Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 12 The Fanciful Three Young Ladies

"Little Marquis, for the sake of the soldiers in Ningzhou, shall we temporarily reconcile?"

The autumn wind was bleak, a carpet of fallen osmanthus flowers lay before the door. Xie Xun silently boarded the carriage, and the party headed toward Furong Inn.

Furong Inn was located west of the city, nestled behind the bustling streets of flower alley and willow lane. This area was often a haunt for the wealthy seeking pleasure or a place to settle mistresses. Unless for urgent matters, the city's official authorities rarely trespassed here, and patrolling soldiers seldom ventured in, lest they accidentally offend a scion of aristocracy and bring unnecessary troubles.

Fengyu and Xie Xun's carriage arrived outside Furong Inn. Xie Xun veiled his face with a thin layer of gauze, concealing his features. The Princely Heir Han Ziqi's guards stood waiting by the entrance. Seeing the carriage's arrival, they looked rather surprised. Han Ziqi, given his sensitive status, had chosen Furong Inn as a discreet meeting place to avoid attention; the lower the profile, the safer it would be. Yet Xie Xun chose instead to take the opposite approach. After the guards greeted him, Fengyu waited for Xie Xun to dismount from the carriage and proceeded with the guards into Furong Inn.

Furong Inn, as its name implied, was the boudoir of an Oiran. Beyond the flower-draped entrance, there was a spacious pool surrounded by winding corridors, bridged by small arched crossings. Water lilies floated gracefully in the pool, and fish swam freely beneath. Red lanterns adorned the corridors, evoking a distinct charm amidst the autumn air and sweet osmanthus fragrance.

"The Little Marquis truly has an unyielding courage to bring a woman to this meeting." Han Ziqi stood at the railing on the second floor, hands clasped behind him.

Fengyu tilted her head to look up. Han Ziqi bore the unique gentleness and elegance of Southern men, with refined features and a polished demeanor adorned in luxurious garments. He looked every inch the pampered young man from the capital, untouched by sorrows.

Always mindful to play the role of Xie Xun, Fengyu responded with a playful grin, "Ah, the intoxicating allure of a gentle land, a hunting ground for youthful conquests. My reputation in the capital precedes me—bringing women to banquets is the most normal thing I could do."

Xie Xun suspected Fengyu of deliberately mocking him. Just as the thought crossed his mind, Fengyu reached out and wrapped her arm around his waist, leading him into Furong Building. Xie Xun's face darkened; this flirtatious and rakish playboy act was something she performed effortlessly. Feiying and Nuanyang kept their heads lowered, observing the ground, seemingly indifferent. Nuanyang, however, inwardly commended: the Third Miss truly was brave, daring to embrace their Family Head.

Xie Xun never dreamed he'd live to see the day where he'd be teased by himself. Beneath the veil, his face was blackened with anger, though, given the significance of the negotiation, he couldn't afford to lose his temper.

Feiying and Nuanyang were blocked by Han Ziqi's guards downstairs, watching nervously as Fengyu escorted Xie Xun up to the second floor. Though the Little Marquis was undefeated in battles, he was now stuck in the Third Miss's body. The Third Miss, while occupying the Little Marquis's body, was notoriously unskilled in combat. The duo worried that complications might arise, potentially ending with their deaths at Furong Inn.

Noticing their unease, Xie Xun turned back to give them a calming look—a signal to proceed according to his cues—which finally managed to ease their tension.

Fengyu led Xie Xun upstairs, where Han Ziqi sat at the head seat. Three musicians played melodies while two dancers in sheer garments swayed captivatingly. Their waists were supple and fair, twisting like water snakes as they moved. Sultry and enchanting, the dancers wore small bell ornaments around their navels, ringing crisply with their motions. Fengyu, as an inexperienced maiden, stared wide-eyed at the dancers' sinuous figures, completely mesmerized.

How do they wear the bells? It must hurt!

Her entranced expression resembled that of a clueless country bumpkin, utterly unlike Xie Xun, a seasoned frequenter of flower streets. Unable to tolerate her behavior, Xie Xun pinched her arm in frustration. Snapping out of her daze, Fengyu heard Han Ziqi burst into laughter and say, "If the Little Marquis fancies them, feel free to take them along. These two beauties have been meticulously trained for years and are very... well-practiced."

