Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 32 Marriage 2

However, the young men selected by Lady Feng were either from families of excessively high status unwilling to consider Feng Wan, already betrothed, or were licentious, idle heirs squandering family fortunes. No choice seemed satisfying. When Lady Feng lowered her standards somewhat, she felt it would wrong Feng Wan, and so, the matter was gradually deferred. By mid-year, Marshal Fang's eldest legitimate son, Fang Chuning, lost his fiancée to an untimely death, and the Fang Family sought another match. As Lady Feng and Mrs. Fang had been like sisters in their youth and frequently visited each other, Lady Feng intended to have Feng Wan married to Fang Chuning. The mothers from both sides had tacitly reached a verbal agreement.

"Ling'er, marriages are made based on parental consent and matchmakers' arrangements. Without a formal proposal or betrothal, how can it count? Don't mention it again—it will only invite ridicule. If the marriage fails to proceed, people will say I'm a fool chasing dreams," Feng Wan said sternly. "Mother has delayed in confirming a groom for me, and already others are saying I think too highly of myself, refusing to marry unless it's to princes or nobles. If you continue with such idle talk inviting gossip, where does that leave me as your elder sister?"

"Big Sister, don't be angry. I was wrong," Feng Ling clung to her arm playfully. "I won't say another word until the Fang Family formally delivers the betrothal gift and everything is settled between our families. Then we can finally hold our heads high and no longer need to endure the Second Branch's arrogance. The Fang Family and Marquis Zhenbei Mansion are equally matched in stature, and Fang Chuning, as the legitimate eldest son, holds a status far superior to Xie Zhang."

Feng Wan laughed and scolded, "You dare to continue talking of this!"

Feng Ling laughed as well, "Fine, fine, fine. I won't say it anymore."

Though Feng Wan scolded Feng Ling, inwardly she felt greatly relieved and pleasantly delighted. As the eldest sister in the family, she had always lived under Feng Shu's shadow. Despite her beauty, grace, and learning, she had been overshadowed by her younger sister, who held the prestigious position of First Lady of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. Growing up, Feng Wan had endured countless snide remarks. Even among their own family, Feng Shu's status was higher than hers. Within the Capital City, noblewomen would bypass her to send invitations directly to Feng Shu. Feng Ling, in turn, often envied Fengyu's fine clothing and jewelry, unable to resist wanting to snatch them away.

The Second Branch sisters constantly outshone her and her siblings. Clearly, her father was a third-rank official while her second uncle was merely a fifth-rank military officer—so why? She was no less capable than Feng Shu, yet she was always shrouded by her brilliance. After the marriage with the Fang Family was tentatively decided, Feng Wan was so happy she could hardly sleep at night, eagerly awaiting the Fang Family's formal betrothal gift. Upon hearing that Old Mrs. Fang was visiting today, Feng Wan felt a surge of anticipation she could barely suppress.

A woman's marriage is her second chance to change her destiny; only by marrying better than Feng Shu could she escape the shadow of living under her sister's radiance since childhood.

Feng Wan affectionately embraced her younger sister. "Ling'er, once my marriage is settled, you'll be the only one left without a match. Yu'er's tarnished reputation will bring trouble to you too, so when outside, you must be more mature and composed. Let others see that the Feng daughters carry themselves with dignity, virtue, and grace. This will make it easier for Mother to arrange a match for you in the future."

Feng Ling grumbled in resentment, "If it weren't for Third Sister, your match wouldn't have been so difficult and delayed for so long. People are already questioning the Feng Family's upbringing, and after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony incident, it's only gotten worse. It'll impact me even further. I've come to detest her deeply."

"Ling'er, fate and circumstances are unpredictable," Feng Wan said gently. "Though my marriage is settled late, it's settled well. Early matches aren't necessarily good. Conduct yourself properly, and others will take notice."

"I understand, Sister," Feng Ling replied.

Fang Lingjun played in the Plum Garden until quite late. When Old Mrs. Fang arrived, she didn't allow the young ladies to receive her or even let Lady Feng meet her. Instead, Lady Feng and Nanny Li stayed behind closed doors discussing whether the visit was for delivering the betrothal gift. If it were, Old Mrs. Fang would likely summon Lady Feng. As time passed and Old Mrs. Fang left with Fang Lingjun, Lady Feng couldn't shake off a growing sense of unease and disappointment.

