Fengyu, he spoke with a half-smile, "Could this marquis have any other merits?"
He was so close that Fengyu smelled the blend of alcohol and floral fragrance on him. Amid the vibrant bouquet of flowers, the contrast of black and red made him seem like part of a painting. Meeting his gaze, Fengyu saw depth and charm in those roguish eyes. She smiled radiantly and praised, "Young Marquis Xie possesses loyalty and bravery, excels in warfare, can bring calm to the nation with his pen, and secure victory with sword and steed—truly the most admirable young general of the Yanyang Dynasty."
Xie Xun’s playful grin froze for a moment. He studied the luminous brilliance in her eyes as though trying to pierce her disguise, only to find sincerity in her gaze. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stop.
For two years, Young Marquis Xie had heard nothing but slander and curses; it had been long since anyone recognized his loyalty and valor.
"Third Miss, you lie so charmingly."
"Fengyu’s every word came from my heart."
Xie Xun snorted coldly. He knew better than anyone who Fengyu was—adept in disguise. She could act weak to prey on the strong or conceal daggers beneath honeyed words. Extracting a genuine sentiment from her would be harder than scaling the heavens.
"When you clashed with Lin Yu Yan, if she hadn’t dodged, do you realize what your fate would have been?" Xie Xun straightened and no longer pressed his gaze upon her.
"Her mount and my Zhui Xue differ greatly in size. I would have been tossed into the air, perhaps smashed into a bloody heap upon impact." Xie Xun’s overpowering presence made Fengyu step back discreetly.
"Knowing this, you still chose to collide with her?" Xie Xun observed her subtle retreat without exposing it. Fengyu always held him in immense apprehension, never letting down her guard.
"In a collision, life or death is decided by King Yan. I might perish and turn to Huangquan, but she too is made of flesh and blood—what is there to fear?" Fengyu’s brows relaxed. "Lin Yu Yan looks down on me. Thinking my life is cheap, she would surely avoid risking hers. On a narrow road, whoever dares to wager everything will win. If I cowered, others would only exploit my weakness. Facing death boldly, she would hesitate, and I would seize my chance to survive."
Xie Xun silently considered—people should not be judged by appearances.
Beneath her fragile exterior lay an unyielding determination. This woman’s mind and tactics surpassed even men in ruthlessness.
"This trick—it works not just on Lin Yu Yan, but on me as well, doesn’t it?" Xie Xun’s lips curved into an ambiguous smile.
Fengyu hesitated, preparing to argue. But just then, hurried footsteps approached near the Moon Gate, accompanied by voices of Zhang Jingmiao and Lin Yu Yan. If they caught her and Xie Xun together in the garden, rumors of a secret rendezvous would surely spread, and Lin Yu Yan might craft another malicious scheme out of jealousy.
Xie Xun’s half-smile lingered as he glanced at her, apparently indifferent to others witnessing their supposed tryst. The garden offered no concealment except for the rockery. Fengyu hurriedly dragged Xie Xun into its shelter.
"Third Miss, you..." Xie Xun showed no intention of cooperating. Meanwhile, Lin Yu Yan, Zhang Jingmiao, and Wu Changhuan entered the garden. Fengyu stood on her tiptoes, hastily covering Xie Xun’s mouth.
Xie Xun: "..."
Inside the rockery, the view was dim. Fengyu’s hands, which had just touched flowers, carried their fragrance and rested against Xie Xun’s face. The softness of her touch and her icy hairpins pressed against his neck created a contrasting sensation of cold and warmth—a clash of ice and fire.
Lin Yu Yan, Zhang Jingmiao, and Wu Changhuan roamed the garden, searching. Lin Yu Yan’s annoyance boiled over. "You really saw Fengyu enter the garden, didn’t you?"
"Aside from you, she’s the only one dressed in red today. I’m certain it was her—she must have come here to meet someone secretly." Wu Changhuan replied.
"That wretch humiliated me publicly by causing my cousin to reprimand me. I won’t let her off the hook!" Lin Yu Yan snarled, scouring for Fengyu. "Search carefully! I’ll see where she can hide!"
Zhang Jingmiao spoke nervously, "This is King Qi’s banquet. If something happens to her, won’t we also be implicated? After all, her elder sister is Xie Zhang’s fiancée."
"Xie Zhang is a mere illegitimate son—what are you afraid of? Xie Xun is my legitimate cousin, and my brother will shield me. No one will suspect that we’re behind it," Lin Yu Yan sneered venomously. "I’ve already prepared a chamber. Once she’s alone, I’ll make sure she loses her reputation and falls into a fate worse than death."
Fengyu broke into a cold sweat upon hearing this—the chamber was prepared? A plot to ruin a woman’s life... Fengyu clutched Xie Xun’s robes tightly, her hatred chilling. Lin Yu Yan truly intended to have someone violate her.
Xie Xun felt the simmering fury within Fengyu. His gaze turned frosty; Lin Yu Yan’s arrogance had even dared to disregard his older brother.
"There’s a rockery here..." Wu Changhuan moved toward the fake mountain. Fengyu startled. If they found her hiding there, accusations of impropriety would be undeniable, and Lin Yu Yan wouldn’t even have to plot further for her downfall.
Xie Xun reacted swiftly. As Wu Changhuan approached the rockery, Xie Xun tucked himself into a narrow crevice and pulled Fengyu in by her sash, forcing their bodies to press tightly together. With her trapped against him, Fengyu was stunned, disoriented. She’d never been this close to a man before. Overwhelmed with shock and confusion, she could distinctly feel Xie Xun’s breath brushing against her hairpins, their intertwined breaths creating an oddly intimate and suggestive atmosphere. Uncomfortable, Fengyu squirmed, trying to shift away, only to hear Xie Xun’s husky voice: "Don’t move."
Wu Changhuan peered into the rockery but found nothing. Lin Yu Yan and Zhang Jingmiao joined him and asked, "Did you see anyone?"
"No."
"Take a look inside!"
Fengyu’s heart leapt into her throat. Xie Xun remained coldly composed, watching the entrance, already calculating ways to prevent discovery. Fengyu’s nerves caused her heartbeat to race uncontrollably. Then, a maid sprinted over and announced, "Miss, the archery banquet is beginning."
About to inspect the rockery, Lin Yu Yan paused, "Let’s leave this for after the banquet."
"Let’s go!"
All three turned and departed as they approached the entrance. Only after confirming their departure did Fengyu exhale in relief. Even someone usually calm and clever like her couldn’t entirely avoid panic in an emergency. Xie Xun, however, remained unfazed. Silently, they emerged from the rockery, Fengyu still recovering from the commotion, avoiding any eye contact with Xie Xun.
A peculiar blend of awkwardness and unspoken intimacy filled the air between them.
"Stay close to Fang Lingjun. Don’t stray alone," Xie Xun’s crisp voice broke the tense silence.
Fengyu flushed, her face reminiscent of a morning glow. Xie Xun’s proximity rattled her composure. Flustered, she offered a hurried bow and fled, leaving Xie Xun to watch her retreating figure in amusement. Who would have thought Fengyu could still blush? After she departed, his gaze chilled completely. Lin Yu Yan dared to orchestrate such a heinous plot against Fengyu—utterly brazen.
With Fengyu’s vengeful nature, she surely wouldn’t let Lin Yu Yan off easily.