Fengyu glanced at Xie Xun, who shot her an icy look warning her not to create unnecessary trouble. Feeling aggrieved, Fengyu kept her composure while Han Ziqi noticed the unspoken dialogue exchanged between them, stealing an extra glance at Xie Xun.

Fengyu loosened her cloak and placed it nonchalantly by her side before taking a seat, exuding the commanding presence of the Little Marquis. Directly, she said, "Once we finish discussing business, indulging in revelry will naturally follow. That's the true joy of life."

"Little Marquis, fine wine, sumptuous delicacies, bewitching dances—this moment is meant for indulgence. Why spoil the mood?" Han Ziqi clapped his hands, signaling the performers. "These are the finest dancers in Jiangnan; the Little Marquis should thoroughly enjoy them."

Fengyu and Xie Xun exchanged a glance. Xie Xun poured her a cup of wine, while Fengyu kept her silence and smiled. The Lute Master began playing, accompanied by the pipa, cascading melodies filled the pavilion. The dancers moved in rhythm to the music, their waistlines enchanting, eyes seductive. Fengyu had an appreciation for beauty—whether a scenic view or a stunning dancer—and watched them, utterly captivated. When one dancer cast her an enticing look, Fengyu responded with a gentle, charming smile.

Xie Xun, "..."

He had been worried that Fengyu, as a cloistered maiden, might struggle to impersonate a lascivious nobleman. To his astonishment, her fascination with beauty seemed completely unpretentious—no acting required.

The dancers, clad in thin garments, revealed soft waists, delicate arms, and gracefully proportioned legs—a portrait of sublime allure that mesmerized Fengyu. Propping her chin in her hand, she admired the scene unabashedly.

Han Ziqi observed Fengyu, impressed that she managed to embody a flower-streets frequenter better than Xie Xun himself. She lacked the sinister edge inherent to Xie Xun, though added a softer charm.

Han Ziqi furrowed his brows, questioning if indulgence in such pleasures could truly transform a person. Xie Xun seemed almost unrecognizable from two years ago—he nearly doubted it was the same man.

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"Little Marquis, enjoying the dance?"

"Quite enjoyable." Fengyu responded, enraptured. A dancer spun toward her, draping an arm around her neck before sitting down on her lap. Concerned for the dancer's balance, Fengyu gently held her by the waist. The performer plucked a piece of fruit and teasingly fed it to Fengyu as she called out coquettishly, "Little Marquis." Fengyu bit into the fruit, her eyes locked on the dancer with a playful gaze, "Truly sweet."

Xie Xun, "..."

What a picture-perfect scene: an amorous nobleman and a flirtatious beauty. He could only stand by, watching 'himself' tease a dancer while appearing questionably predatory. Witnessing the soft and tender smile now adorning his own face, Xie Xun felt an almost uncontrollable urge to eliminate Fengyu.

A mutual demise—why not?

Detecting Xie Xun's simmering rage, Fengyu offered an innocent stare. Why was the Little Marquis irritated? Wasn't this merely his usual persona?

Han Ziqi toyed with his wine cup, asking provocatively, "Little Marquis, I've yet to enjoy a performance from Yanyang's dancers. Could the beauty beside you offer us one?"

"Hm?" Fengyu froze, realizing the negotiation required Xie Xun's utmost effort to succeed, though it seemed almost certain they'd be adding fresh graves to the mass burial ground after today.

Fengyu patted the dancer's shoulder to dismiss her. She perceptively stepped away, knowing full well she wouldn't dare suggest such a thing to Xie Xun—the man who had been on battlefields since thirteen knew only how to kill, certainly not how to entertain.

"Little Marquis, to refuse even a dance from your beauty—is that how negotiation sincerity is displayed?" Han Ziqi seemed to sense something, intentionally turning the situation difficult.

Fengyu's expression chilled. "Princely Heir, if a beauty dances, will the Southwest Grain Road be open for discussion?"

"Of course!"

Fengyu found herself in a bind. She leaned slightly toward Xie Xun, whispering softly at his ear, "Could you... dance?"

Her warm breath tickled his ear, while Xie Xun's fingers tightened against the teacup, his gaze sharpening into a blade's edge. Though startled by his dangerous aura, Fengyu pressed on, "If you don't, he'll keep pushing me, and this situation may escalate beyond control."

The Southwest Grain Road was Xie Xun's only option. With tens of thousands of soldiers in Ningzhou depending on promised provisions already en route, he would not hesitate to kneel if that was what the cause demanded.