Lady Feng knew it wasn't about the betrothal gift. A foreboding feeling overwhelmed her. In her courtyard, Feng Wan sat in silence, her expression betraying her anxiety. When Feng Changlin returned home from work, Mrs. Rong delivered the message that everyone was to gather in Songhe Garden after dinner.

Old Mrs. Feng, advanced in age, preferred peace and quiet, and usually avoided dining with the family. Knowing Old Mrs. Fang's purpose, Fengyu anticipated the discord that would arise. She prepared to bring the osmanthus cakes made by Qiuxiang to Songhe Garden, as Old Mrs. Feng, angered by the situation, had refused dinner entirely. Fengyu coaxed her to eat a few pieces of osmanthus cake. Careful not to overfeed her due to the sticky nature of rice-based cakes, Fengyu managed to lift Old Mrs. Feng's mood. Fengyu then claimed hunger herself, prompting Mrs. Rong, ever shrewd, to serve the two bowls of bone broth porridge softened to perfection, accompanied by dried scallops and shredded chicken. Paired with several small dishes, Old Mrs. Feng finally ate some, allowing Fengyu to breathe a sigh of relief.

Afterward, Fengyu accompanied her grandmother in walking around the room to aid digestion. When the moment seemed right, Mrs. Rong began heating water for tea. As Fengyu finished brewing the tea, Feng Changlin entered with Lady Feng, Feng Wan, and Feng Ling. After greeting them, Fengyu served them tea one by one.

Impatient, Lady Feng couldn't refrain from asking about Old Mrs. Fang's visit. Her urgency rekindled the fire that Fengyu had worked hard to calm in Old Mrs. Feng's heart.

"I've told you time and again: when picking husbands for Wanwan and Ling'er, consult me first. Why did you privately discuss marriage arrangements with Mrs. Fang? Even if you talked, how could you neglect to investigate properly? Who actually makes the decisions in the Fang Family? Your reckless actions invite nothing but mockery," Old Mrs. Feng said sternly, revealing her dissatisfaction.

Feng Changlin's face turned pale at the mention of the Fang Family. "How could you approach the Fang Family for marriage proposals?"

Lady Feng quickly stood, nervous and uneasy, "When it comes to marriage arrangements, both sides' parents typically exchange intentions first, and then the couple gets to meet before formally proposing. I merely discussed it verbally with Mrs. Fang—how is that wrong?"

"It's wrong precisely because this marriage must not proceed. Three years ago, upon returning to the Capital City, when Wanwan had just come of age, I provided you with a list of eligible families and explicitly told you that connections to this list must never be pursued. The Fang Family was first on the list, yet you ignored my warning," Old Mrs. Feng said with disappointment. "You only see the Fang Family's glory, blind to the dangers beneath. You'll bring calamity to Wanwan and disaster to the Feng Family. Foolish to the extreme!"

"Grandmother, you're unfair. Mrs. Fang has already agreed, and the Eldest Young Master Fang excels in both literary and martial accomplishments, rivaling even Xie Zhang. Why can't we proceed?" Feng Ling protested.

"Silence!" Old Mrs. Feng reprimanded. "Adults are speaking. The younger generation should listen respectfully instead of interrupting."

Startled, Feng Ling sat frozen in place—it was rare for Old Mrs. Feng's anger to flare like this.

"How foolish you are to negotiate with the Fang Family without consulting me," Feng Changlin said, visibly agitated.

"You're always preoccupied with work, barely setting foot at home. When have you ever cared about Wanwan's marriage?" retorted Lady Feng.

"Are you truly oblivious or pretending not to understand?" Feng Changlin's frustration was palpable, leaving him dizzy with rage. "I selected a match already—a truly excellent one. New Imperial Scholar Liu An, from a simple household, is educated and refined, his character gentle and elegant. Such a son-in-law you deem unsuitable, insisting instead on forcing ties with high-ranking families. Has your mind gone awry?"

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